The Summer Reading Program for children and teens begins June 1 and ends August 1.

Kids and teens earn prizes for reading.

We'll have special performers every week of the program. There is no need to sign up - just show up!

July 27 & 28 - B.J. Talley Magic Show
Downtown Library: Tuesdays at 10:00 am
Carnegie Library: Tuesdays at 1:00 pm
East Hills Library: Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Washington Park Library: Wednesdays at 2:00 pm

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the St. Joseph Public Library and also made possible by generous donations from other local organizations and businesses.

The Adult Summer Reading Program, for those 18 and over, will run from July 5 - 31. This year's theme is "Water Your Mind - Read."
We'll have weekly drawings at every branch. Every time you read or listen to a book, return it to the library and fill out an entry slip for one of the weekly prizes: a $5 Sonic card, $5 in Dunkin Donuts certificates, $10 gift cards from Cool Crest or $12 in gift certificates from Plaza 8 theater. Everyone who participates is eligible for the $50 grand prize gift certificate.

Teens! It's time to Make Waves @ Your Library!

July 1 is the deadline to enter pictures in our Photography Contest at the Downtown Library. Win a $100 Visa gift card. Call 232-7729 or visit the Downtown Library for more information.

ARGH! Ahoy Matey! July 15 be Pirate Day at the Downtown Library.
Dress like a Pirate.
Talk like a Pirate.
Hunt for Pirate Treasure!

July 7 at Noon will be the Teen Lunchtime Movie at the East Hills Library. Bring your lunch and enjoy this Teens-Only showing of Jaws (Rated PG). We will provide the popcorn! Sign up is required so call 236-2136 or visit the East Hills Library to register.

July 16 at 3:30 we're having Teen's Acting Out at the East Hills Library. Can you think on your feet, do you have acting or comedic talent? Try your hand at this 80 minute improv workshop. Sign up is required so call 236-2136 or visit the East Hills Library to register.

July 26 at 3:30 we're hosting a Wii Guitar Hero Tournament at the East Hills Library. Show off your ax skills at this event. We'll have prizes for all participants with a grand prize for the winner. Sign up is required so call 236-2136 or visit the East Hills Library to register.

Our Reference Department is happy to offer Research Services! If you live outside of St. Joseph, we offer 30 minutes of research for only $10. With a maximum research time limit of 2 hours for $40.

Take a look at the latest St. Joseph Public Library Newsletter to keep up-to-date on what's been happening at the library. Pick up a copy of the newsletter at any branch. Contact Deborah Gentry at dgentry@sjpl.lib.mo.us if you would like to have the newsletter emailed to you when it is published.

August 2010

July 2010

June 2010

May 2010

People admire Abraham Lincoln. People are fascinated by vampires. For Seth Grahame-Smith, it only made sense to combine these two unrelated concepts. In the historical fiction comedy Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Grahame-Smith takes a history of Lincoln's life and the Civil War and inserts vampires. He explains that vampires killed Lincoln's mother and that the future president vowed revenge. According to the book, Lincoln had to kill vampires with his bare hands. Grahame-Smith jokes that vampires encouraged slavery, and even presents well-known period photographs and pretends that they portray vampires. Grahame-Smith also wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

From: Books & Authors Database. Click on the "Reference Department" link and scroll to the bottom of the page to check out the database and find information on other great reads.