Blog Entries

Why Native Plants? 

For families with kids of all ages finding a “just right” book can be tricky. Handley Regional Library System staff offer numerous ways to help you and your reader try new genres or authors of books. Specifically, we have a service called BookMatch Junior! for ages 12 and under, which matches your reader with books to try based on a quick survey form you fill out. However, a generally good practice when helping to build strong readers in your home is the following:

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all about Possibilities of Adventure!!  We are taking a look at books that have an element of adventure to them--but that word may mean different things to different individuals.  For some, adventure could be climbing Mount Everest while to others, adventure for them may mean trying a new pizza topping for Friday night dinner; you can even live vicariously through the characters in an adventure packed story.  We have an awesome selection of titles this week including some nonfiction, science fiction, fantasy, and even a little bit

Our teen book spotlight this week is all about Possibilities of Adventure!!  We are taking a look at books that have an element of adventure to them--but that word may mean different things to different individuals.  For some, adventure could be climbing Mount Everest while to others, adventure for them may mean trying a new pizza topping for Friday night dinner; you can even live vicariously through the characters in an adventure packed story.  We have an awesome selection of titles this week including some romance, science fiction, musical inspired, and even a volcanic erup

Our Middle Grade book spotlight this week is focused on books that have Red, White, and Blue Covers!!!  As we celebrate Memorial Day, let’s use the colors of our flag to help us take a look at a variety of stories!  Since we are choosing these books based on their front covers, then we have an amazing selection that are all completely different from realistic to fantasy, mysteries, humor, and books turned to movies!

Our teen book spotlight this week is focused on books that have Red, White, and Blue Covers!!!  As we celebrate Memorial Day, let’s use the colors of our flag to help us take a look at a variety of stories!  Since we are choosing these books based on their front covers, then we have an amazing selection that are all completely different from realistic to fantasy, nonfiction, dystopian and some series starters!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all about Science Fiction!!!  What I love about Science Fiction is that there are so many different types and aspects--Science Fiction is defined as anything that could possibly happen in the future and it does not mean that it has to be in outer space even though that is a common setting.  Science Fiction can contain a number of topics from robots and artificial intelligence, to living in outer space and intergalactic wars.  We even have Science Fiction that contains some dystopian elements about how life could be extremely differ

Our teen book spotlight this week is all about Science Fiction!!!

In celebration of pets, May is recognized as National Pet Month. It’s a wonderful time to show a little extra appreciation for our furry friends, and books are always a great resource for everything, including learning something fun about your pets! 

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all about books which feature twins as main characters!  These titles are all about twins (brothers and brothers, sisters and sisters, and sisters and brothers) and their relationships which are the main focus of our amazing stories.  Twins have a unique relationship which is different from other siblings and they can be found in not just realistic titles but also in fantasy, adventure, science fiction, and dystopian--all of which we feature in our theme for this week.

Our teen book spotlight this week is all about books which feature twins as main characters!  These titles are all about twins (brothers and brothers, sisters and sisters, and sisters and brothers) and their relationships which are the main focus of our amazing stories.  Twins have a unique relationship which is different from other siblings and they can be found in not just realistic titles but also in fantasy, science fiction, and dystopian--all of which we feature in our theme for this week.

Researching Common Surnames:

May 2022

My last name is Smith.  I have been told that our ancestors changed our surname before immigrating to the United States from Poland.  I have hesitated to attempt any research because I feel like I truly have a generic name.  Would it even be possible to learn anything about this family?

-A Researcher

Have you heard about Bowman Library's new Thursday Five O'Clock Spot? Every Thursday at Five O'Clock, there are fun things happening for school age children at Bowman Library. These hands-on programs promote creativity and problem solving and collaboration skills, and everyone who comes leaves with a smile!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all about books which are biographies and memoirs!  Biographies and memoirs are books about individuals, each with their own unique stories to share and read.  Biographies are usually written about an individual by a different person and memoirs are written by the featured person.  Just

Our teen book spotlight this week is all about books which are biographies and memoirs!  Biographies and memoirs are books about individuals, each with their own unique stories to share and read.  Biographies are usually written about an individual by a different person and memoirs are written by the featured person.  Just like non