Under Construction, Vol. II

Drywall Prep in the Main Stairwell

By Matt Williams, facilities manager at Bremen Public Library 

We're moving forward with renovations here at the library.

Local contractor Matt Coffel and his son, Austin Coffel, have been working with us on our renovation project. They have replaced both of our water fountains with brand new Elkay Bottle Filling Fountains which both double-filter the local water and provide and easy spout to fill personal water bottles.

With the weather clearing up we are planning on working towards beautifying the landscape outside. Meanwhile, as we continue interior renovations, expect to see some bare walls and a little dust. Everyone has been very kind and understanding with our process and I’d like to personally thank everyone. If anyone has any comments or ideas feel free to contact me at mwilliams@bremen.lib.in.us. 

We’re always looking to work with local contractors and companies to retain a community-conscious approach to our goals.

Again, thank you and pardon our dust.

New Drinking Fountain

Periodical Room Renovation

Program Highlight

Travel "Under the Sea" for spring break!

Our Children's Department has planned many fun activities during spring break, April 3-8. 

Stop by anytime during regular hours to go on our scavenger hunt or guess how many shells are in the jar. You can also stop by and try our Make-It, Take-It Craft of the Day! Every day we will have a different craft available. 

Here is the craft schedule:

Monday:  Moving Fish

Tuesday:  Sea Turtle

Wednesday:  CD Fish

Thursday: Shark Hat

Friday: Octopus

See you on spring break!

Program Highlight

Cast Your Vote for the Firefly Award!

By Cindy Hartman, children's assistant at Bremen Public Library

Did you know that there is an annual award given in Indiana for exceptional children’s picture books? The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is an initiative of the Indiana Center for the Book and is administered by the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Committee. This committee is made up of professionals throughout the state who are involved in early childhood development, including teachers, librarians, early childhood professionals, and project coordinators. The purpose of this award is to encourage parents, caregivers, and very young children to interact together with exceptional picture books. Picture books serve an important role in the first years of the life of a child. 

Who Can Vote? Children who are under age 6 as of May 1, 2017 may vote with some help of course, for the Firefly Award book here at BPL in the Children’s Department.

When Can My Child Vote?  Voting will take place during the month of April.

2016 Nominees are as follows:

· Race Car Count by Rebecca Kai Dotlich

· Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer

· Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre

· Don’t Wake Up Tiger by Britta Tekentrup

· Music Class Today!  by David Winstone

We have all of these books in our collection here at BPL. We are not checking them out during the month of April so that they can be on display for everyone to see. Stop by and read them to your child and see which one is their favorite. See which book is winning here at BPL and on May 22, the State Firefly Award will be announced.

Previous Winners:

· 2016-  Hooray for Hat! By Brian Won

· 2015 - Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter 

Genre Sampler

Check Out Our Collection of Magazines

By Lisa Bixel, adult department assistant at Bremen Public Library

Do you have expensive magazine subscriptions that have left you feeling overwhelmed with clutter? Cut the cost and the clutter and come to the Bremen Public Library to check out our collection of fun, insightful and informative magazines. Our collection is quite extensive and covers everything from DIY projects to catching up on your favorite sports team to finding the perfect recipe! Our patrons can check out up to 15 magazines at a time and enjoy them for two weeks. It you want them longer, you can renew them for two more weeks if they are not on hold for another patron. And when you have picked out your favorite magazines, check out our new library bags to carry them home!

Great memories start here! Family Fun has lots of fun and creative crafts, games and food ideas that your family will love! What family would not enjoy reading about craft ideas to brighten any room and creating them together is the best part! Finding information on DIY projects, how to make the best snacks and learning about the best board games to play together are all  great ways to get the family laughing and interacting together! So, for ideas on how to have the best fun filled weekend ever, check out this magazine!

Want a fun fast makeover or easy decorating tips? Check out the HGTV Magazine!  Whether it is making over your decor with what you have, sprucing up on a budget, perking up a room with patterns, or adding a bold splash of paint, HGTV will give you lots of tips and suggestions to make your house feel like a new home!

Food. Home. Garden. Well Being. Organic Life is a handbook for happy and healthy living. Recipes, creative exercising, the benefits of the great outdoors, and eco-friendly articles are all a part of Organic Life!

Spring brings about many exciting things, like warmer weather, budding flowers, and the return of outdoor activities, such as walking, biking and of course, Chicago Cubs baseball! For all of your up to date sporting news on your favorite teams, check out Sports Illustrated at the Bremen Public Library!

Free Resource

By Melissa Nunez, adult department assistant at Bremen Public Library

Researching your family tree? Whether you're the family history buff or just curious about where Great Aunt Tillie was born, did you know that the library has great online resources available to aid in your search? Accessing our databases is simple and most of our resources are available right from the comfort of your own home.

Visit our website at www.bremen.lib.in.us. At the top left of the home page, click on the Research tab and from the drop-down menu choose Genealogy. You'll find an abundance of links from which to choose, including Fold3, Heritage Quest and Ancestry.com. While Ancestry.com can only be accessed from within the library, each of the other links can be used anywhere you use the internet. On Fold3 you will find many original military records. With Heritage Quest, you can view original census records and much more. Visit the library for free access to Ancestry.com. Some databases will request a user ID. If that happens, just log in with your BPL card number!

Genre Sampler

A few music recommendations

By Chris O'Brien, adult department assistant at Bremen Public Library

I have just a few new music recommendations for you today. All of these titles are available through our library, either on CD or digitally through Hoopla. 

Hamilton, An American Musical and The Hamilton Mixtape

First, I admit I am a little late getting this one out. However, it took me a while to get caught up into the frenzy of it all. But, once I took the time to read the book “Hamilton, the Revolution” by Ron Chernow and  watch the 2-hour special on PBS, called “Hamilton’s America,”  let’s just say I caught the fever and I cannot tell you too many times, that it is, indeed, contagious. Listen to it, I beg you, you will not be sorry. You will be entertained, and you might just also pick up some new facts about our great country’s history. It’s a win-win!!

The Shack - Music from and Inspired by the Original Motion Picture

I read the book some time ago, and I probably will go see the movie. But, me being more of a music buff than a movie buff, the CD, obviously, caught my eye. With songs by the likes of Tim & Faith, Dan & Shay, Kelly Clarkson, Dierks Bentley and For King & Country, I couldn’t resist giving it a listen. Yes, all the songs are inspirational (to be expected), not in a churchy way, but more in a natural, common-sense way. And I must admit that closing any CD with a rousing rendition of Amazing Grace is a deal-closer, at least for me. I hope you give it a listen, I hope you enjoy.

The Breaker by Little Big Town

New release by one of country’s favorites! If you’ve heard any of their previous tunes and liked them, you won’t be disappointed with this one. My personal favorites are "Happy People" and "Free." Listen and get swept away with the peaceful easy feeling of some good melodies and even better lyrics.

Deep South by Josh Turner

We haven’t seen some new music from this country favorite for longer than I would have liked. But, finally, it has arrived. And, at least for me, that deep, Johnny Cash-like voice that won me over initially, still resounds nicely and strikes all the right chords! If your country tastes run a bit right down the middle, if you are a bit of a traditionalist, try a little trip Deep South. You will feel right at home.

     

Brett Young by Brett Young

He’s new. His music is quite mellow, he’s easy on the eyes, and, oh that voice! I found it slightly addictive, in a very good way! I would say it all points to a promising future for this young man. All he has to do is keep up the momentum he puts forth in this, his first CD. If this is what you call “Young Country,” I’m all for it.  

Happy listening to all! 

Program Highlight

Registration Begins Monday

By Brenda Anderson, Children's Librarian at Bremen Public Library

It’s time once again for the Bremen Public Library’s spring tea parties.

This year is the 20th year the tea parties have taken place. Three different nights are offered to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend this special event. The tea parties take place on Monday, March 27, Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29.

During this one-hour program memories will be made by the generations who attend together dressed up if they choose, but costumes are not required. A mermaid theme takes us "Under the Sea" with themed refreshments including tea (what’s a tea party without tea?) and an assortment of sea-worthy treats fit for a mermaid. The entertainment each evening will be a performance featuring talented youth from the community.

Registration begins Monday, March 13 at 9 a.m. When you call or stop by, please be prepared to list the names (and proper spellings) of everyone in your party. See you "Under the Sea!"

Worth Watching

Did you miss this thriller?

By Terrie Bickel, bookkeeper and YA assistant at Bremen Public Library

Thanks to a good friend who shares my appreciation of the movie John Wick, I recently learned there is a sequel in the theaters. Of course I will have to go see the sequel, but first I felt the need to revisit the original.

John Wick is a thriller starring Keanu Reeves. I admit that I have not always been a huge fan of Reeves, but he nails the role of Wick. Willem Dafoe plays the role of the old friend, and he shines as well. Wick, also known as the Boogeyman, is a brilliant ex-assassin who has retired from that life, all for the love of a woman. He gets drawn back into the underworld after a violent attack. Of course the body count is high, and in typical thriller fashion, Wick never misses a shot, but who cares? Isn’t that what we are rooting for?

All the elements are here: No sympathy for the bad guys, a hero we truly care about, a couple of sweet muscle cars, and even a puppy. What’s not to love? To quote the cover of the DVD, John Wick is a “wild and bloody ride” and indeed it is. If you’re into thrillers, don’t miss this one.

Click here to see if this title is currently available for check-out.

Recommended Read

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman 

By Lisa Bixel, adult department assistant at Bremen Public Library

This was a moving novel about what happens when good people make bad decisions. The story takes place in the 1920s where Tom Sherbourne returns from WWI a broken man. In hopes of finding solace and comfort, he accepts the job of a lighthouse keeper on the island of Janus Rock, off of the coast of beautiful Australia. A few weeks before departing, he meets his future wife, Isabel. Their short courtship, including writing letters back and forth, results in marriage. They are both happy and blissfully content on the island, wanting to fulfill their dream of raising a family of their own.

After Isabel suffers several miscarriages and their chances of having a baby appear bleak, life changes dramatically when Tom finds a live baby and a dead man washed ashore on their deserted island. After carefully pondering the situation, the legality standpoint, and Isabel's strong desire for a child, Tom is torn but decides to keep and raise the child with his wife.

This complex and morally riveting story takes the couple on an adventure that will test their character and love for each other and all they hold dear. I enjoyed this book and thought it was a masterpiece in storytelling with captivating and complex characters amidst a beautiful backdrop of scenery.

Rating:  4.5 out of 5

Click here to see if this book is currently available for check-out. 

Community Outreach

Spring cleaning? Consider donating to BPL!

By Cindy Hartman, children's department assistant at Bremen Public Library

It’s time to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring! This is the time of year that a lot of us will also be doing some spring cleaning. Sometimes finding something to do with what you no longer want can be just as time consuming as the actual cleaning and sorting process. We are in need of some items that you might be getting rid of at your home. If you have visited the children’s department here at the library, you will notice that we now have toys and different areas for the children to use their imaginations while here at the library. It takes a lot of items to make up the various imagination stations, and you might be getting rid of some of them when you do your spring cleaning.

Here is a list of some suggested items that we could use, while I tried to think of everything, it is not an all-inclusive list. If you have an item that is not on this list that you think we could use, call us at 574-546-2849, or e-mail us at chartman@bremen.lib.in.us and we will be glad to consider your item. We ask that all donations be clean and in good repair please.

Toys

· Toy fishing equipment
· Toy camp fire
· Toy grill
· Plastic toy foods
· Dolls with clothes
· Realistic stuffed animals
· Puppets
· Toy kitchen appliances/plates/cups/bowls
· Cars/trucks/planes
· Plastic insects
· Kid’s pool
· Doll blankets

Clothing Items

· Costumes
· Old uniform shirts
· Lab coat
· Smaller sized adult dresses, suit coats, shirts, fancy party dresses
· Necklaces, clip on earrings
· Smaller sized high heel shoes, men’s dress shoes, work boots
· Old glasses
· Glasses cases
· Fishing vests
· Hats (women’s dress, men’s dress, fishing…)
· Small adult sized bathing suits

Household Items

· Silk flowers
· Plastic vases
· Plastic pots
· Foam pieces used to arrange flowers
· Plastic fruit
· Plastic vegetables
· Baskets
· Small suitcase
· Manual typewriter
· Calculators
· Keyboard
· Wigs
· Wig stands
· Brief case
· Walkie Talkies
· Old cell phone
· Old phone
· Fly swatter
· Sleeping bags
· Old cameras/ video cameras
· Flash lights
· Binoculars
· Picnic basket
· Hand or table top mirror
· Food scale
· Apron
· Tongs
· Spatualas
· Thermos (non-breakable)
· Storage containers
· Eye droppers
· Beach towels
· Bushel basket

Pet Items

· Small sized dog collars/harnesses
· Dog/cat feeding bowls
· Dog/cat brushes
· Small sized dog clothes
· Dog leashes
· Bird cage (empty and cleaned)

Recycled Items 

(EMPTY AND CLEANED PLEASE)
· Cardboard tubes
· Small plastic containers
· Large plastic containers with lids
· Plastic and cardboard packaging
· Bubble wrap
· Small plastic bottles
· Foam pieces
· Large tins or coffee cans
· Cardboard boxes
· Empty sunscreen bottles
· Plastic mesh fruit bags
· Plastic strawberry containers
· Empty make -up containers
· Plastic scoops
· Packing peanuts
· Bubble wrap

Miscellaneous Items

· Child-size lawn chairs
· Small pop-up tent
· Fishing nets
· Scuba masks/flippers
· Canteen
· Plastic Easter eggs
· Pool noodles
· Golf tees
· Small sized tools
· NCR paper
· Stethoscope
· Clip boards
· Wrapping paper
· Tissue paper
· Ribbon (wrapping or regular)
· Corks
· Buttons
· Screws, nuts, bolts and fasteners
· Wood scraps
· Tool belt
· Tool box
· Craft items