Ready for Robotics

 From January through September, robots will be taking over the teen department at the Main Library as we launch our "Ready for Robotics" programs, made possible by a generous grant from LSTA.

In January, make sure to stop by our teen room open house for a preview, or join the teen staff for a workshop on how to build a Tobbie II robot and see if you can get him running. 

You can also stop into the Main Library on February 12th from 10AM - 12PM and bring your whole family for a special speace-themed event where we will showcase our moon rover replica and R2D2 droid.

See you at the library!

This Month in Programming

 We have some many amazing teen programs coming up in the teen department this month. Here are just some of our favorites we think you need to check out!

Want to learn to play the guitar? Come to Somerton Library from 11 AM to 12 PM on January 22nd for Guitar Tips for Beginners. Click the link for more info!

If you've ever wanted to learn to play Dungeons and Dragons, then the Heritage Library should be your stop on January 22nd for a D&D tutorial with Jarod. Click here for more info.

On January 25th, San Luis Library will have a paper airplane competition. You just need to register by January 22nd to take part, and you can participate in a team or as an individual. More info here. 

See you at the library!

What's New on Comics Plus for September 2021

 Don't forget, Comics Plus has a great selection of manga, comics and graphic novels for every interest. Here are some of our new favorites:

Kitchen Princess by Natsumi Ando: Fans of Ouran Host Club and Fruits Basket will love this magical kitchen tale. Najika's has two great passions: cooking, and finding the mysterious boy who stole her heart as a child. Her only clue to finding his identity is a spoon he left behind years ago. Now, the spoon has led Ajika to an elite school where each student has a special talent, and where two boys Sora and Daichi are prime candidates for her long lost love. 

Let's Dance a Waltz by Natsumi Ando: Hime is a plain, shy girl who feels she will never live up to her name (Hime means "princess" in Japanese). Content to live a quiet life on the side lines, everything changes the day Hime tries taking a dance class and discovers that one of the coolest boys in school is secretly a ballroom dance instructor who wants to keep his love of dance a secret, because he wants to maintain a cool image at school. 

UQ Holder! by Ken Akamatsu: Set in the world of Negima! this new series follows the grandson of Negi Springfield, a boy wizard named Touta, who dreams of leaving his quiet little town for adventures in the big city, but before he can do that, he has to get past his teacher and guardian Evangeline, who just happens to be an immortal vampire. 

What's New on Hoopla in September 2021?

 There's so much great new stuff on Hoopla Digital this month! Here are some of our top picks!

Call Me Athena: Girl From Detroit by Colby Cedar Smith: Athena's life is not an easy one. Even though she was born in the USA, her parents are newly arrived immigrants from France and Greece, who struggle to provide for Athena and her siblings in a tiny apartment in Michigan. Plus, it's the 1930's, right in the middle of the Great Depression, so everything is scarce, making Athena wonder why in the world her parents ever came to the USA, and whether her family really has any kind of future in their new country.

Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaefer: Nita wants to make one thing perfectly clear: she is NOT a murderer. She has never killed any of the magical creatures whose body parts she sells on the black market. No, the murderer is her mom, who does all the hunting. Nita just does what she has to to survive... until the day her mom brings home a living being. When Nita refuses to kill the helpless creature, she learns dark truths about the world around her, and ends up fighting for her freedom and her life, when she finds herself in the place of her former victims: for sale on the black market.

You Owe Me a Murder by Eileen Cook: Kim has just learned to very valuable lessons: be VERY careful what you say to people when your heart is broken, and never trust a random stranger you just met on a plane. When Kim meets Nikki on a flight to London (the same flight which contains her ex and his new love) and jokes about wishing her boyfriend was dead, she means it as a totally harmless statement. But then her ex turns up dead, and Nikki, who feels she did Kim a favor by doing the deed, wants Kim to murder someone in return. 

What's New On Overdrive in September 2021?

Here are some of our favorite new items that have just been added to Overdrive for digital checkout:

Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide: Devon and Chiamaka have everything anyone could ever ask for. They're the ultra-smart students at an elite private school where they are have just been made Prefects and are each top contenders for valedictorian. But just as they start to think their Senior year couldn't be more perfect, a mysterious person using the name "Aces" starts sending out mass texts, revealing Devon and Chiamaka's darkest secrets, and threatening to completely destroy everything they've worked for. 

Small Favors by Erin A. Craig: Ellerie lives in a small town, tucked in between several mountains where nothing much ever happens... or at least, nothing happens since the time long ago when her ancestors fought off the demons that used to live in the woods surrounding the village. But one harsh winter, strange things begin to happen. Alone, lacking supplies, and desperate, Ellerie and her village might have to face the possibility that the demons might be back... with a vengeance.

Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp: Despite the objections of her strict, traditional Mexican-American parents, Penelope has dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and someday opening up her own bakery near her dad's restaurant. Xander is the cute new boy who works at said restaurant, who is trying to build a relationship with his grandfather while searching for his long-lost father. Both Penelope and Zander have secrets, though, and when those start to get out, their futures and the future of their budding romance might be in serious trouble. 

3D Modeling For Teens Is Back!

 You asked for it, so we delivered. One of our most requested programs, 3D Modeling for teens will be back next Wednesday, September 15th at Main Library.

In this program, Elia will be teaching a limited number of teens how to create the types of files needed to run code on the library's 3D printers. Participants will get to take home a 3D print of their creations (just remember that 3D printing takes time, so you'll have to collect your print a few days after the program). The program is completely free, but only open to teens ages 13-18, and in order to participate, you do need an email address. See you there!

It's Library Card Sign-Up Month

 Did you know that every September, libraries around the country celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month? This year's theme is #100blackgirlbooks featuring special program chair Marley Dias. 

To celebrate the month, we recommend you sign up for a library card if you don't already have one, and if you have one, use it to try and hit bingo on this special Bingo Challenge from the American Library Association!