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.
5/6, 2-3:30pm – How to Create “Killer Content” for Social Media and Your Website
5/11, 1-2:30pm – Blogging for Business
For more virtual programs being offered by Chester County Libraries, visit our calendar.
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 we less imaginative and creative because we don’t spend enough time doing nothing? Find out more by watching How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas.
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:
OR
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.
Join us to play Jackbox Games and socialize with other gamers virtually.
With so much of our world transitioning from face-to-face interactions to virtual interactions, you may find yourself needing to brush up on some computer skills. DigitalLearn.org, a resource put together by the Public Library Association, has short, easy-to-follow tutorials on topics that range from navigating websites, using Microsoft Word, using cloud storage, online healthcare resources, online job searching, and more. These tutorials are completely free and do not require an account to access them. Simply click the link in this paragraph, select a tutorial, and click “Start Course.”
PUA provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to qualifying individuals who are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable state law, except that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related reasons, as defined in the CARES Act. Benefit payments under PUA are retroactive, for weeks of unemployment, partial employment, or inability to work due to COVID-19 reasons starting on or after January 27, 2020. The CARES Act specifies that PUA benefits cannot be paid for weeks of unemployment ending after December 31, 2020.
For more information and to file a regular unemployment claim, click here.
Our free access to World Book Online (WBO) continues through April 30th so you still have time to take advantage of this great resource. WBO is a place to find so much more than just help with your school assignments.
With your library card, you can access WBO’s Activity Corner which has a huge collection of projects and crafts. You can filter your search by age, type of activity, culture, etc. You will find projects that involve jewelry making, drawing, woodcraft, knitting, writing, science, construction . . . the list goes on and on.
So, if you are feeling creative but need inspiration and instructions, be sure to visit the Activity Corner at World Book Online.
Codecademy is offering a free webinar on Interviewing from Home tomorrow, Friday, April 24 at 10:00 am. Register here.
Tumblebooks has made their database available during the COVID-19 emergency. You’ll find an enormous selection of animated picture books, read-alongs, ebooks, games, lesson plans, and quizzes at the click of your mouse!
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.
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