Season's Greetings

As I sit here waiting for the big snow or whatever snow finally shows up, I want to wish all of our library friends and supporters a very happy holiday season. As you rush from errand to errand, especially today, when everyone has to go to the store for milk and bread, I want you all to know how much we enjoy seeing and greeting our library "family" all year long.

The library is a public service institution and we aim to serve you. After all, the name of this blog is "At Your Service" and we are here to meet the literary, educational or even the movie and music needs of the community, but no one is just a library card number to us.

So enjoy your holidays and remember we look forward to seeing you soon.

Let's Gather

Fall is the time for gathering. We gather the leaves that fall into piles for jumping or more likely for dumping into bags or the woods. We gather the last of the vegetables from the garden before the first frost. And as the days grow colder, we gather our hats, scarves and mittens from their summer hiding places to wear once again. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, our thoughts turn to a gathering of friends and family.

Have you ever thought of the library as a gathering place? It is a place for everyone in the community. The shelves and display areas have already gathered a wide assortment of reading and listening material. It is all there for the borrowing. The library is a friendly, welcoming place to gather your thoughts as you pause in your busy day. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you browse a magazine or the newspaper. Gather together at a large table to work on a class project with your friends or gather with a group of parents while your children enjoy a story time with Mrs. Brewer.

The library is truly a gathering place of thoughts and people.

Election Day

As librarians, we field many questions, but my favorite ones often come at this time of the year, especially in a national election year. Living in a somewhat transient community, we have residents who have never voted in Connecticut before. They may be familiar with voting procedures in other states, but Ledyard is foreign to them. They are looking for voting guides, sample ballots or even where to vote. I am always happy to locate as much informtion as necessary for them. I love to see democracy in action.

At times, they may even be looking for guidance on how to vote in particular races or questions. No matter how opinionated I may be about political issues, I never share that with patrons. After all, it is the job of a librarian to lead a horse to water; not to make him drink.

Please drink from the fountain of democracy today and exercise your right to vote. No matter who wins, remember it is our choice.

Finding What You Need @ Your Library, or What the Librarian Said

Our lovely summmer is now over, and fall is here along with the beginning of the academic year.
By now many students have probably been assigned a report or paper of some sort. We can help you gather sources for your assignments! In fact, many teachers assign the same projects each year, and we have built up our collection in those areas so that we can serve you better. Here are some suggestions to help you in your search, whether assignment-related or just for your own information.

Your first stop should be the front desk at either the Bill or Gales Ferry Libraries, where the Reference Librarian on duty will assist you in finding all the resources we offer. Bring your assignment with you, if possible. This will help us find exactly what you are looking for.

“It’s 2:00 a.m., do you know where your librarian is?” If you are searching for information after library hours, then use our website: www.lioninc.org/ledyard , and click on the Ledyard Libraries Catalog link. In here you can search for books, videos, music, audio books, etc. in 24 libraries. These include local libraries such as your own Ledyard Libraries, the New London Public, East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Otis Library in Norwich, and others state-wide.


Another great after-hours service is InfoAnytime, which has a button on our webpage. You can chat live with a reference librarian who can help you locate reliable resources on the web, in our catalog, and in the other databases we have access to, including the terrific resources in IConn!

If you have a day or so before you need a reply, then you may also email a reference request to us at: bill-lib@ledyard.lioninc.org . We will get back to you within 48 hours with the information you need.


If you have a laptop, bring it into either library and use our FREE WIFI! Most of the time, there is even a place to plug into an electrical outlet, so you don’t have to use up your battery.
If you don’t own a computer, (or if yours is having issues,) we have computers you can use at both the Gales Ferry and Bill Libraries. Sometimes you may only need to print out something, so just bring in your disc, CD, or jump drive, and you may print out your items in black & white or color. The cost is 10 cents a page for B&W, and 50 cents per page for color printouts. Remember, your first 3 reference prints are free each day. So, if it is informational material obtained from the internet, it counts as reference.

We have a new book on the subject of plagiarism that many of you would find helpful. This book is great for learning how to research and write reports with proper citations. It is also useful in protecting your own creative works! It is a YA book, but can be useful for any age group.

Don’t Steal Copyrighted Stuff !: Avoiding Plagiarism and Illegal Internet Downloading by Ann Gaines.
Call number: YA 808 Gai (Bill Library).

There are other books on the subject at 346.7304 as well.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful in your search for information. And as always, we are happy to help you to find everything you need!

It's a Rainy Day, It's a Rainy Day!

It really is a rainy day and we haven't had too many of those lately. We probably need two or three days of soaking rain to get our water levels up. We will still complain, however, about getting wet and ruined plans and how just plain annoying it is to have a truly rainy day.

Rainy days at the library are never fun. People stay home and don't come visit us or they dash in and drop their wet books on the counter and run back out between the rain drops. We look around for paper towels to dry off the wet items and plastic bags to put books in for a the few people who do show up. There is a whole rainy day routine.

A rainy or snowy (hate to mention that word in September) day doesn't have to separate you from your library, however. By accessing the library homepage on your computer at home, there is a plethora of opportunities waiting for you. I know you use the homepage or you wouldn't be reading this blog, but do you really use the homepage? Have you clicked on all the links to check out library programs, on line data bases and related Ledyard homepages? Just by clicking on the library catalog and going to my account, you can view the items you have checked out, renew any coming due before the rain stops and check to see if any of your requests have arrived at the library, so you can decide if a trip out in the rain is worth it. You can also search the library catalog and request books, movies, audios or magazines that are of interest to you. Check out the downloadable audio link to view the titles that are available to download to your computer and portable listening device (MP3 player, not Ipod), no matter where you are in the world, rainy or not.

So even though it is a rainy day and we can't go out and play, there is still so much that your library offers you.

Read a Good Book Lately?

While you were sitting on the beach or under the wide blue sky this summer, did you read a really good book? Every time someone comes in the library and asks me that question, I never quite know what to answer. Yes, I read a lot of good books over the summer, but my good books may not be your good books. Do you like to read fiction or nonfiction? Do you like mystery or romance? You may think the newest Stephen King is great but I would be scared to death just thinking about one of his books. I wouldn't read a James Patterson book if you paid me, well yes, if you paid me I would, that is just an expression, but I would never pick up one of his books by choice. I wouldn't open a Danielle Steel or a Nora Roberts. In fact, I almost never read anything that appears on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Best sellers, or I must be a changin', however, because I just looked at a recent list and I have read three of the top fiction and one of the nonfiction. I will leave the titles to your imagination, but let me know the good books you have been reading lately and I might just tell.

What is a library?

It is a very changing world we live in. Everyone knows communication and access to information have changed tremendously in a few short years. The library is in the business of dispensing information, yet I wonder if your perception of the library has kept time with the other changes you have accepted in your daily life.

I am hopeful that when you think of a library, the image you get isn't an elderly lady in a bun saying ssh! and guarding her books. We have gotten beyond that, haven't we? After that, I assume your images are all different. Maybe you remember the colorful picture books of the children's department you used to visit or the magazines you browsed through while waiting for your children. Possibly you were a mystery reader once upon a time or loved paperback romances. Do you think those items are all gone? Or worse, do you think we have the same ones on the shelf and there is nothing new for you?

I work in a library, so obviously my perception could be different from yours. I picture a busy place, with patrons browsing shelves of every imaginable genre of fiction and both scholarly and popular nonfiction. People are typing away at computers, paging through the newest issue of a variety of magazines or checking out the latest cd or dvd. A man is chatting with a librarian about the latest David Baldacci novel or someone is stopping by on their way home or to the soccer game to pick up their items they have on hold.

When you think of a library, what do you see?

Summer Reading is Over! But That's Not All

Yes, summer reading is over, or it will be on Saturday, August 2 at 1:00. Get those reading hours and read to me sheets in before the clock strikes 1. We will also be drawing five winners at each library of the Bug Your Parents to Read contest. It has been great seeing all the entries from our reading families.

For those who have been procrastinating all summer, there are still over three weeks before the school buses run. So stop in to pick up the books from the school recommended summer reading lists. If you or your high school student are planning on reading the One Book One Region selection, Life is So Good, there is a waiting list, so get your request in as soon as possible.

Teens don't forget the ice cream social at Gales Ferry Library on August 15 at 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded and you get to brainstorm ideas for future teen programs.

One Book One Region programs run through out August with the culmination of the program coming September 23-25 when co-author Richard Glaubman returns to the area to speak in Norwich, New London and Groton. For more information go to www.onebookoneregion.org.

Summer reading may be over but there is more summer to come.

One Book One Region

One Book One Region, or OBOR, has been around for several years in Southeastern Connecticut,
It is a collective effort of area libraries to select one book annually for everyone in the region to read and discuss. Over the years, we have read classics, like Fahrenheit 451 or newcomers, such as, The Kite Runner. All of the chosen titles have touched on current topics of discussion including prejudice, censorship, illegal immigration and poverty.

The OBOR group meets during the winter to chose a title. Many books are reviewed before the final selection. An attempt is made to find a book with a living author willing to visit the area and also available in different reading and listening formats. The author visits the area in the spring for the kick off and returns in September for several appearances. During the summer, area libraries hold book discussions and programming involving the chosen topic.

The book selected this year is Life Is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman. The book follows the life of Mr. Dawson through his 100 + years, with the theme of overcoming adversity and life getting better. Since George Dawson did not learn to read until he was 98, it also explores the benefits of literacy.

Using these themes, Marty Hubbard, Senior Assistant Librarian, has organized a wonderful selection of activities for adults this summer. I am a bit late in writing, to invite you to the first two excellent movies, "Nightjohn" and "There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace", but both are available to borrow from the library. Don't miss the next two movies "Resting Place" on Wednesday, July 30 and "Pride of Jesse Hallam" on August 5. Both will be shown at Bill Library at 7:00 p.m.

Two more programs will also be held at Bill Library this summer. Wednesday, August 6, representatives from Elderhostel and Adventures in Lifelong Learning will speak at 7:00 p.m. The following week, August 13, at the same time, Susan Townsley, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Southeastern Connecticut, will speak on literacy and their programs.

The Ledyard Libraries will hold their discussion of Life is So Good, on Wednesday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m at Bill Library. Susan Topping from Three Rivers will lead the discussion. If you haven't read the book yet, call either of the libraries or go online to reserve your copy.

One Book One Region. What a great idea! Join in.

Summer Reading

The last two weeks have been very busy here at the Ledyard Libraries. School is out and children are pouring in to play the summer reading games. I just haven't had the time to write. Hopefully, you have all been too busy to read because you were preparing for your own summer vacations. Probably not the ten week variety like the school children, but at least a week or two in some warm, sunny location where you can just relax, forget about work and read a good book.

That's right! Haven't you all just been waiting for those great beach reads that seem to hit the shelves every year, just as you are heading off to soak up the sun. While you are packing for the long weekend coming up or daydreaming about your plans for August, here is a list of new books that will fit nicely in your beach bag. Library books, however, prefer to stay high and dry.

If you are looking to solve global warming or find world peace, I will do another list for you later. This list is for pure enjoyment.

Fearless Fourteen. Janet Evanovich-Stephanie Plum rides again.
The Host. Stephanie Meyer-The Twilight author for grownups.
Sail. James Patterson- Yes, another Patterson book.
Chasing Harry Winston. Lauren Weisberger- More gossip from the author of The Devil Wears Prada
Love the One You're With. Emily Giffin- Depends on who you are vacationing with?
Nothing to Lose. Lee Child- The latest Jack Reacher.
The Beach House. Jane Green- The first of several that just scream summer reading.
Summer Blowout. Claire Cook - The second " " " ".
Moon Shell Beach. Nancy Thayer - The third " " " ".
Odd Hours. Dean Koontz - Scary and odd once again.
Sleeping Arrangements. Madelaine Wickham - The real Sophie Kinsella.
Phantom Prey. John Sandford - The umpteenth prey novel.
The Queen of Babble Gets Hitched. Meg Cabot - For those who loved the Princess Diaries.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames. David Sedaris. Only 3% fiction but a great read.
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. Chelsea Handler- For those having a fun vacation.

A little something for everyone to enjoy for summer reading.

What was Dewey Doing?

Many of you have some knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System, but do you know who came up with the system? In the library world, we have many reasons to be thankful for Melvil Dewey.

Mr. Dewey was born in the hamlet of Adams Center, New York in 1851. For those of you who didn't grow up in another hamlet, not far from Adams Center, like I did, more information might be necessary. Adams Center is located in Jefferson County, which borders Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in northern New York State. Adams Center is about ten miles south of Watertown, the largest city in the county. It was reported in Melvil's obituary that he walked to Watertown to purchase his first dictionary.

From his humble beginnings, however, Melvil Dewey went on to Amherst College, where he received both bachelor and masters degrees. It was while working in the college library that he came up with his decimal system of classifying books. This system uses numbers to divide all subjects into ten main classifications. Those ten sections are further broken down into subject areas that are represented by decimals. Although subjects have changed over the last 130 years, Dewey's system has accommodated those changes. He may have never forseen computers, but they were able to fit nicely into 000-099. Take a look in the 100's for philosophy, 200's are religion, 300's social sciences, 400's language, 500's pure sciences, 600's technology and applied sciences, 700's the arts, 800's literature and 900's geography and history. Since most public libraries use Melvil's system, you can be assured of finding what you are looking for whatever library you visit.

Mr. Dewey didn't stop with his decimal system, however. He went on to establish the first library science school and found the American Library Association and the Library Journal. He was even on the organizing committee for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics in 1932. Unfortunately, he died in December of 1931, but not before accomplishing much in his 80 years.

76 Trombones

Seventy six trombones led the big parade. Well, maybe not, but come this Sunday, the Ledyard Memorial Day Parade will march up Colonel Ledyard Highway. Participating, once again, this year will be your own librarians from the Ledyard Public Library. The library has been a constant presense in the Memorial Day parade for over fifteen years. Not only a regular participant, but a trophy winning entry and we have the trophy to prove it at Gales Ferry Library.

Over the years, we have been everything from sea creatures to African adventurers, with a few jungle animals thrown in. Intrepid librarians have dressed up in spots, long flowing gowns and duck- billed hats, all in the name of community fun. We are the ones passing out bookmarks and candy too.

This year, again, we should be easy to spot. Just look for the bright yellow bins! Several years ago, Wendy Peterson, a library patron, originated the School Friends of the Library program. With a grant from the Dime Savings Bank, the library was able to purchase additional children's books and bright yellow bins to transport the books to elementary classrooms in Ledyard by volunteer parents. Let's just say, we have found another creative way to use the bins.

Since the summer reading theme is Catch the Reading Bug, look for bins and bugs in Ledyard Center on Sunday at 1:00.

Ledyard Library Friends

We all appreciate our friends. They may not be named Phoebe, Ross or Monica but they are near and dear to to us. The library is no different.

Most of the year, our friends are behind the scenes. You may not even know they are there, but we do. Twice a year, however, they shine. The Gales Ferry Library booksale starts on May 29 this year. If you are a dues paying member of the Ledyard Library Friends, you can come to the sneak peak on May 28 from 6:00 to 8:00. The Bill Booksale will take place in early September, the week after Labor Day and overlapping with the Ledyard Fair. These two events are the cornerstones of the fundraising efforts done by the Ledyard Library Friends.

Many of the items you take for granted in our libraries, would not even exist without the generosity of the Ledyard Library Friends. Programs, shelves, tables, computer desks, printers and media racks would all disappear if we lived in a friendless world.

The most amazing part of this is, however, is the small number of people who accomplish so much. It would seem if we had more friends, it would make life easier for the friends we have now and give the library even more to appreciate.

Do we have more friends out there? Ask how to participate in the Ledyard Library Friends at either library or when you visit the booksale.

Things They Never Taught You at Library School

Interesting things seem to happen nearly every day when you work in a library. Many of them are easily addressed by the wonderful course offerings librarians have sat through. Reference, cataloging, material selection and computer courses are very handy in solving the do you have" and "how do I find" problems. Every so often, however, something happens that you never were taught at library school.

Here is our quick list.

- squirrel mouth to mouth resuscitation (when the cute baby squirrels that fall out of the tree in front of the library are barely breathing)

-plunging toilets (the lady's room toilet is plugged again and you get to plunge it because you earn the big bucks)

-catching mice (what do you do when a little mouse runs across the floor)

-removing cars from the building (somebody missed the brake)

-cleaning up body fluids (use your imagination here)

-restarting the furnace (can't pay a repairman to come on the weekend)

-getting a cat out from under a car (patron won't leave until cat is removed)

That's our list, now please tell us yours.

National Library Week

In case you missed it, this past week was designated as National Library Week. Of course, here at the Ledyard Public Libraries, we think every week should be library week. We are possibly a little prejudiced.

Through history, however, there have been many famous people who valued libraries. In Love's Labour's Lost, William Shakespeare wrote "They are the books, the arts, the academes, that show, contain and nourish all the world." Many years later, Lady Bird Johnson expressed her appreciation of libraries, "Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest." The famous author Lemony Snicket said "A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them."

I am sure Charles Schulz was a library fan. This week, a special patron of the Gales Ferry Library brought us a Peanut's cartoon about librarians and a lovely treat to celebrate National Library Week. Those of us who work in libraries understand their unique place in the community and it is always nice to have that celebrated.

Hopefully you won't suffer the fate of 19th century observer, Tom Masson, who said, "Seventy million books in America's libraries, but the one you want to read is always out." If only poor Tom had known to check with his librarian. I am sure she could have gotten it for him quickly through interlibrary loan or easily recommended a similiar title.

Magical History Tour

If the weather cooperates this Saturday, local historians Jan Bell and Kit Foster will be leading a walking tour of Gales Ferry Village. Even though I have lived in Gales Ferry for nearly thirty years, I know there is much I can learn from these two experts. Jan, who has authored several histories of the town, has actually lived in town for over seventy years. Kit is the author of the popular Images of America book, Ledyard and Gales Ferry. Coincidentally, these items are available for sale at the local libraries.

There are many questions about and places to explore in our fair village. Do you know where the original Gales Ferry Library was located? How about Norman's store or the Gales Ferry Country Club? What are the origins of the Harvard-Yale Regatta? Or is it the Yale-Harvard Regatta? Probably the biggest question is the name of the village. Why is it called Gales Ferry, when Roger Gale only owned the ferry for five years and others ran it much longer? We are also looking for the apostrophe that fell off Gale's at some unknown point.

So many questions, so many places on so few streets! Come walk with us and get to know our hometown.

Bracketology

I am not sure that bracketology is even a word. I am pretty sure it isn't in Websters, but it is definitely part of your vocabulary every March, if you are like millions of people who fill out those brackets for the NCAA mens, or maybe womens, basketball tournaments. ESPN even employs a full time bracketologist, although I am not sure what he does the rest of the year. Now that the tournaments have reached the sweet sixteen, you may, like me, just want to throw the thing out before another of your final four teams loses.

The fascination with brackets, however, continues. Just think what we could do with brackets in the literary world. We could start with a field of 64 contemporary authors. The heavy hitters like James Patterson, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts and John Grisham would get number 1 seeds, with competition from the likes of Mary Higgins Clark, Janet Evanovich, Stephen King and David Baldacci, while the mid-majors Steve Martini, Lisa Scottoline, Joy Fielding and Jeffrey Archer are probably 4th or 5th seeds. I hesitate to put anyone in the "just barely made it" sixteenth seeds, but they should be happy just to be included. I am sure there will be complaints from those who get left out. For them, we will have to invent an A.I.T. (Authors Invitational Tournament).

Who would be your final four picks? The heavy hitters prevail or an upstart winner like Sophie Kinsella?

Beware the Ides of March

Ever since poor old Julius Caesar bit the dust on March 15, 44 B.C., the ides have gotten a bad name. A sense of impending doom or dire predictions seems to hover over a perfectly innocent day. The soothsayer who told Julius to "beward the ides of March" probably knew that March 15 wasn't going to be a very good day for the dictator, but did he have to consign it to ignomy.

No one says bad things about the ides of any other month. In fact, until I began doing some research on the ides of March, I had no idea that there were ides in other months. The ides of May, July and October are also on the 15th. In the other months, however, they are on the 13th. If I wanted to spend more time on this interesting subject, I could probably come up with a reason to malign every other ides, but the ones that fall on Friday the 13th have enough trouble already.

All of this goes back to the Roman calendar. It was centered around not only the ides, but also the kalends (1st day of the month) and the nones (7th day in March, May, July and October and 5th day in all other months).

So brush up on your Shakespeare (Julius Caesar) or your study of Roman history, but I am pretty sure there is no reason for you to beware the ides of March or May or July or October.

February 29

I couldn't pass up the chance to blog on February 29. After all, you only get that chance once every four years.

Since it only appears once every four years, I don't think the date gets much respect. I distinctly remember the old rhyme from elementary school - Thirty days has September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31, except February which has 28 and then my memory is completely gone. It was just too hard to remember, even though it probably rhymed. Poor old February 29 is just like Rodney Dangerfield and it can't even try harder. I have not seen any movements afoot to have it every two years, for instance.

There is one benefit, however. If you are born on February 29, you only have to celebrate a birthday every four years. That could come in handy, except for those occasions when you really do want to own up to your age, like turning 60 and not having to pay library fines anymore. So everyone who turned 15 today make sure you get your library record updated!

Good bye February 29. See you again in four years!

Hard to Say Good Bye

Kathy Drury has been the library secretary forever. Well, maybe not forever, but it seems like she invented the position. She was there when I first worked at the library in 1988 and there when I returned in 2000. After today, she won't be there. The Ledyard Libraries will never be quite the same.

Kathy didn't just type letters, create catalog cards and spine labels, process books, order supplies, pick up papers and the mail, file and do video/audio swaps . Kathy kept us all from taking ourselves too seriously. She always had a remark to cover the occasion perfectly. I will always remember her glee when I sat down at the computer next to her desk to struggle with the library commission treasurer's report. My fledgling computer skills and frustration were her entertainment for the day. Or how she continually asked if I had gotten that boy a cat yet. For the record, that boy is 23, so I guess she has been here almost forever.

Kathy has been both the backbone and the heart of the library. We will try to stand strong without her. We will welcome her replacement and look forward to her expertise and style, but it just won't seem quite right without that impish grin and chuckle as we go about our day here at the Ledyard Libraries.

I welcome others to post their Kathy stories.

Keep Your Chin Up

So your season didn't turn out to be perfect after all, Patriot fans. In a few days, or weeks, 18-1 won't seem so bad, but right now I know it hurts. Fortunately for me, I don't have to feel that hurt, being a New York Giant fan. And not having won a Super Bowl since 1991, unlike three in the 2000's, it seems only fair. Of course, I could be a Cleveland Brown's fan and never had a taste from that "bowl." As some talk radio hosts suggested, however, the Giants victory in no way makes up for the Red Sox comeback in 2004! Football and baseball are two very different things. I doubt all Giant fans are Yankee fans or Patriot fans are Red Sox fans. The Mets must have a few fans out there.

While I have been rambling on about Giants and Patriots, I think I may have come up with a theme for the Adult Winter Reading Program next year. So cheer up Patriot fans, there is always next year. While you are waiting, stop in at either library and answer the quiz question to enter the weekly raffle. You never know, your luck may be changing already!

We Still Have Books too

It was wonderful to see everyone at the Bill Library Open House last night. Those of us who don't work with children, don't often get to talk to such a fine group of good listeners. It was fun being able to share all the new features of library service with you. As someone commented to me afterwards, it was also good for you to hear that we still have books.

In our effort to promote all the new and exciting tools we have to offer, it may seem that we have lost sight of books. If I have anything to say, that will never happen. Books are still the backbone of every library. In this "hurry up" generation, the downloadable audio book may be music to your ears, but for many of us the heft of a book and the turning of a page are what satisfy our souls.

The nice thing is you can have the best of both worlds. By using our new technology, you can find new books, similiar to your favorites, using ICONN or Librarything. You can search for books in the library catalog and put them on hold from the comfort of your own home. We even have a favorite author list. You give us a list of authors that you always want to read their new book and we will put the hold on the book for you. If you are homebound, we will find a volunteer to bring the books to your home. Unfortunately, we can't do that for everyone, but we will hold them for up to a week, so you have time to get here to pick them up.

Stop in and peruse the new book shelf or search on line, there are many interesting books just waiting for you.

Are You Missing Out?

There are so many things going on at the library these days, that my head is spinning trying to keep up with them. I am responsible for sending out press releases, so I know all of the events that are happening over the next couple months. I am wondering, however, if we are reaching all the people who would like to take advantage of the free programs that the library sponsors. I am probably preaching to the choir if you are reading this blog because you had to go to the library web page to access it. The web page is an excellent source of library information. This blog was created to enhance the web page information and give people a chance to give us feedback. I haven't seen much feedback but I am still hoping.

In January, alone, we have had a family friendly hike, the beginning of a new story hour session, a Stitch and Dish gathering, and teen writing workshop. Coming soon are a book discussion and the beginning of the winter reading program for adults.

February we will bring you a travel program, Russian cuisine to sample, a hike at Morgan Reservoir and the monthly book discussion, teen writing workshop and knitting groups.

I hope we are reaching everyone who wants to attend all these interesting activities, but if you know anyone who hasn't heard, please pass the word around.

We are trying all the time to find new and interesting activities to offer our patrons, so please samply our offerings and let us know what else you are interested in. We'd love to hear from you.

New Year's Resolutions

Did you make any resolutions for 2008? Every December as the new year approaches, my mind always always shifts to the things I should be doing better. Whether it be personal improvement or job related, there is a buzzer that goes off in my head every year approaching January 1. This is probably the result of years of subliminal advertising or outright questions.

This year I have decided to try very hard to subvert the process. Isn't it ridiculous that we only make the effort to change our bad habits on January 1? Why can't we make July or September resolutions? I certainly need improvement all year long. I know the intention of those New Year's resolutions is to make them last forever, but what if you want to make a change in August. Do you have to wait until January to start it? From now on, I am going to make resolutions all year long, but hopefully not the same ones!

So I am going to make a resolution now, that has nothing to do with the fact it is January 4. I am going to do a much better job of blogging from now on. And that is not a New Year's resolution!