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10 Things you May not Know about the Library’s Website

Our old website served us well, but it was time to move on to a new format.  We’ve created a list of 10 great features of our new website.  Mobile Ready Take us with you on your smartphone.  Our new responsive site now adjusts to your screen size and looks good on any device.  App Page Our app page goes great with our responsive site.  Download one or all of our apps to access free content including ebooks, magazines, music, video and more.  We have links to iOS and Android.  Wynk, a Blynk and a Nod to Books Two of our wonderful children’s librarians with many years’ experience are writing a monthly blog feature new and classic children’s books.  If you love children’s books check out their latest blog Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!  for books all about winter and snowy days.  Help with eBooks New to ebooks?  Click on the eMedia link from the homepage and you’ll find red question marks next to the most popular eMedia collections.  If you’re just beginning you can find out how to get started and if you’re a pro you can find out details about the services including how many items you can check out for the different services.  Educator Collection We love our teachers!  Did you know that teachers can have their own special Library card.  A teacher can request special collections of books for their classroom and get additional lending privileges.  Book Club Kits Do you and your friends meet monthly to discuss a book?  Be your book club’s hero when you tell them that they no longer have to buy their own copy.  You can check out a book club kit [...]

By |January 8th, 2014|Categories: at the library, Online Resources|Tags: , , , , , |1 Comment
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Back To School

Backpack - check. Six notebooks - check. Ten pencils - check. Crayons - check. Highlighters - check. Pens - check. Six folders - check. Markers - check. Paper towels - check. Tissues - check. Hand sanitizer - check. Ear buds - check. Flash drive - check. New shoes - check. Lunch bag - check. Lots of money spent - CHECK! Going back to school is expensive. Tutoring in all subjects, language learning programs and reading help is also expensive but it doesn't have to be. There is no need for expensive homework help services when the Kenton County Public Library can help you for free. You can Book a Librarian for children in grades K-5 at the Covington Branch most days. Librarians are available (by appointment only) to help with homework, study skills, projects and more. Call 962-4077 to book an appointment. Young children are encouraged to grab a parent and attend Family or Play Art storytimes. These programs encourage the love for reading and interacting with books in young children, which is important for school. Check out the full schedule. Puppy Tales, offered at all three branches, can boost a child's reading level and make them a more relaxed reader. Students in grades 1-6 can read to a real dog. Studies show that reading to a dog boosts children’s confidence and tests scores. Reading Buddies, for children ages 2-12 at the Erlanger location, allows children to read books with an adult reading buddy. We'll even save you money on dinner by providing pizza! The Library can even help the kindergarten families save a little money on supplies. We will once again arm every kindergartener in the county with a kindergarten pack. This pack includes a pencil, [...]

By |August 6th, 2013|Categories: Around the Community, at the library, childrens, giveaway, Online Resources|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |16 Comments
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Balancing School Work

I am mother of two school-aged children and I was not surprised when I came across an article about the importance of parental involvement in school success.   According to a recent study “while both school and family involvement are important; the role of family involvement is stronger when it comes to academic success.”  Family involvement includes prioritizing school and homework as well as a healthy family relationship. For my family, the library plays an important role supporting academic work. Many schools use the Accelerated Reader program. After you’ve used www.arbookfind.com to find a book for your child, put it on hold at www.kentonlibrary.org.  You can even request to pick up your books at a drive through and pick them quickly on busy days. Having trouble finding an AR book your child will enjoy?  Stop by or call the children’s department at any location and the children’s staff will help you and your child find a book. Of course we have the books your child needs for research, but you can access a wealth of resources from your home computer with your library card at www.kentonlibrary.org.    At our house, we’ve used Culture Grams Kids for country reports, watched volcanoes erupting on Grolier Encyclopedia and found an in depth explanation on Access Science.  Someday, I’m sure we’ll use the test prep on Learning Express.  These quality resources are accurate and reliable and a great way to teach your children that research does not begin and end with a search engine. Every time I go to our website, I find a new way to use those databases! Finally, research shows that children who see their parents reading for pleasure develop into stronger readers themselves. Make sure you are [...]

By |October 23rd, 2012|Categories: At Home, at the library, childrens|Tags: , , , , , , , , |2 Comments
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The Best 10 Young Adult Books of 2013

Young Adult novels are not just for teens anymore. YA fiction is, in my opinion, the most popular trend in fiction right now, and it will continue to draw readers of all ages - at least until all of our favorite series are finished! Here are my choices for the Top 10 Young Adult Books of 2013. I chose my favorites and what I thought were the most popular 10 books. They are then rated by how many times each book was checked out by you! What is your #1 book of 2013? Do you agree with my choices? Sound off in the comments! 1. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. Book #2 in The Lunar Chronicles. 2. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. Book #2 in the Shatter Me series. 3. Prodigy by Marie Lu. Book #2 in the Legend series 4. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell  5. Dare You To by Katie McGarry 6. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare 7. Allegiant by Veronica Roth 8. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen 9. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare 10. Rogue by Gina Damico Click on the covers to find a link to each book in the library catalog - from there you can see where the books are on library shelves, put yourself on hold for one, or even check out an ebook copy. For fans of Gina Damico's Croak series or teens who love reading we have a special event coming up! On Wednesday, December 4th at 5:30 p.m. Erlanger's teen book club, Beyond the Book, will have a discussion of the series and live video chat with Gina Damico! She'll talk about the series, answer your questions, and hopefully tell us a little bit about her forthcoming novels. You can find more info and [...]

By |November 26th, 2013|Categories: Adults, at the library, Teens|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Booker Buddy Club Celebration

As a child, I could never wait for my birthday. Not because I got a birthday cake or because my parents threw me a party, but because I got a key to open up the castle at the local toy store. It was a magical experience twisting that key and walking into the castle to pick out a free toy for my birthday. At the library, we’ve designed a birthday program just for kids so that they can pick out a special treat for their birthday. We don’t have a castle, but we have a giant dog bone filled with prizes just waiting for birthday boys and girls! Become a Booker Buddy! You may be asking “Who is Booker?” Booker is our lovable, furry mascot for the library. Becoming one of his buddies gives you access to fun birthday festivities and a special party each year in April! It's easy to become a member: Sign up any time! Just stop by the Children’s Desk at any of our locations for an application. Treasure Bone Children ages 0-12 are eligible for the club. Children will receive a birthday card during the month of their birthday. They can bring in their card to pick out a cool prize, like a glow-in-the-dark cup! In April, you’ll be invited to our Booker Bash, a special birthday party for our mascot, Booker, and all of his buddies! Check out Visit Booker’s website for coloring sheets and more fun! Members are invited to join us on April 18 at 7:00 PM at the Durr branch in Independence or April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Erlanger Branch to celebrate Booker’s birthday! We’ll have a visit from Wild Thing, from Maurice [...]

By |March 19th, 2013|Categories: at the library, childrens, giveaway|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |17 Comments
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Celebrate Teen Read Week with KCPL

Teen Read Week is an annual promotional event sponsored by ALA and YALSA to encourage teens to read and use their library, and to celebrate teen books. KCPL is celebrating TRW at each branch, so there are events and contests for everyone! Your friendly Teen Librarians want to encourage all teens to come to the library and discover something new! Erlanger branch Read a New Book and Win! Read any book from the new shelves or published in the last year and fill out an entry form at the Reference Desk. The more you read the more chances you have to win cool prizes like gift cards, signed books, and book swag from YA authors. Teen Read Party Monday 10/14 at 6:00 p.m.: Celebrate Teen Read Week and all things bookish at a Teen Read Party! Come dressed as your favorite book character for the costume contest, enter a raffle to win books and other prizes, participate in Young Adult Fiction trivia, and more! Covington branch TeenSpace Monday 10/14-10/18 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Hang out with friends or meet new ones in the new YA area.  Gaming, computers, homework, crafting; there's always something happening here.  Pick up your free Teen Read Week book and drop your name in the raffle for a gift card. Teen Read Week Book Giveaway Drop by the TeenSpace anytime during TRW (10/13-10/19) to choose your free book.  Manga, Graphic Novels, Fiction and Non-fiction titles are up for grabs, the sooner you come the better your selection.  Zombie Prom Saturday 10/19 at 9:00 p.m.: Dance with the undead at the Teens only DJ dance party.  Costumes appreciated, prizes awarded. Permission slips required. Durr branch Teen Program Idea Contest Have a great idea for a teen [...]

By |October 8th, 2013|Categories: at the library, Teens|0 Comments
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Check out Teen Tech Week

Check in @ your library during Teen Tech Week! Teen Tech Week is a celebration of technology connecting with public libraries for our youth sponsored by the American Library Association. It takes place March 10-16. KCPL is celebrating TTW across all branches! During Teen Tech Week we will promote our public library as your technology resource, where you can access and use a variety of technological devices, get help with your devices or with using computers, laptops, and more, attend computer and software classes, and more! KCPL has a digital branch, which is where you can access e-books, digital magazines, research databases, test preparation software, and even attend online classes! Here's what's going on at your library: Erlanger: Video Game Tournament: On Sunday, March 10 from 2-4pm celebrate Teen Tech Week by competing in a "Teen's Choice" video game tournament. Visit www.facebook.com/kcplteens to vote for the game you want to play. Tech-cessorize: Monday, March 11 from 6:30-8pm; Create jewelry out of junk computer parts. Supplies provided. Website Creation 101: On Wednesday, March 13 from 6:30-8pm you can sign up for Website Creation 101 to learn how to making your own website. Get a free flash drive for registering! Book Trailer Contest: Visit the Erlanger branch during our open recording sessions to use our equipment and space to record  book trailers, or commercials, that are entered into our Teen Tech Week Book Trailer contest! The recording sessions are on Thursday March 14 from 4-6pm and Friday March 15 from 4-7pm. Voting will take place over the following week and the winner will be announced on Friday March 22! Covington branch: March 10-16: Drop in anytime this week at the Covington Library to pick up your free pair of earbuds. TEENS ONLY!!! [...]

By |February 26th, 2013|Categories: at the library, Teens|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |29 Comments
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Classics to Share & Giveaway

I love classic music, books, movies, cars, games and pretty much anything that falls under "classic." And I love to share the classics with my children - ages 14 and 11. They might not always love it but I do! Working for the Kenton County Public Library allows me access to thousands of class books, music and movies. But you don't have to work here to have access. A free library card gives you the same opportunities I have. All you have to do is show a current ID or a piece of mail that proves you live in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. I love to share my favorite books with the kids. We have all read the Hunger Games trilogy. Reading these books at the same time sparked hours of conversation in my home. We talked about big government, the characters, what we thought would happen next and much more. We anticipated the release of the movie together and couldn't wait to see it as a family. I have shared my love for To Kill a Mockingbird with the children. My dog is even named after that book - Scout Harper. This is definitely my favorite book of all times. It can be a little difficult for a child to read on their own but we were able to read this together and I could answer questions as we went along. I love introducing the kids to music. My son has become a huge Beatles fan. My daughter uses Freegal to download three free songs per week in order to fill her iPod. All she needs is a library card number and an Internet connection. We have enjoyed hundreds of movies that we borrowed from [...]

By |July 2nd, 2013|Categories: at the library, giveaway|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |55 Comments
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Community’s Public Makerspace & Meeting Spaces Open Soon

Crafters, innovators and dreamers will soon have the opportunity to make their visions become reality as the Kenton County Public Library will open its new makerspace, the STREAM Center of Learning, on Friday, January 12. STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math. The STREAM Center is a new arm of the STEM movement.   The STREAM Center is located at the Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Road. It will feature dozens of tools and equipment that visitors can use to make and create. Examples of items include: 3D Printer Soldering Irons Embroidery & Sewing Machines Poster Printer Silhouette Cameo Large Vinyl Cutter Looms Raspberry Pi & Arduinos Dremel Tool Welder And much more!      The STREAM Center will be open during library hours unless being used for a class or one-to-one sessions. Items are free to use but a nominal materials fee may apply on some items. The STREAM Center is open to all ages; however, children ages 12 and younger should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.  Free programs on using the STREAM Center equipment will be held weekly starting January 17. See the Library’s calendar of events for a complete list.   “The STREAM Center is an example of how arts, technology, reading and innovation come together,” stated Dave Schroeder, Executive Director of the Kenton County Public Library. “We are excited to provide a space in the community where makers, business owners, students, educators and hobbyists can come together with a single purpose of creating something for their personal, professional or educational use.”   The STREAM Center is made possible in part by Duke Energy, Chas. and Ruth Seligman Family Foundation, Republic Bank, DBL Law, Robert Ehmet Hayes & [...]

By |December 19th, 2017|Categories: About Us, at the library, Featured Post, KCPL, Press Releases|Tags: |0 Comments
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Covington Renovation Celebration

Excitement is building in Covington!  The newly expanded and remodeled Covington Branch of the Kenton County Library is nearly completed.  This project is the culmination of a decades-long plan.  Phase one was to replace the overcrowded and very busy Erlanger Branch.  This was done in 2001.  Phase two consisted of building the new William E. Durr Branch, just south of Independence, to serve the quickly growing central part of the county (opened in 2007).  Phase three is the Covington Branch. Covington is the flagship branch of the system with roots going back to the late 1800s.  The current building, constructed in 1973-74, needed major upgrades and enhancements.  As an example, the stairwells and fire alarm system were not up-to-code, the heating and cooling system was original, the building had no sprinkler system and the roof needed replacing.  The building also lacked many of the amenities our patrons have grown accustomed at the other two branches. So what’s new at the Covington Branch?  First of all, you will encounter a new three-story entry pavilion.  This space is flooded with natural light and houses our new Circulation Department.  The Children’s Department has tripled in size and has its own activity room and reading garden.  This colorful area also includes a new piece of public art specifically designed for the space:   A large mosaic featuring a river scene with a child fishing surrounded by native flora and fauna.  The mosaic includes pieces of pottery and other elements donated to the library by our patrons.  The children’s area has also been decked out in kid appropriate furniture and comfortable seating for their parents. The building now also has a separate computer lab to assist the staff in teaching technology [...]

By |October 1st, 2013|Categories: at the library, Local History and Genealogy|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Dare to Read for the Fun of It!

It’s Teen Read Week – Oct. 14-20! Teen Read Week is a time to celebrate reading for fun and encourage teens to take advantage of reading in all its forms —books and magazines, e-books, audiobooks and more — and become regular library users. I have a teen in my house who loves attending library programs and reading young adult books. I’m not a librarian (public relations coordinator) nor did I work at the library when she was little. I did read to her a lot when she was little so I do have to take some credit for her love of books. My 13-year-old, Andi, enjoys the popular books like the Hunger Games and Twilight trilogies and “Divergent.” I hope to introduce her to some of the classics like “The Outsiders,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Catcher in the Rye” soon. As a 37-year-old mother, I still love YA books. My favorites are “Hunger Games” and “To Kill A Mockingbird.” My fifth grade son is starting to find a passion for YA books. He also loves the Hunger Games trilogy and is finding that he enjoys sci-fi quite a bit. Joey is anxious for the day he can attend teen programs at the library, which are for those in grades 6-12. The Kenton County Public Library offers teen programs at all three branches – Covington, Durr in Independence and Erlanger.  The branches offer Anima and Manga clubs, crafting programs, movie and book discussions, chess club, writing groups, movie nights, gaming events, jewelry making and much more. All of the programs are free. Each branch also has a teen space (Covington is currently being renovated) just for teens to hang out. They can play games, read [...]

By |October 16th, 2012|Categories: Around the Community, at the library, Teens|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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El día de los niños/El día de los libros

Children notice things.  Every year in this country, in the space of 5 weeks, we celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.  An observant child will inevitably ask “So, when is Children’s Day?”  Of course, the standard answer from every parent is “Every day is Children’s Day!” Actually, the observant child has a point. Seventy-seven countries around the world celebrate a Children’s Day during the course of a year.  The United States is one of the few developed nations that does not. In Mexico, Children’s Day is celebrated every year on April 30.  That day is called El día de los niños.  It is quite a celebration, too!  Schools have carnivals, towns have parades, and children receive special treats.  Mexican immigrants in the American southwest brought their observance of Children’s Day into their communities in this country, and in 1996, a children’s author named Pat Mora noticed. She thought it was a wonderful idea to celebrate children, but her background as an educator and author led her to think that it would be even better to celebrate children’s books!  That was the beginning of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). With the support of children’s librarians and teachers, Pat Mora’s idea has spread across the country.  This year, hundreds of libraries and schools will celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day sometime near April 30.  In our community, we have two opportunities to celebrate. On Saturday, April 27, from 1:00 -4:00 p.m., the Kenton County Public Library will partner with the Cincinnati Public Library to hold a joint celebration at the Bond Hill Branch.  The celebration will include performers, crafts, and free books for children.  On Tuesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m., enjoy [...]

By |April 16th, 2013|Categories: Around the Community, at the library|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Expanded Local History & Genealogy Dpt at Covington Library

The Local History and Genealogy Department has opened in its new space at the Covington location of the Kenton County Public Library. The department is now located on the top floor, and is staffed all hours when the library is open. The department’s collection includes Kentucky Biographies, Kentucky Fiction, Kentucky Non-Fiction, Kentucky Reference (containing numerous books on many Kentucky counties), city and business directories dating back to the 1830s, maps, and many more resources for doing genealogy and history research. Come enjoy the quiet workspace and dig deeper into your family history!                     Looking south in the Local History and Genealogy Department. The chairs and tabletops from the Carnegie library were refurbished and used in the new space. Beth uses one of the microfilm machines to look up newspaper articles. Need a map? The department has city, county, regional and state maps of Kentucky. If you’re interested in accessing online databases such as Ancestry.com, geNKY, or Faces and Places, we have eight new computers dedicated to this purpose. Staff members are readily available to assist you with using these resources. Check out our video of the new department! Have you visited the new department yet? Let us know what you think!

By |May 14th, 2013|Categories: Adults, at the library, KCPL, Local History and Genealogy, Online Resources|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Faces and Places of Kenton County

My name is Cierra and I work in the Local History and Genealogy Department at the Kenton County Public Library. I assist patrons with finding answers about their ancestors and researching our vibrant history of Northern Kentucky. One of the parts of my job that I enjoy is assisting in the scanning, indexing, and uploading  of photographs to the database Faces and Places Northern Kentucky Photographic Archive (commonly known as Faces and Places).  There are so many great stories that have been uncovered and told from photographs in Faces and Places.  This photograph database contains a wide range of topics covering schools, businesses, buildings, people and events.  I enjoy reading the comments that are left by all of you explaining the people, places and meanings behind photographs that are unknown or unidentified. I would like to encourage everyone to leave a comment or two on the photographs in the collection.  You never know—you may find a picture of yourself in our archive! You can search the Faces and Places photographs and leave comments. Amy Whittlesey (5), Brigette Rambo (5), Donald Powell (5), Brian Hibbler (4), at Beechwood Elementary Thanksgiving on November 24, 1977. In honor of Thanksgiving I thought I would share one of my favorite Thanksgiving related photographs from Faces and Places. You can leave a comment on the photograph. Are you friends with the Local History and Genealogy Department on Facebook? Post your favorite Faces & Places photo there. Written by Cierra Earl, Library Associate, Local History and Genealogy Department - Covington

By |November 13th, 2012|Categories: Around the Community, at the library, KCPL, Local History and Genealogy, Online Resources|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Four Weeks of Giveaways

Yes, you read that right; The Library will have four weeks of giveaways! This week we are starting off with an awesome tote bag filled with books, a library card holder, a Kenton County Public Library coffee mug, $5 Starbucks gift card and $5 off any purchase at Joseph Beth. The books are: "Make a Gingerbread Man" by Conni Medina, an advance copy of "The Bell Bandit" by Jacqueline Davies, a great read for boys and girls 9 and older, an advanced copy of "The Last PoliceMan" by Ben Winters, an adult fiction murder mystery story, an advance reader's copy of "Laugh With the Moon" by Shana Burg, a young adult book about a teen dealing with loss and finding her way, "Hey, That's Not Trash" by Renee Jablow, a great book for young readers about recycling, and "Drawing and Learning about Fashion" by Amy Bailey Muehlenhardt, a fabulous how to book for tweens and teens interested in fashion. There really is a book for everyone in this prize pack. The winner can keep them for the family or give them as gifts. Details on how to enter are below.   In addition to setting you up with a fabulous bag of books, the Library can help with the holidays in so many other ways. Let's start with shopping. Are you looking for an e-reader, a computer, a car, TV or other item that has many choices and you aren't sure what to buy? We have staff who can teach you how to use Consumer Reports Online and it's free. You can even access this online service from your home. We also have staff who can explain the difference between e-readers and teach you how to download books for free. Did you buy someone an [...]

By |December 4th, 2012|Categories: Adults, at the library, childrens, Online Resources, Teens|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Fourth Week of Giveaways; Your Holiday Entertainment

What will you be doing over your holiday break?  If you plan on spending the entire break checking your Facebook, watching TV, or playing Farmville you should probably check out some entertainment alternatives. Your local friendly Teen Librarians have compiled some resources to help you out! Okay, first of all: I have to promote the library for your entertainment needs. You can download 3 free mp3s a week with Freegal and look at a ton of different magazines for free online with Zinio. Just go to this link! You can sign up for Zinio and Freegal accounts with your library card number If you don't have your card or don't know your number just give us a call and we can look it up for you! https://www.kentonlibrary.org/ebooks/indextmp.htm Okay, now let's get to the real fun. Hopefully you'll be getting some video games for Christmas. Don't worry, if you don't get them you can just check them out from the library! Borderlands 2 just came out. We will have it. Go here to reserve your copy from the library! Avengers: Battle for Earth was released in December. You can also get it from the library here! Did you get or give an iPad, iPod, or iPhone today? If you did, welcome to your new favorite game! It’s free, it’s social, and it’s   more fun than endlessly hitting refresh on your favorite webpage until school starts up again. This is a game called “SpaceTeam”. The first thing you want to do is find 2-4 other people who have also downloaded it and get them in the same wifi or Bluetooth with you. Then your goal is to fix the most breaking-est spaceship ever, by saying silly words! Everyone [...]

By |December 25th, 2012|Categories: At Home, at the library, Online Resources, Teens, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Guest Post: Staycations in Kentucky

This week we are excited to have a guest post by Deborah Kohl Kremer. Deborah is a local freelance reporter and author of An Explorer's Guide; Kentucky. We also have an awesome giveaway at the end of the post. As the summer season approaches, we tend to look forward to the longer days, warmer temperatures and finding an answer to the familiar question, where are you going on vacation?   One way to end the monotony of looking for hotel deals from the former commander of the Space Ship Enterprise, counting up for credit card points for a stand-by airline seat, and trying to figure out if your family can fit in a compact or an economy rental car, is to cast it all aside and put your efforts into a Staycation. Sleep in your own bed, make breakfast in your own kitchen then hit the open road, finding destinations full of outdoor fun, history lessons, and even….. right here in Kentucky, all  take about a two hour drive or less from Kenton County. 3rd Street in Maysville Head east to the darling river city of Maysville. In addition to their walkable downtown with cute shops, restaurants and art galleries, Maysville is home to the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center a fabulous place to learn about the area. Actually three museums in one, they host a historical reference library, a regional history museum and a miniatures museum.  The first two are a history-lovers paradise, but if you have anyone in your party who is not all that into history, it is hard to not be captivated by the Kathleen Savage Browning Miniatures Collection. The collection is giant but each scene, house and room is a recreation [...]

By |May 7th, 2013|Categories: Around the Community, at the library, giveaway|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |49 Comments
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Healthy Cooking With the Library

Hi. I'm Erin. I write at A Bird and A Bean and I love summer. Hot, lazy days with the kids. Gardening. Cookouts. Swimming. Vacations with the family. Time "off." But, moms don't really get a vacation....even on vacation. I actually don't mind. Vacations look different when you have little kids. Still awesome and fun, but just not as relaxing. The Onion sums that whole thing up pretty well in this hilarious article that I like to share, "Mom Spends Beach Vacation Assuming All Household Duties In Closer Proximity To Ocean."Cracks me up. One thing I do try to do less of in the summer whether we are on a vacation or a stay-cation... is turn the oven on. It just heats the whole house right up. No thank you. But, I like to still get the veggies in and keep things on the healthy side. We love utilizing the grill and crock-pot in the summer. But, things can get boring. Grilling the same burgers and hotdogs. Making the same old chili in the crock-pot. I decided to keep things interesting by checking out the library's cookbook and food magazine selection. There are so many choices. You know all those magazines you see in the line at the grocery store and want to buy?? They are all at the library! Look at this fantastic cookbook selection! And this is just a small portion of what they have. You can easily find some new fresh and healthy recipes for your family this summer. It was hard to narrow it down. I was drawn to so many.. crockpot books, grilling cookbooks and a popsicle recipe books. I loved the zucchini and tomato recipe book idea, too. I [...]

By |July 10th, 2014|Categories: Around the Community, at the library, Featured Post|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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Hot Teen Reads

Many awesome young adult books have been published recently and the Kenton County Public Library has a lot to offer.   Here are a some popular picks: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Cath is a Simon Snow fan, well; the whole world is a Simon Snow fan.  But for Cath, being a fan is her life.  She and her twin sister, Wren, grew up being fangirls. Now they’re going to college, can Cath leave Simon Snow behind? If you haven’t read Eleanor & Park yet by Rowell, you should.  It’s the story of two star-crossed misfits; smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. Allegiant by Veronica Roth The third book in the Divergent series; comes out on October 22nd.  What if your whole world was a lie?  What if a single revelation changed everything?  What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?  This explosive conclusion of the Divergent trilogy reveals secrets of the dystopian world. Unsouled by Neal Shusterman The story that began with Unwind continues.  Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds.  They’re not just running away from something; this time, they’re running toward answers to bring down unwinding forever.  Out October 15th. In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin All These Things I’ve Done, the first novel in the Birthright series, introduced us to timeless heroine Anya Balanchine, a plucky sixteen year old with the heart of a girl and the responsibilities of a grown woman. Now eighteen, life has been more bitter than sweet for Anya. This is the story of growing up and learning [...]

By |September 24th, 2013|Categories: at the library, Teens|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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How to Save Money

Who doesn’t like to save money? I know I do. Most people know they can save money every day at the Kenton County Public Library by borrowing books, movies, music and video games and attending programs. But people don’t realize that there are so many other ways the Library can save them money. The Library offers several online services, most of which can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and a Kenton County Public Library card number. Chiltons, Consumer Reports, ValueLine and Morningstar Investment Research Center are just a few of the services. You can view full issues of Consumer Reports, compare prices, find the best rated products and much more. This is a great resource with the holidays right around the corner. You can find the best rated electronics, appliances, cars and more. You can also compare features. This allows you to make informed decisions before making purchases. I will be using this free online service to choose which netbook will be best for my 10 and 13-year-olds as a gift. Have you ever wished you could fix your car yourself? Have you thought it’s probably simple enough that you could if you just had a guide? You can access the Chilton Manuals for free through the Library website. You can find out how to replace breaks, change oil, replace plugs, fix a muffler and much more for most makes and models. ValueLine is an independent investment research and financial publishing firm based in New York, New York, USA, founded in 1931 by Arnold Bernhard. Value Line is best known for publishing The Value Line Investment Survey, a stock analysis newsletter that is updated weekly and kept by subscribers to the print edition in a [...]

By |November 6th, 2012|Categories: Around the Community, At Home, at the library|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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If You Love It, Gift It

The holidays are upon us! A time for celebration, good cheer, being together with friends and family, and giving and receiving gifts. Now, my mom is the best person to shop for. She told me that she appreciates everything she gets because it means someone took the time to think about her and what she would like. I think that’s the key - something that brings enjoyment and interest, that says “I remembered”. (And thank you mom. You are a great gift giver too.) Books, movies, and music are an integral part of our lives. They can entertain and engage us time and again, becoming favorites, and then we want to share the titles, films, and songs we love with others. There are tons of new items to choose from, but I tend to pick things I can personally recommend from experience to give as gifts. Not sure if it’s as good as you remember? Check out a copy from the library to preview! ~Leigh K. Mauer, Readers' Advisory Librarian While everyone has different tastes, these are some of my “best bet” suggestions with wide appeal: Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard. Historical non-fiction paperback. Bossypants by Tina Fey. Biography audiobook, CD, Unabridged. The book is great, the audiobook is even better! Read by the author. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fiction.  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Fiction. Best of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on Verve. Jazz music, CD. Ultimate Hits: Rock and Roll Never Forgets. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. Rock music, CD. Singing in the Rain. DVD. 2001: A Space Odyssey. [...]

By |December 3rd, 2013|Categories: at the library|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Job Search Assistance

Looking for a new job? Thinking about changing careers? Frustrated with trying to find a job on the Internet? The Kenton County Public Library is the place to come for a wide variety of job hunting resources. Currently, Job Search Central classes being offered for free at the library include the following: Job Search One-on-One: An opportunity to meet with an expert librarian to get personal help updating your resume, learning to use the best job hunting sites, understanding how to find information about companies or getting guidance on exploring careers or going to college. If class timing is bad, you can schedule an individual appointment by contacting one of our reference librarians. Target Your Resume:  Wondering why your resume isn’t yielding any phone calls or interviews for you? Learn how to fine tune your resume details to match the needs of your prospective employer. Have a human resources professional critique your resume for you. Interviewing Skills Workshop:  You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Learn how to put your best foot forward in job interviews and practice interviewing with human resource professionals from Northern Kentucky. Job Research Skills:  Finding it difficult to locate available jobs? Learn how to navigate the best Job Search sites available, file a profile at Focus/Career Kentucky and where to look for inside company information.  Seasoned experts from the Northern Kentucky Career Center teach this class. Upcoming class schedules are available on the Kenton County Public Library’s web site and do require advance registration. Pick up one of our Job Search Central bookmarks listing all the bestsellers on Job Hunting, Resumes/ Cover Letters and Interviewing at any of our three branches. No two job seekers are [...]

By |August 14th, 2013|Categories: Adults, Around the Community, at the library|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Keeping Kids Busy Over the Holiday Break

Keeping kids entertained over an extended holiday can be a challenge, but we’ve got some great ideas for you. If sled riding isn’t possible and the cold is keeping you inside, there are plenty of activities for the whole family that are sure to keep them entertained. We’re sure a good book is the perfect remedy, but in case you need other ideas, here are ours! Staying In Town? If you live near the William E. Durr branch, check out our listings for School’s Out Movies! We have lots of showings for the whole family. We supply the popcorn, so just bring yourself and a drink and let us take care of the rest! Register by following the link above or calling 859-962-4031. All movies will begin at 1:00 PM. 12/23 Elf! 12/26 Despicable Me 2 12/27 Grown Ups 2 12/30 Planes 12/31 Monsters Inc. & Monsters University 1/2 Smurfs 2 1/3 The Croods Crafting I’m really into crafting, and Christmas is the perfect time to try out new ideas and give them as one-of-a-kind gifts. There are so many fun craft ideas on Pinterest; you could stay busy for days. Pinterest has some great ideas! Check out our Christmas board here. Paper crafts for Christmas by Randel McGee Christmas Crafts by Jean Eick Kids in the Holiday Kitchen: Making, Baking, Giving by Jessica Strand Step-by-Step crafts for Winter by Kathy Ross Baking cookies Going to a cookie swap or have a lot of baking to do for a Christmas party? Involve the kids! You’ll not only invoke their creative abilities, but also keep them entertained. The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook: 60 Large-Batch Recipes to Bake and Share by Good Housekeeping The Big Book [...]

By |December 18th, 2013|Categories: Around the Community, At Home, at the library|0 Comments
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The Kenton County Public Library is Spooktacular!

I love October. I think it’s my favorite month of the year. The weather is cooler – perfect for jeans and sweatshirts. The leaves turn beautiful colors, it’s the perfect time for making smores over a bonfire, I enjoy the flavors of fall including pumpkin spiced anything, children are getting excited about Halloween and the programming at the Library is spooktacular! I love helping my kids design their costumes and decorating my house and yard. “How to Create Spectacular Halloween Costumes” by Louann Brown,” Paper Crafts for Halloween” by McGee, Randel and “Haunted House Adventure Crafts” by Anna Llimos Plomer are great books to assist with decorating and costumes. Having Zinio online has made cooking, decorating and making costumes even easier!  Zinio is an online service available through the Library that offers thousands of magazine subscriptions for free. I love “Taste of Home Holiday,” “Family Circle,” “Country Living,” “Parenting” and “Women’s Day” for holiday ideas, recipes and more. The Library offers great fall/Halloween programs this month – all for free. There is a Haunt Your Library contest taking place at the Covington Branch Library for grades 1-6 until October 10. Winning stories will be featured in The Recorder Newspaper and prizes will be awarded.  The Halloween storytimes are definitely the cutest thing we see all year – babies in costume! The Boo Bash, Octoberfest and Pumpkin Carving Party are sure to be a good time. The Haunted Library at the Durr Branch on Friday, Oct. 26 and Sat., Oct. 27 promises to offer thrills, chills and laughs. This is suggested for those 6 and older. The Durr Branch has a few Dracula themed events this month as well as a presentation by the Paranormal Investigators [...]

By |October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Adults, at the library, childrens, Teens|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Library Services Delivered to Your Home

When I was 11, I found out I would need major surgery to correct a problem with my spine. I missed a little over a month of school because I was confined to my home for recovery, and then after that month came to an end I had another three months of extremely limited activity.  I went to school and then came straight home every day. Prior to surgery, I’d gotten into the habit of visiting the library once every week or two and bringing home stacks of books each time – but suddenly I was faced with four months of being cut off from my reading supply. It was a shock for me, especially since this was before the age of the Kindle or the Nook and the possibility to browse through an entire library from the couch. The goal of the Kenton County Public Library Homebound Services – now part of the larger Outreach Services department – is to provide services to the patrons within Kenton County who find themselves unable to physically visit the library. Most often, when this kind of outreach service is mentioned, people only think of the elderly and books. But in reality there is much more involved in what we do.  We work every day to take all of the excellent services that the Library is known for (like reference, circulation, reader’s advisory, programming, etc.), roll it all into one, and deliver them directly to the homes of our patrons.  Some of the people enrolled in the program are simply the residents of a local senior living facility, other times they are people who can’t get out of their own houses due to a disability, and sometimes they [...]

By |October 30th, 2012|Categories: Around the Community, At Home, at the library, Outreach|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments
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