Posts

Thanks for the Recommendation

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One of the great benefits of working at the circulation desk for the Mercer County Library System is getting to interact with our patrons. As patrons come in and out of the library to pick up their materials, you get to know what they like to read, watch and listen to by the materials they have reserved and that they check out during their visit. Many patrons return a book or a DVD and let us know it was a great book to read or a show they really enjoyed watching. And because of that, one of the perks of working at the circulation desk is picking up recommendations from patrons. Talking with fellow circulation workers at the branches around the county, we all have the same situation of a growing list of must-read books and new DVDs to watch - many based on the recommendations of patrons. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of books and DVDs that have been recommended over the past year or two. So, in essence, look at this as suggestions from the people that utilize the libra

Voices From the Teen Advisory Board

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Throughout the year, we like to share essays by members of our Teen Advisory Board (TAB). TAB members help with programming, suggest books for purchase, and write the quarterly TAB magazine. This month, Sharon Vasudevan talks about all the ways TAB service has been meaningful for her. Her essay highlights the importance of TAB as a means of service that suits kids of a literary bent.  The Library’s Worth Greetings and salutations to you all! My name is Sharon, and I am a sophomore at Lawrence High School. Like any growing fifteen-year-old, I have multiple hobbies, such as playing piano and violin. I also treasure reading, especially after a grueling timed essay and eight long hours of school. In fact, digging into the most thrilling YA novels gives me the needed dopamine boost to survive the next day at school. Speaking of school, that is a whole different story. I dub it a “mix of emotions” because I go from elated by the hundred at the top of my history test to frustrated at the me

Welcome to our Lawrence Branch Sensory Walkway!

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The Lawrence Branch is pleased to welcome patrons to our new sensory walkway. Sensory spaces have become more common in schools and libraries as we have become more aware of the needs of neurodivergent individuals. These spaces are designed to offer a range of stimuli that are calming and can help to engage and develop the senses. All of us are taking in information from our senses all day long. These senses include sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, vestibular, proprioception and interoception. However, some of us can have trouble interpreting and integrating this information. This can affect how a person feels and behaves. A sensory space can help a person regulate their senses. It can have a calming affect on those who are experiencing a sensory overload, but can also provide sensory input for those who like more stimulation.  At Lawrence, our sensory walkway is perfect for children and adults who might feel a little overwhelmed by our more active

Entering the ‘Zone’

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We have been living through strange times. And while they may seem extra strange to us, they don’t get stranger than The Twilight Zone , Rod Serling’s classic speculative fiction anthology series. Though it first aired in 1959, the show itself may feel like it eerily reflects our current reality. Beginning with these words, both invitation and warning, Serling brings us into a world that mirrors the subconscious of our own: "There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call  The Twilight Zone ." In an era when television was just finding its place as a more serious medium (remember just as many theatrical performers eschewed film, most film stars would not do television),

ProCRAFTination

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Do you find yourself realizing, after two hours working on an art or DIY project that you found on Pinterest, that you should have been doing your load of laundry the whole time? Have you ever found yourself working on a crocheted, knitted, or stitched project when you should be washing the dishes in the sink? If you answered “yes” to either one of these questions, you’re a lot like many creative people. Congratulations! You’ve discovered the art of proCRAFTination: crafting instead of doing all the things you actually need to get done today. There’s no need to feel ashamed, as there’s a large population of creative souls who feel and always do the same thing…myself included. As the librarian-in-charge of Robbinsville’s adult craft programs, I’m always on the hunt for new creative projects to try and share with my patrons. This results in searching Pinterest for my work, but I am always fighting the urge to become distracted by ideas for my own crafty pursuits due to previous search

Planning a TrashedArt Contest Entry

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Choosing what to make can sometimes be the biggest challenge when it comes to art. What materials should I use? What techniques? For the last 15 years, patrons have been turning to their recycling bins for art materials to enter in our annual TrashedArt Contest . Patrons have developed many strategies over the years to turn trash into treasure. Here are a few highlights: Paper Paper is one of the most commonly used materials for the TrashedArt Contest as many patrons accumulate paper they wish to recycle. Paper is also a fairly flexible material that works well in many different types of projects. It can be used for traditional art techniques, such as drawing or watercolor. It can also be used to create papier-mâché sculptures, origami or even bookbinding.  In 2023, Audrey Jakab won Honorable Mention from the Hickory Corner Branch for “Elephant.” Her artwork was made out of a tin can and papier-mâché. It was a small, delicate elephant that was definitely a crowd-pleaser. For artists

Anti-Loneliness Club

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Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash Loneliness has been on my mind since 2020 – yes, because of the isolation of lockdowns, but also because I moved to Mercer County from New York in January 2020. When we arrived, my husband and I spent each weekend exploring, signing up for library cards, looking for community events, and gradually meeting our neighbors. Then, we all know what happened in March 2020. I’ve lived here ever since, but in some ways, because of the strange, stressful pause, I still feel brand new. Last year, the Surgeon General published a report on loneliness. The full title: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community . Why is the Surgeon General issuing an advisory about loneliness? Is it a medical problem? The report demonstrates that it is. I was shocked to read that “(l)acking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigaret

Library Lovers Unite!

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February is National Library Lovers Month, and the perfect opportunity for all library lovers to celebrate, explore, connect, and share their love of the library! At Mercer County Library System, there’s a lot to love. From the range of programs offered, to the services and accommodations available, to the vast collection of books and media—there’s something for everyone! I thought I’d take a moment and spread some library love by highlighting a few of my favorite resources and offerings available at MCLS! Take a look… Headspace - Headspace offers science-backed meditation and mindfulness techniques online so you can experience the benefits of meditation anytime, anywhere. I found the website and app very easy to navigate, and it offers hundreds of meditations and exercises for sleep, focus, and movement. MCLS patrons can experience Headspace for free by signing up with their library card! Job Interview Practice & Resume Review - Prepare for an upcoming job interview by virtua