Join us Thursday, January 16 at 6:30pm for the next meeting of this recurring monthly program!

Raise questions about & discuss a chosen topic. All are welcome, no registration required.

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

For January 2025:

Express Loan

Raised by Wolves by James Patterson

Never Say Never: A Novel by Danielle Steel

Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property by Mike Lupica

Grave Danger by James Grippando

The Big Empty by Robert Crais

Fiction

The Story of the Forest: A Novel by Linda Grant

Never Say Never: A Novel by Danielle Steel

Where the Creek Bends: A Novel by Linda Lael Miller

Remember When by Mary Balogh

The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor

Definitely Better Now: A Novel by Ava Robinson

The Resurrectionist by A Rae Dunlap

Alter Ego: A Novel by Alex Segura

The Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy

Mother of Rome by Lauren J A Bear

The Note: A Novel by Alafair Burke

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Grave Danger by James Grippando

The Big Empty by Robert Crais

For One Night Only by Jessica James

Nonfiction

The Long Reckoning: A Story of War, Peace, and Redemption in Vietnam by George Black

Ghosts of Panama by Mark Harmon

LARGE PRINT

To Die For by David Baldacci

On the Hunt by Iris Johansen

Christmas in Bethel by Richard Paul Evans

Never Say Never: A Novel by Danielle Steel

Clive Cussler Desolation Code by Graham Brown

The Stolen Queen: A Novel by Fiona Davis

YOUNG ADULT

When the Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede

Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in An American Church by Hahrie Han

The Epic Battle by Elizabeth Rusch

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone

Flawless Girls by Anna-Marie McLemore

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park

Icarus by K Ancrum

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

Love Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe

The 21: The True Story of The Youth Who Sued the US Government Over Climate Change by Elizabeth Rusch

The Ultimate Driving Book by Emma Carlson Berne

Puzzle Race & Swap on February 22 at 11:00am!

Compete in teams of 2-4 to be the first group to complete a 500 piece puzzle. Winner receives a prize! We will host a puzzle swap throughout the event. Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle! Open to all ages, but team contact must be 18+. Registration required. Team contact should call the library at 570-675-1182.

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.

January/February Display Case

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

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!”

January/February Art Wall

Jenna Kapral, of Dallas, will be exhibiting her oil and acrylic paintings this January and February.

Jenna has been doing artwork her whole life, but professionally since 2012. When asked what got her interested in art, she states that she has always been artistic and after many years of trying different mediums, she has found oil painting to be her favorite. She also enjoys acrylic painting as well. She loves to paint things from nature and put a whimsical spin on them. “I see something inspiring, paint it, but use bright, magical colors”, Jenna says.

If you are interested in purchasing her artwork, she sells at Ye Olde Clock and Gift Shoppe in Dallas, on Etsy at JennaLeeArtsee, and on Facebook at Jennaleeartwork. You can also find her on Instagram: @JennalK.art if you would like to see more examples of her work.

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 https://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.)