Community Outreach

Have you ever wanted to help out your community, but weren't sure how? Are you a high school student looking to fulfill community service hours? Do you love your library?

You may find the perfect fit with our Young Adult Volunteer Team!

Students in grades 5-12 are welcome to apply. We have four sessions each year. Those who complete a minimum of eight hours during a three-month session will earn a certificate for that session. Jump in anytime throughout the year! 

You may find yourself checking in books, straightening shelves, preparing crafts, writing book reviews, making videos, putting up bulletin boards ... the list goes on! Our volunteer team members support the Bremen community while gaining valuable job skills for their future.

Curious? Stop by during National Volunteer Week (April 24-29) to chat with YA Librarian Chris Scandling. He will answer any questions you may have and offer you an application. You will also receive a free gift! See you then!

Recommended Reads

Did you have a chance to meet Children's Author Patricia Polacco last week? She made several stops at local schools and libraries, including a special presentation at Bremen Elementary-Middle School. Our Children's Librarian Brenda Anderson is a big fan. 

"Patricia Polacco writes and illustrates each of her books that inspire each of us to be better people," Anderson said. "The valuable life lessons that touch the heart strings and make us laugh at ourselves are a must-read for everyone."

Mrs. Anderson’s top five favorite Patricia Polacco titles are as follows:

The story of a meteor landing in her grandparent’s yard and the subsequent pandemonium that ensues as neighbors and townsfolk in this small Michigan town gather is titled Meteor! Until a few years ago the Meteor Festival still took place in the town of Union City, Michigan.

The Keeping Quilt is a story of immigrants who make a quilt from clothing that belonged to loved ones that are no longer with them. 

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The Mermaid’s Purse is about Polacco’s grandmother’s love of books that led her to have her own library. Historical photos are included in the back of the book. 

 

Thunder Cake is made by a grandfather in an attempt to reassure a grandchild frightened of storms. A recipe is included at the back of the book for Thunder Cake (one of ingredients is tomatoes).

Because of Thursdays features a cat and the message about perseverance. And once again at the back of the book there’s a photo of the actual cat from the story and a recipe for Ugly Pasta. (The cat is not in the ingredients in case you were worried). 

Recommended Read

A Re-visit to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

By Terrie Bickel, Bookkeeper and YA Assistant at Bremen Public Library

My son, who is 9 and in the fourth grade, began reading the Harry Potter series this school year. What began as an attempt to earn Accelerated Reader points has turned into a quest to read the whole series. He has asked me to read them along with him so we can discuss the books. When we finish one, we also reward ourselves by watching the movie, popcorn included of course! As of now, we are on the third book in the series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

The wildly popular Harry Potter series began in 1997 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Harry is a young boy whose parents have died and he is living with the Dursleys, horrid relatives who barely tolerate him and force him to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. Upon his 11th birthday, Harry learns he is actually a wizard, as were his parents. He is invited to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Once there, he makes friends, enemies, and continues to discover more about himself and a life he never knew existed. There are seven books in all, each covering a new year at Hogwarts and, of course, each following Harry and friends along a new adventure. The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, ends with Harry's graduation and I believe we are even rewarded with a glimpse into life after Hogwarts.

I have read the books before. I was one of many fans who eagerly awaited the next in the series. I would put myself on the hold list at the library and wait impatiently for everyone in front of me to hurry up and finish already! I was sorry to see the series end, but was not disappointed with the way the story wrapped up. When my son asked me to read them along with him, my first thought was "Really? Can't we pick something I haven't already read?" But I have to admit, I'm having fun. It has been long enough since I first devoured them that I have forgotten much of how the storyline went. It's fun hearing my son's perspective and discussing the story with him. I have never been one to watch a movie if I have already read the book, but even that has been enjoyable. I'm sure it's all due to the fact that I now have a partner in crime! I'm so glad he asked me to take this journey with him, what fun my re-visit to Hogwarts has been!

Click here to see if this title is currently available at Bremen Public Library. 

Program Highlight

It's not every day that an award-winning, bestselling author visits Bremen Public Library! That's why we're especially excited to host Indianapolis native Edward Kelsey Moore at 2:15 on Wednesday, April 12 as the featured author for our One Book, One Town program.

Moore is the author of New York Times bestselling novel The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat. The novel has been published in translation in eleven countries, was named a 2013 Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, received a 2014 First Novelist Award by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and was selected as a 2014 Illinois Reads book by the Illinois Reading Council. It has also been optioned for a film adaptation in association with Fox Searchlight Pictures.

His visit is made possible through the Novel Conversations Speakers Program, sponsored by the Indiana Humanities with support from The Glick Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

You're invited to stop by for a meet-and-greet this Wednesday afternoon!

Recommended Read

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

By Lisa Bixel, adult department assistant at Bremen Public Library

This humorous, beautiful story of boy meets girl is a touching dose of how God uses our gifts for His good. Chip and Joanna Gaines are living one day at a time and enjoying the journey! “Are You Ready to See Your Fixer Upper?” is heard by millions around the country every day.  By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, Chip and Joanna have become America’s sweethearts.  Magnolia Story is their first book collaboration and it gives the reader insight into who Chip and Joanna are and their life together. From their days at Baylor University, to how they met, their honeymoon adventure, their first project that could have proven very costly, to life on the farm with their four children, this story will inspire. 

Another new endeavor for Chip and Jo (as she is endearingly called by Chip), is the magazine, Magnolia Journal:  Inspiration for Life and Home. They share tips from decorating with plants, choosing subway tile options, favorite sweet tooth items created for their bakery, to decorating with whites, which they say are the essence of simplicity, but also dramatic, impactful, and versatile enough to work with the full range of styles. 

The Magnolia Story shares very humorous and heartfelt moments. If you watch the TV show, “Fixer Upper,” and have not read the book, you may be wondering if this couple is always this upbeat or have they had their share of disagreements. How does Joanna really feel about Chip’s sense of humor? How did Joanna discover her passion for decorating? What is the significance of the word Magnolia and how is it incorporated in everything they do? The reader will find the answers to these questions and so many more when reading this heartfelt story. 

Click here to see if this title is currently available.

Program Highlight

Go Bananas during National Library Week!

Bremen Public Library is celebrating National Library Week April 10-15 with a variety of activities for all ages and interests. 

Special guests Curious George and the Man With the Yellow Hat will be on a mission to find missing library books throughout the town of Bremen all week. On Monday, April 10, check our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds for clues about where you may find this mischievous monkey and his human pal.

On Tuesday, April 11, relax to the beautiful and soothing sounds of a live harpist on our upper level from 2 to 4 p.m. Anna Hagen has been a gig harpist since age 14 and has recorded two CDs of her own arrangements of hymns and Christmas music for solo harp. In both her concerts and arrangements, Anna draws from a variety of musical styles including classical, Celtic and jazz, to creatively communicate the joy of each piece. Patrons are invited to take part in coloring stations and puzzles around the library during the performance. 

On Wednesday, April 12, award-winning, bestselling author Edward Kelsey Moore will visit Bremen Public Library at 2:15 p.m. The conversation with the Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award honoree is part of the Novel Conversations Speakers Program, sponsored by Indiana Humanities. An Indianapolis native, Moore is the author of New York Times bestselling novel The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat. The novel has been published in translation in eleven countries, was named a 2013 Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, received a 2014 First Novelist Award by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and was selected as a 2014 Illinois Reads book by the Illinois Reading Council. It has also been optioned for a film adaptation in association with Fox Searchlight Pictures. All three of Bremen Public Library’s book discussion groups are reading The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat prior to Moore’s visit. If you are not in a book discussion group and would like to read this novel prior to April 12, just ask at the desk and we will order a copy for you!

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On Thursday, April 13, Artist Susie Schaetzle from Create-UR-Canvas will guide participants in painting a beautiful piece of art at 6 p.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room. The painting entitled "Companions" features a dog and cat silhouette and will be painted on an 11 x 14 canvas. The project fee of $15 includes the canvas, the use of an easel, paint and brushes, along with step-by-step instructions. Advance registration and payment are required at the adult desk.

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Finally, on Saturday, April 15, join the creative coloring craze! Stop by the Children's Room at your leisure for a period of relaxation and auditory delight. Coloring generates wellness, quietness and also stimulates brain areas related to motor skills and sensory processing. All ages invited. Supplies provided.

All DVD check-outs are free during National Library Week, including movies, children's shows, documentaries, workout DVDs and TV series. Keep in mind, you must have a valid library card and late fees will still apply.

Something for everyone! Please join us for National Library Week. Bremen Public Library is located at 304 N. Jackson in Bremen.