Twelve Smooth Stones is a Christian historical novel about a young Jewish girl in the throes of World War 2. Like the Biblical Esther, she finds herself brutally taken from her home land of The Netherlands and placed in the notorious concentration camp Auschwitz; however, because of Esther’s rare beauty, SS Officer Kurt Gerstein chooses her to be part of his plan for survival. During this plan, God uses Esther’s inner beauty and vibrant faith to revive Kurt’s Christian beliefs. Not only does Kurt’s love for God increase, but so does his admiration for Esther. This admiration turns into something much more—and threatens to destroy Esther’s dreams of marrying her high school sweetheart.

A 1977 graduate of Williamsport Area High School and a 1981 graduate from Susquehanna University, Wanda was known more for her musical interests than writing.  For the past twenty-two years, she and her husband Tom have been in the ministry.  In 2006, they moved back to the area where her husband now pastors Steam Valley Bible Church.

For more information, call the Brown Library at 326-0536, or visit the author’s web site at Wanda MacAvoy.com . Book orders may be placed at Kirkalepress or www.vyrso.com (in various eBook formats) or in Kindle format on Amazon.com

This entertaining educational opportunity at the James V. Brown Library is part of the statewide literacy initiative of PA Forward, helping libraries build communities one person at a time.

Since emerging from the Boston music scene, Ellis Paul’s music has been consistently recognized and celebrated worldwide. His 16 releases and loyal, enthusiastic audiences reinforce this acclaim and have since cemented his place as one of America’s most talented songwriters. With 16 CDs, a concert DVD, and a book of poems and short stories to his credit, Ellis’ songs have been featured on the soundtracks to documentaries, TV shows and big Hollywood films such as The Farrelly Brother’s ‘ Hall Pass, ‘Me, Myself & Irene’ , and ‘Shallow Hal’.

Ellis Paul web site | Wikipedia article | Listen to Ellis Paul songs

Ellis is a true American troubadour, performing over 150 tour dates a year, for over 20 years all around the world. He has shared the stage with some of the top names in the music world including: Pete Seeger, John Mayer, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Dar Williams, Shawn Colvin, and multiplatinum band Sugarland, among others.

Recently, Ellis has been extremely busy, releasing his second family album, entitled, “The Hero in You”, that features 12 American heroes such as: Rosa Parks, Woody Guthrie, Jackie Robinson, Thomas Edison and more. This release won the Gold Parents’ Choice Award, the top honor awarded in family music.

Known for his deeply felt and socially conscious songwriting, often about heroes, Ellis Paul was inspired by his own two growing daughters and years of performing for families to write about people who contributed something to the world through their work and art.

“The Hero in You” serves as a follow up to “The Dragonfly Races”, Ellis’ first family album, and a Silver Parents’ Choice Award winner which was honored by being National Public Radio’s “Top 10″ pick for Children’s music.

Ellis Paul’s appearance is sponsored by the Friends of the James V. Brown Library. No registration required.

The Hero in You” by Ellis Paul Video

The pictures must be taken in Lycoming County. Photographs should highlight the best of local events in activities in the following categories:

• Arts, Music and Entertainment
• Special Events
• Family Fun
• Downtown Nightlife
• Community and Local Government
• Business and Education
• Games and Sports
• Health and Wellness

The judges will select one winner and one honorable mention in each category, according to Robin Glossner, development director for the James V. Brown Library. The winners will have their photo used on the sliders on the Connect Williamsport homepage. The photos may also be used in other Connect Williamsport marketing materials.

Winners and honorable mentions will be displayed at the First Friday celebration at the James V. Brown Library in September, and at the Pajama Factory.

“Connect Williamsport is a great way to highlight what is going on in the Greater Williamsport area,” said Dana Brigandi, community partner liaison for the website. “The photos draw you in because they aren’t just stock photos – they are pictures of our family, friends and neighbors taking part in the wide array of activities available in our community.”

To enter, email entries in jpg format to rglossner@jvbrown.edu. The size should be 520-by-260 for on-screen display and judging. The winner also will need to submit an image that can be printed at 8-by-10-inches with no loss of detail. The library will print the images for display.

“We have many talented photographers in this area and this is a great way to highlight their work,” Glossner added. “The gorgeous recent weather, along with the many summer activities already taking place should make for some incredible scenes.”

One photo per category may be submitted per person. All emailed entries should include complete contact information and information about where the photograph was taken. Judges will be announced in July.

Contest entries will be accepted until July 15 and the winners will be announced Aug. 15.

Connect Williamsport is the result of years of planning by the staff and Board of Directors of the James V. Brown Library, along with other community partners. The comprehensive project was funded with federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and was designed by Trainor, New Hartford, N.Y.

For more information, visit http://www.connectwilliamsport.com/contact-us.

As the weather warms up and the sun returns, enjoy a lighthearted spring as the Market Street Matinees at the James V. Brown features four of the Marx Brothers earliest classic comedies in May.

Enjoy movies on a big screen every Tuesday at 2:00 pm. Matinees are free and open to the public and show in the Lowry Theatre on the third floor of the Welch Wing. Bring a lunch or pick up snacks from our vending machines. For more information on specific movies call 326-0536, sign up for our weekly email newsletter by using the Quick Link on the Brown website, or stop in the library and pick up a flyer.

This entertaining opportunity at the James V. Brown Library is part of the statewide literacy initiative of PA Forward, helping libraries build communities one person at a time.

If you are interested in volunteering to show films a couple of times a month, contact Mr. Shawn Newcomer at 326-0536 or snewcomer@jvbrown.edu

Won’t you be a part of Summer Reading this year, so we can help even more kids return to school, ready to read and learn?  Every $10 you give will provide programming, support and motivation for one child in Summer Reading.

Your gift will encourage children and parents to continue reading together over the summer. It will open the door to a lifelong love of reading for pleasure. And Summer Reading, supported by you, will keep students’ skills sharp over the summer months, so they return to school ready to learn.

Won’t you be a part of Summer Reading this year, so we can help even more kids return to school, ready to read and learn?  Every $10 you give will provide programming, support and motivation for one child in Summer Reading.

Yes, I want to Adopt A Summer Reader

AudioBookCloud

• AudioBookCloud.com allows you to listen to your favorite audio books with just a click of a button. Listen to books on your computer, tablet or smart phone. If you can connect to the internet you can listen to Audio Book Cloud
• Listen to Books the Easy Way. No software needed. No login needed.
• Listen to audio books with your smart phone, android or iPhone. No app needed just go to the web site and start listening.
• Listen online to audio books in many different categories: fiction, non-fiction, classics and even Spanish language audio books! There are over  1,000 books in the collection and we’re always adding more!
• 25 new books added every month
• These books are always available, never on hold, and no need to download.
• Browse. Click. Listen. It’s that easy!

Learn a language with . . . Mango Languages

An easy to use online learning system teaching practical conversation skills for a wide variety of popular languages.

With everyday dialog from native speakers, engaging interactive lessons, and a unique intuitive teaching style, Mango increases your ability to use, adapt and build on what you learn.

• Over 40 foreign language courses
• More than 15 English courses offered in the user’s native language
• Learn here at the library or access courses remotely
• Free apps for mobile devices

In no time at all, you’ll be able to navigate all sorts of everyday situations — get directions, order a meal, make new friends — the possibilities are endless!

Watch a video to learn more

Login to Mango Languages using (your library card number). Try Mango Languages today.

Mango Goes Wherever Life Takes You

Mango Mobile Library Edition is a powerful language learning platform that delivers fast, easy and effective language learning wherever your travels take you. With the free iPhone and Android™ apps from Mango, you can access the same awesome courses available through your library when you’re on the go.

Learn languages everywhere you go with our free apps for iPhone®, iPod touch® and Android™. Mango Mobile Library Edition gives you access to all the Mango language courses offered through your library from the palm of your hand.

Simply touch the screen to reveal answers and to hear pronunciations by native speakers. You’ll learn vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture in each lesson through Mango methodology, called Intuitive Language Construction™. More information about Mango Mobile

William Nichols sitting alongside a sketched portrait of him with his dog Brandy. The portrait was done by Amanda Emig, the library’s graphic designer. The portrait hangs in the Moltz Reading Rotunda Room.

The James V. Brown Library offers warm wishes to long term Library Trustee, William E. Nichols, who retired from the Board in December 2012, after 50 years of service.

He joined the Library Board of Trustees on November 12, 1962.  During his tenure three capital campaigns were undertaken in 1971, 1993, and 2006 to expand the library’s growing collection, increasing services, and outreach to all ages.  He held the office of President of the Library Board from 1973-1976 and again from 2006-2009, during which the Katherine Siegel Welch Children’s Wing was built at a cost of $5.3 million.

The James V. Brown Library is eternally grateful to Nichols for his commitment, support, and vision over the years.  His term in office was longer than any other trustee – the closest being his predecessor, John Person, at 37 years.   Current Board President, Harold Hershberger, offered these reflections about William Nichols:

Bill has a special talent for looking beyond a troublesome issue and finding a common sense solution.

He has always been a mainstay of the library board contributing much time, effort and a good deal of practical advice.

Bill was the driving force behind the planning, funding and construction of the new children’s wing. …
Woody Allen once said 90% of success in life is showing up – Bill has always “shown up” and because he has the library continues to grow and prosper.  Thank you Bill for your extraordinary commitment to the Brown Library!

Please join the James V. Brown Library and the Library Board as we congratulate William E. Nichols on his retirement and lifelong commitment to volunteer service.

Community organizations, nonprofits and businesses are encouraged to register on the site as a user so they can add their events as they occur. Or, members of the community may email their events to events@connectwilliamsport.com for consideration. Once approved, the events will be entered into the site.

The purpose of the site is to be a clearinghouse for all community events taking place in the Williamsport area, said Barbara McGary, Library Director. Our goal is to have people use and update the site frequently to discover the many wonderful activities taking place in Williamsport.

A unique feature of the site is that it can be filtered to search for events within categories, such as arts, music and entertainment; downtown nightlife; family fun; community and local government; games and sports; health and wellness; and free events.

Connect Williamsport is the result of years of planning by the staff and Board of Directors of the James V. Brown Library, along with other community partners. The comprehensive project was funded with federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and was designed by Trainor, New Hartford, N.Y.

For more information, visit http://www.connectwilliamsport.com/contact-us.

Want to share the love of movies with your friends or family?  Consider giving them a movie gift card for 10 rentals ($2.50) or 20 rentals ($5).  The gift card makes it easy to share the love of movies.  Library card holders can check out eight DVDs at a time- an entire week’s worth of moving watching.

Are you the type of person that would like to discuss and critique a movie’s characters, storyline, or graphics?  Join our Market Street Matinees held every Tuesday in the Lowry Theater.  Each month features a designated theme or highlights an accomplished actor/actress. In February, Market Street Matinees celebrates romance with America’s sweetheart, Meg Ryan, in four beloved comedies.  Join us at 2:00pm, every Tuesday for our big screen viewing.  Bring a lunch or pickup snacks from the library’s vending machines.  For specific movie titles and dates, please call 570.326.0536.

Ever want to hear the soundtrack from a movie?  Then JVB Library has got you covered.  We also have a collection of over 6,000 music CDs for your listening pleasure.   Not into movies or music, the JVB Library even has a collection of video games for the Wii, Xbox, and the PS3 gaming systems.  The best news is there is no rental fee for music or video games and they check out for at least seven days.

JVB strives to meet all your educational and entertainment needs.  Stop by and see all the things we have to offer