BCPL is jumping on the Great American Reads bandwagon!

Designed to spark a national conversation about reading, literacy, and the books that have inspired us, moved us, and shaped us, The Great American Read is an eight-part PBS series and nationwide competition that explores the joy of books and the power of reading through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved books, as voted on by the public. That’s a mission we can get behind!

To that end, BCPL is hosting a three-month reading and activity challenge to help teens and adults celebrate our love of great books along with the rest of the nation. Participants will read, share, watch, and vote for a chance to win titles from the Great American Read collection of America’s 100 best-loved novels. Several winners will be chosen.

Participate with BCPL!

Join Our Reading and Activity Program

STEP 1: Register for an account in Beanstack.
If you participated in the Cultural Pass program, you already have a Beanstack account. If you forgot your login credentials, stop by any BCPL location for help retrieving your info.

STEP 2: Complete activities to earn badges.
Vote for America’s best-loved novel, join a book club, read books, watch videos, share book reviews, and more.

STEP 3: Earn at least 3 badges to be entered in the Great Prize drawings. Earn at least 10 badges to be entered in the Grand Prize drawing!

Read with BCPL’s Off the Shelf Teen Book Club

Join us at Lebanon Junction Branch Library on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month to hang out, eat snacks, and talk about books! Ages 13–17.

• Tuesday, September 11th | 4:00–6:00 PM
  SELECTION: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• Tuesday, September 25th | 4:00–6:00 PM
  SELECTION: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• Tuesday, October 9th | 4:00–6:00 PM
  SELECTION: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Tuesday, October 23rd | 4:00–6:00 PM
  SELECTION: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Learn More about This National Movement

View the List of 100 Books

Included titles were selected and voted on by the American public.

Watch the PBS Launch Special

As we move forward with our new strategic plan, we are already stepping up and delivering on one of its key goals: Early Literacy Support.

The building blocks of literacy and language are said to form in the first three years of a child’s life. Reading to or with a child helps form connections within the brain that are key to understanding how printed words work, to building a vocabulary, and for increasing general knowledge. It is important to build and develop the process of reading before kindergarten so children are not only able to read before the first day of school but are also prepared to learn.

The six skills for early literacy development are:

• Letter Knowledge
  Understanding that letters are different from each other and knowing letter names and sounds.
  TIP: Look for alphabet books and shape books (because letters are built on shapes).
• Narrative Skills
  Being able to tell stories and describe things and events.
  TIP: Look for books that provide opportunities to have your child explain what is happening in the book and/or infer meaning from visual cues.
• Phonological Sensitivity
  Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds that make up words. Understanding that letters are different from each other and knowing letter names and sounds.
  TIP: Look for books that feature rhyming text, a sing-song rhythm, and/or sound words like tweet, vroom, kerplunk, boom, or splat.
• Print Awareness
  Noticing print everywhere (not just in books), understanding that print has meaning, and knowing how to handle a book and follow print on a page.
  TIP: Look for books with whimsical text or bold, easy-to-identify printed words as well as stories that demonstrate the organization and sequence of reading a story or list.
• Print Motivation
  Being interested in and enjoying books.
  TIP: Look for interactive books, books with bright illustrations or photos, and/or very funny or relatable stories.
• Vocabulary
  Knowing the names of things.
  TIP: Look for books that identify objects and use new and interesting words.

Early Literacy Programming @BCPL

Our early literacy programs are designed to help kids develop early literacy skills while modeling useful techniques for parents and caregivers. We aim to teach children about storytelling, good listening and conversation skills, being part of a group, and more.

Upcoming early literacy events include:

• Dragon’s Delight   Ages 3–6
• Kindergarten Readiness Mini Workshop: The Alphabet   Ages 3–5
• Saturday Storyhour   Ages 3–5 
• Storytime   Ages 3–5
• Toddler Time   Ages 0–2

It’s Never Too Late to Build Literacy Skills!

Some Bunny to Read To iss a new program for emerging, struggling, and reluctant readers of all ages! Studies show that children who read aloud on a regular basis can achieve drastic improvements in their reading skills, and older kids and adults can benefit too.

Each month at Lebanon Junction Branch Library, the folks from the Bun Bun Brigade will bring in their fluffy friends to hear some stories and get some cuddles. Human participants get to read a book of their choice to a new bunny friend, and the bunnies provide a safe, encouraging presence for readers. Sharing books with furry supporters helps kids to:

• Sustain concentration and focus;
• Increase reading comprehension;
• Expand their use of vocabulary and language;
• Boost confidence and pride in their reading skills;
• Cultivate a higher motivation for reading and learning;
• Foster positive social interactions;
• Feel more comfortable about school and learning; and
• Enjoy the experience of reading.

We’re changing our cataloging and checkout software to a more powerful platform, which means you’re also getting a new online catalog for finding books, placing holds, and checking your account online! The new catalog will offer you lots of cool new features, including MUCH better integration with digital resources like Hoopla. In the meantime, there will be some downtime in late August when you will not be able to renew your materials online or check your account. No late fines will be charged during this transition period.

Here’s the timeline for what you can expect:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24th
Our online catalog will close for business. This means you will not be able to check your account online, renew items, or place holds. If you need to find the location of an item while the online catalog is unavailable, please ask a BCPL staff member for help.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24th–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th
Fine freeze!!!! While we are transitioning to our new system and because you will lose online access to your account for a short period, no overdue charges will accrue during this timeframe. It is our goal to make the changeover as painless as possible, and we appreciate your patience as we work to make our system better.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th
We are officially switching to the new system! Most account services should be operating normally by the end of the day. Some functionality may take a little longer and the new catalog interface will still be under construction, but we believe the inconvenience of this process will be worth the wait!

Here are just a few things you can look forward to with the new system:

• Longer renewal periods on books, audiobooks, and more!
  When we go live with our new system, we are also extending our renewal period on select items. Currently, we offer up to two 14-day renewals on books, magazines, books on CD or MP3, and Playaways. In the new system, you will be able to renew these items for up to 21 days at a time as long as no one else is waiting for them. Not only does this give you the ability to keep items longer when you need to, we’re also making your due dates more straightforward and easier to keep up with.
• Keeping your checkout history!
  The new system will allow you to keep track of the materials you’ve checked out for future reference. Some of you have asked about this in the past, and we’re excited to finally say YES YOU CAN. But you don’t have to keep that history if you don’t want to; for privacy purposes, this will be a completely voluntary service. Please note, you will only be able to view your checkout history beginning with the date you opt-in to the service.
• And we really can’t say it enough: better integration with our digital resources!
  Streaming and downloadable e-books, magazines, movies, and music from most of our e-media providers will be available for check out directly from our catalog. This includes Hoopla, Kentucky Libraries Unbound, and RBdigital! There’s no need to access or search each e-media site separately—you don’t even need to know which platforms to search. You can browse the full Digital Library or search for a particular format, like Kindle or MP3. And not only can you download directly from the online catalog, if the title you want isn’t immediately available, you can also place a hold right there in the catalog—just as you would for a physical item!

Use this form to send questions or comments to our Public Relations Coordinator. Applicants for the Administrative Assistant position should also use this form to submit the requested samples of their work.

Play BattleKasters at any BCPL location for your chance to win a one-day guest pass to Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay!

Close the Stonefire Portal by 7:59 PM on Thursday, July 12th and crack the leaderboards at any BCPL location to secure your spot in our special prize drawing! On Friday, July 13th, all current board leaders will be entered in a random drawing. Five (5) total guest passes to Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay will be awarded. Winners will be announced NO LATER than Tuesday, July 17th.

About Kentucky Kingdom

The Kentucky Kingdom Day Ticket is valid for one entry during the 2018 season. For more information on the 2018 calendar or rides and attractions, visit the Kentucky Kingdom website. Thank you to Kentucky Kingdom for your donation of 3 of the passes included in our prize drawing!

About BattleKasters

This Pokémon Go-style mobile game—exclusively offered at BCPL during SummerQuest!—turns each BCPL location into a virtual game board. Questing players collect digital trading cards and cast magic spells that change the state of the game for everyone playing. Come in any time we’re open and begin your BattleKasters quest!

View Leaderboards »

Getting Started

Playing on Your Personal Mobile Device

You may install BattleKasters from Google Play or the Apple App store. Search for BattleKasters.

Playing on a BattleKasters iPod

You may check out a BattleKasters iPod from the main service desk for 1 hour. To check out a BattleKasters iPod, you must be at least 13 years old, have an up-to-date BCPL account in good standing, and leave something of value until the device is returned. You will be responsible for the full cost of any damaged or lost BattleKaster iPod. BattleKasters iPods must not be taken outside of the library for any reason.

Gameplay Overview

The Basics

BattleKasters is a mobile game full of quests set in the Legends of Orkney universe, the book series created by Alane Adams. Players explore the library, guided by game hints, to discover and enter locations set in the land of Orkney within the game.

When a player is in the correct Orkney location within the library, their device will vibrate and a graphic will light up and spin in the game. Some Orkney locations will not appear until you have made a certain amount of progress within the game. Players enter Orkney locations within the game to collect Wisdom cards. Players then combine Wisdom cards to cast spells on other players, on locations, or on themselves. There are many achievements players may earn in the game. There are over 60 cards to collect. The main quest is to close the Stone Fire portal.

This year at SummerQuest, we’re celebrating The Great Outdoors and encouraging our patrons to get out and get moving in the community!

Get outside!
Many of our family programs this summer are geared to encourage patrons to spend time outdoors and in their community. Too often, we spend our time online or watching television, and we forget there’s an entire world to see. So why don’t you start with BCPL’s exciting summer programs? Be sure to check out Adventures Await! with Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, and the survivalists among you won’t want to overlook Paracord “Survival” Bracelet. Yes, the guys too. If you think bracelets are just pretty trinkets for women, this program plans to prove you wrong!

Experience Bullitt County!
Summer is the best time to put those phones and computers away and explore some new places. We’ve even made it easier for you to discover new venues! If your kiddo picks up a Kids’ Summer Adventure Guide and wins the first leg of the reading log, their prize is a fun Scavenger Hunt map of Bullitt County! Visit historical markers to learn about the county’s history and discover fun family programs outside of the Library. Adventure awaits!

Expand your mind!
If you’re a youth aged 0-21 (or the parent of one!), don’t miss the Cultural Pass—your ticket to more than 40 arts and culture venues in the Louisville Metro area. Beat the summer slump and feed your creative mind at places like Frazier History Museum, Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium, Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Zoo, Speed Art Museum, and many more!

Summer is a great time to pick up a new hobby. When the days get so hot even your hair perspires, it’s nice to have a fun activity to turn to in the comfort of air conditioning.

Learn with BCPL programs!
If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of quilting, don’t miss June’s four-part series Picnic Quilt Camp. You’ll learn the skills needed—from concept to creation!—of crafting a nine-patch quilt. One lucky crafter will have the chance to win the final quilt in a drawing at completion! View event listings»

Storytelling is an art as old as language itself, and nowhere is better for a good tale than around a summer campfire! Join local author Kim Upton for a workshop on how to craft an entertaining story from start to finish at Campfire Storytelling, coming to all branches this summer. View event listings»

What would you do if you found yourself in a survivalist situation? If you had eight feet of paracord on your wrist, it could probably save your life! Join us for a tutorial on braiding your own Paracord “Survival” Bracelet! View event listings»

Are you intrigued by the age-old craft of calligraphy? Join local artisan and author Thomas Freese for a brief history and workshop on Calligraphy & the Quill Pen. We’ll craft our own pens from wild turkey feathers and learn some easy techniques to use them. View event listings»

There are even more awesome programs happening this summer, so be sure to check out the SummerQuest page!

Pick up a Questing Guide!
Teens and adults need mental stimulation just as much as kids do! This year, we’ve created the Questing Guide specifically for that purpose. You can choose to quest for stories, knowledge, and/or fun, and each quest you complete earns you a ticket in the Big Prize drawings at the SummerQuest Finale! Our Knowledge Quests are great for picking up some cool new smarts you can use to impress your friends. Plus, all of those great BCPL events listed above count towards prize tickets!

We know some days are just going to be too hot for messing around outside, so BCPL has some exciting virtual adventures happening inside the library!

Indie Game Stations

Careers in game design are rapidly gaining popularity all over the world. For the first time, multimedia artists can bring their fictional worlds to life and distribute direct to the public. All throughout SummerQuest, BCPL will play host to more than 20 indie video game experiences powered by the Steam gaming platform.

Stop in at any location to play free on widescreen HDTV screens and discover some of the coolest indie games available today.

Click on each Station for game descriptions!

Game Stations will rotate, giving you a chance to try them all. Track the location of each station at bit.ly/teen-dash.

BattleKasters

This Pokémon Go-style mobile game—exclusively offered at BCPL during SummerQuest!—turns each BCPL location into a virtual game board. Questing players collect digital trading cards and cast magic spells that change the state of the game for everyone playing. Come in anytime we’re open and begin your BattleKasters quest!

View Leaderboards »

Getting Started

Playing on Your Personal Mobile Device

You may install BattleKasters from Google Play or the Apple App store. Search for BattleKasters.

Playing on a BattleKasters iPod

You may check out a BattleKasters iPod from the main service desk for 1 hour. To check out a BattleKasters iPod, you must be at least 13 years old, have an up-to-date BCPL account in good standing, and leave something of value until the device is returned. You will be responsible for the full cost of any damaged or lost BattleKaster iPod. BattleKasters iPods must not be taken outside of the library for any reason.

Gameplay Overview

The Basics

BattleKasters is a mobile game full of quests set in the Legends of Orkney universe, the book series created by Alane Adams. Players explore the library, guided by game hints, to discover and enter locations set in the land of Orkney within the game.

When a player is in the correct Orkney location within the library, their device will vibrate and a graphic will light up and spin in the game. Some Orkney locations will not appear until you have made a certain amount of progress within the game. Players enter Orkney locations within the game to collect Wisdom cards. Players then combine Wisdom cards to cast spells on other players, on locations, or on themselves. There are many achievements players may earn in the game. There are over 60 cards to collect. The main quest is to close the Stone Fire portal.

Thank you for your interest in being a focus group participant! We hope you’ll be able to join us to explore one of the key topics we will be focusing on in our strategic plan:

1. Children. Too many young children in our community are not prepared for kindergarten and risk falling behind in the critical elementary grades. We want to hear about your thoughts and experiences as we explore the role our library system can play in a community-wide effort to ensure our children’s educational success.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Children’s Focus Group at Ridgway Memorial or Lebanon Junction and to everyone who registered for the group at Mt Washington, which had to be canceled due to weather. We have one additional group planned on this topic:

• MONDAY, March 26th @Hillview | 6:00 PM

2. Technology. Digital technologies are redefining the way every organization operates —and public libraries are leaders in adapting to these changes. We are looking at the role emerging technologies might play over the next few years in the way our library delivers services, and we want to hear about your experiences with new technologies and what interests you. If you have insights into new technologies or how they can improve BCPL services and access, we want to hear from you.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Technology Focus Group at Ridgway Memorial and to everyone who registered for the group at Mt Washington, which had to be canceled due to weather. We have one additional group planned on this topic:

• TUESDAY, March 27th @Lebanon Junction | 3:00 PM

3. Programs. There is high community interest in the programs we offer—and numerous opportunities to expand them among all ages and interests. The problem is determining which programs will have the most lasting impact or fill needed gaps in our community. In this group, we will focus on how we might develop new learning experiences that are both relevant to community life and responsive to high-need areas.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Programs Focus Group at Ridgway Memorial or Mt. Washington. No additional focus groups are planned for this topic at this time.

Each focus group session will last about an hour. 

Get ready to make, create, and experiment!
Our annual Teen Tech Week celebration has arrived. Teen Tech Week is when libraries across the county make time to showcase all of the great technology resources and services that are available to help teens succeed in school and prepare for college and beyond.

#TTW18 Events: March 4th–10th

Anime Gaming Night

Tuesday, March 6th |  4:00–7:00 PM @Mt. Washington

This month’s AGN is all about the tech! Featuring technology and sci-fi themed anime, tech-themed games like RoboCraft on STEAM, our newest 3D pens, and our Raspberry Pi retro gaming console—which was originally created by one of our library teens! Plus, teens will have the opportunity to print projects on our 3D printers and to explore their digital passion projects on library gaming laptops, now loaded with a growing collection of software!

Pop-Up Makerspace

Thursday, March 8th | 4:00–6:00 PM @Lebanon Junction

Drop in to make and create with our 3D printer, Snap Circuits, Brain Flakes, and more! Plus, play and experiment with a variety of software—Happy 3D (3D design), Roblox (game development), Audacity (podcasting), and more!—on our library gaming laptops.

Minecraft Meetup

Thursday, March 8th | 4:00–6:00 PM @Ridgway Memorial
Saturday, March 10th | 1:00–3:00 PM @ Hillview

This month’s meetup with emphasize engineering and creation using the redstone circuitry makerspace map. Plus, gamers can enjoy our Minecraft-themed stop motion kit, our Cubelets robotics kit, indie game development with Roblox, a variety of engineering kits, and more!

Teen Lounge

Tuesday, March 6th | 3:00–6:00 PM @Hillview
Wednesday, March 7th | 3:00–6:00 PM @Hillview
Thursday, March 8th | 3:00–6:00 PM @Hillview

Hang out, geek out, and mess around with library gaming laptops and a variety of technology and engineering tools. Tweens and teens are encouraged to have fun and explore with a variety of tools and supplies we’ll have on hand, but each Teen Lounge day has a theme of its own! Tech Tuesdays feature our 3D printers and pens, Makerspace Wednesdays emphasize a variety of creative and engineering kits, and Thursdays offer a teen-choice movie.

More Suggested Activities & Resources

Online Learning Tools

Treehouse is an online video and interactive learning platform that specializes in teaching people of all ages how to design and develop websites and mobile apps. Tracks include web development, web design, iOs and Android app development, WordPress development and design, game development, and various programming languages, including HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby. Find out more and request access at https://bcplib.org/treehouse/.

Suggested Reading List

BOMB by Steve Sheinkin
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
The real life story of the race to create the world’s first atomic bomb.

THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND by William Kamkwamba
View in catalog | Hoopla E-audiobook | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
A memoir of a Malawian teen who used science books in his village library to piece together a working windmill from scrap metal and spare parts. The windmill brought electricity to his home, effectively saving his family from starvation.

FEED by M.T. Anderson
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
In Titus’s world, people connect to the internet via an implant in their brains. During a party on the moon, a hacker breaks into the feed and causes their implants to malfunction. Add a cute girl who lives without the feed, and you get a witty satire of a futuristic dystopia.

GIRL CODE by Andrea Gonzalez and Sophie Houser
View in catalog | KLU E-book
This clever memoir tells the story of two ordinary teens who became world-famous after the video game they created went viral. More than just an inspiring story, Andy and Sophie offer tips and encouragement for all girls interested in science, technology, and entrepreneurship.

ILLUMINAE by Amie Kaufman
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
Two evil corporations go to war over a tiny planet, and teenage hacker Kady finds herself on a warship where the AI might be her enemy and the people in charge won’t admit what’s going on.

LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow
View in catalog | KLU E-audiobook
Techno-geek Marcus spends his time bypassing the “system,” and he’s good at it. When a major terrorist attack on the city causes the Department of Homeland Security to cease control and set up intrusive surveillance, Marcus decides it’s up to him to take down the government.

READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
Set in an ugly dystopian future, Ready Player One tells the story of teenager Wade Watts, a gamer obsessed with a virtual utopia where hidden clues promise fame and fortune for the person smart enough to unlock them.

WARCROSS by Marie Lu
View in catalog | KLU E-book
A teenage hacker earns money chasing down people who illegally bet on the international virtual game “Warcross.” When she accidentally glitches herself into the game, the game’s creator reaches out to her with an offer she can’t refuse.

More Books + Movies

Fine Forgiveness February is back from February 1st–28th!

Do you have a pile of library books from years ago stuffed into the back of your closet? Or maybe you checked out a stack of movies, brought them back a week late, and just couldn’t face the overdue fines that racked up while you weren’t paying attention. Please don’t let those things keep you from the Library! Now is your chance to start fresh, with no late fines on your account and no judgment from us.

Every year, we bring you Fine Forgiveness February so that you can start the year off right at BCPL.  Throughout the month of February, no new charges will be accrued on overdue items as long as they are checked in before 8:00 PM on Wednesday, February 28th! We hope this will alleviate some of the worry that may occur throughout the month due to winter weather and road hazards.

Even better, we will also waive any pre-existing fines on your account as long as the items have been returned. If you have overdue items or fines already charged to your account, we WANT to forgive them! So bring all those long overdue items back to your favorite BCPL location, stop by the circulation desk, and request that your fines be waived. As long as your items are returned—no matter how long you’ve had them!—we’ll clear your account.
 

Federal Tax Forms »
Kentucky Tax Forms »

Print Forms

A limited selection of federal tax forms and instruction booklets will be available at each BCPL location when supplies arrive in February. If the form you need is not available from BCPL and you do not wish to print the forms from the internet or file online, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 to request that federal forms are mailed to you. Kentucky state forms may be obtained from the Department of Revenue’s Taxpayer Service Center in Louisville.

Filing Assistance

Bullitt County Public Library staff are happy to help you locate or print the form you need (standard copy costs apply). However, library staff cannot tell you which form you need, prepare your taxes, or provide any other form of tax advice. Free tax-help options include the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs and AARP’s Tax-Aide program.

Five categories. Almost 600 books. Not enough librarians!

Another year of binge reading has passed here at BCPL. While we didn’t get to every awesome new book that released this year, we still managed to devour most of the ones on our list! We’ve traveled through time and space; we’ve shivered at the darkest corners of humankind; and we’ve taken journeys into the successes and failures of characters who stayed with us long after we turned the last page.

The Best of the Year lists at BCPL are a celebration of the titles we’ve read and loved—and there sure were a lot of them. So get ready for your TBR list to get substantially longer!

SCHEDULE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thursday, December 28th
Staff Top 5 Lists»

Tuesday, January 2nd
Winners of the Patron Favorite Vote»

Saturday, January 6th
Best Books for Young Readers

Wednesday, January 10th
Best Books for Middle Grade/Tweens

Saturday, January 13th
Best Books for Teens

Wednesday, January 17th
Best Fiction for Adults
Update: Due to weather closings and delays, this announcement was postponed until Saturday, January 20th.

Saturday, January 20th
Best Nonfiction for Adults
Update: Due to weather closings and delays, this announcement has been postponed until Wednesday, January 24th.

Discover more BCPL Best Books of the Year lists! »