Library News for Adults
September 1, 2021
Foraging - Harvesting the Wild

September is the harvest month, and most of us think of combines in the fields or picking ripe vegetables and fruit in our gardens. However, wild plants can also be harvested for food. Foraging is "to wander in search of food or provisions" and also, "to conduct a search; rummage" (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language).

You have probably "foraged" unknowingly when you're out on a hike. Maybe you weren't searching for it, but I bet you've picked a fresh blueberry or raspberry off the bush by the side of the trail. Hunting mushrooms also qualifies, as does picking up fallen walnuts.

If you do a quick Internet search under "foraging classes near me" you will find quite a few local options. These are very helpful to new foragers, but you may also want to check out a few books from the library to learn more about it. Here are a few you will find:


Before you decide to go off on a foraging adventure, be sure to see where it's allowed. Here are a few public lands that you may want to check:


For City or County parks, check with the respective Parks Department.

So what can you expect to find this time of year? Elderberries, mushrooms, wild plums, wild grapes, currants, rose hips, chokecherries, pin cherries, crabapples, hazelnuts, and walnuts just to name a few. Some of these are better sweetened and made into jellies or syrups, others you can eat fresh off the bush or tree, and mushrooms can be cleaned and sautéed. Just be sure you know what you are harvesting!

Enjoy your rambles outside, but be safe and know what you are collecting, and please save some for the wildlife! They are counting on "foraging" for it for this winter.
Upcoming Adult Programs
Change of Venue to Virtual!

Thursday, September 9th, 7:00-8:00pm
*Facebook Live Event*

Join mystery/thriller author Rachel Howell Hall on Facebook Live as she discusses her newest book (due out on September 1st!), These Toxic Things. In this “refreshing take on the serial killer theme” (Publishers Weekly), a young freelance artist unexpectedly comes into possession of a former client’s curios collection – and soon discovers that these trinkets are not as innocuous as they first seemed.
Monday, September 27th, 6:30-7:30pm
Savage Library

Teens and their parents both need to understand what it means to pay for college and to make wise decisions to avoid massive school debt. Come ready to learn about the FAFSA, read a college's financial aid offer and plan for all the other expenses college brings. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Saturday, September 25th, 10:00am-4:00pm
Prior Lake Library

The Prior Lake Friends of the Library welcome you back to the library for their used book sale. Good books at great prices!


Saturday & Sunday, October 2nd & 3rd, 10:00am-2:00pm
Savage Library

Join us for our $1, $2, $3 Sale! The Savage Friends of the Library will host a weekend-long Book Sale with a large selection of gently used books, music and DVD's for children, teens and adults. * Please note: the library is closed on Sunday. Access to computers, materials and staff will NOT be available.

Saturday, October 2nd, 10:30-11:30am
Prior Lake Library

Life is full of transitions! This session will cover the basics most people need when planning for retirement and life beyond. We will also discuss professionals that may be needed to make this happen. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Book Clubs

All library-facilitated book clubs are now meeting in-person at the library.

Second Wednesday, 7:00-8:00pm
Savage Library
September selection: The Invisible City by Julia Dahl

Fourth Tuesday, 6:00-7:15pm
Prior Lake Library
September selection: Any book by Club Book author Rachel Howell Hall

Fourth Wednesday, 6:30-7:30pm
Savage Library
September selection: The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Keep an eye on the Library Events Calendar to see when other book clubs return, or new ones are formed. To find book clubs more easily in the catalog, use the dark blue Category menu below the search bar, and choose "Books/Authors".
Legal Clinics

To schedule an appointment to participate in any of these clinics, please call the Law Library at (952) 496-8713.


Monday, September 13th
All Day

Discuss family law issues with a volunteer attorney. This may include divorce, post-divorce issues, custody and parenting time, child support and more. Advance registration required. 

Thursdays, September 9th & 23rd
All Day

Meet by phone with a volunteer attorney for 30 mins to discuss a civil legal issue (this can include family law, conciliation/civil court, protective orders, simple probate/estate questions, etc.). Advance registration required.
Job & Career Resources

All events listed below are presented by CareerForce, and ALL require advance registration.

Creative Job Search: Job Search Over 50, Tuesday, September 7th, 10:00-11:00am - This workshop focuses on practical, proven advice for workers over 50 looking to resume an established career or try something brand new! We’ll discuss how resumes and interviewing techniques have changed recently, mistakes that can trip up older workers and how recent global events have actually made mature workers highly valuable.

Virtual & Interactive Services for Career Seekers - Find live online workshops, upcoming career fairs, and other online resources from CareerForce.
This and That

September 18th, 10:30am-1:30pm
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

Each year, hundreds of volunteers help increase the amount and diversity of seed planted in the nearly 2,000 acres of restored prairie managed by Three Rivers Park District. One-time and ongoing volunteers are welcome.

Minnesota Book Awards Submissions are being accepted from now through November 12th. Books must be the work of a Minnesota author or primary artistic creator, have a 2020 copyright, and have a valid ISBN. In addition to statewide recognition, the winners will receive a $500 cash prize. For more details including where and how to submit your work, click on the link above.
Weekly Trivia Challenge

This week's challenge: National Parks trivia. Good luck!

Love visiting the National Parks? Try this trivia, by Paula in Savage, and see if you're a true Park Ranger! The multiple choice challenge is timed, so the faster you respond, the more points you get! You have 3 weeks, until September 21, to take the challenge.  

We’ve built our trivia challenge in Kahoot!, but there’s no need for you to create an account. Just click the link, spin for a randomly-generated player name, and play!

For those of you who remember your "name" in the 2010s Movies challenge two weeks ago, here are the final standings:

  1. Lively Macaw – the only 100%
  2. Super Piranha
  3. Red Fox
  4. Fuzzy Bison
  5. Expert Condor
Library Staff Recommends
 
All titles are available (or will soon be available) in print at the library, and/or in eBook and eAudiobook form on Libby.
Hugo Award Winners - recommended by Beth, Librarian at the Elko New Market Library

Since 1955, the members (attendees) of the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) have nominated and awarded the prestigious Hugo Awards. Here are a few of my favorite Hugo nominees and winners.

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin - An Earth-based diplomat visits a far-flung human world where gender is fluid and there is no sexual prejudice.

A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge (first in a series) - A hard-science thriller involving interstellar war, politics, a daring rescue, and a strange alien culture.

Tea with the Black Dragon by R.A. MacAvoy (nominated) - A mother searching for her daughter meets a mysterious man with a secret identity.

Redshirts by John Scalzi - Ensign Andrew Dahl tries to figure out why low-ranking crew members on his starship are always the tragic victims of lethal encounters with aliens.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (first in a series) - A young woman is the first of her people, the Himba, to leave Earth and attend Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire - Stories of children wandering through portals (doorways) to other worlds, but what happens when they are forced to return to a world they no longer think of as home?

His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik (nominated, and first in a series) - The Napoleonic Wars fought with dragons.