Most Downloaded eBooks from the Library

Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" took the top spot again on the adult fiction eBook, while his blockbuster follow-ups remained close behind in the No. 2 and 3 positions. "Dead Until Dark" by Chalaine Harris, and James Patterson and Maxine Paetro's "Private" were also among the most downloaded digital books from the library in August 2010. You can check out these eBooks today by visting our virtual branch online Library to Go.

Most Downloaded eBooks from the Library - Adult Fiction (August 2010)

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
2. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson,
3. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
5. Private by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro, Little
6. The 9th Judgment by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
7. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
8. 61 Hours Lee Child
9. The Search by Nora Roberts
10. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Most Downloaded Audiobooks from the Library

For a third consecutive month, Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" took the top spot on the adult fiction audiobook charts, while his blockbuster follow-ups remained close behind in the No. 2 and 3 positions. These titles are available for checkout now from Library to Go. Check them out today!

Most Downloaded Audiobooks from the Library - Adult Fiction (August 2010)

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
3. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
5. Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
6. The 9th Judgment by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
7. 61 Hours by Lee Child
8. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
9. Private by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
10. 1st to Die by James Patterson

Paperbacks By Mail

The Brooks Public Library, in cooperation with the Shortgrass Library System, is pleased to offer 'Paperbacks by Mail'.

PBM is a service that sends library books out by mail. This service is generally used by people who are unable to use a public library or who live far from a public library.

Three times a year, a print catalouge is mailed out to program participants. You can choose up to six books at a time from the catalogue. These books are then mailed to you in a returnable mail bag, complete with a postage paid return label. This means that you never have to pay postage for returning your books recieved through the PBM program.

Interested in joining, or know someone who would like to? There are 3 easy ways to sign up for PBM:

1) If you already have a membership at a Shortgrass library
Call Larry Dye at 403-529-0550 and tell him that you want to join PBM.

2) If you don't have a current library card from a Shortgrass library, but you want one
Go to your local public library (for example, the Brooks Public Library) and register for a library card. Once you have a current membership, call Larry Dye at 403-529-0550 to join the PBM program.

3) I only want to join the PBM program and not get a library card
If you just want to join the PBM program, you must be a resident of one of the municipalities that supports the Shortgrass Library System (Bassano, Bow Island, Brooks, County of Forty Mile, County of Newell, Cypress County, Foremost, Medicine Hat, Rainier, Ralston, Redcliff, Rolling Hills, Rosemary, and Tilley)

If you live in one of the supporting municipalities, you may request an application form to join the program. Fill out the form and return it, along with a cheque payable to "Shortgrass Library System" for $10.00. Forms may be picked up from the Brooks Public Library, or may be mailed to you by calling Larry Dye at 403-529-0550.

What's Happening This Week in the Library?

The Brooks Public Library is proud to bring you two, high quality, videoconferences this September. The Definitely Not Plato Books Club is a book club unlike many others. Based in Lethbridge, members choose their favourite reads, present a list to the group who vote on which titles will be selected each month during the year. This month’s book is The Outlander by Gil Adamson. Set in 1903, the story focuses on Mary Boulton and her frightening journey across the Western Canada. Details of her past are slowly brought to light as she escapes into the mountains, struggling to put distance between herself and her two furious brothers seeking revenge for the death of one of their own. The Outlander is Canadian Gil Adamson’s first novel and was published in 2007 by Anasi. The Outlander was also the Brooks Public Library's Online Book Club fiction pick for Spring 2008. This book is currently available for check out from the Brooks Public Library, and everyone is welcome to attend this videoconference event.

Knowing which way to go to secure your financial future can be tough, especially when faced with saving for retirement or paying off current debts. That’s why you need to come to our next videoconference, So Which is Best? Pay Down your Mortgage or Invest,? on Thursday September 23rd at 12 Noon. Your hosts Kendra Jensen, Mortgage Specialist, and Joanne Metzger, Investment and Retirement Planner, will be your guides as they walk you through what to consider when you are deciding whether to pay down your mortgage or invest. This lunch hour session will give you lots of food for thought so you can make the decision that works best for you. Bring your questions as these ladies are also available to answer your toughest investment problems. This videoconference is hosted by the Lethbridge Public Library. Admission to this videoconference is free and drop ins are welcome.

What's Happening This Week in the Library?

September the Brooks Public Library is celebrating Alberta Arts Days. Created to showcase Alberta artists of all types, Alberta Arts Days encourage Albertans to discover, experience, and celebrate arts in their community. All month long the Brooks Public Library will be celebrating by holding talks and free workshops with local artists. On Thursday September 16th at 12:05 pm, local artist Richard Wood will be in the library to talk about acrylic and oil painting. Richard’s works have been featured in the Brooks Public Library Gallery, and his exhibit was one of our most popular exhibits of 2010. This session is a must for anyone who has ever thought about getting into painting. Everyone is welcome to attend this free session and drop ins are encouraged.

I know many people who love to scrapbook, and I enjoy going with them as they hunt for the perfect materials for their next masterpiece. It always seems that the biggest challenge for a scrapbooker is finding the right paper to work with. Here’s an idea – why not just make your own? The Brooks Public Library will be hosting a free Paper Making Workshop Saturday September 18th at 10:00am. Pre-registration is required, space for the class is limited, and all of the materials for the class are supplied. You can get in on the Alberta Arts Days celebrations in your own way. The Brooks Public Library has lots of books to help you out, from books that teach you how to find your inner guitar hero, to movies that teach you how to become a belly dancer. Come on in and take a look, or ask one of our friendly staff members for help on finding your new creative outlet.