Library Log 5/29/08

Notes from the back room:

I was recently talking with some friends of mine about public space – you know, common areas we all use. We started talking about a lecture on the Internet site “TED” (Technology, Entertainment, Design.) by James Howard Kunstler. He believes public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. While I don’t agree with half of what the guy said – I must admit to being more of a rural dweller than a city type, his points about common space got me thinking about our community and our library. A variety of folks use our library. Children, teens, knitters, computer users, folks with reference questions, book clubs – you name it, we all use the same 4000 square feet together. As librarians we shush teens and knitters as best we can, but let’s face it, this is not your great grandma’s quiet library. We have a lot going on. This summer we will have a lot more going on. Summer reading program is not a quiet event. So how does a quiet seeker use the library, you might ask? How does the library meet your needs? Well first off I am going to recommend the schedule of events. Gypsy, the assistant director, makes these nice calendars every month that tell you who is doing what and when. They make handy guides to the possible comings and goings here. We also try and arrange the space in sections. Teen area way way way in the back, the adult area way up front. We put tables and chairs in the all the small nooks to provide private space in our public building. Time of day makes a difference too. There are times when this library is so quiet, a pin dropping is deafening! How you use the library and what you need is important to us. So, as always, come by the back room and let me know what you think, I won’t shush you.

Family Movie Night, Tuesday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m.

Come on down in and watch a movie with the family. Complete with Soda, popcorn, and a comfy place to sit. This event is open to all ages so bring the whole family for a fun, free, movie night. We will be watching “A Bug’s Life”

Kids Art Day, Wednesday, June 18th at 1:30 p.m.

Former teacher and local Art Instructor Cicely Harman will direct a fun, hands-on art project for kids ages 7 to 11. You don’t need to pre-register, just come ready to get creative and maybe a little messy. She will also be conducting an art workshop for the teen summer reading program on Thursday June 26th at 1:00 p.m . For young adults enrolled in the program.

Writing Your Life, Tuesday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m.

This workshop will be presented by local Author Jean Smith. Jean has published an excellent guide book to writing your life story. The book is full of prompts that will really get your creativity and memories flowing. She will share with you what she knows about this process and how you can make it work for you.

Art Reception for Mary Booth, Friday, June 6th at 5:00 p.m.

Art Reception for this month’s featured artist Mary Booth. Mary is an accomplished painter whose career has spanned several decades. Mary’s work includes a variety of painted scenes including Western Themes, Outdoor/Nature, Wildlife, Native American, and Ranching. Mary’s work will be on display throughout the month of June.

MOVIE CLUB, Tuesday, June 3rd at 6:30 p.m

The Movie Club will be watching and discussing the documentary “The Secret” about the power of positive thinking. All ages are welcome to join us to view the film on this thought provoking philosophy that has recently become a worldwide phenomenon and join us for an open discussion afterward.

Summer Reading Programs

The Summer Reading Programs for kids and teens kick off the week of June 10. Stop in for details and to register the first week of June. Themes this year are “Bugs, Bugs, Bugs” for the little ones and “Metamorphosis” for Young Adults in grades 6 – 12. Prizes, presenters, and food will be provided for the 6 week program.

Library Log 5/22/08

Robin’s Observations from the front desk: We at the library, after attending the CLiC conference, decided it would be great for us to start a blog (which is the short of “web log”.) This is just another way we are trying to reach out to you, the community. The reason we started it is because it’s another way to get the word out on what we are doing, but the main reason is that it is a way for you, the patron, to comment on what we are doing and also give us suggestions on other things we could do. So, please feel free to check it out and leave us some feedback! You can get to it by going to our website www.florencecolibrary.org and clicking on the link called Library Blog or you can go directly to the blog at: http://jcflibrary.wordpress.com/

Notes from the back room: Boy oh boy is June going to be exciting! We are doing inventory! Yeah, ok so that isn’t really exciting, can’t say I didn’t try. By doing inventory we are hoping to find misplaced and lost books and get everything ship shape for the year. In case the inventory thing didn’t get you all excited, June is also the kick off to the Summer Reading Programs. Every Tuesday, June 10^th until July 15^th , at 10:00 am there will be an exciting program at the library for the kids. The children’s theme is BUGS! The Teen Summer Reading Program will be on Thursdays, June 12^th through July 17^th from 1:00 until 2:30 pm. The teen theme is METAMORPHOSIS! Get ready for a creepy crawly summer! We are also going to try something a little new with something that is a little old. Our old card catalog doesn’t serve a practical purpose here anymore and we sort of need the space, so we thought we would give it to the person who writes the best essay on the card catalog and what they would do with it if they had it. Essays will be due in to the library by 6:55 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th. Each essay must be accompanied by a $5.00 entry fee donation. Any questions (or if you want to see the old card catalog) come by the back room!

Our Video Submission for Librareo’s Book & Author Contest

Library Log 5/15/08

Robin’s Observations from the front desk: We will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, but will re-open on Tuesday the 27th at 10 a.m. This past week we closed the library for awhile and had a lunch to honor our wonderful volunteers. It was a lot of fun! We went to the Jade Café and had a wonderful time celebrating all the time and effort our volunteers put in helping us out at the library. From dusting shelves to covering books, your library would not be as great as it is without their help! If you are interested in volunteering, please come in and talk to Gypsy Kelso or give her a call at 784-4649 ext. 3. We can always use more helping hands.

Notes from the back room: My cart was empty. I saw it, clean shinny black shelves and all ….of course it didn’t last more than a few hours! Needless to say there are quiet a few new books out there on the shelves! We had a wonderful donation of art books from the Huber family. If you are interested in exploring your artistic side come in and check them out. We have been gearing up for summer reading program. The kids (K-5) here in Florence have been coming over and meeting with Cid, the children’s librarian. She tells them what to expect and psychs them up with stories and jokes. So what does a bee use to brush his hair? – ask Cid. The teens have a reading program too this summer. Gypsy has been setting up some fabulous things for the teens! So get the kids in and make sure you have gotten them library cards!