Posted by eileen on June 4, 2012
“So it goes.” The phrase appears 106 times in Slaughterhouse-Five, according to Wikipedia. Should we accept or resist the way “it goes”? Does Vonnegut think we have a choice? Discuss this and more at this month’s meeting of the Great Books Discussion group. To register or for more information, please email Beverly@wheatonlibrary.org or call 630-868-7573. The discussion takes place on Wednesday, June 13 at 7:30pm in the Lower Level Large Meeting Room.
Posted by eileen on January 18, 2012
Learning a foreign language? Take a look at the library’s Foreign Language site. You’ll find links to helpful library catalog searches, such as Recordings on CD and cassette and Videos and DVDs. You can also use Mango Languages, an online service provided by the Friends of Wheaton Public Library, that teaches practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world’s most popular languages. Create a free account on Mango Languages to keep track of your progress. Choose from a basic lesson or more in-depth language study lessons.
To access Mango Languages from outside the library, you need to log in with your library card number and PIN. If you have any questions, please call the Reference Desk at 630-868-7520.
Posted by eileen on November 9, 2011
Find the perfect gift for book and art lovers of all ages. Much smaller in scale than the huge September sale, this event features like-new gift books, coffee table books, first editions, autographed books, collectibles, books in beautiful bindings and truly unique items. We have tiny treasures, and exquisite pop-up books as well as wonderful bookmarks. Many of the books were donated for the recent book sale, but were just too special for that general sale.
In addition to books, you’ll love browsing through the art pieces that have been donated for this sale. Original watercolors and oils, reproductions of famous pieces, metalwork, antique prints…we’ve got them all!
This sale is on the library’s first floor where we transform the East Reading Room into a delightful book store. All items are individually priced at bargain levels. Sorry, no previews.
Thu. Nov. 9 – 9am-9pm
Fri. Nov. 10 and Sat. Nov. 11 – 9am-5pm
Sun. Nov. 11 – 1-5pm
Posted by eileen on October 5, 2011
Getting in the Halloween spirit? Why not check out a spooky book or audiobook? If you’re not sure what you’d like to read, there are many lists available online. I recently took a look at GoodReads’ Listopia list of Best Horror Novels. The fun thing about the Listopia lists is anyone with a GoodReads account (free) can vote and add to the lists! Stephen King currently dominates their Best Horror Novel list. Six of the top ten are his. If you prefer YA titles, take a look at our Horror for Young Adults list.
For even more great suggestions, NoveList Plus is the place to go. NoveList is one of the library’s subscription databases. It can be accessed from any computer in the library. WPL cardholders can access NoveList from home by logging in with your card number and PIN. Once in NoveList, on the left side you’ll see a list of genres and you can jump straight to Horror or Thrillers and Suspense (or whatever you feel like reading).
Some titles from Best Horror Novels you can find at WPL:
Note: Links to downloadable books are not working. Click the link and then type the desired book in the search box. Sorry!
The Shining by Stephen King – Book, Audiobook
More titles by Stephen King – Books, Audiobooks, Movies, Downloadable eBooks and audiobooks
Dracula by Bram Stoker – Book, Audiobook, Downloadable eBook and audiobook
I am Legend by Richard Mattheson – Book, Audiobook, Movie, Downloadable audiobook
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty – Book , Movie
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – Book, Audiobook, Movie, Downloadable eBook
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris – Book, Audiobook, Movie
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – Book, Audiobook, Movie, Downloadable eBook (type Frankenstein in the search box)
Posted by eileen on September 23, 2011
The Friends of WPL Book Sale is in full swing! Find new and used books, DVDs, video tapes, CDs, cassettes, vinyl, computer games, and more at super cheap prices. On Sunday, every item is 50 cents! Held in the Lower Level of the library.
Friday – 9am-5pm
Saturday – 9am-5pm
Sunday – 1pm-5pm
Check out Book Sale pics on Facebook!
Posted by eileen on July 19, 2011
I saw the final Harry Potter movie last night and like most fans, I am feeling kinda sad that it’s all over. At least we have Pottermore to look forward to this fall. Seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 made me want to re-read and re-watch the whole series. If you’re feeling the same way, here are some quick links to find the books and movies in the library catalog and place a hold. The audiobooks are also extremely well done and Jim Dale is a joy to listen to.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - Book, Audiobook, DVD
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Book, Audiobook, DVD
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Book, Audiobook, DVD
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Book, Audiobook, DVD
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Book, Audiobook, DVD
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – Book, Audiobook, DVD
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Book, Audiobook, DVD (Part 1)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard - Book
Posted by eileen on July 18, 2011
by Carolyn
The Book Sale is coming! The Book Sale is coming!
The Friends of the Library are gearing up for their biggest event of the year–the oh-so-popular Book Sale. This year the sale runs from September 22-25, 2011. Starting August 15, you can bring in your donations of books, DVDs, VHS tapes, audiobooks, LPs, CDs, and cassettes for the sale. All donations need to be in a box or bag and may be dropped off at the First Floor Checkout Desk. If you are physically unable to get your items to the library, leave your name and phone number at the Reference Desk or call 630-868-7520 and we may be able to arrange a pick up.
In addition to the usual books and audiovisual items, again this year we are collecting framed and unframed art. We’ll sell the donated art at the November Collectibles and Gift Book Sale. Art was a huge hit at last year’s sale, so check under the bed and in the back of the closet and bring us what you no longer want to display.
The success of these Friends’ fundraisers depends on your donations. 95% of what we sell comes from you! Questions about the sales? See Carolyn in the Reference Department, call her at 630-868-7592, or email carolyn@wheatonlibrary.org.
Would you like to be involved in the Book Sale? Members of the Friends sort the donations, set up the Book Sale, and run it. To be involved, all you need to do is join the Friends. Membership levels are available for students, individuals, seniors, families, special friends, and best friends. Application forms are located at the Checkout Desk. Indicate on the application you would like to work on the Book Sale. We will have training sessions on sorting books August 22-24.
Posted by eileen on June 30, 2011
After reading Investopedia’s, “13 Things You Pay for that Your Library has for Free,” I decided to adapt this to exactly what our library offers. So, thank you to Investopedia for giving me a great base for this post.
1. Read for Free
As you already know, WPL has thousands of books to be checked out: fiction, nonfiction, children’s lit., etc. We also have downloadable ebooks through eMediaLibrary. If you’re interested in finding out more about using eMediaLibrary, come to Ebook Q & A on Tuesday, July 12 at 7pm. You can even earn a prize (and be entered in drawings) this summer. Just join our Summer Reading Program and get a coupon for a free bowl at Noodles & Company. Read nine books to be entered in the Grand Prize drawing for an ebook reader! Stop by the Reference Desk to sign up.
2. Magazines and Newspapers for Free
WPL has all local papers and many many magazines to be read in the library or checked out. Have a specific magazine or newspaper in mind? Do a Magazine Search in the catalog and see what we have!
3. Listen for Free
We have pretty much every kind of music you can think of on CD. Plus, there is also a pretty awesome audiobook collection. You can check out audiobooks on CD, MP3, Playaway, or even download them straight to your phone or iPod from eMediaLibrary. Not sure what a playaway is? Take a look at Pierce County Library’s description.
4. Free Periodicals Searches
This is great for students. Need scholarly articles for your research papers? The library offers many subscription databases. WPL cardholders can use our databases from anywhere, but anyone can come use them on one of the library’s computers. Take a look at Magazines A-Z to get an idea of how many journals you can actually search (it’s A LOT).
5. Multiple Ways to Ask a Librarian
We have Reference Librarians just waiting for your questions! Can’t find an address you need? Need help getting started with genealogy research? Just looking for something good to read or watch? Ask Us! You can call: 630-868-7520, send a text message: 630-384-9751, email: askref@wheatonlibrary.org, or even IM a librarian.
6. Internet and WiFi
Stop in with your laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. and take advantage of our free wireless access. Don’t have one of those things? Use a library computer. There are computers on the first floor with access to all our databases, as well as many useful sites that have no time limit. Need full Internet access for email, Google, etc.? Go to the second floor. If you don’t have a WPL card and are over 18, you can have a guest pass to use for 30 minutes. Have a WPL card? You get two hours of access per day.
7. Rent a Movie for 50 cents
The library has a pretty extensive DVD collection, including TV Series, Feature Films, and How-To DVDs, among other things. Check out Coming Soon on DVD to place a hold on a movie the library is about to get. Non-fiction and Children’s DVDs are free to check out!
8. Learn a Foreign Language for Free
Our Foreign Languages page links to Mango Languages, a database that teaches practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world’s most popular languages. You can also check out CDs, DVDs, and books to help with your language skills.
9. Job Preparation for Free
“Learning Express enables you to study for hundreds of tests including civil service, military entrance exams and preparation tests for SAT/ACT, MSAT, LSAT and dozens of others. You will find practice tests at all levels. You can practice, save your test, see your results and try again all for free.” - Investopedia
10. Find Your Family History for Free
Learn more about our Genealogy Collection from some of my previous posts or go straight to our Genealogy and Local History page. Every Thursday evening from 7-9pm, Genealogical Society volunteers are available in the library to help with your search.
11. Free Resources for Parents
Having trouble with potty training? Looking for free things to do with your kids? Helping them with homework? Let WPL help you!
12. Car Repair and Buying Help
Did you know the library offers free access to Auto Repair Reference Center? This wonderful database provides repair procedures, service bulletins and recalls, wiring diagrams, and more for pretty much any car you can think of (since 1954). WPL recently started subscribing to Consumer Reports – Cars online. You no longer have to wait for the print edition each year, just check it out online for constant updates.
13. Other Services
The library offers tax forms during tax season, voter registration on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm, bus schedules, Rules of the Road, test proctoring, free introductory Microsoft Office classes. WPL is much more than just a place to read! Although, it’s still a great place to read too. 
Posted by eileen on June 9, 2011
Lifehacker is one of my personal favorite sites. Not only are the posts often witty (sometimes downright hilarious), but also full of great information. You can learn anything from how to “Brew an Emergency Cup of Coffee with Two Paper Cups and a Filter” to how to “Fill in Floor Holes and Cracks with a Melted Crayon” by looking through their recent articles. However, I have also seen many useful articles about job searching, interviewing, and writing resumes on this site. For instance, today I found out an executive summary is better than an objective statement. I had no idea.
As I’m sure you know, there are about a zillion articles out there about the best practices for finding a job and all things that go along with finding and getting a job. Just knowing where to start looking is a problem in itself. Monster? Careerbuilder? LinkedIn? Craigslist? What’s best? It’s hard to say. A quick Google search for best job search sites will show you plenty of opinions.
The library has many resources to aid you in your search. A good place to start is our Jobs and Careers site, where you’ll find links to many of the popular career sites, as well as links to our subscription databases. The library recently gained access to Learning Express Library, which has practice tests for licensing exams, ebooks about careers, and a lot of other useful information. If books are more your thing, check out Tony Beshara’s popular, Unbeatable Resumes: America’s Top Recruiter Reveals What Really Gets You Hired. Click Place Hold at the top of the catalog page to add your name to the waiting list.
Is there an online or print source that has helped you with your job search? Let us know and we’ll take a look!
Posted by eileen on April 6, 2011
The 2011 YABOB list is now available!
YABOB Book List 2011
These books are located in teenspace on the 2nd Floor.
Downloadable eBooks and audiobooks require a WPL Card and PIN.
Balliett, Blue – Chasing Vermeer
Burg, Ann E. – All the Broken Pieces
Curtis, Christopher Paul – The Watsons go to Birmingham – 1963 (Download the WMA audiobook)
George, Jessica Day – Dragon Slippers
Hilgartner, Beth – A Murder for Her Majesty
Hobbs, Will – Far North
Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas – The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn
Korman, Gordon – Schooled
Levine, Gail Carson – Ella Enchanted (Download the WMA audiobook)
Lupica, Mike – Travel Team
McNish, Cliff – Breathe: A Ghost Story
Paulsen, Gary – Woods Runner
Riordan, Rick – The Lightning Thief (Download the WMA audiobook)
Ryan, Pam Munoz – Esperanza Rising (Download the WMA audiobook)
Schmidt, Gary D. – The Wednesday Wars
Scott, Michael – The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Download the EPUB, PDF, or WMA audiobook)
Shusterman, Neal – The Schwa Was Here
Tolkien, J.R.R. – The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again (Download the EPUB)
Vande Velde, Vivian – Heir Apparent
Weaver, Will – Memory Boy
