New year, new pile of books to read -- and maybe some new book challenges, too. you may find it useful to track your reading this year.
Oh friends: the December holidays are almost upon us. I don't know about you, but this is when I start to think about the best gifts to give to family and friends who celebrate.
Ready to game on? We thought so, and Normal Public Library is here to help. Tabletop gaming, that is. Our Library of Things has games for all ages and stages.
It's (almost) the most wonderful time of the year: SPOOKTOBER. As you know, our Adult Reading Challenge for October 2023 is to read / listen to a spooky book. Ohhhhhhhh, friends, WE HAVE GOT YOU.
I've said it often: as the Collection Development Librarian for NPL, I have the best job in the building. Why? I get to purchase lots of materials for the library collection. I'm frequently asked, "How do you know what to buy?"
Did you know the library still has music CDs available for check-out? Located just before the nonfiction books, near the printers, we have loads of CDs ready for borrowing. While my personal favorites are Broadway showtunes, there are music choices of all genres!
We surveyed our patrons and staff to see what books stood out as their best reads in 2022 and why. Then we put them on display! Looking for your next read? Start here with some listed below or peruse the display in person near our main floor service desk.
Welcome to 2023! It's National Hobby Month as well as International Creativity Month, and we at NPL have plenty to spark your creativity this year. Ready to pick up a new-to-you hobby? Stop by our Create Joy display in the adult nonfiction section for some inspo.
Time for one of my favorite book-casions: Jolabokaflod. What's that, you say? It's the Christmas Book Flood and originated in Iceland. It's the tradition in this book-loving country to purchase books for one another which are given on Christmas Eve along with chocolate.
Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate your anniversary? Collaborating with your Chinese counterparts in your company’s Beijing branch? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? We’ve got you covered.
Got a tedious task? Need to exercise but find it dull? Long trip on the horizon? We’ve got the solution: a Playaway. Playaways are ultra-portable books on audio you can check out with your library card. There’s one audio ‘book’ per device, so load up on several!
Have you felt the crunch of leaves under your feet yet? If not, you will soon. It's time to make your fall bucket list! NPL has the resources to help you achieve those awesome autumn experiences. Check out the 10 examples below for a perfect fall!
Thursday, August 11th at 6:00 pm, Normal Public Library will host award-winning folk singer Chris Vallillo for a musical history program appropriate for all ages, "Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement."
Book readers and theatregoers often overlap–they are all people who love a story. NPL staff are no exception, and we love bringing theatrical experiences into the library when we can. In the month of July, you have the chance to catch three free performances at your local library.