Trending
We constantly hear our visitors say upon entering the library "Wow, you have a beautiful library, I didn't know about you guys!" We have so much to offer and it's helpful to know a thing or two about us before you step through our doors. Here are some tips for how to find your way around our library:
Get a library card - A library card here is free to any Pennsylvania resident. Was your child born last week? Sign them up for a card. Did you just move here? Sign up for a card (just bring a form of ID). You do not need a library card to use everything here, but it unlocks so many great (and free) services and programs to you. You can apply online on our website and we will mail the card to you.
Make a right into the Children's Room -- We have a gorgeous children's room with thousands of books, space to play, sit and read, and more. If you are coming to the library with a little one, you will not want to miss this area!
Say "hi" to our circulation assistants - At our main desk we have two circulation assistants available to you at all times. They can do almost anything for you - renew your materials, see what the title of the next book in a series is, make copies or fax papers, get you a public computer, and more.
Take a moment and look at all the books - We have thousands of books available to you, so take a stroll around and find your next read. We have guides to help you find your way around. On the spine (side) of a book is either the first few letters of the author's last name or the Dewey Decimal Number for the topic of the book (handouts are available to show you what those numbers mean). The spine labels of many of our fiction books have genre stickers, such as romance, Christian fiction, mystery, and fantasy as well as the number in the series. If you see a book's cover facing out, it's likely a new book we want to show off.
Remember the card catalog? I do. We have computers nearby that allow you to search our online card catalog. Like Google, type in some words to search for a title by its author, subject, genre, series, or year. You can use this search catalog from home by visiting our website: www.juniatalibrary.org.
See what's happening at the library - In the foyer entrance, on our main counter, or on our bulletin board, we have signs and advertisements for upcoming programs and current services offered here at the library or in the community. They usually come with bookmarks or handouts that you can take along with you.
Check out our monthly book displays - Throughout the library we have themed displays with books, movies, and more. You can check out any of the items on them. One display I wanted to mention has bundled DVDs for you to binge watch a show or topic.
Have a seat and relax - We have comfortable seating all throughout our library. From our swivel chairs to our tables, find a spot and crack open a book or fire up your tech device. We have charging ports next to all of our seating areas.
Visit our memorial garden - In 2016 we turned 50! In memory of our first librarian, Ruth Cramer Waters, we built a lush memorial garden in the lower outside level of the library. Sit in the benches and enjoy the sights and sounds of the nearby woods. Our Wi-Fi reaches down there, too.
Find a bathroom or a water fountain - By our main entrance are two restrooms with baby changing stations. When you have to go, know where to go.
Book of the week!
If you are going to read one book, give this one a try...
Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education by Stephanie Land
(New adult nonfiction: memoir, society, economic disparity) ~ 288 pages
In a nutshell: The bestselling author of Maid returns with a gripping account of her struggles balancing higher education, parenthood and poverty.
Stephanie Land picks up close to where her previous memoir left off. After years of struggling as a housekeeper and single mother, the author moved to Missoula to study English at the University of Montana. However, despite the realization of a long-held dream, her battle to become financially stable continued. In candid, compelling prose, Land describes balancing child care, multiple jobs and school over the oppressive hum of poverty. "It was common for me to only have ten bucks in my bank account and live off peanut butter for the final few days of the month," she writes. "Long-term financial planning is for people who aren't living in poverty. I didn't have the time or the energy to calculate how much debt I was in or how much interest I paid every month or how much interest I would pay on my student loans. All I cared about was the continued ability to feed, clothe and house my kid." The author sheds necessary light on the challenges of anyone living in poverty, especially parents. While many of her teenage classmates were able to direct their focus on school exclusively, Land spent countless hours navigating government assistance programs and mothering her child. This book serves as an illuminating portrait of a part of the higher education experience that is often ignored. Land's recurring bitterness, however, somewhat sours the narrative. Though she is a successful writer, she harbors a surprising amount of rancor about her rejection from Montana's graduate creative writing program. Still, the overall quality of the writing and the importance of the story make for a powerful read.
Bottom line: Part memoir, part manifesto: Fans of Maid will enjoy this next installment from a dedicated writer and mother.
•••
Vince Giordano has been the librarian and director of the Juniata County Library since 2015.