Are you looking for more ways to get involved in your community? Wanting to meet new people with like interests? The library hosts a wide variety of clubs which are always looking for new members! Try coming to the Nutrition Series with Sue Delagrange where participants will learn extremely useful facts about nutrition. Each month has a different topic - September’s will be “What the World Eats” and will examine the diets of the countries with the top life expectancies. Another great program is Drop in Zone - one for adults and one for teens. At Drop in Zone, you can play video games on multiple systems, and experience Virtual Reality! Do you like to write? Come to the library’s Writers Club! Members share their writing and help each other with editing and ideas. 

What are your interests? Talk to a librarian today and see if we have a club that aligns with them. If not, help us start a new one! WCPL is always excited to entertain the possibility of a new club – it might just be the best one yet!

I recently read "The Darkest Child” by Delores Phillips. It is a fictional novel that takes place in 1958 in Georgia. Amidst racism, terrible poverty and living with a horribly irresponsible single mother, it is the story of ten children by different fathers just trying to survive. It gives a true-to-life view into what it was to be an African American person during that time period.  

This novel is sure to spark a lot of emotions in the reader. I can’t say enough about how much I loved this historical fiction. It was lengthy, coming in at just under 400 pages, but I still didn’t want it to end. -- reviewed by Melissa Skinner

Yes, this book is by J.K. Rowling, no it is nothing like the Harry Potter Series. If you have read any books under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, you will know a little bit of what to expect.

The Casual Vacancy is a study of humanity. It delves into the minds of all the people who live in the small town of Pagford. Everything is set off when Barry Fairbrother dies at the beginning of the book. We see how he affected everyone around him, and how his absence has set off a heightened battle among the people of Pagford. Should they keep the Bellchapel Addiction Clinic that serves the people in Yarvil, or should they close it to save on costs? There is a stark line drawn between the two towns. Many in Pagford see Yarvil as a drug filled town packed with people living off the government. Others see it as a place of value with people who need help.

There are many characters in this book and at first it can be hard to keep them straight. We get glimpses into their mind that last a few pages, and then we move on to the next character. The book is a slow-build, but the character development as a result, is fantastic. With each glimpse into the townspeople's minds, we see a few more of their flaws. Sometimes they inspire hatred; other times they remind the reader of their own shortcomings.

This is a very powerful book. Not only does it bring up questions of class, society, humanity, and government; but it also challenges the reader to examine their own thought life and evaluate how they treat others. This would be a great one for book clubs and discussion groups. -- reviewed by Michelle Parker

We are sad to report that Katie Warrener, our Children's Librarian, is leaving WCPL to accept a position as a Children's Librarian at the Irvington Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. Katie's last day is August 24.

During her tenure at WCPL Katie was responsible for starting the Writing Club, Minecraft for kids, and the Coding Club to name just a few of the activities she started. We are going to miss her and her enthusiasm for all things to do with libraries.