Back to school time is an exciting time of year for students. Back to school mean fresh starts, new experiences, and learning new things. Get in the back to school groove with some great books about school life for our younger readers!

Transitioning from the summer to school days can be hard, but if you need a little extra help, your library can assist you!

If you need help with your homework, Brainfuse is the perfect place to start! Located under on the Database page of our website, Brainfuse features live online tutoring everyday from 10 am to 11 pm. They also provide:

• Homework Help Interact with live tutors in math, science, reading/writing, social studies, PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and state standardized tests.
• Skills-Building Choose your topic to receive real-time help.
• Personalized eLearning Tools My File Sharing, My Session Replay, My Tutoring Archive, My Tests Archive, and more!
• 24-Hour Writing Lab Submit essays and other forms of writing for constructive feedback.
• Homework Send Question Submit homework questions for expert guidance.
• Adult Learning Center Access a library of rich adult learning content (GED) and live, professional assistance in resume/cover letter writing, U.S. citizenship prep, MS Office Essential Skills Series, and more!
• Foreign Language Lab /Spanish-Speaking Support

Do you need to learn about the states? Click on the states feature for some interesting facts!

It even offers Life Skills 101! The information provided is everything that is needed and relevant for taking the next steps from high school to adulthood. With topics such as financial literacy, buying a car, getting a credit card, navigating the working world, setting up a home and much more!

Their topics include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science
• Environmental Science
• Forensic Science
• Marine Science
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Space and Astronomy
• Weather and Climate

Need the book To Kill a Mockingbird like yesterday? How about another assigned book for class? If you can’t get a physical copy as soon as you need it, try checking our Libby app for the e-book!

All of these services can be accessed through our website! The databases can be accessed through the Research tab on the top of our homepage. All you need is your library card and your library card account information. If you need any help navigating, call, message our chat or come in and ask!

Dungeons and Dragons (aka DnD or D&D) is a fantasy role-playing game that was created in 1974. As the popularity of the game grew, it became referenced in pop culture through out the 70s and 80s. But you may be familiar with it from the Netflix show Stranger Things! But if you’re not familiar with this popular game and are interested in learning more, we’re here to help!

The game is set in a medieval fantasy world and you, along with a group of others, are led through an adventure by one player who assumes the role of a storyteller, or the Dungeon Master. Before the game starts, the Dungeon Master makes up story events or chooses them from a published guide. Then when the players get their turn they can respond in different ways to create a unique gaming experience.

Before the game, you and the other players create your own character. First you choose a race (human, elf, dwarf etc.), a class (Fighter, Rogue, Wizard etc.) and skill sets. The skill sets that you choose will help determine how well you do in certain situations. If you do well in situations, points can be gained. Sometimes difficult actions can fail and this can be determined by rolling one or more of the game’s polygonal dice.

If you’re interested in playing Dungeons and Dragons make sure to sign up for our upcoming sessions:

Saturday, September 25 1:00-4:00pm

Saturday, October 23 1:00-4:00pm

Saturday, November 20 1:00-4:00pm

Saturday, December 18 1:00-4:00pm

We offer these programs to any Lindenhurst resident in grades 6-12.

And if you’re interested in reading up on Dungeons and Dragons or creating your own campaign check out these books from our collection:

Banned Books week is September 22nd-October 2, 2021 and this years theme is Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us. Banned Books Week began in the 1980s, at a time of increased book challenges and bans. The American Library Association, along with 14 other organizations, works to bring an awareness of censorship during this week each year.

According to the American Library Association (ALA), “Sharing stories important to us means sharing a part of ourselves. Books reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Censorship, on the other hand, creates barriers.”

The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Another aspect that Banned Books week celebrates is the fact that many of these materials do remain available and are ultimately not banned.

The video below highlights the ten most challenged books of 2020 and why they were challenged. This years titles range from children’s novels, young adult fiction and adult fiction and nonfiction. In the past the list has included picture books:

Want to learn more? Check out ALA’s Banned Book FAQ here.

I always try to read a challenged book in honor of Banned Books Week. Want to read one of the top ten? Click on the books title for a physical copy; ebook and audiobook lead to digital downloads in Livebrary. If the physical book is not available in the Express Collection we can help you interlibrary loan it.

George by Alex Gino: ebook audiobook

Stamped–Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi: ebook audiobook

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds: ebook audiobook

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: ebook audiobook

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie ebook audiobook

Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano audiobook

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ebook audiobook

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck ebook audiobook

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison ebook audiobook

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ebook audiobook

The U.S. National Holiday of Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17th, but February is a long ways away. And now, more than ever, we need some acts of kindness to brighten our day. So instead of waiting for February, let’s make everyday kindness day!

Random Acts of Kindness bring joy to the receiver and spread positive vibes throughout the community. There are even some good health benefits to being kind! (Science says so!) Spreading kindness can decrease our stress levels along with our anxiety, depression, and blood pressure. It can boost our energy level, make us happier, and prolong our lifespan by 44%! One of the most important things about kindness is that kindness is CONTAGIOUS! Doing just one random act of kindness can create a domino effect and reach thousands.

So get out there and challenge yourself to perform 1 random act of kindness EVERYDAY! You’ll be amazed by the results.

Check out some of these great books and resources that are sure to motivate and inspire:

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ : The official website of Random Acts of Kindness. This site has everything you need to get inspired do spread some kindness at home, school, or work.

Check out the day-to-day kindness suggestions for the month of September. Then, click to find the rest of the months.

https://kindness.org/ : This site brings kindness to you and shows you the benefits. It can help educate and inspire you to always be kind.

Did you know that September is library card month? If you haven’t yet taken advantage of getting a library card from your local library, then you are missing out!

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Library cards can open up your world. The power of a library card has changed, and today they give you access to more than just books (although, we do love books!).

What does a Lindenhurst Library card give patrons?

• Books (audiobooks & eBooks)
• Movies
• Music
• TV (via Hoopla app)
• Magazines (& eMagazines)
• Programs
• WiFi Hotspots
• Homework Help (Brainfuse)
• Newspaper Archives
• Language Learning Software (Pronunciator)
• Genealogy (Ancestory.com)
• Career Assistance
• Car Repair Databases
• Consumer Reports
• Museum Passes

And now it’s simpler than ever to get a library card with us. Just download our mobile app to apply and renew from the comfort of your home. For more information, check out our website: https://lindenhurstlibrary.org/get-a-library-card/

So don’t delay! Get a library card today!

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Already have a library card? Help us encourage everyone to sign up for a library card by creating a bookmark that shows how “Out-of-this-World” your library is.