UofSLibrary News

Do you have a little sister or brother? One that was really wild and drove you crazy? That’s the story of Beezus and Ramona, two of the best remembered characters of world-famous children’s author Beverly Cleary. On April 12^th, this amazing writer turned 100 and I couldn’t be more excited.

In fourth grade, my teacher read aloud The Mouse and the Motorcycle featuring Ralph S. Mouse who steals a toy motorcycle and has miniature adventures. I never read the Henry Huggins books about a boy and his beloved dog Ribsy, but I loved Ramona Quimby.

I didn’t have a big sister, I was the oldest, but Ramona’s adventures and love for her family were a lot like my brother and me growing up. Ramona plays outside, has a great imagination, and she even has a crush on a boy in kindergarten! She makes sacrifices for her family (like downsizing her Christmas list) and goes through ups and downs with family as her father goes back to school, her mother enters the workforce, and her father even struggles with moving for a new job. All of this while Ramona is growing up and struggling with her own problems like riding the bus alone and dealing with school bullies.

For young readers, just starting to read for pleasure, the Beverly Cleary books are very pertinent and enjoyable. These books are not there to teach a moral or lesson, but for pure enjoyment. And what better lesson than to read for fun?

Beverly Cleary is the queen of the early chapter book and will always have a place in this reader’s heart. Happy Birthday!

But, you don’t have to take my word for it…I asked students in the library if they remember Beverly Cleary and heard a definite “Yes!”:

“I read Ramona with my parents.”

“I remember watching the movie “Ramona and Beezus” when it came out.”

“I read it with my sister. She was older, so she was Beezus and I was Ramona.”

Available for Checkout:

Biographies

• Beverly Cleary by Julie Berg (L3914 Z59 1993)
• Beverly Cleary by Pat Pflieger (L3914 Z88 1991)
• A Girl from Yamhill: A Memoir by Beverly Cleary (L3914 Z465 1988)

 

By Beverly Cleary

• Henry Huggins (C5792 Hev 1990)
• Ramona the Brave (C5792 Raj)
• Ramona and Her Mother (C5792 Raif 1990)
• Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (C5792 Ram)
• Ramona’s World (PZ7.C5792 Rap 1999)
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle (C5792 Mo 1990)
• Ralph S. Mouse (C5792 Raf 2000)
• Dear Mr. Henshaw (C5792 De 1983) 

 

On DVD

• Ramona and Beezus (PN1997.2 .R36 2010 DVD)

The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library book sale is less than three weeks away.  Volunteers, faculty, and staff are preparing for our annual sale which supports our collections and services.  The event will be the last weekend of April with a special preview sale for Friends members and Schemel Forum members on Friday, April 29.

The library will accept any hardcover or paperback books in good condition, including children’s books, cookbooks, fiction, and non-fiction. In addition, the library is collecting media and tag sale items.

Donations may be placed in the boxes on the Monroe Avenue side of the library. Donations will be accepted until Wednesday, April 27.

This year’s book sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 1, from noon until 4 p.m., in the fifth floor Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library.   Join the organization if you would like to take advantage of the special preview.

For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Barbara Evans at 570-941-4078.

The library is seeking submissions for the 6th Annual Environmental Art Show. The art show will be held from April 15th until the 21st.

The purpose of the Environmental Art Show is to promote the natural beauty of our environment and the ideal practice of sustainable living through artworks of all types, including painting, photography, repurposed goods, sculpture, and more. The show is comprised entirely of University of Scranton student, staff, and faculty submissions, so please consider contributing!

The deadline for submissions is set for Thursday, April 14, 2016. All works of art can be dropped off at either the circulation or reference desks of the library. All artwork is returned after the exhibit has closed.

For photos from the past Environmental Art Shows see the following links:

EAS 2011 — EAS 2012 — EAS 2013 — EAS 2014 — EAS 2015 

Bike Scranton is a cooperative program between the University of Scranton Office of Sustainability, and the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Authority. All University of Scranton students, faculty, and staff as well as Lackawanna County Library System card holders may borrow a bicycle as long as they are at least 18 years of age. Visitors to Scranton over the age of 18 may also borrow bicycles, as long as they can provide a valid photo ID. Each bicycle comes with a lock and an adjustable helmet upon checkout. Bikes may be borrowed whenever the library is open, and all bicycles must be returned before the library closes that same day. For the 2016 season the library has 9 bikes (of different sizes) to lend. There is no charge for borrowing bikes. Please ask at the Weinberg Memorial Library Circulation Desk if you have any questions.