KCPL – Page 2 – Kenton County Public Library

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

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

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

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

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

We need fresh air and exercise even when staying healthy at home. Make your next walk an adventure with this neighborhood scavenger hunt. Once completed, post a picture of the sheet on the Library Facebook page or post with the #libraryscavengerhunt for your chance to win a book bundle.

By Gina Stegner|April 1st, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

New Collections in the Local History and Genealogy Department

With the start of a new year, the Local History and Genealogy department has updated our GenKY databases with several new collections, along with new accessions to our special collections and archival holdings. New collections to GenKY are the Droege Real Estate Records and the Simon Kentonian, the school newsletter of Simon Kenton High School. The Droege Real Estate Records are comprised of materials from William Droege Sander, owner of the Bill Sander Construction company. The two properties, both of which are located on Greenup Street, are still standing. Mortgages, bills, correspondence, and other printed materials are featured in the collection. The Simon Kentonian newsletter collection covers the student activities of Simon Kenton High School between the years of 1970 to 1972. The newsletters are a great look inside to the popular culture, attitudes, and day to day life of students during that time. The department has also acquired several new archival collections. The Senior Services of Northern Kentucky Records Collection (KCPL 58) is comprised of photographs, slides, scrapbooks, videotapes and more pertaining to the history of the organization which was started in 1962 by volunteers from the United Way and Trinity Church. The group offered programs, nutrition, transportation, and a variety of other services to seniors in the northern Kentucky area. The group ended operations in 2018. The Alice Taylor Hoffman (1908-1992) collection (KCPL 54) consists of materials created while Ms. Hoffman was living in Ft. Thomas, KY and includes a scrapbook of pictures, documents and her journal from 1935-36 written about a Caribbean cruise she attended with her mother. From Alice Taylor Hoffman scrapbook The department will also be digitizing two collections on temporary loan, the Robert McGrane collection and [...]

By Local History|January 30th, 2020|Categories: Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

5 Reasons to Travel to Iceland

I traveled to Iceland in September 2019. Here are my 5 top highlights and things I learned: 1. Beaches When I thought about Iceland, beaches didn't come to mind. However, the coast of Iceland is beautiful! I visited Reynisfjara Beach which is famous for its black sand and basalt spires. Watch out for the sneaker waves though while you’re trying to grab a picture- we saw more than one unlucky individual suddenly in cold water up to their thighs. Another noted beach is Diamond Beach, also a black sand beach, where icebergs run ashore. 2. Snorkeling/Diving The excursion I was most hesitant about was snorkeling in Þingvellir National Park at the Silfra Fissure. However, it turned out to be a beautiful experience. There, we were able to look underwater at the space in between the North American Tectonic Plate and the Eurasia Tectonic Plate. It is a famous location with some of the clearest water in the world- you don’t have to worry about an obstructed view. While chilly, the excursion ended up being one of the most educational of the trip! No, this is not the same as the beach- Silfra Fissure is inland at a lake! 3. Waterfalls Iceland has too many beautiful waterfalls to name. The largest and most famous being Gullfoss (on the left). 4. Horseback Riding Icelandic horses are famous for their 5 gaits, be sure to use all of them! 5. People While touring the country, it can be easy to stay insulated in a tour group, or not venture outside your comfort zone. Instead, I urge you to talk to the people who [...]

By LeAnn Long|January 7th, 2020|Categories: Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off

New Year, New Resolution! Getting Started with your Genealogy

Search for family members in our Faces and Places photograph database! If you’ve gotten away from your genealogy for a while or if the holiday gatherings this season have sparked your interest in your family’s history, look no further. KCPL has a dedicated Local History & Genealogy Department and staff ready to assist you with your goal of discovering your family’s story. The Local History & Genealogy Department is located on the second floor of our Covington branch at 502 Scott Boulevard in Covington, Kentucky. Our department is full of all kinds of resources that can help you to discover your family history: from books to microfilm, to maps and vertical files, and let’s not forget online databases! First things first: where to start? We recommend starting to write down what you already know about your family. Start with a basic family tree (we like this one via Mid-Continent Public Library’s Midwest Genealogy Center) and fill out what you know starting with yourself. Start talking with your relatives – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - to fill in as many details as you can. Ask for names (don't forget to include maiden names and nicknames), dates (birth, marriage, and death), and places where they lived or may have come from. Check out our blog on ice-breaker questions here. Once you’ve done that, look for any gaps you might have in your tree – that’s a good place to start! Start looking for basic information in birth indexes, death records, and censuses, which often give you clues as to parentage (thus helping you take your tree back a generation!). We like starting our searches online because many of these records are being digitized [...]

By Local History|January 3rd, 2020|Categories: Featured Post, KCPL, Local History and Genealogy|2 Comments

Top Items of the Year, and the Decade

Want to know what was checked out the most in 2019 and the decade? Top Checked Out Items, 2019 Adult Fiction: Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens The Reckoning, John Grisham Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane Moriarty The Chef, James Patterson The First Lady, James Patterson Adult Nonfiction Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel Hollis The Pioneers: the heroic story of the settlers who brought the American Ideal West, David McCullough ACT Prep The Whole30 the 30-day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom, Melissa Hartwig Library of Things KCPL Wifi Hotspot Portable DVD Player Brother Sewing Machine Ukulele Kit CD Player Adult DVD: Bohemian Rhapsody Mission: Impossible, Fallout Venom A Star is Born The Equalizer 2 Juvenile Fiction: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Getaway, Jeff Kinney Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Long Haul, Jeff Kinney Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever, Jeff Kinney Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal, Jeff Kinney Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Third Wheel, Jeff Kinney Juvenile Nonfiction: Saving Fiona: the Story of the World's Most Famous Baby Hippo, Thane Maynard More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Alvin Schwartz Hip, Hippo, Hooray for Fiona!, Jan Sherbin Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Alvin Schwartz Juvenile DVD: Incredibles 2 Dumbo The Lion King Toy Story Mary Poppins Top Checked Out Items of the Decade Adult Fiction: Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins The Husband's Secret, Liane Moriarty Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty The Racketeer, John Grisham Adult Nonfiction: Killing Kennedy, Bill O'Reilly The Whole30, the 30-day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom, Melissa Hartwig The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo Unbroken a World War II Story [...]

By Gina Stegner|January 2nd, 2020|Categories: blog, Featured Post, KCPL|Comments Off