San Lorenzo Library Services As Needed Page, Lee Navarra, demonstrates the Halloween spirit (no, those are not her real fingernails). The Library staff will be celebrating Halloween with you all day, October 31. Trick or treat at the Library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Library gave community members thrills and chills at a haunted house in the Library Meeting Room, October 25. The haunted house was created by Children’s Librarians, Lael Takiguchi and Tamecca Brewer. Lael and Tamecca will be present at the Village Homes Association’s Halloween celebration, October 30 3:30-5 p.m. to give away goodies.

Library Computers and Travel

       I recently decided to visit Ireland next spring. My first step was to investigate the price of package tours from reputable companies such as CIE, Perilla, Globus, Cosmos, and Gate 1. With those prices in mind, I next turned to the website Tripadvisor which includes reviews by real travelers who have recently visited a given vacation spot. In case I decided to travel independently, I investigated the cost of hotels, attractions, and flights. Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, and many more search engines, also give competitive airline fares and rates on hotel accommodations.

       Next, I turned to the online Library catalogue to look for books. I always start with Rick Steves’ travel books but the Library has many travel series and works which provide rich background material on countries. When I discovered a book that I wanted to keep and take to Ireland with me, I ordered the book from Amazon.com. Finally, I used the Library databases and general search engines to pursue topics of special interest to me like the location of W.B. Yeats’ grave and the words to Irish folksongs I learned as a child.

       Ask your librarian if you would like assistance using the Library computers to plan a vacation. Librarians can get you started in the right direction. And if you get stuck with a nagging question about the country that you want to visit, come to the Information Desk.

Spelling Bee Winners

       Today, San Lorenzo Library sponsored the first annual San Lorenzo Community Spelling Bee at one o’clock in the Library Meeting Room. Dana McCall (right) of San Lorenzo won the Expert Division of the Bee by spelling “palindrome.” Katie Lin (left) of San Lorenzo won the Beginners Division when she out-spelled a field of seven spellers.

       The two winners both received a $50 gift certificate donated by the Friends of the Library–San Lorenzo Area. The event was presided over by spellmaster, Shawna Shoptaw, who has a background in theater arts. Ms. Shoptaw is the librarian at Canyon Middle School in Castro Valley.

       The second annual San Lorenzo Community Spelling Bee will take place in October, 2008. Ask your librarian for books and websites that will help you become an even better speller. For more information about the Community Spelling Bee contact Susan Rosenblatt or Diana McRae at San Library Library, 510-670-6283.

San Lorenzo Teacher of the Year

Kristofer Noceda has an article in The Daily Review about Alameda County Teachers of the Year. They will be honored this Thursday evening in Hayward and two will go on to represent Alameda County in the California Teacher of the Year competition.

Tracy Vernon is San Lorenzo Unified School District Teacher of the Year. A nutrition teacher, Vernon is quoted as saying, “I appreciate the recognition, but I just want to honor all the teachers because they’re doing hard work, as well.”

San Lorenzo Express

Please take a look at San Lorenzo Express. It provides news and information pertaining to the communities of San Lorenzo, Ashland and Cherryland.

Build Your Own Search Engine

Rollyo: Roll Your Own Search Engine lets you create a search engine using websites that you already use to find find your information. You can create a specialized search engine for finance, real estate, medical information or whatever you choose. Have fun!

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter

After flirting with The Memory Keeper’s Daughter for some time, I decided to read it. It was the first book I have read in some time that caused me to stay up past midnight to find out what was going to happen.

Kim Edwards has written a fine first novel. The characters are carefully delineated and the plot is driven by a buried secret and the parallel lives of a set of fraternal twins.

I am giving this page turner 3 stars * * *.