71 Monell Avenue
Islip, NY 11751

T: 631-581-5933

F: 631.277.8429

71 Monell Avenue
Islip, NY 11751
T: 631-581-5933
F: 631-581-8429

71 Monell Avenue
Islip, NY 11751

T: 631-581-5933 

F: 631-581-8429

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Your 24/7 Research Library!

Your 24/7 Research Library!

Live-brary is a cooperative project of the public libraries of Suffolk County that provides a one-stop, digital branch for Suffolk County public library cardholders.

Live-brary Research Databases is a collection of research materials, including magazine and newspaper articles, reference books, and homework help organized in over 30 different subject areas.

What kind of information can I find using Live-brary?

  • Access a wide variety of databases including those that provide full text articles from newspapers and magazines
  • Find online car repair information
  • Find online medical information
  • Get “live” study help for homework or access a tutor to help you in real time!
  • Find study guides for all kinds of tests, including Civil Service exams, licensing exams, the U.S. Citizenship exam, and various tests given to elementary, middle, and high school students.
  • Find job postings, help with resumes and cover letters, and career information.
  • Search Historic Newspapers going back to the 1800s.
  • Learn a new language with Pronunciator, an online foreign language learning resource that includes an ESL feature for 99 Languages!

Where do I find Live-brary?

Go to our webpage at www.isliplibrary.org and click on:

​This month we’re highlighting the following databases – check back soon for information about some other great resources!

Browse full-text journal and magazine articles (including Consumer Reports), primary sources, maps, flags and multimedia:
Magazines & Journals

Full text articles from over 250 regional, national and international newspapers:
Newspapers

New York State Historic Newspapers; Suffolk County Historic Newspapers; Newsday 1940-current; New York Times 1851-current; Wall Street Journal 1889-current:
Historic Newspapers

Español Test Blog Español Test Blog

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Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

The Benefits of Nonfiction for Early Readers

The Benefits of Nonfiction for Early Readers

Education experts believe nonfiction might be the key to a non-reader’s heart. Find a topic that interests your child and look for exciting nonfiction on that topic. But start small with one topic, such as dinosaurs, trucks, outer space, animals or something else that you know your child likes.

Whatever the topic, continue to read aloud classic picture books, but supplement with nonfiction. Although the Internet has countless pages and sites devoted to information about every topic under the sun, there’s something special about opening a giant-sized book that draws in even the most reluctant reader. Pre-historic beasts or giant snakes seem to leap from the pages of the book as a child holds it up to examine pictures from every angle, something not possible on even the largest computer screen.

The advent of the Internet has been embraced as the “best” way to find information. But educator and author Kim Fulcher writes that the Internet, while more child-friendly than a set of encyclopedias, is one-dimensional. “Beautiful nonfiction books in print today,” she writes, “are at once a source of knowledge and the beginning of a sense of wonder” absent on the Web.

Furthermore, interesting and colorful nonfiction can be an antidote to the abysmal amount of time children spend reading. A national study sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average child in the United States spends an average of five hours a day watching television and playing video games. Fewer than four minutes a day, the study found, is spent reading nonfiction.

Educator Fulcher believes the benefits of reading nonfiction are many, but four stand out:

  • It offers a portal into the understanding that is vital for self-confidence and for feeling powerful—when we understand science, we are less likely to fall prey to superstition and to value fantasy and the power of imagination…

  • It can be the springboard to understanding how and why the world works…

  • It helps children assimilate the language of science history and academia and helps them learn academic subjects more easily as they progress through upper grades.

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    It can be the best way to entice a nonreader into giving reading another try. Gaining access to facts and ideas about something that fascinates a child can be just the sweetener needed to struggle through those early reading days.

For the parent of a beginning reader, some of these reasons may sound premature, but educators disagree. According to an article by Melissa Perry on the Website Educational Leadership, teachers encourage parents to read more nonfiction with their children because it builds on a child’s interests and curiosity, as well as increasing vocabulary and background knowledge.

“Nonfiction differs from fiction because it requires reading for content and information…giving children the opportunity to practice gleaning facts, statistics, instructions and other information from text, diagrams, charts and photographs…a skill used in daily life,” Perry writes.

Perry also believes that “whether following a recipe or deciphering a bus schedule…the ability to sift out necessary details is required to be successful.” Paired with fiction on a similar topic, children gain valuable tools to navigate their world.

The Islip Public Library not only has an extensive collection of nonfiction for early readers, it has Book Bundles, which contain picture books paired with nonfiction on a variety of topics, from princesses to firetrucks. Look for the books just opposite the reference desk in the children’s department.

As Common Core standards continue to emphasize the importance of nonfiction reading to prepare students for middle school, high school and college, educators stress the importance of nonfiction reading. Such a base of information, established in childhood, will help students develop important research and evaluation skills, which educators call information literacy.

Additionally, early emphasis on nonfiction, even for children as young as two or three, may be a solution to a growing problem cited by Connie Matthiessen, writing for the website greatschools.org. “Many colleges, she writes, “have discovered that incoming freshmen may be able to compute a math problem or analyze a short story, but they can’t read complex nonfiction or write a well-researched essay.”

Matthiessen cites research by the Leadership and Learning Center that “shows that workplace reading has become more complex in recent years,” and that, most shocking, “jobs that demand low reading and writing skills are being sent overseas, so even entry-level jobs now demand higher reading skills.”

To spark your child’s nonfiction reading, Matthiessen offers tips:

  • Pursue the passion: get books that encourage your child’s interests.

  • More is more: offers lots of nonfiction reading material—from books and magazines to newspapers and atlases.

  • Be the bookworm yourself: read a broad range of fiction and nonfiction and talk about what you read.

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    Reality check: talk about connections between what your child is reading and events in the news.

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    Get the lowdown: ask your child’s teacher if your child’s reading list includes nonfiction. If not, ask why.

Embarking on a plan to guide your child through the educational years ahead may seem overwhelming, so start small. Pick a topic your child talks about and start there. Below are a few nonfiction series available at most libraries that will appeal to young children.

  • The Magic School Bus series

  • National Geographic Kids

  • Backyard Books

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    Magic Treehouse companion books

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    “What was…” series

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    “Who was…” series

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    “I survived…” series

Whatever you choose, spend time reading along with your child and discussing the topics. You may find that one topic of interest leads to another. Instead of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie…”, you can create your own family story of “If You Give a Child a Nonfiction Book.”

Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants

Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants – Do You Know the Difference?

Refugee – A refugee is a person who has been forced to flee their home country due to persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. The persecution of a refugee experiences may include harassment, threats, abduction or torture. A refugee is afforded some sort of legal protection, either by their host country’s government, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or both.  In the U.S. refugees are hand-selected by the U.S. government and are screened in advance. They are subject to background checks and security screenings by multiple U.S. agencies. Only after everything is approved are they brought to the U.S. to reside permanently.

Asylum Seeker – An asylum seeker is a person who has fled persecution in their home country and is seeking safe haven in a different country, but has not yet received any legal recognition or status. Every refugee is initially an asylum seeker.

Migrants – A migrant is a person who chooses to move from their home for any variety of reasons, but not necessarily because of a direct threat of persecution or death. Migrant is an umbrella category that can include refugees but can also include people moving to improve their lives by finding work or education, those seeking family reunion and others. Migrants become immigrants when they enter into a new country.

Source:  hias.org

Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants

Interested in learning more? For more facts about refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and immigration please also refer to these resources:

Not-For-Profit websites:

 (.ORG INDICATES A NOT-FOR-PROFIT) 

JUST A FEW OF THE BOOKS AT THE ISLIP PUBLIC LIBRARY:

The line becomes a river: dispatches from the border. Cantú, Francisco

The making of a dream: how a group of young undocumented immigrants helped change what it means to be American. Wides-Muñoz, Laura

Border patrol nation: dispatches from the front lines of homeland security. Miller, Todd

Exceptional people: how migration shaped our world and will define our future. Goldin, Ian

Detained and deported: stories of immigrant families under fire. Regan, Margaret

Exodus: how migration is changing our world. Collier, Paul

A nation of nations: a great American immigration story. Gjelten, Tom

The far away brothers: two young migrants and the making of an American life. Markham, Lauren

Immigration and asylum: from 1900 to the present. ABC-CLIO,

Go back to where you came from: the backlash against immigration and the fate of western democracy. Polakow-Suransky, Sasha

A hope more powerful than the sea: one refugee's incredible story of love, loss, and survival. Fleming, Melissa

The great departure: mass migration from Eastern Europe and the making of the free world. Zahra, Tara

The lines we cross. Abdel-Fattah, Randa

Immigrants' rights, citizens' rights. Howell, Sara

Cast away: true stories of survival from Europe's refugee crisis. McDonald-Gibson

The fence: national security, public safety, and illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border. Maril, Robert Lee

Border crosser: one gringo's illicit passage from Mexico into America. Rico, Johnny

Dying to cross: the worst immigrant tragedy in the history of the United States. Ramos, Jorge

City of dreams: the 400-year epic history of immigrant New York. Anbinder, Tyler

A Nation of Immigrants. Kennedy, John F.

Achieving Your New Year’s Resolutions

Happy “YOU” Year! Want to achieve some of your New Year’s resolutions? Start at the Islip Library! Yes, we can help you!

We have books and ebooks on money & investing
​We also have plenty of books on health and nutrition
  • Eat smarter and healthier: Attend our Eating for Energy Nutrition Program on Wednesday, January 18 at 7 pm with holistic health counselor Ann Monaco.
  • Get fit and have fun in our all new 6 week Zumba Gold fitness program on Friday mornings at 9:30 am starting on January 27th with licensed Zumba Gold instructor Joy Walker.
Can’t attend our fitness class? Try some of these fitness DVDs at home
  • Manage some of your chronic pain: Try out the MELT Method® exercise program on Saturday mornings from February 11 - March 4 at 10:30 am with Ellen Chiappetta, a certified personal trainer and trained MELT instructor.
  •  Learn a new language: Our free database available through Live-brary.com called Pronunciator is a fun and free way to learn any of 80 languages with self-directed lessons, live teachers, movies, music, and more.
  • Tackle a home improvement project: Our free database, available through Live-brary.com called Home Improvement Reference Center includes magazine articles and reference content as well as videos and images designed to help homeowners tackle home repairs safely. This database provides the latest step-by-step information along with background information and basic tips on topics including electrical, plumbing, woodworking, outdoor projects, maintenance and decorating.
  • Sleep better: Check out some eBooks or Audiobooks on Sleeping available through our Live-brary free downloads service.
  • Online learning: Take an online learning course available for free through Live-brary.com. Course are taught by a variety of professors from Yale, Harvard, Princeton, MIT and many more! There are many courses to choose from.
  • Adopt a pet: A feline friend can’t wait to meet you from the Pioneers for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Inc., who will be at the library on Saturday, January 14th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. No registration required.
  • Is traveling on your bucket list for 2017? Joan Manahan, a travel consultant for 30 years, will discuss hassle-free and no-fee planning for your dream trip in a two-part workshop on Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 pm & Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 pm. Attend one or both of the presentations!
  • Donate to a charity: There are many charities out there looking for your money and other household items, but how can you find out which ones are legitimate and gather more information about them? Before deciding which charity to donate to, take a look at this website: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity
  • Volunteer: There are many organizations in the area looking for volunteers. Save the date: Monday, March 27, 2017 from 4-7 pm we are having our Second Annual Volunteer Fair. Many local organizations will be on hand looking for volunteers. If your organization would like to have a recruitment table at our Volunteer Fair, please click here to fill out an online application.

Got New Devices?

Did you receive a new device this holiday season but you don’t know how to use it? Don’t worry, the Islip Library has you covered! We offer services to help beginners get started, and for experienced users to continue to explore and enjoy their devices. Take a look at what we can provide for you.

Book A Librarian

For computer and device help, we encourage you to schedule a ‘Book A Librarian’ appointment. You must have an Islip Library card. These 30-minute one-on-one appointments with a librarian will help you get started with your new device. This service also provides help for learning how to use a particular program or app, creating an email account, attaching files to an email, file management, library apps (see below), transferring photos, social media, uploading files, and more.

Computer Classes

We offer computer classes throughout the year. Listed below are several that we have coming up in January. In-person registration begins on Saturday January 7 at 9 am. Online and telephone registration begins at 12 pm on January 7. Space is limited. Classes are for Islip Library cardholders only.

Google Calendar, Wednesday, January 11 at 6:30 pm

Learn how this free time management web application can help keep track of your daily and monthly schedules and sync your calendar to your portable devices.

Tech Care, Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30 pm

A presentation on how to keep your smartphones and tablets running quickly and smoothly. Androids, iPads, and iPhones will be covered in this class.

Windows 10, Wednesday, January 25 at 6:30 pm

A demonstration on the new features of Windows 10 and how to use this new operating system from Microsoft. If you have a Windows 10 laptop, you are welcome to bring it with you for a hands-on experience.

Library Apps

Overdrive: Can’t get to the library? No problem, download an eBook or eAudiobook no matter where you are. All you need is an internet connection and your library card. Book a Librarian appointment if you need help getting started.



Overdrive

Can’t get to the library? No problem, download an eBook or eAudiobook no matter where you are. All you need is an internet connection and your library card. Book a Librarian appointment if you need help getting started.



Libby

The new eBook and eAudiobook app from Overdrive. This app is currently in a beta stage and is not yet a replacement for Overdrive. However, you can use it to access available eBooks and eAudiobooks. Libby was inspired by user feedback and is designed for a better overall experience. Some features such as accessibility, localization, and recommending titles are still under development. During this beta stage you can send feedback to Overdrive for possible enhancements in the future. Book a Librarian appointment if you need help getting started.



Flipster

Not looking for an eBook? How about a eMagazine? Flipster provides popular magazine titles you can download from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection and your library card. Book a Librarian appointment if you need help getting started.



Pronunciator

Want to learn a new language? Sign up to access our online subscription to Pronunciator with your library card and download the app to your device, or use it on your computer. Pronunciator provides online learning to over 80 different languages including English as a Second Language. Book a Librarian appointment if you need help getting started.

The Best Book Reads in 2016

Looking for a great book? Here’s a list of some of the best books read by the Library staff this year. Not all the books are brand new, but they were our favorites this year!

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook
By Leslie Conner

Jane Hoffman, Children’s Librarian, recommends this young teen book about an 11-year-old boy who has been living in a co-ed prison with his mom. He learns about the true meaning of home when he is sent to live in a foster home instead.​

The Beauty of Darkness
By Mary E. Pearson

Adriana LoDolce, Children’s Librarian, recommends this final installment of the action packed teen series, The Remnant Chronicles. It’s filled with all the right ingredients – an inspiring heroine, romance, and adventure!

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
By Daniel James Brown

Nancy Viggiano, Adult Reference Librarian, recommends this book because it gave her a great appreciation of man’s invincible determination to achieve in spite of difficult circumstances.

A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans
By W. Bruce Cameron

Mark Irish, Teen and Adult Reference Librarian (as well as a dog owner and lover) recommends this book because it’s a heartwarming story about a dog who is reincarnated four times and finds purpose in each life through the bond of unconditional love with his master. The book is told from the dog’s perspective as he shares his adventures and mishaps. You’ll love it even if you’re not a “dog person”!

By Permission of Heaven: The True Story of the Great Fire of London
By Adrian Tinniswood

Carol Curtis, Adult Reference Librarian, recommends this book because it’s the astonishing true story about the strength and beauty of people living in the 17th century who persevered in the face of utter destruction, and went on to create modern London from its ashes.

Girl Unbroken: A Sister’s Harrowing Story of Survival from the Streets of Long Island to the Farms of Idaho
By Regina Calcaterra and Rosie Maloney

Laurie Aitken, Adult Reference and Programming Librarian, recommends this book because it left her amazed that despite enduring unthinkable circumstances, the author and her sister survived unbroken. This is the sequel to Regina Calcaterra’s first book, Etched in Sand. Mrs. Aitken had the pleasure of hearing the author’s inspirational talk at a recent book signing.

Killfile
By Christopher Farnsworth

Gregory Klein, Adult Reference Librarian, recommends this book which blends a variety of genre elements into an action-packed thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
By Nathaniel Philbrick

Mary Schubart, Library Director, recommends this gripping true account of the Pilgrims. It’s not one you’ve ever heard before. The author recounts the story of the Mayflower voyage, the Pilgrims’ disastrous first year and their fragile relationship with the Indians, as well what happened during King Philip’s War in 1675-6. Philbrick makes the people come to life and portrays the challenges of two clashing cultures in a way that seems eerily relevant today. Mrs. Schubart loved the book so much she purchased her own autographed copy.

My Name is Lucy Barton
By Elizabeth Strout

Lauraine Farr, Assistant Library Director…I recommend this book written by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Elizabeth Strout. This quietly powerful novel just took my breath away. Strout writes in poetic prose with deep insight into the human condition. If you like novels with excellent character development and you’re not attached to a lot of plot, I’d suggest you pick this one up. My Name is Lucy Barton explores the complicated and loving relationship between a woman and her mother.

PAX
By Sara Pennypacker

Michele Ferrari, Children’s Librarian, recommends this book about a boy and his fox, separated by war, and the journey they both undertake to find each other and themselves. It’s somewhat “dark” for a children’s book, but in a straightforward way, it tackles difficult issues and raises questions about family, personal identity, and the power of love. Ms. Ferrari wonders if it might be a contender for the Newbery Medal.

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
By Katarina Bivald

Terry Madonia, Adult Services Clerk, recommends this book about two pen pals who were finally set to meet, yet didn’t. Even with a tragedy central to the storyline, it is a sweet and quirky novel. Mrs. Madonia loved it so much she bought her own copy.

The Swamp Fox
By John Oller

Matt Wuthenow, Adult Reference Librarian and Head of Technical Services, recommends this riveting biography of Francis Marion, who was an officer in the Revolutionary War.

Looking for more great titles?

  • Check out our upcoming January display of The Goodreads Choice Awards for 2016. The titles are chosen by contributors to goodreads.com – a fun online free source for book suggestions.
  • Look for the monthly copy of the magazine Bookmarks in our reading room.
  • Check out The Book Page newspaper which the Library subscribes to in multiple copies. Stop in each month to get your copy and peruse for reading suggestions.
  • Check out the New York Times Bestseller List. A copy is always available at the Reference Desk.
  • Check out our online subscriptions to: NextReads; NoveList Plus; and NoveList K-8 Plus.
  • Ask a librarian at the Adult and Children’s Reference Desks for more ideas! We are always happy to recommend good books!

The Picky Eater

When my son was younger, I thought of him as my “prickly pear.” On certain topics he had to be approached in a particular way to elicit cooperation. Looking back now, I believe that he had sensitivity issues that were glimpsed but not fully comprehended, i.e. not liking the beach because of the feel of the sand, anxiety when traveling (worried about getting lost) and a most definite aversion to most foods. Almost every situation could be negotiated with reason, comedy and positive peer pressure -he has a great sense of humor and a very social aspect to his personality, as well as an older brother who could sometimes talk him into doing fun family things. Eating poorly, however, because of its very life and death nature, was an area that for me was fraught with dangerous consequences.

A great part of nurturing, of course, involves food and the role it plays in the life of a healthy and thriving child. However, when our best efforts are thwarted by what seems to be mere stubbornness on the part of our offspring, it can be frustrating and hurtful, especially if we see resistance as a reflection of our parenting skills. It’s easy to see how food then becomes so inextricably entwined with our emotions, usually love. If we can take a step back and look at what else may be happening with the child, we may be able to employ strategies for de-escalating the conflicts arising at mealtimes. You might find that being a little flexible helps lessen the stress and signals to the child that you are paying attention to what their aversion to certain foods may signify. Of course, the issue is a complex one with many variations on the theme, depending upon the individual child and family, but, if it is any consolation, know that you are not alone!

With that thought in mind, there are a plethora of resources with ideas for making those food-related interactions more bearable.

This is just a small sampling of the many online sites a desperate parent could find useful. Some also cite additional sources for further information on the topic.

Of course, here at the library, there are print resources for parents
(please check our catalog):
For the kiddos themselves, we have many non-fiction, highly-illustrated books that talk about nutrition and the importance of eating healthy foods:
Here are some colorful and instructional gardening books to let them understand where certain foods come from and to help grow them:

Cookbooks geared toward children with simple and fun recipes so that they help create what goes in their mouths:
Fiction authors use picky eaters as characters in their usually humorous stories:

Hopefully, with all this advice now available, parents and children will be able to reach a peaceful accord and make mealtime a much more harmonious occasion. As for my son, he has reached the ripe old age of 25 by eating snow-covered trees (cauliflower), olives (pitted, slip on fingers), elbow macaroni (the only acceptable shape), and spoonfuls of peanut butter, and, even though you would have to tie him down to make him eat cheese (involves mold, utterly disgusting) he still manages to be one of the healthiest people I know!

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