For Teens - Fondulac District Library | East Peoria, IL

Browsing from Home

We know that one of the best things about coming to the library is looking at all the books and taking a big stack home. While we can’t do things exactly like we used to, there are plenty of ways for you to figure out what to put on hold next and always have something for you or your kids to read. Try any of these options if you’re wondering how to select books from home.

Let Us Do It for You

Do you usually like to ask a librarian to help you find books for you or your kids? You can still do that! We are still here to help you find the books you want and/or need, and there are multiple ways for you to get in touch with us. One option is to submit an FDL Match request through our website. Simply tell us some of the books you or your child currently likes, and we will pick out five new books for them to read.

You can also call the Adult Services department (ext. 2251 or option 1) or the Youth Services department (ext.1291 or option 2) or contact us via live chat during service hours. Let us know what kind of books you are looking for, and we will place some on hold for you. We’ll notify you when your books are ready, and you can pick them up from the drive-up window or the in the Atrium.

Use the Online Catalog

Do you normally find books by coming in to the library and browsing the shelves? You can still look at everything we have through our online catalog!

Start by going to the catalog and logging in with your library card and pin number. Use the carousel feature on the home page of the catalog to browse recently added titles. Select from the drop down menu to see categories like fiction or nonfiction for adults and children, DVDs, music – even NYT Bestseller lists! Then place a hold and pick up!

You can also search books similar to those you’ve already enjoyed by using the brand new Unbound Content feature in the catalog. Search for a book you like, click on the book, then go to the Unbound Content tab in the middle of the page. From this tab, you can do all kinds of browsing. You can see what other books that author has written, a list of books in the same reading level, and other works in the same genre. You can also read excerpts, reviews, and more. Keep scrolling to the bottom of the page to the Browse Shelf section, select the See Full Shelf button, and you can literally see what’s on the shelf around that book and explore by selecting the book covers or using the arrow tabs.

There’s so much information available in the catalog; you may be surprised at how easy it can be to discover new books on there. Then all you have to do is click the Place Hold button for each book you want to get, and you’ll be notified when it’s ready for pickup. The RSAcat Mobile app is another great option for exploring our catalog when you’re on the go. It links directly to your account so you can search, place holds, and even scan any book’s barcode to see if it’s available at FDL.

Search Our Digital Collections

Your FDL library card gives you access to tons of children’s eBooks and eAudiobooks – even graphic novels, movies, TV shows, and music from hoopla. Download and log in to the Axis 360, Libby, and hoopla apps on your preferred device, filter for adults or children, and start browsing. The items on these apps are organized for browsing by new releases and genres in a similar way to Netflix and other streaming services, or you can search by format, title, author, and subject. These collections are also linked on our website under the Digital Collections tab so you can browse and search these collections using a tablet or computer. Some titles will be available immediately but some may require placing a hold. If you’re unfamiliar with the library’s apps, Susie has provided a great overview of the options here, or you can call the library for assistance getting started.

Find Recommendations Online

Another way to figure out what to check out next is by reading blogs and online reviews. We regularly provide book recommendations here on the FDL website in our weekly FDL Reads blog, Book Talk videos, and more. You can check our Kids’ Corner or Teen Space for recommendations and content specific to kids and teens. We also post New and Upcoming Titles by popular authors quarterly under the Books & More tab so you know when to expect the latest Patterson or Perry release. Some other places to find book lists, reviews, and recommendations online include:

New York Times Bestseller Lists

American Library Association Award Winners

What Do We Do All Day

When you find a book online that you’re interested in, you can even use Google to find the book in our online catalog! Search for the title with Google, and on the right side of the search results where it shows general information like author and publication date, it now also shows if the book is available to borrow from your local library! Select the Borrow link to head directly to our catalog to place a hold.

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Beth Weimer2020-11-30T14:31:49-06:00November 30th, 2020|

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Honor the diverse experiences and perspectives of Indigenous people by exploring books by Native American authors available from your library.

Young Adult Titles:

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Irtiz (also available on Axis 360)

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (also available on Overdrive)

Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection Volumes 1 and 2

#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

Adult Titles:

Atlas of Indian Nations by Anton Treuer

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford (also available on Axis 360)

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer

House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday

The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdich (available in all formats)

Shapes of Native Nonfiction edited by Elissa Washuta

Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq

There There by Tommy Orange (also available on Axis 360 and Overdrive)

Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson

Beth Weimer2020-11-19T16:27:40-06:00November 19th, 2020|

FDL Game Review: Legendary

Jimi explains one of his favorite games in our latest FDL Games Review! Legendary is a cooperative deck-building game that can be played solo or with friends and customized with all your favorite Marvel super heroes and villains. Check it out from the library and try it for yourself!

Beth Weimer2020-11-12T17:02:00-06:00November 14th, 2020|

#FDL: Gaming Fiction

In honor of International Games Week, here are a few novels with gaming as a theme.

Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis

Eight-year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control. By the age of sixteen, she’s competing for the US Open championship. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, the stakes get higher, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting. This title is available in eBook and audiobook from Hoopla!

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

This title will be published on 11/24/20, but holds can be placed right now.

Days after Oasis founder James Halliday’s contest, Wade Watts makes a discovery that changes everything. Hidden within Halliday’s vault, waiting for his heir to find, lies a technological advancement that will once again change the world and make the Oasis a thousand times more wondrous, and addictive, than even Wade dreamed possible. With it comes a new riddle and a new quest. A last Easter egg from Halliday, hinting at a mysterious prize. And an unexpected, impossibly powerful, and dangerous new rival awaits, one who will kill millions to get what he wants. Wade’s life and the future of the Oasis are again at stake, but this time the fate of humanity also hangs in the balance.

Warcross by Marie Lu

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Ender’s Game by Orsen Scott Card

Orson Scott Card’s science fiction classic Ender’s Game is the winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel. In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race’s next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn’t make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

*Annotations from each publisher

Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.

Susie Rivera2020-11-13T16:13:35-06:00November 13th, 2020|

Pour Painting Terracotta Pots

Pour painting is a fascinating fluid painting technique that produces unique, eye-catching works of art. This technique can be used to create decorative useful items, as well as unique gifts. As an introduction into this medium, we’ll use this technique to decorate terracotta pots using two pouring options: dirty pour and clean pour. The dirty pour technique involves adding multiples colors to one cup prior to pouring out on your pot. In the clean pour method, colors are poured over the pot one at a time. This process is as mesmerizing as it is beautiful.

Supplies:

Terracotta Pot

Plastic Cups (16 oz. shown)

Acrylic Pouring Medium

Acrylic Paint (various colors)

Craft Sticks (for stirring)

Gloves

Plastic (to protect cover works surface)

Optional:

11” cake turntable

Painter’s tape

Both Methods

Step 1: Cover work surface. If using a turntable, you can cover that as well.

Step 2: Cover the bottom of the pot with painter’s tape. This is an optional step that I did so I didn’t lose paint down into the inside of the pot.

Add a folded over piece of tape to cover the hole.
Place pieces of tape across the pot of bottom.
Trim the excess tape around the bottom edge.

Step 3: Place one of the plastic cups inside the pot. This allows for ease of moving the pot before it is dry.

Step 4: Mix paint with pouring medium and stir.

The ratio of pouring medium to paint depends on the thickness of the paint.
Thinner paint may only need 1 part pouring medium to 1 part paint.
Thicker paint may need 3 or 4 parts pouring medium to 1 part paint.
The pouring consistency you want is about the same as thin salad dressing.

Dirty Pour Method

Step 5: Pour colors together into one cup and then cover the pot with that combination. There is a lot of variation that can happen here. You can push paint over the edge with the craft stick if it is pooling on the painter’s tape. You can also add more paint to the pouring cup and pour again.

Clean Pour Method

Step 5: Pour each color separately onto the bottom of the pot. Again, there are lots of variations. It all depends on how much you want colors mixing.

Both Methods

Step 6: Allow to dry completely.

Step 7: Carefully remove painter’s tape, if needed.

Now your unique pot is ready to be planted!

-Melissa, Reference Assistant

Beth Weimer2020-11-04T15:14:12-06:00November 4th, 2020|

FDL Staff Horror Picks

My favorites are Robert Bloch’s Psycho and the film adaptation by Alfred Hitchcock. It’s a classic, and while I’ve seen the movie at least 20 times I still enjoy it just as much, if not more every time. The book gives a lot more insight into Norman Bates’ mind frame and paints his victim in a bit of a different light than the movie does. If you have only seen the movie I highly suggest reading the book!

– Katie Grant, Circulation Assistant

A truly original take on the vampire genre, Let the Right One In explores the darkness of childhood and the hidden seediness of Swedish society within an utterly creepy and dreadful horror story. I fell in love with Thomas Alfredson’s perfectly moody film adaptation first, but the book is even more visceral and haunting. Plus, there are vampires! Stream the Swedish film on hoopla (and skip the American version called Let Me In).

– Beth, Communications Specialist

I still love Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! Find the eBook on Libby/Overdrive. Another favorite of mine would be Unsolved Mysteries! We have The Best of Unsolved Mysteries DVD on our shelves, plus we have a ton of episodes available on hoopla (although each episode counts as one checkout)!

– Katie Smith, Reference Specialist

I love the old movies from when I was in high school: Halloween, The Fog, The Thing, and Magic. They bring back good memories from that time and the fun we had watching them.

– Tammy Geier, Business Manager

One of my favorite horror writers is Jay Bonansinga, co-author of the novels based on The Walking Dead comics series. He’s very descriptive in his horror, and his characters (the good guys) seem like people you could have a beer with. Plus, he’s equally at home writing nonfiction, which I enjoy.

– Sylvia Shults, Circulation Specialist

My favorite horror author is Junji Ito. Ito is a popular manga artist in Japan who has a really strong grasp on bodily horror and suspense. I love his stories specifically because the antagonizing force never seems to have a direct cause or reason, making them more unpredictable and scary.

– Atlas Agunod, Circulation Assistant

My favorite horror movie is The Thing (1982). I like the unique location of Antarctica and the isolation you feel while watching this film. Also, the special effects and score are awesome!

– Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

I love The Blair Witch Project (1999) just because it did something unique in making the mundane scary, instead of throwing these zombies or monsters at you. It also felt a little more realistic – it featured getting lost in the woods and experiencing strange phenomena, which could happen to anyone.

– Isaac Jacobs, Reference Assistant

I am currently obsessed with Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff. I am planning to read the book, but I just finished the HBO series based on the novel. Matt Ruff uses the world of H. P. Lovecraft as a jumping off point to tell a compelling multifaceted story. Identity, power, agency, and race are themes masterfully woven throughout this title.

– Laura Warren, Adult Services Manager

Beth Weimer2020-10-28T13:09:47-05:00October 28th, 2020|

Take & Make: Spooky Ghost String Art

Halloween is right around the corner, so what better time is there for making a cute, spooky ghost as a String Art craft! Adults and teens can pick up a kit at Fondulac District Library, available in the Adult Services Department or from the drive-up window (while supplies last).

Kit Contents:

Wooden Board (5.5” x 5.5”)

Acrylic Paint (Black)

Foam Paintbrush

Stencil

Painter’s Tape

Nails (31)

Embroidery/Crochet Thread – White & Black

Supplies Needed (At Home):

Scissors

Hammer

Instructions:

Paint the face of your wooden board. Use thin layers – and let each layer dry completely before painting another layer. (If you paint the edges, be careful when painting rough/textured edges – use a dabbing motion, rather than a basic stroke.)
Let the paint dry completely!
Begin taping your stencil to the board. To correctly orient your ghost, pick a flat edge to be the base – as long as it’s flat, the board can stand on its own when displayed. (The rough/textured edges are not always flat enough to stand on their own. If a textured edge ends up as your base, you might need to get a small easel to display it.) Tape all four corners or edges to keep the stencil in place!
Begin hammering in those nails – starting from the center of the design, and working your way to the outside. (Starting from the outside-in will lead to pinched fingers!) Try to keep the nails straight (up and down) and approximately the same height. (If they’re slightly uneven though, that’s okay! They’ll be less noticeable once the string is on the piece – so no worries!)
Check those nails – make sure they’re secure! If any appear loose, just nail them in a little deeper and check again. (You’ll be tearing the paper out from around the nails, so you don’t want them to move around or get pulled out!)
Tear the paper out from around/under the nails. If tiny bits of paper end up stuck to the nails, just carefully remove them with a tweezer (or even an extra nail) – but don’t stress over it! Tiny pieces, even small remnants, won’t be noticeable once you’ve finished the project.
String the Outline: Begin by tying the white thread to an outside nail (along the outline of the ghost), then secure it by double or triple knotting it. Once secure, cut the loose end off and begin stringing the outline. Wrap the outline twice – once by wrapping toward the inside, then (on the second pass) by wrapping towards the outside.
String the Inside Body: Once the outline is done, you can start connecting random nails to color in the body of the ghost – fill to your heart’s content! Avoid outlining the eyes for now, but feel free to connect points between the nails around the eyes, plus the nails around the body.
String the Outline (Again): When you’re happy with the look of your ghost, make sure to finish off the body with another outline. (Repeat #7) Once that’s done, tie off the string with a double or triple knot around a nail on the border. Cut off the excess – but avoid cutting the surrounding, secured threads!
String the Eyes: Switch to black thread. Begin by outlining one of the eyes – follow the steps used for the body: 1) outline, 2) fill-in, then 3) outline (again). Once finished, you’ll tie off and trim the excess thread. Afterwards, follow the same steps for the other eye!
If you’d like to paint the nails around the eyes black, use the acrylic paint that we’ve supplied – let dry (completely) before adding additional layers. Be very careful and avoid painting the white string by accident! (If you paint the string black, you may want to find some white paint to cover the stains – just let the black paint dry before covering it white white!)
You’re finished!! Display your spooky, little ghost wherever you’d like your tiny haunting to reside!

Thanks for following along with our Halloween Take & Make. Stay tuned for more adult and teen geared Take & Makes in the future!

– Katie Smith, Reference Specialist

Beth Weimer2020-10-20T10:44:25-05:00October 19th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Tomie

Tomie by Junji Ito

Reviewed by: Atlas Agunod, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Horror

Suggested Age: Teens and Adults

What is This Book About? This graphic novel tells the story of a girl named Tomie Kawakami. Tomie is beautiful, bewitching, and could have any man she sets her sights on. However, she isn’t just a seductress with a hobby of stealing men; she wants them to murder her. When Tomie is murdered, she regenerates and multiplies. The copies go on to seduce more men just to manipulate them into murder yet again, creating a never-ending cycle of rot and romance. This anthology takes readers on a journey through a few of the many schemes put on by Tomie and her copies.

My Review: I love this book! I’m a big fan of Junji Ito, so I love almost anything he creates. His drawings and stories are unlike anything I’ve seen or read before, and Tomie is no exception. This book was a definite page turner, which is a problem when you’re too scared to even turn the page! His drawings have a way of making you want to look away in horror, but look back because the suspense is too much. Aside from his artistic abilities, his actual storytelling is good too. I truly felt hatred for all that Tomie had done by the end of the book. I could sympathize with those that wanted to hurt her because it was shown that she really is rotten down to her core. This book is an all around well-written, beautifully drawn book.

Rating: 4.5/5

Three Words That Describe This Book: creepy, unique, interesting

Give This a Try if You Like: Asian horror such as The Ring, The Grudge, etc.

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-10-08T14:13:39-05:00October 8th, 2020|

Tazewell County Early Voting

Early voting is underway in Tazewell County, and it’s important to make a plan and know your options this year. Whether you’re voting by mail or in-person, make sure you have a back-up plan, research all the candidates and issues, and know how to fill out your ballots correctly and safely.

More local voting information is available from:

pjstar.com/news/20200923/2020-voting-getting-underway-in-illinois

fondulaclibrary.org/voting-registration-and-resources/

elections.il.gov/

tazewell.com/countyclerk/CountyClerkElections.

Vote by Mail

How to Request a Ballot:

Call 309-477-2267

Vote By Mail Printable Application

Online Application for Vote by Mail Ballot

All requests to vote by mail must be received by the Election Authority by October 29, 2020.

How to Return Your Ballot:

Ballots may be returned by mail or delivered in person to the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office. To mail, you must affix postage and the ballot must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2020, and received within 14 days after the election in order to be counted. You may confirm receipt of your ballot by your election authority on their website or by calling their office.

Tazewell County is not offering drop boxes, but will accept ballots at the clerk’s office, at early voting locations, and at polling places on Election Day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid Ballot Being Tossed:

Follow the instructions on your ballot exactly.
Use the correct type of pen and ink color.
Make sure you send it out on time!
Make sure to sign it where it is indicated with the exact signature that you signed for your ID.

How to Track Your Ballot:

You can call the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office to check on your ballot’s arrival, however they have no way of knowing where it is while it is being mailed. It may take some time before they are able to give you any information on your ballot.

Early Voting

Locations, Dates, and Times

In Illinois, early voting allows voters to cast a ballot in person at the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office or by mail before Election Day. You do not need an excuse to vote early. In-person early voting is available through November 2, 2020. Contact the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office at 309-477-2267 for additional locations or more information.

Check on your voter registration and voting locations, early or day-of: https://ova.elections.il.gov/earlyvotinglocations.aspx

Voter registration is available at all early voting locations in Tazewell County. Voters can also register to vote at their polling location on Election Day.

Morton Township Building
300 W Jefferson Street
Morton, IL 61550

Fridays, October 16 & 23 – 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Saturdays, October 17 & 24 – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Sundays, October 18 & 25 – 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Washington Township Building
58 Valley Forge Road
Washington, IL 61571

Fridays, October 16 & 23 – 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Saturdays, October 17 & 24 – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Sundays, October 18 & 25 – 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Folepi’s Market Place
2200 E Washington Street
East Peoria, IL 61611

Fridays, October 16 & 23 – 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Saturdays, October 17 & 24 – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Sundays, October 18 & 25 – 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Tremont Community Center
216 S Sampson Street
Tremont, IL 61568

Fridays, October 16 & 23 – 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Saturdays, October 17 & 24 – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Sundays, October 18 & 25 – 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Tazewell County Clerk’s Office
11 S 4th Street
McKinzie Building
Pekin, IL 61554

September 24 through October 23, M-F – 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
October 26 through November 3, M-F – 8 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Saturdays, October 24 & 31 – 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Sunday, October 25 – 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Sunday, November 1 – 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Voting Center on Election Day with Grace Registration – November 3, 2020 – 6 A.M. to 7 P.M.

What to Bring with You

If you are registering to vote when you vote in-person, two forms of identification with at least one showing your current residence address is needed. A valid ID is not required when voting in Illinois but can be helpful if there’s a question about your registration, address, or signature. Bring your own black ink pen if you wish.

COVID-19 Safety at the Polls:

Wear a mask.
Wash your hands before and after voting.
Use hand sanitizer while at the polling location.
Bring your own black pen.
Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Avoid crowds by voting at off-peak times.
Register ahead of time if possible.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/election-polling-locations.html

Beth Weimer2020-10-07T15:27:13-05:00October 7th, 2020|

FDL Reads: How to be an Antiracist

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibrim X. Kendi

Reviewed by: Beth, Communications Specialist

Genre: Nonfiction

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is this Book About?: “Being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination.” Kendi is an award-winning author, historian, and director of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University, and his concept of antiracism – and how to build an antiracist society – reinvigorates the dialogue around racial justice. Kendi uses stories from his own life to explain his growth as an activist (including his own ingrained racist beliefs) with an effective mix of history, science, law, and ethics to drive home his call to action and vision for a more equitable future for our country.

My Review: Kendi offers a straightforward approach to understanding racism in America and calls for readers to challenge themselves beyond awareness into conversation and action. No matter where you currently stand on the spectrum of awareness, you’ll learn something about your country, your neighbors and yourself. Some of the concepts explored are important though not unique to the author (e.g. ‘race’ is a false construct), but Kendi does emphasize that it’s not enough to consider yourself “not racist.” One must consistently work on being antiracist and not perpetuating racist systems in order to make a difference. His perspective is informed and informative, entirely accessible to someone who is learning about systemic racism but still instructive to those who are already more invested. The audiobook is read by the author, and hearing his words makes them even more impactful. I think any of Kendi’s works could be considered essential reading for these tumultuous times, particularly for his optimism for moving forward together.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Emergent, Rousing, Thought-provoking

Give This a Try if You Like… Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-10-01T15:59:36-05:00October 1st, 2020|