Staff Recommendations

The Battle of Gettysburg

by Jennie Yang | Tuesday, May 21, 2013

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Battle of Gettysburg and President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil. It is considered the turning point of the Civil War...read more

WHEELS! Children's Picture Books about Cars, Trucks, Diggers & More.

by Bonnie Tjomstol | Thursday, May 2, 2013

May 12-18, 2013 is National Transportation Week. I thought this was a good time to recommend some of my favorite books about cars, trucks, fire engines, and other equipment that seem to particularly appeal to young children. Some of these books are classics, some are more recent, but all these picture books are sure to please your truck loving children...read more

Departures, Destinations

by Carole Meehan | Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The weather is warming up, the leaves are budding, and the breeze is pleasant. It's the time of year when thoughts turn to vacation planning. Before deciding where to go to get away from it all, or perhaps in lieu of it, why not immerse yourself in an experience. Tucked among the Frommer's, Fodor's and Eyewitness travel guides in the 900's section of the library and scattered throughout the fiction area are travel books of a different sort, the Travelogue. What separates a travelogue from a travel guide is the personal narrative. Homer's Odyssey, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Cervantes' Don Quixote can all be considered a form of travelogue...read more

Children's Cookbooks

by Liz Karkoff | Tuesday, April 2, 2013

From mashed potato monster heads to spaghetti with eyeballs to green eggs and ham to math homework on a plate, the library's cookbook collection carries everything. Whether you want a fun activity for your toddler, a gross-out snack for your 7 year-old's birthday party or want your fourth grader to learn something about how that food got on his plate, or a new idea for family dinner, you'll find something in one of the great books below...read more

Young Adult Males....What they can't keep their eyes off!

by Marilyn Horton | Monday, March 18, 2013

Books with adventure!

Go directly to the Series in the Young Adult section and you will find numerous chronicles with characters that go through dangerous exploits ending in fantastic results (saving the world, etc.). Bravery and honor is found deep in the hearts of the heroes of these contemporary escapades...read more

Eternal Shakespeare: A Playwright and Poet for All Seasons

by Judith Clark | Monday, March 4, 2013

When the best and brightest playwrights and poets of the 20th century are long forgotten, William Shakespeare will still be remembered as the greatest playwright in the English language and one of the best poets in the English language. How did the son of a middle-class family from Stratford-upon-Avon in England become the greatest playwright of the English language? We really do not know but we do know he was a writer of unimaginable talent and enormous inventiveness and a coiner of phrases still in use such as "much ado about nothing"; "vanish into thin air; "all's well that ends well"; "foregone conclusion"; "one fell swoop" and so much more...read more

After Downton Abbey

by Galina Chernykh | Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Are you already suffering form Downton withdrawal?

Are you craving for more books and movies illustrating life in England during the Edwardian era, World War I, and the Roaring 20s?

Check this reading list. Hopefully, this will keep you busy until the next Downton Abbey airs...read more

Ed Young: Renowned Chinese American Writer and Illustrator

by Jennie Yang | Monday, February 4, 2013

Ed Young is an award winning writer and illustrator of more than eighty children's books, seventeen of which he has also written. His books have been nominated and have won many prestigious awards. He will be our guest of honor at the Chinese New Year Celebration in West Harrison Library on Chinese New Year Eve, Sat. Feb. 9th at 2 pm... read more

2012 Notable Children's Fiction

by Bonnie Tjomstol | Tuesday, January 22, 2013

What is fiction? Fiction is invented stories, which may seem real or may be completely unrealistic. Whether read to you or by you, stories allow you to go places you've never been. Fiction sparks our imaginations. I have listed some notable 2012 fiction for middle readers to inspire not only our avid readers (of which we have many!) but encourage the reluctant readers, who may have stopped reading just for the fun of it... read more

Diet? Live It!

by Carole Meehan | Monday, January 7, 2013

It's a new year and as usual the most common resolution is "Lose Weight".

If you are considering making a change to your eating habits, the library has the books to help you navigate the ever popular and always growing genre encompassing diet, weight loss and health. What exactly is a vegan diet? Is vegetarianism more your speed? Would you really feel cleaner after a 3 day cleanse? Did cavemen really know better... read more

Enjoying Winter Sports

by Margaret Lorusso | Monday, December 24, 2012

There are many ways to enjoy the winter weather. You can go downhill or cross-country skiing. Many states, such as New York, Maine and Vermont, have ski slopes; or you can combine a European vacation with skiing in countries such as Switzerland, France and Italy... read more

Visiting Museums through Books and in Person

by Liz Karkoff | Monday, December 3, 2012

Reading books about museums can be fun preparation for your little ones before actually stepping foot in the eclectic Museum of Natural History or the hallowed halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Or perhaps you are looking for an unusually beautifully illustrated book or simply an exciting story about museums. Books about museums are as varied as museums themselves... read more

Essays in the Real World

by Marilyn Horton | Monday, November 19, 2012

Do you remember having to write an essay to get into college? How about that English Composition class everyone had to take at one time or another, where we learned about the introduction, body, and conclusion? In these classes common assignments are descriptive, narrative, expository and argumentative essays. This torture is passed down through generations, and the damage done to essays as a genre is unmeasured... read more

The War of 1812; The War Nobody Won; The War Nobody Lost and The War Nobody Remembers

by Judith Clark | Monday, November 5, 2012

Over two hundred years ago on June 18, 1812 the young republic of the United States of America declared war on Great Britain, then the World's greatest power. Congress had declared war at the request of President James Madison. His reasons for going to war were the impressment of American sailors by the British and the interference in American trade by the British. Impressment was the removal of American citizens of British birth serving in the American navy. However... read more

What to Read After 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

by Galina Chernykh | October 15, 2012

The 50 Shades of Grey series may be wildly popular, but even its most diehard fans would likely admit that it doesn't present readers with the most realistic view of relationships and sex. Of course, there's nothing wrong with a little fantasizing now and then, but at some point you'll likely find yourself wanting to read something a bit more down-to-earth... read more

Hayao Miyazaki - the Living Walt Disney of Japan

by Jennie Yang | October 1, 2012

What would you say if I asked you to name a few of the greatest living animation film makers? Would Hayao Miyazaki be one of them?

Easy Reader Children's Books

by Bonnie Tjomstol | September 17, 2012

Fall is here, children are going back to school, or perhaps starting Kindergarten. For these kids, books will be a big part of their school day and those that are just beginning to read have so many books available to them that help them practice their reading. Many teachers want their students to read 15-20 minutes at home every day. We have a wonderful area in the library dedicated to beginning readers. These books provide a basic introduction to reading and vary in reading levels. These stories are told with few words, repeated over and over. Simple sight words and phonics are introduced. I have recently purchased many new titles to our already popular collection... read more

Politicians to Pundits

by Carole Meehan | September 4, 2012

Politics. Love it. Hate it. It can be divisive. It can be inclusive. Political issues always make for dynamic discourse.

In 2012, the Publishing industry is bursting with titles exploring the many issues, economic, social and philosophical, encompassing the political spectrum... read more

Selecting Books by Genre

by Margaret Lorusso | August 20, 2012

Sometimes one of the most important features of a children's picture book isn't the writing or the artwork, it's the shape of the page itself! As book production has become less costly more and more lift-the-flap books and gatefold books as well as slide-out books are being published. When done well these books really enhance the stories they are telling. Occasionally they even expound on a classic; what child hasn't wondered what exactly is actually in those train cars of Donald Crews' classic Freight Train?... read more

Here a flap, there a flap, everywhere a flap flap

by Liz Karkoff | August 7, 2012

Genre - A class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, or technique. Books can be divided into various genres and readers often use genre as a way to select books to read... read more

Young Adult Literature Provides Insight and Hope During Difficult Times

by Marilyn Horton | July 23, 2012

When we are faced with harrowing real-life events, we struggle to find words to help us understand.... An example of this is the latest shooting rampage in a movie theatre in Colorado. It is completely inexplicable. We are able to come to terms with the seemingly incomprehensible with the help of the words of others. We gain much-needed insight through the experiences of others, both real and fictional. I have found my own understanding of humanity and the world in which we all live enriched through my many years of reading as well as living. We read in search of ourselves and in search of understanding... read more

Harrison Public Library Job Information Center

by Judith Clark | July 9, 2012

With unemployment still high in the United States, the prospects for people looking for employment is discouraging. The Harrison Public Library is not an employment center but it does have the Job Information Center which is located between the Young Adult Fiction area and part of the Adult Biography area. The Job Information Center consists mostly of books but it also has some dvds along civil service job flyers... read more

Summer Reading - Something for Everyone

by Galina Chernykh | June 20, 2012

School may be almost out, but learning doesn't have to be! Summer is a great time to kick back and relax with a good book; you can read whatever sounds interesting and fun, without any worries about deadlines or homework. So if you're looking for something to do, or if you just need a break from the summer heat, why not head over to the Harrison Public Library? With programs for all ages, friendly staff happy to point you in the right direction, and air conditioning to help you beat the heat, our library has a little something for everyone... read more

Reading Books with Your Ears

by Jennie Yang | June 5, 2012

Do you feel that it is getting harder and harder to find time to read? You are not alone. There is so much to do in so little time. Yet, you can't suppress the little voice that is constantly urging you to pick up that best-seller. What should you do? Check out audiobooks from your libraries and read with your ears... read more

Children's Books with Environmental Themes

by Bonnie Tjomstol | May 21, 2012

Empower and inspire kids with books that target the environment, pollution, ecology, endangered habitats. Kids often study these topics at school and are inquisitive already. This is their world. Make nature studies fun! Taking the time to read about these themes now might pique their interests and help them understand a bit more about the world we all live in... read more

2044

by Carole Meehan | May 7, 2012

2044. That's how many music CD's are owned by the Harrison Public Library, with an additional 905 owned by West Harrison Library, all available for you to check out or reserve with your library card...read more

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

by Marge Lorusso | April 30, 2012

Baseball is known by many as "America's Pastime."

Throughout the 18th century, amateurs played a game similar to the baseball of today using various objects for bats and other equipment. Years later, it was found that the original layout for playing baseball was created by Union General Abner Doubleday at Cooperstown, New York, in 1839. However, many historians referred to the Doubleday theory as a myth, pointing out that the general, while a fan and even player of the game, had made no reference whatsoever to inventing the sport...read more

Mommies Mommies Everywhere!

by Liz Karkoff | April 23, 2012

The pink on the trees is at its brightest and tulips are putting on a show everywhere you look. It can only mean one thing… it's almost time for Mother's Day! Mothers come in all shapes and sizes, whether they be tall or short, red-haired or brunette. One thing they all have in common is unwavering love for their children. The library has lots of books about mothers, moms, mommies, and grandmas so come check them out...read more

The World of Words

by Marilyn Horton | April 16, 2012

If you are a lover of words—a lexiphile, you will find plenty of fun reading in the library. Take a look in the 420 section (the call number, in library lingo). And while you are there, you might as well see if you can find the meaning for the slang 420 (hint: it is illegal!). The 420 call number leads you to books about words and about the use of words in the English language. Many of the books are quite humorous as well as informative...read more

Poetry is meant to be shared

by Galina Chernykh | April 9, 2012

April is National Poetry Month. Libraries and poems share something in common. Both offer worlds of discovery that challenge us to view our lives from a different perspective.

Poetry is meant to be shared. I'd like to share some poems and public performances that have touched me deeply...read more

The Titanic

by Judith Clark | April 2, 2012

The “Unsinkable” TITANIC sank in the North Atlantic at 11:40PM on April 14, 1912. For many years, people believed that an iceberg had cut a huge gash in the Titanic's hull but a study of steel samples from the TITANIC in 1985 concluded that the hull was made of a steel that became brittle in the frigid North Atlantic waters and fractured easily during the collision with the iceberg...read more

Top Ten eBooks Checked Out by Harrison Cardholders

by Jennie Yang | March 26, 2012

In the last two months, the amount of downloads from our digital media catalog has grown three times more than the same period last year. One of the questions that our patrons often ask is why some of the most popular eBooks are available on the Barnes and Noble website or Amazon.com, but not on our Digital Catalog. This is because a few of the big publishers have not yet found the right business model of selling eBooks to libraries...read more

Reading Aloud to Children

by Bonnie Tjomstol | March 19, 2012

You don't have to wait for your baby to be a certain age to begin reading to them. You can start anytime. Start now! Don't stop until they are at least 10 years old. Do it often and make it an enjoyable experience for both of you. They will benefit from listening to you read long after they have learned to read themselves. Babies feel comforted not just by snuggle time. They also enjoy the colored, simple images that are featured in books...read more

Check Out Our Professors

by Carole Meehan | March 12, 2012

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." - John Dewey

What better place to begin and continue your learning journey than at the library?

The highlight of the library's diverse, lifelong learning collection is our selection of The Great Courses. Remember when the adventure of learning...read more

Women's History Month

by Marge Lorusso | March 5, 2012

The public celebration of women's history in this country began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. The week included March 8th, which was called "International Women's Day". In 1981, a Congressional resolution proclaimed a national Women's History Week and in 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month...read more

Drug Abuse

by Judith Clark | February 27, 2012

There has always been a history of Drug Abuse in the United States. From the time of the settlement of Virginia where the cultivation of tobacco saved the colony in the early 1600's to the distillation of rum in the New England colonies, tobacco and alcohol were part of the average American's diet. Just about everyone drank and smoke; both adults and children...read more

Living Through It

by Marilyn Horton | February 21, 2012

A good memoir stays with me as the memory of a good friend. The hours spent involved in the reading of the memories of someone's life creates a feeling of intimacy that fiction does not. A real person is sharing his or her life, and the reader shares his or her joys and pains. A good memoir makes me wish I knew the author, and usually makes me feel deep down I do...read more

Celebrate All Kinds of Love on Valentine's Day

February 13, 2012

Aaahh, Valentine's Day! 'Tis the season for Conversation Hearts, flowers, chocolates wrapped in red and pink foil, and Valentine's Day cards. Valentine's Day is a celebration of love, whether that be romantic, platonic, or familial. It is also a day to honor friendships, both in the human world and beyond. There is a little something for everyone at the library when it comes to Valentine's Day reading...read more

A Nation Divided: The American Civil War

February 7, 2012

The American Civil War began over 150 years ago when Confederate Troops under the command of General Pierre Beauregard attacked Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina in April of 1861. No soldiers were killed but at the end of the American Civil War in April of 1865, the United States had lost more soliders and sailors than any other war in American history. The main reasons for the American Civil War were...read more

"No Regrets" Education

January 30, 2012

According to Kathryn Schulz, author of Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error, the top regret experienced by most people in their lives is their education (followed by issues related to their careers, romance, and parenting). However, just because you regret your choice of education, that doesn't mean that, you're stuck for the rest of your life. While having a piece of paper with a degree is important, there's no reason to stop learning, and there are more resources for learning than ever before...read more

It's 10 PM, do you know your digital library is still open?

January 23, 2012

Yes, your digital library is open anytime and anywhere where there is access to the Internet. Just connect to the Internet; click on OverDrive Advantage on the left side of our home page...read more

Large Print Books

January 17, 2012

Sometimes it's just easier on the eyes to read a large print book. Sometimes I take a book off the regular shelf, and open it up to find that it has tiniest print I've ever seen. I get tired of squinting, so I turn to our large print collection. I never have to worry about finding something I like because it is jam packed with the hottest best sellers, sizzling romances, mysterious mysteries, engrossing biographies and hundreds of non-fiction titles on all kinds of subjects. We regularly add to our already terrific collection to meet everyone's needs...read more

Modern Families

January 9, 2012

Families are flawed. Spouses disappoint. Children make bad choices. Contemporary family life comes with challenges, stresses and expectations that must be navigated with great care. In the frenzy of everyday living, attention to the most important relationships can suffer. In a crisis, even the most solid bonds can crack; a tenuous bond can collapse...read more

Crafty Vacation Tips

December 27, 2011

After the kids (and you!) have played with your new gizmos and gadgets and are looking for something else to do during school vacation come to the library and get crafty! The library has shelves of books dedicated to crafts, magic, cooking, baking, science experiments, drawing and other hands-on activities...read more

Brave New Novels

December 19, 2011

It's 2012 (almost). Do you know what your teenager is reading? If you guessed vampire love stories, you'd be behind the times. Pushing them out of their prominence are dystopian novels. Out with Twilight, in with The Hunger Games. Remember reading 1984 for school? Well, the future has evolved into mind-blowing all-out, survivor episodes from H-E-double hockey sticks like you would not believe!..read more

Redcoats and Rebels

December 12, 2011

Most Americans would agree that Great Britain and the United States of America have had an especially close relationship and indeed enjoy a "special relationship." However, as we all know the United States won its independence from Great Britain in 1783 after years of fighting for its independence. What many of us probably do not know is that there were many Americans, probably a third of the population who supported King George III rather than George Washington...read more

A Bedtime Story for the Digital Natives

December 5, 2011

In Margaret Wise Brown's beloved Good Night Moon the bunny falls asleep to the sound of a little old woman whispering "hush" and the soft glow of the moon. (It was first published in 1947).The last century...read more