Happy New Year!
The library will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and will be closed Jan. 1
Make sure youhave all your hoiday reading and viewing before the library is closed for the New Year holiday. The library will be open regular hours Dec. 29 and 30, close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and will be closed Jan. 1. Regular hours will resume at 9 a.m. Jan. 2.
The library will also be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 20.
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Presentation explores stories of women on the Kansas Industrial Farm
Join us as we welcome Laura Phillippi for a presentation and discussion. In the early 20th century, the Kansas Industrial Farm for Women was established in Lansing, Kansas to house women found in violation at new quarantine laws designed to prevent the spread of venereal diseases during World War I. The women who were arrested and incarcerated on the farm were taught to grow crops, raise chickens, sew, and cook. This presentation explores life on the unusual farm and the women who lived there. Laura Phillippi is a historian based in Leavenworth, Kansas.
2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in the Community Room, this event is free and open to the public
Presentation made possible through Humanities Kansas |
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 Kids' and teen programs resume the week of Jan. 7
Beginning Jan. 7, all regularly scheduled programs for kids and teens will resume. Pick up a brochure with all the details for the spring program schedule in the library, or find it here on our website.
See you at the library! |
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Check out one of the library's three book clubs in January
We have three active book groups here at the library that are open to everyone. If you love to read and talk about the books you read, pop in to one or more of the book groups! Bemused Bibliophiles meets during the day and reads popular books that have been on the bestseller list. Hauntingly Good Reads meets in the evening and explores all kinds of books that have a supernatural/magical/unexplainable kind of bent—we look far beyond the traditional vampires, ghosts and witches. Joyful Page Turners is the most enduring book club at the library—it's been meeting regularly since May 2000! Books selected for this book club include just about everything: classics, modern bestsellers, non-fiction, and more. Click on the book titles below to see them in the library catalog. Sign in to your library account on the catalog and you can place a title on hold.
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 New photography exhibit opens Jan. 11 in High Wall & Gathering Space galleries
The Derby Arts Council’s most recent exhibit invites viewers to see the world via the camera lenses of five gifted local photographers. Mike Ciskowski, Bill Fales, John Gabor, Steven Marler and Barney Tull have experienced life up close and captured moments to share with us.
Image: Crystal Bridges Art Center by Mike Ciskowski
The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Community Room at the library.
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 RBDigital now includes e-audiobooks!
We are excited to announce that e-audiobooks have been added to the library collection on RBDigital online and through the app. If you use the app or access RBDigital online, you should now have the option to check out audiobooks as well as magazines. The e-audiobook titles have no holds and can be accessed immediately.
If you don't have the app yet, check the App Store or Google Play to download it to your device. Our front desk staff can help if you are new to RBDigital!
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New book review:
The Only Woman
in the Room by
Marie Benedict
First line: My lids fluttered open, but the floodlights blinded me for a moment.
Summary: Hedy Kiesler was a young actress in Austria in 1933 when she meets Fritz Mandl, a munitions manufacturer. Her parents urge her to marry him in order to keep her safe with the threat of Nazi Germany looming over much of Europe. However, married life is not what she imagined. After fleeing her husband and the coming war, she travels to Hollywood and becomes the famously beautiful Hedy Lamarr. As the path to war progresses, Hedy is determined to help save as many people as she can, even using unconventional means.
My thoughts: Going into this novel I knew next to nothing about Hedy Lamarr. I think this is one reason I devoured this book. I did not know what to expect. Hedy is not the normal Hollywood actress. She had other interests and was very intelligent. Her work on the guidance systems for torpedoes was leagues ahead of anyone else. It took months of work but she was not taken seriously by the men of the time. The technology is still used today in cell phones! Even though she has been called the most beautiful woman in the movies, she wanted to be defined by more than that. After finishing her story, I picked up the documentary Bombshell, which goes past Benedict’s narrative but is a great companion to it. As with other Hollywood stories, I had to interlibrary loan several of Hedy’s movies. I cannot wait to watch them!
This book will be released on Jan. 8, 2019.
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New book review:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
First line: When I was a kid, my aspirations were simple.
Summary: In her memoir, former First Lady Michelle Obama tells her story from her childhood in the south side of Chicago to her years living in the White House. It is filled with stories of her family, career, and her life in the public eye.
My thoughts: I absolutely loved this. The cover is beautiful. Her story is inspirational. Other reviewers have stated that it felt like having a conversation with a close friend. I felt the same way. I listened to the audiobook version where Michelle reads it herself. She is very open about her life.
I enjoyed hearing the stories of her family life in Chicago. I learned so much about her inside these pages. I knew very little about her. I do not follow a lot of politics. That was not my motivation behind reading this. I genuinely just wanted to hear her story. I am awed by her life. She grew up in an environment that is completely foreign to me. She is an intelligent and driven woman. It really shows that you can go from very poor beginnings to becoming one of the most recognizable women in the world.
This book was released Nov. 13, 2018.
Ashley's review:
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New book review:
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. Mcmanus
First line: If I believed in omens, this would be a bad one.
Summary: Ellery and Ezra move to live with their grandmother in the small town, Echo Ridge. This idyllic little town has a dark past. The twins’ aunt disappeared here more than 20 years ago. Another girl was murdered at the local theme park. Now there is a stalker bringing back the old memories and threatening the homecoming court. Ellery, a true crime enthusiast, is determined to get some answers. However, everyone has a secret making it even harder to unravel the mysteries of Echo Ridge.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed the author’s debut novel, One of Us Is Lying. From the very beginning the mystery and intrigue presented to the reader. I loved how fast paced everything was. I liked all the little twists and turn throughout. I kept considering all different angles and was shocked when the killer is revealed. Great job, Karen! The characters were a lot of fun. I really wish we could have gotten more of Sadie, the twins’ mom. I want to visit Fright Farm, the Halloween theme park. Who doesn’t want to have Halloween all year around?
This book will be released Jan. 8, 2019.
Ashley's review:
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 Get help getting organized in the New Year!
Now that the holidays are over it's time to get yourself organized! Professional organizer, Michelle West owner of Organized! LLC will be here to help you get it all handled.
11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 in the Community Room, registration is requested
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January 2019 
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