October by Windows

October at the Dorris Van Doren Library has gone by so fast, and it's easy to see why. 

The fire department visited storytime earlier this month to build fire safety awareness (don't forget to check out their display in the lobby) and gave us a tour of a fire engine. Last week, we celebrated Teen Read Week by encouraging teens to read for fun and use the library. We had book giveaways, a contest, and a cosplay ball. 

This week we're celebrating Food Day with a display of books and free information and recipes. Food Day is a nationwide campaign for healthy, affordable, and sustainably produced food. The El Paso Food Day celebration is this Saturday, October 26 at the Downtown Artist and Farmers Market in the Union Plaza District from 9 am-1 pm. Afterwards, come to the Dorris Van Doren Libray to watch an animated Halloween movie (PG rating) at 3 pm.

Next week is our annual Halloween party for kids ages 12 and under. Join us on Wednesday, October 30 from 4-6 pm for a mini carnival, spook alley, a craft, and treats. Children are welcome to wear their costumes. 

Explore new worlds with your library card. 

Stop in and see the latest window murals that local artist and library volunteer, Lizzie Ochoa has dreamed up for us this month: 

Happy Teen Read Week 2013!

This year marks the 15th year that the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) celebrates Teen Read Week! Libraries all across the nation plan fun programs and displays that encourage teens to read for pleasure and use the library's resources. Research shows that teens who read for fun have better test scores and are more likely to succeed in the workforce. During this week, teens can also vote for their favorite books to be included in the annual Teens' Top Ten list.

All El Paso Public Libraries are celebrating this week with different events and contests. Here's how the Dorris Van Doren Library is celebrating:

Book-In-A-Jar Contest! Stop in & fill out an entry with your book title guess. You'll be entered in a raffle to win a Teen Read Week prize pack.

Check out the 2013 nominees at your library and vote before October 19, 2013 at ala.org/yalsa/reads4teens

• Crewel by Gennifer Albin
• Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (Next in the series: Of Triton)
• Underworld by Meg Cabot (You might want to read Abandon first)
• Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (You might want to read Graceling & Fire first)
• Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
• Skinny by Donna Cooner
• Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
• Croak by Gina Damico
• The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda (Next in the series: The Prey)
• 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad
• Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Shadowscale comes out February 2014)
• Wake by Amanda Hocking
• Tilt by Ellen Hopkins
• Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (Next in the series: Dark Triumph)
• Butter by Erin Jade Lange
• Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
• Every Day by David Levithan
• Son by Lois Lowry (You might want to read The Giver, Gathering Blue & Messenger)
• I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga (Next in the series: Game)
• Pushing the Limits by Katy McGarry
• The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen (Next in the series: The Runaway King)
• Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult
• Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes (Rebel Spring comes out in December)
• Insurgent by Veronica Roth (You might want to read Divergent first. Allegiant coming soon!)
• Immortal City by Scott Speer (Next in the series: Natural Born Angel)
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (The Dream Thieves coming soon!)
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Rose Under Fire coming soon!)

Fire Safety with the El Paso Fire Department

October is Fire Prevention Month, and while this is a serious topic, the Dorris Van Doren Library will host a fun program for kids. Local firefighters will visit the library next week to teach us about fire safety.

On Thursday, October 10 @ 10 am, a fire engine will be parked at the east section of the library's parking lot. Kids will get to tour the fire engine and ask questions. After the tour, we'll head to the auditorium for storytime by the firefighters. Every child will receive a firefighter hat, pencil and coloring book. There is a chance that the visit could be interrupted and cut short if the firefighters are called to a job. If this happens, there will still be storytime in the auditorium.

If you can't make this program, be sure to visit our lobby to view current and historical items, as well as safety tips on display.

Don't miss out on this important display!

EPFD at a glance:

• January 18th, 1882: El Paso Fire Company No. 1 was organized. El Paso didn't have a water system at the time.
• February 1909: Firefighters were mostly volunteers up to this point. This was the year they became a fully paid department.
• View historical photographs here
• View pictures of the training academy here
• As of October 1, 2013, there are 36 stations and 31 engines.
• EPFD responds to 70,000 emergency calls annually.
• Home safety checklist forms are available here 
• If you don't have a smoke detector in your home, EPFD will give you one for free. More info here

Information was taken from the EPFD site: elpasotexas.gov/fire

Digital Magazines @ Your Library!

The perks of having an El Paso Public Library card just got better with the addition of free digital magazines!

Pros:

• Free for everyone with an El Paso Public Library card! No late fees!
• Current issues of popular magazines.
• Keep issues forever! No need to return magazines & they won't disappear from your device. You have the choice of keeping or deleting issues.
• No checkout limit.
• Access magazines on more than one computer and/or device.
• Available 24/7.
• Print pages 
• Hyperlinks within magazines work on computers and iOS devices.

Cons:

• No back issues. Only the current month's issue is available.
• No subscriptions. You have to log in and download every time a new issue comes out. 
• You can't view the library's collection in the app. You have to log in to the RB Digital portal to check out the magazine, then you can launch the Zinio app to download and view the magazine issue.
• Hyperlinks within magazines didn't work on Windows tablet.

Get started today! 

All you need is your library card, pin number and to create two free accounts (we recommend using the same email address & password for both). You should never enter your credit card information on either account since this is a free service provided by El Paso Public Library. 

The RB Digital Landing Site

This is your first stop where you will need to create a new account and enter your library card number. You'll be able to view magazines that the El Paso Public Library currently owns. This is also where you'll check out issues.

Once you select a magazine to check out, you'll be prompted to create a Zinio account if you don't already have one. You're ready to view the magazine on your computer.

Zinio App

If you're going to view magazines on your computer, you'll just need to log into the RB Digital link above. If you want to view magazines on a device you can download the app for these supported devices:
Android
Blackberry
iPhone & iPad
Kindle Fire
Windows

Visit this page on the El Paso Public Library's site for detailed instructions and video.

Check out this quick little screencast we created. You'll get an idea of how to access titles you've checked out and how magazines look when viewed on a PC. Warning: It might make you hungry ;)

Friends Newsletter, September 2013

Check out the September issue of the Friends of the Westside Branches Newsletter! Inside, you'll find information about the membership drive, book budget, excess book donations, and more!

You can become a member for only $5 a year. Your membership helps fund programs and book purchases for the libraries, and you get a 10% discount at The Bookmark Used Bookstore (7348 Remcon)! 

Friends Newsletter September 2013 by dorrisvandoren

End of Summer Reading Club 2013

We can't believe summer reading club is almost over! If you haven't turned in your reading logs or entered them online, make sure to do so by tomorrow (Saturday, July 20). If you didn't register online and we're closed, drop off your reading logs in the drive-thru book drop behind the library. Just make sure first and last names are legibly written on the logs.

We're still posting names, so don't worry yet if you don't see your children's names up on the board.

End of Summer Reading Club Parties:

Teen Summer Reading Wrap Up Party: Tuesday, July 23 from 4:30-6:30 pm

Ice Cream Social: Certificate & goody bag for those that completed the program. Ice cream for everyone :)

Children's Summer Reading Wrap Up Party: Wednesday, July 24

Pick up certificates and goody bags at either 3-4 pm or 5-6 pm

World Beat Drumming: Making Music Together with Karuna Richard Warren @ 4 pm 

Also, be sure to check out the amazing decorating job done by our staff!

Decorations by library staff

Window paintings by Lizzie Ochoa

TeenFest 2013

Our annual TeenFest event is only days away! Friday, June 28 is going to be filled with games, crafts, info booths, Free Hole Poetry Slam, artwork, refreshments and giveaways from 6-10 pm.

There's still time to register for the summer reading club, too. Register at TeenFest or online at this site.

Games:

• various board games
• Wii video games

Crafts:

• library card design contest
• stickers
• literary portraits
• hexagon explosion boxes
• chalk the walk

Info Booths:

• El Paso Community College
• Molina Healthcare
• Maximus
• Latinitas
• Safe Schools Texas
• YWCA