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10 Ways to Spend Your Snow Day

Local schools have had a lot of delays and snow/cold days recently. Kids are usually bored by mid-morning but the Kenton County Public Library has you covered whether you can get to the library safely or stuck at home. We have 10 ways for your to spend your snow day: Programs! Programs! Programs! Check the Library program calendar to see what types of events are happening that day. The Library offers storytimes, kindergarten readiness, art and movie programs regularly. Can you get to the Library safely but don't want to get out of the car? Go to our website to put books, movies and video games on hold and pick them up at the drive-thru window. Or come on in and browse the shelves. Once you have your items, read as a family. DIY crafts all day long! You can check craft books out from the Library (reserve them online) or check out ideas from local bloggers like 365 Days of Crafts, A Little Moore, Carla Schauer Studio or A Bird and a Bean. There are several other great local crafting blogs around as well. Entertain the family with Hoopla. It allows you to INSTANTLY borrow digital music, e-books, TV shows and movies. Have a dance party using Hoopla or Freegal. Hoopla allows you to instantly borrow digital music and Freegal allows you to download and KEEP five songs per week. You just need your library card number and Internet access. . Visit the STREAM Center at the Erlanger Branch or the Maker Space at the Covington Branch. Kids will love the 3Doodler, 3D printer, snap circuits, Legos, craft supplies, button maker, Ozobots, Goldieblox and so much more at the STREAM Center. Just be sure [...]

By Gina Stegner|January 31st, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

12 Job Fair Tips

Whether you're attending a job fair at the Kenton County Public Library or another location, there are tips you should follow to get the most out of a career fair. 12 Tips to Get the Most Out of a Job Fair Bring several copies of your resume. If the fair is at the Library, you can arrive early to use the photo copier. Keep in mind others are probably doing the same thing so allow extra time. Dress appropriately. At minimum you should wear business casual but you might want to step it up depending on the organizations that will be at the fair. Have a game plan. Time could be limited so be sure to review the companies that will be present and prioritize the employers you're most interested in. Do your homework. Spend time researching background information on the organizations you are interested in so you can ask specific questions. Only take materials or samples from companies you are interested in. Some employers bring large quantities of print materials or freebies while others will only bring a few. Always ask before taking items. Prepare your "career pitch." Extend your hand, introduce yourself and be ready to talk about your career interests and goals. Be sure to emphasize your skills and experience that would be important to the company. This should be no longer than 30 to 60 seconds. Plan to follow up. Ask for the representative's business card and send a short thank you note to acknowledge them for taking time to speak with you but also so they remember you. Take notes. Personally, I like to write short notes on the back of the business card of the company I'm interested in [...]

By Gina Stegner|January 9th, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Comments Off

13 Things to Know When Applying for FAFSA

I follow a couple "paying for college" Facebook groups. Those groups are always hopping on October 1, otherwise known as FAFSA Day (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). I must have seen the same 10 questions asked a hundred times each. So I thought I would write a post answering those questions. That way everything you need to know, or at least most of it, will be in one spot. The most commonly asked questions with the answers: 1. Do I have to fill out FAFSA if I know we won't qualify? - Most schools and many scholarships require FAFSA to be completed so you should probably just do it. FAFSA is also required for school loans. 2. The FAFSA application states "most men must register with Selective Service to receive Federal Aid." Does my son have to be registered for the Selective Service to apply for FAFSA? - If your son is 18 at the time of the application then yes, he must be registered. If he is not 18, he does not have to be registered at the time of application. Register here. 3. I created an ID for my child but it is now asking for the parent ID. What is that? - Both the student and one parent must each have a FAFSA ID. The application will be filled out with the student's ID. The parent ID is needed to electronically sign the application. 4. I'm not paying my child's college tuition or my student lives on his own, why does he need my financial information? - FAFSA doesn't care what the living arrangement is or who is paying. A student is not considered independent until they are 24, married, both [...]

By Gina Stegner|October 2nd, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Comments Off

2019 Oscars

I'm a huge Queen fan and I love the movie Bohemian Rhapsody so no surprise that I was thrilled when Rami Malek won best actor. Never seeing Mr. Robot, I was not familiar with Malek's work. I almost didn't see the movie, worried it wouldn't be a proper tribute to Freddie Mercury, who I believe no one can replace. But my husband and three of our children wanted to see it so we headed to the theater. I literally forgot at times that I wasn't really watching Freddie. They couldn't have picked a better actor than Malek to portray Freddie Mercury. I loved Malek's acceptance speech. He seemed truly sincere and appreciative. I have to say I was also excited to see that he and Lucy Boynton are dating in real life. Even though the movie is still in theaters, you can already check it out from the library. Of course there is a wait but hopefully it won't be too long since we have 39 copies. The original soundtrack on CD is also available for checkout. You can also stream the soundtrack through Hoopla with your library card number. Bohemian Rhapsody and Black Panther seemed to be the big winners of the night. Black Panther won for music (original score), costume design and production design. In addition to best leading actor, Bohemian also won for film editing, sound editing and sound mixing. I was surprised that A Star is Born didn't win more than original song (Shallow). I'll be honest, I haven't seen a lot of the other movies that were nominated so I can't speak to the actors in them or the films. I was really hoping Bohemian Rhapsody would win best picture [...]

By Gina Stegner|February 25th, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|1 Comment

2019 Summer Reading – Universe of Stories

This year's Summer Reading Celebration is filled with exciting programs, fun prizes, social media giveaways and so much more! We are so excited about the theme: Universe of Stories and the super cool glow-in-the-dark T-shirts children can win just for reading! The program will run June 1-August 31. Children can pick up a booklog at any of the three branches - Covington, Independence or Erlanger or enter online. Read or listen to five books or 2.5 hours and win a book prize! After 10 books or 5 hours of reading, return the log to receive a glow-in-the-dark Universe of Stories T-shirt or a drawstring bag (while supplies last) and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of three grand prizes: a technology basket, science basket or art basket. Keep reading for more chances to win the grand prizes! Teens who read or listen to any book or magazine or attend any program can enter online or at any of the three branches. One winner per branch will be drawn for weekly prizes. Adults who read or listen to any book or magazine or attend a book related program can enter to win prizes online or at any of the three branches. Prizes are awarded bi-weekly. The Summer Reading Celebration will kickoff on Saturday, June 1 with free Snappy Tomato Pizza at all three branches. The Covington Branch will feature Kona Ice, a video game truck, Hands-on Space Explorers and a Planetarium show! The Erlanger Branch will host a bounce house, face painting, Tech Toy Time, an iSpace presentation, Rocketry Workshop and more. The Independence Branch will offer a petting zoo, pony rides, the Cowboy in Space, Mark Wood and his out of [...]

By Gina Stegner|May 21st, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

4 Ways the STREAM Center Can Help with Your Cosplay Needs

Cosplay can have a more impactful meaning to different people, but in its most basic form it is wearing costumes in play (hence the mashing of words into one). I’ve seen cosplayers wear elaborate handmade outfits that have taken months to create, and store-bought costumes that they have saved up for. I’ve seen cosplay that has taken hours to apply and others that have been successfully taken from their own closest of street-wear. Easy or complicated- cosplay is what you make of it. 4 Ways the STREAM Center Can Help with Your Cosplay Needs! 1.) Detail your leather goods using our Glowforge laser engraver! https://glowforge.com/discover/t/38548/leather-grimoire 2.) Print an accessory for your furry companion with our 3-D printer! https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2839481 3.) Use our sewing machines for your costume! https://www.leatherfashionvalley.com/blog/sewing-cosplay-costume-made-easy 4.) Use our soldering iron to light it up! https://www.instructables.com/id/Tron-Costume/ Don’t forget that these items in our STREAM Center require a 30-minute training before you’re allowed to book the equipment to use them. Reserve a time to be trained here. Need an event to wear your cosplay attire? We will be hosting a Teen Cosplay Night at the Erlanger branch on Saturday, October 19th after hours from 6-8 PM! By LeAnn Long, Teen Librarian

By Gina Stegner|September 17th, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

The A/V Librarian’s Favorite Graphic Novels

Hello Everyone, Verna the A/V Librarian here. I've had a little more time available to read of late... so I'd like to share with you some of my favorite Graphic Novels from over the years. Some are stand-alone titles, some are series, but all are available for your reading pleasure for free with your library card via hoopla. Fray: Future Slayer by Joss Whedon Hundreds of years in the future, Manhattan has become a deadly slum, run by mutant crime-lords and disinterested cops. Stuck in the middle is a young girl who thought she had no future, but learns she has a great destiny. In a world so poisoned that it doesn't notice the monsters on its streets, how can a street kid like Fray unite a fallen city against a demonic plot to consume mankind? Joss Whedon, the celebrated creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, brings his vision to the future in this unique tale. As inventive in the comics medium as in that of television or film, Whedon spins a complex tale of a skilled thief coming of age without the help of friends or family, guided only by a demonic Watcher. Venus by Rick Loverd and Filip Sablik In 2150, Earth's resources are depleted, and countries race to outer space to mine what they need from other planets. China has laid claim to Mars, so the U.S. and its allies have to make do with getting what it needs from the inhospitable world of Venus. But for a group of Americans making its way there, survival has become all too real. After their ship crash-lands on the planet, the scrappy crew is forced to do whatever it takes to [...]

By Verna|April 7th, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

Adult Swim on Hoopla

Cable-cutter missing your daily dose of Adult Swim? Never had a chance to try Adult Swim at all? hoopla has you covered. View these titles for free with your KCPL library card via hoopla. Aqua Teen Hunger Force Three food items and their life together in South Jersey. Black Dynamite Black Dynamite revolves around the everyday lives of a heroic, crime-fighting vigilante of justice and his friends as they engage in a variety of adventures while working to keep their community safe. Plus, Black Dynamite delivers an all-out assault on your action taste buds. Rick and Morty Welcome to the world of Rick and Morty, a genius inventor grandfather and his less than genius grandson. Missing for nearly 20 years, Rick arrives at his daughter's doorstep looking to move in, but her husband isn't too thrilled. Rick converts the garage into his lab and involves Morty in his insane adventures. Robot Chicken It's here! The premiere season of Robot Chicken. 20 channel-flippin', toy-murderin', attention-span-shatterin' episodes straight from Adult Swim's late-night lineup. Enjoy bite-sized nuggets of sketch comedy performed by yesteryear's favorite playthings, animated in state-of-the-art stop motion. (Hey, CGI - go straight to hell!) It's like a poultry party in your pants! Samurai Jack In medieval Japan, an empire is destroyed by the demon Aku and a young prince is banished into the future where he plots his revenge. The Venture Bros. Two all-American teens spend most of their time hopping from one adventure to the next. Along with their caustic and self-centered father, Dr. Venture, the brothers have the uber-spy Brock Samson to protect them. [...]

By Verna|June 16th, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

Albums Inspired by Books

Musician and author crossover and linkage is nothing new. Many authors have contributed lyrics to songs, or had their words adapted to song lyrics. Authors, for example Stephen King, use song lyrics when introducing chapters or sections of some novels. It isn't an exaggeration to say that the two groups are intertwined. Here are some of the musical works that have been inspired by works of literature. This is just a small sampling of the many songs and albums that fit the description. Enjoy the music and the words! 1. Animal Farm by George Orwell – Pink Floyd’s Animals Orwell makes his first appearance on this list with Pink Floyd’s Animals album. The songs, “Dogs”, “Sheep”, “Pigs (Three Different Ones)” are thematically tied to the personification in Animal Farm. Lyricist Roger Waters doesn’t draw from the plot of the book, instead leaning into the idea of people as predators (“Dogs”), followers (“Sheep”), and ruthless despots (“Pigs”). Orwell’s book was an attack on Stalinism; however Waters’ lyrics are more of a condemnation of capitalism. 2. Clockwork Angels by Kevin Anderson – Rush’s Clockwork Angels This one is a bit of a reverse. Rush lyricist Neil Peart developed the basic story and wrote the lyrics that outlined the story in concept. The lyrics became song “chapters” that drove the plot. Later, writer Kevin Anderson, who was a friend of Peart’s, wrote the novelization based on the outline the songs presented. Anderson described the novel as “In a young man's quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy, with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and [...]

By Christopher Walters|March 31st, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post|1 Comment

Baseball-While there is no Baseball

Baseball Blog Do you miss baseball? There’s no substitute for attending a game at Great American Ballpark, is there? Fortunately, the Kenton County Public Library has plenty of online content to keep even the most avid baseball fan happy until we hear the call to “Play Ball” once again. Northern Kentucky in general, and Kenton County in particular, has a rich baseball history. Case in point is the Covington Blue sox team which began play in 1913 in the old Federal League. Despite an enthusiastic start, the team moved to Kansas City just a few weeks after the season started. The Federal League just got going in 1913, achieved Major League status in 1914 and 1915, and then disbanded. So yes, that meant that Covington was just one season short of fielding a Major League team. Pictured below are Blue Sox on opening day in 1913 playing their first home game. Trivia alert: The Blue Sox opened the season in Cleveland the prior week, playing against manager Cy Young’s Green Sox in the very first game in Federal League history. Photo courtesy of the Kenton County Public Library’s Local History and Genealogy Department. To search thousands of local pictures, visit Faces & Places https://www.kentonlibrary.org/genealogy While you’re there, this is a great place to research your family tree while you’re home. Until baseball returns - and until the library reopens - there are plenty of selections available in the Library’s Digital Branch free of charge to enjoy. Hoopla Batting first, meet Hoopla. Hoopla is your utility player of the digital universe. It includes audiobooks, comics, ebooks, movies, music, and TV shows. Type in “Baseball” and you’ll get hundreds of choices in all formats; eBooks, by [...]

By John Graham|April 12th, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

Celebrate Birthdays while Healthy at Home

Birthdays just aren't the same when a stay-at-home order is in place. We can't have a special dinner out, have our friends and family over or celebrate at our favorite entertainment spot. I have a few ideas on how to make it special while following social distancing and stay-at-home orders that also won't break the bank. Keep it simple - My husband's birthday fell just a few days home after the stay-at-home order was put in place. We had a celebration planned with all five kids, their significant others and our two granddaughters. We were even going to have a family photo taken. Only our youngest, 18, my husband and I live in our household now. I changed my Bean Haus Bakery order from a large cake to just a half dozen cupcakes. The kids and I secretly scheduled a group FaceTime call at a set time. Everyone sang happy birthday and chatted a while. Zoom, Skype and other programs could be used for this as well. Birthday hunt- Ask family, friends and neighbors to post birthday signs in their windows or on their sidewalks in chalk. Then drive or walk around to find all the birthday wishes (kind of like the bear hunt). Have a crafting party - You can find simple craft ideas on the Library Facebook page or use Creativebug for step-by-instructions for crafts of all levels. You could just do as a family or use FaceTime, Zoom or another app to do the crafts with friends. You can order supplies from Amazon or local craft shops that are doing delivery or curbside pickup. Or just pull out the craft box and see what each person can come up with. Cards - [...]

By Gina Stegner|April 10th, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

Celebrate National Poetry Month!

Happy National Poetry Month (NPM)! NPM was introduced by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996 as a way to increase appreciation for poets and their art. Now it is celebrated across the U.S. every year! 2020 should be no different. The public health crisis caused by COVID-19 has forced us all indoors, but we can still celebrate together while separated- virtually! Celebrate at Home: Ask your kiddo studying at home to participate in the Dear Poet Project Sign up for "Poem-a-Day" Take turns reading poems aloud Ask your kiddo to define what poetry means to them and challenge them to write one poem a day Play "Exquisite Corpse" Write a poem in response to your favorite piece of art Write a poem about nature for Earth Day! Listen to spoken word online Create "Found Poetry" using old books, magazines, or even random objects in nature Create "Black-Out" poetry with a sharpie and old book page Book Recommendations: KCPL offers a ton of digital titles through Hoopla and Libby! Check out these poetry recommendations from our librarians! Kids Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein Available on Hoopla and Libby Poetree by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds Available on Libby Picture Book Booked by Kwame Alexander Available on Libby Recommended for Grades 4-8 Teen The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Available on Hoopla and Libby Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson Available on Libby For Everyone by Jason Reynolds Available on Libby Adult [...]

By Emily Griffis|April 13th, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Tags: celebrate, ebooks, KCPL, national poetry month, poetry, recommendations, staff picks|Comments Off

Choosing a College

You may remember a post I wrote last fall called How to Prep for Your Child's Senior Year. Well, my daughter Andi's senior year will come to an end in two months. We definitely weren't as prepared as I would have liked to have been but I am much more prepared for my son Joey, who is only a freshman. After college visits, tons of research and lots of tears, Andi has chosen a college and a major. Over the last two years, we have toured Illinois State University, Georgia State University, Thomas More College and Northern Kentucky University. We didn't really consider cost when choosing which schools to tour, knowing that she would receive some merit money and hopefully receive other scholarships. Thomas More and Northern Kentucky University were obvious choices because of location. ISU and GSU were picked based on her interests. Thomas More College Thomas More offers a beautiful campus and although it is private, it can be very affordable. The school is able to offer a lot of scholarships, which actually brought the tuition down to about the cost of NKU. Andi wasn't sure what her major would be when we toured but TMC does not offer what she ultimately chose. However, she ruled TMC out before even picking a major. Thomas More has about 1300 students, which isn't much bigger than Andi's high school. She wants something larger than that. Andi & Joey visiting ISU Illinois State University ISU was our first college visit. We actually chose ISU because they offer a recreational circus program that Joey is interested in. You can read about this visit here. Andi really didn't consider ISU but it was good to have [...]

By Gina Stegner|March 28th, 2017|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Tags: Be a norse, choosing a college, College visit, Georgia state university, illinois state university, merit money, NKU, Northern Kentucky University, scholarships, social work major, thomas more college|Comments Off

Coins in the Closet?

Is there perhaps a rusty tin or old shoebox in the closet with grandpa’s coin collection sitting somewhere in your house? Could there be a rare three-legged buffalo nickel worth a hundred or thousands resting amidst the old wheat pennies and bicentennial quarters. Most likely, that winning lottery ticket isn’t waiting inside but who doesn’t love a treasure hunt and a chance to dream. These long days of quarantine provide the perfect opportunity to dig out that old tin or box and see what is awaiting inside. Is there gold in Ft. Knox? There wasn't in this particular case. Coins provide a glimpse into history and for those looking for educational opportunities during these times, I offer up the ideas of spending some time learning about the minting process or the distinguished people depicted on the face of those various coins. One can also seek out the meaning behind commonly seen and used symbols. A 1980 dollar coin provides a launch point to the women’s suffrage movement and Susan B. Anthony. A 1943 Steel Penny opens the door to a discussion on the country’s mobilization for the war effort, ration books and the widespread impact the war had on the home front. Holding a Sacagawea dollar coin affords the opportunity to discuss Native American history and the numerous contributions made. Depictions of the glorious bald eagle may spawn an assignment to research whether Ben Franklin (that guy who used to be on the $.50 piece) really lobbied for the turkey to be our national symbol or not. Example of 1944 Steel Penny via Wikipedia Or maybe you are lucky enough to find a particular favorite of mine, the “hobo nickel”, and [...]

By Paul Duryea|June 23rd, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Comments Off

Covid-19 Resources

For more information on Covid-19, here are some helpful and reliable online resources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) NKY Health Department KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services: COVID-19 World Health Organization Mayo Clinic Resources from EBSCO Northern Kentucky COVID-19 Service Guide in Spanish Cincinnati Children's Hospital - Resources for Families St. Elizabeth launches COVID-19 Helpline -- St. Elizabeth has developed a COVID-19 Helpline, 1-800-737-7900, staffed by St. Elizabeth associates to help answer patient and community questions and/or concerns regarding COVID-19. The helpline is available 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Face Mask FAQ

By Nicole Frilling|March 31st, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Comments Off

Covington Makerspace

The Covington branch has a makerspace? Why, yes they do! The Covington branch of the Kenton County Public Library makerspace currently consists of the following equipment that is available for the public to use. A 2.25” Button Maker A light box for taking quality photographs of your small but valuable possessions (either for insurance purposes or perhaps to list and sell them on an auction site such as eBay) A laminator that will handle business card sized paper up to standard 8.5x11 paper A large format printer. The printer can handle print jobs from 17 inches wide up to 24 inches wide. Its rolls of paper can be used for long, banner-like jobs as well (indoor only, sorry!) A high-quality photo printer for family photos, individual photos or even larger individual photos (up to 8x10) A 58-inch cutter (for trimming those poster prints you make with our large format printer) An assortment of office related items from 3-hole punches to paper cutters to a heavy-duty stapler A Cameo Silhouette paper and vinyl cutter for making fancy designs and imprints A heat press to make yourself or you family a fun design on a t-shirt, bag or even a baby onesie! A sewing machine for minor repairs or major projects. All these items are available to use by patrons, though some may require training by staff for best outcome. We have helped many patrons with advice on how to craft some interesting items and some patrons have become regular users of the above equipment. The Cameo Silhouette has been used to make paper crafts for parties, vinyl stickies to personalize water bottles as well as heat transfer images for clothing and bags. The heat press has [...]

By Gina Stegner|April 30th, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

Create Holiday Gifts at the Library

I love picking the perfect gift for each recipient. I love it even more when I can personalize the gift. The Maker Space at the Covington Branch and STREAM Center at the Erlanger Branch make this easy and inexpensive! The Covington Branch has a printer and heat press that allows you to make tote bags like this. You can also use the heat press on T-shirts, can Koozies, aprons and other fabric. You bring the item you want to print on. Use an image you found on a free site or a photo you have taken. It will cost less than $1.50 per item to print. The monogram on the mug in the picture above was also done at the Covington Branch on the Silhouette Cameo. The Erlanger Branch has this machine as well. Just bring your own mug. Each branch has sewing machines. The girls in this photo made these at the Erlanger Branch. Patrons do need to bring their own material. An embroidery machine is available at the Erlanger Branch. It is digital and very easy to use. Bring your own fabric and pay less than $1 for your thread and bobbin. Personalized buttons and key chains can make a really fun gift. You can draw your own design or use a digital image. The father in daughter in the picture below drew their [...]

By Gina Stegner|November 21st, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Comments Off

Cult Films to Stream on Hoopla

Cult Films to Stream on Hoopla Aaaaah! The cult film. Generally hated on release, but beloved by many as time goes by. That's not always the case, however - some films are celebrated cult experiences the day they release (see the first selection below). Well, if you're a film-lover, now is the time to jump into the cult film experience - or just take a refresher on cult film classics. Below I’ve pulled some of my top choices for cult films on Hoopla that you can stream right now. You can find a synopsis and more details in the links provided for each movie. Mandy - Rated R - 2H1M https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12253438 This hypnotic revenge story from Panos Cosmatos (son of George Cosmatos who directed Rambo II and Tombstone) showcases Nic Cage at his most unhinged. Gory, artsy, and featuring an epic chainsaw battle! This 2018 release is the very definition of a cult classic. Enemy - Rated R - 1H30M https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12404209 A haunting story that keeps its secrets guarded. Star Jake Gyllenhaal doubles up on two lead roles in this dramatic thriller from director Denis Vileneuve (Sicario, Blade Runner 2049) that will keep you guessing for weeks to come. Word of warning: if you don’t like spiders, maybe avoid this one… Equilibrium - Rated R - 1H47M https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12236466 A dystopian film featuring Christian Bale where “peace” is maintained in the form of a pill leaving its users completely emotionless. What makes this a fun film is the absurd and over-the-top “Gun Fu” combining martial arts, theatrics, and gun-fighting – all on a level that would make John Woo weep. UHF - Rated PG-13 - 1H37M https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11080163 A nonstop slapstick, spoof-ridden piece of 80s humor starring [...]

By Gina Stegner|April 23rd, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Tags: Cult Films, Hoopla, movies, Streaming|Comments Off

Every book has the potential to be the perfect book

Nothing makes me happier than a patron coming up to the desk, excited over a new book they discovered. Except, of course, when they come back and tell me how much they loved it! A love of books is a must for working at a library, and it then feeds into a new obsession: readers’ advisory. Readers’ advisory is basically getting the right fiction or nonfiction book into a reader’s hands (or onto their e-reader). This can happen over time, with your librarian seeing what you check out and making recommendations occasionally based on that, or it could be a request from you at that time for them to find items based on your current wants and needs. As a reader myself, I use readers’ advisory every day, whether I’m at work or not. Loving a book, then scouring to find out what others recommend reading next until the author writes another. Or (le gasp!) maybe the author no longer writes due to ending a series or retiring for various reasons. Even the most voracious reader, however, doesn’t always have time or energy to go to the library, or maybe wants to be able to find books with ease. In that case, what’s needed is a simple lesson in readers’ advisory! You start with a simple series of questions, trying to figure out what would satisfy that book tooth. (There’s such a thing as a sweet tooth, shouldn’t there be one for people who yearn for books?) 1) Mood This is the most important question. Do you want something by a tried and true author, or are you wanting to dip your toes into a new genre? Do you want something scary, romantic, hopeful, sad? [...]

By Gina Stegner|April 23rd, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

Exploring Michigan

The library can be a great resource for planning your next vacation to anywhere in the world. Our staff can help you find travel books to your destination and can direct you to some online vacation resources. You can also checkout items from the library that you might want/need on your vacation. You can check out a Canon DSLR camera to capture your vacation memories and we also have a metal detector that I wish I would have placed on hold because that would have been something fun to do while on the beach. The wifi hot spots we have available for checkout can be great for a long car ride with kids. We also have different lawn games available for check out which would be great additions to a camping trip or a stay at the beach. You can visit our Library of Things for a complete list. Here are some photos from my family’s vacation to South Haven, Michigan. I highly recommend this vacation spot to anyone who enjoys the sand but dislikes salt water. It’s the best of both worlds. You can dig your feet in the sand and avoid the salt water. The kids had a blast running along the beach and kicking sand in the air. Lake Michigan is cold at the beginning of June but that didn’t stop the big kids from jumping in! David (left) & Collin (right); cousins/best buds. Beach Frisbee anyone? A lawn game from the library would also have been a great addition to our vacation. Pier at North Beach Downtown South Haven is a shopper’s paradise. Also, if you are a connoisseur of food [...]

By Gina Stegner|August 1st, 2018|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Comments Off

Family Oral History — The Power of Stories, Rituals and Resilience

Between Thanksgiving and the end of the year we spend a lot of time thinking about family, planning get-togethers, cooking and buying gifts – all for the ones we love best. As Americans we tend to focus on the future and not the past. But this is a great time of year to slow down and remember -- and learn from -- those we love. There’s research that shows that children who know their family’s history – both the happy times and the challenging ones – are more resilient, confident and happy than children who don’t (see The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler). He calls it a “…strong intergenerational self. They know they belong to something bigger than themselves.” Mr. and Mrs. Gisellie Baker with (left to right) Cindy (2), Priscilla (3), Paul J. (2), Richard (2), Anthony (5). Photograph Courtesy of Faces and Places. “The most healthful narrative … is the oscillating family narrative. ‘Dear, let me tell you we’ve had ups and downs in our family. We built a family business. Your grandfather was the pillar of the community. Your mother was on the board of the hospital. But we also had setbacks. We had a house burn down. Your father lost a job. But no matter what happened we always stuck together as a family.’” --Bruce Feiler Should you decide to take part in a Family Oral History, here’s a few things to consider: Keep others involved Starting a family oral history project takes a bit of preparation and time. There’s a lot of things you need to think about so take some time to put together a plan. But you can do [...]

By Local History|December 5th, 2018|Categories: blog, Featured Post, History, KCPL, Local History and Genealogy|Tags: genealogy, History|Comments Off

Five Ways to Learn Your Family History

Holiday gatherings are a great source of family fun. They can also be a great source of family information to help you learn more about your history. Here are five things you should do at your next family gathering so those family memories last forever: Think about what you want to learn. Where did grandma meet grandpa? Where was great-great cousin Lou born? What war did great uncle Joe serve in? Make a list of questions ahead of time and be sure to ask: birthplace, names of parents and siblings, where they lived, churches attended, burial locations, marriages, occupations, military service, public service, schools attended, etc. Not only will you get valuable information, you’re sure to hear some entertaining stories! Create a list of family members. Sit down with some of the older members in your family and ask them to list names of their brothers, sisters, grandparents and so on as far back as they can remember. Make sure to write down all the names and details like place of birth if possible. Even better, use your smartphone or tablet to record members of your family talking about it. Share and share alike. You may find that someone else in your family is working on your genealogy as well. Share what you’ve learned. Genealogy is a great way to connect with others and sharing family data, research tips, and resources can go a long way in making contacts and/or finding those missing pieces. If you have extended and far away family, use social media to let them know what you’re doing and ask if they have anything to add. Create a Facebook group where you post family history and invite your family to join. [...]

By Local History|November 21st, 2018|Categories: blog, Featured Post|Comments Off

Genealogy Ice Breaker Questions for Holiday Family Gatherings

The holidays are a great time to discuss family history! Photograph courtesy of Faces and Places! Family gatherings over the holidays are a great time to talk about family history. We've crafted a list of fun genealogy based ice-breakers to get the discussion started at your next family gathering. What was the fastest mode of transportation when you were born? What was your mom, dad, grandparents favorite dessert? Do you have the recipe? Why do you think they liked it? What school subject was your favorite and why? How did you spend your summer vacations when you were growing up? Who in the family do you think you look like and why? Where and when did you first go to see a movie? Do you remember what was playing? Who went with you? What sports were important to your family? What sports were your siblings better or worse at? Why did you marry your spouse? What do you remember about your great grandparents? How did you come to choose the names of your children? Do you “remember when Joe got his head stuck in the railing and..."? Ask about a funny family story or memory! What was the biggest news story during your life? We'd love to hear how your relatives answered these questions! You can comment on our blog, or post to any of our social media accounts!

By Local History|December 19th, 2018|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

Girl Scouts at Home

Girl Scouts at Home We've been inside for a good long while, and although we know it’s for the greater good, the every day reality of staying at our homes until who-knows-when is daunting. On top of becoming teachers, librarians and coaches, some parents still have hours of the day to fill or else pure chaos will ensue. Some feel like they’re not doing enough, and some don’t know how to keep up with this pace. Either way, it’s understandable if you’re feeling overwhelmed. That’s where we come in, because we miss connecting you to resources just as much as you miss going to the library! Before lockdown life became the standard, we at the Kenton County Public Library were fostering a budding partnership with the Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council (GSWRC). We held a well-attended program for Junior Girl Scouts that assisted them in completing most of the requirements to earn their Detective Badge. We had fun with fingerprinting, looking though microscopes, extracting DNA from strawberries, talking to a real police detective, and playing a scavenger hunt game to solve a mock case. While I certainly hope that we’ll be able to host more live, in-person badge days soon at the library, here are some resources to help your girl develop more courage, confidence, and character in the meantime. GSWRC is hosting online programming to help guide you through the steps to earning badges that will enrich your Girl Scout’s knowledge and experiences. Noelle Poe, our partner from our local council, and her colleagues are hard at work helping you and your Girl Scout stay connected. Here is a blurb from Noelle about the events: Girls and adults can learn and complete the [...]

By Lauren Brandstetter|April 16th, 2020|Categories: At Home, blog, childrens, KCPL, teens|Comments Off

Giving to the Library

Did you know that there are many ways to give to the Kenton County Public Library Foundation? You can support the Library Foundation through Kroger Community Rewards, Amazon Smile, shop for a cause at boonsupply.com and via the general donation page. You can also sponsor a book, brick or wall tile in honor of someone (makes a great gift option for those who love the Library!). General giving: If you would like to make a donation to the Library Foundation, please click here to use a credit card. If you would like to send a check, please make it payable to the Kenton County Public Library Foundation and either drop off at any Library location (Covington, Erlanger or Durr in Independence) or mail to 3095 Hulbert Dr., Erlanger, KY 41018. Please fill out the this document when donating with either cash or check (link to order form online). Say Cheese…Amazon Smile When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates to your favorite charitable organization. If you shop at amazon, you can select the Kenton County Public Library Foundation as a recipient to a percentage of your purchase price. Learn more at, smile.amazon.com. Honoring One Through a Book Know a reader? Honor their life, legacy or love of books by putting a book plate in a book of their liking. For a $25 donation, Library staff will work with you to identify the perfect book which will be marked with a special nameplate on the inside cover. Click here to complete online with credit card. If you prefer to pay with cash or check, please download this form and either mail to the library or bring it with you on your next visit. Support [...]

By Robin Klaene|April 10th, 2019|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off