This weekend, LARL is excited to join in the Independence Day celebrations. This holiday is usually associated with patriotism, fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals and baseball games, but we’d like to suggest another additional activity – reading! Why not celebrate the spirit of patriotism with a great book? We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite Fourth of July reads, all of which are available at your library!
Hornet’s Nest by Jimmy Carter
In Hornet’s Nest, United States President Jimmy Carter brings to life the Revolutionary War as it was fought in the Deep South. President Carter reminds us that much of the fight for independence took place in that region, and that it was a struggle of great and small battles with neighbor turned against neighbor. The Hornet’s Nest follows a cast of characters and their loved ones on both sides of the violent conflict – including some who are based on the author’s ancestors.
Daughter of Liberty by J.M. Hochstetler
A beautiful rebel spy and a British officer in whose charm lies her greatest danger fight a war of wits and words—and a love that cannot be denied.
Non Fiction Books
1776 by David McCullough
In this book, David McCullough tells the story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence—when the entire American cause was riding on their success, without which hope for independence would have been dashed and the ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.
America: The Story of Us
This is a 12-hour television event that tells the extraordinary story of how America was invented. With highly realistic CGI animation, dramatic recreations and thoughtful insights from some of America’s most respected artists, business leaders, academics and intellectuals, it is the first television event in nearly 40 years to present a comprehensive telling of America’s history. “America: The Story of Us” will take you into the moments when Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress, from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad to triumphing over vertical space through the construction of steel structured buildings to putting a man on the moon.
Movies for Kids
This animated series teaches kids about the origins of the United States of America. Celebrity voices, including Sylvester Stalone, Ben Stiller, Annette Benning, Liam Neeson, Whoopi Goldberg and more, lend credence to the characters who formed our free nation.
Storyteller by Patricia Reilly Giff
In this dramatic story set during the American Revolution, Elizabeth discovers a portrait of her ancestor, who bears a striking resemblance to her. The past becomes vivid and real as the two girls’ lives are intertwined and Elizabeth walks where battles were won and lost.
Books for Young Adults
The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood
This alternate version of events is set in 1777, the year after the rebellion of the American colonies was crushed. Young ne’er-do-well Creighton Brown has arrived in the colonies and lands a job in the print shop of Benjamin Franklin, whose rebel newspaper has gone underground in the wake of his side’s defeat. With an English general expecting Creighton to spy on his new employer, his loyalties are tested and he must make a choice that could determine the fate of a nation.
The Rifle by Gary Paulsen
In this novel, which is set during the American Revolution, a treasured rifle passed down through generations is the cause of a tragic accident in this timely tale. This tough, thought-provoking novel challenges the idea that firearms don’t become instruments of destruction and murder until they are placed in human hands.
Easy Fiction Books
Fourth of July Mice by Bethany Roberts
The Holiday Mice take part in all the activities that make Independence Day fun, including a parade, a picnic, a baseball game, and even a spectacular fireworks show!
Find all these riveting reads and more at the LARL branch near you!
Have you read an eMagazine?
Check out Zinio, LARL’s Database of the Month!
Zinio is a tool that allows Lake Agassiz Regional Library customers to checkout digital copies of magazines, using their computer, smartphone or tablet!
How do I get started?
When customers use Zinio for the first time they must create two accounts:
- A library Zinio account to access the subscriptions that the library has purchased and
- A Zinio account to read the magazines
When initially making an account, customers will need their library card and email address, but after creating their account they will be able to access Zinio with only their email address and a password. Both accounts should be the same email and password.
Are the magazines I can access through Zinio the same as the physical collection within the library?
The Zinio collection is different from the cataloged collection of magazines that LARL provides. There is some overlap, but not an extensive amount.
How do I access Zinio on my device?
After you open Zinio, you will see links to instructions for different devices and types of computers at the bottom of the page. Magazines can be viewed on computers as well as mobile devices(Tablets, Kindles, iPhones, etc) with the free app.
Why is Zinio awesome?
Once an item is downloaded, it will never expire, nor will it ever need to be returned. Both current and previous issues are available and there is no limit to the number of magazines customers can access at a time. The magazines are fully printable, searchable, and contain active web links throughout the magazines.
All Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) branches and LINK sites will be closed on Saturday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Regular hours of operation will resume Monday, July 6.
We wish all an enjoyable and safe holiday!
First, there will be a Penny War throughout the month of June. There will be two collection jars in the library, one for a Just Dance Party and one for a Karaoke Party. The jar with the most points will be chosen as the type of party that will be held on July 1.
Here’s how a Penny War works: Pennies count as one positive point each, but silver coins and paper money (including checks) count as negative points. This is where the competition begins. You can “bomb” your competitors’ jar by placing silver coins and paper money into it. For example, if one jar looks like it has a lot of pennies, someone can “bomb” (sabotage) that jar by putting a quarter into the jar and that jar’s points will decrease by 25, a dollar will reduce their points by 100, etc.
Teens — share your thoughts, ideas and opinions on our Teen Topic space in the young adult area of the library. (It’s the black paper on the wall that you can write/draw on with the markers provided.)
June Topic: How I want to spend my summer…
July Topic: Would you rather be in a boat or on the beach?
August Topic: My favorite way to stay cool..
Teen Anytime Craft
Look for the craft containers on the top of the book shelf in the young adult section. Each month we’ll provide supplies & instructions for a different craft project that you can do any time you’re in the library – or take it home to finish there.
We are excited to announce a regional community art and storytelling experience at your local library!
Across our region, we are encouraging artists of all ages to help us imagine and shape a mascot for our library system.
Thank you for your submissions, and stay tuned – an announcement of LARL’s mascot is coming soon!
Lake Agassiz Regional Library previously launched a program for teens that allowed them to enter their reading preferences and receive a customized recommendations list from a librarian in the region. Due to the success of the program, we are opening it up to everyone!
Here’s how it works:
1. Visit www.larl.org/recommendations and complete the Next 5 Books form by listing books you have enjoyed in the past. Sounds easy, right? You bet it is!
2. Within five days, you will be contacted by a librarian with suggestions of the next five books we know you’ll love!
We’re excited to share this program with you. If you have any questions, please contact the library by emailing email@example.com.
Lake Agassiz Regional Library’s Summer Reading Program for adults is now underway! Join us for Sizzlin’ Summer Reads – it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Read at least four books (eBooks and eAudiobooks count!)
2. Complete an entry form and turn it in at your library. Your name will be entered into a drawing for great prizes!
3. Don’t stop there! Continue submitting new entries for every four books that you read.
Please Note: Sizzlin’ Summer Reads is available only at participating branches and LINK sites.
Celebrated author Lauraine Snelling is visiting the Detroit Lakes Library next month! She will be launching her latest book, “Someday Home,” which is the story of three women of various backgrounds who seek a place to grieve, laugh and be renewed (more info about “Someday Home” can be found here). Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than 80 books, with sales of more than two million copies.
Join us at the Detroit Lakes Library Friday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m. to meet the author and learn more about the book.
Are you a Lauraine Snelling super-fan? You could win the opportunity to have lunch with her and your guest Friday, July 10! To enter, visit the library or fill out the form below.
Community members are invited to join Deanna Haagenson from Crown Pet Spa for a Pet Care Class at the Crookston Public Library, which is a branch of Lake Agassiz Regional Library. Haagenson will present on a variety of topics, including instructions for providing general pet care and the importance of holistic health care and good nutrition for pets.
When? Tuesday, June 9
What time? 2:00 p.m.
Where? Crookston Library (110 Ash N., Crookston, MN)
Haagenson will also be answering pet care questions.
The Crookston Public Library, a branch of Lake Agassiz Regional Library, is pleased to welcome author Tim Madigan, a Crookston native and well-known author of “I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers.” During his visit to the library, Madigan will discuss his most recent work, his debut novel titled “Every Common Sight.” Madigan’s novel describes the hidden anguish of the Greatest Generation and tells the story of Wendell Smith, a hero of the Battle of the Bulge who came home to Texas with horrible memories of the battlefield, debilitating emotional trauma, and a secret, the one thing about the war he could not confide to the love of his life.
The event will be held Monday, June 1 at 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact the library at (218)-281-4522.