On this day in history

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.

Known as "the Angel of the Battlefield" during the American Civil War, author Mary Dodson Wade explores the life of Clara Barton in this biography for beginning readers. Read about Barton's early jobs as a teacher and in a government office, and how she created the American Red Cross.

For middle school readers, Don Nardo explores the life of Clara Barton, from her days as a ground-breaking teacher to her creation of the American Red Cross.

Today is Tony Stewart's birthday

Tony Stewart Rocket on the Racetrack
Author: Ryan Basen
State Affiliation of Author: NC
State Affiliation of Title: IN
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2998-9

Publication Year: 2008
Interest Level: Grades 5-9
Page Count: 128

Tony Stewart has won championships in sprint cars, indy cars, and stock cars. He currently races in NASCAR for Joe Gibbs Racing and captured the Nextel Cup championship in 2005. Today he is recognized as one of the biggest names in NASCAR and should continue to compile championships in the seasons to come.

Today would have been Dolley Madison's birthday

Dolley Madison: "The Enemy Cannot Frighten a Free People"
Author: Zachary Kent
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3356-6
Publication Year: 2010
Interest Level: Grades 5-up
Page Count: 128

As British soldiers marched toward Washington, D.C. on August 24, 1814, Dolley Madison bravely stayed at the White House waiting for her husband, President James Madison. Most residents had fled the city, but Dolley had to save important documents and valuables from the White House, including the famous painting of George Washington. Dolley left the city only hours before the British arrived. Dolley Madison had been a leading social and political figure in Washington for many years and helped to rebuild the American capital. Author Zachary Kent explores the life of this First Lady from her humble childhood to her legacy as a national hero.

Today would have been Lorraine Hansberry's birthday

A Reader's Guide to Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun
Author: Pamela Loos
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2830-2

Publication Year: 2008
Interest Level: Grades 9-12
Page Count: 128

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun was a landmark play. In addition to being the first play by an African-American woman to appear on Broadway, it was also directed by an African-American man, Lloyd Richards, and all but one of the actors in the production were African-American. The play became the first African-American play to gain national acclaim and broke Broadway records.

Today is Kevin Garnett's birthday

Kevin Garnett All-Star On and Off the Court
Author: J Chris Roselius
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2863-0

Publication Year: 2007
Interest Level: Grades 5-up
Page Count: 128

Kevin Garnett is the star forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 1995, he became the first NBA player drafted out of high school in twenty years. In 2004, he was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. Off the court, Garnett has helped many charities, including a $1.2 million donation to Oprah's Angel Network to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in 2005.

Today would have been Mathew Brady's birthday

Mathew Brady "The Camera Is the Eye of History"
Author: Don Nardo
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3023-7

Publication Year: 2008
Interest Level: Grades 5-up
Page Count: 128

Often considered the father of American photography, Brady developed new techniques and photographed many famous Americans like President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant. He and his assistants also braved the battlefields and took many important photos during the Civil War. Some of the notable battlefields his operation recorded include Gettysburg and Antietam. Author Don Nardo explores Brady's life from the height of his success to the sad end of his life.

Today is Gary Paulsen's birthday

Gary Paulsen Voice of Adventure and Survival
Author: JoAnn Early Macken
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2721-3

Publication Year: 2007
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 104

In his long and prolific career, Gary Paulsen has authored hundreds of books, short stories, and magazine articles, as well as several plays. Drawing upon his own real-life experiences as an outdoorsman and traveler has helped Paulsen captivate countless readers, both young and old, with his stories. These readers find hope in his tales of adventure and survival.

Today would have been Edward Jenner's birthday

Edward Jenner Conqueror of Smallpox
Author: Ana María Rodríguez
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2504-2

Publication Year: 2006
Interest Level: Grades 5-up
Page Count: 128

In the eighteenth century, when Edward Jenner lived, people all over the world lived in fear of a disease called smallpox. Thanks to Jenner’s pioneering use of vaccination, the disease would eventually be eradicated. The last known case of smallpox was finally isolated in 1977. By 1980, the disease was declared completely eliminated. Edward Jenner’s work with smallpox opened a new era in medicine, providing hope for humanity by showing that diseases could be fought and eventually defeated.

On this day in 1804

The Lewis and Clark expedition left St. Louis to explore the Louisiana Territory.

On this day in 1796

English physician Edward Jenner administered the first vaccination against smallpox.

Think you're having a bad day?

One of our library customers just called in asking about the replacement cost of a book that had been chewed on by a dog. Sounds like the dog's teeth went completely through the book.

She also mentioned that another book that was just returned to her library had been used as a litter box by a cat.

100 years ago today

Glacier National Park in Montana was established as our tenth national park on May 11, 1910 by President Taft.

Bono celebrates his birthday today

Bono Rock Star Activist
Author: Martha P. Trachtenberg
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2695-7
Publication Year: 2008
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 128

Bono is lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band, U2. In addition to his fame as a rock superstar, Bono has also became widely known for his activism in recent years and has even been a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. Today Bono stands as a shining example of a superstar who gives back in the hopes of making our world a better place.

On this day in 1869

A golden spike was driven at Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.

The Transcontinental Railroad and Westward Expansion tells the story of America’s rapid westward expansion and the railroads that stitched the country together.

In The Transcontinental Railroad and the Great Race to Connect the Nation, authors Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin examine the building of the railroad, the dangers involved, those who supported the railroad, and the impacts the railroad had on American life.

Today is the birthday of Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis An Author Kids Love
Author: Michelle Parker-Rock
State Affiliation of Author: AZ
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3161-6
Publication Year: 2009
Interest Level: Grades 3-4
Page Count: 48

Christopher Paul Curtis grew up in Flint, Michigan, but he drew on his family's southern background to write the books Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963. In an interview with Michelle Parker-Rock, Curtis tells how he went from auto worker to full-time author. He describes how he works and offers advice to young would-be authors

Today is Bill Kreutzmann's birthday

Grateful Dead ''What a Long, Strange Trip it’s Been''
Author: Michele C. Hollow
State Affiliation of Author: NJ
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3028-2

Publication Year: 2009
Interest Level: Grades 5-up
Page Count: 104

''There's nothing like a Grateful Dead concert.'' Chanted at every concert, those words say it all. There really is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert. Fans knew they would encounter friends, old and new, at all the shows. Swaying and dancing to the melodies, many "Deadheads" would follow their favorite band from show to show. Author Michele C. Hollow has interviewed Bob Weir, lead singer, guitar player, and songwriter for the Grateful Dead; Dennis McNally, the Grateful Dead's publicist for over twenty years; as well as David Gans, the radio host of the nationally syndicated "Grateful Dead Hour."

Today would have been Sigmund Freud's birthday

Sigmund Freud Exploring the Mysteries of the Mind
Author: John Bankston
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2336-9

Publication Year: 2006
Interest Level: Grades 5-up
Page Count: 128

Sigmund Freud is the father of modern psychotherapy. Freud’s theories led to new approaches in how we relate to one another, and has also influenced the arts. Indeed, in the Modern Era, the influence of Freud is nearly inescapable. Without a doubt, this marks Sigmund Freud as one of the most influential figures of Modern History.

On this day in history

In 1925, John T. Scopes was arrested in Tennessee for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution.

Save My NJ Library

On May 6 in Trenton, NJ, there will be a rally from 11:00am-1:00pm on the steps of the State House Annex.

If you would like to contact your state legislators and the governor, click here.

LeBron named 2009-10 MVP

LeBron James was named the NBA's MVP for 2009-10!

"James, who also earned the honor last season, totaled 1,205 points including 116 first place votes, from a panel of 122 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada and the first ever NBA MVP fan vote." says the article.

Enslow Publishers has a series called Sports Stars with Heart, that includes a title Lebron James: King On and Off the Court