Discover your inner artist! The Museum of Modern Art is offering free online art classes. Check out their course descriptions at MOMA Classes, or go directly to Coursera atCourses and Specializations. These courses are great for middle grade and older children, as well as adults who have an interest in modern art.
The Youth Services Staff at the Chester County Library and Hankin Branch are presenting Virtual Storytimes beginning April 27th. They will be for three different ages groups — 0 to 2 Year Olds, 3 & 4 Year Olds, and 5 & 6 Year Olds. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at https://chescolibraries.org/. Virtual Storytimes are not registered as multi-week sessions; you will need to register for each storytime individually.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act created new temporary paid sick leave and paid Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) programs that are 100% reimbursable by the federal government. The effective date of both programs is April 1 and they expire on December 31, 2020.
The Youth Services Staff at the Chester County Library and Hankin Branch are presenting Virtual Storytimes beginning April 27th. They will be for three different ages groups — 0 to 2 Year Olds, 3 & 4 Year Olds, and 5 & 6 Year Olds. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at https://chescolibraries.org/. Virtual Storytimes are not registered as multi-week sessions; you will need to register for each storytime individually.
Once registered, registrants will receive a Zoom link by email to 2 hours before the program starts. Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link. You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual program.
Google Earth has developed virtual tours of 32 National Parks. Choose a park, then choose a popular site or trail and navigate your way through the beautiful views and special sights! This site is great for school aged children through adults. Use of the Chrome browser is recommended for the best views. Google Earth U.S. National Parks.
The Youth Services Staff at the Chester County Library and Hankin Branch are presenting Virtual Storytimes beginning April 27th. They will be for three different ages groups — 0 to 2 Year Olds, 3 & 4 Year Olds, and 5 & 6 Year Olds. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at https://chescolibraries.org/. Virtual Storytimes are not registered as multi-week sessions; you will need to register for each storytime individually.
Welcome to Stay Connected with Chescolibraries. The Libraries are closed until further notice. Please do not return library materials at this time. All due dates will be extended and current overdue materials will not continue to accrue fines until we reopen.
Visit our Event Calendar to find our virtual programs. They will also be posted on this blog under the category Virtual Programs.
To apply for a library card, please visit our Library Card Help page. For help with eBooks and eAudiobooks and OverDrive/Libby, please visit our OverDrive Help page. For any other questions, please visit our Contact Us page.
SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties has rescheduled two of their previously planned programs, now to be delivered virtually. Click the links below for more information and to register.
In this TED Talk, which has over 3.5M views, Manoush Zomodori explores the notion that you can be your most creative when you are bored. Host of “TED Radio Hour”, Zomodori explains that when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy connecting ideas, setting goals, and solving problems.
Are you a fan of historical fiction, mystery, romance, science fiction, or another book genre? Would you like some new ideas for what to read next based on your favorite genre?
Here are a few resources to help you find reading ideas:
NoveList Plus: Start here to find reading ideas by genre! Access NoveList Plus through the Library by visiting chescolibraries.org, selecting “Tools and Research” from the ribbon of choices at the top of the page, selecting “All CCLS Databases,” and then NoveList Plus. Enter your library card number when prompted.
Once you’re in NoveList Plus, there are a few ways to find ideas by genre:
Under “Recommended Reads,” on the left-hand side of the NoveList Plus homepage, hover over a broad genre category to choose from related lists. Select a list of interest to view title suggestions, and then click on a specific book title to read a book description, professional reviews, and more.
OR
Hover over “Browse By” at the top left-hand side of the NoveList Plus homepage; select “Genre” to peruse new and popular titles by genre. Below each broad genre, click on “Explore [Your Genre]” for more related lists.
NextReads: Sign up to receive free monthly or bimonthly NextReads emails loaded with great book suggestions by genre or subject area. Sign up here, or view the NextReads Archives here.
Beyond great library resources like NoveList Plus and NextReads, there are many additional resources for finding book ideas by genre! Here are just a few:
Multi-Genre
The Reading List (from America Library Association/RUSA CODES): The Reading List highlights outstanding genre fiction in eight genres: “adrenaline titles (suspense, thrillers, and action adventure), fantasy, historical fiction, horror, mystery, romance, science fiction, and women’s fiction.” Scroll down the page to see current and past lists.
Mystery/Thriller
Agatha Awards: Honoring “the Traditional Mystery, books typified by the works of Agatha Christie.” View current nominees here, or select “Agatha Award History” to see past winners.
Cozy Mysteries: Find “cozy” mystery reading ideas by theme, place, and much more!
Edgar Awards: Presented by Mystery Writers of America, and named after author Edgar Allen Poe. View 2020 Nominees, or visit the Edgars Database to search current and previous nominees, or view by category.
Science Fiction
Hugo Awards: “Awards for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy…run by and voted on by fans.” Hover over “Current/Past Hugos” to view award-winners.
Nebula Awards: “The Nebula Awards® are voted on, and presented by, active members of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.” Hover over “The Awards” to search awards or view them by year.
Romance
RITA Awards: Romance Writers of America awards for “excellence in published romance novels and novellas.” Scroll down the homepage to click on “Current Winners” or “Past Winners.”
And finally, while not technically a genre, here’s just one resource for finding audiobook listening ideas:
Audiobooks
Audie Awards: “Each year the Audio Publishers Association honors the best titles in audio publishing.” Scroll down the page to link to current and past honorees.
Earlier this week, we discussed Author Read-alikes and Title Read-alikes. No matter which approach you take, we hope that you find good ideas for books to try.
Enjoy exploring, feel free to contact us with your Novelist Plus or other questions, and happy reading!
Join Greg Draven, one of the actors who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. He’ll be reading from Tales of Beetle the Bard, starting with The Wizard and the Hopping Pot. Read with Hagrid.
The Youth Services Staff at the Chester County Library and Hankin Branch are presenting Virtual Storytimes beginning April 27th. They will be for three different ages groups — 0 to 2 Year Olds, 3 & 4 Year Olds, and 5 & 6 Year Olds. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at https://chescolibraries.org/. Virtual Storytimes are not registered as multi-week sessions; you will need to register for each storytime individually.
Stay Connected with Chescolibraries 