The Luzerne County Library System will be migrating to a new software platform in April. All Luzerne County Libraries will be closed on April 7. No items will be checked in or out from April 3 – 7. Due dates will be extended. Most online resources will still be available.

We appreciate patience during the migration for a better library experience.

Donate Long Forgotten Jewelry!

Jewelry Chairperson, Jane Balavage, is soliciting jewelry for the auction, including: necklaces, chains, bracelets, brooches and pins, pierced and clip earrings, cuff links, tie tacks, etc. Clean out those stashed away gems and toss them our way! Long forgotten pieces can become someone else's treasures, even broken items. Mark donations "For Jane" and drop off at the Library’s front desk.

Crochet Basics

Join us Thursday March 27, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, for a virtual all ages how to class using the library’s database Creativebug! Call the library to register at 570-675-1182.

Participants should bring:

Medium Weight #4 Yarn, for practice

US H/8 (5mm) Hook

Tape Measure or Stitch Gauge, for measuring gauge

Yarn Needle, for weaving in ends

Scissors

The 35^th Annual Luncheon With A Special Author will be held Sunday, April 27 at 11:30am at Appletree Terrace at Newberry Estate in Dallas.

Join us for a wonderful luncheon with special guest Jaclyn Maria Fowler, the author of Jack: The Almost True Story of the Molly Maguires.

A storyteller at heart, Jackie Fowler, a native of Schuylkill County who now resides in Wilkes Barre, comes from a long line of raconteurs and wanderers who all trace their lineage back to Ireland. She, too, travels to write and writes to travel, and following in the footsteps of her ancestors, tells stories from Celtic myth and Irish history. To pay for her obsessions, she works as Chair of the English Department at American Public University System. Jackie’s newest novel was written for her dad and namesake, Jack, about an historical event close to home.

Jackie is also author of It is Myself that I Remake, and No One Radiates Love Alone. Her new historical novel, Today's Rain, Tomorrow's Whiskey, will be out in late 2025. She has had several award winning short stories published, including The Other Day I Found a Penny in the Street in the 2020 Colorado Book Award winning anthology, Women of the Desert in the Wanderlust Best of '20 anthology, and In the Summer Before Third Grade in the 2022 Fish Anthology.

A social hour will begin at 11:30am, and the buffet luncheon will be served at 12:00pm (Noon). All proceeds from the luncheon, sale of books, and the basket raffle will benefit the library. The buffet luncheon will include Fred's famous appetizer table, a delicious entrée, and dessert bar. Go to the Friends of the Library Page at left for the full menu and reservation information.

Reservations should be received by the library by Tuesday, April 22, BEFORE 12:00pm (Noon.)

Each month, we will post a list of the newest titles that have been added to our collection.

For March 2025:

Express Loan

Far from Home: a novel by Danielle Steel

The Jackal’s Mistress: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian

Fiction

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter

Far from Home: A Novel by Danielle Steel

The Jackal’s Mistress: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin

Girl Anonymous by Christina Dodd

Claire Darling: A Novel by Callie Kazumi

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

Jack: The Almost True Story of the Molly Maguires by Jaclyn Maria Fowler

The Bones Beneath My Skin by T J Klune

Mystery

Two Weddings and a Murder by Alyssa Maxwell

Death in the Dressing Room by Simon Brett

Science Fiction

The First Druids of Shannara: Galaphile by Terry Brooks

LARGE PRINT

Bonded in Death by J D Robb

One in a Million by Janet Dailey

Lie for a Million by Janet Dailey

Far from Home: A Novel by Danielle Steel

Death of a Smuggler by M C Beaton

YOUNG ADULT

Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

Love Olympus: Volume 7 by Rachel Smythe

SPECIAL DONATIONS

The following items are a gift of Back Mountain Kiwanis in support of Children’s Literacy:

Jumbo Magnetic Letters: Lowercase

Jumbo Magnetic Letters: Uppercase

Twist and Turn Word Builders: 3-Letter Words

Sight Word Magnets: Level 3

Sight Word Magnets: Level 4

Discover a skilled trade with BlueCareer!

BlueCareer is an easy to use resource for patrons interested in information on more than 100 skilled trades. It connects individuals with hundreds of trade schools and provides training resources for those seeking to build their trade knowledge or start a career transition. The platform also supports local employers looking for talent or seeking insights into the labor market.

Want to be in the Skilled Trades? BlueCareer can help, click the icon to get started!

Funded by the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce through their Luzerne Learns to Work program.

Check out Kanopy to access their diverse collection of over 30,000 films!

Kanopy is a free on demand streaming video platform for libraries that offers films, TV shows, documentaries, and kids’ content. All you need is your library card. Go to the Kanopy page at left for more information on Kanopy and links to get started!

Check out Creativebug to browse through video classes in drawing, painting, sewing, crocheting, quilting, jewelry making, and more!

Creativebug.com has thousands of award winning arts & crafts video classes taught by recognized design experts, crafters, and artists providing ideas and expert guidance for all levels. Go to the Creativebug page at left for more information and links to get started!

Check out the history of the Back Mountain Memorial Library on our newest page!

Click here or on the Library History page at left to discover the story of the Library; one of almost 80 years of service and generous community support.

The Library Jigsaw Puzzle Table

Stop in to try the Library’s jigsaw puzzle table! There will be a puzzle available in the Reading Room for you to put in a few pieces, or as many as you like. Check it out on your next visit, but be careful, it may be habit forming!

The Back Mountain Memorial Library

is pleased to present

this commemorative book

of 75 years of our Annual Auction!

This book is a unique and beautiful window into a part of the history and the community of the Back Mountain. It features a history of the Back Mountain Memorial Library auction with a collection of pictures of the auction throughout the years, images of clippings from the Dallas Post and Sunday Independent, Auction posters, and Sue Hand’s Auction paintings.

You can purchase the commemorative book of “75 Years of Memories” for $10.00 at the library’s front desk.

March Display Case

Sharon Austin, of Sweet Valley, will be showcasing her collection of vintage Barbie dolls and vintage Barbie collectibles this March.

A lifetime lover of Barbie, Sharon has been collecting for over twenty years. Of her collection, Sharon says that her favorite item is the original 1959 Barbie featuring the black and white swimsuit.

As a little girl, she would play with the dolls and at age nine, was inspired by Barbie to begin sewing and making her own outfits and clothing for them. She says the love of sewing and fashion has stayed with her ever since and credits the doll for kickstarting her creativity and passion in this area. Sharon states, “I love the message that Barbie sends to young girls, that they can do and be anything they want to be!”

March/April Art Wall

Evelyn Migatulski, of Wilkes Barre, will be exhibiting her drawings and paintings this March and April.

Evelyn is a second year honor student at Wilkes University majoring in psychology and Spanish. Very much a member of the Back Mountain art community, she exhibits her work regularly at various venues. She began to study art formally while in sixth grade and has been serious about continuing to study and improve her skills ever since. The recipient of numerous awards and artistic accolades throughout her high school career, Evelyn graduated from Holy Redeemer High School. She works in all drawing and painting mediums but prefers oil, charcoal, and colored pencil. Her subject matter focuses on portraits, seascapes, still life, florals, landscapes and architecture in a style known as naturalistic realism. The handling of brushstrokes and paint quality captivate the viewer, particularly in her large oil seascapes.

Dallas Post Archive 1929-1986

The Dallas Post covers the Back Mountain communities of Luzerne County in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The newspaper was established in 1889 and offers its readers community, church, school, and local sports news.

Click the Dallas Post Archive tab at the left, go to the Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive at panewsarchive.psu.edu/, or click here.

Click on Browse by Title.

Scroll down to the Dallas Post.

Check out cloudLibrary by Bibliotheca!

Download our eBook service to enjoy books and audiobooks on all your devices! You will need a library card for Luzerne County.

Download the cloudLibrary app from the App Store on your mobile device or computer. Click here for the direct link to choose your app and get started. Once the app is downloaded, and you have your library card, you can set up an account in the app in a few easy steps!

For complete instructions, click on the eBooks & Online Books Page at left.

Check out cloudLibrary NewsStand!

Download our eMagazine service to enjoy magazines on all your devices! You will need a library card for Luzerne County.

Check out magazines in the app to download and read online or offline in a variety of languages. Simply go to their website at cloudlibrary.magzter.com, or you can download their app onto your device! You can find it in your app store under cloudLibrary NewsStand.

For complete instructions, click on the Magazines and Periodicals Page at left.

If you do not have a library card, you can get one online which will enable you to be able to make use of our Cloud Library, eBooks, and eAudio books. Click here, fill out the form, and submit.

Keep in mind our Back Mountain Businesses. Check their websites, Facebook pages, or call to find out how they can help you with their available services.

Free Library of Philadelphia

Click here, or on the picture at left, to visit the website for the Free Library of Philadelphia. Its programs, resources, services, eBook, and eAudiobook collection are available to the public at no charge to anyone with a card for their local Pennsylvania library. Once on the website, click on Get a Library Card in the upper right corner of the screen to fill out the online application or print a paper application to mail in.

“Our New Normal: How Teens are Redefining School Life”

Click the link below to watch this digital special on how teens are redefining school life.

From vax and mask mandates to curriculum protests, students in America are seeking a new normal amid the ongoing chaos created by the pandemic. So how are they doing? Watch “Our New Normal” Hosted by @StudentReportingLabs & featuring @ItsAmnaNawaz.

Produced by PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. Although the live event has ended, you can watch it in full here.

The Giving Evergreen

The "Giving Evergreens" is a sculpture, created by Sanford Werfel, of three evergreen trees with pine needle clusters finished in gold, silver, and copper and hand carved stones.

Adding a pine needle cluster, stone, or tree is a lasting and exceptional way to celebrate, honor, or remember someone who has touched your life!

Click on the picture at left, or the Support the Library page tab, for a Giving Evergreen Engraving Form.

To Renew Items Online:

1) Click on the icon or the Online Catalogue tab at left.

2) You will be directed to a new page. At the upper right corner there is a My Account link. Click on the link.

3) The site will prompt you for your barcode and password. The barcode number is on your card, the default password for all patrons is "CHANGEME." (Once you have logged in you can set the password to one of your choosing.)

4) Click on the Checkouts tab.

5) Click on the box next to the item you want to renew.

6) Click on the Renew button.

(To change your password: In My Account,

click on the Change Pin tab.)