Library notes [May 03, 2010]  Summer Reading Program -- June 1 through July 24 The Lincoln Public Library Youth Services Department is gearing up for the annual Summer Reading Program that runs during June and July. Sign-up week is June 1-June 5, when the library will have games to play that follow this year's theme: "Scare Up a Good Book!" If you are unable to register that week, come in as soon as you can, to allow the longest amount of time to read and win prizes. This program is offered to children 6 months through 12 years old. The Summer Reading Program also offers Thursday events each week, with professional performers. The Teen Summer Reading Program begins June 7 and ends July 17 for ages 13 to 18. Information on these programs is available in the Youth Services Department.

The Lincoln Public Library is located at 725 Pekin St., with adult nonfiction and reference materials in the historic Carnegie Building. In the Annex Building directly behind are adult fiction and the Youth Services Department. All library events are free and open to the public. On the Web, visit www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone [phone] for adult services and 217-732-5732 for youth services.

Story time and craft classes

In addition to reading for prizes, you may sign up for the summer session of story times (for 6-month through 7-year-olds) and craft classes (for 8- to 12-year-olds). This session runs June 7 through July 21. Further information is available in the Youth Services Department, or call 732-5732.

Book Believers Book Group

Join other professionals working with young readers to share ideas about new books, themes, story extensions and resources. Learn ways the library can assist you. Hear about how you can access the online programs available through the library. Come and meet on June 18 at 10 a.m. in the Annex Community Room. This is for anyone working with young readers and literature: teachers, preschool teachers, day care providers and home school instructors. Please call 732-5732 to register. Can't come to this meeting, but want to be on the mailing list? Give us a call.

Miss Lou's blog

Louella Moreland, youth services librarian, has a blog that can be found by linking through the library website. She discusses new books, introduces library programs and takes polls. Tell her your ideas and suggestions. You can also view videos of library programs.

Upcoming events

Miss Lou will be visiting each of the elementary schools in Lincoln this month to introduce the Summer Reading Program, and a packet of information will be distributed to all of these children.

NoveList

The library website has links to NoveList, an online database of fiction titles for adults, and NoveList K-8, specifically for elementary and middle school children. Logging in with your Lincoln Public Library District card number will let you search for books by author, title, series or description of a plot. Click on "Author Read-alikes" to help you find authors who write in a similar genre that you enjoy reading. Also investigate "Award Winners," "Book Discussion Guides" or "Feature Articles" for a wealth of information. You can even establish a file to keep lists of titles for future reading, as you are sure to find more titles than you can read at one time.

Holiday closings

The Lincoln Public Library District will be closed the following dates:

• May 31 -- Memorial Day

• July 5 -- Fourth of July

[Text from file received from Marlene Perry, Lincoln Public Library]