News, Information, and Fun Things to Do
 from the  
Middleborough Public Library
Library Lines
January 13, 2021
Help Sweeten a Seniors' Day

It's time to share the love. We're collecting valentines for the Council on Aging to include in their Meals on Wheels deliveries to seniors.

Call the library to reserve a kit with paper, stickers, stamps and other materials to make valentines. Finished crafts should be returned by Mon., Jan. 25 in one of the two pink collection boxes at the Library (one on the main floor and one in the Children's Room). Alternatively, you can place your valentines in an envelope addressed to Miss Amanda with the word "valentine," and return it in the outside book drop.

We'll get them to the COA in plenty of time to celebrate February's favorite holiday. 
What Do You Want to Learn Today?
Have you made it a New Year's resolution to finally learn how to make an Excel spreadsheet? Does it drive you crazy hearing so much about tweeting when you don't know what a tweet is or how to use Twitter? Are you looking for work and know it would be helpful to have a LinkedIn profile but you don't know how to get started?

We've got the solution for you. Head to Niche Academy on the Library's website for instructive, brief tutorial videos on these topics plus much more.
Middleboro's Top 10 Reads for 2020
The results are in -- here are the top 10 books checked out at the Middleboro Public Library during 2020. (This ranking includes all print copies of each title: hard cover, paperback and large print.)

  1. The Guardians, by John Grisham
  2. American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins
  3. Camino Winds, by John Grisham
  4. Treason, by Stuart Woods
  5. The Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes
  6. The 20th Victim, by James Patterson
  7. The Wedding Dress, by Danielle Steel
  8. Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens
  9. Lost, by James Patterson
  10. When You See Me, by Lisa Gardner

With less foot traffic these days, you're more likely to find one of these popular titles waiting for you right on the shelf. So stop by sometime to see what all the fuss was about. You can also place a copy on hold any time and/or request curbside pickup.
It's Time to Move it, Move it!
Join Miss Amanda for a season-long celebration of healthy living.  "Let's Move in Libraries" will feature programs such as yoga story times, music and movement, Book and Cook events (focusing on preparing healthy meals and snacks) and so much more. 

Check out our Funbrary offering both outdoor and indoor resources to keep your family active this winter. Use your library card to borrow snowshoes, lawn games, and more. 

Ready to get started? Stop by the Library and pick up a Let's Move BINGO card, or print it here, and return it by Mon., March 1 to be entered into a prize drawing.
Comic Craze Trivia Night on Zoom
Do you have a Dog Man fan at home? Maybe you have a stack of the new Babysitters Club graphic novels on the table? Wings of Fire, Narwhal and Jelly, Zita the Spacegirl...the list goes on and on of great graphic novels for kids.

Join fellow comic lovers on Tues., Jan. 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for an evening of trivia based on these popular titles and more. Learn about new books available for checkout at the Library and through Overdrive online. This program is best suited for children ages 7-12.  

To participate in trivia, you'll need to download the free app for Kahoot and use Zoom, and you can use one device or many. For example, you could use Zoom on a computer or tablet and Kahoot on a phone. You must register to receive the log-in information to join this program. Call 508/946-2470 or email Miss Amanda.  
IMLS
This program is made possible through the CARES Act funding to Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Winter Music and Movement on Zoom with Special Guest Carol Carver
Join Miss Amanda and special guest Carol Carver, from Self Help Inc.'s CFCE program, on Wed., Jan. 27, 10:00-10:45 a.m. for an interactive story time filled with movement and music. Best for preschool ages 2.9-5 and their caregiver(s). 

Help act out the story Bear Can't Sleep by Karma Wilson, and then enjoy some winter-based songs and activities. Space is limited. Please contact the Library at 508/946-2470 or email Miss Amanda to register. The Zoom link will be sent out via email prior to the event.

This program is part of Let's Move in Libraries.  Learn more here.
Tiny Tots Returns
Tiny Tots returns tomorrow, Thurs., Jan. 14 at 9:30. Join Miss Amanda for stories, rhymes, songs and early literacy activities. Thursday sessions continue on on Jan. 21 and 28, and Feb. 4, all at 9:30 a.m. Best for babies, toddlers and preschool ages.

Come to one session or all of them, but you must register for at least one to acquire the link. Participants will be muted during the story time portion. Silly, sleepy, and hungry kids are welcome.
Miss Lori's Fun Puzzle Challenges
Fri., Jan. 15: January is National Braille Month. This month recognizes and honors the legally blind and visually impaired. Its mission is to raise awareness of the importance of Braille. Learn more about Braille, Louis Braille (its creator), and blindness by checking out a book in Braille or about Braille from our collection.
Fri., Jan. 22: Time to Celebrate National Pie Day! Head to our Facebook page to tell us what YOUR favorite flavor is. And "taste" one of our many pie books. You can go digital, try How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, by Marjorie Priceman, or a print "piece," like Pie in the Sky, by Remy Lai.
Kids Can Cozy Up with a Good Book for
Our Winter Reading Challenge
Children from birth to Grade 6 are encouraged to cozy up with a good book for our Winter Reading Challenge, running through mid-March.

Read 12 hours to complete the challenge and earn virtual tickets for a grand prize drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card, $25 Target gift card or a bag of surprises from the Library. Complete Activity Badges for more chances to win. 

New to this season's challenge is the chance to unlock even more activities as you complete badges. For families looking for some off-screen time, this program also can be done offline using paper handouts available for download or at the Library.
More Virtual Ways to Connect with Your Favorite Authors

We've come across a new resource we wanted to share called BookTrib.com. According to its website, it was created as "a news source for people who love books, want to find out what’s happening in the book world and love learning about great authors of whom they may not have heard."

Be sure to check out their recent post by Ann Garvin, "Seven Virtual Book Events That Helped us Get Through 2020." She writes, ". . . who could have predicted that in 2020, we’d have to actually plug in to connect?. . . These top seven virtual book events . . . rose above the static and noise of this chaotic year to provide the connection we so desperately needed."

It spotlights some sites we've featured here before, like A Mighty Blaze and The Back Room, and several others including the Stories to Love podcast and the I Know How This (Book) Ends virtual book club.
News About Our Marvelous
Museum Passes

Museums in Boston and several surrounding cities are still closed due to the number of COVID cases in the state.

With this ongoing uncertainty about opening hours, we suggest you head to each organization's website for the latest news before reserving a pass through the Library.

As of today, these organizations are temporarily closed to help slow the spread of COVID:  the New England Aquarium, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Boston Children's Museum.
15 Young Adult Must-Reads of 2020

If you haven't had a chance to discover all of the amazing teen releases over this past tumultuous year, here are 15 captivating titles that may not have been on your radar. Reserve or pick one up and enjoy under a warm blanket!
IF YOU LIKED ONE OF US IS LYING, TRY . . .
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, a soapy mystery full of twists and riddles about a teen who discovers she can inherit a stranger billionaire's fortune if she lives in his mansion with his suspicious grandchildren for one year. Gr. 8+

For a grittier and socially-relevant mystery that is also a call to action against racism, try This Is My America by Kim Johnson. Gr. 9+
FEEL-GOOD ROMANCE
Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a funny, tender story of acaemic rivals who strategically team up against vengeful classmates for a city-wide scavenger hunt and find themselves falling for each other. Gr. 7+

Also try Leah Johnson's You Should See Me In a Crown, a refreshing look at an unexpected romance amid the tension of being Black, poor, and queer in a small town.
STORIES THAT PACK AN EMOTIONAL PUNCH
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, an evocative novel in verse follows the experiences of two grieving sisters who navigate the loss of their father and the impact of his death on their relationship. Gr. 9+

For another gripping read of a teen confronting haunting memories and trauma, read Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour
Gr. 9+
FOR HISTORY LOVERS
We Are Not Free by Traci Chee explores the lives of four second-generation Japanese American teens in San Francisco who faced widespread discrimination and mass incarcerations during World War II. Powerful and important. Gr. 8+

If you enjoy a dose of fantasy with your history, try These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, a multifaceted retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set in 1920's Shanghai. Gr. 8+
GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS
Flamer by Mike Curato In the summer between middle school and high school, Aiden Navarro navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and finds himself drawn to Elias, a boy he can't stop thinking about. Gr. 9+

Fans of offbeat horror might enjoy The Last Halloween, Book 1: The Children by Abby Howard a grisly gothic post-apocalyptic adventure.
INSPIRING SPORTS STORIES
Furia by Yamile Mendez follows 17-year-old Camila Hassan, a rising soccer star in Argentina, who dreams of playing professionally in defiance of her father's wishes and at the risk of her budding romance with Diego. Gr. 9+

For fans of Gene Luen Yang, try his graphic memoir Dragon Hoops, a candid and action-packed look at his life and the basketball team at the school where he teaches. Gr. 9+
CULTURALLY-DIVERSE FANTASY & SCI FI
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown, inspired by West African folklore, finds a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee on a collision course to destroy each other despite their growing attraction. Gr. 9+ For more lush magical fantasy, try Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko.

If you're looking for a suspenseful dystopian read, try Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza, about the harrowing journey of 16-year-old Vali as she flees Vermont and the Deportation Forces with her little brother in hopes of reaching their Tia Luna in the sanctuary state of California. Gr. 9+

For more reading suggestions, visit our What to Read Next teen page.
Ancestry Extends its Free-at-Home Service Again
If you've got time on your hands and have been putting off digging into your family history, now's the time to tackle that genealogy "to do" list. Ancestry.com has announced they'll continue to provide free at-home access to their Library edition for library card holders until March 31. (Pre-pandemic, you'd have to be online inside the Library to access this service.) Make sure you have your library card and PIN on hand to log in.

Ancestry notes that they'll re-evaluate the deadline as the end of March draws closer.
"Book Blurbs" -- What We've Been Reading

Periodically, we bring you a brief Book Blurb from the staff about what we've been reading/watching/playing. This week, recommendations from some of our library technicians, Sharon Davis and Amy Woodward.
Sharon: I'm reading Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (a.k.a. J.K. Rowling), the fifth in the P.I. Cormoran Strike series.

A review in the Dallas Morning News read, "If you love the intricate, character-driven mysteries written by Tana French and Kate Atkinson, then chances are good that you'll enjoy the ones by Robert Galbraith. . . . Robert Galbraith knows how to tell a story every bit as deftly as does J.K. Rowling. Cormoran Strike, who lost a leg in Afghanistan, may limp painfully through much of the book, but the tale being told never misses a step."

You can place a hold for the Overdrive ebook or digital audiobook, or for the print or book-on-cd copy of the book through your SAILS account.
Amy: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (for the Nintendo Switch)
was released last March, and is truly the gift that keeps on giving. During a time when everything is ever-changing, Animal Crossing provides some stability -- wake up, greet your villagers, shake a few trees... bliss.

Animal Crossing is a video game with a general premise: you've decided to build a new life on an up-and-coming island, run by a couple of raccoons (Tom Nook and his relatives, Timmy and Tommy) that have visions of the island's potential to be a beautiful village. Thankfully, they've recruited you to help. You start with a tent and two other villager neighbors, a variety of the nearly 400 animal creatures you can encounter throughout the game.
As you progress, you'll expand your home, invite more villagers to move to the island, and unlock more and more customization and creative options.

Gameplay is simple, but addictive. Each day, you can focus on whatever hobbies you fancy: fishing, bug catching, sea-creature diving, fruit and flower planting, and more. Don't forget about decorating your home, or making friends with your neighbors as well! Animal Crossing runs according to your timezone -- each in-game day corresponds to an actual day, and even reflects the season of your hemisphere of choice. As I chose the Northern Hemisphere, I'm currently finding snow-covered bushes and cozy sweaters to buy in the island's clothing shop. There are holidays to celebrate, birthday parties, and surprise visitors that change daily.

Therein lies the beauty of the game: every day is a new day. You're never pressured to work on any particular task, nor is there a time limit to adhere to. Animal Crossing just allows you to have fun, of which there is an endless supply. It's a beautiful and cute game, and I cannot recommend it enough.

You can place a hold for the Nintendo Switch edition.
Save the Date for Help with the Libby App!

To anyone who received a new e-reader, phone or tablet for Christmas, or those of you who have owned them for some time now but have never been quite sure how to make them work right with library books, have we got news for you! On Tues., Feb 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the folks from Overdrive will be online to teach you all about the Libby app.

More details about how to participate will follow in our January 27 newsletter.
Book Bundles for Kids

The Children's Room also offers book bundles for kids. If you want to borrow books about a certain subject and don't have specific titles in mind, our librarians will select them for you. Fill out the "book bundles" form, and we'll be in touch to work out all the details.

You've got options! You can either visit us to pick up your bundle at the Main Desk or, if you prefer, request curbside pickup by scheduling a time at your convenience. Just remember to bring your library card!
"Library To Go" Bundles For Adults

Use this "menu" to try our "Library to Go" program. You can request a book bundle consisting of three books and one DVD chosen from the adult collection based on your order. Choose from among themed bundles such as "Best Sellers," History Makers" (biography/memoir), or "You Can't Make This Stuff Up' (nonfiction).
Click here to read our full curbside pickup guidelines.
Please note: appointments must be scheduled at least an hour in advance of your desired pickup time to give staff adequate time to prepare your materials.
COVID-19 Critical Content
We know you've got lots of sites where you can go to get information on the Coronavirus pandemic, so each newsletter, we'll provide links to a few trusted and respected sources.
It seems like the battle against COVID-19 keeps getting more and more complicated. Now, there are variants of the original virus. Check out this page at the Centers for Disease Control for information about mutations of the virus, what it means and what the CDC is doing about it.
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