by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy nearly-springtime to all those B-Town Bookworms out there!

DID YOU KNOW?

Voters Approve Levy Lid Lift for libraries!!

Thanks to dedicated community advocates and library supporters, voters approved Proposition 1 on the February 9 special election ballot by 52%, authorizing a one-year increase in the property tax level to fund essential library services.

With the passage of Proposition 1, voters restored the full allowable library levy rate of 50¢ per $1,000 assessed property value for 2011.

The additional revenue will sustain library operations, including hours of service, new and replacement materials, computers and software upgrades, and regular preventive maintenance.

Thank YOU VOTERS!!

KCLS WELCOMES RENTON LIBRARIES, PATRONS & STAFF:
Renton Libraries are now part of the King County Library System! Though many details involved in merging the library systems are being worked out, two key changes are now in place for Renton Library patrons:

1. Expanded library hours in downtown Renton.
2. Immediate eligibility for a Seattle Public Library Card.

Welcome!!

PROGRAMS AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARIES:

• TechConnect!!! Burien Library Saturday March 13th 10am -2pm: TechConnect is an interactive library open house showcasing the many ways KCLS technology connects you to reading, recreation, entertainment and lifelong learning.  Whether you’re tech-savvy, tech-challenged or somewhere in between, TechConnect will enhance your use of the library!  King County Library TechLab van will be in our parking lot demonstrating the latest in downloads available.  TechConnect stations will be set up throughout the first floor of the library demonstrating our databases, how to use the library catalog, children’s story time online, and much much more. There will also be Spanish language station ‘Biblioteca’ showing library technology for Spanish speakers.  Visit every station and enter to win the prize drawings, winners announced on the hour, must be present to win.  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Crumac Concert: Burien Library, Sunday March 14th 5pm. This Irish trio creates traditional music on fiddle, uilleann pipes, whistles, and guitar
  Ages 5 and older.
• Get Loose with Seuss! Burien Library, Friday March 19th, 10:30am. Presented by Harmonica Pocket. Sing along with the Doctor’s ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish’ and other Seussian favorites! All ages welcome Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! White Center Library, Friday March 19th, 3pm. Presented by Harmonica Pocket. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with stories, songs and silliness. Sponsored by the White Center Library Guild.

BOOK REVIEW:
‘The Eight’ By Katherine Neville

Part historical fiction, part mysticism, part modern day suspense thriller – this tale follows the discovery and disappearance of the powerful Montglane Chess Service. The chess service imbues unlimited power to anyone playing. The task of hiding and protecting the chess pieces from abuse falls upon the novices of Montglane Abby in the year 1790.  In 1972, modern day computer expert Catherine Velis is hired to recover the valuable chess pieces and soon finds herself entangled in a global plot.

Excellent!

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy Holidays to each and every one of our fine bookworms out there!

Can you believe it’s almost 2010? (and isn’t that the “Year We Make Contact“?)

Please note that all King County Libraries will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th for the Christmas Holidays.

Also, all King County Libraries will also close at 5pm on Thursday, December 31st for New Year’s Eve and remain closed on Friday, January 1st 2010, New Year’s Day.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Burien Library Guild is now sponsoring the ongoing book sale at the Boulevard Park Library. Bring your donations of gently used books to the Boulevard Park Library, all sales collected from this book sale will be used to sponsor programs at the Boulevard Park Library.

The Burien Library Guild continues to sell used books in their ongoing sale at the Burien Library as well.

The Guild is also selling ‘Book Lover’s Calendar’ 2010 for $8 each at the Burien Library – a great bargain and a wonderful gift!

The King County Library System selection department has put together a list of the Best Books of 2009 - check it out here.

PROGRAMS:

Burien Library:

• Opera Preview : Verdi’s  ‘ll Trovatore’ presented by Norm Hollingshead
• Wednesday December 23th beginning at 7pm
• Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild
  Visit http://www.kcls.org/events/opera.cfm for a complete list of Opera Preview times and locations.

• Holiday Magic, for children ages 5 and older.
  Thursday December 31st beginning at 11am
  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.

White Center Library:

• Fiestas – Early Literacy Parties in Spanish
  December 10th & 17th 6:30pm-8pm
  The ‘Fiestas’ are workshops designed for Spanish-speaking families to prepare their children for Kindergarten. Las ‘Fiestas’ son talleres disenadow para los padres hispanos que preparan a sus hijos para el Kindergartern
  Sponsored by the KCLS Foundation

Visit http://www.kcls.org/programs/ for a complete list of programs throughout the library system.

BRANCH LOCATIONS:

• Burien Library – 400 SW 152nd St Burien (206.243.3490)
• White Center Library – 11220 16th SW (206.243.0233)
• Boulevard Park Library- 12015 Roseberg Ave S (206.242.8662)
• Greenbridge Library -9720 8th Ave SW (206.762.1682)

BOOK REVIEW:

“My Dream of You” by Nuala O’Faolain

When middle aged travel writer Kathleen de Burca returns to her native Ireland to research a scandalous love affair between a landlord’s wife and an Irish peasant during the potato famine she finds herself examining her own desires and needs as passion comes to her in the form of a married man.

The story is both an historical account of Irish history and a contemporary novel.

Wonderful, sad, uplifting.

Fiction.

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

All King County Libraries will be Closed Thursday, Nov. 26th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

DID YOU KNOW?

The King County Library System offers a variety of databases to help you with everything from business information and directories to homework help.  See our featured database at http://www.kcls.org/databases/

Testing & Education Reference Center:
Get ready for the big tests in your life – AP, SAT, GED, MCAT, and civil service – with practice tests, ebooks, and planning advice from #1 names in college and vocational prep, Peterson’s and ARCO.

BOOKS & READING:
Visit http://www.kcls.org/booksandreading/index.cfm for a list of books we recommend, new books, and book club resources.

PROGRAMS:

Literary Feast
LOCAL AUTHORS Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck will be at the Burien Library Saturday, Nov. 21st  from 2pm- 4pm.

Northwest authors Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck will visit the Burien library on Saturday Nov. 21, for a book-reading and signing event. The best-selling local authors are featured in the book, “Literary Feast, The Famous Authors Cookbook,” which is a compilation of 100 food, drink and dessert recipes from scores of well-known authors and writers.

Singing Thanksgiving at the Burien Library Wednesday, Nov. 18th at 10:30am! Presented by Harmonica Pocket
. All ages welcome.
 Celebrate the holidays with American Folk tunes including Over the River and Through the Woods, Turkey in the Straw, and This Little Light of Mine. This dynamic musical duo will have everyone singing and dancing along.

Rock! Rock! Rock! at the White Center Library Wednesday, Dec. 2nd at 6:30pm! Presented by Rowbes.
 Ages 2 and older welcome.
 This original children’s rock concert is performed by some crazy puppet musicians. 
Rowbes is better known as Dewy the Dog from Story Time with Dewey and Sketch: Season 2.

Visit http://www.kcls.org/season/ for a complete list of all upcoming library programs!

Why Can’t You Behave? Ideas for Handling Misbehavior at the Greenbridge Library Saturday, Nov. 21st at 1pm

Presented by Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed., Priceless Parenting, LLC
 – Learn ways to set effective limits, deal with adult-child control issues and use positive techniques for dealing with issues like tantrums, tattling, begging at the store and bedtime. 
Provides 2 hours STARS credit in Child Guidance.

BOOK REVIEW:
‘Wild Swans; Three Daughters of China’ by Jung Chang.

From turn of the century China through the 1980s Chang traces 3 generations of women.

Her grandmother, born in 1907, was a concubine as a young girl, her mother was a Communist party member and official, and she was a member of the Red Guards in the late 60s.

China’s evolution from a feudal society to present day told through the experiences of one family brings to life the incredible hardships and successes that have shaped the country.

Non-fiction, and definitely worth a read!

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Have you visited the new Burien Library yet? Do you have a group who would like to meet at the Library? Did you know you can book a meeting room online?  Click here to do it: www.kcls.org/meetingrooms/index.cfm. Library tours are also available for groups upon advance request – call  206-243-3490 for more information.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Burien Library Guild needs your help!  We are seeking donations of used books in good condition for adults and children. Please remember us when cleaning out your closets! Your donations support the wonderful programs we are able to have at the Burien Library including our ‘Opera Previews’ and ‘Sing Into Reading’ listed below.

You can now follow the King County Library System on Twitter!  Check it out at www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/widgets/ for all the details and linkage.

We have made it easy for you to keep track of your library materials, track what’s due, what’s overdue, and what items are ready for you to pick up using this new feature called ‘Library Elf’ – find out how to sign up at www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/catalog_help/library_elf.cfm.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS:

• Opera Preview: Wednesday, Sept. 16th beginning at 7pm – “La Traviata’ by Verdi, presented by Norm Hollingshead, sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Burien Book Group: Wednesday Sept. 16th – “Omnivore’s Dilemma: Search for a Perfect Meal in a Fast-food World” by Michael Pollan. The book group meets in the conference room on the second floor of the Burien Library beginning at 2pm…everyone is welcome
• ‘Barking Buddha: Yoga for You and Your Dog’ demonstration presented by author Brenda Bryan in conjunction with the City of Burien’s ‘Wellness Fair’ Saturday, Sept. 19th at 1pm in the Burien Library.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS & CHILDREN:

• SAT Prep: Five FREE sessions to help you prepare for the SAT. Practice exams will be scored. Participants must attend all five sessions and will receive an official SAT Study Guide. Registration is Required beginning September 5th; Saturdays Sept 26th, Oct 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 10AM; Presented by Sandwiess Test Prep.
• ‘Sing Into Reading’: Saturday Sept 12th, 10:30AM & 11:30AM; Presented by Nancy Stewart. Ages 5 and younger with a parent. Registration begins Saturday August 29th. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild

For a complete list of programs and story time events at our libraries visit the KCLS homepage at www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm.

BOOK REVIEW:
“The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seekers Guide To Making Travel Sacred” by Phil Cousineau.

This beautiful little book will make you look at the way you travel in a whole new way.  Every journey you take, be it long or short, can become a part of your personal spiritual development.  If you are looking for a more focused or deeper meaning to your travels this lovely book will instruct and inspire.

Until next time…see you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Summer is here dear Readers, which means it’s time to slather yourself with gobs of SPF750, cover your nose with zinc oxide, then find a shady spot and read a great book borrowed for FREE from your brand new library!

DID YOU KNOW?
All of the public-use computers in the King County Library System are being updated to Microsoft Office 2007! Visit our webpage for tutorials on all Office 2007 software here.

TEENS & SUMMER:

• “Read Three, Get One Free Summer Edition & Video Book Review Contest” is going on! Be sure to get your entries in by August 31st to be eligible to win fabulous prizes, like a laptop computer and cool Flip Video cameras! Check out our website to get all the details and entry forms here.
• Study Zone – keep your brain tuned up for school! Burien Library Wednesdays this summer beginning at 3:30pm.

PROGRAMS:

• The Summer Reading Program for elementary and preschool kids is underway. There are lots of free and fun programs coming to a library near you. Check out ALL KCLS Summer Reading Programs on our website here.
• “Up Up & Away” – spellbinding scientific experiments for ages 4+ at the White Center Library Tuesday July 21st 2pm, Sponsored by the White Center Library Guild.
• “Create a Puppet” – come and build your own puppet for ages 3+ at the Boulevard Park Library Tuesday July 28th 11am.
• “Rock Out with Recess Monkey” – blast off with imaginative rock n’ roll – all ages at the Burien Library Wednesday July 22nd 11am.

FOR ADULTS:

• Master Gardeners at the Burien Library every Wednesday beginning at 5pm and Saturdays beginning at 11am in the lobby.
• ESL (English as a Second Language) Tuesdays & Thursdays through August 16th at the Burien Library, class starts at 6:00pm, presented by Highline Community College.

BOOK REVIEW:
“Marco Polo, from Venice to Xanadu“ by Lawrence Bergreen: Marco Polo has fascinated readers since his ‘Travels’ first appeared for European readers in the 13th century.

At the age of 17, Marco Polo’s travels began when he accompanied his father and uncle to the court of the infamous Mongol leader Kublia Khan. Essentially held captive by Kublia Khan for over seventeen years, Marco served as an emissary for the great Khan during his ‘coming of age’ years. Marco kept a journal of his travels and years later collaborated with Rustichello da Pisa to compile ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’. Many revisions and additions were made to the ‘Travels’ over Marco’s life time, the original manuscript did not survive.

Though many did not believe much of what Marco Polo claimed to have witnessed (some still don’t), Bergreen, in this most recent book, uses 19th and 20th century Chinese scholars to verify many of facts and events that Marco Polo claimed to have witnessed. An extremely readable and fascinating book that most vividly brings to life the fabulously wealthy and powerful Kublia Khan.

This biography is available on CD too, which makes it not only worth a read, but worth a listen as well!

‘Til next time, we’ll see you on the beach with a great book (and plenty of sunscreen)!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

The Grand Opening of the beautiful new Burien Library will be this Saturday, June 13th beginning at 10am!

The Library (along with the new Town Square) will open its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony, programs throughout the day, food, giveaways, story times, building tours, and lots more! The new library also features an automated materials handling machine that will check your items in, give you a receipt, and sort the item for shelving.  Check out www.kcls.org/bond/groundbreakings.cfm for all the details.  Our new address is 400 SW 152nd Street.

If you have books you need to return before this Friday, June 12th, please drop them off at one of our sister libraries:

• White Center Library is located at 11220 16th Ave SW
• Boulevard Park Library is located at 12015 Roseberg Ave S
• Des Moines Library is located at 21620 11th Ave S (in Des Moines)

We Thank You for your patience during this transition period!!

COMING UP:
“Be Creative @ Your Library” is this year’s Summer Reading Program theme.  The Summer Reading Program kicks off on Monday, June 15th.  Our children’s librarians are busy right now making school visits and preparing programs.  See www.kcls.org/srp for complete details.

BOOK REVIEW:
“Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague“ by Geraldine Brooks:

Based on the true story of Eyam, the “Plague Village”, located in the rugged mountains of England in 1666.  As a young widow with small children, Anna Firth, finds herself intensely involved in caring for the sick and dying residents of her small mountain village.  The townsfolk make the decision to quarantine the village in hopes of stopping the plague from spreading.  As the disease ravages the village fearful villagers react with fear and jealousy as Anna and the town’s minister try to keep the town from falling into complete chaos.

This is a riveting novel that really brings to life the ethical and emotional impact dealing with the plague must bring.

Highly recommended!

See you in the brand new stacks this weekend!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

As everyone has shown time and time again, we’re a strong community here in Burien, whether we’re using our beloved library or whacking invasive weeds in a local park or helping neighbors in need, and the month of May will show everyone just how strong we are with this upcoming, helpful, community-oriented event:

‘Look to Your Library’ job-hunting help from May 1st – May 8th at ALL KCLS Libraries!

Across the county people are feeling the economic pinch: layoffs, reduced hours, decreased benefits and mounting bills. To help people cope and get back on their feet, KCLS is hosting how-to demonstrations of the latest job search and financial tools.

All libraries will open one-hour earlier than normally scheduled each day that week.

Look at our website for all the details.

The Burien Library Guild has generously agreed to bring coffee and donuts for Burien Library patrons May 1st and May 2nd.

COMING UP:
Japanese Paper Cutting Workshop Presented by Aki Sogabe:

• Saturday May 2nd at 2pm at the Burien Library
• Ages 7 and older
• Using her books as an introduction to the ancient art of Japanese paper cutting, this book illustrator will help participants create an origami and paper cut project.
• Please bring scissors. Registration required.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
Grand Opening of our New Burien Library is set for Saturday June 13th!

This will be an all day event, with music, speeches, food, and programs throughout the day – Don’t miss it!

The New Burien Library is located at 400 SW 152nd St (corner of 152nd & 4th), and the Burien Library Guild is sponsoring refreshments inside the library for the celebrations.

For news and pictures of library construction projects throughout the county visit http://www.kcls.org/bond/

On May 15th at 6pm the current Burien Library will close its regular operation.

On Saturday May 16th we will be open limited hours for book returns and holds pick up. We will not have public use computers or reference services during this time (May 16-June 8th).

From June 9th until our Grand Opening on June 13th the Burien Library will be completely closed. Please visit our nearby libraries for reference services and public computers during this time.

Visit our webpage at http://www.kcls.org/locations/index.cfm for a complete list of library locations and open hours.

We appreciate your patience during our move, and we look forward to seeing you in our new digs!

BOOK REVIEW:
“Autobiography of a Face“ by Lucy Grealy:

Ms. Grealy tells her life story from age 9 when she was diagnosed with bone cancer. In stark and touching detail Grealy shares her remarkable strength, humor, and resilience as the cancer progresses.

The cancer eventually takes 1/3 of her jawbone.

Her struggles to remain ‘normal’ and continue to give and receive love are beautifully written in this moving story.

In “Truth & Beauty: A Friendship,” Ann Patchett writes about her long and special relationship with fellow writer Lucy Grealy (author of ‘Autobiography of a Face’). A heartbreaking and tender story of friendship and commitment.

Read together these two books provide special insights on love, laughter, and the beauty of life.

Highly recommended!

See you in the (new) stacks soon!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy Spring my sprouting B-Town Bookworms from your Empress of Information!

LIBRARY CARD CONTEST:
Create the next new Library Card!

That’s right – your art can grace the new library cards, so get busy!

Winners will be announced May 29th, and there are three levels of competition:

• Elementary, Grades 3 and up
• Middle School/Junior High
• High School

Entries may be submitted until April 30, 2009.

Winners will be selected by a panel of children’s and teen librarians and other KCLS staff.

Each winner receives a $100.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble-funded by the King County Library System Foundation.

Check out www.kcls.org/librarycardcontest/ for all the details

DID YOU KNOW?
From the KCLS Homepage you can access practice tests for the WASL and SAT tests.

We have partnered with Brainfuse to offer this new online tutoring service.

Visit www.brainfuse.com for all the details.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

• Saturday, April 4th at 1pm: ‘Recess Monkey’ Live! Will Hop Bump and Bounce into Spring! All ages. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild
• Wednesday, April 29th 10:30am: ‘Nursery Rhymes & Tales’ Puppeteer Peter Allen tells the story of ‘The Little Duckling Who Couldn’t Quack’ All ages. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• To see our entire list of upcoming events and programs, click here.

Visit the KCLS Programs page for a complete list of programs throughout the Library System.

BOOK REVIEW:
“Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America” by Erik Larson.

A true ‘thriller’ in every sense of the word!

Local writer Erik Larson’s research illuminates the genius behind the innovative 1893 Chicago ‘World Columbian Exposition’.

Daniel H. Burnham, architect of the fair, was responsible for the construction of the famous ‘White City’ around which the fair was built. There were numerous obstacles, including the death of this partner, that had to be overcome.

At the time the Exposition was going on another sort of genius was busy in Chicago as well – serial murderer, H.H. Holmes, was entrapping young women in his home and executing them in a sealed room while he watched them die.

Larson weaves these two stories together as skillfully as any novelist, but the difference here is that these two stories really happened.

Absolutely gripping!

Comes in large print, on CD and is available for download as an ebook from the KCLS homepage as well.

See you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Greetings and salutations to all B-Town Bookworms from your Empress of Information!

DID YOU KNOW?

• The King County Library System now offers downloadable books, audio books, video, and music from several sources. Just visit: http://www.kcls.org/ecollection/ for all the downloadable details.

• February is “Black History Month” so be sure to check out Burien’s book display celebrating the event. The Burien Library also houses the “African American Achievement” collection located in the Teen Zone.

• Our brand new Burien Library is really taking shape! Have a look at all the construction pictures at http://www.kcls.org/bond/burien/ and get ready for our Grand Opening Celebrations!! Date to be announced. To whet your appetite, here’s a photo – check out the nice curved windows and view:

• FREE Job Hunting Seminars @ the Burien Library. Monday evenings 6:30-8:30pm, Feb 23rd, Mar 2nd, Mar 9th, and Mar 16th. Don’t miss this great series that brings experts from the human resources and recruiting world to share job search tips, resume do’s and don’ts and information on online applications and government jobs. Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild. Call or visit the Burien Library for seminar details.

• “Your Money or Your Life” presented by Liesbet Trappenburg @ the Burien Library on Saturday February 28th beginning at 1pm. This program is part of KCLS’s ‘Fiscal Fitness’ series, visit http://www.kcls.org/events/fiscalfitness.cfm for all program listings.

• 2009 ‘Literary Lions Gala’ March 7th beginning at 6pm at the Bellevue Library. Nancy Pearl of ‘Book Lust’ fame will emcee the event and Garth Stein author of ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ is the keynote speaker. See http://www.kcls.org/literarylions/ for all the details.

• Check out all the fabulous programs in our ‘Many Voices, One Land’ series ‘celebrating the traditions of many cultures that bring us together in community’ including:

• The Burien Library will host ‘Discovering Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, a Community Research Project’ Saturday March 21st 1-3pm, visit http://www.kcls.org/manyvoicesoneland/ for a list of all the programs being offered throughout the King County Library System.

• The White Center Library will host ‘Songs & Stories of the Coast Salish Peoples’ on Wednesday March 4th at 6:30pm

• PLEASE NOTE: Story Time at the Greenbridge Library is now at 2pm every Wednesday for ages 2-6 with an adult. More info here.

BOOK REVIEW:
“Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life” by Alice Schroeder.

Ever wonder how to become a billionaire?

Read how Warren Buffett, a decidedly low key and down home personality became one of the richest men in the world.

Author Alice Schroeder gets up close to the highly private and personal life of Mr. Buffett. Includes insights on his personal and business friendships and dealings with such persons as Kay Graham (owner of the Washington Post) and Bill Gates.

Buffett, an Omaha native, lives a very unconventional life, from ‘elephant bumping’ with the world’s elite to maintaining his marriage to Suzie Buffett who lives separately in California.

A great read!

(Also available on CD).

See you in the stacks!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Happy belated New Year as well as a premature Valentine’s Day to all!

Please Note:

All King County Libraries will be Closed Monday February 16th for Presidents Day.

DID YOU KNOW?
That the King County Library System offers many programs and program series throughout the county that are  FREE and open to all:

• See details of our “Many Voices, One Land” series here: http://www.kcls.org/manyvoicesoneland/
• See details of our “Fiscal Fitne$$” series here: http://www.kcls.org/events/fiscalfitness.cfm
• For a complete list of all programs here: http://www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm
• To see a complete list of all KCLS Libraries OPEN HOURS and LOCATIONS: http://www.kcls.org/locations/index.cfm

BOOK REVIEW:
“Puss ‘n Cahoots” (Mrs. Murphy) by author Rita Mae Brown

If you like mysteries, small towns, and animals as detectives, then the “Mrs. Murphy” mysteries are for you.

“Puss ‘n Cahoots” is the 14th in the series where all the animals belonging to Mary Minor ‘Harry’ Haristeen, post mistress of a small Virginia town, get in on the action.

In this series the critters serve not only as friendly human companions but are central characters in the story.  They find clues, solve mysteries, and most importantly, protect ‘Harry’.

Mrs. Murphy (tabby) is the brains of the operation, lazy Pewter (a slightly overweight cat) and Tee Tucker (corgi) exuberant and fearless, team up with a wide range of farm and wild animals to uncover who done it every time.  A fun twist on the relationship between animals and their humans, discussed from the animal’s point of view.

Many of the books in the ‘Mrs. Murphy’ series are available in audio format and in Large Print.  Check the KCLS catalog here: http://catalog.kcls.org/

Highly recommended!

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AT THE BURIEN LIBRARY:

Preschool Story Times:

• Tuesdays at 10:30am
• Ages 3-6 with an adult

Toddler Story Times:

• Wednesdays at 11:15am
• Ages 24months to 36 months with an adult.

Early Toddler Story Times:

• Thursdays at 10:30am
• Ages 12 – 24 months with an adult

Lapsit Story Times:

• Fridays at at 11am
• Ages 6-12 months with an adult

Cuentos en Español:

• Thursdays at 6:30pm
• Ages 2 and older
• Stories and songs in Spanish and English

Sweet Songs!

• A Nancy Stewart Concert
• Wednesday February 11th at 10am

Happy Valentines Day!!

• Ages 3-7 with an adult.

Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Holiday Salutations my Dear Readers from your Burien Library Empress of Information™!

Despite the winter wonderland-ness of the recent weather, it’s nice to be dug out of the snow…and I never thought I’d appreciate seeing the cement in our parking lot as much as I do now!

SCHEDULE UPDATE:

• On New Year’s Eve, all Libraries will close early at 5pm (Wednesday, December 31st).
• All Libraries will be CLOSED on New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1st).

DID YOU KNOW?
You can access lots of business and investing information including the ‘Valueline’ & ‘Morningstar’ databases through the KCLS databases page, which is located here – all you need is a current KCLS library card and a current pin number (usually the last four digits of your phone number).

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

• Holiday Magic! A Children’s program (NOT story time) Wednesday, December 31st at 10:30am for children 5yrs and older.  Magician Jeff Evans and his trained reindeer will perform card tricks!  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Opera Preview: Wednesday January 14th beginning at 7pm, learn about “Blue Beards Castle & Erwartung” by Schoenberg, presented by Norm Hollingshead and sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
• Highline ESL Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 6pm.  No registration is required – first class of the new year is Tuesday January 6th. Free English as a Second Language classes for adults
• Study Zone (K-12): Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays in Janurary beginning at 3:30pm, And Sundays January 11th, 18th, and 25th beginning at 2pm.  Drop in and Get Help with Your Home Work from our volunteer tutors! More information here.

BULLET POINT BOOK REVIEW:
‘Touchstone’ by Laurie R. King

• A suspenseful tale set in the English countryside circa 1926.
• Politics, old families, class struggle, and love set the stage for this compelling drama.
• The story opens as FBI agent Harris Stuyvesant arrives in England to ‘informally’ follow the trail of a possible bomb-making union organizer, whose latest work in America has rendered Stuyvesant’s younger brother incompetent.
• Stuyvesant gets no help from the British government and is about to give up when he is inadvertently put in touch with Aldous Carstairs, a very shadowy British operative whose motives for helping Stuyvesant are at the very least questionable.
• The touchstone in ‘Touchstone’ is a British veteran of WWI by the name of Bennett Grey.
• Carstairs has worked with (and exploited) Grey in the past and knows of his uncanny abilities- now Carstairs is looking for ways to control and use him again.
• To Carstairs, Stuyvesant looks like the perfect patsy to help him reclaim his leverage over Grey.
• The story is further complicated by Grey’s sister Sarah, who Stuyvesant seems to be falling for.
• This is a page turner with a surprise ending that will leave you wanting more.
• Highly recommended!
• Also available in large print and on CD.
• For a list of the Best Books of 2008, visit this website.

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.

by Marilee A. Cogswell
Manager, 
Burien Library

Greetings again Dear Readers from your very own Burien Library’s Empress of Information™!

I am certain that, like me, you’re all very thankful this time of year for all the goodness contained within.

I’m speaking of course about “within” hardcovers, softcovers and other covers used to contain excellent reading materials like you’ll find at your very own Burien Library.

What did you think I meant?

I don’t normally shout, but this is important (yet oh-so-obvious):

ALL KING COUNTY LIBRARIES WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY NOV. 27TH FOR THANKSGIVING DAY!

Hey, did you know that the new Greenbridge Library is NOW Open! It’s located at 9720 8th Ave SW in White Center – visit it in person or check out this website for details on the grand opening.

Greenbridge Library’s hours are:

• Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm
• Thursday 1-8pm
• Saturday 12-4pm
• Closed Fridays & Sundays

DID YOU KNOW?
You can access thousands of full text newspaper and magazine articles through the King County Library website  Full-Text Magazines & Journals In KCLS Databases – search here when you are looking for a specific title, visit http://www.kcls.org/databases/ for a complete details.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN:

THE RAIN-DEER,  PRESENTED BY ROWBES PUPPET PRODUCTIONS
Saturday, November 29, 2008, 3pm at the White Center Library – this puppet show is for children & their families
. And anyone who likes puppet shows (and who doesn’t really?).

POPCORN CLASSICS: CHILDREN’S FILMS
Tuesday, December 02, 2008, 10:30am at the Burien Library –These films are for children 3 years & up along with their families

A SEASON FOR SINGING: A CHILDREN’S CONCERT
Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 10:30am at the Burien Library.  Celebrate Holiday traditions from around the world with Nancy Stewart.  This program is for children & their families.  Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.

WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD HOLIDAY BAZAAR & MAGIC SHOW
Saturday, December 6, 2008, from 11am 3pm at the White Center Library – shop for gifts at the Bazaar and bake sale, Magician Jeff Evans will perform at 2:30pm – this event is for everyone, and is sponsored by the White Center Library Guild.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS:

OPERA PREVIEW: GEORGES BIZET’S THE PEARL FISHERS
Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 7pm at the Burien Library, presented by Norm Hollingshead and sponsored by the Burien Library Guild. This program is for adults.

Visit the King County Library programs page at: http://www.kcls.org/programs/index.cfm for a complete listing of programs county wide.

BULLET POINT BOOK REVIEW:
Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier (fiction)

• Twelve year old Will sets out on his own to run a remote trading post in Cherokee country.
• Lots of interesting history and background of the Cherokee people and life in pre-Civil War America.
• A love story
• An adventure
• And a bit of history too
• A good read – highly recommended!

Marilee A. Cogswell is the Manager of the Burien Library.