Check In, Check It Out!

Today was Daycare Day at the Cecil County Fair. At our library booth, we passed out free plastic "goodie" bags (with library info. tucked inside), helped the children make a craft, gave out free books, talked to Daycare Providers about our 18-year-old Bookmobile Outreach Program, "This Way To Books," and encouraged visitors to vote for their favorite photo in our Pet Photo Contest, and we were both delighted and amazed.

We were delighted by the turn out...we were very busy all day with many, many children and adults, who were delighting in watching their children, grandchildren, and daycare children have fun doing these wonderful FREE activities.

We were also amazed at all the adults who response to our question, "Have you ever visited our library before?" was, "Well, no, but we will probably begin coming soon." We were amazed that 'the word isn't out yet' that library services are fabulous resources full of free educational experiences for their children, staffed by extremely customer-service oriented people, with expertise in locating and teaching them valuable information that is theirs for the mere asking. Not all the technology is on the internet!

Haven't they heard this yet--wonderful things are here for them as well--online classes, Marina ILL's, CD's, DVD's, videos, audios, instructional tapes of all kinds, local history, ancient history, even a mystery, to say nothing of books galore (and even folklore), and instead of bookstores--we also have the newest and last adventures of Harry Potter! And while they read that, their children can explor--in the Children's Room on computers with Miss Frizzle and The Magic School Bus (without fuss), or read and play in the boat all day.

Haven't they heard we have story times for their children, Teen films, Book Hook, Book Discussion Groups, Programs for young and old alike?

Well--we have! We've got all this, and more! So, let's all "go down to the library. Pickin' out a book, check in, check it out!"

The Trouble With Tribbles

My colleague, Katherine, and I went to the nursing home today to do our monthly story time program for the residents. Shortly before we left, Katherine told me that one of our regular attendees, Cleo, had passed away suddenly on July 5th.

It was a shock to learn this. I was so saddened by learning it. She was always so full of life--very feisty. I remember the last time she used a puppet to help act out a story...she was very animated and vibrant. I commented to Katherine about how she "really got into that role," and that was just a couple of weeks before her death.

I've been doing their program for two years now, and this was the first time I've had to experience the flip side of performing and visiting the residents. We've all become quite attached to one another, and I've highly enjoyed bringing stories to life for them with my puppets and books. They brought me every bit as much joy as I hope I've brought them.

I will miss Cleo, and her enthusiam for story time, and I will remember her and smile. I'm dedicating my next story time in her memory. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV)

In the Star Trek vernacular, this would be, "The Trouble With Tribbles."

In My Dreams