News

The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, video, and audiobooks for children and teens at its Midwinter Meeting in Dallas, Texas on Monday, January 23, 2012.  The full list can be found at this website.  Here are a few of the highlights.  Several library favorites made the list, but there were some disappointed Hoover Public Librarians this morning.  How do you feel about this supposed best-of-the-best?

Newbery Medal
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Newbery Honors
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

Caldecott Medal
A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Caldecott Honors
Blackout by John Rocco
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell

Printz Medal
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Printz Honors
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
The Returning by Christine Hinwood
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvery
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award
Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom by Shane W. Evans

Mildred L. Batchelder Award
Soldier Bear by Bibi Dumon Tak (translated from Dutch by Laura Watkinson)

Odyssey Award
Rotters by Daniel Kraus, narrated by Kirby Heyborne

Pure Belpre (Author) Award
Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Pure Belpre (Illustrator) Award
Diego Rivera: His World and Ours illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

Theodore Seuss Geisel Award
Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider

You aren't the only one!  Our storytellers have enjoyed the holidays, but we're excited to kick off 2012 in the very best way . . . with books, songs, fingerplays, puppets, and more.  And there's even more reason to celebrate.  Miss Laura is back from maternity leave, which means she'll be back in Tiny Tot Tales, shaking her bean bag.  Welcome back, Miss Laura!

Here's a list of the starting dates for each of our storytimes. 

Mother Goose - Tuesday, January 3 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Early Birds - Tuesday, January 3 at 10 a.m.

Tiny Tot Tales - Wednesday, January 4 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

After Lunch Bunch - Wednesday, January 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Storytime Live - Thursday, January 5 at 10:30 a.m.

PJ Storytime - Thursday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Together with Twos - Monday, January 9 at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

If you've never been to one of our storytimes before, you can find out more information on our Kid Zone website.  You can also watch a short video clip of each of our talented storytellers.  If you still have questions or would like to register for Together with Twos, Mother Goose, or Early Birds, give us a call at 444-7833.

The Kid Zone's pick actually won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature!  Not only is it a completely amazing read, it also features our great state.  Make sure you add Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai to your holiday reading list.  Once you've finished it, you'll definitely want to take a look at this interview with the author.

I know what you're thinking.  You're running through all the things named Hugo that might be important enough to feature on our library blog.  I bet you thought of Victor Hugo, author of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  You might even have come up with the Hugo Award, which recognizes excellent science fiction and fantasy every year.  But I'm referring to the Hugo created by Brian Selznick in his groundbreaking, Caldecott Award-winning book The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  Martin Scorsese has brought it to theatres, and it is getting rave reviews.  Read the book first (of course you will), then take a trip to the movies and see why everyone's talking about Hugo. 

Oh, one more thing.  If you love it as much as I think you will, I have GREAT news!  Brian Selznick has a new book out -- Wonderstruck.  And it doesn't disappoint.

Due to system-wide maintenance, access to public computers, the Internet and the circulation system will be unavailable on Friday, November 4, 2011. 

The library's wireless Internet connection will be available.  Patrons can check out a limited supply of laptops on the Plaza.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

The annual juried Alabama Woodworkers Guild show will be on display here at the Hoover Public Library through Saturday, October 29, 2011.  What these men and women have managed to create -- unbelievably amazing!  Stop by the Theatre-Level Friends Gallery to see for yourself.  Not sure where to go?  When you enter the library's main lobby, simply take the stairs or elevator on your right down to the first floor.  You can't miss it. 

This year's theme is Picture It and encourages teens to read graphic novels, seek out creative books, or imagine the world through literature.  This year's list of Teens' Top Ten books is a great place to start.  Click on the blue link to see who came out on top.  In keeping with the Picture It theme, the winners were announced in a very visual video format as well as a boring ol' list. 

If you want your voice to be heard about the theme for Teen Read Week 2012, fill out this survey.  Then check back with YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association--yes, we know it's a mouthful, that's why we call it YALSA) in April 2012 for a chance to rock your vote.

Many of us were deeply affected by the tornadoes that hit Central Alabama in April. The Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) and Real Life Poets, Inc. are joining together to offer those who wish to do so an opportunity to share their experiences through writing.

*This project is open to all ages.*

*You may submit your work at any JCLC library between October 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012.

*You may also make submissions electronically to Haruyo Miyagawa (hm@bham.lib.al.us), Birmingham Public Library, Central- Arts, Literature, and Sports Department.

The work can be in the written form of your choice: poem, short story, essay, etc.

In addition, Real Life Poets will offer three free workshops to inspire and guide participants in effectively using the power of words to express their storm experiences. The workshops are scheduled for the following dates and libraries (prior reservations are recommended):

*Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: North Birmingham Public Library

Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Springville Road Public Library

Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Vestavia Hills Public Library*

John Paul Taylor, Executive Director of Real Life Poets, Inc., will choose the works which will be included in a printed anthology. Real Life Poets, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community service and mentoring organization focusing on mentoring young adults, encouraging good communication, and oratorical skills using spoken word poetry and the arts. Each submission will be posted on the JCLC website www.jclc.org.

For more information, contact John Paul Taylor at johnpaul@reallifepoets.org or (205)-585-8271.

We hope you will share this information with others who may have an interest.

See the full list here.  And did you know that one of the Young People's Literature finalists has an Alabama tie?  Be sure to check out Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai.

The Son of Neptune, the newest title in Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series, is here!  And it's release offically kicks off a seven-day, coast-to-coast celebration called Olympian Week.  The author will be making a stop at each of the seven winning cabins:
Hades = Columbia, South Carolina
Athena = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ares = Toronto, Canada
Aphrodite = Burlington, Massachusetts
Hephaestus = Mission Veijo, California
Poseidon = Tumwater, Washington
Zeus = Austin, Texas
Each cabin is a bookstore or library who submitted some awesome party ideas to win the contest.  Congrats, guys!

If you're new to the whole Rick Riordan book mania, stop by the Kid Zone or Teen Spot to get started.  If you're already a die-hard fan, make sure you get your name on the hold list for The Son of Neptune.