August 2020 Newsletter

A U G U S T 3 1 , 2 0 2 0 V O L . 6 CLIFTON PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWSLETTER

FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK

Hello, everyone! I hope you are doing well.After a spring spent I N T H I S I S S U E : inside, the summer flew by. Staff returned to the buildings and learned to provide service in new ways. We’ve had virtual programs and summer reading. We continue to get requests for temporary library " I M A G I N E Y O U R S T O R Y " S U M M E R R E A D I N G D I S P L A Y cards and teach people how to access our digital offerings (books, audiobooks, movie, music, magazines and more), and the usage of Overdrive and Hoopla skyrocketed. The amount of materials circulated F A L L P R O G R A M S : C H I L D R E N ' S through contactless pickup at our front doors continues to grow. New D E P A R T M E N T items are being received and cataloged every day. Materials out during the shutdown were due on July 31. If you haven’t D I V E R S I T Y I N B O O K S already, please return your items in the outdoor return bins, open 24/7. You can call us or email [email protected] if you have questions about your account. S T A F F R E V I E W S Meanwhile, we’re working towards the fall season and preparing to reopen the building. Installation of sneeze guards and partitions, currently being manufactured, will be a big step forward. We’ve already updated some policies and continue stocking up on cleaning supplies and PPE for staff. Initial opening will be very limited –hours, capacity and time limits, types of activities allowed – to ensure smooth operation and that health guidelines are followed. The Children’s department is planning virtual and outdoor programs for fall, as we will Khusboo Rana, Editor, Designer not be having indoor group gatherings immediately upon reopening. Jillian Bielen, Editor We encourage you to stay connected through our social media accounts (links are on the bottom of the www.cliftonpl.org homepage), and visit our website frequently and scroll through the sliders on the homepage, which often link to further information. Word of mouth is also a powerful way to communicate, so spread the word about library happenings to your friends and neighbors. Stay well and enjoy the remaining days of summer. Director Justine Tomczak A U G U S T 3 1 , 2 0 2 0 V O L . 6

SUMMER READING DISPLAY 2020 THEME: IMAGINE YOUR STORY

Library Assistant, Tess I. poses with the giant mural she made for our virtual summer reading program. Work began from home during the library's closure and continued when the staff was allowed to return to the building, in hopes that we would be open for the summer. The theme this year, instituted by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, was "Imagine Your Story." Tess captured the theme portraying kids sitting against a stunning summer backdrop, reading books, and imagining. Each cloud is representative of elements kids come across in books such as dragons, knights, mermaids, and more. The display is approximately 9 ft. x 10 ft and proudly graces the glass panel on the second floor of the Main Memorial Library. A U G U S T 3 1 , 2 0 2 0 V O L . 6

CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT: FALL PROGRAMS

The Children's Department has fun and exciting programs and activities planned for kids of all ages. Things will be a little different from previous years. In light of the pandemic, programs will be held virtually or outdoors. Your kids will still get to enjoy the classic story times, book clubs, holiday programs, and more in a safe and open environment. Be sure to check the kid's page of the library website for updates and more information: https://cliftonpl.org/kids/.

DIVERSITY IN BOOKS

Think of the last book you read and ask yourself if the characters in the book or if the story itself was diverse. Chances are that the book you just read wasn't very diverse at all. That's okay, not every book you pick up will be diverse but that doesn't mean as readers, we can't strive to do better. As readers, we can change this by picking up a book that has diversity woven into it. Diversity in literature comes in many different forms. Diverse books can feature characters of a specific background, a cultural event, or have a defining characteristic. Feeling inspired to make a change? Check out these diverse titles available for checkout today using contactless pick-up! Adult: The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare (cultural experience) Grown-Up Pose by Sonya Lalli (cultural experience) The Library of Legends by Janie Chang (cultural experience) Something to Talk About by Meryle Wilsner (LBGTQ+) Young Adult: Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli (disability) The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper (LBGTQ+) Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (socioeconomical/current events) Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay (drug addiction/death and grieving) Juvenile: Clean Getaway by Nic Stone (racism) The List of Things that Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead (LBGTQ+/life changes/family adjustment) Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun (racism/life changes- new school) When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed (disability)

-Jillian B., Library Assistant A U G U S T 3 1 , 2 0 2 0 V O L . 6

STAFF REVIEWS The Heart of Barkness by Spencer Quinn - The A BLAST FROM THE PAST....I happened to find Little Detective Agency is composed of Bernie a real treasure while browsing the Barnes & Little and his dog Chet. The book is written from Noble web site not long ago...... A remastered Chet's point of view. Chet thinks the world of edition of the original 1956 production of Bernie and would lay down his life for him in a Mary Martins's Peter Pan! It is labeled "The historic 1956 telecast" and the New York heartbeat. He never says a word but Chet is Times called it "A sublime escape from almost always by Bernie's side. He just loves reality", something we could all use right now! riding in the shotgun seat of their old It is in black & white but my 2 1/2 yr old temperamental Porsche no matter where they're grandson was glued to the TV screen, he loved headed. You'd always want Chet the Jet on your it! If you are a Peter Pan fan take a trip to team because he's the most true blue K-9 you Never, Neverland where you never have to could ever meet. grow up! A perfect trip we can take without In this mystery, they try their best to find out if leaving our homes! -Carol L., Supervising Lotty Pilgrim, a famous country singer, really Library Assistant killed her manager/boyfriend or not, and what the secret was about her past that led to the bleak situation she was in now. In my opinion, any dog lover would really enjoy this clever, funny, and at times touching mystery novel. - Pat D., Library Page

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager - Riley Sager is sure to impress fans of the horror genre with Home Before Dark. Sharing similarities with the cult classic The Amityville Horror and Netflix's The Haunting of Hill House, Sager kept me on the edge of my seat. You will want to buckle in your seat belt for this supernatural thrill of a ride. The story is told from two distinct points of view. One is told from the view of Maggie Holt who has returned to her childhood home after inheriting it. It's a place she has no real memories of. The other is told from the view of her father, Ewan Holt, 20 years prior. He wrote a best-selling book about his family's experience living in the haunted and now abandoned Baneberry Hall. As Maggie moves back into Baneberry Hall and begins to restore it, she becomes determined to expose her father's book for the lie that she thinks it is but uncovers secrets and memories to the contrary. Sager sets the creep factor bar high with spooky imaginary friends, mischievous ghosts, and hidden snakes! Readers of psychological thrillers and eerie ghost stories, you'll want to add this book to your TBR pile! Available on OverDrive -Khusboo R., Librarian Connect with us!

KR and JB 8/2020