This gavel opens and closes every TAB meeting. It was carved by TAB secretary and photographer, William Musterman.

Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of a gavel calls Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to order. But the gavel that TAB president, Colleen Kelly, uses isn’t just some run-of-the-mill gavel. This gavel was hand-carved by one of TAB’s very own members.

William Musterman, 17, is the secretary and photographer for our Teen Advisory Board, and he also happens to be quite the skilled woodworker.

Musterman had the idea to carve a gavel because he wanted something for TAB’s president to use while presiding over their meetings. Musterman attended a recent library Board of Trustees meeting and was impressed by their gavel. He set to work crafting a gavel for TAB in late December, spending more than 70 work hours fabricating the gavel.

“I decided to make the gavel out of the blue, and then give it to our president,” Musterman said.

Musterman worked with his great-grandfather, who is a former member of the International Wood Collectors Society, on the project.

The gavel has thoroughly impressed his fellow TAB members.

“When I first saw it, I was amazed when he said he made it,” said Russell Pearman, 18, TAB photographer.

Musterman, who has been using the library since his early childhood, is active in TAB and can often be found hanging out in the The Edge, the library’s teen area.

“William is a very dedicated volunteer who really cares about helping the library.  The handmade gavel is an example of how he goes above and beyond as a volunteer,” said Lena Vogt, teen services specialist.

1. SCHEDULE STUDY TIME

“You can expect that your child will have homework of some kind,” said LeAnn Petrie, Youth Service Supervisor. “It’s important to give kids a predictable time and place to study.”

The library can provide that place with the Oveson-Campbell Homework Center. It is open Monday through Thursday from 4-8pm and Sunday from 2-6pm during the school. The homework coaches, Leah Anderson and Tracie Hundley, both have degrees in education and help K-12 students.

2. GET HELP WITH HOMEWORK EARLY

Some students come to the center only once or periodically. Others come in every night after school.

“Right after progress reports, kids come in with big stacks of make-up work. It’s easier if they come in every day so they don’t get behind,” Hundley said.

Kids do not even need a library card to use the Homework Center computers. Coaches will help students log in to type papers, do research, find pictures for projects, play a educational game – anything related to learning. Kids can even print items related to their assignments for free.

3. USE OUR ONLINE RESOURCES

For younger students, try Bookflix for help learning to read. Opposing Viewpoints is a good resource for older students. In the library you can access American History and State Geography for free homework help. Other online resources include databases, encyclopedias, and “Culturegrams,” a web-based program where students can virtually explore other cultures.

“Many of our online resources are set up using national curriculum standards, so you can be sure that your child is looking at something that will meet with the teacher’s approval,” Petrie said.

4. CHECK OUR OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The library offers a lot of programs for school-aged children, like Zoo Animals Live and Crazy Extreme Science for “edutainment.” We also provide silent study rooms for those who need quiet to concentrate.

High school-age students who are contemplating continuing education can use our free ACT and SAT preparatory guides and sample tests online.

Parents who choose to educate their children at home may use curriculum guides at the library as well as resources for activities and reports. No matter where and how your child is educated, the library can help.

5. SIGN UP FOR THE FALL READING PROGRAM (starting Sept. 20)

“Reading is the key to education, which is one reason why it is so important to instill it as a habit in your children,” said LeAnn Petrie, Youth Services supervisor. “After second grade, kids are no longer learning to read; they are reading to learn, so reading affects everything else.”

To help, the library has a Fall Reading Program similar to the summer program. It offers prizes as incentives for children to read, including a free book. Petrie suggests that struggling readers use the library’s audiobooks or CliffsNotes paired with a book to help push them through. Sign up for fall reading at the Youth Services desk or on a bookmobile starting Sept. 20.

Learn more about the fall reading program incentives and sign up today.

The area school with the highest percent of students to read 12 hours during our program win a trophy as well as having its name engraved on a plaque in the library.

Last year’s winning school was Indian Hills Elementary. It’s students read more than 2,100 hours during summer vacation.

“Schools can get competitive over this because summer reading programs keep kids ready for school,” said LeAnn Petrie, Youth Services supervisor. “Normally, kids suffer from learning loss over the summer, but reading can reinforce some of those skills to keep them on track. It’s a very school-friendly program.”

You’ll have to wait until the end of the program on July 29 to see how many students from each school actually completed our program. However, you can check below to see the amount of students who have signed up to participate from each school. There is still time to help your school get to the top, so sign up now and get reading at summerfest.tscpl.org.

Auburn Elementary- 27 percent

Avondale East Elementary- 3 percent

Avondale West Elementary- 12 percent

Berryton Elementary- 22 percent

Bishop Elementary- 10 percent

Cair Paravel Latin- 25 percent

Christ the King Elementary- 15 percent

Elmont Elementary- 14 percent

Farley Elementary- 22 percent

Heritage Christian- 10 percent

Highland Park Central Elementary- 9 percent

Holy Family Catholic-10 percent

Indian Hills Elementary- 34 percent

Jay Shideler Elementary- 34 percent

Linn Elementary- 2 percent

Logan Elementary- 6 percent

Lowman Hill Elementary- 12 percent

Lundgrun Elementary- 1 percent

Mater Dei Catholic- 28 percent

McCarter Elementary- 11 percent

McClure Elementary- 15 percent

McEachron Elementary- 6 percent

Meadows Elementary- 15 percent

Most Pure Heart of Mary- 13 percent

North Fairview Elementary- 18 percent

Pauline Central Elementary- 24 percent

Pauline South Elementary- 19 percent

Pleasant Hill Elementary- 13 percent

Quincy Elementary- 2 percent

Quinton Heights Elementary- 3 percent

Randolph Elementary- 15 percent

Rochester Elementary- 17 percent

Ross Elementary- 7 percent

Rossville Grade- 3 percent

Scott Magnet- 4 percent

Shaner Elementary- 7 percent

Shawnee Heights Elementary- 23 percent

Silver Lake Grade- 8 percent

St. Matthew- 17 percent

State Street Elementary- 6 percent

Stout Elementary- 10 percent

Tecumseh North Elementary- 12 percent

Tecumseh South Elementary- 14 percent

Topeka Adventist- 67 percent

Topeka Collegiate- 7 percent

Topeka Lutheran- 19 percent

Wanamaker Elementary- 17 percent

West Indianola Elementary- 15 percent

Whitson Elementary- 12 percent

Williams Magnet- 7 percent

Read book reviews from our community of summer readers.

Cherry Tomato Couscous Recipe

3 cups cooked couscous*

1/2 a basket of cherry tomatoes, halved

1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces

1 cup cooked chickpeas

1 lemon, cut in half

1 lime, cut in half

about 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

fine grain sea salt

freshly ground pepper

1/3 cup basil or cilantro, chopped

1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Start by giving a good squeeze of lemon and lime juice into a large bowl. Then combine the couscous, tomatoes, cucumber and chickpeas. Add the olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Toss well, taste, and adjust with more of the above until it tastes just right. As a note, this may need a generous amount of salt, and the lemon and lime juices might need to be adjusted depending on how juicy the fruit is.

Add the basil and feta and toss gently until it is evenly dispersed. Serves 4 – 6.

*To cook the couscous: Either follow the package instructions or bring 3 1/2 cups of water to a boil, stir in a scant 2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt and 2 cups of couscous. Cover and remove from heat. Steam 5-10 minutes and then use a fork to fluff the couscous.

Prep time: 10 min

Perennials such as the peonies above can add to a garden without requiring much work.

When juggling the demands of summer, it’s easy to decide that mowing your lawn every other week is as good as your yard is going to get. But you don’t have to sacrifice your home landscaping needs to summer’s craze. These 7 easy tips from our Lawn and Garden Specialist, Kathy Jennings, will brighten the yard with little effort.

1. Use decorative containers to create a low maintenance garden.

2. Plant more perennials. They go on sale at the end of gardening season, and require less effort in the next year.

3. Incorporate more flowering shrubs in your garden. These plants also go on sale at the end of the season, and are fairly low maintenance.

4. Use drought resistant or native plants. These plants only need to be watered until they are “established.” After that, they are hardy as long as their basic soil and sun.

5. Plant with deliberation. Some plants need lots of sun. Others need more shade. Planting them so that each is in an ideal location will cut down on the work you put in, and it makes your plants healthier.

6. Install a drip irrigation system for watering. The water is better used by the plants and it cuts down on the amount of water that is used.

7. Make an appointment with Kathy to discuss your gardening needs. She’s happy to connect you to the perfect Lawn and Garden books, DVDs and magazines to turn your backyard from “oh-boy” to “oh-yeah!”

For more tips about gardening, come to the Xeriscaping event at the library on July 21 at 7 pm. The library’s partners, the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners, will be giving us free professional advice on how to grow a garden while conserving water.

As of June 29, the community has read more than 20,000 hours as part of our Summerfest reading program! Join the community and check out one of the books featured in readers’ reviews below. Remember you don’t have to read something you checked out from the library – though we love it when you do. A book you have at home, a magazine, even the back of a cereal box can count.

Quick link to reviews for Kids | Teens | Adults

Kid Review Round-up

The Ugly Duckling by Irene Bordoy
Kemorie Gay: 4 stars. That swan was pretty.

Hotel for Dogs by Lois Duncan
Killian Hayes: 5 stars. A pawsitively awesome book.

The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams by Rhonda Hayter
Mimi Leiker: 4 stars. Abbie has always wanted a kitten. When she gets one, it turns out to be the famous Thomas Edison as a young boy! Then her mom and dad try so hard to get him back to his oringinal form, but they must find out who did it. Then when they do find out who did it, it turns out to be Dr. March Hall! He was “trying” to help them! Or was he? They must get Tom back to his year!

Lily and the Mixed Up Letters by Deborah Hodge
Emma Curley: 5 stars. This is my favorite book. This is about a girl who is just like me. My mom bought me the book, after I had checked it out from the library. It made me feel better after I read it.

Fast Food by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers
Ivy Komiya: 5 stars. This book was amazing! My daughter loved looking at the pictures, and naming all the different fruits and veggies!! A must read for children of all ages.

Hank the Cowdog: The Watermelon Patch Mystery by John R. Erickson
Ben Steinkuehler: 5 stars. Hank is funny. Drover has six chicken marks. Edie the Raccoon used to live with Hank.  Gourds are bitter. Watermelons are sweet. Moonbeams change gourds to watermelons and they change watermelons to gourds in Hank’s mind. It was a good book. I would recommend it.

Teen Review Round-up

Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes
Victoria Medrano: 5 stars. This book is about a group of kids that go to school on a military base. Their teacher’s brother is in Afghanistan fighting. Their teacher is also very big on theater. At the end of the day, after all their learning, they work on acting and improv. Toward the middle of the school year, their teacher gets a note saying her brother is missing. After she leaves the students make a plan to try and get her old self back. But how can they do that? They start Operation Yes.

Go for the Goal: A Champion’s Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life by Mia Hamm
Kendall Beemer: 5 stars. This book talks about everything from the fundamentals of soccer to what it felt like to win the 1999 Women’s World Cup. Go for the Goal is a must-read for soccer fans of all ages.

Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Chloe Mooradian: 5 stars. Having to read this for a school reading program had me disapointed, beings that this looked like a boring book. Yet, when I opened it and read into the lives of Dr. Manette, Lucy, Darnay, and, most of all Carton, I was enthralled by their stories. Although it takes time to sit down and digest it (I highly recommend sparknotes!) the book is worth its weight in gold and highly recommended – what a good break from all the contemporary novels and a dive into classics!!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Eboni Johnson: 5 stars. This book was about how an Indian on the reservation changes his life around starting by transferring to a new school. But life becomes much harder when white people ignore him, and Indians despise him for being a traitor. But when he earns the respect of the other basketball players and leads them to the play-offs beating his old teammates, he finds that he may have a chance after all. A major theme in this book was to never give up. Even though Arnold had to go through so many hardships he never loses sight of his dreams to make it to the outside world. I really liked the pictures that provide a funnier side in all the seriousness. Also, the jokes were timed well, so they gave off an awkward joke that you feel weird laughing at. One thing I didn’t like was there were a few too many pictures, and some of them seemed unnecessary. Although this book is somewhat inappropriate for kids that are younger, I would still recommend it to anyone who is at least 13 years old. It is a great book to read regardless of boy or girl. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes funny books, but also a more serious reader would enjoy it too. Overall I would say that this is perfect for the average reader.

Betsy and the Emperor by Staton Rabin
Carolyn Kimball: 5 stars. This book was absolutely top shelf! Napoleon Bonaparte has been captured and sent to be a prisoner on the desolate island of St Helena, where he meets young Betsy Balcombe and the two become fast friends. Historical fiction at its greatest.

Adult Review Round-up

The Sentry by Robert Crais
Carie Starbuck: 4 stars. This latest novel from Crais was much more than I expected. I had started reading Crais many years ago when his novels focused on detective Elvis Cole, but strayed away when he took a turn with Joe Pike because I felt Pike’s character lacked the emotion to carry an entire novel. I shouldn’t have worried- Crais not only proves Pike has an emotional side (even as he’s snapping necks!) but also bring in favorite Cole to add contract to Pike’s quiet existence. Loved the novel, though the end resolution occurred in a less whiz-bang way than normal for a Crais novel.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Kara Bush: 5 stars. This book is amazing and my first read by this particular author. I was quite impressed by the character development of multiple characters. I felt, joy, shock, depression and sadness right along with the leads in the book. Will definitely bring a tear to your eye and make you laugh out loud. I strongly recommend this book to any woman.  If you liked A Same Kind of Different as Me, then you will also appreciate this book.

Cemetery of Dreams by S. Mostofi
Heather Johanning: 4 stars. Cemetery of Dreams by S. Mostofi follows characters from high society as well as middle and poorer class Iranians in the years following the revolution of 1979 and the events surrounding the U.S. embassy hostage taking by Iranian students and the failed U.S. military attempt to rescue them, “Operation Eagle Claw.” The story is about Arman who is taking care of his sick father. He is dragged into supporting the CIA coup against the regime. He enlists a group of 400 soldiers to help him and is faced with betrayals and intrigue on all sides. The author doesn’t shy away from painting the reality of the situation. The story of the kid being executed for the `crime’ of his parents is heartbreaking (it’s based on actual events) and in my mind, exemplifies how people can lose their humanity and common sense in a time of crisis.

High Country by Willard Wyman
Spencer N Neill: 5 stars. A great read for those who like the thrill of Westerns but long for the sophistication of literature. The characters will challenge and the descriptions of the high country they live and work in will take your breath away. I highly recommend it.

Twice a Spy by Keith Thomson
Kyle Stueven: 4 stars. Twice a spy was an incredible edge-of-the-seat ride. The characters developed well and the plot moves very well. This is the first book that I have read by Keith Thomson. This is a sequel to Once A Spy. However, you do not necessarily need to read the first one to pick up the story-line. This was a  great read.

The exhibit will open at the First Friday Artwalk on June 3 and will run until August 12. Richardson is a freelance photographer and native Kansan who works for National Geographic Magazine.

Richardson has 57 prints hanging in the gallery, which have been grouped in threes. Each group connects cross-cultural themes. From parties to geography, the photo groupings capture the essence of the people and places they depict. The exhibit shows that all cultures have similarities, no matter where in the world they are.

“The themes of life are based around basic activities of eating, sleeping and play,” Richardson said. “But there’s a lot of variation inside of each of those themes. The world is a big place. I wanted to group them so that younger viewers could see connections across time and space.”

The entrance of the gallery will display the library’s private collection of shoes. There are no Gucci or Prada designs here, but visitors will see shoes made of wood and shoes meant for women who have had their feet bound. The various shoes are also from different time periods and cultures and mirror the themes of Richardson’s work.

The exhibit will be featured as part of the First Friday Artwalk on July 1. Also, Richardson will be here to show more photos from his journeys around the world and discuss his photography and the cultures he has visited at his Artist’s Talk at 3pm July 2.

Kids, and kids at heart, can tell their own travel stories through drawing activities inside the gallery.

The shoes and Richardson’s photographs are all part of the library’s Summerfest theme, “One World, Many Stories,” which focuses on travel and reading. Anyone can sign up for the program at summerfest.tscpl.org and earn prizes for reading.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique, meeting rooms, and free computer and Internet access and training.

Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.