We're Hiring!

Want to join the JPL team? Check out our latest ad in the Globe (below) and apply at the library!

Children’s Assistant. 20 hours per week. Must enjoy working with children, posses excellent customer service skills, be able to plan and present programs with enthusiasm and creativity. Two year college preferred. Flexible schedule required. Accepting applications until November 11th. Apply in person: 300 S. Main, Joplin.

Fiction titles with historical bent make fascinating reads

"The Help"

By Kathryn Stockett

Adult fiction?

In 1962, 22-year-old Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan returns home to Jackson, Miss., after graduating from Ole Miss only to find that her mother refuses to be sated because she lacks a boyfriend and, more importantly, an engagement ring. On top of that, she no longer fits in with her childhood friends Hilly and Elizabeth, despite her best efforts to participate in their weekly bridge game and edit the Junior League newsletter.

Ordinarily she would solicit comfort and wisdom from her childhood maid, Constantine, but she disappeared while Skeeter was in her final semester at Ole Miss and no one will tell her what transpired.

Despite Skeeter’s desire to satisfy everyone, she must admit that her life is flawed. After receiving some advice from an editor in New York City, she endeavors to write a book about the lives of African-American maids in Jackson.

In researching the book, she secretly collaborates with two maids: Aibileen, a strong-willed maid who is raising her 17th white child and is doing her best to hold it together since her son died in a tragic workplace accident, and Minny, a sassy, to-die-for cook, who cannot hold a job because she is always running off at the mouth to her white employers.

The three seemingly different women have no idea how their courageous partnership will alter their lives and their community.

Kathryn Stockett is an extraordinary storyteller whose debut novel begs to be opened. Through the voices of Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny, readers will find themselves transported to the segregated South during the beginning stages of the civil rights movement and will be turning pages long into the night. Stockett’s theme may be familiar, but thanks to her commendable job of bringing history and characters to life, this book is a standout.

"Sarah’s Key"

By Tatiana de Rosnay

Adult fiction

In 1942, when the French police come to arrest 10-year-old Sarah Starzynski’s family, she locks her 4-year-old brother Michael in a secret cupboard thinking that he will be safe.

Little does she know that the French police are collaborating with the Nazis and that she, her parents and thousands of Jewish families are going to be detained in the Vélodrome d’Hiver for days without food, water or medical attention. Later, they will be transported to concentration camps outside Paris.

Sixty years later, 45-year-old American journalist Julia Jarmond is assigned a magazine article about the commemoration of the anniversary. Though she has lived in France for nearly 25 years, has a French husband and an 11-year-old daughter, she is unfamiliar with the event.

She is appalled at her own ignorance and immediately begins researching the event. In her research, she makes a discovery that causes her to reevaluate her marriage and her life.

In this fictionalized account of an event that is virtually unknown to Americans, author Tatiana De Rosnay does an extraordinary job captivating the reader. Her use of alternating chapters, told from Julia’s and Sarah’s viewpoints, is brilliant and makes this a hard book to stop reading.

~Jeana- Children's Librarian

Database lets you become a Global Road Warrior

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began on Oct. 22 in Olympia, Greece, with a lighting ceremony. After a journey across Greece and the Atlantic Ocean, the torch landed in Victoria, British Columbia, and on Friday began its 45,000-kilometer (27,962-mile) journey across Canada.

If I was lucky enough to be able to accompany the torch, I might need some travel information on both Greece and Canada. Global Road Warrior can answer just about any question I might have on Greece, Canada or 173 other countries and territories around the world.

To prepare for my imaginary trip, I accessed this database from home with my library card and computer. I went to www.joplinpubliclibrary.org, moused over the “Reference” tab at the top and chose “Business.” From there I scrolled down to “Global Road Warrior” and clicked the picture of the house right by it.

I entered in my library card number at the bottom of the page. On the next page, I chose Greece from the drop-down menu on “Select a Country.”

On the left side of the screen is a list of categories containing all kinds of information on the demographics, government, culture and society of Greece.

Since I need to pack, I determined what clothes were needed by clicking on “Climate.” I saw for October we could expect 50- to 70-degree temperatures with 65 percent humidity. Under “Money and Banking,” I found that the currency in Greece is the euro; I also found images of the bank notes and the coinage.

The “Travel Essentials” category addressed visa and passport (I’d need a passport and a short-stay visa, plus a return ticket), immunizations needed (yellow fever), tipping (not expected but rounded up is appreciated) and emergency numbers.

Because I’d travel cross country with the torch, I checked out the “Transportation” category on how I’d move about the country. The “Communications” and “Technical/Internet” categories gave me information on telephone and Internet access. I also looked under the “Electrical” link to find out what adapter I may need for a hair dryer.

Under the “Businesswoman” category I found that I should travel with a companion, or face some form of verbal harassment — plenty of the more than 10,000,000 men and women in Greece consider a lone female traveler fair game.

I would probably need to communicate in Greek sometime during our travels, so the “Essential Terms” category is, well, essential. We can find “good morning” (kalimera), “please” (parakalo), “thank you” (efcharisto), hotel (xenodhokheion) and many other words and phrases that would be useful.

Once I’ve said “chérete” (goodbye) to Greece and made my way with the torch to Canada, I would need to consult a map. The relay starts in Victoria and ends in Vancouver, which is only 69 kilometers away. So I need a map to figure out how to stretch that journey to 45,000 kilometers.

Global Road Warrior has several maps for each country, including political, population, physical and outline maps. Use the “Zoomify” feature to enlarge and navigate around the maps. You can also download and print the maps as PDF files.

I checked out the “Points of Interest” category because I would tour much of the country with the torch. Places include cultural and historic sites, museums, architectural wonders, parks, zoos and natural sites. The Photo Gallery gave a preview of some of the sites I would visit.

Since I’d spend 106 days traveling with the torch, I checked out the “Society and Culture” category to see what we may be eating and how Canadians feel about punctuality, religions, holidays and festivals — I could watch hockey and lacrosse.

I also looked at “Superstitions and Folklore” because I don’t want to commit a faux pas (French is one of the official languages of Canada). For instance, you wouldn’t want to shoo a black cat away at a wedding — that’s considered good luck.

On the same note of not offending our hosts, I looked at “Stereotypes,” both what foreigners think and what Canadians accept about themselves and their county. For example, even though the world may think lumberjacks and outdoorsmen comprise the population, the reality is that modern Canada is a high-tech service economy.

There is much more to explore in the Global Road Warrior database on both these countries and many others. Even though I probably won’t get to travel with the Olympic torch, I might go to some exotic locale or need country information for a homework assignment.

~Patty - Reference Librarian

Songs & Rhymes for Baby Bookworms

I'm posting the lyrics to the songs & rhymes that I am using during for the November sessions. I encourage everyone to practice these favorites at home so that you and your child will be familiar when we do them in Baby Bookworms. Plus, they are just great songs and rhymes to do anytime!

If you and your little one are not already attending Baby Bookworms call (417) 623-2184 for more information.

Opening Song: Wake Up Toes

Wake up toes, wake up toes, wake up toes

and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,

wake up toes, wake up toes,

wake and wiggle in the morning.

Wake up feet…

Wake up legs...

Wake up arms...

Wake up hands...

Wake up head...

Wake up me…

Song: Hello Song

Let’s hello to

Let’s hello today!

Hello, hello, hello, hello!

Let’s hello today!

(suggested actions: wave, bounce, stomp, rock, sway)

Song: Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands

(tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

Clap, clap, clap your hands.

Clap them now with me.

Clap your hands, let me see,

Clap them now with me.

Touch, touch, touch your shoulders…

Roll, roll, roll your hands…

Tap, tap, tap your knees…

Shake, shake, shake your feet…

Nod, nod, nod your head…

Wave, wave, wave good-bye…

Bounce: Bumpin’ Up and Down

Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,
Won’t you be my darlin’?

One wheel’s off and the axel’s broken,
One wheel’s off and the axel’s broken,
One wheel’s off and the axel’s broken,
Won’t you be my darlin’?

Who’s gonna fix it with the hammer,

Who’s gonna fix it with the hammer,

Who’s gonna fix it with the hammer,

Won’t you be my darlin’?

(repeat using different tools)

Rhyme: Open Shut Them
Open, shut them.
Open, shut them.
Give your hands a clap, clap, clap.
Open shut them,
Open, shut them,
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap.

Creep them, creep them,
Creep them, creep them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Creep them, creep them,
Creep them, creep them,
But do not let them in!

Song: If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re happy and you know it,

Clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it,

Clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it,

If you’re happy and you know it,

Clap your hands.

Tap your feet…

Blow a kiss…

Shout hoorah…

Circle Song: Shoofly

Shoofly, don’t bother me,
Shoofly, don’t bother me,
Shoofly, don’t bother me,
‘Cause I belong to somebody.

Shoofly, don’t bother me,
Shoofly, don’t bother me,
Shoofly, don’t bother me,
‘Cause I belong to somebody.

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star.

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star.

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star.

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star.

Song: Ten Little Tootsies

One little, two little, three little tootsies,

Four little, five little, six little tootsies,

Seven little, eight little, nine little tootsies,

Ten little tootsie toes.

Ten little, nine little, eight little tootsies,

Seven little, six little, five little tootsies,

Four little, three little, two little tootsies,

One little tootsie toe.

Bounce: Bounce One, Two, Three

(tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

Bounce, bounce, bounce my baby,

Bounce him/her one, two, three.

The more we bounce, the more we count,

So what will our count be.

One, two, three and four,

Five, six and seven.

The more we bounce, the more we count,

Eight, nine, ten, eleven.

Rhyme: Hickory, Dickory, Dock

Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down!
Hickory dickory dock.

Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock,
The clock struck two,
The mouse said, “Boo!”
Hickory dickory dock.

Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock,
The clock struck three,
The mouse said, “Whee!”
Hickory dickory dock!

Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock,
The clock struck four,
The mouse said, “No, more!”
Hickory dickory dock!

Song: Are You Sleeping

Are you sleeping,

Are you sleeping,

Brother John?

Brother John?

Morning Bells are ringing,

Morning Bells are ringing,

Ding, ding, dong,

Ding, ding, dong.

Frère Jacques

Frère Jacques,

Frère Jacques,

Dormez-vous?

Dormez-vous?

Sonnez les matines,

Sonnez les matines,

Din, dan, don,

Din, dan, don.

Lulluby: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Song: The Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go round and round,

Round and round, round and round.

The wheels on the bus go round and round,

all through the town.

The doors on the bus go open and shut.

The driver on the bus says, “Move on back!”

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish.

The riders on the bus go bumpety-bump.

The babies on the bus cry, “Wah!Wah!Wah!”

The mommas on the bus go, “Shh!Shh!Shh!”

Ending Song: Clap Up and Down

(tune of The Farmer in the Dell)

It’s time to put away,

It’s time to put away,

It’s time to put our toys away,

It’s time to put away.

We raise our hands up high,

we raise our hands up high,

we give our hands a clap, clap, clap,

and then we wave goodbye.

We move our hands down low,

we move our hands down low,

we give our hands a clap, clap, clap,

and then back up we go.

We raise our hands up high,

we raise our hands up high,

we give our hands a clap, clap, clap,

and then we wave goodbye.

"Paper Towns" Voted Favorite by Teens

Teen readers across the country chose “Paper Towns” by John Green as their favorite book in the annual Teens’ Top Ten vote, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

More than 11,000 teens cast votes online between Aug. 24 and Sept. 18 and here is the official Teens’ Top Ten list for 2009:

1. Paper Towns by John Green
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
7. Wake by Lisa McMann
8. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

The Joplin Public Library owns a copy of each title on the list, so be sure to stop by and a librarian will be happy to help you locate one or place your name on the waiting list.

For more information call 417-623-7953 or visit our website at www.joplinpubliclibrary.org.

Get Funky with Sugar Free Allstars!

Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a snack and join us on the front lawn of the Joplin Public Library on Thursday, October 15th, for a rockin' good time with the Sugar Free Allstars.

The show kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and children and adults of all ages are invited to be entertained by the dynamic duo of Chris “Boom!” Wiser and Rob “Dr. Rock” Martin, a.ka. Sugar Free Allstars.

While the pair call Oklahoma City home, they are always on the road and have had the pleasure of providing family friendly entertainment at numerous libraries across the nation. Their music is a unique blend of New Orleans funk, Memphis soul, Hammond organ-drenched gospel, and a touch of pop all wrapped up in a rock and roll package.

For more information, please call the Children's Department at 417-623-2184.

Storytime Resumes

It's September 14th and yes, storytime resumes tonight! Miss Shawnte is sharing some creepy, crawly Bug stories during Family Storytime as I type this entry.

Here's a complete schedule that is good until November 21st:

Family Storytime (children up to 5 years)--Monday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Baby Bookworms (only children up to 23 months)--Tuesday at 9:30 and 10:30
Tales for 2s & 3s--Wednesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
Fun for 4s & 5s--Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

There is also a bonus Spanish/English Story Hour on the third Friday of each month and there just so happens to be one this Friday at 10:30 a.m. Children 2-5 years are welcome and everyone will understand and have a great time because the stories, songs and all the fun are in both English and Spanish.

For more information call 417-623-2184.

1001 Foods You Must Taste Before You Die

For those of you who often read this column, let me assure you that I do not only read books about food. It just seems that way.

That said, today I’m writing about “1001 Foods You Must Taste Before You Die.” It’s one of six books we have on things you must see/do/hear/whatnot before you die. This one was kind of fun, so maybe I’ll check into “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” or “1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die” soon.

The book is primarily concerned with ingredients, but there are some prepared dishes (primarily baked goods and candies) included. The book is divided into fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meats (including game), aromatics (which includes herbs, spices and condiments), grain, bakery and confections.

The vast majority of the descriptions have a picture of the food described as well as a half page of information, including where the food comes from and the common uses of it. The bottom of each entry gives a description of the taste of the food. The authors did a great job there, flavor descriptions not being easy (try it yourself if you don’t believe me — describe the taste of a watermelon).

Here’s the description of the taste of cherimoya fruit: “The cherimoya’s delicious, creamy white flesh tastes like a gentle blend of banana, papaya and pineapple with subtle hints of coconut, mango and vanilla.” I’d like to get hold of one of those after reading that!

There were a surprising number of fruits and vegetables that I had never even heard of, mostly tropical but a few from Europe and other regions. Sea buckthorn, anyone? How about a nice marula, mazhanje or mamoncillo?

As far as vegetables go, I wasn’t aware that anyone ate yucca flowers, specifically those of the flor de izote. I think I’ll pass on ackee, which must be fully ripe and even then only the pulp is edible. Unripe ackee pulp and all the rest of the plant is toxic and can be fatal. Goody. I had no idea there were so many types and varieties of soy products and I think I’ll content myself with just the knowledge of stinky tofu (hey, that’s what it’s called, don’t blame me). Apparently, it is generally eaten as street food, the authors suggesting that perhaps the aroma has something to do with that.

I like dairy, so I was enjoying myself reading the large section about the various cheeses available until I came to casu marzu. Due to its peculiar and unique composition, it is banned even in Sardinia, its country of origin. Given that some of you are no doubt reading this over breakfast or brunch (maybe a nice bagel with a schmear of cream cheese), I’ll leave it at that. If you want to know more, you’ll either have to read the book or google it.

There are, though, a number of much-lovelier sounding dairy products detailed, although I’ve had gjetost and once was enough. I would like to try some of the others, though. Maybe a nice idiazabal, a semihard to hard (depending on age) sheep’s milk cheese from the Pyrenees, available either smoked or not. Much yummier sounding than the aforementioned casu marzu.

There are quite a number of fish that I’d never heard of, including the large and omega-3 rich spotted sorubum from Brazil. It can grow over 5 feet long and weigh more than 176 pounds, so that would be quite the grilling festival!

Of course, they also cover fugu, the Japanese delicacy that, if not properly prepared, will kill you rather quickly and very unpleasantly. The authors report that “Many say, however, its taste is surpassed by the thrill of the experience of eating it.”

Personally, I’m not eating anything that has a chance of killing me if it isn’t the best thing I’ve ever tasted, so I believe I’ll pass.

There isn’t enough space here to cover more, but I’m sure any foodie would heartily enjoy reading this book, if not eating the dread casu marzu.

Bon appétit!

~Linda- Circulation Supervisor/Collection Development Librarian