Latest Edition of Plain Speaking Available (Dec/Jan 2023)

Newsletter-Dec-2022Jan-2023-compressed

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Central Community College – Library & Information Services Spring 2023 Classes

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System Office Closed

The Central Plains Library System is closed this week for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will reopen on Monday, November 28.

Happy Turkey Day!

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Nebraska Author

Hello lovely and amazing librarians across the state of Nebraska!

Some of you know me, but most of you don’t — yet. My name is Tammy Marshall, and I am a lifelong resident of Nebraska — grew up in Papillion and Norfolk, went to college in Lincoln and later in Wayne for my master’s, and then taught English and Spanish (and other language-oriented classes such as speech, linguistics, and creative writing) for 30 years in Newman Grove and Neligh. For thirteen years, I’ve written a column about books and book-related topics for the Norfolk Daily News. That column is called “Novel Thoughts,” and last January it was picked up by the Bristol Herald Courier in Bristol, TN/VA, too. I write a variety of things, but my passion, and the thing I left teaching two years ago to focus on, is writing fiction, especially novels.

I am self-published — I spent the summer attempting to acquire an agent but didn’t have any luck . . . yet. I enjoy self-publishing, though, because I am in control of things that matter to me, like the covers of my books. Also, I really enjoy setting up and doing readings and presentations at libraries, bookstores, and literary events. That’s where some of you already know me from, and I appreciate those of you who have welcomed me into your libraries over the past year or so.

I’m hoping more of you will choose to do that. So far, I’ve appeared at about 30 libraries, and my books are housed in most of those. I would love to get that number up to 100 or more. 

As you look ahead to programs you’d like to do in your libraries, I hope you will consider having me appear for a reading or a speaking engagement or both. I also hope you will check into my books and consider buying one or all of them for your libraries. They are all available through expanded distribution even though I used Amazon’s KDP to publish them, so they should show up in Ingram Sparks or other book-buying sites you may use. However, here is my author page on Amazon that shows all of the books, if you’d care to look at them: Tammy Marshall’s Amazon author page

As those who have purchased my books for your libraries already know, I am more than happy to personally bring you signed copies of my books for your libraries. Just let me know, and we can set up a time for that as well as a date for me to appear if you are interested in having me do that. 

My newest novel is “Trouble on Tybee,” and, like all my books, there is a Nebraska connection in it. This one is minor compared to my other books, but Nebraska does come into play. It is the reason I am reaching out to all of you. I wanted to let those librarians who already have my first 4 books know that the 5th is now available, but I also wanted to reach out to every librarian in the great state of Nebraska to tell you about my newest book and about me and my previous books in the hope of being invited to your libraries.

I welcome any invitation to appear in your libraries, no matter the size of your facility or the number of attendees. I love building my readership one reader at a time, and meeting those who have read my books and loved them is a highlight of my life. I’m very accustomed to long car rides, too, so I welcome an invitation from any librarian, near or far. 

Thank you for your consideration. Please visit my author website to learn more about me and what I write. I’d love to have some of you become subscribers to my weekly word-building posts called “Cognate Cognizance.” Feel free to follow me on any of the social sites, too. Here is a link to my website, and there is another below in my signature: Tammy Marshall’s author site

I hope to hear from you.

Tammy Marshall

tamreader@gmail.com

author, novelist, columnist, blogger, speaker, Nebraska Writers Guild secretary

tammymarshallauthor.wordpress.com

Facebook: @tammymarshallauthor

Instagram: #tammymarshallauthor

Twitter: @AuthorTammyM

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New Book Club Sets for Children and Teens

We lend Book Club Sets to schools and public libraries for 6-8 weeks. Please call the System office or email Denise or Autumn to reserve a Set.

Stella by McCall Hoyle (10 copies)
Told from Stella’s perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm (10 copies)
Bell is just like any other kid. He loves cats, eats all kinds of cake, and is curious about everything. Oh, and he lives on another planet!  Living on Mars comes with a ton of rules. Like don’t go outside without a buddy. Always keep a glow stick in your pocket. And no contact with the kids in the other settlements. Ever. Then a virus breaks out among the grown-ups, and the children are the only ones who can help. Suddenly it’s up to Bell – a regular kid in a very different world – to uncover the truth and save his family … and possibly unite an entire planet.

Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders (10 copies)
Windy Bottom, Georgia is usually a peaceful place. Coop helps his mom at her café and bookstore, hangs out with his grandpa, bikes around with his friends Justice and Liberty, and is determined to live up to his dad’s legacy. Windy Bottom is full of all kinds of interesting people, but no one has ever caused a problem. Until now. And somehow, Gramps is taking all the blame! It seems like there are a lot of secrets that were buried in their small town after all…Will Coop and his friends get to the bottom of the mystery and clear Gramps’s name before it’s too late?
2021 Edgar Award Nominee for Best Juvenile Mystery

The System also has Book Sets of the Golden Sower Nominees for 2022-23. Two sets that include one copy of each of 10 titles nominated for the Picture Book award may be borrowed for 6-8 weeks. One set that includes two copies of each title nominated for the Chapter Book Award may be borrowed for up to 12 weeks. And finally, one set that includes 2 copies of each title nominated for the Novel Award may also be borrowed for up to 12 weeks.

Call the System Office or email Denise or Autumn to borrow any of the System’s Book Club Sets.

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Library Game Nights

Tabletop and board games aren’t just for rainy days or awkward family events anymore. As the game industry grows, people of all ages are jumping to play “the original social network.”

In our ever-increasing technological world, playing old-school games is a welcome retreat from the overexposure to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and the rest of social media. Over the past few years, board games have become the hot new hobby. Instead of friends sitting around the same table and staring at their phones, they are now either working with or against each other. Millions upon millions of new fans have begun to join their friends in real life for a fun game of Pandemic7 Wonders, or Ticket to Ride.

The Everything Tabletop Games Book shows how to play some of the best tabletop games in the world, from classic strategy games like Settlers of Catan to great new games like Gloomhaven. Throughout the book, you’ll learn the different genres of tabletop and board games; how to play each game; rules and strategies to help you win; and even where to play online—including new expansions to keep your favorite games fresh and exciting.

The above description of this book is from Amazon.com:
Amazon.com: The Everything Tabletop Games Book: From Settlers of Catan to Pandemic, Find Out Which Games to Choose, How to Play, and the Best Ways to Win!: 9781507210628: Bebo: Books

Many libraries are holding successful “Game Nights” for all ages. If you need help figuring out where to start and what games to play, borrow this book from the Central Plains Library System. Email Denise or Autumn to borrow anything from the System’s Professional Collection.

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October is National Reading Group Month

Since 2007, Women’s National Book Association’s initiative, National Reading Group Month, has promoted the value of book discussion groups in October.

The goals of National Reading Group Month (NRGM) are:

  • increase public awareness of the joy and value of shared reading
  • provide a time for reading groups to celebrate their accomplishments and plan for the future
  • provide opportunities for individuals to join an existing reading group or start a new one
  • encourage libraries, bookstores, and organizations to host special reading group events

The Central Plains Library System has added a number of books sets to encourage shared reading. Here are our new titles:

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult (10 copies)
This book is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.
Good Morning America Book Club Pick
People‘s Book of the Week
New York Times Bestseller


The Mystery of Hunting’s End by Mignon G. Eberhart (10 copies)
The Sand Hills of Nebraska, where Mignon G. Eberhart lived as a newlywed, inspired the setting of this 1930 chiller. Smack in the middle of the rolling desolation is Hunting’s End, a weekend lodge owned by the rich Kingery family. To that place socialite Matil Kingery invites a strange collection of guests—the same people who were at the lodge when her father died of “heart failure” exactly five years ago. She intends to find out which one of them murdered him.
2023 One Book One Nebraska Selection

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng (10 copies)
This book is an old story made new, of the ways supposedly civilized communities can ignore the most searing injustice. It’s a story about the power—and limitations—of art to create change, the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children, and how any of us can survive a broken world with our hearts intact.
Reese’s Book Club October Pick
New York Times Bestseller

Slammed by Colleen Hoover (16 copies)
Colleen Hoover’s romantic, emotion-packed debut novel unforgettably captures all the magic and confusion of first love, as two young people forge an unlikely bond before discovering that fate has other plans for them.

The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn (10 copies)
A transporting, irresistible debut novel that takes its heroine, Cristabel Seagrave, from a theatre made of whalebones to covert operations during World War II—a story of love, family, bravery, lost innocence, and self-transformation.
TODAY Show #Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Camilla the Queen Consort’s Royal Reading Room Club Selection
New York Times Bestseller

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National Friends of Libraries Week, October 16-22

Friends of Libraries groups have their very own national week of celebration! United for Libraries will coordinate the 17th annual National Friends of Libraries Week Oct. 16-22, 2022. The celebration offers a two-fold opportunity to celebrate Friends. Use the time to creatively promote your group in the community, to raise awareness, and to promote membership. This is also an excellent opportunity for your library and Board of Trustees to recognize the Friends for their help and support of the library.

Explore more ideas and resources here.

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Escape Room at NLA

2022-10-5-NLA-escape-room

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New Board Members for CPLS

Sharon Bohling, McCook, Library Customer
Stephanie Branham, Orleans, Library Director
Lisa Mount, Grand Island, CCC Resource Center Supervisor
Kina Stefka, Sargent, School Librarian
James Tidei, Kearney, Circulation Librarian

Minutes from the Annual Meeting held in St. Paul on July 8, 2022.

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