Opinion polls can be exhausting. As we enter a presidential election year, you are certainly going to be hearing enough about opinions and polling to last you a lifetime. However, I hope I can intrigue you with a poll that hits a bit closer to home, regarding your local library.
The Delaware County District Library is currently working on a strategic plan for the next three years. We want to hear the thoughts and opinions of our patrons about how we’re doing and how we can do better. There is a survey online at www.delawarelibrary.org/survey or a paper copy can be picked up at any DCDL location – Delaware, Liberty, Orange, Ostrander, Outreach Services or Powell. Every individual who completes the survey will be entered to win one of three Kindle Paperwhite eReaders!
To get you thinking in advance, some of the things we’re asking include questions about your regular visits to the library. What brings you to a Delaware County District Library branch? We’ve loved hearing some of your answers. Last week we posed this question on the library’s social media pages (Instagram and Facebook) and received over 100 responses. They included everything from passing the time to picking up books. We’re happy to hear that people are enjoying the Culture Passes and Maker Studio offerings that I’ve discussed in this column in the past.
Another question is related to the services that you wish the library offered. This also resulted in more than 100 responses. Many of your neighbors would like additional operating hours or ways to pick up materials after hours. For those who use the library digitally, some commenters mentioned greater availability of popular digital or audiobook titles.
Hopefully, some of these ideas have got your wheels turning and you’d like to add your voice and unique perspective to the feedback. If so, stop by your local DCDL branch or visit www.delawarelibrary.org and take the survey. We’re very excited to hear from our community and begin working on our shared vision together.
This week’s list of titles comes from the February 2024 LibraryReads newsletter, a curated list of the top adult fiction and nonfiction titles as chosen by librarians across the country.
• “A Fate Inked in Blood: Book One in the Saga of the Unfated” by Danielle L. Jensen. Reviewed by Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX. “We’re all used to the Viking stories that center around men. This story features Freya, who has to marry a fanatical chieftain to protect her family and her land. She’s been blessed with magical powers and it’s been foretold that she’ll be the one to unite the kingdoms. This is a great start to a new series that will appeal to everyone who enjoys nonstop action with a strong female warrior and a steamy love story to boot.”
• “The Book of Doors” by Gareth Brown. Reviewed by Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, NJ. “Cassie likes her quiet life working in a bookstore in Manhattan. When one of her favorite customers dies in the shop one night, she finds a book in his possession with an inscription to her and the newfound ability that allows her to go through any door and come out wherever she wishes. This fantastical time travel novel has several interesting twists, including one final one.”
• “Wandering Stars: A Novel” by Tommy Orange. Reviewed by Rachel Rooney, Mid-Continent Public Library, MO. “Orange’s second novel is a stunning achievement, depicting over a century’s worth of atrocities against the indigenous people of America, while also being a multigenerational family story full of the richly drawn, fascinating characters, first introduced in There, There.”
• “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” by Tia Williams. Reviewed by Tonya Pearl, Memphis Public Library, TN. “Ricki has been given an opportunity to achieve her dreams. Ezra is looking for an opportunity to be himself. They were destined to meet! With flashbacks to the Harlem Renaissance, this entertaining read is both modern and classic and does not disappoint. (Do yourself a favor and play some jazz in the background while reading.)”
• “After Annie: A Novel” by Anna Quindlen. Reviewed by Sarah Siegel, Long Beach Public Library, NY. “The aftermath of grief following the unexpected death of Annie is told through the eyes of husband Bill, 13-year-old daughter, Ali, and best friend, Annemarie. Written with tenderness and raw emotion, the novel lets readers see into the hearts of these characters as they deal with the day-to-day realities of surviving life minus the person they most loved.”
If you have a question that you would like to see answered in this column, mail it to Nicole Fowles, Delaware County District Library, 84 E. Winter St., Delaware, OH 43015, or call us at 740-362-3861. You can also email your questions by visiting the library’s web site at www.delawarelibrary.org or directly to Nicole at [email protected]. No matter how you contact us, we’re always glad you asked!
