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NEWSLETTER
May 2014

Kudos to the Friends of the Library for the very successful Book Sale, which was held at the Fairmont Branch Library on the fourth weekend in April. Hundreds of Pasadena residents took advantage of the terrific pricing for nearly-new books and DVDs. This was the first large book sale that was held at the Fairmont Branch, and I am sure it will not be the last one. Special thanks to Marion Seymour, who chaired this book sale.

The next sale will be in the fall, so it will be at a great time to pick up some Christmas gifts for family and friends. Not only does the Book Sale generate money for the libraries' special projects, but it also returns so many of these books to the people of Pasadena, where they are read again and again. I hope you can make the next Book Sale at the Pasadena Libraries.

Be sure to check the library website regularly for programs of interest to you. The library is increasing the number of programs being offered each week for both children and adults. Some of the upcoming programs include cooking classes from the experts at HEB, as well as a class on making cheese in your own home. There are limited spots in each program, so be sure to sign up right away when these classes are announced. Only those who sign up in advance will be admitted. As is the case with all of our library programs, these classes are free.

If you have an interest in a particular subject or hobby and would like to see the library host such a program, please contact Mark Anderson, the program manager, who can discuss your interests.

A final word of thanks for all of you who stopped by the library for the Patron's Appreciation Day. It was just an extra way our staff wanted to express their appreciation for your support of the Pasadena Public Libraries. The flavored ices, cookies, and the Mariachi Band was quite a treat.

Thomas Simiele,

Library Director 

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Get Caught Reading!
 

reading-dreads-boy.jpgAs a self-professed bookworm, it comes as no surprise that I'm usually caught reading in odd places: birthday parties, wedding receptions, while stopped at red lights...kidding! But I do love to read and so do many of millions of people all over the world. The Association of American Publishers (AAP) launched the nationwide campaign "Get Caught Reading" to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read.  

 

woman_reading.jpg You're never too young to start listening to others read; studies show the human brain does not wait until birth to start absorbing information. Therefore, reading to a child while they're still in the womb is beneficial to the child's capacity for language and learning. Even as a pastime, reading can prove valuable in giving our minds an escape from the hectic rush of day to day life. You can travel to any world, past present or future. Your public library is here for the very purpose of bringing the necessary materials to help you "Get Caught Reading!"

 

On another note, while we are showcasing Hispanic authors this month in the "Author Glimpse" section, I think it's only right to mention the writer of one of my favorite books, "100 Years of Solitude", Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who passed away in April of this year. His work is an important part of the Latin American Boom of literature and his amazing books can be found at the Pasadena Public Library. 

 

Adriane Duron,

Circulation Department 

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Featured Database: OverDrive
 
OverDrive, a global leader in eBooks, eAudioBooks, Music, and Video, showcases the largest selection of bestsellers, new releases and educational digital books in virtually every subject. OverDrive titles are available on a custom-branded website for users to browse, check-out, and download 24/7.

 

Features for Patrons:

*Available 24/7, even when library is closed 

*No special account, just existing library card 

*No overdue fees

*Superior reading and listening experience with built-in accessibility features

*Recommendations based on user use

*Compatible with Nook, Kindle, and all other e-readers, apple and android devices

  

For access to OverDrive...click here to get started!

 

Need more help? Check out these guides at www.ppltx.net  

     

Any problems or questions? 

Please call the Reference Librarian at 713-477-0276 (Central Library)  or at 281-998-1095 (Fairmont Branch).

 

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Staff Spotlight: Elanore Crystal Cornell

What is your name? Elanore Crystal Cornell

 

What is you title? Librarian II

 

What are your responsibilities at the library? Reference, Teen services (including programming, section maintenance and collection development), Middle, intermediate and high school outreach, Serials, Volunteers and Conference room reservations

 
What don't you know about me?  

  • I love collections: I have 2,111 titles in my physical book library, 676 of which are on my wish list.
  • I have 400 titles in my e-book library.
  • I have 11,215 audio recordings in my mp3 library, 2,351 of which are old time radio broadcasts of shows such as CBS Radio Mystery Theater, CBS Radio Workshop, Lights Out, Inner Sanctum, Escape, Haunting Hour, Murder at Midnight, Mysterious Traveler, Quiet Please, Suspense, Weird Circle and Dark Fantasy.
  • I have 681 movies in my Netflix queue.
  • I also have large collections of earrings, stuffed animals and mugs.
  • I love to catalog/organize all of my collections. Curiously, my obsession interest does not extend to library cataloging.

What are your favorite genres and authors?  

My favorite genres are African-American speculative fiction (encompassing African-American horror and science fiction), dystopian fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, horror (specifically zombies).  

 

My favorite authors are:  

Anne Rice, Bentley Little, Brandon Massey, Brian Keene, Charles Saunders, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Colson Whitehead, David Wellington, J. California Cooper, Joe McKinney, Leslie A. Banks, Max Brooks, Nalo Hopkinson, Octavia Butler, S.M. Stirling, Scott Sigler, Stephen King, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Toni Morrison and Walter Mosley

 

What is the last book you have read or are currently reading?

The Circle by Bentley Little - just read

Alone by Brian Keene - currently reading

Gone by Michael Grant - currently reading

Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson - just read

 

Why do you love Pasadena Public Library?

It is interesting, exciting and challenging.

 

(Click the links in this article to browse Ms. Crystal's book and author selections in the library catalog.)

 

In This Issue
Holiday Closures
 
MovieBox

Program Highlights

CENTRAL LIBRARY - Adult
 
Tuesdays @ 3:00 PM
Classic Cartoons
(Jonny Quest, Looney Tunes & more)

May 7 @ 3:30 PM
Overdrive Demonstration
(Learn how to download e-books)

May 9 @ 3:00 PM

Friday Fun Craft

Adult Craft time

 

May 28 @ 3:30 PM

Legal Talk

Topic: Marriage & Divorce

 

FAIRMONT BRANCH - Adult  
 

May 21 @ 3:30 PM

Lead Remediation

(Learn about lead removal programs)

 

TEEN & CHILDREN  - Central 

  

This May, the Teen and Children's department is going all out! We will have Crafty Chicks Night on May 6, Science Night on May 27, and story time Mondays at Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

We also have Leapfrog Tablets available in the Children's section! Crafty Chicks Night is girls only, so ladies, bring your sisters, your friends and your mom, for a night of stylish crafting.

Science Night, on the other hand, is for everyone! If you want to connect with your inner Mad Scientist, Science Night is the place to come! You may even learn something about science, too.

 

We will also have a free PSAT exam on May 3 for anyone who wants to give it a shot. To register, please sign up with the Teen Librarian.
 

To view the complete May Calendar, please click the following links:  

 


Book Club Banter

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First Monday Book Club

Monday, May 5 @ 6:00 p.m. 

Fairmont Library Conference Room

4330 Fairmont Pkwy.

Pasadena, Texas 77504

(281) 998-1095

 

This month's book discussion is:
 Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

 

Tea Time Mystery Book Club

  Monday, May 19 @ 3:30 p.m.  

Fairmont Library Conference Room

4330 Fairmont Pkwy.

Pasadena, Texas 77504

(281) 998-1095

 

Please call the Fairmont Branch, for this month's book discussion.
   
For information regarding these book clubs, please contact Traycie Sublett (Tea Time Mystery)  at 713.475.4993 or William Simpson (First Monday) at 281.998.1095 x15. 
Author Glimpse: Yuyi Morales  

(1968-present)


*Winner of: Americas Award for Children's and Young-Adult Literature; Parent's Choice Award; Pura Belpr� Illustrator Award; California Book Award Silver Medal for juvenile fiction; Tom�s Rivera Mexican-American Children's Book Award, Golden Kite Honor Book Award, and many many many more

 

*Born in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Moved to the US in 1994

 

*Education: Graduate degree in Creative Writing

 

Self-Illustrated Books: