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The library will be closed Sunday, April 21, in observance of Easter.

Amnesty returns to the library April 7-20

We're celebrating National Library Week, April 7-13, but giving our patrons the gift! And even though National Library Week is only one week, amnesty will last for two weeks.

When you return any overdue library items, the fines will be cleared. If you have old fines on your library card, those can be waived as well. Remember to check the library card of each family member when you visit, that way everyone’s overdue fines can be removed.

Charges for lost or damaged items cannot be waived.

Amnesty at the library only happens once a year, so we encourage you to get into the library and take advantage of this opportunity.

Kids' and Teen programs to take a break beginning April 19

The last week of children's and teen programs for the spring session is April 15-19. During the last week of April and the month of May our youth services librarians will be busy, busy getting everything ready for summer reading!

The summer brochure with details about performances and other summer activities will be available April 15 in the library and on the library website. Summer reading registration opens at 9 a.m. May 28.

Teen summer reading volunteer applications due April 15

The library is looking for some good volunteer help this summer for the summer reading program. It's sure to be an out-of-this-world fun summer as we spend time in "A Universe of Stories." Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 18 as of May 28, 2019.

For more information and to apply online, please visit the teen volunteer page on the library website here: https://derbylibrary.com/kids-and-teens/teen-volunteers

Check out one of the library's three book clubs in April

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.

Bemused Bibliophiles — meets at 1 p.m. April 3. The title for April is Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin.
Hauntingly Good Reads — meets at 7 p.m. April 8. The title for April is Neverworld Wake by Marsha Pessl.
Joyful Page Turners — meets at 6:45 p.m. April 25. The title for April is Life in a Jar: The Irina Sendler Project by Jack Mayer.

Hey teens! Learn to play ukulele in April~

Have you ever wanted to try to play the ukulele but weren't sure where to start? Well, we’ve got you covered. Derby's own Musical Offerings provide the ukuleles for the class. This is a once a week class that will start April 8 and run through April 22 (three classes) for teens in grades 6-12. Attendance to all classes is a must as each one will build on the previous lesson. Registration is required. Register at the front desk or online through the library events calendar. This class is FREE.

6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2

If you have a ukulele and know a chord or two, or if you've been playing for years, come jam with us!

Ukulele Jam!

Guest book review from Andrea Ham: Harry's Trees
by Jon Cohen

I finished this book shortly after checking it out — reading it almost non-stop — beacause it was so moving, magical, causing me to feel part of the book. I had trouble returning it promptly, even though it was a new book and I wanted to make it available for others. Selfishly, I held it until I ordered my own copy from Amazon. That is how much I loved it!

I think it would be an ideal book for a book club, or for nature lovers, for those who have had a recent loss of a loved one, for those who believe in libraries and the magic of reading. For any audience and most ages, this book is a treasure.

That being said, the infamous and unfortunately prolific these days, use of the f-word finds itself into the conversation of a few of the characters. It is a small part of the book, but because I think this novel should be highly touted, this vocabulary should be mentioned to those to whom the book is recommended.

Release date: June 2018

If you would like to submit a guest book review, please email Cori Dodds at cori@derbylibrary.com or Ashley Pohlenz at ashley@derbylibrary.com.

Andrea's review:

New book review:
The Huntress
by Kate Quinn

First line: She was not used to being hunted.

Summary: Nina dreamed of becoming a pilot. When the German army attacks her native Russia, she enlists to help her country fight its invaders. As one of the all-female bomber regiment called the Night Witches, she gets her wish.

Ian Graham spent the war years as a war correspondent. He witnessed everything from the invasion of Omaha Beach to the Nuremburg Trials but he is determined to find and bring to justice one person, the Huntress.

Jordan McBride is a young girl and aspiring photographer in 1946. Her father recently married a mysterious Austrian widow but her story makes Jordan suspicious. The more she learns the less she trusts her.

My thoughts: From the very first chapter I was hooked. I have been a longtime fan of Kate Quinn and her newest novel does not disappoint. I think I can even say with confidence that it is her best book to date. I loved the different timelines and how each intertwine. This would be perfect for fans of historical fiction and mysteries. Read the author’s notes at the end. They are interesting and give background to the story. You can tell that Quinn did a lot of research to build her narrative.

Release date: Feb. 26, 2019

Ashley's review:

New book review:
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

First line: Dima heard the barn doors slam before anyone else did.

Summary: Nikolai Lantsov, the young king of Ravka, has spent the first several years of his reign trying to hold his country together. With the help of his Triumvirate he hopes to strengthen the borders, improve diplomatic relations and rebuild the Second Army. However, as miracles continue to happen around the country and a darkness still infects his land, he is met with more than he imagined.

My thoughts: Nikolai was one of my favorite characters from Bardugo’s original trilogy. He has a sharp wit and charisma that lets him steal every scene. I was so happy when I learned that he was getting his own duology. Authors do answer prayers!

The first half of the book was a little slower, a trait which I have noticed in the other books. But when the action picks up the story flies by. Trust me and stick with this. It is worth every minute you spend reading it.

And finally that ending! Wow! It was shocking. It literally gave me goosebumps as I was reading it. I will be highly anticipating the next book.

Release date: Jan. 29, 2019