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Get the Facts About COVID-19 or novel coronavirus

You’ll find a lot of information about COVID-19 the novel coronavirus on the internet and the media.  You will hear a lot about it even when talking with friends and neighbors.  The problem is, a lot of what you might hear is wrong.  As librarians it’s our job to point you to reliable sources of information.  Here is some accurate information about the virus and sites where you can access up-to-date recommendations for prevention and treatment.

What is COVID-19, or novel coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus is a flu-like respiratory illness.  While there are many types of human coronaviruses, COVID-19 appears to be a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

How does novel coronavirus spread?

Details about how this new coronavirus spreads are still being learned.  Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing, by close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands, touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

How severe is the coronavirus?

Experts are still learning about this disease.  Reported cases have ranged from mild cold like illnesses to severe pneumonia that requires hospitalization.   Deaths have been reported mainly in older adults who had other health issues.

What are the symptoms?

People who have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus have reported symptoms that may appear in an as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Reported symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath

What can you do now to stay healthy?

Though the risk to the general American public is low to prevent the possible spread of the virus, you are asked to:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water. Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces frequently.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

Should I still visit my library?

If you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and other health agencies advise that you stay home.  We invite you to explore everything we have to offer on our website – www.hcpl.lib.in.us.  You can download eBooks and audiobooks on Overdrive and Axis360 at this link.

Here are trusted sources of information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• What You Should Know About Coronavirus Disease 2019
• How to Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers

World Health Organization

• Advice for the Public(includes videos)

News and Other Websites

• AP News: Understanding the Outbreak
• Comics for Good: Comic Series on COVID-1

As you travel through Harrison County this month, you may wonder why you are seeing “We Love Our Library” signs proudly displayed in front yards. The reason is that February is National Library Lover’s Month!  This month is dedicated to those who love the institutions that are devoted to reading, learning and loving books [in addition to the lot of other items you’ll find available at HCPL].

Likewise, we love our patrons! If you have not been to the library lately, we invite you to visit your local Harrison County Public Library branch (Corydon, Lanesville, Elizabeth, Palmyra) and the Frederick Porter Griffin Center for Local History and Genealogy to peruse all that the library has to offer. In addition to books, DVDs, magazines and newspapers, HCPL also offers public computers, wireless printing, adult and youth activities, InterLibrary loan service, eReaders, meeting space for nonprofits and much more.

If you have yet to get your library card, please stop by to sign up! If you have a question, please email hcpl@hcpl.lib.in.us, give us a call or visit the FAQ page.

For the past few years, Libby has been connecting readers to new books and their favorite authors at a record pace, as libraries continue to be a driving force for digital reading and literacy. The award-winning app has constantly added exciting new features, most recently making it easier than ever to enjoy audiobooks in your car with the integration of Apple CarPlay capabilities.

Test your literary knowledge

Today, OverDrive has added a fun, unique way to interact with Libby to test your book smarts, literally. Libby Book Trivia Quizzes have been added as a new Google Action. For the past year, you’ve been able to have Libby find libraries, borrow, place holds and get book recommendations through Google Home and smart devices. Now, you can test your literary knowledge by opening up the Google Assistant app and taking the Libby Book Trivia Quizzes. Each week, a new quiz will be added with fun themes including page to screen, famous first lines, award-winning books and much more. The program launches today with a Harry Potter-themed quiz to celebrate the birthday of the boy who lived.

Each quiz will include multiple-choice, true/false and fill-in-the-blank style questions as well as fun facts about the books being mentioned. After the quiz is over, we’ll show you your score and then provide links to learn more about each title mentioned plus the option to borrow or place them on hold if your library owns the title.

As previously mentioned, each week there will be a fun new quiz available, so be sure to check back frequently and test your book smarts! Even if you don’t get a 100% every time, you’re sure to find some great new book recommendations or rediscover classic titles you’ve long forgotten about.

Information courtesy of Rakuten OverDrive

Traveling in the car during summer vacations or rush hour can be tedious, but now drivers can enjoy listening to audiobooks more easily and safely than ever – and for free. Libby, the award-winning one-tap reading app available from 90 percent of public libraries in North America, is now compatible with Apple® CarPlay. This feature allows iPhone® users with a valid library card to quickly access and control audiobooks through their vehicle’s dashboard display and listen through the sound system. The Libby app, which is also compatible with Android Auto™, was created by Rakuten OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide.

“Our partners and readers have long requested this feature, so we’re excited to offer it, especially at the height of summer travel,” said Shannon Lichty, OverDrive Vice President of Partner Services.

CarPlay allows library patrons to select and navigate audiobooks with large, intuitive controls on the vehicle’s display rather than on the phone. Libby features on CarPlay also include skipping ahead or back, changing the playback speed and pausing. It is supported by every major automobile manufacturer and is compatible on iPhone 5 or newer running iOS 7.1 or newer.

Named one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019 and one of TIME’s Best Apps of 2018, Libby seamlessly connects first-time users and experienced readers with the popular digital collections of libraries on nearly any device. Readers may browse the library’s digital collection, instantly borrow titles and start reading or listening for free with a valid library card. Once an audiobook is borrowed and on Libby’s shelf, drivers can then access and control the title through CarPlay.

Libby is compatible with all major computers and devices, including iPhone, iPad®, Android™ and Windows®. With Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” devices and apps [US only]. All titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period and there are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use.

Get started today by downloading Libby from the Apple®, Android™ and Windows® app stores. Once installed, Libby helps users find their local public library and begin borrowing ebooks and audiobooks immediately.

Courtesy of Rakuten OverDrive, July 16, 2019

The Harrison County Public Library is excited to offer you a growing collection of easy-to-use online tutorials that range from Ancestry Library Edition, Axis360, Libby, Mango Languages and other HCPL eResources to Facebook, email, computer basics and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Publisher). Brush up on a skill or learn a brand new one!

If you would like some help getting started using Niche Academy, here are some helpful tips.

May the Fourth is akin to the Super Bowl for Star Wars fans. The now ubiquitous pun was introduced on May 4, 1979, the day Margaret Thatcher took office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her political party placed a congratulatory advertisement in The London Evening News, saying “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations.” In 2011, the first organized celebration of Star Wars Day took place in Toronto, Canada, though fans had been communicating and gathering online since 2008.

Four other times things happened on May the Fourth

1953: Pulitzer Prize for Literature awarded to Ernest Hemingway for The Old Man & The Sea, launching an endless incoming tide of required reading for generations of high school students.

1959: First Grammy Awards event takes place. Ella Fitzgerald and The Chipmunk Song win, though not in the same category.

1970: Four students die after the National Guard opens fired on a protest at Kent State University over the bombing of Cambodia. Some historians call this the official and abrupt end of the peace and love decade, the 1960s.

2013: Harper Lee files a lawsuit against a literary agent over the copyright of To Kill a Mockingbird, claiming that he tricked the aging writer into assigning him copyright on the classic book.

Star Wars holidays stretch all through May

While May the Fourth rules the galaxy, some recognize the following day, May 5, as Revenge of the Fifth to celebrate the Sith Lords and other villainous characters rather than the Jedi. Others celebrate the Sith one day later, on May 6, citing Revenge of the Sixth as a better play on words. Additional holidays come later in the month, commemorating release dates for the first two Star Wars films.

All this means you have lots of time to savor everything Star Wars. Harrison County Public Library has an extensive collection to keep Star Wars fans happy all month long.

We are excited to announce that pre-registration for the 2019 Summer Reading Program will kick off this Wednesday, May 1st! The program is open to all ages–kids, teen and adults. New this year is HCPL’s Beanstack app, through which you can easily register for the program & track your reading progress and prizes earned. 

More details will follow in the coming days, so stay tuned!

The End[Game] is nigh!

Last week, we shared some book recommendations for our favorite Game of Thrones characters, which worked out well since they spent a nice quiet evening around the hearth on Sunday. This week, not only will we likely say goodbye to just, like, so many of them, but we’ll also be treated to the wrapping up of the current phase of the MCU. Avengers Endgame arrives this weekend and it will make all the money revealing how Earth’s Mightiest Heroes most likely defeat Thanos, the Mad Titan/extremely buff California Raisin.

Whether they were snapped out of existence or not, our favorite team members have had plenty of time to sit back and ponder this since last spring. We’re hoping they spent that time reading these books.

Captain Marvel

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

You know who rules? Carol Danvers. You know who else rules? Beryl Markham. The British-born aviator was raised in Kenya, became one of the first bush pilots, raced and trained horses, and also was an author. This book is teeming with Beryl’s fiery determination, interesting characters and, of course, flying.

The Hulk

This Body’s Not Big Enough for Both of Us by Edgar Cantero

Too on the green nose? This story about two private eye detectives who share a body is flawless from start to finish and loaded with pop culture references and humor. This is what you’d get if you took Roger Rabbit and mashed him together with Eddie Valiant AND Jessica Rabbit. The only negative is that the story has to end.

Iron Man

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance

Imagine an insanely rich, insanely successful entrepreneur who becomes reclusive attempting to create something entirely new and innovative that he thinks can change the world. The happy imagination would conjure thoughts of Tony Stark, our first Avenger. Some might think of Elon Musk (or Howard Hughes)…

The Winter Soldier

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The internet’s favorite Avenger shares something in common with Thomas. Neither of them can remember much of their questionable past. The Maze Runner opens up an incredible series about intrigue, mystery, and government conspiracy. Something ol’ shiny arm can relate to.

Star-Lord

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Classic rock is a staple of the lead Guardian’s whole shtick so what better book for him to check out then the new oral history of a world-famous 1970s rock group and the secrets behind their dramatic break-up. Wouldn’t it be fun to poke fun at Star-Lord by explaining to him that this is a fictional band. He deserves it for blowing the original plan to stop Thanos, anyway.

Thor

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Admit it. You want to see Thor yell, “That’s not how it happened!” while angrily throwing the book across the room.