2017 Farmers' Market

Calling all farmers!  The library will once again host the Windsor Locks Farmers' Market every Tuesday from 4-7 PM starting on June 27 and we are looking for vendors to participate.  It's a great opportunity to sell and enjoy local fresh produce and handicrafts, bolster the local economy, and meet up with friends to enjoy music and recreation under the beautiful summer sky!  You can even stop in and apply for a library card or check out a good book while you're here!

Blogs and More Blogs

Surveys have shown that staff recommendations are one of our borrowers' favorite ways to find new books.  Did you know that I (Adult Services Librarian Eileen Pearce) have been writing a blog about everything I've read for the past 9 years?

The blog is called Bibliophily (http://wlplreaders.blogspot.com/) and at the top of the page it has a cute picture of my goddaughter's cat, Deta James, peering over some colorful books.  I'm not suggesting that you'll be enthralled over everything I've read or what I've written about it and I don't claim to be anywhere near as incredible a critic as Zadie Smith or Sam Anderson, but I try to communicate a little wisdom and insight about everything I've read.  Sometimes I get behind by 2 or 3 (or 5) books and   I have to look them up on Amazon because, like many voracious readers, once I've started another book I often completely forget nearly all the details of a previous novel except for how much I liked it.  Ask me about John Knowles's A Separate Peace.  This is one of my favorite novels of all time.  I do remember that the main characters were boys, called Gene and Phineas, and that one knocks the other out of a tree,  That's about all I remember now except   that I loved it.  In my defense, though, I probably read it in the 1970s!

Anyway, if you're looking for something good to read and you like women's fiction, mysteries, chick lit, historical fiction, a little time travel and ghostly activity once in a while, a bit of romance, the occasional thriller, a great sense of place (especially England or Scotland), novels about people coping with diseases, or classics, check out Bibliophily.

My current favorite authors are Susannah Kearsley, Katie Fforde, Jenny Colgan, Lisa Genova, Karen White, Dorothea Benton Frank, MC Beaton, Laura Bradford, Patricia MacDonald, Wendy Webb, and quite a lot of others that would make this list way too long.

We also provide links to blogs written by some of your favorite authors on our web page at http://www.windsorlockslibrary.org/authorblogs.html.  We welcome suggestion for new author blog links!  What better way to find out about great books that by reading the thoughts and opinions of those who have read (or written) them?

That reminds me, we also have a book review club called BookBuggs that meets the first Tuesday of every month.  We love to share our ideas about books we love and hate.  Consider joining up for some great socializing and critiques!

Zinio Downloadable Magazines

You may have noticed that this logo is gone from our home page.

Due to cost and limited use, we have discontinued our subscription to Zinio downloadable magazines effective May 1, 2017.  We offered Zinio for several years but found limited interest among our library card holders.  In terms of possible budget cuts this year, this is actually good news!

Please fell free to suggest new and exciting services or databases to us if you encounter them at other libraries.  Budget constraints limit our ability to provide many online services, but our goal is that the ones we DO provide are well-used.

Are You Longing for a New James Patterson?

Believe it or not, James Patterson has ANOTHER new book out!  The last one that I posted was on MARCH 27!  Anyway, we have some other popular authors with books out this week as well. Enjoy!

Support your Library!

The fight for library funding is on in the U.S. Senate

Please help to support your library by reaching out to your Senators.  

It's easy to do, and it makes a difference!  

Follow this link: http://cqrcengage.com/ala/app/write-a-letter?8&engagementId=340633 and follow the easy instructions.  

We appreciate your support!

More New Books!

I have to apologize for the infrequency with which we are writing on this blog.  Right now we are at 50% of our normal full-time staff and have been for about 6 or 7 weeks.  Don't worry.  Eventually we will be up to full power again, but for now, we appreciate your patience!

Here are some of our newest blockbusters!

Spring Book Sale

Yes, It's that time of year again!  Get an early start on beach reading books and summer entertainment!  Doors open promptly at 10 AM.  No previews!  If you can't make it on Saturday, don't worry.  We'll be open for several weeks afterward, too.