January 2010

Storytime : (10:00am Thursday morning)
Unbirthday Party Jan. 7
Alphabet Adventure Jan. 14
Soup Month Jan. 21
Snow Jan. 28

The Friends of the Library will meet Thursday January 7 at 7:00pm. Don Yarman from the Delaware County District Library will talk about their Friends group and levy campaigning.

The Bookmark Society will meet Thursday evening January 28 at 6:30. The book selected is The Good, Good Pig by Sy Montgomery. All book lovers are welcome.

The Library Board met December 14 and appointed David Knape to replace trustee Bob Ziegler who recently resigned due to illness. The board also voted to begin the process of placing a 1.8 mill, 5 year levy on the ballot in May 2010. Other business included extending through 2010 the suspension of limiting benefits to staff who averaged at least 20 hours a week. In the absence of specific benefit provisions benefits are pro-rated for all staff.

David Knape has lived in the village for several years and has been active in various capacities including being a member of village council. He is experienced in grant applications and should be a great asset during this stressful time. We are fortunate to have him as a member of the board of trustees and appreciate his interest.

Book and movie donations for November were $55 plus twelve movies and five books. Many have donated children’s supplies. Many thanks to all and best wishes for the New Year.

1099s and W2s. Earned Income Tax Credit free filing will again be available at the Wornstaff Library on February 13 from 10:00 - 2:00. This service is also available for qualifying persons at the Delaware office January 23 to April 15. Call 369-3316 for an appointment.

Patron list update : Please let us know of any changes - especially in telephone numbers. We try to keep our catalog and patron list current by deleting long overdue and lost materials and former patrons who have moved. Both aspects are complicated by needing a “delinquent” record.

Magazine subscriptions paid by patrons include Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics, National Geographic. Hunting and fishing magazines will be renewed with money donated by The Delaware Fish and Game Association.

Recent DVD donations include Up (BVEE PTO), 40 Year old Virgin, Seven Pounds, Wolverine, Duplicity, Lakeview Terrace, Snow Buddies, and Speed Racer.

The other side : The case for Jeff Dunham Spark of Insanity was found on top of the bookshelves without the DVD - apparently taken out of the bookdrop. The Hunger Games is also missing and presumed stolen. Need we repeat that especially during a time when we can’t afford to purchase new materials non-returned and stolen items cause a lot of distress - to the library and the community.

Hunting permission slips available.

Ashley Doings : The G and K has closed its doors, also affected by illness. Perhaps its success will encourage something similar. It was, allegedly, the best place to buy milk in town and who can measure the advantage of not having to drive 10 miles for some small hardware item. What about The Phoenix Bakery?? Progress looks promising.

There was a survey on the Best in Delaware. It’s been interesting to watch Ashley change and cope in recent years. We should have our own Best in Ashley survey, where to walk for instance. The Ashley Walkers have not managed to get restarted but there are plenty of walkers in Ashley. Some people actually come into town to walk or run. Ashley Road north is a less trafficked route and the cemetery has its advantages. Does anyone have other recommendations?

Staff schedules for January are straight out of the book with no vacations or ills or other interruptions. The past months have been more challenging and we’re glad to have everyone well and here.

January suggestions : It’s time to start perusing garden catalogs and getting ready for spring. Don’t put those cookbooks away; just turn to soups and casseroles and slow cooked favorites. Ditto for the craft books now that any Christmas gift making pressure is gone. Learn to knit or crochet. Try some felting or calligraphy. Build a bookcase. Check out a foreign language movie or that serious book for those long winter evenings. Discovery Kits for the preschool set and Home Learning Media for older ones provide extra activities the whole family can enjoy. Hurry ; the days are already getting longer.

Game Day hosted 8 youth, producing some creative Lego designs, introducing games, and distributing our candy supply. You can try this at home. Thanks to those who shared their Legos.