Murder & Mayhem in the library!

Last Friday evening started and ended with drama. First there was the reading of millionaire heiress Lotta Bux's Will, where we learned that Bux, creator of a best selling library “paste bar-b-que sauce”, had left her entire fortune to lover Rocky Stallion!

Such scandalous revelations did not deter guests from enjoying the evening which included tables full of tasty hor d'ouevres, mingling with Bux's disgruntled (and possibly murderous) heirs, and buying raffle tickets to win one of the beautiful, donated baskets. Then, just when everyone thought the evening couldn't get any better, the lights went out! *Dum-Dum-Dummmm* Followed by a horrible scream that filled the library!

Librarian Sabrina Stacks had found Rocky Stallion dead... done in... murdered!


Inspector Columbus arrived on the scene and immediately requested help from those gathered to solve the question.... Who-Dunnit!


Local actors, under the direction of veteran Ligonier director, Audrey Tostevin assisted by Polly Artuso, took on the roles of Bux's heirs in the amusing production of “The Case of the Loaded Librarian.” Bux's heirs were played by the following: lawyer Mason Rumpole, Larry Shew; playboy son Heathcliff Bux, Paul McCracken; Madonna Bux, Heidi McKay; Nurse Hatchet, Dawn Hart; Lotta’s French chef Tiny Prudhonne, Steve Gooder; chauffeur Indy Kowalski, Ormond “Butch” Bellas; Governess Jane Bronte, Lisa Simons; Lotta’s paramour Rocky Stallion, Tim Rennie; Inspector Columbus, Byron Frank, and librarian Sabrina Stacks, Debbie Gruss.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and helped with the Murder In The Library event! A special thank you goes to our wonderful actors, Audrey and Polly for putting on such a wonderful and entertaining show! Not only did the event sell out, but all who attended had a wonderful time.



PS - No actors or books were harmed in the making of this event! But many people had so much fun, that they hope we do it again.

Thank You to our Veterans!

We would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of our Veterans!!! And also to those men and women who are still serving in the military.

We thank you for the freedoms you help us enjoy, and for your selfless work to keep our country and our lives safe.

We would also like to thank the various other veterans who serve and protect us, including police officers and firefighters. Your sacrifice is appreciated.


The Ligonier Valley Library will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in honor of Veteran's Day, but will re-open on Thursday, November 12th at 10:00 am.

Murder in the Library - SOLD OUT

Our Murder In The Library event for this Friday has been SOLD OUT!!!

Thank you very much to everyone who bought tickets,
we look forward to seeing you there!

While the murder mystery event has been sold out, the Basket Raffle is still going on! Tickets will be pulled Friday night, but you do not have to be present to win.

Support the library and possibly win a beautiful basket full of fun and/or delicious treats.
Tickets are: $1.00 Each, 6 for $5.00, 13 for $10.00, and 27 for $20.00.

[view Photo Gallery of the raffle baskets]

Murder and Basket Raffles!

Perhaps you are wondering...
what do murder and a basket raffle have in common?

In this particular case, they are to help raise funds for library operations!

Join us on Friday, November 6th at 7:00 pm for a night of murder and mayhem! Watch as actors play out a murder mystery, then attempt to piece together the clues and figure out... Who Dunnit!

Tickets are still available, but going fast... really fast. So, don't wait to get yours! They are $20.00 a person.

Whether or not you feel like a murderous night out, you can also help support the library by participating in our Basket Raffle! The baskets are beautiful, and are currently on display in front of the bay windows. Stop in or view them online. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each, 6 for $5.00, 13 for $10.00, and 27 for $20.00 and can be purchased at the main circulation desk!

Move over Santa... October isn't over yet!

Attention Holiday Readers! The Christmas season is upon us. Halloween decorations have already been pushed into a back corner (no doubt the same corner Thanksgiving decorations will soon occupy). But fear not... or maybe you should be afraid, very afraid! We are here to help you banish those visions of sugarplums, and replace them with ghosts and goblins... and psycho killers... oh, and maybe a vampire or two. Here are a few new books on our library shelves for you to try:

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - introduces Sookie Stackhouse, a small-time cocktail waitress in Louisiana, who has the ability to read minds. Enter Bill Compton whose mind she cannot read. Sounds great, right? However, when a co-worker is killed, Sookie begins to reevaluate the logic of having a vampire for a boyfriend. (Dead Until Dark is book #1 in the Sookie Stackhouse series.) If you enjoy this novel, you might want to borrow A Touch Of Dead - a compilation of five short stories featuring Sookie.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - After they inherit a London flat near Highgate Cemetery from their aunt Elspeth Noblin, two American twin teenagers move in, but they soon discover that much is still alive at Highgate, including, perhaps, their aunt, who can't seem to leave her old life behind.



13 1/2 : a novel by Nevada Barr - Polly Deschamps's happiness upon marrying Marshall Marchand soon turns to fear as his moods darken--due, Polly believes, to the sway of Marshall's brother, Danny--and she wonders if the brothers' dark secret has anything to do with the infamous "Butcher Boy" murders of 1971.


Crave more? You're in luck. There happen to be many authors who enjoy writing stories that thrill and scare their readers, among the scariest are: Stephen King, Peter Straub, Dean R. Koontz, David Morrell, and the duo of Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. For a slightly less frightening read, try one of these novels: 18 Seconds by George Shuman, Haunted Ground by Erin Hart, and Mallory's Oracle by Carol O'Connell.

Everyone enjoys reading about vampires, werewolves, fairies, and evil spirits! Right? Add a twinge of humor, a dose of interesting characters, mix thoroughly, and you get one of these fine series: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, the Felix Castor novels by Mike Carey, the Hollows by Kim Harrison, and the Vampire Hunter by Laurell K. Hamilton.

We even have something for our romance readers. Let's face the facts, all on it's own, romance is pretty scary. However, when you add a touch of the paranormal or throw in a serial killer, you suddenly get a romance that's just about... survivable. Authors Karen Marie Moning, Stephenie Meyer, Iris Johansen, Sandra Brown, and Mary Higgins Clark offer their readers tales that should satisfy anyone's scary-romance-novel quota for the month.

And let us not forget those classic novels written long ago that still possess the power to get our hearts racing, or to unsettle us for months - Dracula by Bram Stoker, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and any tale by Edgar Allan Poe.


If reading about the macabre doesn't totally satisfy you, then we invite you to attend the Murder In The Library event on Friday, November 6 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00 per person. More details can be found HERE. (All proceeds from the event benefit the library's operations fund.)

We wish to offer you one last piece of advice. While reading any of the above novels, we highly recommend turning on all of the lights in your home!!! You might also want to keep a few garlic cloves near by... you know, just in case.

Happy Reading!!!

MURDER IN THE LIBRARY FUNDRAISER

There are still plenty of tickets available for the Ligonier Valley Library's thrilling fundraiser: Murder in the Library on Friday, November 6 beginning at 7 p.m. The evening's entertainment includes a murder mystery play in two acts, lots of yummy hors d'oeuvres, hunting for clues and a basket raffle. Tickets are $20.00 per person and only 100 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available at the library.

All proceeds benefit library operations. We need your support now more than ever!

Murder in the Library...........

Help solve The Case of the Loaded Librarian...

an evening of thrills, chills & good eats!

Learn More...

Teen reads lurking on the shelf of your local library...

The Teen Summer Read program may be over, but new books are still coming in and eagerly waiting to be read. Some of the new titles are displayed on the shelves for you to easily see, and others can be found intermixed with older titles. All will take you on a great adventure, expand your mind, or simply entertain you.

New in fiction:

• The Savage by David Almond
  
• The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
  
• Hidden Voices : the orphan musicians of Venice by Pat Lowery Collins
• The Plague by Joanne Dahme
• The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
  
• Eon : Dragoneye reborn by Alison Goodman
• Runemarks by Joanne Harris
  
• The Princess and the Bear by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Crank by Ellen Hopkins
  
• Stolen Car by Patrick Jones
• Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim
  
• Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
• Headlong by Kathe Koja
• Bloodline by Katy Moran
  
• Gentlemen by Michael Northrop
• Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
  
• The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp
• Exposed by Susan Vaught
  
• Access Denied by Denise Vega
  
• The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
• Funny How Things Change by Melissa Wyatt

Short Stories for those who like their tales told in small bits:

• Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?

For the Sci-Fi lovers, we've added the complete Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix (listed in the order to be read):

• Among the Hidden
• Among the Impostors
• Among the Betrayed
• Among the Barons
• Among the Brave
• Among the Enemy
• Among the Free

Graphic novels:

• Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 : the authorized adaptation by Tim Hamilton (YA GN FAHRENHEIT)
• Orange by Benjamin (YA GN ORANGE)
  

Non-fiction meets Graphic Novel is this interesting biography:

• Alan's War : the memories of G.I. Alan Cope by Emmanuel Guibert (YA GN 92 COPE)

Learn about the Holocaust through this survivor's real-life story:

• I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree : a memoir of a Schindler's list survivor by Laura Hillman (YA 940.5318 HIL)

When readying for a race, runners will train every day all year round. So keep in shape for next year's Teen Read by reading, reading, reading!!! If you need help finding a book or placing a reserve, let us know.

Happy Training... err... Reading!

New DVDs

Drama, suspense, intrigue, mystery, romance, humor and more can be found on the shelves of the DVD section of your local library. Here are some new additions to our collection:

• Confessions of a Shopaholic
• Defiance
• Gran Torino
  
• He's Just Not that Into You
  
• Inkheart
• The International
  
• Revolutionary Road
  

New TV Show series

• Blood Ties. Season One
• Caprica
• Curb Your Enthusiasm. The complete sixth season
  
• Spenser. Ceremony
• Spenser. Pale Kinds & Princes
• Spenser. Judas Goat
• Spenser. A Savage Place
  

Documentaries or special productions:

• Obsession (DVD 320.557 OBS)
  
• Steelers : Road to XLIII (DVD 796.332 STE)
• We Shall Remain : America through native eyes (DV D 970.00497 WE)

Happy Viewing!

Fiction for the adult in all of us.......

The saying is actually "... for the kid in all of us," but occasionally our inner "adult" requires some nurturing as well. Besides, why should only kids have fun or get to be enthusiastic about a new book? Just today a patron stopped in to pick up a book she had requested, and was practically bursting with joy that it was here. A few minutes prior, I expressed an equal amount of enthusiasm when a book arrived for me. What can I say? Reading isn't just for kids!

We, here at the library, love that you adults love books (and audiobooks and DVDs and music CDs, etc.). Even better, we love to see you leave the library with a silly grin on your face and a book or more tucked under your arm or overflowing your "I Love My Library" bag.

So, give your inner "adult" some much needed attention (and our library circulation a boost) by giving him or her what it craves most... some good, new fiction.

New romances, spy stories, and adventures await readers in the general fiction section:

• The Pretend Wife by Bridget Asher
• Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Game by Tilly Bagshawe
  
• Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockman
• The Nine Lives of Clemenza by Holly Christine
• Flint and Silver : a prequel to Treasure Island by John Drake
  
• Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant
• The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock
• Mad Dogs by James Grady
• The Traffickers by W.E.B. Griffin
  
• The Last Child by John Hart
• The Winds of Dune by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
  
• The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon
  
• The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
• Burn by Linda Howard
• The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
• The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles
• Storm Cycle by Iris Johansen & Roy Johansen
• Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon
  
• Take Two by Karen Kingsbury
• Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
• Gone Tomorrow by P.F. Kluge
  
• The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
• Fleur de Leigh's Life of Crime by Diane Leslie
• A Plague of Secrets by John Lescroart
• Guardian of Lies by Steve Martini
• Desolation Road by Ian McDonald
  
• A Surrendered Heart by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller (Broadmoor Legacy, book 3)
• The Shimmer by David Morrell
• Netherland by Joseph O'Neill
• Killer Summer by Ridley Pearson
• A Surrendered Heart by Tracie Peterson
• Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon
  
• Enclave by Kit Reed
• Rules of Vengeance by Christopher Reich
• The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners by Luanne Rice
  
• Vanished by Kat Richardson
  
• My Abandonment by Peter Rock
• Second Sight by George D. Shuman
  
• The Defector by Daniel Silva
• Undone by Karen Slaughter
• One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel
• The Apostle by Brad Thor
  
• The Strain by Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan
• Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner
  
• The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells
• The Siege by Stephen White
  

"Murder, Mystery & Mayhem" abounds in these new Mystery novels:

• Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen
• The Bellini Card by Jason Goodwin
• Greedy Bones by Carolyn Haines
• The Etruscan Chimera by Lyn Hamilton
• A Killing Night by Jonathon King
• Deadly Intent by Lynda La Plante
• The Devil's Company by David Liss
  
• Stone's Fall by Iain Pears
• Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton
  

New Science Fiction:

• Desolation Road by Ian McDonald
  

Sometimes new Large Print novels are just what the eyes need:

• No Rest for the Wiccan by Madelyn Alt
• The Music Teacher by Barbara Hall
• Irreplaceable by Stephen Lovely
  
• Miss Julia Delivers the Goods by Ann B. Ross
  
• Over and Under by Todd Tucker

Don't have time for a long novel, try one of these new books full of Short Stories:

• Nothing Right : short stories by Antonya Nelson
• Two of the Deadliest : new tales of lust, greed, and murder from outstanding women of mystery

Remember when you stop in to visit the "New Book" shelf to the left of the circulation desk and in front of the fiction section. While you're there, take a peak in the bin to see what books we might be featuring. As always, if you need help locating a book or placing a reserve, please ask!

Happy Reading!

Ligonier Valley Writers To Host Mini-Book Fair

The Ligonier Valley Writers will sponsor a mini-book fair at the library on August 1st from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in the downstairs community room. Come to meet local authors, pick up tips on writing and publishing, and enjoy free beverages and cookies.

Authors slated to attend are: Marge Burke, Linda Ciletti, Ed and Brendan Kelemen, Barb Miller, Mary Ann Mogus, Dr. Paul Ohrman, and Christine Sumner. Laurie McGinnis of Second Chapter Books in Ligonier will be on hand to sell copies of the authors' works and related titles.

Shirley Mays, author of Outer Banks Piracy: Where is My Son Jeffery? and Outer Banks Piracy II: Drugs and Political Corruption, will be the featured author.

Ligonier Valley Writers & the Ligonier Valley Library promote reading and writing! So, stop by and enjoy an afternoon of writing and take home some new books to read.

For more information visit the Ligonier Valley Writer's website: www.LVWonline.org

Author Shirley Mays Will Give Book Discussion

Author Shirley Mays will discuss her new book, Outer Banks Piracy II: Drugs and Political Corruption, on Wednesday July 29 at 7:00 pm in the Ligonier Valley Library. This book continues the story recounted in her first book, Outer Banks Piracy: Where is My Son Jeffrey? It is a true tale of greed, drugs and the misuse of power surrounding her son Jeffrey’s disappearance off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks in 1980.

The story has its beginnings right here in Ligonier. The family moved to Ligonier in 1965 and Jeffrey graduated from Ligonier High School in 1977. The Mays started a toner business in Latrobe named Imaging Systems. After Imaging Systems was sold to Pelican, the family moved to North Carolina and bought a retail fish market in 1980.

Jeffrey and another fish market employee disappeared, under suspicious circumstances, in November 1980 while fishing. Their bodies were never recovered and there was no sign of debris from their boat. Mays lives with the mystery of his disappearance and the hope that he is alive somewhere in the world. She has spent 29 years trying to track down the truth.

Shirley Mays is first and foremost the proud mother of a son and two daughters. She is a real estate broker, an environmental consultant and has a Research Center in Wilmington, North Carolina. She has over 30 years experience in investigating troubled properties, especially those with affordable housing or environmental restrictions.

The program begins at 7.00 p.m. Shirley Mays will autograph books following the program. Mays is also a featured author at Ligonier Valley Writer’s Mini Book Fair being held at the Ligonier Valley Library on Saturday, August 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Walk

On July 20, 1969, America watched as the crew of the Apollo 11 took their first steps on the surface of the moon. The crew consisted of Mission Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. Armstrong and Aldrin had the honor, and excitement, of being the first humans to land on the moon. Their mission would be the first of many....

Vist NASA.gov to learn more about the space program and the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Walk. You can also watch clips and listen to audio from the mission. Another site to visit is wechoosethemoon.org - currently they are playing a live transmission of the moon landing. After today, you will be able to return to the site and listen to the transmission any time you would like.

So, where were you when the Apollo 11 landed on the moon?

Kaleidoscope Eyes

"Kaleidoscope Eyes" is the title of a new Young Adult book by author Jen Bryant. Written in free verse (a novel in poems), the author transports readers to 1968 New Jersey. Under the shadow of the Vietnam War, three friends go on a hunt for Captain Kidd's pirate treasure after Lyza discovers three maps left to her by her grandfather.

Teen Readers beware! Adventure, romance, mystery and more can be found on the shelves of your local library. Go on a treasure hunt with Lyza or check out one of these recently added titles:

• Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
• A Curse Dark As Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
• Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline Cooney
  
• Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
• High Heat by Carl Deuker
  
• A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
• Truancy by Isamu Fukui
• Truancy Origins by Isamu Fukui
  
• Looks by Madeleine George
• North of Beautiful by Justina Headley
  
• Mackenzie, Lost and Found by Deborah Kerbel
• Carolina Harmony by Marilyn Taylor McDowell
• Wake by Lisa McMann
  
• The Search for the Red Dragon by James A. Owen (The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series)
  
• Edenville Owls by Robert B. Parker
• Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
• Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce
• Nation by Terry Pratchett
  
• Larklight by Philip Reeve
• The Boy From the Basement by Susan Shaw
  
• Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
  
• Perpetual Check by Rich Wallace
• Absolute Maybe? by Lisa Yee
  

For the comic fan in you... how about a few new Graphic Novels:

• Treachery by Peter David (The Dark Tower series) [YA GN DARK TOWER]
  
• The Sandman : endless nights by Neil Gaiman [YA GN SANDMAN]
  
• Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale [YA GN RAPUNZEL]
  
• Toto! [Vol.] 5 : the wonderful adventure by Yuko Osada [YA GN TOTO]

Sometimes the most interesting reads are not fiction:

• Seize the Story : a handbook for teens who like to write by Victoria Hanley [YA 808.02 HAN]
  
• The Trouble Begins at 8 : a life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West by Sid Fleischman [YA 92 TWAIN]

Hmmm, just think if you read each of the books listed above... not only will you have gone on some serious adventures or possibly written one of your own, but you just might be the top Teen Reader for the Summer! Just something to think about! And don't worry, if you can't find those titles on the shelf, I'm sure we can help you find something else.

Happy Reading!

Stories worth listening to

Do you remember being read to as a kid? Want to experience that as an adult? Then pick up an audio book and allow yourself to be transported on a great adventure, or into a thrilling novel of crime and detection, or even into a story that will touch your heart. Whether your tastes are fiction or non-fiction, we have something that you will enjoy.

Here are some of the newest additions to our library's collection:

• At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh
• Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg
• The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
• Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell
  
• Prayers For Sale by Sandra Dallas
• About Face by Donna Leon
• Fugitive by Phillip Margolin
  
• Brimstone by Robert B. Parker
• What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
  
• Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
• Assegai by Wilbur Smith
• The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
• Q & A by Vikas Swarup
  
• Give Me Back My Legions! by Harry Turtledove
• Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston
  
• The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
  

New non-fiction titles:

• A Lion Called Christian by Anthony Bourke (TBCD 599.757 BOU)
  
• What On Earth Have I Done? by Robert Fulghum (TBCD 814.54 FUL)
• Venice For Lovers by Louis Begley & Anka Muhlstein (TBCD 914.531 BEG)
• The One Percent Doctrine by Ron Suskind (TBCD 973.931 SUS)

Happy Listening!

David Parker Program Coming to Ligonier This Summer

Just wanted everyone to know that the Ligonier Valley Library is sponsoring a wonderful, family-friendly program on Monday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Ligonier Town Hall auditorium.

David Parker, well-known communicator, entertainer, and motivator brings his unique program to Ligonier this summer. His program blends music, humor, sign language and audience participation into a magical message of friendship. It entertains with themes of creativity, self-esteem and leadership.

David has performed throughout North America and has delighted audiences in hundreds of schools and libraries as well as on grand stages such as The Kennedy Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He has been dubbed the "Pied Piper of Sign." He is a published author with a series of Scholastic children's books entitled, "The Best Me I Can Be."

Everyone wishing to attend must have a ticket. Tickets are free but seating is limited so register as soon as possible. You can make your reservation and pick up your tickets at the Ligonier Valley Library. If you have any questions, call the library at 724-238-6451 and ask for Linda or Bobbi.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the Westmoreland Library Network.

Movies, Motors & Memories Exhibit in the Pennsylvania Room

Drive-in theaters have always been popular in Pennsylvania. Once there were more than a dozen drive-ins in operation in Westmoreland County. Now there are only a few left.

Jennifer Sopko, a freelance writer concentrating on Westmoreland Pennsylvania history and culture, has assembled a wonderful exhibit of photographs, memorabilia and projection equipment that evoke memories of hot summer evenings, cool cars and classic flicks.

This free exhibit is on display in the Pennsylvania Room of the Ligonier Valley Library through July 7.

Audiobooks to keep away the traveling blues

For those individuals who find themselves stuck in traffic - a lot; and especially for those who just enjoy listening to a good book, here are some new audiobooks to try:

• Borderline by Nevada Barr
  
• Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
• Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell
• Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
  
• Deadlock by Iris Johansen
• Bones by Jonathan Kellerman
  
• The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
  
• Life Sentences by Laura Lipman
  
• Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
• Wicked Prey by John Sandford
• Scientology: the fundamentals of thought by L. Ron Hubbard (TBCD 299.936 HUB)

Happy Listening and Safe Travels!

SUMMER READING CLUB 2009

A new summer of reading fun will begin on Thursday, June 18th with the kick-off of Summer Reading Club from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Stop in to register and pick up your packet. Not able to attend on the 18th? Not a problem! Stop by the library any time after the 18th to register. The theme this year is Be Creative @ Your Library.

Visit the SRC website for more details, as well as a schedule of events:

http://www.ligonierlibrary.org/SRC_web_page.htm

Teens can Express Yourself @ Your Library by reading books and keeping track of your minutes. Stop by the library on Monday, June 22nd to register and receive your packet. Feel like being part of a larger group? Check out the SRC schedule of events (see link above) and attend any the programs offered.

Do you have a little one in your family who is not quite old enough to read on his or her own? The Read-To-Me Summer Program begins on Monday, June 22nd followed that week by the beginning of Summer Pre-School Story Hour on Tuesday (10:30 am) and Wednesday (10:30 am & 1:30 pm). Stop by on the 22nd to register for Read-To-Me, but stop or call now to preregister for Story Hour. (Big brothers and sisters, don't forget that the time you spend reading to a little sister or brother counts as minutes read for you as well as them.)

We're looking forward to a Summer packed with fun! We hope you'll join us!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, STANLEY CUP CHAMPS!!!

Congratulations to the NHL Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins!!!

Congratulations to the players, owners, coaches and crew of the Pittsburgh Penguins - especially to Talbot for scoring the two winning points; Fleury for the incredible last second save; and Malkin for becoming the postseason MVP!

After winning the cup, players took the opportunity to thank their fans. Well, your fans have a message for you -

THANK YOU!!!


Pittsburgh truly is...
"The City of Champions!"

LET'S GO PENS!!!

Once again a Pittsburgh team finds themselves on a championship run. The Penguins brought home the coveted Cup in the 1990-91 and the 1991-92 seasons. Now they find themselves once again on the greatest stage of every hockey player's (and fan's) fantasy.

And as any dedicated Pittsburgh sports fan knows, the Black & Gold (no matter which team it may be) shines when the odds are stacked against them and everyone thinks they can't possibly come back. Thankfully, the Penguins can.

They need our help. Yes, we who are the proverbial 7th player. The Fans!

So don your lucky Pens or black & gold outfit. Decorate your home, office, car, or pet. Put into action your Stanley Cup, Penguins-winning rituals. And shout for all the world to hear...

LET'S GO PENS! LET'S GO PENS!!!

Star Gazing

The release of the new Star Trek movie (starring Pittsburgh native Zachary Quinto) is hopefully encouraging people to look to the stars. Not the movie stars, but the ones you can observe on a clear night from your own backyard. In the various TV series and movies, the crew of the USS Enterprise explores planets in distant and uncharted solar systems. While the average Earthling may not have the opportunity to try this (at least not yet), we can step outside on a clear night and observe our own constellations, planets and galaxy.

The library just happens to have some new books to help you boldly look where you may not have looked before:

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson & Alan Dyer (522 DIC) - This newest edition includes the latest data and answers questions most often asked by home astronomers, from beginners to experienced stargazers. The authors offer expert guidance on equipment, star charts, software, even how to photograph the stars. They also cover everything from daytime and twilight observing to deep-sky observing. Containing over 500 color photographs and illustrations in a user-friendly format, this is the book to read.

Stars & Planets by Ian Ridpath & Will Tirion (520 RID) - Provides detailed charts covering each of the 88 constellations in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres; data and notes on all bright stars and other objects of interest; and tips on choosing and using binoculars and telescopes, to suit any budget. This is also the only guide to provide annual planetary data as a downloadable web resource.


So, while you are standing under the stars on a clear night, remember to gaze toward the sky and contemplate this sage and logical advice... "Live Long and Prosper!"

Happy Gazing!

Some Non-Fiction Tales

Libraries love books! Big surprise, right? We especially delight in providing you with non-fiction titles. Books about stuff... real stuff... the economy, world events or conditions, cooking, caring, and even coping.

Non-fiction books can help young readers pick a career or select a college. They can teach anyone to do any variety of things from how to decorate to how to build something to how to use the internet. Some books can even advise you on the best ways to spend your money, or more importantly how not to spend your money. They take readers on tours of foreign countries; and allow them access into the lives of other people such as Bonnie and Clyde, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Abigail and John Adams.

So, while fiction is often (and will probably always be) the favored section for many readers, take a walk on the wild side and try a non-fiction title! Maybe you can even solve the mystery of who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911.

Here are some new non-fiction additions:

• Internet Simplified by Paul McFedries (004.678 MCF)
• Blogging for Dummies by Susannah Gardner & Shane Birley (006.7 GAR)
  
• Mindset : the new psychology of success by Carol S. Dweck (153.8 DWE)
  
• Don't Sleep, There are Snakes by Daniel Everett (305.8989 EVE)
• The 21st Century Economy : a beginner's guide by Randy Charles Epping (330.9 EPP)
• 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs (331.702 ONE)
  
• Gimme My Money Back by Ali Velshi (332.024 VEL)
• Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed (332.1092 AHA)
• Eco Barons by Edward Humes (333.72 HUM)
  
• Go Down Together : the true, untold story of Bonnie and Clyde by Jeff Guinn (364.1552 GUI)
• Why Kids Kill by Peter Langman (371.782 LAN)
  
• Columbine by David Cullen (373.7888 CUL)
• Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope (378.73 POP)
  
• Just in case by Kathy Harrison (613.6 HAR)
• Diabetes Diet Cookbook (641.5631 DIA)
  
• The Homeowner's Guide to Managing a Renovation by Susan Solakian (643.7 SOL)
• Drywall : professional techniques for great results by Myron R. Ferguson (693.6 FER)
• Vanished Smile : the mysterious theft of Mona Lisa by R.A. Scotti (759.5 SCO)
  
• Ballistics : poems by Billy Collins (811.54 COL)
• Special Orders : poems by Edward Hirsch (811.54 HIR)
  
• What On Earth Have I Done? by Robert Fulghum (814.54 FUL)
• Abigail & John : portrait of a marriage by Edith B. Gelles (92 ADAMS)
  
• The Elfish Gene by Mark Barrowcliffe (92 BARROWCLIFFE)
• The First Tycoon : the epic life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by T.J. Stiles (92 VANDERBILT)
  
• Leaving India by Minal Hajratwala (920 HAJ)
• With Wings Like Eagles by Michael Korda (940.5421 KOR)

Happy Reading

Movies For A Rainy Day

The weathermen are all predicting spring showers for the next while. So, what is there to do when the rain is falling and making outdoor activities difficult? Sure, you could clean your house or do other inside work, but who really wants to do that? And while we are always happy to help you find a good book to read, reading is not always a very good "group" or "family" activity.

Instead, why not pop some corn and gather around to watch a movie? From romantic comedies to spy thrillers to horror flicks to documentaries... we have them all!!! So, grab a box of tissues, turn on all the lights in your house, make yourself a martini (shaken not stirred) and prepare for a fun night of home theater entertainment!

Here are some of the newest additions to our collection:

• Bedtime Stories - a fun story about finding your own happy ending.
  
• Brick Lane - a young Bangladeshi woman who feels trapped in her current life is forced to confront her dreams.
  
• The Day the Earth Stood Still - contains both the new release as well as the original sci-fi classic about an otherworldly being whose arrival on Earth triggers an unstoppable series of events that threaten all of mankind.
• Doubt - new philosophies versus old, as a rigid and fear-inspiring Sister believes she's uncovered the ultimate sin.
  
• Let the Right One In - disappearances and murder coincide with the arrival of a pale and serious young girl who only comes out at night.
  
• Marley & Me - heart-warming comedy that teaches us that sometimes even "the world's worst dog" can bring out the best in people.
  
• Milk - based on the inspiring true story of the first openly gay man elected to major public office.
  
• Quantum of Solace - another adventure in the 007 series, a nonstop quest for justice that crisscrosses the globe.
• The Reader - Hanna Schmitz is a lonely, working-class woman in post-Nazi Germany who has a brief but intense affair with a teenage boy. Years later they meet again; Hanna now a defendant in a notorious case and her ex-lover, now a law student, holding the secret to her salvation.
  
• Seven Pounds - Ben Thomas is at a crossroads searching for a way to redeem his heavy conscience.
• Slumdog Millionaire - Jamal Malik is one question away from winning a fortune on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" Will he ultimately win it all or lose everything, including his true love?
  
• Yes Man - discover the power of "yes" with Carl Allen as he shakes free of post-divorce blues and a dead-end job by embracing life and saying "yes" to everything.
  

Take a look into the lives of some very different people with one of these documentaries:

• Grey Gardens (DVD 920.72 GRE) - a documentary about an unexpected branch of Jackie Onassis's family; high society castaways keeping house in a dilapidated East Hampton mansion.
  
• Man on Wire (DVD 791.34 MAN) - Frenchman Philippe Petit overcame insurmountable challenges to achieve the artistic crime of the century, when in 1974 he stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between the New York World Trade Center's twin towers.

Yummmm, do I smell popcorn? Use the online catalog to place a reserve or to search for other movies. And as always... if you need help, let us know!

Happy Watching!!!

Something for the Young Adult Readers...

Almost every teen in the country is reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. If you stop in to the library hoping to see one of her books on the shelf, good luck! No sooner does one come across the circulation desk, than it's off to be read (or re-read) by someone else. However, we are happy to assure all of our Teen Readers that we actually do have other books on our shelves just waiting to be taken out and given the chance to become the next best-loved tale.

So, for those teenagers who enjoy reading about mythical vampires and fantastical faeries; and for those who enjoy books about normal teenage kids experiencing normal teenage stuff... here are some reads to try:

• Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
• What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
• 3 Willows : the sisterhood grows by Ann Brashares
• Hunted : a house of night novel by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
  
• Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
• Revelations : a Blue Bloods novel by Melissa de la Cruz
• The Musician's Daughter by Susanne Emily Dunlap
• Undiscovered Country by L.L. Enger
• The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan
  
• The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
• The Icebound Land by John Flanagan
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
• The Well Between the Worlds by Sam Llewellyn
• The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd
• The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan
• Evermore by Alyson Noel
• The Indigo King by James A. Owens
• Max : a Maximum Ride novel by James Patterson
• Burn by Suzanne Phillips
• Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
• Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
  
• The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa
  
• The Blind Faith Hotel by Pamela Todd

Check out the following Graphic Novels:

• Batman. Heart of Hush (YA GN BATMAN)
  
• Heroes. Volume One (YA GN HEROES)
• Heroes. Volume Two (YA GN HEROES)
• Superman. The Coming of Atlas (YA GN SUPERMAN)
• Wolverine : prodigal son (YA GN WOLVERINE)

And for those who cannot get enough of the movie version of Twilight, we have:

• Twilight Director's Notebook : the story of how we made the movie based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer by Catherine Hardwicke (YA 791.437 HAR)
  
• Twilight : the complete illustrated movie companion by Mark Cotta Vaz (YA 791.437 VAZ)
  

Many of the new teen novels can be found in a book bin that sits in the Teen Titles section of the library (near the Re-Readables Bookstore).

HAPPY READING!!!

Thinking About Gardening

What a wonderful weekend! The weather was warm and dry and it was so tempting to go outside and start gardening. But wait, it is still only mid-April and there are lots of frosty nights and mornings remaining before the tender annuals and vegetables are ready to be planted. I have discovered, however, that this doesn't stop people from getting out into the garden once we have a few warm, sunny days. My neighbors have been mowing and raking and turning over their garden soil and I have recently watched loads of mulch and top soil being delivered to houses on my road.

The local garden centers were jammed on Saturday. I finally gave into the call of the glorious weather and visited several local nurseries and garden stores. As tempting as the lovely hanging baskets and colorful annuals were, I left them at the store (for now). It is just too early in the season, but there were lots of customers who apparently disagreed with me. I left the store(s) with an assortment of containers and flower pots, some potting soil and, yes, a house plant. I admit that I needed a nice, new green plant, even if it will have to remain inside the house along with my voracious, plant-eating cats. I also picked up some hardy pansies in assorted colors. A little frost on their petals does not bother them. They also provide a nice easy lunch for the local wildlife...pansies are just bunny and deer candy at my house.

I started some annual garden chores by cleaning the driveway drains (one of my least favorite jobs) and clipping the dead blades from several of the large ornamental grasses in my yard. I don't clip them in the fall because I love how they look and sound in the wind and the snow. They provide a little interest and texture to the landscape throughout the winter.

I'm still feeding the birds (and squirrels, by default). My feeder has been overrun with birds this winter and spring. There was even a wild turkey in the yard last week, pecking at the seed that had scattered on the ground from the feeder. Every morning I put out only enough black oil sunflower seed for the birds and critters to finish off before dark. This way I avoid problems with our local bear who likes to eat bird feeders as well as bird seed.

Here's a list of some gardening titles at the Ligonier Valley Library that you might enjoy reading while waiting for the weather to warm up: Happy Gardening and Think Spring!!!

Step-By-Step Ulitimate Yard and Garden (635.9 STE)





The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: by Barbara Pleasant (631.8 PLE)








1,000 Garden Ideas by Stafford Cliff (712. 6 CLI)

It's National Library Week

It's National Library Week! This annual celebration has focused on the contributions of our nation's libraries for 51 years. Despite what some people may think, many people still visit public libraries regularly. The library of today may look a little different from the one that you visited as a child but it still offers a wealth of valuable, free services. People are always looking for ways to cut costs and some of the best bargains can be found at your library.

Let us surprise you...

• We are more than just books...although we have nearly 70,000 fiction and non-fiction volumes for all ages and tastes on our shelves.

• We have the latest movies, TV shows and documentaries on DVD (and video).

• We have 8 high-speed Internet workstations, 2 word-processors and 3 computer homework stations (for children 12 and under) for public use at no charge.

• Bring your laptop with you and connect to the Internet...for free!

• We have more than 3,000 audio-books including titles for children.

• Your library card is free (for Westmoreland County residents) and can be used at 20 public libraries in our county.

• You can open and manage your own online library account. Search for, reserve & renew library materials online. Sign up for e-mail reminders. Even pay fines online with your credit card.

• We have quick access to an additional 1,000,000 titles through our online catalogs and daily delivery services from other county libraries.

Don't forget to stop in and visit us this week!

New DVDs for your watching enjoyment

New Big Screen movies are released to DVD almost every day (or so it seems). Eventually, we are fortunate enough to bring those movies to you. Here are some new & classic movies on DVD that you might want to place yourself on reserve for:

• Australia
• Beverly Hills Chihuahua
  
• Boy in the striped pajamas
• Brideshead Revisited
• East of Eden (classic starring James Dean and Julie Harris)
  
• Let the Right One in
  
• The Librarian. Curse of the Judas Chalice
• The Magic of Ordinary Days (a Hallmark Hall of Fame production)
• Rebecca (classic Alfred Hitchcock production featuring Sir Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine)
  

Interested in the wonderful animals that we share this plant with? Try one of these DVDs:

• The Endangered Wild (DVD 333.9542 END)
• The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (DVD 636.6865 WIL)

We've also added a few more mini-series and television shows to our collection.

• The Complete Inspector Lynley Mysteries
  
• John Steinbeck's East of Eden (starring Jane Seymour)
• Moonlight. The complete series
• The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (Sets 1 - 3)
• An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

As always, we are happy to help you with placing any of the above items on reserve.

Happy viewing!!!

Author Biographies

So, I was having lunch with friends the other day and naturally our conversation turned to books.

I introduced my one friend to her very first mystery - a nice cozy one set in Amish-country. She actually enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I may have reached my limit on books to recommend, as I tend to read heavier (less cozy) mysteries... but one never knows.

The topic of mysteries naturally led myself and the other friend onto a discussion of British author Agatha Christie. She's a fascinating lady.

Dame Agatha Christie is the creator of the great detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She has written eighty novels and short stories as well as several plays, one of which is considered to be the longest running play in history - The Mousetrap has been playing for over 56 years in London's West End. Christie used much of her real life experiences - especially her travels and time spent on archeological digs with her 2nd husband - in her stories.

But rather than my going on and on, stop by the library and check out one of her biographies... such as "The 8:55 to Baghdad : from London to Iraq on the trail of Agatha Christie" by Andrew Eames. We have several more and others can be found in the system.

While you are in the biography section, take a look around... you never know who else you might find just waiting to share their life's story with you.