By Brandon Brady

Getting Caught Up
A lot has been going on with the PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CINCINNATI & HAMILTON COUNTY lately. And we're not talking about one of their umpteen book sales (which we highly recommend). So here's a fast and furious recap of some pertinent info. ... Let's hear it for the world of nonfiction and the wonder of technology. Readers can join the ONLINE BOOK CLUB, a free service added to the library's Web site (http://plch.lib.oh.us) at the beginning of the month. Nonfiction titles, such as David Maraniss' When Pride Still Mattered: The Life of Vince Lombardi, are the focus which readers can enjoy through the luxury of e-mail. Mailings take approximately five minutes to read and will feature one title until about three chapters are read, and then it's on to a different subject. ... How's this for a different subject? The library also recently published their list of 100 YEARS OF GREAT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN. Listed chronologically, the pamphlet features plenty of great reads to share with children or simply to smile about as you remember your childhood. Many a staple is on the list, such as L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, but there's a couple of my personal favorites that I still recall fondly: Gertrude Warner's The Boxcar Children about four orphans who turn an abandoned boxcar into their new home, and E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler about two runaways who live inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hmmm. Books about no parents. I wonder what that says about my childhood. ... More childhood remembrances come courtesy of the closing of Reading's VALLEY BRANCH LIBRARY on June 30. Reminiscent of a giant walk-in closet with its long and narrow structure, the Valley introduced me to many a great book. Sadly, the lease could not be renewed as the property was leased to another client. But it's not all tears as the Valley takes over the former Casablanca Vintage Clothing at 9001 Reading Road. The phone number (513-369-4465) remains the same. And things could get better for the Valley Branch: The library is working with Reading officials to find property to construct a library-owned branch.

E-mail Brandon Brady

Sewing It Up (July 12, 2000)
Square Roots (June 29, 2000)
Dad-less (June 15, 2000)
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