Technology allows us to place holds through our online catalogue or with a librarian.  New City members place thousands of requests each month.  The title you select is placed in a queue in the order it was received.  You might be 27th when you check the list, but just a few hours later you are notified that the item is here at the library.  How could that be?  The queue includes all requests throughout the RCLS system.  However, location, location, location is key.  New City members receive priority on our material.  When a requested New City owned item is checked in, the first New City member in the queue gets it. If all our copies are out, another library may be able to supply the title.  Also if we don't own the item, your request is sent to another library that does own it.  Our transit delivery system is an integral part of 'reserve fulfillment.'  Our library receives over 3000 items a month from throughout the system!

Many Rocklanders have fond childhood memories of the Lower East Side of New York. This area was a nesting area for many immigrants to begin a new life in a new country during the early 20th century. On Wednesday, July 27 starting at 1:30 PM, licensed NYC tour guide, Martin Schneit, will guide you through these streets from the seats of the library. Please join us.

One heat wave's behind us.  The weather forecasters predict that more scorching temperatures are on their way.  Walking around outside at noon feels a bit like vacationing on Mercury.  But hey, no sweat-- I have just the book for you! 

When your air conditoner is laboring and it's too hot to sleep, you can always rely on a good, gripping horror novel to freeze you to the marrow.  As a bonus, all the titles I've selected are set in icy climes: Antarctica, Scandinavia, Alaska, Russia, northern Canada-- even deep space!  Let the library help you beat your soaring electric bill this month with our own brand of chilling out.  (And if these don't work... don't forget that the library is air conditioned!)

Tucked underneath a staircase lies one of the library’s special collections. Our international language section has always contained Spanish, Korean and Russian titles. Recently though a cart has made an appearance with our latest collection: Hindi! Fifty titles, mostly fiction with a few great non-fiction books, have been purchased and made available to all borrowers. Enjoy!

Cocktails, Sodas, Smoothies, Shakes, Juices, Teas, Coffees!  There is a whole host of drinks that will enliven our mundane tastes of the usual, especially for the heat filled summer.  These refreshing and tantalizing beverages will bring a whirlwind of activity among your guests to create various concoctions of their own.  When I ask some of my colleagues what their favorite cocktail is, such delight appears on their faces.  One favorite is “Cool as a Cucumber” with muddled cucumber, Absolut, St. Gemain, ginger beer, and a twist of lime from Morton’s in Chicago.  Another colleague loves her Bourbon Manhattan but she reminds me not to forget the best “lemonade” ever - a shot of Southern Comfort, a squeeze of a whole lemon and a tablespoon of sugar.  It makes a great whiskey sour!  Well, if they’re happy describing them to me, I could imagine how "high in spirit" they would be after consuming these drinks.