Water for Elephants -- Late in Finding a Gem!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen has been on my bedside table for at least 2 years when I received a copy at Book Expo in New York City. A number of people highly recommended it to me, but I just never got to it.

This past week I did...and what an original story!

Ninety-two (or ninty-three) year-old Jacob Jankowski remembers his time as a young man in the circus during the Great Depression, and his friendship with Marlena, the equestrian star, Rosie, the elephant, and Walter, the dwarf.

While some of it was a little tough to read at times (some violent treatment of animals and people), I highly recommend it.

Website Redesign Starting

With the help of a grant through Commonwealth Libraries, the Cumberland County Library System is about to embark on a major re-design of its website. We plan to launch the new site early next year.

Some of the features that we expect to add are online library card registration, eCommerce for the payment of fines and fees, and other enhanced reader services, like newsletters with book suggestions, more reviews, etc.

However, as we design the new site, we plan to test any changes with users — especially teens, families with children and seniors — to be certain that what we do meets your needs.

We are now requesting proposals from consultants to help us with this testing.

More and more people are using our website and online catalog every day. Last year, the Cumberland County Library System logged over 3 million online search sessions in the library catalog, with over 300,000 requests for materials made by individuals via the Web.

Over 7000 Kids Can't be Wrong

Last summer, the Cumberland County Library System registered just over 7000 children for its summer reading program. (In truth, not all were children --about 1000 were teenagers.)

This summer we expect that many and more to enjoy our good books, activities and entertaining programs. This week the county's libraries host The Give and Take Jugglers for families to enjoy -- free of charge.

Here's the schedule:

• Monday, July 7, 1:30 pm, John Graham Library, Newville
• Monday, July 7, 6:30 pm, Shippensburg Public Library
• Tuesday, July 8, 10:30 am, Fredricksen Library, Camp Hill
• Tuesday, July 8, 2:00 pm, East Pennsboro Branch Library, Enola
• Tuesday, July 8, 7:00 pm, Amelia Givin Free Library, Mt. Holly Springs
• Wednesday, July 9, 9:30 am, New Cumberland Public Library,
• Wednesday, July 9, 11:00 am, New Cumberland Public Library
• Wednesday, July 9, 3:00 pm, Simpson Public Library, Mechanicsburg
• Wednesday, July 9, 6:30 pm, Bosler Memorial Library, Carlisle

To find out if their act is for you, check out their video at http://www.jugglers.com/video.php.