Tyson Library received a $2,000 grant at the end of October from the PNC Foundation. These funds will help us launch several new projects and programs for our young patrons.

“We are so excited for the opportunities provided for us by the PNC Foundation grant. The items that we will be able to purchase for our Story Time and our children’s programming are much appreciated,” said Children’s and Teen Programming Coordinator Aly Wright. “We look forward to being able to offer Storytime Kits and Interactive Book Kits for our elementary students that this money will help us do, along with helping with other children’s programs and needs.”

One new program this recent grant will allow us to host will be with the Kids Discovery Factory of Batesville for our school-aged patrons. So, follow us on Facebook and remember to check back here later for more information as we work to get this on our calendar.

The other needs Ms. Aly mentioned include updating our board book shelving in the Children’s Area. Tyson Library Director Margaret Marcy and Ms. Aly are in the early planning stages of this project now.

Board books are an important part of our collection as they are often the first books families enjoy together. Their durable pages allow children to enjoy looking at and flipping through the pages, sometimes before they are even toddlers. We are hoping to update our current setup with something more engaging and accessible for children of all ages.

“The storytime and book kits are just the beginning of a larger collection we are hoping to build for our community,” said Adult Programming Coordinator Tali Crowe. “We are planning to offer a ‘Library of Things’ that will include many non-traditional items that you can check out from the library.”

The staff are still working on what we want to include in our Library of Things, but so far we know it will include storytime and book kits, craft kits, baking tools, and much more. Please leave us a comment or email us at info@tysonlibrary.org if you have any ideas of items we could include in our local Library of Things.

And, be sure to check back here for more information about these projects and more. There’s always something exciting going on at your local library!

Get into the Pumpkin Show spirit with a good book

Versailles is gearing up for the 2022 Versailles Lions Club Pumpkin Show on the square, so we figure now is a great time to check out a book – or 2 – about pumpkins! There are so many fun books to choose from in our collection at Tyson Library.

I’ll leave a thorough list below for you to get an idea of just how much fun these orange fruits can be inside the pages of a book. And, for any Disney or Tim Burton fans out there we have NEW book in our teen section you NEED to check out:

Long Live the Pumpkin King by Shea Ernshaw

That’s right. It’s a sequel to Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas with Sally taking the leading role this time.

Another teen recommendation in our collection is Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

This graphic novel follows a pair of high school seniors as they spend their last pumpkin season together after 3 years. Check it out today to see how they “go out with a bang!”

Other books about pumpkins in our collection at Tyson Library:

Board Books

Picture & Easy Reader

Junior Fiction

Nonfiction

I also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the library will be closed Saturday, September 24 so our staff can participate in the Pumpkin Show Parade. We look forward to seeing many familiar faces along the parade route!

Summer looks a little different for Tyson Library’s Teen Council compared to the other classes. The teens’ activities tend to stray from the annual theme. This year our council members explored several topics, including communication skills, mental health, and physical health practices.

Children and Teen Programming Coordinator Aly Wright said the library aims to offer the teens a chance to learn different skills each summer. This year she planned to focus the teens Friday afternoon classes around topics to help them learn about health and happiness.

Early in the summer Aly led a program on effective communication. In another session, the teens used their deductive reasoning skills in a life-sized game of Clue. And, at their final summer session, they heard from Main Street Versailles President Holly Wehr about giving back to their community. After hearing from Holly, the teens painted rocks with fun designs and positive messages to hide around the community as part of the ongoing #VersaillesRocks campaign. If you spot a fun, painted rock around town, post a picture to social media with the hashtag to help spread the joy!

Our Teen Council is open for all students in grades 7-12. They meet monthly throughout the year to participate in various programs and service projects. To learn more, go to www.tysonlibrary.org/teen-programs/.

It’s time to share how the last of our staff participating in our Read to Your Height Challenge are doing!

Margaret, Director – Goal: 5’3″

Margaret has read 12 books since January 1.

“I am really enjoying this challenge and it is fun to see what other staff members are reading,” Margaret said.

Margaret’s favorite read this year (so far): In Honor’s Defense (Hanger’s Horsemen Series) by Karen Witemeyer, Christian Fiction

“I think I have read all of Karen Witemeyer’s books and this was a favorite series of mine,” said Margaret.

Her least favorite read this year (so far): Forever My Own by Tracie Peterson (Ladies of the Lake Series), Christian Fiction

“…I just didn’t like it as much as the other two in the series,” Margaret said. “There was less action and the main characters were from Sweden and the author included a lot of Swedish words that were hard for me to pronounce – haha!“

Margaret has been reading the genres that she enjoys reading, like Historical Christian Fiction. She enjoys this genre because “the time was so much simpler than it is today, and I like learning some historical facts that the authors adds to the books,” Margaret said.

Trey, Circulation – Goal: 6’3″

Trey is leading the pack with 43 books complete so far this year.

“I absolutely love the reading track sheet that we have started here at Tyson Library. I would say that I have probably read more books than normal in the past few years since I’ve been working in a public library,” said Trey. “And, I am very proud that I’ve still got the rest of the year to read more novels.”

Trey’s favorite read this year (so far): Qb: My Life Behind the Spiral by Jeff Benedict and Steve Young, Sports

Trey’s overall goal for the year is to read more than 75 books and to try to read some “controversial” classics. some classic novels that are considered controversial.

“My favorite genre is definitely biographies and memoirs,” Trey said. “I like them because you can learn so much about individuals who were maybe misunderstood by the public or maybe they went through the same struggles you are currently going through in your life.”

If you saw our original post about setting these “reading to our heights” goals in January, we hope you’ll continue to follow along. There isn’t a reward for reaching our goals (other than the self-satisfaction, I suppose), but I think we’re all enjoying the challenge.

Don’t forget to see how the rest of the staff is doing in our previous update post!

Check out our reading logs in the adult area of our collection the next time you stop in. If you see a title there you’ve been thinking about reading or have already read, we’d love to chat about it!

Somehow, we are already halfway through 2022. Which means most of the staff here at Tyson Library should, ideally, be able to stack the books they’ve read since January 1 on top of each other and the stack stand somewhere around their midriff. Let’s see how our reading efforts are stacking up to the challenge!

Aly, Children and Teen Programming – Goal: 5’5″

Aly has added 29 books to her chart so far this year.

“I find that I am reading a lot more than I have in probably 5 or 6 years,” Aly said. “I want to be able to read to my height, so instead of scrolling on my phone, I pull out a book instead.”

Aly’s favorite read this year (so far): Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton, Non-Fiction

Her least favorite read this year (so far): How Not to Fall in Love by Jacqueline Firkins, Young Adult

Aly’s book choices earlier in the year were largely in the genre of non-fiction, but she has found her way into quite a few historical romance and thriller tales lately.

“I’ve enjoyed most of (the historical romance), but sometimes the romance stories can be a little too predictable,” said Aly.

She’s also added the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn to her list, and has seemed to enjoy the source material used in the popular Netflix production.

Donna, Cataloger – Goal: 5’3″

Donna’s chart includes 25 titles from the first half of the year.

Donna said she doesn’t think she’s read more books than she would have normally this year because of the challenge. This will be the first time she’s tried to keep track of her own reading habit for an entire year.

“I’ve always been an avid reader,” said Donna. “It’ll be interesting to see how many books I will read by the end of the year.”

Donna’s favorite book this year (so far): The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, Historical Fiction or The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, also Historical Fiction

Donna said this was a difficult choice, because she has enjoyed so many.

“My favorite genre is historical fiction, especially WWII,” Donna said. “I enjoy learning things I didn’t already know when I read a book. And, I also enjoy a good page-turner as well.”

Margaret Ann, Circulation – Goal: 5′

Margaret Ann has finished 19 books since January 1, 2022.

Margaret Ann’s non-strategy to read to her height is simply to “read, read, read!” She said: “If you are reading something that catches your interested, you will read faster to find out what happens!”

Margaret Ann’s favorite read this year (so far): The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn, Historical Fiction

“The challenge is not the size of the book! said Margaret Ann. “I just don’t read as much during the summer months – that is the challenge! I would rather be outside in the summer, working on my flowers.”

Before the year is over, Margaret Ann plans to read at least one book that is out of her “comfort zone.” She’s been enjoying historical fiction and realistic mysteries, so far this year.

Tali, Advertising & Marketing – Goal: 5’3″

Tali has added 29 titles to her list in the last 6 months.

“I read in just about every format, I think,” Tali said. “This includes the traditional book we all think of when we picture going to the library, along with audiobooks, digital audiobooks, e-books, and even graphic novels.”

Tali’s favorite book this year (so far): Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (Earthseed #1), Dystopia

Tali’s least favorite book this year (so far): Era of Ignition: Coming of Age in a Time of Rage and Revolution by Amber Tamblyn, Non-Fiction

“I’ve read more for pleasure this year than I have in…I want to say decades, like since I did summer reading programs as a kid,” said Tali. “Setting a goal and challenging myself to chisel away at it day by day and week by week is intrinsically rewarding for me and having the extra motivation with the public tracking charts is helping to keep me reading when I would normally tell myself that I’m too busy.”

While some of us have made great progress towards our goals in the last 6 months, others still have a ways to go. But, we have plenty of time to catch up!

If you saw our original post about setting these “reading to our heights” goals in January, we hope you’ll continue to follow along. There isn’t a reward for reaching our goals (other than the self-satisfaction, I suppose), but I think we’re all enjoying the challenge.

“I would encourage more people to try some sort of reading challenge, even if it isn’t this one,” Aly said. “I’ve always wanted to read more. I used to read a lot when I was younger and a teenager, but it lessened as I’ve gotten older. So I’m happy that I have a challenge pushing me in a goal I already wanted to accomplish.”

Check out our reading logs in the adult area of our collection the next time you stop in. If you see a title there you’ve been thinking about reading or have already read, we’d love to chat about it!