Continue reading »]]> Appomattox Regional Library System productions presents:

Red Carpet Oscars^® series at the Prince George Library

February 21st through February 24th at 4:00 pm

Get ready for the 84th annual Academy Awards  by watching  winning films from previous years and enjoying fresh popcorn at the Prince George Library. Movies will be shown at 4:00 pm Tuesday 2/21 through Friday 2/24.

Movies may be rated PG-13 or R, except for Friday 2/4 when we will be featuring a family film from 2008 which won the “Best Animated Feature” award.

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Join in the discussion: come to a book group meeting!

The Appomattox Regional Library System wants you to make a New Year’s resolution to read more and meet new people. To help you do this, ARLS is hosting monthly book groups at four of our locations. No matter where you live or work and no matter what interests you, the library is sure to have something you will enjoy!

To kick off this new year of book groups you are invited to discuss one of the most circulated books of 2011 at our newest library. Join us on Tuesday, January 10^th at 6 pm in the Prince George Library to discuss Room, by Emma Donoghue. This story of a 5 year-old boy and his mother who are held captive in an 11×11 foot room is gripping and shocking, but manages to remain hopeful.

Next, we invite you to come to the Hopewell Library on Thursday, January 19^th at 1 pm to share The Paris Wife, by Paula McLain. This book tells the story of Hadley who is introduced to a “beautiful boy” named Ernest Hemingway. After a whirlwind courtship the two marry and set off for Paris. Though the book is a work of fiction, it is based on the true story of Hemingway’s first wife of whom he once wrote “I wished I had died before I ever loved anyone but her.”

For those outside the tri-city area, book groups in Dinwiddie and Carson will also be meeting Thursday, January 19^th. Stop by the Carson Depot Library at 6 pm to talk about The Real Macaw, by Donna Andrews. This book (by a popular Virginia author) tells the story of Meg Langslow who hears an odd noise early one morning and discovers that her living room is filled with animals! Or come to the Dinwiddie Library at 7 pm to discuss Sharyn McCrumb’s The Ballad of Tom Dooley inspired by an 1866 murder made famous by The Kingston Trio’s 1958 song.

Finally, read one of our favorite books of the fall in Hopewell on January 31^st at 6:30 pm as librarian Chris Wiegard shares one of his top picks, The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. In a recent review, Mr. Wiegard described this book as “disturbingly raw and powerful” as it tells the story of Victoria Jones, a young woman who has survived a miserable childhood in foster care and is thrown into the “real world” thoroughly unprepared.

Book groups are absolutely free to attend and require no registration. Each library location will host book groups each month all year long and welcomes you to attend as many you like. You can view a complete list of the 2012 book selections here.

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Author L. B. Taylor shares ghost stories October 13th at 6 pm in Prince George.

Virginia author L. B. Taylor brings mystery and mayhem to the Prince George Library Thursday, October 13^th at 6:00 pm. Mr. Taylor has researched psychic phenomena in Virginia and will be sharing his ghostly discoveries with those who attend this free event.

This event is a part of the Appomattox Regional Library System’s month of Mystery and Mayhem this October. The mayhem continues with events for teens, tweens and little goblins later in the month and wraps up with a visit from author Beth Brown in Dinwiddie on October 28^th. For more information on this and all other programming at the library, please call 804-861-0322.

L. B. Taylor was born in Lynchburg, VA and received his journalism degree from Florida State University where he wrote about America’s space programs for 16 years. After retiring to Williamsburg, he worked on the book Haunted Houses for Simon and Schuster and was drawn to the history of supernatural events in Virginia. His books include Civil War Ghosts of Virginia, The Ghosts of Virginia, The Ghosts of Richmond and more than 30 other books; many of which are available at the Appomattox Regional Library System.

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The Titanic departs from England in April 1912.

The Titanic sails into Prince George local history as the Prince George Library hosts a presentation by Jeanie LeNoir Langford. “The Titanic Sails into Local History” is the story of the ill-fated liner and her connections to the Hopewell/Prince George area. The Appomattox Regional Library System offers this presentation free to the public on Thursday, September 29th at 6 pm at our new Prince George Library.

Ms. Langford will provide information on Robert W. Daniel, “The Master of Brandon”, and his escape from the sinking ship along with his first wife Mrs. Lucien P. Smith, who was also a Titanic survivor. Attendees will also hear about local connections to the Olympic (the Titanic’s sister) and how Hopewell/Prince George natives are still impacting the fate of the Titanic and its artifacts. Ms. Langford tells us that “the community ties to this great liner are shrouded in mystery and full of twists and turns” and she has promised the audience a “night to remember.”

Jean Langford talks about our local ties to the Titanic Thursday 9/29 at 6 pm in Prince George.

Jeanie LeNoir Langford, local historian, was born in Narrows, Virginia and has resided in Hopewell since the age of three.  Ms. Langford graduated from Hopewell High School and attended the College of William Mary.  She has written articles for the Encyclopedia of Virginia as well as the Hopewell News.  Ms. Langford has worked on a variety of projects including Virginia Roots Music and the New Harmonies Exhibitions.  She is employed by the Appomattox Regional Library System and is enrolled in the Virginia Museum Association’s certification program.

For more information on this and other programming at the library, please call 804458-6329 ext. 3700.

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To celebrate you and your new baby, the Appomattox Regional Library System would like to invite you to celebrate with us as we show you how the library can support your new family in a variety of ways. Join us for a BIRTHday Party Thursday, September 15th from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Hopewell Library.

Any and all parents with children under the age of ONE are invited to attend. Cake and punch will be served and we’ll be hosting guest speakers who will talk about ways to help your baby develop in a safe and loving environment. Door prizes will be given out – call to RSVP or if you have any questions.

Contact: Dee Dee Whitman 804.458.6329 ext. 1013

Location: Hopewell Library, 209 E. Cawson Street, Hopewell, Virginia

Directions: Off of Route 10, next to the Beacon Theatre

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Czechoslovak parishioners at a church social in the 1930s.

Learn about “Local Legacies” at the Prince George Library Thursday, September 8th at 6:00 pm as the Appomattox Regional Library System welcomes local historian Bruce Vlk.  Mr. Vlk’s research on Czechoslovakian immigrants in Virginia was recently published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and this Prince George native will share his findings with the community as he discusses the lives of Czech and Slovak families in Prince George County.

Join us at the Prince George Library to find out more Thursday, September 8th at 6:00 pm. For questions about this program please contact Branch Manager, Janet Anderson, at jandeson@arls.org.

Bruce Vlk works at the University of Virginia. In 2009, he served as a co-producer for the PBS documentary “Locked Out: The Fall of Massive Resistance.” His work on the film’s oral history interviews inspired him to conduct similar recordings on the Czechoslovak community in Prince George County.

Bruce received his M.P.A. from James Madison University and his B.A. in Political Science from George Mason University. In 1998, he studied Czech politics and government at Charles University in Prague.

The author with Joseph W. Hanzlik in New Bohemia in September 2010.

He recently presented his project at the Virginia Forum, the Virginia Social Sciences Association’s annual conference and the Czechoslovak Society for Arts & Sciences regional conference in New York City. He is a member of the Virginia Czech/Slovak Heritage Society and a native of Prince George County.

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Tour the new Prince George Library this Saturday starting at 10:00 am.

Join us Saturday, July 23rd starting at 10:00 am as we open the Prince George Library! The Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony for the new Library will begin at 10 a.m.

Grand opening festivities will include remarks by county officials, the chair of the ARLS Board of Trustees, and members of the community followed by the ribbon cutting.  Throughout the day, families are encouraged to come and enjoy refreshments, library tours and a 12:00 pm appearances by storyteller Jane Crouse who will entertain kids and adults with Amazing Tales!  Youth will also spot the Cat in the Hat and MacGruff the crime dog who will be available for photographs.

The architectural firm of Enteros, Inc. worked with Prince George citizens and library staff members to design a community meeting place which would reflect the natural beauty and agricultural roots of Prince George County, while celebrating the integral importance of business, industry and technological developments in the county.

Scott Firestine, ARLS library director, praised the work of volunteers from the Woman’s Club of Prince George, Tinsley Charter, and other community groups, who have worked so hard, inside and outside the library.  “The library is honored by the commitment of the citizens to ensure the success of this new community center for Prince George.”

For more information on programs and resources at the Appomattox Regional Library System, please call 804-458-6329. The Prince George County Library is located at 6605 Courts Drive in Prince George.

Continue reading »]]> Join the Appomattox Regional Library System for our “Before They Were Movies” film series THIS Thursday, May 19th. We will be showing a movie of your choice at the Hopewell Library starting at 4:30 pm. Popcorn and lemonade will be served.

Those who arrive first will get to choose which of our books-turned-movies film we’ll see… Will it be a movie about the adventures of a teenage demi-god? A film about dragons or princesses? Or maybe one about night-time adventures at a museum. YOU decide!

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Do you need volunteer hours to graduate? Want something to do over the summer? Would like to make your college application stand out? Well, if you would like to do any of these WITHOUT leaving the comfort of your own home, you can write book reviews for the library’s teen website and teen Facebook page. Check out our new volunteer position below, and apply here…

POSITION TITLE: Teen Book Reviewer

CLASSIFICATION: Volunteer

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Youth Services Manager

TIME COMMITMENT: 1 Book review = 2 hours of volunteer time (Minimum one review per month)

Position Summary: Assist Youth Services staff by writing book reviews that will be posted on the ARLS Teen website and/or ARLS Teen Facebook page.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1.  Teens may select any book of their choosing to read and write a book review.

2.   Books should be at an appropriate reading level for the teen, such as found in Juvenile, YA or Adult sections of the library.  Easy books, or picture books, and beginning reader books will not be acceptable unless deemed as “sophisticated” by the industry.  Books can be of any type, including genre fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels. Various formats are permitted including print, audio books, and e-books.  Prior to selecting the review, contact the Youth Services Manager to ensure the book meets the above criteria.

3.     Reviews should include a brief synopsis of the book, comparisons of similar works or authors, the writer’s opinions about the quality of the book, and whether or not the writer would recommend the book and to what audience.

4.   Reviews should be between 200-400 words in length.

5.   Writer may read other book reviews of the chosen book; however, submitted reviews must be the writer’s own work.

6.   Email submissions of reviews are preferred, print submissions to any ARLS branch may be arranged.

7.   Teens may be asked to review a specific genre of book, i.e. fantasy, in order to co-inside with library programs such as Pirate Week.  As this volunteer position is meant to be both flexible and self driven, this is more of a request than requirement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires basic computer skills, including email and sending documents as attachments.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word is desired.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with enthusiasm, initiative, and self motivation.

Work Environment: This job allows teens, who are often extremely busy and may have transportation issues, to read books of their choosing, and then write a book review and submit to the Youth Services Manager. This allows teens to work on this from home or school without having to be physically present at the library.

Education, Experience, and Training: Must be able to choose books at appropriate reading levels. Experience writing book reports is valued.

Additional Qualifications:

Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written directions.

Dependability.

Ability to be flexible.

Ability to work carefully with great attention to detail.

Examples of Essential Functions and Skills: The following describe examples of principal duties and responsibilities of the job. It is not a definitive list and other similar duties may be assigned.

Selects a book of their choosing at an appropriate reading level.

For example: Teen can check with Youth Services Manager to ensure the book is at an appropriate level for them.  Reading levels can vary from one teen to another.

Writes and Submits Book Reviews

For example: Teen writes a book review 200-400 words in length and submits it to the Youth Services Manager via email or in print as arranged.

Click here for information on how to apply (please note: only 1 reference is needed for this position)

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Help the Appomattox Regional Library System observe the 92^nd annual Children’s Book Week the entire week of May 2^nd – May 7^th. Children’s Book Week is a national event with the goal of promoting the idea that children’s books can change lives. The ARLS will be celebrating this week-long event with an Alice in Wonderland themed scavenger hunt at all ARLS locations all week as well as the following events:

Monday, May 2nd^th ALL DAY: Stop by any of the ARLS libraries to see staff dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland and take part in our scavenger hunt!  Be sure to bring a camera so you can snap photos of your kids with their favorite character.

Tuesday, May 3^rd @ 4:30: Join us at the Hopewell Library for a viewing of the newest movie version of Alice in Wonderland. The movie is rated PG and runs 108 minutes. Popcorn and lemonade will be served.

Wednesday, May 4^th @ 4:30: Come to the Hopewell Library to make a flower pot craft for your mom or another important person in your life. Maybe your mom will be able to start a “garden of live flowers” like the one in Wonderland.

Thursday, May 5^th @ 6:30: We’ll take a break from our Alice in Wonderland activities as we host our next Little Stars/Big Horizons BIRTHday party for children age one and under. We’ll have story time, guest speakers, cupcakes and a door prize for participants.

Friday, May 6^th @ 2:30 and 4:30: Join us for a Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Hopewell Library! Parents and children are invited to join us for tea, cookies, and sandwiches and we’ll make our own “Mad Hatter hats”. Parties are limited to 25 people (including parents) so registration is required. Stop by the Hopewell Library information desk or call 458-6329 x 1005 to register.

In addition to these exciting events, the library will be having an “adventures” themed story time series during our normal story time programs. There’s plenty to do all week so stop in for prizes, movies, crafts and stories!