October 2008

Storytime

Fall Oct. 2
Fire Safety Oct 9
Pizza, Popcorn, Pasta Oct. 16
Scarecrows & Pumpkins Oct. 23
Halloween Oct. 30
Squirrels Nov. 6

Evening Storytime will be Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 6:30. Scarecrows & Pumpkins is the theme. Jane Horn will present the Thursday morning Fire Safety program. Thanks to the Ashley Community Fire Company for fire safety promotional materials.

The Halloween program will be one of costumes and treats. Families who do not participate in that holiday should be aware of the topic.

Home School Book talk will be Tuesday October 28 at 10:30. That’s National Fingerprint Day. What’s the topic ? It’s a Mystery. You’ll just have to attend to find out what educational fun is available and what there might be to eat.

The Scarecrow Workshop was a big success with 28 adults and children participating. Winners of the town scarecrow contest will be announced at the October 4, Fishing Derby. Many thanks to Rotary Products for the wood, Elaine McFarland for village coordination, and all those enthusiastic designers. Liz Barker really enjoyed seeing busy, happy people at Mandy Bear’s House. Maybe this should be a yearly event.

The School Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat Night dates are not confirmed. The library will be in line, as usual passing out bookmarks and candy. It’s a great tradition and fun to watch.
Voter registration deadline is Oct. 6.

The big storm left the library unscathed and with power to provide local residents with Internet access and some cell phone recharging plus some incidental perks for employees such as fresh hot coffee and hair dryer power. Nobody checked out any of theY2K survival or living without electricity books. If only we could have had cable TV and a projector. Thanks to custodian Don Baldwin and library neighbor/supporter Lyn Heine for cleanup. She also had the hanging branches taken cleared.

Please welcome Jane Horn, a new employee at the library. Jane has volunteered for the past couple of years both here and at BVEE school library. She has a master’s in library science, a background in the sciences, experience in working with MOPS - and we are delighted to have her on the staff. I could go on but you’ll soon find your own reasons for appreciating her.
Illness and an assortment of other recent staffing complications have pointed up a need for an additional staff person. Extra staff hours can help and will provide improved service to the community. We hope that will also be appreciated.

Teen Read Week is Oct. 12 -18. Books with Bite is the theme, with a bow to those popular vampire stories or maybe something to eat.

Heroes Breakfast nomination forms for 2008 are available. Nominate your local hero today. The deadline is October 20. The breakfast is Nov. 25 and will also honor Children’s Writing winners.

The “Best” season is upon us. Poetry, short stories, science essays, mystery stories…the list could go on but those are our standard additions. These collections supplement our collection with contemporary works by various authors providing good reading and a snapshot of the year.
Moving more books. In the back room corner where inspirational fiction meets biographies there’s some extra space filled with short stories, Louie L’Amour, Harvard classics, and a similar set by Black’s Readers Service. It might be worth a look. It’s opposite the “classics” collection which also deserves some readers other than high school English students.

Library cards for 20 new patrons were applied for at the fair. The cinch back packs were very popular and a great promotion for all the Delaware County Libraries. Thanks to board members Michael Wion and Shirley Thurston who helped staff the booth.

Voter information on candidates and issues, including newspaper items and The League of Women Voter’s guide, is available at the library.

Interlibrary Loan requests for September numbered 19 including several DVDs and audio books. We loaned 58 materials to other libraries. Don’t be shy about asking for materials you want.

The Ashley Walking Club has met twice with seven or eight people participating. See the town, meet your neighbors, and enjoy some exercise. They meet at the library at 7:00 on Sunday evening.

We’re ordering new DVDs (including Lars and the Real Girl). Your recommendations are welcome.

Magazines are getting a fresh professional look from “serials manager” Jane Horn. Keeping up with back issues and donations has always seemed to be a challenge. Carly Swagler’s volunteer time helped sort through some areas. Get your name on the list now for end of the year discards.

Available at your library: ABLE/GED/ESOL schedules, HEAP forms, hunting & trapping permissions, Arts Castle brochures, This Week, The Council Communicator, absentee ballot requests, and a variety of miscellaneous brochures.