What's Cooking (& Baking) at the Vienna Public Library

It's National Cookbook Month

The Friends of Vienna Public Library have an impressive display of cookbooks for sale on their Book Nook. There are many that are specific to holiday cooking, so make sure that you see what is offered the next time you visit with us. It is most certainly the season!

So much so, that we have been inspired to do some cooking (and baking) of our own and we are sharing the recipes that we love with you.

First up is a sweet treat for Autumn: Pumpkin Cake Cookies

Our Assistant Director, Catherine, says that they smell like a perfect pumpkin pie while they are baking in the oven and that they are most delicious served warm from the oven and freshly frosted.

I can not wait to give them a try!

I decided to spend the time in the kitchen as well. In honor of National Cookbook Month, I selected a couple of our slow cooker cookbooks from our collection at the library and picked a few that look delicious as well as economical.  On Sundays, for the rest of October, check out our Facebook page for our Slow Cooker Sunday segment.

The first recipe was White Bean Chicken Chili.

This recipe give you a LOT of return for a little effort. Pair it with some cornbread and fried potatoes (and the Pumpkin Cake Cookies for dessert) and you have a PERFECT Fall meal.

(Click on the images to enlarge)

After National Cookbook Month has passed, Catherine will continue sharing some delicious recipes for our patrons to try every month on our Facebook page. Make sure you continue to stop by and visit. And remember, we have a large selection of cookbooks of all types in our collection. We would be happy to help you find them on the shelves.

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Happy National Women's Health & Fitness Day

 

Today is National Women's Health & Fitness Day and we are sharing 5 suggestions to help you celebrate!

1. Drink Your Water

        Water makes up about 60% of the human body. Keeping yourself hydrated has multiple benefits:

• Relieves Allergies
• Helps Digestion
• Aids Weight Loss Efforts
• Keeps Skin and Joints Healthy

        And those are just a few. Most doctors agree that you should try to drink eight to ten 8 ounce cups of water daily to stay hydrated. Monitor the heat and your activity level and increase as needed.

2. Sleep

        Missing out on sleep can cause more issues than a grumpy morning. If your body does not get the rest that it needs, you will often have a difficult time focusing and retaining new information.

        Lack of sleep is responsible for increased negative emotional reactions. Chronic lack of sleep increases your risk of depression, anxiety, panic disorders, and high blood pressure.

        A restful sleep routine not only lowers blood pressure, it helps regulate blood pressure and aids in weight control. It is recommended that most individuals get 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep for maximum benefits.

3. Schedule a Check Up

        Regular check-ups can help discover possible health issues before they become a problem. Early detection gives you the best opportunity to receive the proper treatment quickly.

        Getting the correct health services, screenings, and treatments leads to a longer, healthier life.

4. Make a Fitness Plan with a Friend

        When you have a workout partner, you are more likely to feel motivated. Encouraging each other - and maybe even some friendly competition - can lead you to work a bit harder and achieve better results.

        You will also be more consistent. When someone else is counting on you to show up you will be much less likely to skip out on your fitness routine.

5. Visit the Library

        We have a wealth of information here at the Vienna Public Library to assist you with your health and fitness routines.

        Stop by and pick up a book (or two!) and learn how to live a stronger, healthier life!

        We look forward to seeing you!

(Image below is only a small fraction of what we have available for you!) 

                            

Banned Books Week

 Today is the first day of Banned Books Week, an annual campaign promoted by the American Library Association and Amnesty International that celebrates freedom to read and provides awareness of books that have recently been banned or challenged. The international campaign also notes individuals “persecuted because of the writings they produce, circulate or read.”

Held during the last week of September since 1982, it encourages readers to become familiar with challenged literary works and promotes intellectual freedom in libraries, book stores, and schools.

Stop in the library this week to learn more by picking up a copy of Field Report 2020. It is a compilation of “public bans and challenges to books, programs, displays, and other materials in libraries and schools that were reported in the news or recorded in public records.

Ask us about the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2020.

Find out why they were challenged and discover how many you have read.

Also, make sure you pick up a few items that will remind you to share what you have discovered with family and friends.  We have buttons, book marks and other items full of information.

Censorship, in any form, is a dangerous thing.

Celebrate the week by checking out one of the books from the list that you may not be familiar with and exercise your intellectual freedom. 

We look forward to seeing you!

 

 

Vienna Public Library Adult Coloring Contest

 

September 14th is National Coloring Day!

The Vienna Public Library is holding an adult coloring contest to celebrate.

Participants must be 18 or older. The color work can be achieved with colored pencils, markers, painting pens, etc. To enter, simply pick up your coloring page from the library before September 14th. Pages must be returned to the library before the close of the business day on September 29th. The winner will be announced on Friday, October 1st.

All entries must have the contact name and phone number printed on the back of the color sheet in the event that their submission is selected as the winner.

In a world that has recently had us focusing on so many negative aspects of life, sitting down to relax and focus on the joy of expressing yourself through color seems the perfect way to recognize National Coloring Day.

According to health.clevelandclinic.org “there are several reasons that adult coloring relaxes people. The first is that it take the focus away from ourselves. You stop giving attention to the things that are causing stress and you get involved in the present moment.

The second reason is that it relaxes the brain. When thoughts and movements are focused on a simple activity, your brain can rest. 

Finally, low stakes make it pleasurable. The outcome of coloring isn’t predictable or prescriptive. It can be as neat - or as messy - as you choose, and this is one of its relaxing perks.”

Call the library at (304) 295-7771 or email: nicolette@viennapubliclibrary.org for more information.

Friends of the Vienna Public Library Book Sale

 We are having a book sale!

The doors have just opened for the Thursday evening portion of the sale. Tonight is reserved shopping specifically for members of the Friends of the Library.

A lot of hard work went into preparing for this event and there is quite a selection.

Would you like to find out how you can become a member of the Friends of the Library?

Stop by the circulation desk and pick up an application.

In addition to the fantastic selection of books, we have the opportunity for you to win a gorgeous Autumn quilt for your home.

(Click on the image for a detailed view.)

Raffle tickets are available. The cost is $5 for 1 ticket or $10 for 3 tickets.

The book sale will be open to the public on Friday, September 10th from 10:00 AM until 5:30 PM and Saturday, September 11th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Where Will We “Pop Up” ?

September is Library Card Sign Up Month!

Your library card does more than ever now with access to Books, Audiobooks, DVDs, Libby, Kanopy, BookFlix, and more! Curious about these services? Want to learn more?

To celebrate the month, we will have a “pop up” library card sign up station at various locations in Vienna on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You will be able to find us by checking out our Facebook page. We will be “going live” when we arrive at our mystery location to give you clues concerning our location and information about the many benefits of having a Vienna Public Library card of your own. Encourage a friend to sign up for one as well.

In addition to our fantastic collection of books, audio books, magazines and DVDs, we also boast a selection of music CDs, video games, a streaming service, a variety of book clubs, creative programs for all ages and so much more!

You can find out more information by visiting one of our pop up locations this month or by stopping in the library and chatting with someone at the service desk.

Don’t miss out on all of the good things going on at your Vienna Public Library.

All you need is your library card.

 

Spectacular Stitching Saturdays

 Have you played with the idea of leaning to crochet?

Did someone teach you to knit decades ago but you haven’t tried it in years and need a recap?

Have you ever looked at a cross stitch sampler and thought, “I could do that.”

If the answer is “yes” to one or all of these questions, then you need to come to a “Stitching Saturday” at the Vienna Public Library. You only need to call (304) 295-7771 to register.

We meet every other Saturday to work on a previous project or pick up a new one.

(Click on images for increased clarity.)

Our cross stitch instruction began with a bookmark perfect for any book lover or individual with feline friends. Many are still working on this project. A “finishing” video will be available on our YouTube channel soon. You can visit our channel here: 

Our YouTube Channel

 We began a second project on Saturday, August 21.

It had many of us feeling quite nostalgic as we fondly remembered our experiences on the Oregon Trail.

Projects will vary with each 2 week time span.

Our next “Stitcing Saturday” will take place on September 18 beginning at 10:00 AM.

The focus that day will be a cross stitch project perfect for you and your “friends”. 😉

You won’t want to miss this. Give us a call at (304) 295-7771 for more information or to register your spot at the stitching table.