Marching on...

 

Hello Readers!

Wow, we made it through February! If you've been to the library over the past few weeks, you know we've had a lot going on! First, the weather has been wild this winter. It has made for some great cozy reading time, but I'm tired of layering my coats and defrosting my car every morning. 

February's program schedule was all over the place. We missed a whole week of programming to accommodate our long-awaited HVAC replacement, power issues, and snow days! What I couldn't have in February, I have moved to March!

This month, our schedule is jam-packed with programs...and a Bag Book Sale! We have FOUR...count them 4!...special programs. Medicare, Retirement, Wills & POA, and our rescheduled Vision Board Party, I hope I have all the bases covered! 

If you didn't know, we try really hard to make sure Adult Programming is free and accessible to all. Adult Services has a line on the Library's annual budget. I work closely with our presenters, guests, the Friends, and local sponsors to make sure cost is not a barrier to enjoying our programs. In very rare cases, a program may have a small fee to cover an instructor's insurance, supplies, fees, etc., and that will always be noted in a program's description.

In other news, I'm always excited for another Bag Book Sale! The Friends of the Library work hard to organize the sale and make sure there are some real gems to buy! Kevin and I usually get to exercise our Theater Kid Muscles and make a funny video to promote the sale. The $5 Bag Book Sale runs from March 7th to March 21st. 

Sliding in by the skin of my teeth, I have finally finished my Winter Middle Grade TBR! February was a tough month for my family; we said goodbye to a loved one and one of our dogs. I haven't really been in the mood to read. I'm slowly working my way through a Hockey Romance novel, but it is a slog. 

I also must make a confession...I ruined my first library book. Library Workers have to replace damaged and lost books too! A new *undamaged* copy will be on the shelf soon! If this has ever happened to you, know that you're not in trouble! Accidents happen!

Here is hoping spring brings warmer weather, happier days, and more library joy!

See you at the desk!

Book *Love* is in the Air!

 Library Greetings!

The hub-bub of the holidays has passed, and now we're in the throes (and snow drifts!) of mid-winter. The days are getting longer, warmer days are ahead!

This month, we're going to touch on reading trackers. One surprising thing about my job is that I get to see all the different ways people keep track of the books they read. 

It's kind of like on Halloween, and getting to see the inside of everyone's houses. On the outside, everything looks the same, but on the inside, you can see how everyone is different. The people who come to see me are all readers, but when people show me how they keep track of their reading, it's like a peek into their brains.

I've seen everything. Apps like Goodreads and StoryGraph (My favorite!), little spiral notebooks with notes and scribbles, a spectrum of spreadsheets: the most basic to color-coded. I've even seen a carefully curated folder of scrap paper. There's no wrong way to do it!

For those who need inspiration, we offer Beanstack as a valuable resource here at the library.

Beanstack is an app or a webpage that we use for our Summer Reading program. The platform was so successful, we use it all year-round. I make sure there is always an active reading challenge so that people can log their books, reading minutes, and reviews. It's just one more option to track those favorite authors or remember which book in a series you left off at. Visit https://lowerprovidencelibrary.beanstack.org/ to learn more.

Of the phone apps, I love StoryGraph. It's like an ad-free GoodReads with pie charts. I get book suggestions based on my reading, and every month, it generates a graphic of my reading:

I loooooooooove the pie charts. It makes me giddy to see my charts move and grow. But I also still keep a paper tracker in my bullet journal. I used to just make a list, but now I've started to *jazz* it up with photo covers and a star rating stamp. 

By no means do you need to get this fancy. Whatever works for you is right for you! After all this show-and-tell, I'll tell you I also meet people who don't track their reading at all! They read whatever they want, and if they've already read it, no biggie! I'm in awe of that kind of freedom. I am a Virgo...I could never!

As always, if you have any questions about tracking your reading or where to start, don't hesitate to find me in the library. 

My Winter TBR is coming along nicely! Since it's February, I will try to read a romance novel. They aren't my usual go-to palette cleanser, but there have been a few mentions on social media that seem really fun. Sports-themed romances are really hot right now! Might treat myself to a little Hockey romance...

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Hello 2026!

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. 

I'm always a little sad this time of year, the cold, dreary winter months seem to drag on...One thing I do look forward to this time of year is helping everyone set up their new Kindles and tablets for e-reading!

Electronics and E-readers are popular gifts. After all the excitement of the holidays dies down, some people are left feeling overwhelmed setting up these new devices. Have no fear! We can help with that! Part of my job is holding appointment sessions to introduce you to our E-Library Services: Libby and Hoopla.

I know. You're going to say, "Manni, but I love physical books!" I know, me too! However, e-reading and our e-library open up your world to more choices, convenient options, and space-saving solutions. 

I can show you how to make any book a large-print book, how to listen to audiobooks without having to swap CDs, and how to read multiple books and magazines on vacation without having to lug around library books in your carry-on. 

Please call or visit me at the library, and don't forget to bring your device and library card. I'll show you how to download the required apps, sign in with your library card, and give a quick tutorial on how to use the platforms.

My Winter TBR is coming along. Middle Grade is so satisfying. I just finished Echo " by Pam Muñoz Ryan. It's about a magic harmonica that embarks on an adventure during World War II. This winter, I'm also binge-watching Ken Burns Documentaries. I finished The Revolutionary War and now I'm on to Baseball. I love documentaries. What I can't access on streaming platforms, I get through the library!

Here's hoping 2026 is a good year! I'm excited for the year to unfold!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Where did the year go?! 

It feels like just a month ago I was unwrapping my new paper calendar, and now I look at it and it's full of colorful program stats and notes from the year. I hope 2025 and the library have been good to you. I did my best to bring something for everyone to the schedule! Some of the highlights I'm proud of are:

- Two new regular programs to the schedule! We tested Movie Book Club with a local business and started the Modern Board Games group. We offered a variety of special programs, including financial and life planning, Forest Bathing, a Death Doula workshop, Crafts, and a poetry reading.

- We had a whopping 14 Beanstack challenges this year. One of the challenges partnered with Ember & Ale to award free pizza for reading! I always try to have at least one active challenge a month, so you can use the Beanstack App to keep track of your books and a reading streak!

- I got to go to my first Library Conference! The American Library Association's annual conference was held in Philadelphia this year. I learned a lot and have been able to implement a few new things. 

(Like this blog!)

- I logged over 11 hours of device consultation in 2025. I love helping set up your brand-new Kindles, iPads, and other devices with Libby! Our E-Library opens up a whole new world, especially if you want more options for large print and audiobooks. My favorite part of our e-library this year is our magazine collection. Have you seen what magazines cost these days?! I have personally saved hundreds of dollars reading my favorite magazines on Libby.

Me, as Libby in 2023

So, what's in store for 2026? I'm excited to have a few things up my sleeve! First, we are bringing back another Movie Friday! On the first Fridays of the month, we will show a classic movie! Along with the Friday Movie Matinee and the Movie Book Club (which we are bringing into the library), we will play at least 3 movies a month!

The Program I'm most excited to bring to LPCL is the Sunshine Social. On Monday mornings, our community room will be open to adults with disabilities and all abilities to socialize. For the past year and a half, I've been meeting with a small group of friends from the Developmental Economic Corporation. We color, we talk about our lunches, and we otherwise have a lot of fun. This group means a lot to me, and I want to make sure the library is a warm and welcoming space for all to enjoy. This program is open to Adults and their caregivers. I'll have tables set up with coloring, fidgets, games, and more. 

There are a few other changes to the calendar, so be sure to look at the calendar on our website and in the library for program updates in 2026. If you have any suggestions for programs, my email is always open!

For those following along on my reading adventures: I finished my Fall TBR and have a new Winter TBR! This winter, I'm reading my favorite guilty pleasure: Cozy Middle Grade! I love to sing the praises of Middle Grade: It's light, short, and so satisfying! You can check out my progress at my desk!

As we say goodbye to 2025, I want to say thank you for another wonderful year at the library! From Summer Reading to our Fundraiser, to all those quiet lulls in between, I love that I get to work in a library. I am thankful for your treats, friendly hellos, and compliments. 

May 2026 bring you good books, fast holds, and lots of library joy!

Best wishes,

Manni

Slowin' Our Roll!

 Hello! October felt like a blur! Last month was probably the busiest month I've had in a long time, but it was sure fun. From Fall Fest to our Fundraiser, to THREE WHOLE WEEKS of bag book sales, the library was hopping! 

The Taste of Lower Providence was a full house! 

I'm still thinking about Cousin's Pizza's Cheesesteaks and 3 Star Diner's Vodka Sauce Pasta...

November and December are considered a "slow season" in the library world. People are preparing for the holidays and traveling, so I see a little dip in traffic. I love to take this time to organize and prepare for the next year. I also like to create some coziness for those who will still visit the library. Check out our seasonal community puzzle, season-themed displays, and my festive Desk Goose!

One of my favorite programs is Senior Social. On the fourth Friday of the month from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, we gather for a little snack and an activity. We've had speakers, games, crafts, and more. The group is open-minded, friendly, and curious! We've gotten to do some really cool things over the years.

This year, the fourth Fridays for November and December fall on the day after holidays. While it may be easier to cancel the program, I feel it's important to have a space available for people who don't travel, don't have plans, or would simply rather come to the library instead of Black Friday shopping. I don't have a scheduled speaker/activity, but I will create a welcoming space for socializing. I'll have games, coloring, puzzles, and other things out to spark community. I love to use our smart TV to play "ambiance" videos. (This is one of my favorites) Registration is not required, but you're always welcome to let the desk know you're interested.

I can't believe we're already talking about the end of the year! I'm chipping away at my Fall TBR. I am currently chipping away at Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

I've had this book on my TBR for ages. I generally read more non-fiction. This book was so popular a few years ago, I'm finally jumping on the bandwagon! So far, I am enjoying it. What a colorful story with characters that are rough around the edges. I'm just waiting for a plot twist...each time I turn the page, I'm anxious to see what happens next.

I only have two more books on my Fall TBR. You can see my progress flyer at my desk! I'm already thinking ahead to my Winter TBR. I'm going to focus on my guilty pleasure: Middle Grade. While written for children, Middle Grade is excellent, take-a-load-off, easy reading. It's light and quick. If you are just getting back into reading or need something to turn the winter doldrums around, I highly recommend Middle Grade. My favorite authors include Katherine Applegate, Peter Brown, Gary Paulsen, and more! 

Finally, this is the time of year when we reflect on what we're grateful for. I am beyond thankful to serve this community and be a familiar face at your local library. I have met so many wonderful people in this role, and I consider myself very lucky to have LPCL be my professional home. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

See you around the library!

Manni McNeil

Hello October!

September sure did fly by! At least it feels that way here at the library. 

You may have noticed that September was very program-heavy. Along with our regular weekly and monthly programs, we offered three special educational programs. And on top of all that, it was National Library Card Sign-Up Month! I loaded September's calendar up because October will have some blackout dates for some exciting things coming up...

As well as programming, I'm also responsible for marketing, outreach, and a bit of fundraising. October is all these things rolled into one. First up is Lower Providence Township's Fall Fest on October 4th. I'll be there representing the library. Fall Fest is always a lot of fun: I get to see familiar faces, talk about the library, and visit some of my favorite food trucks!

And then the next week, October 11th, is our Annual Taste of Lower Providence! This is our biggest fundraising event of the year! We have sponsors, online ticket sales, local restaurant partners...There are a lot of moving parts to make sure this event goes off without a hitch. Our Director, Board of Trustees, Staff, and Friends of the Library put in countless hours to get ready. Our local restaurant partners are fantastic. I'm so excited to sample everything they bring. This fundraiser is a foodie's paradise! 

Hope we'll see you there!

With everything going on, I'm slowly chipping away at my Fall TBR. I love Fall, it is my favorite season. I get to bring out all my handknit sweaters, make soup, drink my pumpkin spice lattes...it's the perfect time of year to make a strong cup of tea and cozy up with a good book.

This month's Fall TBR update: I just finished reading The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson.

It's a historical fiction novel set right after the First World War in a sunny coastal town in England. This is not my usual brand of historical fiction; it was a slow burn but had a satisfying ending. It's a little bit of Upstairs Downstairs mixed with a bit of rag-tag feminist adventure. 

Enjoy the rest of October and see you around the library!

Manni

 

 

What's the movie??

 

Hello again!

Last month, I mentioned that I always take suggestions for our monthly movie matinee program. The Friday Movie Matinee is one of our most popular programs and is held on the third Friday of the month at 1:00 p.m. 

Besides taking patron recommendations, I also have to follow a few guidelines to ensure the library complies with the rules on public movie showings. To show a movie in public, we are required to have a movie license. We use Swank as our licensing company. For a yearly fee, we are allowed to show any movie they have on their website. 

On Movie days, I usually have a piece of paper available for patrons to jot down suggestions. I also have a list at my desk. I also keep an eye out for movies that are based on books, award-winning, or blockbusters. 

Once I have a short list, I will visit our catalog. I try to show movies we have in our building, and if not, move to the whole MCLINC catalog. Then I will log onto our Swank account and make sure those movies are listed under our license. Swank has a huge catalog, so it's rare to not find a movie on their website. 

At this point, I'm ready to put a movie on hold and will check it out for the date I need. I make sure all of our postings reflect the upcoming movie and it's ready to go! 

One of the fun things I've gotten to do since taking over this position is purchasing a popcorn machine. Friday Movies now include free popcorn! The library smells so good when I get to make popcorn!

I also play movies on occasional extra Fridays and on a few Saturdays a year. I try to pick seasonal movies or fill our schedule when needed. Our license is expensive, so the more movies I play, the more bang for our buck! I take suggestions for these movies as well!

And there you have it! Movies at the library! 

             

Time for what I'm reading lately. I'm finally on the last book of my Summer TBR (To Be Read). Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast is the story of Coffee! From its long history to its controversies, I'm learning so much about something I drink every day. 

My upcoming fall TBR is *gasp* mostly physical books. I love my Kindle, but I recently lost control in the used book store and now need to read or reorganize my bookshelves. I'm looking forward to a good mix of fiction and non-fiction!

Have a great month! See you around the library,

Manni