Where's Santa?

Find out @ your library!

Every year, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) tracks Santa Claus as he makes his way around the world delivering gifts on Christmas Eve. This year, they are working with Google Maps for even more information about his location.

For more fun Christmas ideas, you can go to:

NorthPole.com - A kid-friendly site with lots of activities in Santa's Secret Village, such as sending Santa a letter.

Santa.com - For all things related to Santa, including dropping him a note to let him know what you want.

Need Help Finding Something to Read?

Try Novelist

About NoveList

NoveList is a fiction database that provides subject heading access, reviews, annotations, and much more for over 135,000 fiction titles. It also includes other content of interest to fiction readers, such as Author Read-alikes, What We're Reading, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Annotated Book Lists. For school media specialists and teachers there are Picture Book Extenders and articles on Teaching with Fiction.

Complete Tutorial and Sample Searches Available

NoveList launched its new tabbed interface with version 5.2 in the spring of 2005. For an overview, tutorial, sample searches and other detailed information about using NoveList, click the Learning Center link in the Support section in the left-hand margin of the product. When the Learning Center window opens, you can maximize or size it for ease of use. When you have finished, simply close the window to return to the NoveList screen where you were when you opened the module.

To access NoveList, click on the Access PA POWER Library icon on the LCLS homepage, enter your library barcode number (on the back of your library card), then click NoveList under Literature. Or for more information, contact your local library.

Live Homework Help

Parents, are your children having problems with their homework?

Kids, do you need help with your math?

Then let us help you with FREE online help from real tutors. Every day, thousands of professional tutors are available the minute you need help. Whether you need a few minutes for a quick question or more than an hour for a complex concept, tutors will work with you to get the results you need to do well in school.

Tutors are available seven days a week from 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

Unlike other tutoring services, there's no scheduling, no appointments and no traveling. Tutors are available online and on demand. Connect to a tutor whenever you need help.

Simply sign into your account and tell us what you need help with and we'll connect you one-to-one, with an online tutor, in minutes!

For more information, contact your local library.

Pittston Memorial Library Closed

The Pittston Memorial Library will be closed on Wednesday, 7 November as advised by the City engineer due to safety issues with the current construction in the library parking lot. Please do not attempt to enter the library parking lot for any reason during this time.

The library is scheduled to re-open on Thursday, 8 November. However, parking and vehicle traffic will not be permitted in the library parking lot. Patrons may park on city streets, St. John the Evangelist Church or the Tomato Festival Lot.

The parking lot is still under heavy construction and patrons are urged to use caution and good judgment when walking through the parking lot to access the library.

Late fees will not be accessed for materials overdue because of the closing. Materials can also be returned at other libraries in the Luzerne County Library System.

For more information, please call (570) 654-9565.

Walking Tour of Wilkes-Barre

On Wednesday, 14 November from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the Luzerne County Historical Society will be giving a walking tour of Wilkes-Barre. The cost is $5 and the event will last approximately one and a half hours. Afterwards, there will be a hot chocolate mixer in the Reading Room of the Osterhout Free Library. For more information, please call Youth Services at (570) 923-0156, ext. 217.

Bake Sale Cancelled

The benefit bake sale that was scheduled for 8 and 9 November has been cancelled.

For more information, call (570) 823-0156, ext. 216

Keeping Your Parents Safe on the Internet

If you know more about the Internet than your parents, this class is for you!

Don't miss out on a FREE chance to beef up on skills you can teach your parents!

Topics Covered Include:

Identity Theft
Password Protection
Email Communication
Online Shopping

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday, 10 November
Gates Lab
Osterhout Free Library

Ages 11 to 19 Years Old
Please Register (570) 823-0156, ext. 217

Bake Sale @ the Osterhout Free Library

A Cake-a-thon for Chris

Proceeds will benefit Information Services Librarian, Chris, who recently underwent major surgery.

Osterhout Free Library
8 and 9 November
Starts at 9:00 AM each day!


For more information, call 823-0156, ext. 216

Position Opening - Osterhout Free Library

Executive Director, Osterhout Free Library
“Osterhout Free Library—A Window on the Past….A Doorway to the Future.”

The Board of Trustees of the Osterhout Free Library (Wilkes-Barre, PA) seeks an energetic and visionary leader as its next Executive Director. Housed in a historic 1849 facility (with additions in 1966 and 1982) and operating three branch libraries, the director will work with a talented and dedicated staff to serve the 123,612 residents of the library’s service area. With an annual operating budget of $1.8 million and significant trust funds, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop services and programs that actively position and promote the Library throughout the community--and explore new opportunities to both expand services and attract additional support. The Executive Director also serves as the administrator of Wilkes-Barre Library District and the Luzerne County Library System.

Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, which cuts a path through beautiful mountains and winds into the broad valley of the Greater Wilkes-Barre, the area is home of the county seat, an international airport, five colleges and universities, and serves as the center of business and industry for Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Qualifications include: an MLS from an ALA accredited program; a minimum of seven years of library experience including four years of administrative experience (preferably as a library director); excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build effective relationships with individuals and groups; and a proven track-record in fund raising and building support for programs and services. The complete job description and additional information on the Library and the Wilkes-Barre community can be found at Wilkes-Barre Links.

The salary range is $65,000-$75,000 DOQ with a competitive benefits package.

For additional information, contact Dan Bradbury, danbradbury@gossagesager.com or by phone, 816.531.2468. The closing date for applications is Nov. 10, 2007. To apply, please send a cover letter and current resume as attachments via email to danbradbury@gossagesager.com

Pittston Memorial Library

The Pittston Memorial Library will be closed from Tuesday, 24 October until Wednesday, 31 October 2007 due to construction. Please return all materials to any other library within the Luzerne County Library System.

North Branch of the Osterhout Free Library Temporarily Closes

As of the close of business today, the North Branch of the Osterhout Free Library will close. This temporary closing is due to the facility not meeting our current standards of operation.

The Osterhout Free Library Board of Directors is exploring all possible alternatives in an attempt to continue to provide services in this area of the city.

Amnesty Week @ Your Library

Are overdue fines stopping you from checking out library items? Are you embarrassed to visit the library because you know you have that long-overdue item sitting on your coffee table?

Don’t worry. Here is your chance to regain your borrowing privileges and banish your guilt. During the first week of October, bring all your overdue items to one of the participating Luzerne County Library System locations and we will waive your fines for undamaged returned items…no questions asked.

Participating libraries include: Osterhout Free Library (all locations), Marian Sutherland Kirby Library, Plymouth Public Library, West Pittston Library and Wyoming Free Library.
For more information contact your local library.

AuthorFest 2007

The Luzerne County Library System and Tudor Bookshop and Cafe announce that AuthorFest 2007 is coming to Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, October 21. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Genetti Best Western Hotel in Wilkes-Barre, ten nationally published authors will meet their readers, enjoy a Viennese Dessert Table and sign autographs of their books purchased that day. Tickets are on sale at Luzerne County Library System member locations and the Tudor Bookshop in Kingston. The $16 price includes admission, refreshments, a $3.00 library donation, and a $5 coupon toward the purchase of one of the authors’ books.

AuthorFest organizer, Lynn Gonchar, owner of Tudor Bookshop in Kingston, has secured a number of mystery writers this year, including Stephen Hunter, author of 47th Samurai, a Bob Lee Swagger thriller. Laura Dave, whose London is the Best City in America, the wickedly funny story of two siblings’ struggle through one wild and emotional wedding weekend, will also be a guest. In Secret Daughter, June Cross tells the story of her childhood as the black child of a white mother who “surrendered her upbringing” to black family friends.

Other authors appearing this year include Jill Bialosky, The Life Room, Elizabeth Joy Arnold, Pieces of My Sister’s Life, and Lauren Willig, The Deception of the Emerald Ring. William Lashner, A Killer’s Kiss and Marked Man; Duane Swierczynski , author of The Blonde and The Wheelman; Dave White, When One Man Dies, and Jane O’Connor, Dangerous Admissions and the Fancy Nancy series.

Raffle tickets are available for purchase at a cost of $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 at any library in the Luzerne County Library System locations.

Event tickets may be purchased for $16.00 at any library in the Luzerne County Library System or at the Tudor Bookshop and Cafe.

Shown in the photo reviewing some of the many prizes to be raffled as part of the event are, left to right: Martha Butler, Director, Back Mountain Memorial Library; Robert Robine, System Board President; and David Marks, Director, Hoyt Library.

About the Luzerne County Library System

Founded in 1984, the Luzerne County Library System (LCLS) serves the approximately 320,000 residents of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. LCLS is comprised of ten autonomous libraries: Back Mountain Memorial Library in Dallas; Hazleton Area Public Library in Hazleton (a main library and four branches in surrounding communities, two of which are in a neighboring county); Hoyt Library in Kingston; M.S. Kirby Library in Mountaintop; Mill Memorial Library in Nanticoke; Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre (with a main library and three branch locations); Pittston Memorial Library in Pittston; Plymouth Public Library in Plymouth; West Pittston Memorial Library in West Pittston; and the Wyoming Free Library in Wyoming.