One Bookworm's Observations

Well, I'm back to exciting times! After a couple of weeks away from the library, I'm back to see what's been going on in my absence and what's going on right now.
There've been articles in the newspaper lately about our library. One was about the Free Genealogy Study Group that meets the third Tuesday of the month in the auditorium. Last night at 6:30 they met with Patti Suggs, manager of the Doerun Municipal Library, our branch, who presented the program "WeRelate.org" to a group of ten people. And I've been told a Colquitt County judge will present the April program. So, if you're interested in genealogy and want to learn more about your ancestors, this is the group to join.
Another article told about the variety of handcrafts being displayed this month, which, in case you didn't know, is National Craft Month. Displays have included glass etching, crocheted and knitted pieces, and quilts, with the highlight last week being a quilting demonstration by Vera Stinson, director Melody Jenkins' mother. Displays for this week are crocheted and knitted prayer shawls by Connie Fritz and her church's prayer shawl ministry, a cross-stitch picture of a family tree (for genealogy, that is), as well as ceramics by various library staff members. Crafts will be displayed during the entire month of March.
The article in the March 17th newspaper was titled "Economy drives many residents to Moultrie library." I thought the word "drives" was a little funny, since many people walk to the library and some even come in their wheelchairs. But it's true... people are looking to the library for help in these tough times. They come to use the computers to job search and check their emails. Or to save money by checking out videos, audio books, and the latest bestseller. By using their library cards, they can save between $10 to $30 each visit. They also bring their children to the storytimes and help them check out books. And, I have to tell you, our library certainly knows about funds being cut, since state funding for books was cut in last year's budget.
But looking at the brighter side of things, our library also stays busy with the AARP Taxaide helpers. The first few weeks they saw between 60 to 70 people each Tuesday. Now the number has finally scaled down to about thirty. They'll still be here until the second Tuesday in April for all you late filers. Just on Tuesday, however, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
We've had lots of children in the library, too. Miss Norma's storytimes have had the new Reading Garden filled with children. Today there were three classes of sixty little ones listening to her stories and seeing the Library Mouse in action. This is the last month of Pre-K storytimes, but exciting children's events are planned for upcoming months.
I also found out the Doerun Library is getting a pile of new books...cookbooks like "The Williams-Sonoma Cookbook," "FoodMadeFast," and cookbooks by Betty Crocker on "Living with Diabetes" and "Living with Cancer." Many home decorators will be pleased to see the new Tauton Home Idea Books for your home, inside and out. Plus, there are new Christian fictions, mysteries, and loads of children's books.
When I checked to see what some staff members are reading, I found Carolyn, Monique and Cray reading books by Karen Kingsbury, as well as those by Lauraine Snelling and Wanda E. Brunstetter. And we have in a new Jonathan Kellerman, "True Detectives," and a new Ann Perry, "Execution Dock." Also, the reference section has a new book, "Names to Grown On, Choosing a Name Your Baby Will Love" by Suelain Moy.
Even if you don't have a library card, you'll find our sale books for 25 cents to a dollar. Can't beat that, can you? And there's a nice bunch of old readies, kinds I just love.
So...I think I've wormed my way through quite a few things for today. But keep reading. There will be more good news to come tomorrow.