Books

February 1 marks the beginning of African American History Month. To learn more about African American history, visit the display in the Troy Library's Youth Services study area. The display includes books on famous African Americans such as Jackie Robinson, W.E.B. Dubois, Frederick Douglass, and Michael Jackson.

When you visit the display, be sure to check out the Newbery Award honor book The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, written by Flint native Christopher Paul Curtis, and the Carter G. Woodson Book Award-winning Through my Eyes, by Ruby Bridges.

Andy, a pure-bred labrador retriever, and Jane Alkon are part of the nationally recognized Canine READ Program(Reading Education Assistance Dogs). Andy has worked for 3 1/2 years as a therapy dog, inspiring children and adults, listening to children read, and making friends.

Andy and Jane will be at the Troy Public Library on Saturday, February 18, at 11 am. Jane will read from her newest book on his work The Remarkable Mr. Boy.

Troybery 2012 is underway! All middle school students in the Troy School District can participate in this popular reading program. Students should register at their school and read a minimum of three selected titles. Readers then have the opportunity to vote for the winner in April. 

Once again, the Troy Public Library is happy to be a partner in Troybery 2012. The Library has all the titles selected for the program. In order to make the books available to as many students as possible, individuals may check out only two Troybery titles at a time. Books are checked out for seven days and cannot be renewed.

If you have any questions or would like assistance placing holds for these Troybery 2012 books, please contact a Youth Services librarian at ysref@troymi.gov or 248.524.3541.

Christmas came early to the Troy Public Library this year, in the form of a $2,300 donation from southeast Michigan businesswomen representing Meritor, Henry Ford Health Systems, GM and Inforum. These women are part of a leadership class that included a community service project.

This donation will enhance the Library’s Special Needs collection, and be used for materials and equipment for children with reading disabilities associated with visual impairments such as albinism, dyslexia, ADHD, traveling eye, an inability to see color, and more.

The Library will purchase large print materials, with emphasis on novels for ages 8-12; non-fiction books on visual impairments; and magnifiers to assist in reading. The Friends of the Troy Public Library have contributed an additional $300 towards this project, to purchase kits with special reading materials and magnifiers that children can use at home.

Join us for a special story time, at 11:15 am, on Saturday, January 21, to introduce the community to our new collection. This event is especially for children ages pre-school through 2nd grade. Afterw the event, there will be a demonstration on how to download ebooks to ereaders, and a tour of the enhanced Special Needs Collection.

Electronic books and readers – known as eBooks and eReaders – have generated a lot of buzz lately, as the sales of these portable reading devices have skyrocketed. More and more people are showing interest in these lightweight, inexpensive, and convenient alternatives to printed books and magazines.

Do you have a Kindle, Sony eReader, Barnes and Noble nook, or another eReader? Are you thinking about purchasing one for yourself or a family member? Did you know that the Troy Public Library has eBooks available free-of-charge for you to download to your eReader or smartphone?

If you are interested in the eBook revolution, attend All About eBooks and eReaders sponsored by the Troy Library. This 90-minute session will answer all of your questions, and show you what resources are available to you from the Library. We will demonstrate some of the more popular eReaders, purchased courtesy of the Friends of the Troy Library. And if you have an eReader, bring it, and we will show you how to set up an account.

All About eBooks and eReaders will be offered at 6:30 pm on the following dates (click on the date to register): Wednesday, January 11; Thursday February 2; and Tuesday, February 28. Questions? Call the Library's Technology Center at 248.524.3542 or email techroom@troymi.gov.

At 11 am, Saturday, January 14, Jane Alkon and her Therapy Dog Andy will be at the Troy Library for a special story time. Andy has been a popular visitor to the Library over the past years, and dozens of children have read to him.

Alkon will be sharing stories from books about fun dogs.  Join us to listen, or even to read a little to Andy. He is a terrific listener!

Children ages five and up who can read and their parents are invited to this story time. Please register beginning 10 am, January 3.