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A Pocketful of Happiness | Richard E. Grant Check it out in our online card catalog! Summary: Richard E. Grant emigrated from Swaziland to London in 1982, with dreams of making it as an actor. Unexpectedly, he met and fell in love with a renowned dialect coach Joan Washington. Their relationship and marriage, navigating the highs …

Have you ever wondered what librarians use and recommend for their reading time and book-ish accessories? We all know you need a good reading light and a comfy chair, but check out these fun accessories and book-ish delights, below! These recommendations have been suggested by Smithton PLD staff members, and are NOT sponsored. They include services, products, apps, …

Want to learn a new skill? A new language? Upskill your work skills? Check out this (non-exhaustive) list of places where you can attend free classes! Coursera Coursera has over a thousand free courses. Free courses are Coursera courses offered without charge to anyone who enrolls. They cover a range of topics. Degree programs and certificates are …

Two Audiobooks, enjoyed on Hoopla. When traveling, you can’t beat renting a book from Hoopla for helping the miles fly by. Two movies, one available from SPLD and one rented from the vast array of movies available in the system. One Native American Novel which was recommended during a panel discussion at the Chicago Public …

Compared to the original works, these might come off as fan-written fiction. That’s OK, I’m a fan, too! The charm or longevity of a character or their world can invite you back repeatedly. All of these titles get high marks for quality representation of their inspirations. Aliens: Phalanx | Scott Sigler, 2020 Check out this …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? Hello, my name is Zabelle Norsigian Vartanian. Presently, I am a Member of the Library Board of Trustees What is your favorite thing about the library? To limit my choice to one favorite entity regarding the …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? Hello, my name is Judy Buerck.  I work part-time as the accounting clerk for the library and have been in this role for almost 14 years. What is your favorite thing about the library? I love …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? Hello, my name is Donna Laporte, I have worked at the library for 3 1/2 years since retiring and have enjoyed every minute. What is your favorite thing about the library? I am amazed of the …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? Hello, my name is Mary Weber. I have been working as a Circulation Clerk for two years at the Smithton Public Library. What is your favorite thing about the library? My favorite thing about the library …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? My name is Brett Clasquin. I have been serving on the Board of Directors since 2011 holding positions of Vice President and now currently President as well as on personnel committee. What is your favorite thing …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? Hi, my name is Cinda Leech.  Working with Smithton PLD for these past three years have been some of the happiest in my life. What is your favorite thing about the library? Libraries are apothecary chests …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? My name is Linda Hill and I am the Assistant Director at the Library. I’ve worked here since March of 2011, but have been a patron since October of 2002. What is your favorite thing about …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? Hi my name is Cindy Merz and I am the Periodicals/Overdues Clerk. I have worked at the library for five years now. I live in town and have been a patron of the library since I …

Please introduce yourself. What is your role at the library? How long have you been associated with the library? Hello!  My name is Jenna Dauer and I have been the Smithton Public Library District library director for 10 and a half years now. In the wonderful goat picture above, I’m the one in the red …

Lessons in Chemistry | Bonnie Garmus Summary: Set mostly in the 1960’s in a male dominated science institute. A brilliant female scientist is trying to make her work recognized and appreciated by any method she can. Constantly ignored, put down and cheated by her male counterparts, she proves that women do have brains along with …

Smithton Public Library District’s2024 Summer Reading Program FOR AGES 0-100+! Visit the library to sign up the whole family, beginning Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Everything you need to complete the reading program is in the folder! A few notes: *A maximum of 3 completed logs per person may be turned in for prizes. The Summer …

The Belleville Sound Exhibit | Creator: John Wegrzyn Summary: This fascinating exhibit is currently at the Belleville Public Library and features the Belleville connection to sound in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Recommendation: I had no idea how influential Belleville was to the music scene from the 40’s through the 70’s.  Did you know …

Episodic storytelling can engender an addictive loyalty in fans. If you have never seen these shows at all, my suggestion is to try a half-dozen episodes before giving up – usually you need a few shows to detail the relationships between characters. I was watching Voltron and Sailor Moon when they came out in America. …

Mixed Nuts | Screenplay by Nora Ephron Summary: A group of very bizarre individuals man a suicide hotline on Christmas Eve. Recommendation: Mixed Nuts is a 1994 American Christmas dark comedy film.  The Cast will surprise you.  Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Adam Sandler, Juliette Lewis and Rob Reiner to name a few stars in this …

Do films like Die Hard and Gremlins count as Christmas movies? This reviewer says yes. Rare Exports (2010) rated R Summary: Young Pietari lives with his stern reindeer-herding father Rauno in arctic Finland. On the eve of Christmas, an enormous excavation at a nearby mountain disturbs the locals and captures Pietari’s curiosity. When Rauno’s reindeer …