King County Library System - Library Talk. - July 2008

The latest Batman film, "The Dark Knight" set a record at $314.2 million in domestic tickets in its first 10 days of release.  The film is attracting audiences all over, from traditional Batman addicts, to those more interested in Christopher Nolan's (known for Memento, Following & Insomnia) directing capabilities.   Heath Ledger's untimely death in January has attracted additional media attention as well as rumors about potential Oscar nominations.

Check out the movie trailer!

KCLS is your Batman headquarters.

We have over 200 Batman related items available for check-out, including comic books, graphic novels and of course, all of the previous Batman movies.  Here's a sampling of some of my favorites:

• Batman Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City -- edited by Dennis O'Neil with Leah Wilson.
• Batman: Year One by Frank Miller
• The Essential Batman Encyclopedia by Robert Greenberger
• Batman: Gotham Knight (the movie)
• Batman: the Art of the Dark Knight

Book groups are a great way to make new friends in people and new friends in books.  Many King County Library System branches have book groups.   Some book groups are for adults, some are for teens and there are even some for younger kids. 

 

For instance, at the Covington Library, we're adding a new book group just for kids, one especially with homeschooling families in mind.  We will be meeting one Tuesday each month, September through May, at 1:30pm in the library meeting room.  It is designed for kids ages 8 to 12, but younger siblings are always welcome.  A snack and juice box will be provided, courtesy of the Friends of the Covington Library.   Our first meeting will be September 30 and we will be reading Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner.  Copies will be available for check out at the Covington Library beginning mid-August. 

  

I will also be leading two book groups in connection with the Black Diamond Library.  The Black Diamond Brown Bag Book Bunch will meet one Thursday a month at 12:30, September through May.  Bring your lunch!  It is designed for kids ages 8 to 12, younger siblings always welcome and homeschooling families are encouraged.  Our first meeting will be September 18 in the Black Diamond Library meeting room.   The other book group is the Black Diamond After School Kids Book Group, also meeting one Thursday a month.  This book group will meet after school at Black Diamond Elementary at 3:45 for all kids ages 8 to 12.  Pizza and juice box provided by the Friends of the Black Diamond Library.  Black Diamond Elementary School kids will need to have a note from their grown-up in order to stay after school.  Grown-ups will need to pick up and sign out their kids by 4:35pm.  Our first meeting will be September 18.  Both Black Diamond book groups will be reading The End of the Beginning by Avi.  Copies will be available for check out at the Black Diamond Library  beginning mid-August. 

 

Remember to check with your own community library about what book groups they may offer.

Like video games? Can't wait until the next Game On or Strategy Games Club? Now you can play for free every day @ the Issaquah Library.

Stop by the check out desk to borrow a Nintendo DS and/or DS games to use for up to two hours a day in the library. If you're 12 or older bring a valid library card and photo ID (yes, your school ID, state ID card, driver's permit, driver's license and school id are ok!), to play. People under age 12 can play too- they just need to be accompanied by an adult with an ID.

Freeplay. All ages. Every day. Ask about it. 

Looking for something different? Not into most mainstream books or magazines? Want to share your ideas and stories with others? Read or write a zine. Short for fanzine, zines are self-published and un-censored (so no one will tell you what you can or cannot write about or what your zine can or cannot look like). Zines can be about anything, really. Music, bad jobs, the stuff on your desk, your shoes...
 
Interested? Check out zines @ the Issaquah Library. Hint: look in the teen magazine section or ask a librarian. And if you're already making zines, the Issaquah Library wants your donations so drop by with the goods!

A FYI for the DIY-ers: To master the art of photocopying and zine layouts check out The Stolen Sharpie Revolution, Alex Wrekk's old-school zine about zine-making. Learn about the technical parts of zine-making like block printing, stencil making and distribution. Read it. Make it. Share it.

Who doesn't love flipping through the Guinness Book of World Records?! It's so fun just to browse through all of those crazy records. There are tons of great finds in the non-fiction section of the library, and some can be even more fun than the Guinness Book.

 While I was browsing at the Black Diamond Library  I found The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. I just saw the movie The Dark Knight so it drew me in immediately. This book covers the A to Z of characters, locations, weapons...everything in the Batman and Gotham City universe (the comic book universe that is, it doesn't cover the movies).

I had a lot of fun flipping through and reading about Scarecrow, Two-Face and the Joker and their back stories in the comic books.

I'm always looking for more fun non-fiction finds! Feel free to leave a comment with your favorites.

Yes, you can access Consumer Reports online.  And more!  KCLS subscribes to a whole slew of databases, some of which are collections of online magazine articles.  But you have to access these via the KCLS website (as opposed to going to the Consumer Reports website).

You'll want to have your library card ready if you are accessing these from home - click the "Databases" link near the top of our homepage.  There is an alphabetical listing of databases, and also a grouping by subject.  Click "Consumer Rankings" in that subject listing.

Since everyone asks about Consumer Reports, we have a direct link into one of the databases containing this magazine.  But there are many other magazines containing product reviews (for example, PC World and PC Magazine publish regular computer reviews), and for a general search you'll want to click "Magazine & Journal Articles" from the subject listing.  Then click on a database link (Infotrac and ProQuest are the biggies).

Each database contains articles from hundreds (or thousands) of magazines, and there is some overlap - Consumer Reports is covered in several, for example.  If you are curious, at the bottom of the initial databases webpage, you can enter the name of a magazine and find out if, and in which database(s), and for how many years, the magazine is covered. 

Anyway, for the sake of example, click the "Infotrac OneFile" database link.  After you enter your card number, you will be sent to the database homepage.  If you were looking for an article on a particular topic (drills), you could type that in on this initial search page.  Or, if you want to browse a particular magazine's issue, you can click "Publication Search", enter the magazine title, and run the search.  You can then browse directly through an issue date.

 Beware of a lag time!  It will often take some time before a current issue is available full text in a database.  The latest few months of Consumer Reports, for example, is not accessible via our databases [see comment below].  But for other magazines, it can be a lag time of just a few days or weeks from the publication date.

What about consumer services?  Wouldn't it be great to have a listing of top ranked plumbers in your area?  This information is available from yet another database - Consumers' Checkbook - and is an online version of the popular Puget Sound area consumer magazine.  With regret, our licensing agreement stipulates no home access - you can only access this database from within a KCLS library branch.

Finally - I have a personal favorite:  ConsumerSearch.  I use this website when patrons come in asking for product reviews on obscure items, such as leaf blowers, radar detectors, hot tubs and pressure washers.  The site collects reviews from various other sources, and puts them all together.  You can access this website at:  http://www.consumersearch.com 

Good hunting!

P.S. Disclaimer - searching for product reviews can sometimes be a bit tricksy - feel free to call us if you get stumped.

On my desk, on the pile of new books I'm looking through, is a clever new book entitled: Humpty who? a crash course in 80 nursery rhymes for clueless moms and dads by Jennifer Griffin.  Nursery rhymes are great for little ones.  They should be part of every literacy-minded parent's repertoire.  I'm glad this new book (complete with its' own CD) is now available for those of us that need a little prompting.

Nursery rhymes are not only fun to chant (and sometimes a little odd. What is a "tuffet" anyway?)  They help build *phonological awareness* through the use of rhymes and rhythm.  Phonological awareness is the ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words and is one of the six early literacy skills that kids need before they can learn to read. (You can find out more about the six early literacy skills:  http://www.kcls.org/parents/kidsandreading/readytoread/literacyskills.cfm)  To top all this off, nursery rhymes open a world of cultural commons for children as they begin to navigate the cultural references they will encounter throughout their reading careers.

You can find additional nursery rhymes and mother goose books to help you along the way.  They are usually located at the end of the Folk and Fairy Tales section (the 398s in the Dewey Decimal System) at your local library.  Just about every children's illustrator has their own version.  I'm a fan of the Lucy Cousins, Mary Engelbreit and Rosemary Wells versions.  Favorites from my childhood include: The Real Mother Goose; and Gyo Fujikawa's Mother Goose.
 
Spanish speakers may be more comfortable with nursery rhymes in their own language and reflecting a familiar culture. That's great too!  Nursery rhymes build language skills in whatever language they are spoken. Non-Spanish speaking parents may want to try these, too! Traditional South and Central American nursery rhymes are available in these collections: Pío peep! : traditional Spanish nursery rhymes / selected by Alma Flor Ada & F. Isabel Campoy; and The baby chicks sing : traditional games, nursery rhymes, and lullabies from Spanish-speaking countries / seleccion y adaptacion de Nancy Abraham Hall, Jill Syverson-Stork.

And if you get hooked on nursery rhymes (only for the true geeks), there is some fascinating research on the origins of those crazy rhymes for adults: The annotated Mother Goose, nursery rhymes old and new, arr. and explained by William S. Baring-Gould & Ceil Baring-Gould; or Heavy words lightly thrown : the reason behind the rhyme / Chris Roberts.

Happy rhyming!

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham (6th grade and up)

When Jane goes swimming at the beach on a sunny day in June she has no idea that her life is about to be totally transformed.  While out swimming she is attacked by a shark and her brother, Michael, brings her to shore and saves her life.  She loses an arm and so much blood that no one is sure she's actually going to make it.

As she begins to recover she has a tough time dealing with the loss of her arm.  How can she ever follow her passion for art or cooking if she's missing an arm?  And what about dating that hot guy she liked.  When school starts she's afraid of being an outcast and wants to make sure she's known for more than being "The Shark Girl".

Red Moon at Sharpsburg by Rosemary Wells (5th -8th grade)

India Moody may be a slight girl of twelve, but as this story unfolds she grows into a young woman who must bravely face some very tough challenges.  With her school closed down because her teacher's gone off to fight in the war she gets special tutoring by a medical researcher.  Not only does she learn a lot from him that most girls don't get to learn, but she also falls in love with him.

Then both he and her father take off to fight in the war and she worries for both of their safeties.  Meanwhile her mother's going a little crazy and there are wounded soldiers to tend to in her home.  In addition when she hears her father is sick she brings him medicine while traveling alone on horseback through all kinds of danger and difficulty.  Read about one girl's love, loyalty, and bravery during the horrors and degradation of the civil war.

Do you want to read a book written in Japanese, Spanish, or Croatian?  The King County Library System has a wide selection of books written in languages from around the world.  To see the full list of available languages, view our World Languages Collection page.

Japanese book photo licensed under Creative Commons by Bri...D.

The River of Doubt by Candice Millard (9th grade and up)

If you're planning a backpacking or hiking trip this summer I'm sure you'll be getting supplies together so you'll be all prepared.  Imagine a former president of the United States heading on a treacherous trip down an unchartered river without even really knowing what he needed to safely survive the ordeal.  When Teddy Roosevelt lost his third attempt to become president of the United States he dealt with his disappointment by planning a grueling, dangerous trip down an unchartered river without even making sure he had the proper boats and enough food.

Enough to eat was only one of many dangers Roosevelt and his party faced as they traversed a river with no map to follow.  Putting a limb in the water at the wrong place could mean losing it to a Piranha or maybe even an alligator.  Around several bends of the river they ran into rapids that their boats weren't even close to set up to handle.  One wrong move and they could have been attacked by a native tribe lurking in the forest who no white man had made contact with.  If you like an Indiana Jones adventure you'll probably like this.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (8th grade and up)

When two guys are really interested in a girl she often feels a bit of pressure.  Each one might do things to get her attention and impress her.  Aislinn's dilemma is particularly sticky because one guy is mortal and the other is immortal. Seth, who she likes hanging out with in his metal railroad car, keeps hoping they can be more than friends and Keenan, the fairy summer king, who believes she's the summer queen he's been searching for.  If she is the one to be the summer queen she'll give him back his strength to overcome his evil, winter queen mom.  The safety of the world could depend on it.  Yet to give in to Keenan probably means giving up her life as she knows it.

Maybe you've  browsed the concerto section of your library's music CDs (that's call numbers starting with "CO," by the way).  But wouldn't it be nice to have some of those concertos on your mp3 player? KCLS comes through for you again with music from the eCollection!

Our eCollection has everything from eBooks in text and audio form to videos, but did you know it also has music?  As of this date, the genres include:

• Chamber Music
• Choral
• Classical
• Concertos
• Instrumental
• Orchestra

Try it today!  Check out the instructions, then start loading up your computer or mp3 player with Ives, Bach, or even Cage!  It beats filling your piano with screws and erasers.

With gas prices through the roof this summer may I suggest a local, cheap, FUN and air conditioned destination for your family?  Yes!  It's the library!  The King County Library System kicks into high gear during the summer with our Summer Reading Program for kids.  It's easy to do.  Just drop by any King County Library to sign up and pick up your reading folder.  Or register online and print out a reading log to get started.

Signed up?  Excellent!  Now, let's talk books.  Just because the theme for the summer reading program is bugs doesn't mean your kids have to read bug books.  They can read anything and everything!  Here are some fabulous books to try out this summer.  Many of the books I'm suggesting here work very well when read out loud as a family too.

The Great Chicken Debacle / Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Babysitting a chicken isn't easy and things get out of control quickly for the Morgan kids.  It's a funny chicken disaster story!  Reading Level:  High 3rd grade - 6th

Escaping the Giant Wave / Peg Kehret

An action packed story of survival along the Pacific Coast. Reading Level:  Grades 4 - 6

It's not too late! Kids can still get signed up to "Catch the Reading Bug" and earn prizes. When you have read 500 minutes, visit your library to collect your halfway prize, a free personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut. When you have read a total of 1,000 minutes, visit your library to collect your finisher prize, a pair of buggy binoculars. Claim your finisher prize by August 31 and enter a drawing to be eligible to win a new laptop computer!

This year there is also a special program just for preschoolers. Parents can register and pick up a Summer Reading Game at your local library. Color or put a matching sticker on the activities you do with your child. Bring the completed game to your library by September 15 to receive your child's prize. One prize per child...

The databases available through KCLS are not only a handy way to have the information from thousands of books, magazines, and newspapers at your fingertips in your classroom and home; many also have lesson plans provided!

Take a look at the wide assortment of lesson plans that use online information, just for you!

• African American Experience (click Classroom Resources, click Lesson Plans)
• Biography Resource Center (click on Toolbox)
• CultureGrams (click Teaching Activities PDF)
• Daily Life Through History (click Teacher Resources)
• Kids Infobits doesn't have full lesson plans, but how to research and write a paper (click Teacher Toolbox)
• Latino American Experience (click Classroom Resources)
• Novelist has book discussion guides (click Book Discussion Guides)
• Oxford Art Online (click Learning Resources, click Learning Units (under MoMA/Grove Art Lesson Plans))
• Science Online has experiments for most areas of science (click Experiments)
• Teen Health & Wellness has lesson plans coming soon, and case studies of how the information has been used in classrooms before (click Librarian/Educator Resources, click Case Studies and Lesson Plans)

Many library branches provide basic computer classes, and although they are for everyone (adults), more often than not, we see patrons new to the United States signing up for Kent's classes.  I'd like to discuss how you can find computer classes at KCLS, and generally what to expect.

Computer experience is not only critical to job seekers, but desirable for those trying to keep in touch with family and friends.  Each class is a few hours long, and most classes are scheduled once each month.  For people interested in more intensive instruction, community colleges might be the next best choice.  Students do not need to bring anything - handouts are typically provided - but registration is required.  There is no charge for library classes.

KCLS relies on volunteers (for the most part) to teach classes, and as a result the selection of classes may be limited, and may vary widely from branch to branch.  The easiest way to inquire about classes is to simply call your local branch, or walk in and ask a staffperson.  For the more ambitious person (if you already have a bit of computer experience, and internet access) - you can find a list of classes linked from our website:  www.kcls.org.

You can pull up a list of all classes in the library system, or limit to specific branches.  If you do find a class that you'd like to take, call the branch to find out if there is still space available, and to register for the class.  Good luck!

If you're not sure what the school-age children in your life could be reading, we've got the resources to help you by way of booklists created by KCLS Children's Librarians! 

KCLS has many booklists which parents, caregivers and educators find helpful.  There is a wide variety of topics, from heritage to history to horses.  Grown-ups are also delighted to find our graded booklists which they may use to help them choose appropriate books for their child's reading level: Kindergarten-Grade 1, Grades 2-3, & Grades 4-5.

If you are getting ready to send a little one off on the grand adventure called "The First Day of School," you may want to check out the online KCLS booklist "Starting School."   Just go to the KidsPage and select the top choice "Good Books for Kids."  When you get to that page, choose "Starting School" from the drop-down menu and that will bring up a wonderful list of suggestions related to starting school.  You might also pick up a booklist called "Books About Kindergarten."

Years ago, when I was is my hip early 20s, I had a friend introduce me to Trout Fishing in America. This talented two member band based out of Arkansas, played funny, funky folk music that had us singing and laughing out loud. I could hardly believe that this was children's music! Trout Fishing always claimed that their music was for everyone and that inside every adult was a kid waiting to sing and dance to good music.

I know you'll love these other CD's intended for children of all ages.

Captain Bogg & Salty are a Portland band. I've heard they do the same concert in bars for adults that they do for kids in the library. Prelude to Mutiny has a great ACDC-style version of Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid. 

On the softer side, Elizabeth Mitchell and David Littleton from the 90s indie rock band Ida have released some wonderful children's albums inspired by their own childhood. You Are My Sunshine, You are My Little Flower and You are My Little Bird are all sweet CDs that will bring you back. http://catalog.kcls.org/record=b2087160

For some eclectic anthology albums, try a little of everything with The Best of the Land of Nod 1 & 2 http://catalog.kcls.org/record=b2063899 and For the Kids 1, too!, & three! http://catalog.kcls.org/record=b1361933 ; http://catalog.kcls.org/record=b2189813 ; http://catalog.kcls.org/record=b2150542.

Did you already devour Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse?  Well, get ready for the 4th installment in this vampire love saga - Breaking Dawn.  This newest book from Stephenie Meyer is going to be published on August 2nd!

Have fun at one of these Breaking Dawn release parties!  For teens only.

July 29 - 7PM Mercer Island Library
July 31 - 3PM Sammamish Library
August 1 - 2PM Fairwood Library
August 1 - 3PM Newport Way Library
August 2 - 2PM Auburn Library 

Stephenie also published her first book for adults earlier this year - The Host

Twilight is scheduled to be released as a major motion picture this December.  Cool trailers and info can be found at http://www.twilightthemovie.com/

Can't get enough vampire books?  Check out these books or ask your librarian. Ghosts, werewolves, fairies, and zombies, all ready for your reading enjoyment.

For as long as I can remember, KCLS has offered Books on Tape (and later Books on CD) for checkout to the general public. From kits for children, to romance novels, many popular books are released in audio format, and we try to provide those for checkout as often as possible. But much like the music industry, the audio book industry is utilizing downloadable formats for audio books more and more. To help bring this new technology to you, KCLS subscribes to two wonderful databases that provide downloadable audio books: Recorded Books, and the topic of this week's post, OverDrive.

OverDrive is an easy-to-use, searchable catalog of downloadable audio books, music, eBooks, and videos. At present, there are over 4,200 downloadable audio books, 1,000 videos, 350 albums, and 5,000 eBooks available through OverDrive. And while some titles are available in multiple formats (such as downloadable audio, MobiPocket eBook, and Adobe eBook) at the same time, that still adds up to a whole lot of books, videos, and albums, available from anywhere in the world with your library card. For me, that meant being able to check out the 6th Saga of Seven Suns book, Metal Swarm, after having finished the 5th book halfway through my vacation.

OverDrive is great for students, as well. The Literature Collection contains 29 pages of classic and modern literature, many of which are assigned reading for one class or another. So when your English teacher assigns The Scarlet Letter, and everyone rushes to the library after school to pick up a copy that may or not be immediately available anyways, a quick trip to OverDrive could get you an Adobe eBook copy in just a couple of minutes, saving you a trip to the library and the stress of finding out there are 47 other people waiting for the book before you. There's even an Always Available Audio Book collection including books like Fahrenheit 451 and War and Peace.

A customized, streaming playlist of your favorite classical music, available wherever you have access to the Internet.

Biographies of composers, information on musical works, and the ability to browse by instrument, genre, or musical period.

Sound interesting? All this and more is available through the Classical Music Library Database! Access it through the KCLS Databases Page by clicking on the Arts & Literature subject heading, or simply the letter "C" in the alphabet listing.

You can begin to search and browse right away!

To make customized playlists, first create a free account by clicking on "Register" in the yellow bar.

Now you can begin to search the over 50,000 tracks in Classical Music Library and create your own playlists!  Here's a sample track, Una voce poco fa, from Rossini's The Barber of Seville (you will need to enter your library card number to listen).

Happy listening!

Classical pianist?  Cajun accordionist?  Love to sing?  Want to play Sweet Home Alabama on your axe?  KCLS has the sheet music for you!  With almost 3000 books of sheet music in our catalog, we have what you need.

When searching our catalog for a title such as The sound of music, scores (sheet music) will be retrieved along with DVDs, books, Music CDs, and other materials.  The icon on the far right will show a sheet of printed music and the call number will begin with the letters SCO.

Do any of these titles sound familar?

Shonen Jump - Naruto - Inu-Yasha - Death Note - Bleach - Azumanga Daioh - Fruits Basket

Maybe you've never heard of manga, but you definitely know what comics are.  Manga (pronounced \mäŋ-gə\) is just that, comics created in Japan.   Manga's notoriety in America is on the rise, especially with Hollywood studios buying the rights to many popular titles.  "Speed Racer" and "Death Note" have already hit the big screen, and Leonardo DiCaprio is slated to star in the upcoming release of "Akira."   Sakura-Con in Seattle attracted over 10,000 spectators in 2007 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

OK, so I like maps, but I also like putting a plug in for things that people don't expect us to have.  You probably wouldn't be surprised to know  that we have a variety of atlases and city maps, but there's lots more available.

If you are a hunter, hiker, mountain biker, equestrian, or other outdoorsy type, you probably know about Green Trails and USGS topographic maps.  They can be pricey if you buy a lot of them.  Many branches have Green Trails maps (some branches even check them out), and Kent and Bellevue house a complete set of Washington State USGS maps.

Taking a roadtrip?  Maybe the scenic backroads route?  KCLS checks out road atlases - US, individual states, Europe, and more.  Last year I took a trip through Idaho and was very glad to have my Idaho Atlas and Gazetteer.

A number of branches stock FEMA Flood Insurance Rate maps, and soil surveys.  It's always a good idea to call ahead and double check on an item you hope to find.

Finally, the Bellevue branch houses the more eclectic map collections:  Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, Kroll's maps, DNR Public Lands maps, DNR Orthophoto maps, Wetlands Inventory maps, and Nautical Charts.

Happy trails!

I'm a shameless fan of children's music.  I really do listen to children's music when I'm at home and in the car WHEN THERE ARE NO CHILDREN AROUND.  I don't think it's just because I'm a children's librarian, either.  The thing is... there's a lot more to children's music these days than Raffi.  Some of it is really quite good (no offense to Raffi).  Like a good children's book, good children's music can be enjoyed by everyone. It speaks to kids as well as the adults who care for them. 

This summer we're fortunate to have some great children's musicians playing FREE concerts at Libraries around King County.  Caption Bog and Salty will be playing in both  Sammamish and Covington.  Both you and your kids will love this edgy pirate band as they rock out with both traditional and original songs of the sea! Come dressed as pirates and mermaids and be ready with your hardy "ARRRGGG!"

Other favorites playing at your library this summer include: Eric Ode, Dennis Westphall & Lorraine Bayes of Tickle Tune Typhoon, The Brian Waite Band Nancy Stewart, Eric Herman, Gary Lapow and Marco Cortes.  Take a look at our schedule.

When a new book comes out, the King County Library System will try to buy enough copies of the book to meet the needs of all of the library branches. While there might not be a copy in each branch, there will be enough that no one has to wait too terribly long to read one.

As copies get worn out, they are discarded. Other copies may get lost by the people who check them out. Over time, there are fewer copies. If there is a waiting list for the title that is over a certain amount of time (usually four months, but this can vary), the library system will try to buy more copies. Sometimes try is the operative word: if the publisher is no longer keeping it in print, we can't buy any more. We don't buy copies of books from used book sellers or from overseas, so it has to be available from a US book wholesaler.

And most importantly for books needed for homework assignments, if the information in the book is out of date, the library will discard all copies of the book and another book with up-to-date information will be bought instead. This can sometimes happen almost automatically as the old books wear out and the library buys new books on a subject.

Sometimes, the wonderful book that you've made the perfect lesson plan around will be one of those books that the library no longer has, or only has a few copies left. Pretty frustrating, huh? But the librarians are happy to help you pick out another book that might work for your lesson.

Kids today seem to be born technologically inclined. But one concern for parents is how to safely allow their children on the internet. Most filters available filter out websites, but inappropriate sites can still get through. KidZui takes a different approach and filters in sites that have already been checked out for content by parents and teachers for children ages 3-12. Over 600,000 are available and there are both free and premium service plans.

Welcome to Library Talk.  It's a blog.  It's the official blog of the King County Library System.

We're very glad you made it.

Our library system is one of the best in the country because of our amazing staff.  And many of these smart folks, from all corners of King County, will be writing for Library Talk.

 

Our bloggers will recommend great books, interesting music, fabulous movies you'll want to check out.  They will highlight the amazing array of online resources available to those of you using our libraries - downloadable audio books, research databases, author interview podcasts, you name it.  Some of our bloggers will promote services to teachers, others to genealogy enthusiasts, still others to new parents.

All in all, Library Talk will be focused in 6 areas.

• Collections is for everyone - our bloggers will write about the books, movies, downloads, and anything else you find in the KCLS catalog.
• Events is for anyone interested in the big events going on in KCLS libraries.
• Online is for anyone online - our bloggers will write about research databases, ebooks, and a host of other excellent kcls.org features.
• Parents is targeted to parents and caregivers - our bloggers will write about story times, early literacy, summer reading, and much more.
• Teachers is targeted to teachers and home schooling families - our bloggers will write about teaching tools, new research databases, tips on making the most of the library and anything in between.
• Teens is, of course, for teens - our bloggers will write about Game On! tournaments, books, events, and plenty more.
• So welcome to Library Talk and, please, come again.