News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Charle Ricci, 757-787-3400
The Eastern Shore Public Library Joins World’s Largest Digital Book Club in Offering New York Times Bestseller
Page-turning thriller “Five Total Strangers” eBook and audiobook now available for reading and discussion with global audience
ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA – November 1, 2021 – Local book lovers can join thousands of readers around the world in reading a page-turning suspense thriller eBook during the Big Library Read, the world’s largest digital book club. From November 1 to 15, patrons of the Eastern Shore Public Library (ESPL) can borrow and read copies of this fall’s bestselling young adult title selection, Natalie D. Richards’s Five Total Strangers, with no waitlists or holds. The book download is available for free using the Libby app and the ESPL library card number. Readers can then discuss online or attend a live author interview on November 8th (registration required) at https://biglibraryread.com/join-the-discussion/
In Five Total Strangers, Mira needs to get home for the holidays. Badly. But when an incoming blizzard results in a canceled connecting flight, it looks like she might get stuck at the airport indefinitely. And then Harper, Mira’s glamorous seatmate from her initial flight, offers her a ride. Harper and her three friends can drop Mira off on their way home. But as they set off, Mira realizes her fellow travelers are all total strangers. And every one of them is hiding something. Soon, roads go from slippery to terrifying. People’s belongings are mysteriously disappearing. Someone in the car is clearly lying, and may even be sabotaging the trip—but why? And can Mira make it home alive, or will this nightmare drive turn fatal?
The Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects readers around the world with an eBook through public libraries. Five Total Strangers can be read on all major computers and devices through Libby or libbyapp.com, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®”. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.
ESPL readers can follow Mira on her harrowing journey by visiting https://espl.org/how-do-i/audiobooks-and-ebooks/ to download the Libby app on their desktop or mobile device. This free program runs for two weeks and only requires an ESPL library card to get started. Apply for a library card online at https://esplva.booksys.net/opac/espl/#menuHome, or visit an ESPL location to apply in person. Contact the ESPL with any questions about this program at (757)787-3400 between 10 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CARA BURTON, 757-787-3400
EASTERN SHORE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRIBUTES CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR HOME LIBRARIES
Photos above of the RED! Project activities.
(ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA) August 25, 2021 – Eastern Shore Public Library (ESPL) has partnered with regional organizations to ensure future readers will have books in their home, thanks to a grant from the Soho Center (http://www.child2000.org/). The Library of Virginia’s Division of Library Development and Networking contacted Tiffany Flores, the ESPL Youth Services Librarian, and asked if she would like to participate in the Read Every Day! (RED!) program that promotes children’s literacy, school readiness, and school success. The RED! program’s goal is to distribute ten books to every Kindergartner and First Grader in Accomack and Northampton County public schools. The answer was “Yes!” and the local partnership began.
To minimize any burden on school teachers in implementing the RED! project, ESPL Director Cara Burton recommended pre-stuffing nylon backpacks with the books, so that teachers can more easily handout the presorted books. CARES Covid-19 relief funding was used to print customized backpacks and flyer inserts that promote ESPL resources for youth.
The challenge was to find volunteers to stuff 900 backpacks with the 9,000 books and identify a location for the fifteen palettes of books. Burton contacted Northampton County’s Sheriff David Doughty to request community service help from the Eastern Shore Regional Jail in Eastville. Sheriff Doughty involved Rev. Kelvin Jones, Director of the inmate re-entry program along with Program Coordinator Rev. Vincent Thomas to oversee the activity. “It was great to see the job skills used by the inmates during this project,” observed Cara Burton, Library System Director. “They worked long hours in the heat, replicating a work environment that required following directions and teamwork. I am sure they will remember this experience when they reenter the workforce.”
The next challenge was to identify a staging area to deliver fifteen palettes of books. Doughty’s staff reached out to Northampton County Schools and the mechanic’s training shop was selected as an ideal location. Meanwhile, Librarian Flores contacted both counties’ school systems to arrange for pick-up of the book-stuffed backpacks. The day arrived for the book delivery and the packing slip listed not 9,000 books delivered, but 15,000!
It took six inmate two and a half days to stuff the backpacks. The schools picked up their backpacks as well as several additional cases of books for distribution to students. Cape Charles Memorial Library’s Sharon Silvey contacted Migrant Headstart which picked up five cases of books. Burton contacted the Eastern Shore AAA/CAA Project Head Start Director Tange Francis who accepted fifteen cases for her pre-school students and will take more at a later date. The remaining books will be distributed by ESPL and the Friends of ESPL at library outreach events.
Children who are read to every day will have a better attention span, know more about many different topics, have a bigger vocabulary, and want to learn to read. Children who are read to every day will find it easier to learn to read and better understand what they are reading. Flyers given to the families with the books include websites to help them raise good readers: www.kidsliteracy.org and www.daybydayva.org. Parents wanting to learn more about ESPL Youth Services should visit espl.org and follow them on Facebook.
While the RED! Project was a challenge for Librarian Tiffany Flores, Sheriff Doughty’s staff, and the other project participants, more than 900 families will soon have brand new hardcover pictures books in their homes ready for reading every day.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Barbara Schwenk, 757-787-2500
C.D. MARSH JEWELERS “BEYOND BOOKS” CUSTOM BRACELET SUPPORTS NEW LIBRARY
(ONANCOCK, VIRGINIA) September 14, 2020 – The Eastern Shore Public Library and C. D. Marsh Jewelers have joined forces to help fund construction of a MakerSpace at the new Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Library and Heritage Center currently under construction in Parksley, Virginia.
What is a makerspace? MakerSpaces have been installed in public libraries to provide the technology, equipment and space to foster creativity and invention. Many think of makerspaces as a room with 3-D printers, but the concept covers a broader scope and is more flexible. ESPL’s makerspace will focus on audio-visual technology needed for creating videos and recordings in a sound studio. This provides equity for students needing to create videos for class. Historians can record oral histories and podcasts. Businesses can record advertisements and training videos. The ESPL MakerSpace will enable ESVA residents to better respond to our changing world of communication.
To fund this project C. D. Marsh Jewelers has created a custom design “Beyond Books” bracelet of its signature Chesapeake Bay bangle. The bracelet is a sterling silver cuff with two shape choices: flat or the traditional curve.
To place your order, go to espl.org/fundraisers or call Marsh Jewelers at (757) 787-3333. Each bracelet is $125, plus tax, and shipping is available. Personalized engraving on the back of the bracelet is available for a small additional fee. Stop by the jeweler’s at 25 Market Street in Onancock to be sized to ensure correct fitting.
Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and a portion of the purchase of the bracelet can be tax deductible as a contribution to the “Makerspace” at the new ESVA Regional Library.
What a perfect gift for birthday celebrations, employee gifts, holiday events or just to say you are special! If you need additional information, please contact the Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation office at 757-787-2500.
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Press
Off the shelf March 2019 ESPL news article