SELECTIONS FROM THE DECEMBER 2002/JANUARY 2003 LIBRARY LOOKOUT

From the Library Director

November has seen a lot of our regular patrons going SOUTH for the winter. Oh, to be a snowbird. The rest of us must stay here and feed our local birds. We have begun rearranging some of the library to hopefully offer better services, as well as to make the library more inviting. Special thanks to our friends Dot LaCasse, Marilyn Renfrew, Jim Foster, Thelma Butler, Mary Stuart, Davida Barter, Marcia Granville, Carole Jarvis, Toni Jo Blaisdell, Kathy Hughes, Hilma Millett, Jim and Corilla Hastings for attending our work session. The biography collection is completely relabeled, relocated and in order. The library mantels will be decorated during the month of December to recognize various celebrations: Hanukkah, Traditional Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Skowhegan Free Public Library has recently received a $1000.00 literacy grant from the Wal-Mart foundation. Françoise LaBonte has passed her On-Line Cataloging Course with flying colors. Job well done Françoise, congratulations. From the library staff, have a safe, enjoyable and Happy Holiday. – Blynn Currier

From the Children’s Librarian

With winter upon us, it seems that more and more children are coming into the library. Whether it is the computers, the new books or the fact that the library is a “cool” place to be, I am not sure, but I am happy to see that we have been discovered again. I’ve made a list, and Blynn has checked the budget twice, we need your help. Our “Crafty Christmas Tree” is full of ornaments with craft supplies listed on each. Pick an ornament and place the items under our tree. With your help we can get our kids “crafty” this winter. Some items you will find are crafters foam, corks, snack packs, stencils, paintbrushes, foam paintbrushes, poster board, finger-paints etc. The poster contest for National Children’s Book Week was a huge success! Thanks to all the 61 participants for using their talents to create wonderful works of art. Many thanks also to Frank Chin. Without his support this contest would not have been possible. First place was awarded to Megan Thompson, Second to Adam Brochu, and Third place to Aaron Dufour. Congratulations. I hope to find many “friends” strolling into the library December 7th during the Annual Skowhegan Holiday Stroll. Join us for refreshments, music, children’s crafts, cookie decorating, stories and more. With donations still pouring in, our book drive is also a complete success! Our book boxes around town have been filled and refilled with your donations. Thanks to all who continually support the library and its programs. Mark St. Pierre and his Sign Language class have been having too much fun. It seems that they laugh and learn at the same time. Thank you to Mark and his family for making this class enjoyable and successful. If you have a particular hobby or talent that you would like to share, please feel free to contact the library staff and we will assist you in setting up a workshop. Our 2003 program schedule is rapidly filling up, but we always have room for more. With your time and talents we can offer the community a variety of interesting programs. Mark your calendars; January 25th is Patron Appreciation Day. This day will give us the opportunity to say “thank you” to all our patrons for their ongoing support. While you are here, take the time to look around, observe the progress that has been made. Refreshments will be served, and the staff will be available to answer questions and listen to your suggestions. Happy Holidays Katherine Connell

LATEST NEWS

SUCCESSFUL WORK SESSION

Thirteen people contributed to a very successful work session at the library at the November FOL meeting. Under Blynn’s direction, volunteers typed labels, adhered them to the spines of books, and returned the books to the correct place on the shelves. Thanks go to these willing workers!

WISH LIST

Would you like to give the library a Christmas gift? Perhaps you already have some of these items in your house and no longer use them. They would be very helpful for the many programs planned for the coming months. Please check with Katherine for more detail, or pick a tag from the “Giving Tree” now on display at the library.

• Finger paints in primary colors

• Tissue paper in assorted colors

• Paper plates, inexpensive

• Stencils

• Poster board

• Hot chocolate in packets

• Individual snack packs of cookies, chips, etc.

• Tole paint in a variety of colors

• 20 cup coffee pot

• Hand towels to make painting smocks for children

• Sponge brushes for painting

• Paintbrushes

• Musical tapes (Sesame Street, Raffi, etc.)

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

There will be a Christmas Open House at the Library from 10 until 2 on Saturday, December 7. The public is invited to come and admire the beautiful mantel displays, visit with the librarians, hear about plans for the coming months, and enjoy some homemade refreshments in the newly arranged Reading Room. Upstairs, children will be decorating cookies and participating in other holiday activities. Attention Poetry Lovers!

The January 8, 2003 business meeting of the Friends of the Library will be followed by a poetry reading by the Poet Laureate of Maine He will give a talk and answer questions, and will have books to autograph. The meeting and the reading are open to all. Please come and see what we’re all about.