Author name: Jessica Stroud

Staff book review: “Curious Minds” by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton

Book reviews, eBooks and audio books / /

Bob Ohlrich, circulation associate at the Main branch of HCPL, offers the following review of Curious Minds, written by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton.

Curious Minds is available in both eBook and audio book formats on OverDrive and Libby, and as an eBook on Axis360. If you do not yet have an HCPL card, OverDrive offers a free digital card using your mobile phone number.

Janet Evanovich
Phoef Sutton
Ms. Evanovich has, as usual, delivered yet another well-written book. There is a good blend of comedy and drama. The character of Emerson Knight appears to be a great combination of “Basil Fawlty” (from the British comedy, “Fawlty Towers,” starring John Clease) and Sherlock Holmes: Emerson Knight is very clever and a tad quirky…it makes for very fast and fun reading!

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Staff book review: “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman

eBooks and audio books / /

Chelsea Arnold, circulation assistant at the Palmyra branch of HCPL, penned the following review for your perusal.

Beartown is available as an eBook on OverDrive and Libby. If you do not have an HCPL card, OverDrive offers a free card using your mobile number.

 

Author Frederick Backman

On its face, Beartown is a book about a small town hockey team facing a scandal. However, at its core, Beartown is really about the inanimate things humans will prioritize over people and cling to fiercely when they represent meaning. Beartown doesn’t have much going for it. It’s a small, cold, close-knit mountain town. The opportunities are not plentiful—you either work at the school or you work at the one lone factory. What they do have, though, is one of the most skilled high school hockey teams in the area. Hockey is both this town’s pride and identity. Meaning the town’s source of meaning is placed solely on the backs of teenage boys. Sound like a recipe for disaster? It is. The responsibility of carrying the town brings immense pressure. It also breeds intense narcissism. These young men are hometown heroes. Many of them think they can do anything, because they know the town will in turn go to great lengths to protect them from the consequences of their sins. When the star player commits a heinous act, the town’s claim to fame slips out of grasp, and a team’s passion is upended. In the swirl of emotion, everyone in the town is faced with a moral dilemma: err on the side of justice and compassion, or become animalistic and emotionally unreachable over a high school sport. This book is well-written and held my attention. That said, the plot was predictable and read very much like a ripped from the headlines type of book (think Sandusky, Brock Turner, etc.). I don’t fault it for that because the story that Beartown tells is a story that is extremely prevalent in real life. And if a novel can make someone contemplate a problem that plagues our society, then purpose served. 

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HCPL closure extended to comply with stay-at-home order

Notices / /

With the extension of Governor Eric Holcomb’s “stay at home” order for Hoosiers to slow the spread of COVID-19, Harrison County Public Library facilities will remain closed through Tuesday, April 21.

HCPL is always open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the HCPL webpage with access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks and other eResources. Find up-to-date, reliable COVID-19 information on the library public safety page.  A variety of original library content for youth as well as other awesome youth related services can be found on the Brain Booster Resource page.

To ensure library patrons have access to library eResources library card privileges have been renewed for all library cards that would have expired January 1 through June 30, 2020.  The new card expiration is now December 30, 2020.  Harrison County residents who do not currently have a library card can access library eResources by applying for a Digital Access Card at the bottom of the Library eResources page.

Material due dates have been extended until after May 3.  No library materials will be due during the March 17- April 21 closure.

Library Wi-Fi remains on at all library locations and can be accessed outside the buildings and in the back parking lot at the Main Branch in Corydon.

During the closure staff will monitor the website’s Ask a Librarian and Contact Us features.  Please click here to visit the library’s Public Safety page for up-to-date information from the library, or  visit the Harrison County Public Library’s Facebook page.

Please stay home and stay well.

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2020 Census

Shape Your Future: Complete the 2020 Census

Notices, Uncategorized / /

Your answers impact school lunches, plans for highways, support for firefighters, and families in need. Census results greatly affect your community, and the 2020 Census is happening right now.

You can submit your answers online or mail in your response at any time.

Follow these links for more information about the 2020 Census:

Shape Your Future: The 2020 Census

https://youtu.be/LXJz7ZfzAuM

2020 Census: What is the Census?

Shape Your Future: Complete the 2020 Census Read More »

Library Closure Extended to Comply With “Stay at Home” Order

2 Comments / Notices / /

In light of Governor Eric Holcomb’s “stay at home” order for Hoosiers to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Harrison County Public Library will remain closed through Tuesday, April 7.

As always, HCPL offers access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks and other eResources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the HCPL eResources page.  New pages have been added to the library website.  One page provides reliable public safety information about COVID-19 and another, the Brain Booster Resource page,  offers links to Storyline Online, Scholastic Learn at Home and Tumblebooks.

To ensure library patrons have access to library eResources library card privileges have been renewed for all library cards that would have expired January 1 through June 30, 2020.  The new card expiration is now December 30, 2020.  Harrison County residents who do not currently have a library card can access library eResources by applying for a Digital Access Card at the bottom of the Library eResources page.

Material due dates have been extended until after April 8.  No library materials will be due during the March 17- April 7 closure

Library Wi-Fi remains on at all library locations and can be accessed outside the buildings.

During the closure staff will monitor the website’s Ask a Librarian  and Contact Us features.  Please check the library website or Facebook page  for up-to-date information.

Library Closure Extended to Comply With “Stay at Home” Order Read More »

All library branches are closed

2 Comments / Notices / /

For public health and safety, the Harrison County Public Library will follow Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 and close all library locations beginning Tuesday, March 17 through March 31.

As always, HCPL offers access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks and other eResources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at www.hcpl.lib.in.us.  New pages have been added to the library website.  One page provides reliable public safety information about COVID-19 and another, the Brain Booster Resource page, https://hcpl.lib.in.us/get-connected/services/youth-services/712358-2/, offers links to Storyline Online, Scholastic Learn at Home and Tumblebooks.

To ensure library patrons have access to library eResources library card privileges have been renewed for all library cards that would have expired January 1 through June 30, 2020.  The new card expiration is now December 30, 2020.  Harrison County residents who do not currently have a library card can access library eResources by applying for a Digital Access Card at the bottom of the Library eResources page.

Material due dates have been extended until after April 8.  No library materials will be due during the March 17- March 31 closure.

Library Wi-Fi remains on at all library locations and can be accessed outside the buildings.

The Harrison County Public Library Board of Trustees will still meet at 3 pm Thursday, March 19.

During the closure staff will monitor the website’s Ask a Librarian and Contact Us features.  Please check the library website, www.hcpl.lib.in.us, or Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/hcpl47112/ for up-to-date information.

All library branches are closed Read More »

LIBRARY PROGRAMS ARE CANCELED

Notices / /

For public health and safety the Harrison County Public Library with the support of the Harrison County Health Department will follow Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 and cancel all programs and outreach until further notice beginning Monday, March 16, 2020.

At this time all of Harrison County Public Libraries will remain open for checkout and return of books and other materials, as well as for browsing, reference use, studying and computer use.

Library hours or services may be adjusted in response to local conditions.  Please call the library at 812-738-4110 or check the library website, www.hcpl.lib.in.us, or Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/hcpl47112/ for up-to-date information.

WHAT IS CANCELLED?

  • All programs such as storytimes, classes, workshops, library sponsored book clubs
  • All drop in programs
  • All library outreach visits to daycares, schools, senior centers and nursing homes
  • Gatherings of 10 or more individuals in library meeting rooms

WHAT IS NOT CANCELED?

  • Regular library services such as materials checkout, public computers, WiFi, etc.

As always, HCPL offers access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks and other eResources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at www.hcpl.lib.in.us.

The health and safety of staff and library users is paramount.  As a precaution, we have elevated cleaning measures in all buildings and staff members are asked to stay home if they are ill or have a fever.

Staff and patrons are urged to practice proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Routine wiping and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces.
  • Please note that the Library is unable to comprehensively sanitize every single item that is checked out, and as such, patrons are advised to wash their hands after handling materials and avoid touching their face.

Remember that libraries are shared public spaces.  For the health and safety of others, please stay home if you are actively sick.  Please do your part to stop the spread of germs and diseas

LIBRARY PROGRAMS ARE CANCELED Read More »

Libby logo

OverDrive and Libby: Hold Redelivery is Live

eBooks and audio books / /

On March 3, hold redelivery went live in the Libby and OverDrive apps. Hold redelivery replaces auto-checkout and gives you more options for your holds. Now you can select “deliver later” on an available hold if you are not ready to read it but want to stay on the wait list. You can also still suspend a hold before a title is ready to borrow.

How does hold redelivery work?

After receiving notification that a hold is available, you can:

1) Borrow the title within 3 days

2) Choose “deliver later” and pass the book to the next person in line for a self-selected period. After the “deliver later” date, you will receive the next available copy

3) Cancel the hold

If you take no action during the hold pickup window, the “deliver after seven days” option will be automatically applied as a one-time courtesy. If you do not take any action a second time, your hold will be canceled.

Need some help? Visit Libby Holds Help or OverDrive Holds Help

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Stuck at home sick?

eBooks and audio books / /

Flu season has officially arrived. If you are among those who are at home right now feeling poorly, escape into ebooks, audio books and magazines that you can download for free from OverDrive or Axis360.

Students: if you need to catch up on homework, you can research from home using HCPL’s eResources.

Have a question about HCPL’s online resources? Please send an email to [email protected] or visit the library’s FAQ page.

If you have caught a bug, we hope that you will feel better soon!

Stuck at home sick? Read More »

HCPL readers can participate in Together We Read

Book club, fiction / /

Harrison County Public Library joins nearly 16,000 libraries and thousands of readers across the country in offering the first Together We Read digital book club selection. From February 19–March 4, HCPL patrons can enjoy and discuss award-winning author Pat Simmons’ new Lean on Me romance ebook for free with no waitlists or holds. Readers can access the ebook with a valid library card by visiting Indiana Digital Download Center or by downloading the Libby app, and then participate in an online discussion.

The Together We Read digital book club connects readers in America through public libraries with the same ebook at the same time. This two-week program only requires an HCPL card to get started. Together We Read is facilitated by Rakuten OverDrive.

Lean on Me tells the story of Tabitha Knicely, a woman overwhelmed with sorrow and exhaustion caring for her beloved great-aunt, whose dementia is getting worse. When her neighbor Marcus Whittington accuses Tabitha of elder neglect, he doesn’t realize how his threats to have Aunt Tweet taken away add to Tabitha’s pain. Then Marcus gets to know the exuberant elderly lady and sees up close how hard Tabitha is fighting to keep everything together. Tabitha finds herself leaning on Marcus more and he’s becoming more than happy to share her burdens.

Lean on Me is published by Sourcebooks. More information can be found at TogetherWeRead.com.

HCPL readers can participate in Together We Read Read More »

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