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#FDL: Hugo Award Winners

The Hugo Award winners were announced this past weekend. These are the best works of science fiction from 2019. Click on a title below to view the item in our library system.

Best Novel

WINNER: The Calculating Stars, Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)

Record of a Spaceborn Few, Becky Chambers
Revenant Gun, Yoon Ha Lee
Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
Trail of Lightning, Rebecca Roanhorse
Space Opera, Catherynne M. Valente

Best Novella

WINNER: Artificial Condition, Martha Wells

Beneath the Sugar Sky, Seanan McGuire
Binti: The Night Masquerade, Nnedi Okorafor
Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach, Kelly Robson

Best Series

WINNER: Wayfarers, Becky Chambers

Machineries of Empire, Yoon Ha Lee
The October Daye series, Seanan McGuire
The Centenal Cycle, Malka Older
The Laundry Files, Charles Stross

Best Graphic Story

WINNER: Monstress, Vol 3: Haven, Marjorie Liu, illustrated by Sana Takeda

Abbott, Saladin Ahmed, illustrated by Sami Kivela
Black Panther: Long Live the King (issues 1-3), Nnedi Okorafor & Aaron Covington, illustrated by André Lima Araújo, Mario Del Pennino, Tana Ford
Paper Girls, Volume 4, Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Cliff Chiang
Saga, Volume 9, Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
On a Sunbeam, Tillie Walden

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

WINNER: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form

WINNER: The Good Place: “Janet(s)”

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

Susie Rivera2019-08-20T14:17:08-05:00August 20th, 2019|

Trustee Seat Open for Appointment

Fondulac District Library’s Board of Trustees is looking for a civic-minded and motivated individual to serve as a Library Trustee and to participate in the continued growth of the library. Interested candidates must reside within the boundaries of Fondulac Public Library District and should have a strong interest in serving on an active board that represents the residents thereof.

This open seat is appointed by the current seated Trustees. The appointment fills an unexpired term through May 2021. More information about the library’s Board of Trustees, including membership, meetings, minutes, and more, can be found at https://fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/trustees/. A description of the Trustee role follows on this page.

Individuals interested in being appointed by the Board of Trustees to the open seat should submit the application information in writing to Genna Buhr, Library Director, 400 Richland Street, East Peoria, Illinois, 61611, or genna@fondulaclibrary.org.

Applications will be accepted until the seat is filled. All applications will be forwarded to the Board for review.

Please contact Genna Buhr, Library Director, at 309-699-3917 x1121 or genna@fondulaclibrary.org with questions.

Trustee Application Information

First and Last Name
Residential Street Address, City, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Please tell us something about your interest in public libraries, specifically Fondulac District Library.
What do you envision your role of the library trustee/board member to be?
Do you have any experience serving on boards, committees, or commissions? If so, please describe.
If you have had board experience in the past, what did you enjoy about it? What did you like the least?
What strengths can you bring to the Fondulac District Library Board of Trustees?
Based on your knowledge of libraries or your impressions of what might be challenging to libraries in the 21^st century, what do you see as being possible issues of concern to libraries and librarians in changing times? Challenges and issues can be positive…not necessarily negative.
Based on your knowledge of Fondulac District Library and the population it serves, what specific challenges and opportunities do you see for the library, now and in the future?

Board of Trustees Member Description

Regularly attends board meetings.
Volunteers for and willingly accepts assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time.
Fulfills the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act Requirement as defined by the Illinois Statutes.
Stays informed about library related matters, prepares themselves well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports.
Gets to know other committee members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.
Is an active participant in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning efforts.
Participates in fund raising for the organization.

genna2019-08-28T13:56:35-05:00July 30th, 2019|

We’re hiring!

The library is now accepting applications for two positions: part-time Reference Assistant and part-time Youth Services Assistant. Please visit https://www.fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/jobs for more information.

genna2019-06-24T16:29:16-05:00June 24th, 2019|

Online Fine Payments

Did you know you can pay your library fines online? FDL offers online fine payment as an easy and convenient option for paying your fines. Simply head to fondulaclibrary.org, select ‘My Account’ from the top menu bar, and enter your library card number and pin to log in. Select the ‘Fines’ tab for an overview of the late fees or charges associated with your card, read and accept the terms and conditions, and select ‘Pay online to Fondulac District Library.’

Please note that the minimum online payment allowed is $1, and a convenience fee of 50¢ will be added to your payment. Enter your credit card information, email address for a receipt, and select ‘Submit’ to complete the transaction.

Paying your fines online is a great option for those times you can’t make it to the library, forget your wallet, or need to pay down your fines so you can place a hold on a book. Whatever the reason, try it out and ask a librarian for assistance if you have any questions!

Beth Weimer2019-06-10T10:23:01-05:00June 10th, 2019|

FDL Reads: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa; translated by Phillip Gabriel

Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey

Genre: Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults, Young Adults

What is the book about?: A young man finds an independent, street-savvy stray cat spending the winter around his apartment building, sunning himself on the hood of the young man’s van. The young man, Satoru, leaves food and water for the cat, and they are just acquaintances of a sort until fate, in the form of an auto accident, forces the injured feline to turn to Satoru for help. During the cat’s recovery, Satoru and the cat, now named Nana, form a bond of friendship. They live happily together for some years until a change of circumstance forces Satoru to find a new home for Nana. Wanting to find the best possible new home for his beloved cat, Satoru and Nana travel the country in Satoru’s silver van, visiting old friends in pet-friendly forest retreats, farms, and cities, seeing the ocean and famous Mount Fuji along the way. They also learn lessons about lasting friendship and love.

My Review: This quirky, endearing and adventurous tale is told mainly from the viewpoint of the cat. Nana (who doesn’t necessarily like his name, which means “seven” in Japanese) is quite a character, like most cats – at times feisty, charming, mischievous and with a crooked tale shaped like the number seven. It’s fun to hear the adventures from Nana’s viewpoint! Bit by bit, we learn Nana’s back story and come to understand Satoru’s youth, his family, friendships, and his current situation. Arikawa delineates all of her characters with a loving hand, and I find myself wishing that I could meet these people and pets in real life. This is a gentle and heartwarming tale that has been winningly translated into English. Don’t miss this!!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Feline human friendship

Give This a Try if You Like… cats or if you’ve ever imagined what cats are thinking!

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-03-31T14:54:57-05:00March 31st, 2019|

FDL Reads: The President is Missing

The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Assistant

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Political Fiction

Suggested Age: Adult

What is the book about? President Jonathan Lincoln Duncan has learned of a cyber threat that will wreak havoc on the United States. His unconventional efforts to uncover more information about the threat has led him into hot water with Congress. Now, with an oversight hearing looming, he has gone undercover, desperately searching for a way to neutralize the threat. After an assassin kills one of his sources right in front of him, President Duncan goes off the grid to keep his other source safe. In order to keep a White House mole in the dark, very few people know what he is up to or exactly how much danger he and the country face. Can the President evade the assassin, neutralize the cyber threat, and keep his rare blood disorder from killing him at the same time?

My Review: This isn’t a genre I typically read, but the marketing worked on me in this case. All the big names involved made me curious. I listened to the audiobook version and even this had a recognizable name. In the audiobook, the chapters written from President Duncan’s point of view are read by Dennis Quaid. I found this was a decent choice. The gravelly intensity of his interpretation of the President’s voice as well as the urgency conveyed by his delivery complimented the story well. As far as the story itself goes, I felt it was engaging and entertaining with its share of political maneuverings and international intrigue. The plot was fast-paced and had a decent twist at the end. Throughout the story, I was reminded about worldly events that occurred during the nineties when Bill Clinton was president, because they were used as part of characters’ backstories. I also felt that knowing he has firsthand experience as president lent authenticity to the behind-the-scenes snippets about the world of the President of the United States included by Clinton. However, there were a few places where some drawn-out explanations could have been pared down and delivered more succinctly. I also found some elements to be overly complex, like the President’s rare blood disorder which complicates his efforts. I think the book would have been fine without this element.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Intrepid, Treacherous, Conniving

Give This a Try if You Like…Clear and Present Danger, the TV Series 24

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

Susie Rivera2019-03-15T15:26:08-05:00March 15th, 2019|

Voter Registration

Did you know you can register to vote at the library? Make sure you’re registered so you can vote for the new mayor of East Peoria and four commissioner seats in the local consolidated election on April 2, 2019. The deadline to register at the library for the April 2 election is March 5.

Registering to vote at the library only takes a few minutes, and all you need are two forms of identification with at least one showing your current Illinois address. Ask about voter registration at the Circulation Desk, and a staff member will be glad to help you.

To check your registration status, or for more information on registering to vote, polling places, early and absentee voting, and elections in Illinois, please visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Local election information can also be found on the Tazewell County Clerk’s election webpage.

Additionally, you can register to vote directly from the state’s website. The Illinois Online Voter Application is available here. Your vote is your voice, so be sure you’re heard in every local, state, and national election!

Beth Weimer2019-02-05T09:35:35-06:00February 5th, 2019|

#FDL: 2019 Reading Challenge

I posted a reading challenge in 2018 and decided to post a similar list this year. It’s easy to stay in your reading “comfort zone” by sticking to the same authors or genres you found enjoyable in the past. I tend to gravitate towards science fiction, fantasy, or historical fiction. It wasn’t until a couple years ago when I took a class that I was challenged to read genres that I had never considered before. I read some narrative nonfiction, a couple mysteries, a western, and a Harlequin romance. I also tried other formats and ended up loving graphic novels. This was a great experience, not only for me as a library professional but as a reader. It was nice to expand my reading palate and I now have a greater appreciation for other genres and authors. Reading out of your comfort zone helps to broaden your awareness of diverse authors and also understand why certain genres are appealing to other readers.

I challenge you to read something out of your reading comfort zone in 2019. Here are few tips for how to start:

1. Read something by an author from another country.

2. Try a format that is new to you like streaming audio, graphic novel, or an eBook .

3. Choose an award winner or read a bestseller.

4. Try a genre you would never consider.

5. Check websites like Goodreads, LibraryThing, Book Riot, or our blog for recommendations.

6. Take a book from one of our library displays.

7. Ask a friend or family member who enjoys a different genre.

8. Read a book by an author of color.

9. Ask a librarian for a recommendation

10. Read about a topic you don’t know much about.

You might be surprised by what you end up liking. Don’t forget that we are here to help you find your next great read.

Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

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

Susie Rivera2019-02-19T16:14:59-06:00January 18th, 2019|

FDL Reads: Carnegie’s Maid

Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict

Reviewed By: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Historical Fiction

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

What is this Book About?: American entrepreneur and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie came to America as an immigrant but rose to industrial prominence during the middle to late 1800’s. Benedict’s tale about the influence on Carnegie’s character as a result of his mother’s personal maid, Clara Kelly, is an ingenious tale. Clara, herself a poor farmer’s daughter and Irish immigrant, assumes the persona of another Clara Kelly who died during the trip to America and becomes Mrs. Carnegie’s lady’s maid. Clara demonstrates remarkable adaptability and intelligence making herself indispensable to Mrs. Carnegie and eventually her personality and astute business skills also make her treasured by Andrew. But, Clara knows that she is living a lie. Her future and the possibility of bringing the rest of her family to America will be jeopardized if the lie becomes known to the Carnegies.

My Review: I really enjoyed this book as it is both well-written and well researched. Benedict envisions a romantic involvement which transforms industrialist Andrew Carnegie from a privileged, power-seeking entrepreneur in Post-Civil War America into one of the world’s greatest philanthropists. The book is written almost like a diary detailing the day-to-day activities of Clara Kelly as she adapts to her role as a lady’s maid and eventually a romantic interest for Andrew Carnegie. This tale of a romantic involvement between Andrew and his mother’s personal maid is a fabrication, but what is certain is that something or someone influenced Carnegie to overcome the prejudices of the times against immigrants and Catholics to become a leading philanthropist. Benedict’s tale is as likely to have been the impetus as any other possibility.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Thought-provoking, Captivating, Absorbing

Give this a try if you like…Marie Benedict’s The Other Einstein, Heather Terrell’s The Chrysalis or Amanda Quick’s The Girl Who Knew Too Much

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-01-16T16:22:41-06:00January 16th, 2019|

FDL Reads: Rose Vol. 1: The Last Light

Rose, Vol. 1: The Last Light by Meredith Finch and Ig Guara (Artist)

Reviewed By: Katie Smith, Reference Specialist

Genre: Fantasy – Graphic Novel

Suggested Age: Teens, Adults

What is this Book About?: In a world where Drucilla, a cruel and merciless sorceress, rules over Ttereve and Guardians are killed for the threat that they possess, Rose is forced to hide her growing gifts. When she dismisses her mother’s warning and lets her power slip, she is confronted with the unthinkable-Drucilla’s legion attacks, mercilessly burning her hometown to the ground. With her mother killed and childhood home destroyed, Rose now understands the length that Drucilla will go to extinguish those that may oppose her. In order to defeat Drucilla and her powerful allies, Rose must connect with her Khat, Thorne, to bring balance to the world of magic and become the Guardian that Ttereve needs.

My Review: I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel! It’s set in a high fantasy world with a unique magic system that is slowly revealed to the reader. As the main character, Rose is a bit too predictable (she’s very save the world for savings sake), but the supporting characters are fun and complex enough to make up for it. My favorites so far are Ila (leader of the rebellion and possible sorceress), Sir Dante (Drucilla’s ex-knight, who has a complicated past), and Drucilla’s Fallen (zombie trio of ex-Guardians who are mind-controlled by Drucilla). After finishing the first volume, I immediately searched for and read the second. Honestly, the story just keeps getting better. I can’t wait to read the next volume once it’s published!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Gorgeous, Violent, Magical

Give this a try if you like…the television shows She-Ra, Thundercats, and Xena: Warrior Princess.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it on Hoopla with your FDL library card

About FDL Reads

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

Susie Rivera2019-01-09T10:56:10-06:00January 9th, 2019|