Watching some of my college classmates take the bar exam and attain their law degrees has me hankering for a good courtroom drama. While we can't all observe a thrilling legal case firsthand, we can certainly take a front row seat in an imaginative work of fiction. A peek into another walk of life also aligns with our summer reading theme, "Escape the Ordinary." The list below features hard-hitting stories with riveting courtroom scenes sure to keep you engaged during the dog days of summer.
If you're a Princeton Public Library user who frequents the shelves, you've probably had a brush or two with our biography collections.
Now that lovely weather is drawing us outside en masse it's time to be reminded of the variety of outdoor recreation that Princeton offers. From walking to biking to hiking – even sitting still – there are plenty of opportunities to take a breath of fresh air and get lost in nature, locally!
In continuation of our popular "Get to Know Us" blog posts, I caught up with Princeton Public Library staffer Seth Berens for an interview, looking to get the scoop on his time spent both in and out of the library. Seth works full time in the Lending Services department on the first floor where he oversees check-in of materials, processes missing and damaged items and assists customers, among other tasks. If you visit the first floor checkout desk or use the self-checkout stations you've probably seen him around!
Local Author Day is an annual event that promotes established and emerging local literary talents. The day begins with workshops for writers, published or not, and is followed by a book fair from 1-4 p.m. where the authors interact with the public and sell and sign their books. Select authors also read excepts of their work during the event.
We're stuck in the deep freeze, and that doesn't seem likely to change for awhile. So why not embrace the season by harmonizing the setting of your book with the weather outside? The following list showcases stories set in cold, snowy environments, much like the one beyond your window.
Are you giving or getting a new device this holiday season? Perhaps you already own a tablet, laptop or smartphone and haven't yet taken the plunge into the world of digital downloading. If accessing eLibrary content is foreign territory to you or your loved ones, never fear! The Princeton Public Library is here to help.
Every now and then, it's good to put yourself in someone else's shoes – or paws, fins, and claws! When you're in a reading rut, or if you're just looking for a book that's new and different, there's something to be said for stories told from an animal's perspective. Seeing the world from a non-human point of view can make for a supremely exciting, riveting read.
Pumpkin carving is one of the most beloved Halloween traditions. If you find yourself green (or orange!) with envy and coveting the creepily creative work of others, consider this season your opportunity to step onto the pumpkin carving scene with style and flair. With the right tools and a little guidance, even the most novice Jack-O-Lantern enthusiast can wow! The following books and websites can help you get started:
For book lovers, there’s nothing better than immersing yourself in a story that is centered on books and reading. The following list features fiction and non-fiction titles about books and the people who love them.
We all know the feeling that strikes when a good book is drawing to a close. We wait with bated breath for the conclusion while at the same time wishing the ending would never come. Fear not, for there's a simple solution to this predicament. Delve into a series and you can experience the pleasure of a well thought out story while knowing that the end is not forever; the beloved world and its characters await in the next installment. There's something for everyone in the following list, which covers series in several genres of fiction.
As a public library lover and employee, I am all about borrowing materials for free and returning them (in a timely fashion) to my local library. Of course, there are other ways to get your hands on a good book, and the Little Free Library movement is a fantastic way to share your fondness for books and reading.
So you live here, work here, maybe you even walk the streets daily, but how much do you really know about Princeton? As you may have guessed, the Princeton Public Library has a wealth of information about this fine place we all know and love. Did you know there are even several murder mystery books set right here in town?
Beyond what our books contain (knowledge, flights of fancy, drama) there's the matter of how we contain them. From piles growing unchecked under the coffee table to impeccably designed personal libraries, there are as many ways to showcase a collection as there are books to fill it with. A shameless plug: Remember, the library can help you in your curatorial – and financial – quest by allowing you to return materials to our shelves rather than overburden your own!
Are you sad that the Oscars have come and gone? Do you find yourself wanting more, more, more, and don't want to wait until next year's Academy Awards? All is not lost. Not only does the Princeton Public Library own (or have on order) copies of each and every film nominated for the year's best picture, there are a slew of books that either served as the basis for the films or are very similar in plot/subject.
In continuation of our popular "Get to Know Us" blog posts, I caught up with Princeton Public Library Lending Services staffer Becky Bowers for an interview. Becky works full time making sure the library's many thousands of materials are cared for, and that the customers using them are happy. Becky also oversees the keeping of statistics within the department. If you visit the first floor checkout desk you've probably seen her around!
2014 is shaping up to be a big year for films, and there will be plenty of fodder for book lovers as well. Here is a list of ten not-to-be-missed movies that are set to hit the silver screen this year, all of which got their start on the beloved page. It's generally accepted that the book beats the movie every time, so start reading!
There's no question that the Princeton Public Library is a wonderful place to visit. From its striking architecture to the wonderful collections and smiling faces of staff members, PPL is a destination for residents and nonresidents alike. If getting to the library is inconvenient, though, never fear! There are a wide array of resources and services you can access without ever setting foot out your front door.
In a revival of our once-popular "Get to Know Us" blog posts, I caught up with Princeton Public Library building monitor Manny Diaz for an interview. Manny works part time making sure the building, staff, and customers are safe. If you visit the library during the evening or on the weekend you've probably seen him around!
Q: How long have you worked at PPL?
MD: Going on eight years.
Have you jumped on the zombie-craze bandwagon yet? If not, Halloween season is the perfect time to get started. Even if you are an undead afficionado, the following list contains even more great thrills to read, watch, and listen to – all of them available here at the Princeton Public Library!
Books
As a library user you may already be familiar with the many wonderful services the Princeton Public Library offers (if not you can learn more), but did you ever wonder what life is like on the other side of the desk?
So you've just finished a wonderful book, or read the last in a great series, or maybe you've been lacking reading material for a while. In any event, the question is sure to arise: What will you read next?
Do you ever hit a wall when searching online – looking for something you know is out there but just can't seem to find? If you use Princeton Public Library's online catalog frequently (or even if you don't) I'm here to unveil some expert tips that'll make your search for library materials quicker, easier, and more specific.
Now that our new website has been up and running for over a year (it was launched in March 2012) many of you lovely library users have probably discovered some of the fun and helpful features the BiblioCommons catalog offers.
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