RCPL is Holiday Central!

Christmas books on display

Did you know that your local library is holiday central?

Want a new recipe to add to your annual holiday rotation? Check out our selection of cookbooks and cooking magazines. In addition to print, we have hundreds of digital titles available on Libby and Magzter. Listen to a holiday playlist from Freegal while you're in the kitchen to help set the festive mood.

Time to mix up your holiday decor? We have crafting and decorating books and magazines to inspire you. Bring that seasonal scrapbook paper hiding in a drawer and use the library's die-cut machine to make shapes to decorate your table or tree. Or, make a handmade present for a friend. You may still have time. Remember, there are twelve days of Christmas!

Your Russell County Public Library is the antidote to a commercial holiday. Grab a cozy holiday read - or a murder mystery set during the holidays - or a seasonal movie. From It's a Wonderful Life to Die Hard, we've got you covered. Hallmark Christmas movie addicts can get their fix with the Hallmark Movies Now BingePass on hoopla. Get seven days of unlimited access to all the feel-good movies you love.

You don't have to spend money to enjoy the holiday season. Attend a community event, like the Heart of Appalachia Community Orchestra's free concert, or wander through town looking at the lights and the trees. And stop by your local library. We're always here for you.

 

Honoring Veterans

During November, we celebrate Veteran's Day. It's a day that we honor those who served in times of war and peace in our armed forces. The Russell County Public Library Local History Collection contains a wealth of information about the men--and women--who served in the armed forces.

RCPL's Local History Collection

Some stories are sad: Robert Calvin Hawkins was killed during the Korean Conflict. We have a small digital collection of his papers donated by his family. It's poignant to read the exchange of letters from the War Department to the family, informing them when and how his body would be returned to them for burial--by train to Abingdon.

Others are amazing. Russell County native Giles Jessee Adams, the only son of John Robert Alva Adams and Maude Puckett Adams, was a naval veteran. He continued serving after World War II and was on USS Noa when astronaut John Glenn and his Friendship 7 capsule were pulled out of the Pacific in February 1962.

The Cumbow Meeting Room at the Lebanon Library houses a memorial to the Russell County service members who were killed in action during the 20th century. Did you know that the Lebanon Meeting Room had a name? It's named for William C. Cumbow, a WW II veteran and prisoner of war, who was chair of the Library Board of Trustees when the building was constructed.

Stop by and take a look at the memorial wall or the collection of books on military history. You can learn about how war is conducted by looking at the wall. Just don't stop by on Saturday, November 11. We're closed in honor of Veteran's Day.

However you honor or remember Veteran's Day, never forget: we owe our freedom to those who serve.

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Historic Russell County Day

 

Join us to celebrate Russell County History! The Library of Virginia is coming to Russell County Public Library with their LVA On the Go van. They will offer short talks and workshops listed below. There will be children’s activities and a chance to record your stories about the RCPL or your family. Where was the library the first time you visited? Do you remember the bookmobile - and Marion, the bookmobile driver?

Come to explore research resources, discuss regional and family history with knowledgeable LVA staff, discover educational materials, and much more. The Sons of Confederate Veterans will be camping on the lawn for the day, so you can even take a trip back in time.

You can visit all three Russell County museums this Saturday. The Dante Coal Miners and Railroad Museum, the Old Courthouse at Dickensonville, and the Honaker Heritage Museum will be open on Saturday, October 21. Explore your history and heritage!

10:30 am  Genealogy 101
11:00 am   Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative
Noon         Digital Resources from the Library of Virginia
1:00 pm    Russell County in Maps

Historic maps of Russell County will be on display in the Lebanon Library Meeting Room in October. And if you stop by the Honaker or Lebanon Library this month, we’ll give you a question you can use to start writing your family history. By the end of the month, you’ll have several pages of your family history.

Learn more about the Library of Virginia’s 200th anniversary. And visit your Russell County Public Library in October when we celebrate our 64th birthday.

 

How Satisfied are You with Your Library?

Russell County Public Library aims to provide helpful and relevant resources and services. We are always looking for ways to improve our materials and services. How do we know what you want? We analyze data, like what books circulate, but the best way is to ask you, our patrons! RCPL wants to know if you are satisfied with our services. During September, RCPL will survey our regular patrons via email. The survey is online and has just six questions; we estimate it will take about 4 minutes to complete. We will ask patrons without an email address to complete the survey in the library online or in print.

Here's a chance to tell us what you want and need. Do you want more large print books? More science fiction? Should we offer more programs for adults? Do we need more or different library hours?

Each person who takes the survey will be entered in a drawing for a sweet treat and a free book from the Friends of the Library book sale.

In 2024, we'll ask you a few more questions. You can opt out of any survey in 2024 just by letting us know when you receive this satisfaction survey. Library patrons can watch their inboxes for a message from us.

Technology - Staying Protected

Do you own a smartphone, tablet, phablet, e-reader, or other electronic device? How about a desktop computer or laptop? There are many choices available, and the list continues to grow. For those that may be new to these electronic devices or are unfamiliar with them, selecting the right one can seem almost overwhelming. Let's look at some of these devices and explore one thing they all have in common - keeping the device safe and secure.

Owning a computer or mobile device should be a fun and rewarding experience. There are certain things we can do to help keep it that way. One is to install security software (and, in some cases – security hardware). Almost all new computers, smartphones, tablets, and the like come preinstalled with security software. If you're unsure, refer to your device's documentation for specifics on what it has or has not preinstalled. You may discover that there isn't any antivirus, anti-malware, or security software. Not to worry - several choices are available in the Play Store (Android) and App Store (iPhone, iPad)!

When you purchase a new computer (Windows or Mac), there's a good chance it will come preinstalled with antivirus software. Most often, these are trial versions and will expire if not purchased. You can also delete them to install an antivirus solution of your choice. For more information, perform an internet search for antivirus software or check with your local computer store. Installing antivirus software on your computer is a must to help keep you and your files safe and secure.

The same applies to phones, tablets, and other devices. Typically, iPhones and iPads don't require antivirus software due to the features and protections built into the operating system. However, to be better protected, it's a good idea to look in your device's app store and select an antivirus solution that meets your needs.

With more and more of our daily lives, from banking to work to healthcare, taking place online, it's never been more essential to protect your electronic devices. Remember, keep your devices safe, and they'll keep you safe too.

Posted by Bryan Scheerer

All Together Now

Summer is a time for fun and sun, but it is also a time when many children lose much of the crucial learning that they have acquired during the school year. Summer slide may sound like something that is fun for kids though it really isn’t fun at all. Summer slide is defined as learning loss during the summer months. Studies have shown that reading 15-20 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week during the summer can help prevent that horrible “summer slide” and help students keep up their skills. Reading during the summer helps children to retain the skills they have learned and have them where they need to be when the new school year starts.

Russell County Public Library wants to help your student to stop that “summer slide.” Join us for one of our many summer programs where children and adults alike can have fun, meet new friends, and get introduced to new books at their local library. The summer reading theme this year is All Together Now, and focuses on friendship, acceptance, and love from around the globe or right in your own neighborhood. Stop by the library to sign up, or come to any program. We will have magician Matt Fore, Tampa Taiko Japanese Drumming, Rocking and Reading with Leonardo, friendship bracelets, and friendship rock painting. During summer reading you can win prizes for simply reading books and turning in your books lists. We also continue our monthly Pokemon and Lego Build programs during the summer. Our preschool programs include Mini Music on Mondays, and Storytime on Wednesdays and Fridays; bring your preschooler out to make new friends, listens to stories, sing, dance, and do a craft.

Aside from summer reading we have other programs for patrons of all ages. On Thursdays at the Lebanon Library, we have A Cup & Conversation; come in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a lite snack and get to know others in the community, play a card game, work a puzzle, etc. On Mondays at Lebanon we have Thread Up and on Fridays at Honaker Community Library we have Hooked on Crochet, whether you are experienced or a novice, or you simply want to sit and talk with those creating this beautiful form of art. We also have Connect with Crafts monthly on Mondays at Honaker and Tuesdays at Lebanon; each meeting we have a different type of craft suitable for adults or teens.

On Thursdays, we will have Teen Thursdays at our Lebanon branch to hang out with friends, do a craft, or simply learn a life skill.

The Summer Reads book club will meet on Tuesday evening, June 27^th, to talk about Remarkably Bright Creatures, which is suitable for adults and teens. This title is available in print, on the Libby app, and through hoopla.

You may call either library, 873-6600 or 889-8044, for more information. For a complete calendar of our events please see our website at https://russell.lib.va.us

There's More to the Story

 

 

April means spring, glorious spring! It's also when we celebrate National Poetry Month AND National Library Week.

National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. This year's theme is "There's More to the Story."

Libraries are full of stories in various formats, from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks, and more. But there's so much more to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like nature backpacks. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.

Why a National Library Week?

In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from "encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time" to "improving incomes and health" and "developing strong and happy family life."

In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read!" The 2023 celebration marks the 65th anniversary of the first event.

And yes, people are still worrying about how little Americans read. We'll let you in on a secret. Reading books and magazines on your phone is still reading. And you can still come to the library to grab a physical book, DVD, or magazine if you prefer.

Visit your library this month, and, to quote Paul Harvey, learn the "rest of the story." And be sure you participate in our Spinal Free Verse program, celebrating library and poetry month. You create a poem or short narrative out of book titles, April 25 & 26. No registration, just drop in!

 

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

 

Where's the Book I Want?

Where is all the new material?!

Is the bestseller rack half full or half empty?

It's a common question, and the reasons are many. You've noticed the store shelves and heard about the supply chain issues. That affects ALL industries, including the book publishing industry and its associated vendors and suppliers.

Russell County Public Library (RCPL) has taken steps to alleviate some of the issues. Our book vendor now sends us most bestsellers automatically. We tell them what authors we want and how many copies and they appear like magic a few days before the release date.

We routinely have patrons come and request books or movies that haven't come out yet. If you see a book on Good Morning America or another widely syndicated morning show, we can probably get it. But if the movie is still in the theater, you may have to wait months!

We always try to get what patrons request. But we can't always do that. Sometimes folks ask for titles from a series published in the last century. Yep, those paperbacks from the 1970s or 1980s are not readily available and are often too expensive; if it's a cult classic, collectors may have driven the price sky-high.

RCPL has noticed another trend with films. They often go straight from the theater to streaming and are not automatically for sale as a DVD or Blu-ray. Many shows and movies are now only available on streaming services. If there is a physical release, instead of the usual $20, it may be $60-$100 each. That's just too expensive for us to do frequently.

One step we've taken to ease delays is subscribing to hoopla. Hoopla is always available--if they have the ebook, audiobook, movie, TV series, or comic book, it is always available. No waiting. If you don't have reliable Internet service, you can download your material at the library and stream it from your device at home later.

We have more options available for reading and viewing than ever before. Give a new one a try; stop in, and we'll show you how!

Contributed by Kelly McBride Delph