Meet Amanda Flower, Author of Amish Country Mysteries, plus Teen Jeopardy Tournaments at Stark County District Library

Did you know the Stark County District Library is More Than Books? The library is also a great resource for computer and technology training. The Technology staff at SCDL hosts dozens of informative classes each month, covering everything from getting the most out of your eReader or mobile device, to training in essential software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. The tech staff also writes a useful blog offering tutorials, tips and tricks, and featured apps and programs. A recent post demonstrated how to use Reference USA, a comprehensive business database, to locate thrift stores in Boston for patrons planning a visit to the city.

As always, each program listed below is linked to the Stark County District Library Events calendar, where you'll get more information about the program (such as the time the event is offered), and have the opportunity to register online or by phone to attend.

The Exercise Your Mind Summer Reading Challenge is in full swing and continues through July 27. Kids ages newborn through 12th grade can pledge to read 1 to 100 books this summer and win prizes for meeting the Challenge. This year we’re using a neat online system for tracking books read—the instructions are here.

Take better pictures this summer, and learn what all the numbers and menus (from exposure to f-stop) on your camera are for. Join Bob Moffitt from the Quail Hollow State Park Camera Club and bring your camera to Lake Community Branch for Basic Camera Settings on Tuesday, June 11. Then, enter your great summer photos in one of the library’s photo contests!

Book Chatter is a book discussion group at Plain Community Branch for Teens and Adults that features great YA novels. The first title is Unwind by Neil Shusterman. We’ll meet on the second Tuesday of the month starting Tuesday June 11, and continuing through August 13.

Enjoy the music of the Big Band era at Summer Sounds on Tuesday, June 11 at Perry Sippo Branch. The Musical Memories Orchestra will perform some of the best loved Big Band songs, and the Perry Sippo Friends of the Library will provide ice cream. So bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy the start of summer. If it rains, we’ll move the performance indoors. So come out rain or shine for a little “Woodchopper’s Ball,” or “Stompin’ at the Savoy.”

Grades K-5 can Explore the Mind of Andy Warhol on Wednesday, June 12 at Lake Community Branch. Learn about the visual world of Pop artist Andy Warhol. Staff from the Massillon Museum will teach printmaking techniques so you can create your own Warhol-inspired artwork to take home.

Get ready for Father’s Day and summer birthdays on Wednesday, June 12 at Perry Sippo Branch. At A Father’s Day and Birthday Extravaganza Card Class, we’ll create two simple cards using inventive techniques. This class is for beginner and advanced card makers, so there will be a challenging new technique regardless of your level of skill.

Lake Community Branch hosts Ooh! Ooh! Pick Me! on Thursday, June 13. Teens can participate in our 1st Audio Book Speed Dating program in celebration of National Audio Book Month. How does it work? You’ll get to listen to one minute of several audio books, speed dating style, to find the perfect one for you. Plus, you’ll get a free pair of earbuds just for participating.

On Friday, June 14, DeHoff Memorial Branch hosts the Lemonade Stand Entrepreneur Series for teens. Learn basic business fundamentals in the operation of a lemonade stand. A certificate of completion will be presented to those who complete the training, which takes place each Friday through June 28.

Tour the SEO Mobile Technology Training Bus at North Branch on Saturday, June 15. The Mobile Training Center is equipped with 10 networked PCs, a digital projector, networked printer, and wireless internet. There will be computer classes offered on the bus all week, featuring online genealogy research, Zinio, a program for reading popular magazines for free online, and Mango, an excellent language learning program offered through the library’s collection of databases.

Learn about the various services offered by SARTA, the Stark Area Transit Authority at SARTA Travel Training Class on Monday, June 17 at DeHoff Memorial Branch. The class is for all ages, and if it’s your first time taking it, you’ll get a free 31-day bus pass.

Agatha Award nominated author Amanda Flower visits Lake Community Branch on Tuesday, June 18. She started her career as an author in elementary school, and she’ll be here to share her latest book, the Amish Country thriller, A Plain Scandal, as well as her other books.

Discover a variety of exercises designed to increase strength, flexibility, and range of movement at Fitsperation on Tuesday, June 18 at Plain Community Branch. Learn basic techniques you can practice every day to keep fit and fabulous.

The library will host Teen Jeopardy Tournaments throughout June and July, leading up to the Championship round in August at Main Library. Jackson Township Branch and Main Library will host matches on Monday, June 17. Teens can match wits and knowledge with each other in the classic game of answers and questions. More are coming to locations near you—here’s a link to all of them.

DeHoff Memorial Branch hosts free Blood Pressure Screenings on Monday, June 17. Mercy Medical Center will provide the screenings on Mondays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm until June 24.

Teens, join us for a creative odyssey: 23 projects in 23 days, including electronics, music, science, as well as indoor and outdoor creations. The Great Create meets at Main Library every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through August 2.

There are many other excellent events planned at a branch of the Stark County District Library near you, including children's story times, book groups for adults, computer classes, classes that will assist you with your eReader, programs for teens, and much more. For a full listing of events and programs, check http://www.starklibrary.org/calendar-search and find something that enriches and inspires you today.