From the BUPL Stacks

Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley

2008-08-12T13:17:00.003-04:00

That's the book our bookclub (affectionately known as The Bonnechere Book Babes) read and discussed this month. The unanimous conclusion was that we don't care if we're not wanted on the voyage because it's not a voyage we want any part of!

We found the book to be very strange, disjointed at times, disturbing most of the time and, despite Mr. Findley status as famed Canadian author, not well written! (please don't hurt us...we're just stating our thoughts!) We thought there were a lot of loose ends that we would have liked to be further developed.

The general consensus is that we would not recommend this book to anyone and can't understand how it was on last year's Canada Reads program!

Our next book is Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife. We'll be meeting September 10 around 5ish for a discussion. If you'd like to join, you can just pop in. We always welcome new members. If you'd like to join but the day or time is bad for you, send Jennifer a message and she'll gladly see if the club wouldn't mind meeting at a different time!

Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos (reviewed by Marcia Perryman)

2008-07-02T12:53:00.002-04:00

The cover of this book attracted me, shiny Wellington boots perched on a clean floor. The different colours spoke of happiness with children and I wanted a distraction from Paris 1919. Belong to Me is a novel about suburbia with the neighbourly friendships which develop into romantic entanglements, conflict, and community support around the death of a mother with young children. Throughout the novel, a young adolescent male searches for his father in the company of his brilliant and estranged friends. He emerges as the healthiest and most interesting character as he supports his female pyschiatrically disabled friend, and falls in love with another.

This novel is, as Doyne Ahern, Chair of the Board, would say, Chewing Gum for the Eyes. Easy to read, no mental gymnastics, or major emotional angst. Just a delightful experience of distraction on the couch.

Book Reporter Review

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (reviewed by Nelda Markham)

2008-07-02T12:42:00.002-04:00

A 93 year old reminisces on his days as a vet in a circus during he depression, -- quite a good story, some touching moments, some depressing events but a twist to it all, a lovely story.

Book Reporter Review

Say When by Elizabeth Berg (reviewed by Judy Sauve)

2008-07-02T12:40:00.001-04:00

Excellent book. Written from the viewpoint of a husband who, after 10 years of marriage and one child, is suddenly and unexpectedly asked for a divorce. It takes you through all the various emotions he experiences: shock, denial, introspection, jealousy as well as the coping mechanisms he develops. His devotion to his daughter is a very appealing part of the story. Thanks Judy! Keep those book reviews coming people!

Book Reporter Review

Yard Sale Season :)

2008-05-16T12:10:00.004-04:00

Yes, it's that time of year again folks, yard/garage sale season! This is the time when you can go digging through people's personal belongings and not get strange looks! This is the time when you can find cool vintage treasures that other people think is trash! This is the time to buy a lot and pay a little! This is the time to get armfuls of library books and keep them forever and never have to worry about late fees!

Come out to our giant community yard sale and barbecue for a great time and great deals!

Saturday, May 24 from 10am -2pm

I know what it is, but just what exactly does it mean?

2008-05-13T12:52:00.006-04:00

WiFi -- most of you know that WiFi represents wireless Internet (which I'm proud to say that the library now offers!) but if you're at all curious like I am, you've probably often wondered what it actually means. I've had many people ask me what it stands for and I have ashamedly arrived at a loss for words. So, like the eager librarian that I am, I've done a little research and I think I've found the answer!

WiFi started as a play on words, mimicking Hi-Fi,which stands for high fidelity and, so therefore, WiFi = wireless fidelity. That was the unofficial origin, but it now apparently stands for nothing at all. It's just a cute and catchy way of referring to wireless Internet!

If you want to read up on the origin and meaning of WiFi, check out these links:

WiFi: Definition and much more from Answers.com
wifi - definition from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Wi-Fi - Wikipedia article
What is Wi-Fi? - A definition from Whatis.com
Wi-Fi Alliance

And don't forget to drop by the library with all your WiFi certified products to test out our newly available wireless Internet!

Facebook

2008-04-22T17:09:00.003-04:00

That's right people, Facebook! The library now has its own page on Facebook. I'm excited about this and hopefully you are too. I would like to see more interaction with the public and maybe this is what I've been looking for. On our fan page you can discuss library issues, post general comments, view our new books and view pictures from the library. Very exciting stuff I'm telling you :) Find us on Facebook and become a fan today!

More databases!

2008-04-11T14:34:00.002-04:00

So, because you're such good users of Infotrac and NetLibrary, I got you access to yet another database! Are you excited? I'm excited! This one is called Ebsco Host and it functions kinda like Infotrac. You can search through Ebsco Host and download a whole bunch of articles from a whole bunch of different magazines, periodicals, journals, newspapers, blah, blah, blah. And just like Infotrac, Ebsco Host is offered to us through the generosity of Knowledge Ontario (gotta love those guys!)

Here's what you need to know:
website: http://search.ebscohost.com/
user id: bupl
password: ebsco

All of this info, plus a direct link, are all available on our webpage
http://www.bonnechereupl.com

Have fun :)

Wifi@Your Library

2008-04-04T15:43:00.002-04:00

Yes, that's right folks, the library has gone wireless! You can now surf the Net on the comfort of your own laptop in the library. Just ask us for the password :) Slowly but surely we're catching up with the rest of the techno world! Does this mean I can do my work outside this summer? Hmm...something to ponder!

The Rassler

2008-04-01T15:40:00.004-04:00

I am very excited to announce that the library will be hosting a reading by local author Gary Howard! Gary has written a book called The Rassler from Renfrew: Larry Kasaboski and Northland Wrestling Enterprises. The book is about old-time wrestling in the Ottawa Valley during the depression. Here's a little blurb about the book:

The Rassler from Renfrew

For half a century, old-time wrestling and the Kasaboski name went hand-in-hand in the Ottawa Valley. Especially Larry Kasaboski, who followed his older brother Alex into the ring during the Depression years of the 1930s, then turned his talents to promoting. Life-long fan of the sport, Gary Howard, shares his enthusiasm for the early years of show wrestling and Larry Kasaboski in his book The Rassler from Renfrew (General Store Publishing House, 154pp, $19.95).

In the decades after the Second World War, Northland Wrestling Enterprises staged fights in arenas up and down the Valley and throughout Northern Ontario, pitting passions against loyalties for the likes of Benny Trudel, Bill Curry, Don "One-Man-Gang" Evans, the Parks Brothers, Frankie Hart, Terry and Ronnie Garvin, and Gorgeous George Grant. Young Gary Howard, and just about every other sports fan in Pembroke, never missed a match during the weekly visits to the old Mackay Street Arena. And when big names like Whipper Billy Watson and Gene Kiniski were on the bill, well, it was like being on television. It was the same from Smiths Falls to Schumacher, Renfrew to Rouyn-Noranda throughout the Golden Age of show wrestling, the 1950s.

Gary Howard applies a fan’s passion and a historian’s attention to detail to his writing, while personal interviews and rare archival photos bring the past alive. The result is a comprehensive and engaging look at a sport that is equal parts athleticism and showmanship, and at the man who was among the most respected by wrestlers all over North America.

So if you like wrestling or local history, make sure you don't miss Gary at the library! He'll be reading from his book (of which there will be copies for sale) on Wednesday April 16, 2008 @ 7pm.

Slam sports review

Last fireside chat!

2008-03-26T18:05:00.002-04:00

So tonight is our last fireside chat :(

Here are the details:

Chat #3 (last one)

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
7:00 - 9:00pm

BONNECHERE VALLEY:
CANADA'S GEOLOGICAL JEWEL

»If you love the Bonnechere Caves (and we know you do!) then don't miss Chris Hinsperger at the library as he discusses the wealth of exciting geological treasures that the Bonnechere Valley has to offer. Chris will also be talking about why the rest of Canada should be paying more attention to our humble neck of the woods!

Books, websites and feedback (and not that awful feedback you sometimes get from microphones!)

2008-02-28T18:53:00.005-05:00

Ok, so I've been working hard on the library's website and I think I've finally found a layout that I like! Hopefully you all like it to. I tried to make all of our services more accessible from the home page so that you don't have to go fishing around to find what you're looking for. Check it out: www.bonnechereupl.com. Please let me know if it's working for you or if you absolutely despise it. Any feedback is always welcome :)

Speaking of feedback...I've been getting lots of positive comments about my newspaper column. Thanks for letting me know that A) you're reading it and B) that you're just as excited about all the great stuff happening here as I am! I'm really looking forward to getting your book reviews.

Fireside chat #2

2008-02-13T16:53:00.001-05:00

Chat #2:

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
7:00pm – 9:00pm

INTERNET AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
»Local OPP constable Laurie Lobinovitch explains
our role in community safety and the necessary
precautions we need to take to protect ourselves
on the web from fraud, id theft and online predators.

Fireside Chats @ Your Library®

2008-01-18T14:11:00.000-05:00

The Bonnechere Union Public Library will be hosting 3 evening fireside chats this winter. Come and listen to local experts talk about issues that concern you and your community.

Chat #1:

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

7:00pm – 9:00pm

THE VITAMIN DEBATE

»Join Joe Conway as he discusses

a variety of issues surrounding vitamins.

Learn about vitamin and drug interactions,

which vitamins you should be taking and

general health dos and don’ts.

NetLibrary

2008-01-12T12:33:00.000-05:00

Do you prefer listening to books rather than reading them yourself? If you answered yes, then you are in luck my friend! The library now has an eCollection which can be accessed at NetLibrary. The eCollection includes eAudiobooks that you can download to your computer or upload on to your mp3 player. NetLibrary also has eBooks and eJournals you can check out as well. All you have to do is come to the library and set up an account and then you're good to go! You can then check out eAudiobooks, eBooks or eJournals from any computer with Internet access -- how cool is that? And you don't have to worry about overdue fines because the files delete themselves after 7 days. No hassles, no worries, just great entertainment!

www.netlibrary.com

Mmmm...coffee!

2008-01-09T19:12:00.000-05:00

That's right, coffee -- and don't forget the donuts! For all our patrons who can't go 5 minutes without their coffee fix: you can now drink it in the library! That and any other beverage, just as long as it's in a cup with a secure lid. And you can also have small snacks too (nothing liquid based please!) Here's the catch (I know you were waiting for one!) you can't eat or drink at the computer workstations. If you can abide by that rule then we're all good to go!

Knowledge Ontario

2008-01-05T12:36:00.000-05:00

Our library now has access to thousands of articles from a variety of magazines, newspapers, periodicals and journals thanks to the Knowledge Ontario program. Our patrons can access the Infotrac database using the password trillium from anywhere that has access to the Internet. The articles are great for school projects, personal research or just plain entertainment. There's something for everyone, no matter what your age or interest!

Check it out:

http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/ko_pl_bupl

New Hours for 2008

2008-01-02T16:47:00.000-05:00

We are welcoming 2008 with new hours of operation at the library!

Monday: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Tuesday: 10:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 10:30am - 7:30pm
Thursday: 10:30am - 7:30pm
Friday: 10:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Sunday: CLOSED

We had many people ask us for both morning and evening hours so we did our best! Hopefully we can accommodate more people this way. Let us know what you think.

Welcome to the BUPL blog!

2008-01-02T16:15:00.000-05:00

G'day and welcome to the library's new blog.

We will be using this blog to keep you up-to-date about our programming, new books and movies, and any other fun activities that happen at the library.

We welcome your comments and suggestions about anything we post here...or even stuff we don't! Have a book recommendation for us? An idea for programming? Well then tell us here and now. Don't be shy :)