Living Legends Chosen by the Library of Congress

Established during its Bicentennial celebration in 2000, the Library of Congress’ “Living Legend” honor is awarded by the Library’s curators and subject specialists to honor artists, writers, activists, filmmakers, physicians, entertainers, sports figures and public servants who have “made significant contributions to America’s diverse cultural, scientific and social heritage. The professional accomplishments of the Living Legends have enabled them to provide examples of personal excellence that have benefited others and enriched the nation in a variety of ways.”

The honorees display a broad range of talents: civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis, economist and diplomat John Kenneth Galbraith, diplomat George Kennan, evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould, architect I.M. Pei first American woman in space Sally Ride, musicians Johnny Cash, Qunicy Jones, Stephen Sondheim and Yo-Yo Ma; Atlanta Braves’ Hank Aaron and Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird, and entertainers Big Bird, Fred Rogers, Martin Scorsese, Julia Child and Merce Cunningham.

If your curiosity is piqued, the entire list is here.  You can click on any name and get a quick bio about the person and related resources at the Library. Some of these related resources include a video transcript of news commentator and author Cokie Roberts at the National Book Festival; a selection of some of the online recordings collected by the folkolorist Alan Lomax and his family; and related to Maurice Sendak, the author and illustrator of children’s books, there is a link to some of the Library’s digitized children’s books.  You can actually look at the books (some of which date back to the early 19th century) by turning the pages.

If you prefer an actual hard copy for your information, there is a display of books by and about some of the honorees on the third floor of Syosset Library. Take a look. Get inspired!

-posted by Brenda, Reference Services

September’s Book Displays

Take Comfort in Classics – This book display has a great selection of titles, there is something for everyone.  One of these books might be on your bucket list to read.  Or maybe you just might want to reread of these books.  The Clan of the Cave Bear is that book for me. I loved it and would reread it again. Other titles include Lord Jim, Little Women and Robinson Crusoe. Also many of these beloved classics have been made into films.

School Days –  The titles for this collection covers topics related to school and education.  It includes tips for success for the child in the classroom, how to home-school, certification for teachers, and the problems facing our educational system.  On the light side the display includes DVDs such as Bad Teacher and To Sir with Love.

The main floor mini display is filled with Selections from  Library Reads containing books from the monthly lists of books picked by librarians across the country on one side with the other side offering a selection of Audiobooks.

On the third floor the health display  is The Health Professionals.  It covers many aspects of the medical practice, such as doctors’ training, prescribing practices, how to talk to your doctor and of course nurses’ training and role in your care.

Living Legends Chosen by the Library of Congress is the topic for our other third floor book display. Some of the legends are Annie Leibovitz, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Toni Morrison and William F. Buckley.  There many more books on the living legends included in this display and one of them might be of interest to you.

– posted by Betty, Reference Services

Banned Books Week

September 25 – October 1 2016

2016 marks the 34^th Anniversary of Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the “freedom to read.”  The Readers’ Services Department will be presenting two special events to commemorate Banned Books Week. 

Banned Book Discussion

Tuesday, September 27 at 1:30 PM

We will discuss the frequently “Banned” classic 1984 written by George Orwell.

The discussion will be led by Jean Simpson, Readers’ Services Librarian.

“Written in 1948, 1984 was George Orwell’s chilling prophecy about the future. And while 1984 has come and gone, Orwell’s narrative is more timely than ever. 1984 presents a “negative utopia,” that is at once a startling and haunting vision of the world—so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the power of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of entire generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions—a legacy that seems to grow, not lessen, with the passage of time.”  (From the Publisher)

No registration required. Free event.

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Banned Book-to-Film

Friday, September 30 at 2 PM in the Theater

Showing of the 1984 version of the film 1984 starring John Hurt and Richard Burton. This film is rated R. A short discussion will follow the film.

The discussion will be led by Jean Simpson, Readers’ Services Librarian.

No registration required. Free event.

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In addition to the Banned Book Discussion & Book-to-Film, frequently banned and challenged books will be on display throughout the week of September 25.  Take one home and see what all the buzz is about.

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For more information on Banned Books Week, visit the Banned Books Week Website.

Happy 34^th Anniversary Banned Books Week …

Let’s Celebrate our Freedom to Read!

-posted by Jackie, Readers’ Services

It’s Still Summer-

And it’s still very hot and we are still providing our patrons with plenty of Beach Reads on one of the main floor book displays.  When there is only reruns on TV, keep yourself entertained with one of our light summer reads.  The selection seems endless like these hot days.

Check out the other main floor book display: “Through the Years”.  It covers the decades from early 1900’s till late 1990‘s.  Learn the history, foods and fads from each decade.  You’ll get a feel for trends that lasted and those that faded and the reasons why.   For some of us it won’t be a learning experience as much as a trip down memory lane.  But it will be an enjoyable experience for all.

On that floor’s mini display: the books of Elie Wiesel on one side and on the other we have a great selection of audiobooks.

On the third floor, the health reference librarian is continuing with the theme “Have a Healthy and Safe Summer”.  If you haven’t seen it yet, there is certainly a lot of worthwhile information.  There are handouts for swimming and pool safety, pain management and a nice booklet on Exercise and Physical Activity and more.

“Centennial of the National Park Service” is the topic of the other third floor book display.  And what a great display of oversized pictorial books of the US national parks.  Viewing these beautifully photos of the parks is the next best thing to actually visiting one. Maybe one of these books might inspire your next vacation.  These parks are a national treasure and should be cherished and preserved!

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Stay cool in the this hot weather and come visit us – there’s air conditioning!

-posted by Betty, Reference Services

Lazy, Hazy Days

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More light and fun reading for the beach.  This display keeps getting bigger and better.  So stop by for some entertainment at the beach, pool or just in your back yard. “Beach Reads” includes lots of popular titles that you might have missed.

Our second book display on the first floor is “Incredible True Stories”. What a fascinating collection. It has biographies of inventors and inventions, such Steve Jobs, the Wright Brothers and the story of photography; tales of war heroes from George Washington, The Fly Boys, Heroes of 9/11 to Heroes Among Us; survival stories including The Envoy and The Perfect Storm; athletic feats in books such as The Perfect Mile, Triumph (Jesse Owens) and Friday Night Lights.  The collection also includes books on the topics of religion, psychology and history.

The mini display is on “Elie Wiesel”, another incredible story of survival and human triumph.  On the other side we have a nice selection of “Audiobooks” which make great travel companions for car trips.

Our third floor health display is “Have a Healthy and Safe Summer” which features a varied collection related to staying happy and healthy during the summer. Handouts are there for you on sun safety for infants, teaching children summer safety, weather safety, tips for safe gas grilling and more.

“To the Moon and Beyond” is the second display on the third floor. It covers the history of space exploration from unmanned flights, manned flights, landing on the moon, research on Mars, space shuttles and the Hubbell Space telescope. What a great ride!

Make Syosset Public Library part of your summer.

-posted by Betty, Reference Services

Our June Displays

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June is busting out all over-

And the kick-off for our 2016 Adult Summer Reading Club is  today, June 7^th .  If you’re joining the club, you can stop by the Syosset Library on your way to beach (or wherever) and get yourself a book from “Beach Reads”, our first floor book display, which will be there throughout the summer.  As always we have a great selection.

Is truth stranger than fiction? Check out our “Spies – Real and Imagined” display, which includes books both real and fictional.  And then you can answer the age old question.  The first floor also has a display of books by local authors which coincides with today’s evening program “Local Author Showcase”.

On the third floor, the health librarian’s June display is “Men’s Health Month”.  Learn how to stay healthy and reduce your risk for diseases.  Lots of free handouts, as well.  This information is too important to be ignored.

FYI- we also have a third floor display called “Ideas – Innovations and Inventions”  It covers the where, when and who of inventions throughout history.

Syosset Library is once again providing for your reading pleasure, intellectual enjoyment and information needs.

-posted by Betty, Reference Services

Our Displays for April

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April is “National Humor Month” and our first floor book display has a great selection of humorous books. Check out some of the titles, classics like Catch-22, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Miss Julia to the Rescue, Very Good Jeeves, Everything Changes and an assortment of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels

Talk about classics, note our other first floor book display, it’s “The 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare 1626-2016”.  His works both comedies and dramas, are as popular today as when first written. His themes of love, power, prejudice and justice are universal and enduring.

Our third floor displays are on the more serious side.  April is both “Alcohol Awareness Month” and “Autism Awareness Month”.  Our health librarian has created a two sided display on both topics which include books and free printouts.  You can learn about either topic or get information on coping with either subject.

Last but not least “April is National Poetry Month”.  This third floor display includes a collection poetry books written by American poets.  Enjoy the artistic beauty of the written word. And while you are on the third floor, pick up a “Poem For Your Pocket”.

The April book displays at SPL offer wide range of entertainment and interest.

-posted by Betty, Reference Services