What's New at BPL

Registration for the 2013 summer reading programs for children and teens will begin on Tuesday, May 28. Both programs will be held from May 28 through Friday, July. 19. Brochures for the programs are now available at the library. This year's theme for the children's program (birth through sixth grade) is "Dig into Reading." The theme for the teen program (grades 7 through 12) is "Beneath the Surface." In addition to the reading portion of both programs, a variety of events and activities are being planned for both children and teens. Teen events get underway on Wednesday, June 5, with Wednesday Recess fun. For complete details and the calendar of teen events, click here. The children's program will begin with a Wildlife Encounters kickoff event on Friday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. For complete details on the children's summer reading program, click here; for the children's calendar of events, click here. Business partners who are contributing to this year's children's program include the following: Applebee's, Bellevue City Pools, The Bookworm, Bounce U, Dave and Buster's, Dominos Pizza, Fat Brain Toys, Fazoli's, Fontenelle Nature Association, IHOP, Omaha Children's Museum, Outback Steakhouse, Papio Fun Park, Pizza Hut, River City Rodeo, Runza, The Rose Theater, Sam & Louie's, Skate City, Sonic, Taco John's, That Pottery Place, and Village Inn.

The Bellevue Public Library has 20 new book club kits to share with area book clubs. The kits include 10 copies of the book, discussion materials and a tote bag. Book clubs from Bellevue, Papillion, Plattsmouth and LaVista are eligible to register at the library and to use the kits. New titles include the following: The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin; The Art of Fielding by Chad Harback; Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter; The Cowboy and the Cossack by Clair Huffaker; Dancing on Broken Glass by Ka Hancock; Daughters for a Time by Jennifer Handford; The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott; Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell; Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman; The Magic Room by Jeffrey Zaslow; The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern; Night Road by Kristin Hannah; O Pioneers! by Willa Cather; The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin; The Paris Wife by Paula McLain; Rules of Civility by Amor Towles; Saddle Up! by Charles Gorman; The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt; To Be Sung Under Water by Tom McNeal; and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. For a complete list of the more than 150 kit titles the library has available, click here. For more information, call the library at 401-293-3157.

Bellevue Public Library users now have the option of using self-check machines to check out items at the library. Using these machines, patrons can scan their library card barcodes, enter their PIN numbers and then scan the items they want to check out. They have the option of printing a receipt. The self-check units also allow the patron to check their account status, to check holds information, and to renew items. Items that are in secured cases will need to be unlocked by staff. The Bellevue Public Library has invested in these machines as an added service to its patrons. Library users who have questions about self-check or who would like a demonstration should ask available staff. As always, staff will continue to be available at the circulation desk to help patrons with check-out and all other library services. For more information about these self-check machines or anything else regarding the Bellevue Library please contact the library at 402-293-3157.

Go "green" and save money and energy. The Bellevue Public Library is partnering with the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) in the Watt Detector program. Through the program, the library will provide for checkout a "Watt Detector" kit from OPPD. The library currently has two kits, which include a Watt Detector device and instructions. The Watt Detector calculates per household appliance how much money or energy is being spent on an hourly, daily, monthly or yearly basis. The device measures use based on OPPD rates. Patrons can check the kits out for three weeks. Ask for the Watt Detector kits at the front desk.

Got email or have you changed your email address recently? The Bellevue Public Library now sends out email notices for overdue items, bills and holds. We also use email to send pre-overdue courtesy reminders three days before an item is due. If you have an email address and would prefer this form of notification, tell us so we can update your record today. (Your email address will be used only for notices and will not be used for any solicitation on our part, nor shall it be made available to other organizations. We value your privacy.)

Bellevue Public Library announces the following holiday hours: Memorial Day -- May, 27, CLOSED all day for the holiday. For more information on the library's hours for the year, click on About BPL from the top menu and then click on "Hours."