Spring Into Spring!

Okay.  St. Patrick's Day is behind us and ahead of us is...SPRING!  Yup--it's officially here this Friday, March 20 at 3:45 p.m. for everyone here on the West Coast and at 6:45 p.m. for those on the East Coast (food for thought--does that mean the West gets spring earlier than the East even though technically spring comes at the exact same moment?).

I don't know about you, but I'm getting spring fever.  Bad.  Really bad.  My spirits are lifted by tulips poking their leaves from the ground and crocuses adding purple and golden hues to the landscape.  And don't get me started on those blue skies and that glorious sunshine warming things up.  Ahhhh...just take a deep breath and enjoy that fresh, clean spring air!

Now, you may ask, what does the library have to do with spring?  Plenty.  Want to go outside and start planting some flowers?  We got books for gardening.  Want to go hiking in the great outdoors?  We got books on trails and maps.  Want a spring break trip but don't know where to go?  We got plenty of travel books.  Want some good fishing tips?  We got books on fishing and flies.  Want to snap great pics of nature and all the fun things you're doing?  We got books on photography.  Want to know about...well, you get the idea.

We got lots of books on different things that can help you enjoy spring and the great weather.  And, of course, we got good reads for your down time, DVDs, CDs, videogames, and whatever else your heart desires.  All for free!  Just come on in and head on out with stuff that can help enhance your spring experience.  Needless to say, your ever faithful perch librarian is here to be of assistance in your quest for springtime info--yay!

Wishing you a splendid spring from the perch.

May the Irish Charm You

When you think of Ireland, what comes to mind?  The green countryside--check.  A pint of Guinness--check.  Lively music in pubs--check.  Great storytelling--definitely check.

The Irish are known for being born storytellers, and that's no Blarney.  From novels to plays to movies, the Irish have some good stories to tell about their country, themselves, and life in general.  They range from the amusing and entertaining all the way to the serious and heartbreaking.  Whatever mood you're in, you're likely to find something that strikes your fancy.

So, in honor of the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday, I thought I'd come up with a list of Irish offerings to bring out the Irish in you, whether or not you're Irish.

Books

• P. S. I Love You--Cecelia Ahern
• Light a Penny Candle--Maeve Binchy
• The Book of Kells
• How the Irish Saved Civilization--Thomas Cahill
• Dubliners--James Joyce
• 'Tis--Frank McCourt

Plays

• Waiting for Godot--Samuel Beckett
• Dancing at Lughnasa--Brian Friel
• Cathleen Ni Houlihan--Lady Gregory and William Butler Yeats 
• The Beauty Queen of Leenane--Martin McDonagh
• The Plough and the Stars--Sean O'Casey
• Playboy of the Western World--John M. Synge

Movies

• Albert Nobbs
• Circle of Friends
• The Field
• Leap Year
• Michael Collins
• The Quiet Man 

Of course, there are many more Irish books, plays, and movies than those mentioned above, so please stop by the perch if you're looking for something different that's not listed.  And whatever you're reading or watching, enjoy a bit of the Irish and have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May your books be many and your heart be light--me own Irish blessing from the perch.