Friday, December 20, 2024

January Book Club Picks

 Here's what the Sandy and Hoodland libraries are reading in January! 


Men's Book Club

Monday, January 6th
7:00 PM
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

Luster by Raven Leilani

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us




Digital Book Club
 

Thursday, January 2nd
7:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Martin Marten by Brian Doyle

For further information and to receive the Zoom link, contact Kat Aden: kaden@ci.sandy.or.us





Women's Book Club

Thursday, January 9th
6:00 PM
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

The Women by Kristin Hannah

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us





Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, January 21st
4:00 PM
Hoodland Community Room


For further information please contact Alex Steinmetz: asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us







Friday, December 6, 2024

December Seed Library News

 

Happy December, Gardeners!


Winter Holiday Season is in full force, so I do not have any upcoming events to announce. There definitely is something to the notion of needing that rest time in the winter.


But I do have some fun and interesting resources for you!




Thursday, November 14, 2024

December Book Club Picks

Here's what the Sandy and Hoodland libraries are reading for December!

Men's Book Club

Monday, December 2nd
7:00 PM
Hoyt Community Room at the Sandy Library


For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us



Digital Book Club 

Thursday, December 5th
7:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

For further information and to receive the Zoom link, contact Kat Aden: kaden@ci.sandy.or.us




Women's Book Club

Thursday, December 12th
6:00 PM
Hoyt Community Room at the Sandy Library

I Miss the Rain in Africa by Nancy Wesson

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us





Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, December 17th
4:00 PM
Hoodland Community Room

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

For further information please contact Alex Steinmetz: asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us








Tuesday, November 5, 2024

November Seed Library News

 Happy November, Gardeners!


Guess what I harvested from the library garden? Milkweed Seeds! Fall is an excellent time to sow the seeds for next year's Monarchs. Check out the Seed Library cabinet to pick some up for your garden.


Recap: Alternative Ground Covers


What is groundcover? OSU defines it as a low-growing perennial that often provide excellent coverage on slopes, aid in erosion control, and provide interesting foliage or flowers.


Many of us are looking to move away from traditional lawns and reclaim that space for other opportunities. Some of us want to better support our local wildlife, others may find it is no longer sustainable maintaining turf grass with the cost of water and labor. Master Gardener, Kris LaMar, walked us through some alternatives and some key questions to consider before taking action.


If you are interested in the bullet point list of recommended plants Kris left for us, let me know and I can email it to you. In the meantime, here are the online resources that she provided:


Resources

  • Ecolawns - OSU has been doing extensive research on turf grass that is more ecofriendly.
  • Fire-Resistant Ground Covers - as wildfires become more common OSU has put together a plant list and profile to help homeowners with fire-resistant landscaping
  • PNW Native Groundcovers - a list with pictures that has been put together by WSU.

Saturday, November 2, 2024

LINCC How To: How to Renew Your Materials Online

Want a tip on how not to accrue fines? When you receive your due date reminder emails or notifications from LINCC, head to our website to renew your books, here's how: 

Step 1: Head to LINCC.org

Step 2: Log in using the 8 digit number on your library card. Your pin will be the 4 digit pin you created when you signed up for the card. The Log In option is at the top of the page on the right hand side. 


Step 3: Once logged in, click on the My Account option in the upper right hand side of the site. 

Step 4: Here you will see all of your account details. Think of this as your LINCC hub where you can control your account. 

Step 5: Click on the "Checkouts" tab (second tab from the left) to see all of the items you currently have checked out. 


Step 6: Once in your checkouts tab, you will select the items you want to renew by clicking on the checkbox icon next to the item title. (You can also renew all of your checked out items by selecting the "Select All" checkbox at the top left-hand side of the page next to the green Renew button. 


Step 7: Once you have selected the items you would like to renew, hit the green Renew button. 


Step 8: If the items were able to be renewed (they had no holds, and you have not maxed out your five renewals), you will see a "Checkout Successfully Renewed" message. 



If the item has holds, you will see an "Item has holds" message in red. 




And you've just renewed your library materials from home!

You can also do this via the LINCC phone app, here is a video explaining how.

Sunday, October 27, 2024

The Most Anticipated Book to Screen Adaptations of 2024

In a world full of sequels, remakes, and spinoffs, it can feel disparaging to find new, original content. 

But if there's one thing Hollywood gets right, it's utilizing best-selling books and bringing the stories to life on the big screen. Whether the books be fiction or non-fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, or a mystery, there is a lot of amazing content being churned out from books. 

Here are 10 of the most highly anticipated book to screen adaptations of 2024:

 
Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Coming to theaters on November 22nd, Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Enrivo in the musical adaptation made famous by Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. 

Wicked was released in 1995, and has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. 

Wicked has also created many sequels such as: Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of Oz




Based on Amor Towles' sophomore novel, A Gentleman in Moscow has sold over a million copies since its release in 2016. 

Starring Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov, A Gentleman in Moscow follows the Count as he is cut off from the outside world while living under house arrest in an attic room in a Moscow hotel. A story of friendship and creating family, A Gentleman in Moscow is currently streaming on Paramount+.


A live adaptation of Crockett Johnson's classic children's book, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a whimsical tale of grown up Harold who can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. 

Fun for the whole family, Harold and the Purple Crayon is available to check out via LINCC.



For fans of true crime, Under the Bridge tells the story of the group of teens who were accused of the murder of Reena Virk. 


Available to stream on Hulu, Under the Bridge stars Riley Keogh as Rebecca Godfrey, and Oscar Nominated Lily Gladstone as the local police detective trying to solve the case. 





This highly anticipated Dreamwork's animation release, premiered to fanfare in September at the Toronto International Film Festival. 

Currently with a score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes (and buzz about it being the potential winner for the Oscars Best Animated Film), The Wild Robot is a classic tale that will delight both parents and children alike. 

Although released in 2016, this is still a favorite among library patrons. 




This 2019 Pulitzer Prize winning novel is set to have a limited theatrical release in December 2024.  A period piece set in the 1960s, The Nickel Boys tells the story of friendship between two men sent to a segregated reform school in Florida. 

This book would make an excellent book club pick! 








Elin Hilderbrand's first murder mystery! If you've never read Hilderbrand, she is the expert on the glamorous Nantucket jet set, which will put you in the mood to pack up your things and head to an Atlantic beach. 

With an all-star cast, including Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, The Perfect Couple, had over 20 million streams in the first 4 days of availability on Netflix. 






It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover


Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel that spent 169 weeks on the bestseller list and has sold 10 million copies, was made into a feature film this past summer. 

This book could be a sensitive subject for some. The DVD will be available for checkout in November.  







Shogun by James Clavell

Shogun, which is now airing on FX had 25 Emmy nominations this past year!

Based on James Clavell's novel of the same name, this sweeping epic takes place in the 1600s amid a century-defining Civil War. 





Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

Based on Claire Keegan's prize winning novella, Small Things Like These stars Oscar Winner, Cillian Murphy and will be released in theaters November 8th. 

Based on a true story of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland in the 60s, there are some big names behind this film, and it will surely be an Oscar contender. 





What are some of your favorite book to movie or tv show adaptations? Any that you're particularly excited about seeing this year? 

Monday, October 14, 2024

November Book Club Picks

Here's what the Sandy and Hoodland libraries are reading for November!

Men's Book Club

Monday, November 4th
7:00 PM
Sandy Library Community Room


For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us




Digital Book Club 

Thursday, November 7th
7:00 PM
Online via Zoom


For further information and to receive the Zoom link, contact Kat Aden: kaden@ci.sandy.or.us




Women's Book Club

Thursday, November 14th
6:00 PM
Sandy Library Community Room

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

*Please note that the Women's Book Club is now in person only. 




Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, November 19th
4:00 PM
Hoodland Community Room


For further information please contact Alex Steinmetz: asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us







Monday, October 7, 2024

Sandy Seed Library - October 2024

Upcoming Events

Alternative Ground Cover

This presentation will explain how a few small (and large) changes to your landscape can reduce time devoted to its maintenance, reduce expenses, and provide a friendly environment for the other creatures with which we share it.

When: Thursday, Oct 17th at 6pm

Where: The Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room


A Shroom of One's Own: At Home Edible Mushroom Production

by OSU's Extension Service

If you like growing your own food, then perhaps culinary mushroom cultivation is next on the menu for you. With a focus on Shiitake mushrooms, OSU Extension agent Alicia Christiansen will cover preferred growing media, inoculation methods, caring for your logs, money-saving tips, harvesting and more.

When: Tuesday, Oct 8th from 12-1pm

Where: Free Online - Register Here


How Does Fire Affect Wild Bees & Other Pollinators?

Bee City USA Action Group is hosting Dr. Graham Frank, a forest ecologist, to discuss the effects of wildfires on the biodiversity in our local ecosystem.

When: Thursday, Oct 10th from 6-7pm

Where: Sandy Community Center (38348 Pioneer Blvd, Sandy)


Sunday, September 22, 2024

Banned Books Week: September 22 - September 28

 

Banned books week is an annually event celebrating the freedom to read. Starting in 1982, Banned Books Week began as a way to highlight growing censorship taking place in libraries, bookstores, and schools. 

Celebrating Banned Books Week and highlight the growing call for censorship is more important than ever this year. In 2023, the number of titles targeted by censorship in libraries grew over 92% from the previous year

Although this number seems to have grown exponentially, book bans have been going on for centuries. According to Freedom to Read, book banning goes back to 259 BC when Chinese emperor Shih Huang Ti burned Confucian scholars for writing down the history of their time. And in America, the first instance of book banning was in 1637 (before America was even a country) when the Puritans banned Thomas Morton's New English Canaan

The theme for Banned Books Week 2024 (September 22-28) is "Freed Between the Lines." We can find freedom in the pages of a book — but book bans and censorship threaten that freedom, along with many other rights and institutions. - ALA

Here are a few ways you can celebrate banned books week:

  • Read a banned book! The ALA publishes a list of the top 10 banned books every year, check out 2023s list and reserve a copy through LINCC
  • Spread the word! Check out the social media graphics here and share them to your social media! 
  • Follow a banned author on social media!
  • Check your local library or bookstore for banned book week events!
  • And always, support the freedom to read! 
Book banning is not something we can easily escape, but we can do our best to support the freedom to read, expand our reading to include banned books and ensure that censorship doesn't creep into our backyard. 

What's your favorite banned book? 

Head to BannedBooksWeek.org or the ALA Banned Books Week site to learn more. 

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

October Book Club Picks

  Here's what the Sandy and Hoodland libraries are reading for September!

Digital Book Club 

Thursday, October 3rd
7:00 PM
Online via Zoom

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

For further information and to receive the Zoom link, contact Kat Aden: kaden@ci.sandy.or.us







Men's Book Club

Monday, October 7th
7:00 PM
Sandy Library Community Room


For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us



Women's Book Club

Thursday, October 10th
6:00 PM
Sandy Library Community Room

Same Author October - Harlan Coben

Read and discuss any book by the author Harlan Coben

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

*Please note that the Women's Book Club is now in person only. 


Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, October 15th
4:00 PM
Hoodland Community Room

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

For further information please contact Alex Steinmetz: asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us








Friday, September 13, 2024

Happy Roald Dahl Day!

 

I think it is safe to say that every child is impacted by the works of Roald Dahl in one way or another. 

Whether you've seen Matilda for the first time, your teacher reads you the BFG, or you were horrified by Anjelica Houston in The Witches, Roald Dahl is likely a staple of you or your kids childhood. 

That's because Roald Dahl creates magic. A chocolate factory? A talking fox? A GIANT PEACH? His stories build a world of imagination. 

September 13th is celebrated as Roald Dahl day in honor of the author's birthday. Although the author left us in 1990, his magic still resonates. 

We asked some of our staff members what Roald Dahl has meant to them and here are some of their answers:


Brianna Chase, Library Clerk:

"James and the Giant Peach" is one of my earliest memories of having a book really spark my imagination. It was so much fun to insert myself into the story and imagine what it would be like to live inside a peach and to have a bunch of creatures as friends.


Richard Camp, Library Clerk:

As a kid, his stories were huge for me, but as wannabe-writer adult, it's his writing shed that I admire most (which Wes Anderson recreated for his Dahl Netflix adaptations).


Photo via Austin Kleon


Alex Steinmetz, Library Assistant:

I checked out Charlie and the Chocolate Factory probably a dozen times from my elementary school library. I also made a clay scene from James and the Giant Peach that I entered into my county fair (and won!). Needless to say, many of my core memories of my childhood stem from Roald Dahl. 

What is your favorite Roald Dahl book? 


Thursday, September 5, 2024

Seed Library News - September 2024

 "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." - Cicero

Recap: Composting with Garden Debris and Worms Bins


"Composting is just one species digesting another species," - Kris LaMar


Our wonderful presenter provided us with a lot of the science behind composting and how we are simply mimicking nature by recycling our kitchen scraps and yard debris.


And leave it to Kris to make learning about worms so exciting! She let us know that worm castings contain more microorganisms, more inorganic minerals, and more organic matter in a form that is more readily available to plants than soil. The only thing to take note of is that it is nitrogen rich, which is great for foliage production, but not as much for fruit.


Since many of us have clay heavy soil, it's nice to know that adding compost once a year will reduce the compaction and make the soil more workable and drain better.


I have been chatting away about composting for over a month, and in my conversations, one of our patrons shared with me about her time in Uganda. The village she worked in used a keyhole garden method. The garden was planted in a mound that surrounded a composting center. Often these gardens are located near kitchens, so food scraps are easily added to the composting center. This got me so excited that she agreed to share a video with me!

To watch a video on how to assemble a Uganda style keyhole garden, click here.


If you are interested in creating something similar for yourself, you can do an internet search of "keyhole composting garden bed" to will find many examples on how to build yourself one or purchase a kit to assemble.


Recommended Reading


Composting for the Absolute Beginner by Dede Cummings


This book does get a little bit repetitive at times, but it offers a lot of useful information and perspectives.


One of these perspectives is that of Cheryl Wilfong - she does not like to turn her compost which means it will take more time to become the nutrient-rich soil amendment. For this reason, Cheryl has 3 bins on her property. Each bin represents a different year. When the year is up, she will not add to that bin again, and by the end of year 3, the first bin it is ready.






No-Waste Composting: Small-Space Waste Recycling Indoors and Out by Michelle Balz


Each option presented in this book provided a DIY example that was very easy to follow. I was most intrigued by the terra-cotta pot system. If anyone has experience with this system, I would love to hear about it.


Michelle Balz has an additional book that touches on keyhole composting as well, Composting for a New Generation










Worms Eat My Garbage and

Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Setup and Maintain a Worm Composting System by Mary Appelhof


I appreciated that Mary mentions weighing the amount of food waste your household produces in a week to determine the size bin you may need.



Upcoming Events


Preserving Tomatoes

Presented by OSU Extension Service. Learn how to safely preserve tomatoes and tomato products, such as salsa, using food preservation equipment available through the Library of Things.

When: Friday, Sept 13th at 6pm

Where: The Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room


Fall and Winter Gardening

Once the temperatures fall, along with the rain, gardeners often want to "pack it up" and concentrate on indoor plants. But there's lots to be done in the fall and into winter, so next year's garden will thrive. From clean up, to soil testing, to caring for "tender perennials", to growing winter vegetables, the list is endless! And let's not forget how we can make our landscapes friendly to the wild animals who also call it "home".

When: Thursday, Sept 19th at 6pm

Where: The Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room


To receive all the latest Seed Library news email Brianna Chase: bchase@ci.sandy.or.us to sign up for the newsletter!