Public Library has new offerings & summer fare
From e-books and new computers to an expanded young adult section and summer programs for all ages, Morgan County Public Library has a lot that’s new. It’s all free to the public.
There are six new public access computers that were provided by Work Force West Virginia, said children’s librarian Pam Mann. Anyone can use the computers, but priority use is given to those that want to create resumes, look for jobs online or do testing for online schooling.
The computers have a job search engine that has over five million national listings. Users can also take surveys to determine what job is best for them, see profiles of different careers and track their job search progress, Mann said.
A lot of people are using the computers for job searching. There has been a few that have found jobs through it, she said.
The computers also have a resume builder, Microsoft Word 2010, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader and a CD drive and USB ports. Children under nine years old must have an adult or teen over age 12 with them at the computers. Parents are responsible for overseeing their children’s use of the Internet.
Work Force West Virginia has also provided the library with a Skype computer with a 20-inch monitor for military families to keep in touch with loved ones that are deployed overseas.
Young Adult section
The expanded young adult (YA) section now has its own space in the hallway between the children’s library room and the adult section, Mann said. It has grown tremendously in size and in popularity.
The steampunk genre has really taken off because of the new Sherlock Holmes movies, she said. Jules Verne and H.G. Wells are examples of the genre, which is mostly science fiction/fantasy and features steam power, machines, gears and clockwork.
Donna Crocker, young adult librarian, has expanded the young adult offerings and developed the first summer program for teens. She also coordinates an e-zine.
E-books, audio books
Library patrons can download e-books and audio books from the Listen Eastern West Virginia digital media catalog through the Morgan County Public Library website.
Fiction, non-fiction and children’s books are available at no charge and are provided by the West Virginia Library Commission.
Copies quit working at the end of the checkout period. Users must have a library card and a pin number from the library. It requires downloading a small software program to make it work, said Mann.
The e-books and audio books can be downloaded onto Kindles, some versions of the Nook, iPods and most MP3 and audio players, Mann said. They bought a Kindle to train staff and patrons.
Story time expansion
Mann is adding a 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening story time as part of their “Dream Big, Read!” summer program theme. Story time sessions are also on Mondays at 11 a.m.
Kids can come in their pajamas for the Tuesday evening “Bedtime Stories” where they’ll read a book and have a calming activity. Sessions will occur when the library is open late on Tuesdays. If it’s successful, they may have it year-round, she said.
July summer programs
Their summer reading program has activities for all ages. Participants that meet their weekly reading goals will be eligible for prize drawings.
Participants will be entertained by storyteller Granny Sue and magician Wendell Wandell, learn about geo-caching and enjoy fun and games at Berkeley Springs State Park.
The young adult summer reading program “Own the Night” features reading, ghost stories with Granny Sue, stargazing, a movie at the Star Theatre and a teen safety program. The adult summer reading program will have activities about writing books.
For more information, call library staff at 304-258-3350.
Other
The public can also check out adventure kits that come with activity books and supplies. They have bug kits, bird kits, backyard explorer kits, three geo-cache kits and a night sky kit, Mann said.
The library has outreach centers at the Great Cacapon Post Office and the Berkeley Springs Senior Center. They also offer test proctoring.
They are getting rid of audio tapes and VHS tapes and expanding their CD books and DVDs. Audio and VHS tapes will be on sale on the porch.
The library has a selection of around 1,400 DVD movies, said librarian Larry Springer. They buy new movies and get 40 to 50 new books every month.
“We try to keep up with the latest stuff,” he said.
Springer said they have “top flight staff,” wonderful volunteers and great community support.
Current hours
The library is currently open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
