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  • Magic and Sea Creatures and Storytime, Oh My!

    Experience the wonderful world of magic with Jim Kleefeld during his of Oceans of Fun Show at GCPL this June! Former kindergarten teacher and self-proclaimed book lover, Jim encompasses interactive magic, humor, and storytelling to dazzle his audience.

    I had the chance to discuss this year’s show with Jim.

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    What made you want to pursue magic and performing?

    I have always loved magic since I was a 7-year-old cub scout, and I found a knack for it that was easier and more fun for me than football, gardening, or swimming. I’ve turned my childhood passion into a fun career!

    What is your favorite part of doing magic for children?

    I absolutely live for the laughs and smiling faces I see at every show! Nothing beats that wide-eyed look of surprise and wonder that only comes from the young and innocent belief that “magic” might be real.

    Having performed at libraries in the past, what do you love about the Summer Reading Program and how do your shows incorporate the yearly theme (Oceans of Possibilities)?
    This is my 52nd consecutive year of creating a new themed show for Summer Reading Clubs all over Ohio. What I love most about libraries is that they bring self-selecting audiences. The kids who come to watch are not forced to come – they really want to be there. Since I return to so many of the same libraries year after year, I love putting together a new show each year, and the library themes give me a great starting point for tricks and ideas.  

    What should our patrons expect when they attend one of your magic shows this summer?

    At my Oceans of Fun Magic Show, kids and parents can expect lots of laughs, many moments of pure wonder, and a few big surprises. One thing I always love to do is include special humor for the adults to enjoy – some of the fun goes right over the kids’ heads, but those moments are really designed to ensure the parents have a good time too. For my younger audience, each child will learn a magic trick that they can perform for their friends and family. I’ll teach them the trick at the show, then give them each the prop they’ll need to perform the trick at home!

    —

    Experience the fun at Jim Kleefeld’s Oceans of Fun Magic Show on June 20th at the Fairborn community library and June 21st at the Beavercreek and Winter’s-Bellbrook community libraries.

  • National Velvet, Week 1

    Welcome to June’s Online Book Club! This month, we’re reading National Velvet by Enid Bagnold. 

    The Online Book Club, if you’ve never joined us before, is a book discussion group that takes place entirely online. Each week, I write a new blog post that talks about different aspects of the book, and you can interact directly with me and other readers by leaving your comments. Check back each week and see what new topics we’re talking about.

    National Velvet is the story of a young girl named Velvet who is completely obsessed with horses. After winning a horse in a raffle, Velvet is determined to ride the horse and win in the Grand National, the world’s greatest steeplechase. Will she be able to accomplish her goal? 

    If you want to follow along with us but you aren’t interested in reading the book, you can always watch the movie version starring Elizabeth Taylor. Check out the trailer above if you want to get a feel for the movie. Feel free to still leave comments on the blog posts, even if you’re only watching the movie and not reading the book.

    We’ll read through the first 6 chapters for next week. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the first section in the comments!

  • Hoot and Holler for Owls at the Library

    An owl doing a program for a group of Cub Scouts during an offsite program.

    See Ohio-native owls live in action this summer at your library! GCPL is hosting the Glen Helen Raptor Center for their Only Owls presentation, where they show off three amazing owls. Learn what makes these birds masters of the night as Raptor Center staff reveal the owls’ unique adaptions in real time. 

    Raptor Center Director Rebecca Jaramillo discussed their programs and why it’s important to learn about birds of prey.

    —

    Your Only Owls presentation allows patrons to meet three Ohio native owls; what should patrons expect to learn from this program

    Typically, we bring an Eastern Screech Owl, a Barn Owl, and a Great Horned Owl though sometimes we will substitute a Barred Owl in, depending on how everyone’s feeling that day. You can find pictures here of our owls along with the stories of how they came to be in the center’s care. I never know which exact birds until that day since we monitor and assess each bird every day for willingness to participate in programming.

    What is you and your staff’s favorite part about educating people about birds of prey?

    I always say that the purpose of education is to ignite people’s inner superhero and encourage them to learn about the world around them. At the end of the day, I don’t much care if they like owls, or tigers, or plants, or spiders, as long as they find some living thing that they can connect to, then use their superpowers to learn about and protect that piece of the Earth. If we all do that, then the world will be in good hands. 

    What, in your opinion, is the biggest takeaway you want people to understand about raptor conservation and why it’s important here in Southwestern Ohio?

    A young great horned owl being reunited with its wild parents using an artificial nest (laundry basket).

    Raptors are a part of our ecosystem and are connected to it in ways that benefit humans more than we realize. They are tremendously important in keeping rodent and insect populations under control. When we use poisons to get rid of mice or insects, we need to remember that those poisons enter into the greater food chain and end up causing harm to animals that are our allies in the fight against these pests.

    —

    Rebecca went on to share that the Raptor Center is open to visitors daily! Their summer hours are 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., and she encourages people to come learn how they can help take care of the native birds.

    Get ready to have a hooting good time at Only Owls happening at the Cedarville and Jamestown community libraries on June 8!

  • Beavercreek Adult Take-and-Make: Honey Oatmeal Soap

    Register for your kit here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/62979a7558568df7273155bf

    This month’s craft is very simple and lots of fun!  

    Included in your kit:

    2 soap molds

    soap base

    2 honey packets

    approx. 1/4 cup steel cup oats

    Instructions:

    1.  Cut the soap base into small-ish cubes.
    2. Melt the soap base in a small glass container in the microwave at 30 second intervals.
    3. Add the honey and steel cut oats.  The oats give the soap an gentle exfoliating quality.
    4. It’s not included, but adding some kind of essential oil or other fragrance is recommended to improve the smell of the finished soap.
    5. Pour the soap into the molds:
      1. Tip- If you pour the soap into the molds all at once, the oats will settle on the bottom (the top of the finished soap).  If you want the oats evenly distributed in the soap, I recommend pouring a little into the mold and letting it partially set up.  Then pour a little more and repeat until the molds are full.  You may have to reheat the soap in the microwave a few times if using this method.

    That’s it!  It’s so easy! You could use the soap yourself or give as gifts.

    As always, we love to see your finished product on our Facebook page!

    Happy crafting!!

    Morgan

  • The Hunt for Red October, Week 4

    Welcome to the final discussion of The Hunt for Red October.

    What did you think of the end of the book? Did the action conclude the way you thought it would? I thought this section was definitely the most exciting and the most action-packed. I flew through these last pages. 

    There is a lot of SONAR talk in this last section. Submarines and boats are pinging each other and searching for each other all throughout this last section. I found those sections to be a little confusing because I didn’t really know much about SONAR. But, the video below really helped me understand the science behind those scenes. Check it out if you’d like to learn more about how submarines use SONAR to move through the water. 

    There were so many stressful scenes in these last chapters! First, the shootout between Ramius, Ryan, and the guy, Kamarov who stayed behind on the sub to make sure it didn’t fall into the hands of the Americans. I knew he was going to end up being a problem, but I kind of thought that Ryan would be able to talk him down, and I didn’t really expect that Kamarov would be killed. He was very dedicated to his beliefs, though, so he was not able to be turned. It was so stressful after that shootout since there were now wounded men on the sub. I can’t imagine how scary it would be in that situation to have a problem like that and know that you were so isolated in a submarine. 

    Obviously, the part where the V.K. Konovalov was hunting the Red October was really intense. First, the Konovalov fires torpedoes at the Red October, but somehow, the Red October is able to maneuver so that they are not blown to bits by the torpedo that hits them. Then, there was a lot of pinging of SONAR and fighting back and forth until the two submarines ran into each other, and the Konovalov was mortally wounded. I was really surprised that was how the whole event ended. I was glad that it was all solved without any escalation to war. 

    What did you think about all of the Soviet crew members who got a grand American tour before they went home? Did you think more would ask to stay in the U.S? What about the men on the Red October? Wasn’t it funny that they were so affected by E.T.? That made me laugh. I wonder how the men fare in America after the book ends? 

    What outlying character ended up being your favorite? I think Jonesy, the guy who was doing all of the navigating was my favorite. He was so good at his job. 

    While you were reading, were you curious about how Tom Clancy had such in-depth knowledge of all of the military jargon, technology, and equipment? According to his obituary in The New York Times, Clancy got all of his information from interviews and technical manuals. Isn’t that crazy? You would think he was a high-ranking military official because of all of the realistic details in this book. 

    I hope you enjoyed reading this book this month! If you enjoyed this book and would like to read or watch similar titles, check out this list I created. Please make sure to let me know if you check out anything on the list. 

    I hope you’ll check back next month as we read National Velvet by Enid Bagnold. I can’t wait to hear all of your thoughts on The Hunt for Red October in the comments section! 

  • Taking the Digital World by Storm – You Got This!

    With technology constantly advancing, digital literacy is a vital skill to have. Maybe you need to learn computer basics, transition to a virtually based job, or simply keep up with your family Zoom meetings; whatever the reason, don’t let that computer keep you from what you want. Don’t worry, though, the library has you covered!

    Being able to take advantage of computer technology can begin right here at your community library. All you have to do is talk to your librarian, and they can introduce you to our newest online resource, Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments. Northstar focuses on what are known as basic digital literacy skills – from using a mouse to searching on the internet and using email to more advanced skills like using websites to learn new skills, searching for jobs online, or keeping up with friends and family on social media.

    I had the chance to chat about Northstar with Tamar Kreke, GCPL’s Adult and Technical Services Coordinator, about why this is such an amazing resource for you.

    —

    Why is digital literacy so important in today’s day & age?

    Well first off, let’s define digital literacy. Digital literacy refers to having the skills you need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices. In other words, it means that you know what to do and how to navigate on a computer and other digital devices.

    In today’s modern world there simply is no going back; everything is increasingly dependent on technology. Digital literacy is vital, but you don’t need to worry because your local librarians are here to help! Patrons now need to be able to navigate in the digital world, and you don’t need to feel intimidated by the online world because your librarians have resources like Northstar to help you.

     

    Knowing our patrons, what do you think the need for a resource like Northstar Digital Assessments is in Greene County – what makes you excited now that it’s available?

    There are many different reasons why patrons might need to or want to improve their digital literacy. They may need to fill out online job applications, learn new skills for work, they may be going back to school, enjoy lifelong learning, want to keep up with their family and friends on social media, or start a small business.

    Our librarians love providing one-on-one assistance to our patrons, and we are so excited to be able to offer patrons this robust tool that they can use at their discretion to assess and build their skills. Northstar is a great resource to support staff in helping and in patrons helping themselves. You may feel apprehensive about your computer skills, but come into your local library, ask your librarian for help, and we can go from there. No one should feel intimidated by computers or learning digital skills – these skills are now accessible to you and the GCPL staff are more than happy to guide you with online resources like Northstar to get you where you want to be!

     

    What are some of the benefits Northstar offers our patrons? How can they apply what they learn on Northstar to their everyday lives?

    The first benefit that comes to mind is confidence! You may feel as though, you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to computers, but you don’t give yourself enough credit – you got this! Northstar is ideal for people who have a relatively low level of digital literacy skills; you don’t have to know anything about computers or the internet to start. Northstar has three main areas of learning: essential computer skills, essential software skills, and using technology in daily life. It is all wonderfully organized and is truly practical, helpful information and training to anyone wishing to learn.

    —

    Tamar went on to say that several of our community libraries also offer Tech Tips for Seniors’ programs as well. These in-person programs would complement Northstar well for those looking to really bolster their computer skills.

    Access your Northstar learner account today with your library card today.

  • Make Your Small Business Dreams Come True at Spark Place

    Thinking about starting a small business and need affordable signage, stickers, and other marketing materials? Cynthia Stemple, or Cymp as her friends call her, did too when she started up a now Greene County Staple – Coffee Hub. So, when Cymp needed signage on a budget, she turned to Spark Place at the Xenia Community Library.

    I had the chance to chat with Cymp about GCPL’s makerspace and why it’s so helpful for her as a small business owner.

    —

    Can you give us a little backstory on the origin of Coffee Hub in Greene County?

    I love coffee with a passion, and after moving to Xenia in 2012, I noticed that there was a need for a local, specialty coffee shop in Xenia. I filed the coffee shop away with my many other business ideas, until one day I got a call wanting to know if I was interested in starting a coffee shop in partnership with a community restaurant One Bistro. From there, the idea for Coffee Hub Xenia was born, and after getting professional training, being offered a great space right in the heart of downtown, and connecting with other coffee aficionados in the area, I opened Coffee Hub Xenia in July 2017. God gives us opportunities, and we walk through those doors…the next opportunity being opening a new Coffee Hub location in Centerville.

    What are some projects you have worked on at Spark Place?

    I’ve made Coffee Hub stickers, banners, buttons, mugs, big vinyl stickers of our logo for shops, trailers, and more!

    How have these projects benefited your small business?

    Spark Place allows me to create great signage for a super reasonable price, which is so helpful for us as a small business. Plus, it’s just fun to be able to create! Thanks to these projects I have met such wonderful people at the library and Spark place, and it’s always fun to connect with others in the community. I tell people about Spark Place all the time, and I am so happy my tax dollars go to such a wonderful space!

    Do you have any future projects you plan to work on at Spark Place? Yes, soon I’ll be making vinyl stickers for our coffee truck we are building out, and a big logo for inside the new Centerville location. It’s great to know that I can continue to utilize Spark Place as my business grows, and I think having a makerspace available to library patrons is a wonderful way to spark creativity for all makers out there!

    —

    Cymp goes on to give Spark Place a glowing review and recommends it to small business owners and individuals alike. Make sure to check out Coffee Hub and be on the lookout for their newest location coming to Centerville!

    Make an appointment at Spark Place today to find numerous tools and technology to invent, build, and create your latest project! Visit GreeneLibrary.info/sparkplace/ to learn more or call (937) 736-7092.

  • The Best Part of Spark Place is YOU!

    Take on your newest creative project at Greene County’s very own makerspace Spark Place! First things first, if you don’t already know, a makerspace is a place where you’ll find tools and technology for community members to share as they invent, build, and create. Spark Place has all the make-whatever-your-heart-desires tools, and the staff are knowledgeable and ready to help while you work on your project.

    Laser engraved photo of the Bacher family made at Spark Place.

    This Maker’s Week we’re highlighting this amazing space, and a patron who frequents it with her family. Cyrill Bacher and her family love using Spark Place and want you to love it too! I had the chance to discuss Spark Place with Cyrill including some of the projects she’s worked on there.

    —

    What is the best part about having accessibility to a makerspace in Greene County?

    What is the best part about Spark Place? Every single thing is the best part. I mean that too. We started going to Spark Place after the pandemic hit and our family decided to home school. So, my kids and I needed a space where we could make art that made us smile. It was really intimidating for us at first because you just feel like you’re going to break everything, but the employees there are so great at teaching you about the machines, the software, how to use each machine that we felt like we could make anything.

    What are some projects you and your family have worked on at Spark Place? What excites you guys about the makerspace?

    We usually come up with fun ideas like using artwork my kids made or family pictures and transform them into cool projects using the tools at Spark Place like sublimated mugs (heat transferring art onto the outside of a mug), wood, t-shirts, 3D printing, laser engraved leather belts, wallets, glass, wood, pencils. We’ve made stickers as well.  

    The most exciting part about Spark Place is hearing my kids say, “Mommy my friend’s birthday is next week. He’s really into Pokémon – I need to make him this!” Since we have started coming there, we do not buy presents; Instead, we make presents. Every holiday, birthday, event involves us thinking of what makes people happy, then coming to Spark Place and figuring out how to make it. Then we get to physically hand them the object that we think brings them joy. It’s so nice to come there and see artists so excited about what they are making because they know it’s going to make people smile so big. It’s the happiest place ever! 

    Do you have any future projects you plan to work on at Spark Place?

    Future projects are never ending. This past Christmas we made gifts for about 25 of my family members. My face hurt from smiling so hard! I want to sublimate photos on a blanket since I haven’t done that yet.  

    What are some encouraging words you would give to a patron that may be on the fence about using Spark Place?

    Just set up an appointment. Once you get here there’s going to be so many people that will help you make sure you can succeed at whatever project you’re thinking about making. You’re going to fall in love with this place!

    —

    See the gallery below to view some of the cool projects Cyrill and her family have made at Spark Place. Maybe some of their projects will inspire your next project!

    Make an appointment at Spark Place today to find numerous tools and technology to invent, build, and create your latest project! Visit GreeneLibrary.info/sparkplace/ to learn more or call (937) 736-7092

  • The Hunt for Red October, Week 3

    Welcome to Week 3 of the Online Book Club discussion of The Hunt for Red October. 

    Did you enjoy the section this week? I was still surprised by how many characters and settings there were in every chapter, but I felt like I was a little better able to keep up with all of the details this week. Did you struggle to keep every character and setting straight? I was a little surprised, also, that Jack Ryan wasn’t a more prevalent character. I thought he would be in a lot more scenes than he was. 

    What was the most exciting scene to you? I think the most interesting part to me was when the Red October realized she had been spotted, so she came to the surface and received those messages from the American ships. Do you think Ramius was hoping to be spotted? Was that all part of his plan? I was surprised that Ramius was able to decipher the English messages, but I was glad that he was. After the Americans contacted Ramius, I felt like the whole rescue mission was finally going to work. It felt like a puzzle piece that had fallen into place. I felt like there was hope for the Red October to not be taken out by the Soviet fleet following them. 

    Another exciting part was the spy sting that happened at the end of chapter 13. Didn’t you feel confused when the CIA operative, Ritter, started telling the senator, Donaldson, that they believed Poland was responsible for raising suspicion about the Red October? That seemed like such an obvious lie, so I was really confused why the information was being shared. But, it all made sense once it was revealed that Henderson, the senator’s chief aide, was really a spy and shared that fake story with his Soviet contact. I wasn’t expecting that at all, were you? 

    Henderson wasn’t the only spy in this section. Were you surprised to learn that there is a Kremlin agent going undercover on the Red October? Surely, Ramius has no idea, right? This man has orders to destroy the sub if it strays from its mission. What is going to happen once the Red October comes in contact with the American ships? Do you think this hidden person will make trouble for the ship? 

    What did you think of the other Soviet ship, the Politovskiy, that blew up? One man, the cook, was rescued, but the rest of the men were lost. It was kind of handy, I guess, that the boat exploded, since it gave the Americans a reason to be out near where all of the submarines were. How else will the Americans use this explosion to their advantage? How will this tie in to the Red October?

    Did any other parts stick out to you? What’s your guess for what will happen in the last section? How is this all going to be resolved? What will Jack Ryan do in the last section? What will happen to all of the extra crew members on the Red October? 

    Before you go, check out the video clip below in which Tom Clancy talks about his writing process and how he didn’t change after his books came out. 

    Finally, several different actors have played Jack Ryan over the years. Check out this article to get reacquainted with each of the actors. Do you agree with the ranking from the article? Which Jack Ryan do you like the best? 

    I hope you’ll join us again next month as we finish the book! I can’t wait to hear all of your thoughts in the comments section!

  • The Hunt for Red October, Week 2

    Welcome to Week 2 of the Online Book Club discussion of The Hunt for Red October. 

    What did you think of the reading this week? The beginning of the book was not what I was expecting. I think I thought it was going to be more action-packed, right from the beginning, but there was a lot of technical submarine talk that I wasn’t prepared for. And, there were more plot lines than I was expecting. I had to make sure to read all of the section headings, so I knew exactly where the action for that little section was taking place! What did you think of the first couple of chapters? 

    As soon as I started reading about the submarines, I had to look up what the inside of a submarine looks like. I just couldn’t picture how everything would fit in that kind of tight space. If you’re curious about the inside of a submarine, check out the video below and then read this article. Is the inside of the submarine what you imagined? 

    In the first chapter, we learn that the Soviet submarine, captained by Marko Ramius, is up to something. It appears that this will be a normal mission, but in the first couple of pages, Ramius kills his political officer and covers up the murder. Then, he turns the submarine in a different direction than their orders decreed they should go. We don’t know for sure what’s happening, but it does seem reasonable that they are doing what Jack Ryan believes–defecting to the United States. 

    What do you think of Jack Ryan? It’s interesting that he’s thrust into a position of trust and power after working as a stockbroker and history professor. He is definitely someone that everyone listens to. Do you think he’s similar to any other characters that you’ve seen in other books? Did you like reading about him, and did you find yourself rooting for him and hoping that all of his theories would end up being correct? 

    What were your first impressions of Ramius? He mentions that he’s fed up with the Soviet system because his wife died after receiving improper care from a Soviet doctor. The doctor was not punished for his actions because he was the son of a high ranking Soviet Party member. Does that seem like sufficient motivation to kill a person on the submarine and change the mission for the submarine? Do you think Ramius is a good man, even though he has already done some horrible things? 

    There were a lot of extra characters throughout this first section. There was Tyler, the man who was able to look at pictures of the Red October and figure out its schematics, the President, who seemed to be a little like Reagan, and Jones, the guy who first hears the Red October. Did any of these men stand out to you? Did you get confused with all of the extra military officials who were introduced in every section? 

    At the end of this first section, the Soviets are having trouble with their radiation badges. Is this all part of Ramius’s plan to get the submarine where it wasn’t expected to be? Maybe having these messed up badges will make the submarine come up to the surface sooner than expected. 

    What other parts in this section stood out to you? Are you excited to read the next section? 

    Thanks for following along this week! I can’t wait to hear your first impressions in the comments section. And, make sure to check back next week as we talk about chapters 8-13.