The end of each summer brings one of my favorite times, “Back to School” shopping. Fresh school supplies and new clothes and shoes, picking out a backpack and lunch box. For kids, these are cherished memories but, for parents, this can be a time of stress. Schedules are full and wallets are empty, making this a great time to visit the library and sign up for a library card.
The Crawfordsville District Public Library has many materials you can check out. Included with your library card is access to databases like Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy and Creativebug. These databases offer digital content such as e-books, e-audiobooks, digital graphic novels, movies, music, magazines and craft classes. You may also research your family tree in the local history area or check out the displays throughout the library.
Currently, on the second floor, we are featuring a “Back to School” display. The display features novels and movies with school settings, cookbooks about packing school lunches, and test prep books. Continuing your education? Check out one of the Great Courses collection items.
If you are interested in what school was like for others, try the turn of the 20th-century memoir “Great-Grandpa’s School Days” (921 Whisler, W) by William Whisler, for a series of stories about his Indiana school days between 1910 and 1923. A very different story about school is “Educated” (921 Westover, T.) by Tara Westover. Westover grew up in Idaho with her survivalist parents. When one of her brothers managed to get into college she decided to change her life and go to school too. She was seventeen when she first entered a classroom.
Worried about packing lunch for the family every day? Try “Everyday Bento” (641.53 Cop) by Wendy Thorpe Copely or “Weelicious Lunches” (641.53 McC) by Catherine McCord. I really liked “The Workweek Lunch Cookbook” (641.53 Kor) by Talia Koren for meal prepping and planning for the week. These books are full of recipes for nutritious and delicious lunches for the whole family and they are easy to prepare and pack.
On the lighter side, have a school-themed movie night. The library has a collection of Blu-rays and DVDs for you to enjoy. Introduce the family to Robin Williams as an inspiring teacher in The Dead Poet’s Society (DVD DEA). Try a Nineties-themed night with Clueless (DVD CLU) an adaptation of the Jane Austen classic Emma starring Alicia Silverstone. Billy Madison (DVD BIL) is a hilarious school comedy starring Adam Sandler where he has to repeat all 12 years of school in 24 weeks to get his inheritance.
Finally, the library is participating in the Indiana Library Passport program through the Indiana State Library. To register, go to https://passport.library.in.gov/#venues This program is 100% free and has quarterly prizes from local and national donors. Make sure your location services are turned on and you “check in” when you visit the library.
Your library card is a portal to free entertainment and education. Come in and get yours today!
If you need assistance with library services and materials, come see us on the second floor at the Reference desk. You may also call us with questions at 765-362-2242 or email us at ask@cdpl.lib.in.us.
Michelle Ogden is a library assistant in the Reference and Local History Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
