Titles that I am currently reading

Now that I have made a "plug" for library cards, I thought that I would share with you the books that I am currently reading. Yes, that is right, "books". I usually have two or three books that I read at one time.

The first book is "Arc of Justice" by Kevin Boyle. The book takes place during the 1920's when the jazz age was popular in Detroit. Negroes were not welcomed in some areas and the KKK often caused tension and violence. Ossian Sweet was a Negroe doctor who made his way from the ghetto to an all-white neighborhood. One day a mob gathered outside his house and shots rang out. Sweet, or one of his defenders had killed one of the whites that was threatening their lives and home. This event began a murder trial for Sweet which documents the the violence in America in the 1920's. I won't give away the ending of the book as this book has been chosen as the 2011-2012 Great Michigan Read by the Michigan Humanities Council.

Look for a book discussion at Hillsdale Community Library the week of November 14th. We will have multiple copies available for checkout the week of October 10th.

The second book that I am reading is "Jeannie Out of the Bottle" by Barbara Eden. Ms. Eden starred in the sitcom "I Dream Of Jeannie" and she shares the story of her career as well as her personal life in this book. I would definitely recommend the book to those who watched the show, shall we say...a few years ago!

What is the value of your library card?

Recently, I was in a conversation with another librarian and the topic was the value of a library card. Do you realize what a "bargain" a library card is?

A library card is available to you at no cost if you live within our service area. If you do not live within our service area, a library card from Hillsdale Community Library is $35 per year. Yes, that does seem like a huge expense but if you do the math, this averages to 0.095 cents per day!
Quite a bargain if you ask me!

What "value" does your library card give you? The "value" that the library card gives you is the ability to check out books, magazines, audio books, videos, and other materials that may not be readily available to you. If we do not have the item that you are looking for, we may be able to interloan it from another library through MeL (Michigan eLibrary Catalog). You can also use the computers at the library or, if you prefer, bring in your laptop to use.

I have always loved libraries. I used to get "kicked out" of the library on Saturdays when I was a teen. I was not being disruptive, it was time for the library to close and I had lost track of time by taking a book off the shelf and reading it right there at the library.

I invite you to discover the value of your library card. If you do not have a card with us, please stop in the library and sign up to receive a card.