Summer Reading 2014

Don't forget to sign up for our annual summer reading club! You have until July 12 to sign up and get all your reading done to be eligible for prizes. 

Don't know what to read? Check out these recommendations or ask us at the information desk!

Let us know what you're reading this summer in the comments or on any of our social media sites. 

Friday Finds for February 28, 2014

This is a sometimes weekly blog post featuring what the Dorris Van Doren staff members are reading, watching, playing, making, or listening to. Share your finds with us here in the comments or on twitter (@elpasolibrary) and we'll retweet you!

This week, we have two recommendations for your listening and reading pleasure!

Lluvia: Carrie by Stephen King (Playaway)

This is the well known story of the creepy girl with telekinesis, in which the 70’s movie was based on, and this audio version of the book is so entwined with the film version that Sissy Spacek does the narration. What makes the difference in this edition of the novel is the introduction done by the author Steven King, in which he recounts the heartbreaking inspirations for the main character. That is when you realize that, telekinesis aside, Carrie is a real girl with real problems and that changes the whole story. It goes from creepy girl to painfully bullied girl and you feel for her. I recommend reading the novel for more a human connection to the character that the films do not seem to reach.

Lisa: The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence (ebook)

If you tuned into this blog a couple of weeks ago, you'll know that I'm participating in YALSA's The Hub Reading Challenge. Click here to read about it and find out what I read first. 

This is the second book that I read for the challenge, and I loved it, but not at first. It took me time to get into it because it begins with the end of the story, and I wasn't clear where the author was going. It's about a British teenager who is famous for surviving being struck by a meteorite when he was ten. Alex ends up befriending an elderly American. The book is about meteors, epilepsy, Kurt Vonnegut, marijuana, and more!

It's funny, sad, and endearing. Check it out! Unfortunately, we only have it available as an ebook. 

This book won an Alex Award, which is given to 10 books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12-18.

Friday Finds for January 24, 2014

This is a weekly blog post featuring what the Dorris Van Doren staff members are reading, watching, playing, making, or listening to. Share your finds with us here in the comments or on twitter (@elpasolibrary) and we'll retweet you!

R E A D I N G

Leslie: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain

Life in England's Dark Ages and Camelot are the backdrop of the story. The main character's humorous exploits while introducing modern ideas make it a fun read.

Also currently reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool.

Aracelli: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
Gregg Heffley is growing up, but his misadventures make for a very funny book. I was laughing out loud reading the latest book in the Wimpy Kid series.

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
Carey and her younger sister have been abandoned in the woods by their drug-addicted mother. They have had no contact with the real world in six years. When they are “discovered” and forced to live with their father, Carey finds it difficult to adjust. This YA book reads like an adult book; it is heartbreaking, yet uplifting.

Lisa: The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppet by Tom Angleberger 

I'm in the middle of this fourth book, and still loving the Origami Yoda series. 

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

I'm still in the first pages of Artemis Fowl, and I'm having a hard time getting into it. I really hope it gets better, because I've been blindly recommending this series for years based on rave reviews from both teens' and adults' that come into the library.   

W A T C H I N G

Andrea: Dracula (NBC television series)

Tonight is the season finale of NBC’s latest show “Dracula”. So far the show has taken a different approach to Bram Stoker’s classic novel. While it is still set in Victorian London, the revamped series has breathed new life into Dracula (also known as Alexander Grayson in this series). I have really enjoyed this show and hope others have as well. If you have not seen this show, the past episodes are available online and can be found at www.nbc.com/dracula/. The finale tonight looks to be very explosive; I look forward to seeing how it all comes together.

Lisa: The Hangover Part III

It of course wasn't as funny and creative as the first one, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be either. I felt like they tried really hard to break the Hangover formula and use offensive humor that just fell flat. They also focused more on side characters Alan and Chow. When the movie ends, don't hit stop right away; stick around a bit for another scene.

L I S T E N I N G

Leslie: Gods of Guilt (Playaway) by Michael Connelly

M A K I N G

Don't forget, we have several books on knitting and also subscribe to Creative Knitting magazine, which can be checked out!

Leslie: Knitting a scarf for her husband

Resolutions You Can Keep

It's a new year, and the easiest resolution to make and fulfill is to visit your library! There are plenty of reasons for everyone to visit the library, especially the Dorris Van Doren Branch. If you need a more concrete resolution, try one of our 6 suggestions below. You can also visit our teen area and grab a one word resolution. HUGE thanks to the Art Bar blog for providing the idea and templates!

Resolution 1: Wipe my slate clean @ the library during Amnesty/Food For Fines
During January 3-18, come into the library to clear your fines! Return your overdue library materials in good condition without having to pay any applicable fines. If you already have fines, you can pay them down by donating canned and non-perishable goods. You can donate up to 5 items a day to get $5 worth of fines removed from your account. 1 food item = $1 fine

Resolution 2: Make good use of my electronic device
Did you receive a new gadget for Christmas or want to make use of the one you already own? Ask us about our digital services! You can download magazines from Zinio or download books, audiobooks, and more from OverDrive. You'll need your library card and PIN number, and depending on your device, you'll need to download the OverDrive app and use an Adobe ID or an Amazon account.

Resolution 3: Join a club
The Cook the Book Club returns this month, so be sure to sign up by January 16 for the potluck that will take place on Saturday, January 18 at 2 pm in the craft area. This month's cookbook selection is The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays.

Other clubs at Dorris Van Doren:
Crochet & Knitting Club, Saturdays @ 10 am
Chess Club, Thursdays @ 5 pm

Resolution 4: Get crafty
Second Friday Craft Hour for children, 2nd-6th grades @ 3:30 pm
Sweetheart Valentine's Day craft for all ages on February 8 @ 1 pm
Teen Hangout Crafts for teens ages 13-18 on Thursdays @ 4:30 pm

Resolution 5: If you have children, bring them to a storytime or playtime
Weekly Storytimes:
Toddler Tuesdays @ 11 am
Preschool Wednesdays & Thursdays @ 11 am
Family Saturdays @ 11 am

Lego Playtimes:
Get creative and build stuff. We provide the legos. Please do not bring your own.
2nd Fridays for ages 7-12 (January 17) @ 4 pm
3rd Fridays for ages 6 & under (January 24) @ 4 pm

Resolution 6: Learn a language beginning February
Classes are free and do not require registration.
Learn French
Conversational French classes begin February 11 @ 5:30 pm

Learn English
Clase de Conversación en Inglés
Vengan y practiquén el ingles. Todos los niveles bienvenidos.
Begins February 7 @ 4:30 pm

Beat the Thanksgiving Break Boredom

The Dorris Van Doren staff wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving! 

Downloadable magazine

Don't forget we'll be open from 9 am-5 pm today (November 27, 2013), closed Thursday and Friday, and open Saturday, 9 am-5 pm.

Sometimes having a lot of time off, along with tryptophan and carbs pumping through your veins can leave you a little bored. The public libraries may be closed Thursday and Friday, but we can still help you fight the boredom!





Make a New Tradition
All El Paso Public Libraries are now accepting poetry entries for our annual poetry contest. Entries are due January 31, 2014 (one entry per participant please). If you're in grades 1-12, you can enter! If not, then you can encourage the children and teens in your life to enter. You can make it an annual Thanksgiving tradition to read and write poetry during the break.

Collect Donations
We're hosting two different donation drives here at the Dorris Van Doren and you can help! The boxes are up front, near the circulation desk. One box belongs to the Girl Scouts, who are collecting gently-used winter clothing (any size) up until the end of next week. The other box belongs to the Ronald McDonald House, which will be collecting new, unwrapped toys up until December 16.  

Download Magazines

Dowloadable magazine

This is one of our favorite new services we offer. You get to download and keep new digital magazines for free! There are many popular titles to choose from and recent back issues are now available. Find some last minute Thanksgiving ideas with the Food Network Magazine and five other cooking magazines. Get crafty with Cloth Paper Scissors and two other craft magazines. Peruse the ESPN Magazine while watching the football games. For more information and instructions, read our previous post about Zinio.

Downloadable Music 

Download Books, Movies, & More
If you can't make it to the library in time to check out materials, visit our digital library, OverDrive. You can download books, audiobooks, music, and movies. It may seem like there aren't many movies to choose from, but there's actually a pretty good selection of indie, foreign, and documentary films. If you're feeling guilty about feasting, there are also yoga and workout videos!

It can be a little confusing at first to get started, but depending on what device you'll be using you'll need to download software and/or apps, have an Adobe ID or Amazon account, and have your library card and pin number handy. Visit the Help Center to get started

Request Materials and Make Lists
Keep track of materials you've checked out or want to check out by creating lists. You can print, email, and text the lists to yourself if you wish. Remember that creating lists does not mean you have requested items; you must click on "Place Hold" to be placed on a waiting list or request items be sent to your branch. To create lists or request materials, simply login to your account using your library card and pin number. Be sure to type in all letters and numbers without the spaces.  

Research
Why would you want to research during the break? We don't know, maybe you're getting a head start, have a last minute assignment due, or want some reliable medical information. We have access to subscription databases through TexShare that contain information and articles from books, magazines, and journals you can't access through Google or Bing. You can also study and take practice tests with Learning Express. All you need is your library card and a login and password (ask for it at the information desk).

Dowloadable movie

Dowloadable movie

Dowloadable movie

Dowloadable movie