Library Dominoes

This isn't our library...nor our books, but wouldn't it be cool?

Truman and Treats

"Chains" 

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

January 10-14th, 2011

What: 2010-2011 Truman Reader Award Nominees & Treats

Where: Moberly Public Library Programming Room

Who: Middle School Students

When: 3:30-5:00 pm daily for 1 straight week

Join us each evening for a middle school read-aloud hour (and a half). Each day for 5 straight days, we will read one chosen Truman Reader Award Nominee. And we'll provide the treats! See the Little Dixie Regional Libraries website Calendar or Facebook for more information.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* In the spring of 1776, Isabel, a teenage slave, and her sister, Ruth, are sold to ruthless, wealthy loyalists in Manhattan. While running errands, Isabel is approached by rebels, who promise her freedom (and help finding Ruth, who has been sent away) if she agrees to spy. Using the invisibility her slave status brings, Isabel lurks and listens as Master Lockton and his fellow Tories plot to crush the rebel uprisings, but the incendiary proof that she carries to the rebel camp doesn’t bring the desired rewards. Like the central character in M. T. Anderson’s Octavian Nothing duet, Isabel finds that both patriots and loyalists support slavery. The specifics of Isabel’s daily drudgery may slow some readers, but the catalogue of chores communicates the brutal rhythms of unrelenting toil, helping readers to imagine vividly the realities of Isabel’s life. The story’s perspective creates effective contrasts. Overwhelmed with domestic concerns, Isabel and indeed all the women in the household learn about the war from their marginalized position: they listen at doors to rooms where they are excluded, and they collect gossip from the streets. Anderson explores elemental themes of power (“She can do anything. I can do nothing,” Isabel realizes about her sadistic owner), freedom, and the sources of human strength in this searing, fascinating story. The extensive back matter includes a documented section that addresses many questions about history that readers will want to discuss. Grades 7-10. --Gillian Engberg --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Online Randolph County Obituaries

Did you know that Little Dixie Regional Libraries has a database of local Randolph County obituaries? 

Slowly but surely, all of the obituaries are being cataloged into this easily searchable database. 

Wonder how it works? 

Click on this link: http://www.little-dixie.lib.mo.us/gendat/deaths_search.php

Find Deaths

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	Find Deaths SURNAME containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to GIVEN containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to MAIDEN containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to DIED containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to BORN containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to MMI containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to BURIAL containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to NOTES containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to MCA containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to RCTH containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to HH containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to THE PAPER containsstarts withends withis equal tois not equal tois less thanis less than or equal tois greater thanis greater than or equal to

You will come up with the above form. 

While this form is not searchable, clicking on the link takes you to the searchable form. 

Once you've put in a searchable term in the form, click Search. The results show which newspaper the obituary appeared in and the date it appeared in. In many cases, the deceased person's birth and death dates are included as well as their burial location.

Countless hours of volunteers have made this resource possible to genealogists with family in this area.

For more information, please contact Little Dixie Regional Libraries. Happy hunting! 

Welcome Iowa!

On December 28, 1846 Iowa was officially admitted into the United States as the 29th state. 

In honor of this momentous occasion, we present books about Iowa or taking place in.....you guessed it, Iowa!

"Iowa Curiosities" by Eric Jones (2010)

Summary: Your round-trip ticket to the wildest, wackiest, most outrageous people, places, and things the Hawkeye State has to offer!

"An Ocean in Iowa" by Peter Hedges (1998)

Summary: Scotty Ocean is turning seven years old, and he has announced earlier in his life that seven is going to be his year. It does turn out to be his year, but not the year he imagined. It is the year his mother leaves the family. At first, Scotty does astonishing things to get her to return. When he comes to believe she won't be moving back, he tries to replace her. Ultimately, he decides he must take drastic action to remain forever seven

"Iowa: Off the Beaten Path" by Lori Erickson (2001)

Summary: A guide to unique places in Iowa

As always, for these books and so much more, 

check out your local Little Dixie Regional Library!

Celebrate the Season: New Year's party

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 - Party like it's 2011! Ring in the New Year at the Moberly Library!!

Hey Teens! Every Wednesday in December at the Moberly Library we're having a party just for you!

Stop by and see us from 3:30 - 4:30 every Wednesday in December. Something different is happening each day, but it's always exciting!

For more information, contact Melissa at the Moberly Public Library.

National Candy Cane Day

December 26th is known world wide as National Candy Cane Day. 
While your still celebrating your holidays, why not check out one of these great "candy cane" related titles?

Summary: A collection of three holiday mysteries includes stories by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine, and Leslie Meyer.

Summary: With the help of a little girl, a mysterious stranger tells the story of the candy cane to the people of a small prairie town during Christmas time at the turn of the century.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our families to yours.

All Little Dixie Regional Libraries are closed 

December 24th through December 26th. 

We will open at normal business hours on December 27th.

Ancestry Online Database

Ancestry.com Online Database - Enter a few simple facts about recent generations of your family. We'll use what you enter to try and find more about your family in the world's largest online genealogy collection of historical records and family trees. 

Ancestry.com Online Database is available to any library patron of L.D.R.L. 

Database is available only at Little Dixie Regional Libraries locations.

Click on the following link to go directly to the Ancestry Database

Celebrating Jerry Pinkney - Acclaimed Children's Author

Today as we celebrate Jerry Pinkney's (December 22nd) birthday, I thought I would highlight some of his great children's books. 

Story by: Patricia C. McKissack 

Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney

Summary: In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town: the public library.

Story and Illustrations by: Jerry Pinkney

Summary: Retells the biblical story of the great flood and how Noah and his family faithfully responded to God's call to save life on earth

Story and Illustrations by: Jerry Pinkney

Summary: In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.

Written by Dianna Aston and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Summary: On her family's farm in the town of Star, eight-year-old Mae eagerly follows the progress of the 1969 Apollo 11 flight and moon landing and dreams that she might one day be an astronaut, too.

Library Will be Closed

All Little Dixie Regional Libraries will be closed on Friday December 24th and Saturday December 25th for the Christmas Holiday.

We will reopen at normal business hours on Monday.

Welcome Winter

December 21st- The "Official" beginning of Winter

According to the Library of Congress: "Winter begins! The name "winter" comes from a Germanic term meaning "time of water" and refers to the seasonal precipitation. The winter solstice—the moment when the sun's apparent path is farthest south from the Equator—is used to officially mark winter's beginning. In the Northern Hemisphere, winter begins on the "shortest day" of the year, December 21 or 22, and lasts until March 20 or 22, the beginning of spring, marked by the vernal equinox, when day and night are equal in length"

Celebrating the Season: Creating Centerpieces

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 - This week we'll be creating centerpieces for your holiday gatherings. Design, create, and take home this fun way to showcase your artistic talents!

Hey Teens! Every Wednesday in December at the Moberly Library we're having a party just for you!

Stop by and see us from 3:30 - 4:30 every Wednesday in December. Something different is happening each day, but it's always exciting!

For more information, contact Melissa at the Moberly Public Library.

Happy Birthday Eve Bunting

It's Eve Bunting's birthday today!

Why not check out one of her titles? 

All of the below listed titles are available at Little Dixie Regional Libraries.

Summary: With the help of her grandfather, a little girl makes a house for a larva and watches it develop before setting it free, and every summer after that butterflies come to visit her. Summary: Davey is dubious about having a new adopted brother from Korea, but when he finds out that his parents still love him, he decides that having a baby brother will be fine. Summary: A raccoon and his friends go to great lengths to make sure they will always have a library from which to borrow books. Summary: Billy is disappointed when his father doesn't show up to help him catch a frog for the frog-jumping competition at school, but the one he and his mother catch wins the championship and Billy begins to accept his father's absence.

Movin' On Up

Little Dixie Regional Libraries covers two counties and within those two counties, supports 4 libraries. Huntsville, Moberly, Paris, and Madison boast libraries that are part of the LDRL system. As such, they all share books and materials with one another.

Each book is at each library a total of three months. Once those three months are up, they move to the next library until the full rotation is finished. This ensures every library has a chance to have the book and all patrons have a chance to check it out if they desire.

As you can see in the picture above, we have branch shelves in the back of the Moberly building. Here we hold books on their way to the different libraries until they are ready to be delivered.

When we get enough to fill a bag, a library worker will fill the bag with books for easier delivery and travel within the van.

It’s always fun to find out the inner-workings of the library. 

Just another…”Did you know?”

Poetry 'n Punch Meeting

Come one, come all!

Poetry ‘n Punch for big and small!

The Moberly Library is pleased to present Poetry ‘n Punch. This is a great group for all of your poetry lovers out there to appreciate great poetry, new and old, and share some of your own. We have all ages and types who come to the group. AND there are great refreshments!

December 16th at 6:00pm - Moberly Public Library

Cookie Monster Visits the Library

Just a fun video courtesy of Sesame Street...

Cookie Monster visits the Library!

Little Dixie Dispatch: Father and Son Stories

Father and Son Stories

“Sh*t My Dad Says” by Justin Halpern (2010) Tuesdays with Morrie meets F My Life in this hilarious coming-of-age book about a son's relationship with his foul-mouthed father by the 29-year-old comedy writer who created the massively popular Twitter feed of the same name.

“Always by My Side: A Father’s Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other” by Jim Nantz (2008) America’s most visible sports commentator tells the stories of some of the most dramatic moments in American sports and pays tribute to the man who inspired him to pursue his broadcasting dream— his beloved father, who has fallen victim to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease

“Big Russ and Me” by Tim Russert (2004) The beloved Tim Russert offers an intensely personal and charming memoir of American life in the 1950s and the special bond he shares with his father

“Brave Men, Gentle Heroes: American Fathers and Sons in World War II and Vietnam” by Michael Takiff (2004) Brave Men, Gentle Heroes presents the frank, moving, and harrowing stories of men who served in World War II and of their sons who served in Vietnam -- fathers and sons bonded as deeply by their common experience in war as by blood.

To reserve these titles today, check out our website at www.little-dixie.lib.mo.us or give us a call!

Celebrate the Season: Gingerbread Houses

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 - This week we'll be decorating gingerbread houses! We'll have all the supplies necessary for making Gingerbread Houses. Create your own and patrons will vote on displayed houses at the library. Winner of the decorating contest will be notified by December 22nd... and will win a prize!

Hey Teens! Every Wednesday in December at the Moberly Library we're having a party just for you!

Stop by and see us from 3:30 - 4:30 every Wednesday in December. Something different is happening each day, but it's always exciting!

For more information, contact Melissa at the Moberly Public Library.

Little Dixie Reading Group - "Funny in Farsi"

"Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America" by Firoozeh Dumas

December 16, 2010

A hilarious and interesting story of growing up in California and the blending of cultures. Fast-food, an engaging family, and cultures coming together in this fast paced tale of life.

Everyone is welcome to join in a lively literary discussion of books from today and yesterday. Library book discussions will be in the Moberly Library Board Room.

Check out our website (http://www.little-dixie.lib.mo.us/) to reserve this book today!

Little Dixie Dispatch: New Adult Romance

“So Into You” by Sandra Hill (2009) She's been a nun, poker champion, treasure hunter, and folk healer. Redhead Grace O'Brien thinks life is one grand adventure, until her hunky friend Angel Sabato suddenly declares his love for her.

 “My Forbidden Desire” by Carolyn Jewel (2009) Alexandrine Marit is a witch in mortal danger. The only person who can keep her safe is a dark and dangerous fiend called Xia. With his fierce animosity toward witches, he's hardly the ideal bodyguard. Yet as days turn into nights, she can't deny the white-hot passion between them.

“Simple Wishes” by Lisa Dale (2009) In an emotional and enchanting debut novel, Dale tells a powerful story that explores the mysterious connection between mothers and daughters, and the redemptive power of love.

“One Deadly Sin” by Annie Solomon (2009) A woman returns to her hometown to avenge her father's death, but she's shocked when the men she targets start dying. The sheriff is torn between the town he's sworn to protect and the woman he's come to desire.

“Tucker’s Claim” by Sarah McCarty (2009) Tucker McCade has known violence his whole life: orphaned in a massacre, abused as a "half-breed" child, trained as a ruthless Texas Ranger, he's learned the hard way that might makes right. So even he is shocked when he falls for Sallie Mae Reynolds, a Quaker nurse.

“Rion” by Susan Kearney (2009) Marisa Rourke's telepathic link to the space explorer Rion is the only way Rion can talk to his people, enslaved by a powerful enemy. And so Rion kidnaps Marisa, sparking her fury and igniting a hotter, more explosive psychic bond between them. 

Happy Birthday Emily Dickinson

Today we celebrate Emily Dickinson since its her birthday! 

     Emily was born on December 10, 1830 in Massachusetts. She spent much of her life in her home, rarely venturing out. 
     "Dickinson's poems are unique for the era in which she wrote; they contain short lines, typically lack titles, and often use slant rhyme as well as unconventional capitalization and punctuation. Many of her poems deal with themes of death and immortality, two recurring topics in letters to her friends.
     Although most of her acquaintances were probably aware of Dickinson's writing, it was not until after her death in 1886—when Lavinia, Emily's younger sister, discovered her cache of poems—that the breadth of Dickinson's work became apparent" (according to Emily Dickinson Wiki) Sadly, Emily passed away in 1886, seeing very few of her own poems published.

The following books by or about Emily Dickinson are all available at Little Dixie Regional Libraries.

"My Uncle Emily" by Jane Yolen (2009) 
Summary: In 1881 Amherst, Massachusetts, six-year-old Gilbert finds it both challenging and wonderful to spend time with his aunt, the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson, who lives next door.

"My Wars are Laid Away in Books" by Alfred Habegger (2001)

Summary: Emily Dickinson, probably the most loved and certainly the greatest of American poets, continues to be seen as the most elusive. One reason she has become a timeless icon of mystery for many readers is that her developmental phases have not been clarified. In this exhaustively researched biography, Alfred Habegger presents the first thorough account of Dickinson’s growth–a richly contextualized story of genius in the process of formation and then in the act of overwhelming production

"Secret Life of Emily Dickinson" by Jerome Charyn (2010)
Summary:What if the old maid of Amherst wasn't an old maid at all? The poet dons a hundred veils, alternately playing wounded lover, penitent, and female devil in this extraordinary adventure that will disturb and delight.

Little Dixie Regional Libraries Board Meeting

The Little Dixie Regional Libraries Board Meeting will occur on Thursday, December 9th. 

For more information on the topics on the agenda, please contact the library.

"Babar's" Author, Jean de Brunhoff's Birthday!

French Author, Jean de Brunhoff, is celebrating his birthday today.

Jean de Brunhoff created the children's classic character, Babar.

The "Babar" series is as follows:

The Story of Babar (1931)

The Travels of Babar, or Babar's Travels (1932)

 Babar the King (1933)

A.B.C. of Babar (1934)

 Zephir's Holidays, Zephir's Vacation, or Babar and Zephir (1936)

Babar and His Children (1938)

Babar and Father Christmas (1941)

These books and many more can be found at Little Dixie Regional Libraries. Stop by or check us out on the web!