There's just not enough time...

     As I walked through the library this morning, I noticed we have a lot more people here today than last Thursday (my last day to work last week). Boy!  They are checking out books like crazy!  And that's a good thing.
     I also noticed lots of mothers with their children walking down to the Children's Library.  That means they are signing up for the Summer Reading Program.  It seems I remember Miss Norma, our Children's Librarian, telling me that in the past she has had as many as 800 children signed up for a Summer Reading Program.  And today, when I talked to her, she said there are already about 20 children signed up...and it's one day before the official sign-up time! 
     We not only have programs for the little people, but for the pre-teens and teenagers.  But the one I'm the most excited about, of course, is the one for the adults.
     Called "Novel Destinations," the program will encourage adults to read books that take place in other countries.  For instance, a book I just started reading takes place in Asia.  It's about a man whose wife's final wish is that he take their ten-year-old daughter on a trip across Asia, through all the countries they had planned to visit to celebrate their 15th anniversary.  The trip goes through Japan, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Egypt...an amazing trip that provides lessons for both the father and daughter as they celebrate what the wife and mother had meant to them.  Great read!
     Can you imagine all the books out there about other parts of the world?  You can learn not only about a specific country's landscape, but it's people and customs, their food and dress, their mode of transportation and their feelings about people of other countries.
     The Summer Reading Program opens doors for all of us to learn about the world around us.  It's time we all realized how much alike we are, whether we live in Australia or China or Iran or here in the United States of America.
     Bring your little ones to "One World, Many Stories."  Encourage your pre-teens and teens to check out "You Are Here."  And join us adults as we read our way through "Novel Destinations."
     For more information about the times and dates, call the library at 985-6540.  We're anxious to share our summer reading with you.  And believe me...there's just not enough time to read all the books I want to read!!  But I'm going to make a big start right now!

Where were you on December 7, 1941?

     That was the question asked of four women who came together to talk about what life was like for them on the home front during World War II.
     Ginger Horkan, Elois Matthews, Ann Sherman, and Myrtle Lofton met together at the Moultrie Library one Thursday to participate in the library's video archive project.  They sat comfortably around a coffee table and talked about where they were when World War II broke out and how life changed for them.
     Few people are left to talk about that part of their lives and because of that Beau Sherman, our CNS Distance Learning Coordinator, helped pull together this video project.  Beau also helped with the ongoing video archive of interviews with veterans over the past couple of years.  These interviews are aired on CNS cablevision around the time of Veterans' Day in November and are also available to view at the Odom Genealogical Library as part of its Veterans History Project.
     On Sunday, June 12th, 2 to 4 p.m., the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library will host the "Home Front: Behind the Scene" event in the Willcoxon Auditorium.  The public is invited to join in honoring those who worked behind the scene during the wars and military conflicts in which America has served and those who continue to support our military personnel.  You can view the featured video and meet the women who participated.  And enjoy some light refreshments.
     This event will take place only two days before Flag Day on June 14th.  Come join us for this very special time.

Our Summer Reading Programs are just around the corner

     We are soooo busy getting ready for all the summer reading programs.  With school out now, there will be a large group of children visiting the library on a continuing basis, probably more than during the school year.  And I just can't blame them for visiting more.  We have some great things planned!
     All during June there will be something special going on, not only at the Moultrie Library but also at the Doerun Library.  Even the Bookmobile will begin signing up readers on May 25.
     Miss Norma, the Children's Librarian, has a great line-up of programs for children ages 9 and under at the Moultrie Library.  Artist Miss Sally will have "Make and Take" items; Tommy Johns, the magician from Atlanta, will have unbelievable tricks; Windell Campbell will have "Story Travels"; and Andy Offutt Irwin will have stories to tell, also. There will even be "Didgeridoo Down Under" entertainment, a juggler, and musicians.  All these programs will be on Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Thursdays, 10 to 11 a.m.
     The pre-teens and teens will have a summer program called "Just4Teens."  On Thursdays in June, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Moultrie Library, they will have programs on geocaching and games; one called "You be the Judge" and one called "The Wayward Peach from Okinawa"; and one of the best, "Members' Choice."
    And not to forget the Doerun Library, their programs will be on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m.  Again, you'll find Miss Sally there, as well as juggler Ron Anglin, and pint-size polka music, just to name a few.
     A special to this year's reading clubs will be the new adult program, "Novel Destinations."  Why should kids have all the fun?  Pack your bags and get ready to go!  On June 7, The Adventure Begins will  register adults joining the fun and provide the first sign-ups with gifts.  On June 14, Thomasville author Janet Litherland will visit and talk about her trips to Ireland to gather inspiration for her books.  The other three Tuesdays in June will show case Cruisin' and The Virtual Tourist.  And on July 12, we'll have a program about Italy, Romanzo Destinazioni.  Times for these programs will be 6:35 to 7:25 p.m. (to accommodate parents who bring their children to the evening programs).
     I'm looking forward to these good times.  I love to watch the children bounce with excitement as they head toward their special event.  And for the first time, I'll get to join in as a member of the adult reading group.
     Don't forget the library now that school's out!  This is when the biggest show begins...Summer Reading Programs.  And for the WHOLE family this summer. 
     See you there!

Our Top-7 Best-Selling Books in comparison to...

     You know how you're out there on the Internet, doing your afternoon search, running through your favorites, and suddenly a question mark hits you?  That just happened to me.
     One of my favorites to check every now and then happens to be the USA Today Best-Selling Books Top 150.  Of course, I  really don't read the whole top 150.  I'm more interested in the top...say...twenty.  And today I wanted to see how many of the top 20 we have right here in our library. 
     Want to know what our Top 7 are?  The same ones on the USA Today's list of top 20?  Here they are:

• At USA's #3 is James Patterson and Maxine Paetro's 10th Anniversary.  We have both the book and audio book.  Plus we have Patterson's The 9th Judgment in book and audio.
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is USA's #4.  It's in our library for you to read.  (Did you see the movie?)
• USA's #6 is Something Borrowed (just saw the movie) by Emily Griffin.  We have that one and her Something Blue.
• We also have The Help by Kathryn Stockett, which is #9 on USA's list.
• Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber is #15 for USA and in our library for your reading pleasure.
• #17 on USA's list is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, which we have, along with Collins' Catching Fire, #28 for USA's list.
• The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly is USA's #19 and in our library.  Plus we have his book and audio The Fifth Witness, #35 for USA.

     And we also have Nora Roberts' Chasing Fire in book and audio (at USA's #39, even if we don't have her book The Search at USA's #11).  I seem to remember seeing at our library The Sixth Man by David Baldacci in book and audio also.  That one is #13 on USA's list.
     I figure any way I look at it, I've got plenty of top best-selling books to read for at least the next six months.
    As an FYI, we post the USA Today's list on the side of the 7-day-loan-and-newest-books bookshelf near the checkout counter.  We try to keep it up-to-date just for you.  But, of course, I always sneak a peek at it too.  And there's no telling what new will come into our library in the near future that you're just waiting to read. 
     Be sure to check us out!  Often!  We have good reads!  Well, and audios also.
(Source:  USA Today Best-Selling books Top 150, http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/usatodaybooks.pdf)

Are you interested in a resume seminar?

     In observance of ResuMAY Month, The Georgia Department of Labor, Moultrie Career Center, will host the following Resume Seminars:

• May 19, 2011 at the Moultrie Tech Industrial Drive Campus, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• May 19, 2011 at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

     The material that will be covered in the presentation will include resume formats, cover letter formats, and words and phrases.  All interested customers, please contact the Moultrie Career Center for more information or to attend, phone number 229-891-7140.
     It's a way to expand your knowledge, upgrade your business skills, and help you make yourself look better in the business world.

Top 10 U.S. Crime Writers

     Well, the verdict is in...I have a list of the top ten U.S. crime writers in front of me, thanks to reading Southern Review of Books, a choice reading site of mine.  Would you like to know who they are?  Just look at this list (without the bo-koo millions they make) from top dog to number ten:

1. John Grisham (did you have any doubt?) wrote such famous books as The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Confession,
2. Dan Brown, writer of The Da Vinci Code,
3. Patricia Cornwell, Port Mortuary,
4. Robert Ludlum, the Bourne series,
5. Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park,
6. Michael Connelly, The Fifth Witness,
7. Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lambs,
8. Elmore Leonard, Road Dogs,
9. Ed McBain, the 87th Precinct series, and
10. James Ellroy, The Black Dahlia.

     I didn't have time or space to list all the other great books they've written.  I'll let you go to our Pines System and check on the books we have here in the library.
     And while I'm at it, maybe you'd like to know who the top ten U.K. crime writers are.  Look at this list:

1. Ian Fleming, writer of the Bond series and (yea!) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,
2. Agatha Christie, the Miss Marple series and the H. Poirot series,
3. Jeffrey Archer, Honor Among Thieves,
4. Jack Higgins, Day of Reconing,
5. Ken Follett, Fall of Giants,
6. Dick Francis, Crossfire,
7. Ruth Rendell, the Inspector Wexford series,
8. Lee Child, the Jack Reacher series,
9. Ian Rankin, Exit Music, and
10. Alexander McCall Smith (my favorite!), the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

     Oh, there are just so many good books to read.  Remember, you don't have to go out and buy these books to read them.  We've got tons of them here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library.  Just bring in your library card and take home a stack of scarey crime stories to read.  Guaranteed to raise the hair on the back of your neck!
(Source: http://www.anvilpub.net/)

Just a thought for Mother's Day

     Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 8th.  It has taken a while for this to sink in for me.  My mother no longer lives in the flesh, only in spirit and every day with me.  My house is filled with little reminders of her...her blue teapot, her oil painting, pictures and items with flowers, even her rose-framed glasses inside the blue teapot.
    
     My children always send cards or call on Mother's Day.  Sometimes they send flowers.  Sometimes they send a gift card and when they do, it's usually to a bookstore because they KNOW how I LOVE books.

     It's easy for me to think back to when they were small.  Naptimes usually involved piling up on my bed and reading a couple of children's stories.  Then we'd all cuddle up under the bedspread and take a nap.  But the most important part of that time was in being together and reading.  I believe that's why all my children like to read today, whether it's books or blogs or e-books or whatever.

     I can think of no better gift a mother can give to her children than to love them through reading to them.  By reading to your child, you teach them the excitement of learning, you link them to the world through knowledge and imagination, you give them the gift of a lifetime.  Those children who have difficulty reading will have difficulty in obtaining jobs, in taking a driving test, in filling out all those healthcare papers, on and on it goes.

     So, for this Mother's Day I want to thank my mother for loving me through reading to me.  We didn't have a TV when I was little.  We didn't go to the movies but once in a great while (like to see Bambi).  But we read, lots and lots of books, the paper kind with hardback covers.  My mother gave me the world through books.  And for that I thank her.

     To all the mothers out there, happy Mother's Day.  I hope you get a couple of new books on Mother's Day.

The Georgia legislature finally approved the budget and...

     I'm not much behind in telling you this.  I just picked up a copy of the Georgia Public Library Service NEWS, the April 2011 issue.
     This is not a "copy per word," but I will tell you what most of the article said.  Those of us who work in Georgia libraries have been holding our breath, waiting to see how much more the library budget will be cut.
     On April 14th, the General Assembly adjourned after approving an $18.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.  The budget included awarding $1.15 million to help the Twiggs County Library rebuild after it was destroyed by a lightning strike and fire in April 2010.
     And the legislature strongly supported Department of Education funding for GALILEO, Georgia's virtual library, as part of the collaborative financing of this service for public and academic libraries and public schools.  We learned that Georgians used GALILEO to conduct more than 74 million searches in 2010.  The projected annual cost to duplicate GALILEO's resources for all institutions individually exceeds $22 million.
     Georgia's public libraries' budgets were cut 4% for FY2011.  If this budget package is signed by the governor, the cut in state support for Georgia's public libraries for FY2012 will be cut another 4% (or $1,402,057) on top of the last 4%.  That makes a total of 8% in two years, doesn't it?
    Now you know why we don't have any money to purchase new books or e-books or a few other things we'd all love to have.
     And now you know the rest of the story.

Georgia Author of the Year Awards Ceremony coming soon

     In my busy day today I took some time to check out the upcoming ceremony for The Georgia Authors of the Year Awards.  This year will be the 47th annual awards banquet and ceremony.  On Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., on the Kennesaw State University campus, located northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, several outstanding authors will see their names flashed on a huge screen as the winner of a book they've written in their particular category.  It could be Creative Nonfiction in History or Specialty Book or Memoir; it could be in Fiction; it could be in Young Adult or Inspirational.  Whatever their specific category, there will be a winner.
     The Georgia Writers Association recognizes Georgia's authors of excellence by presenting these awards each year.  The GAYA has the distinction of being the oldest literary awards in the Southeastern United States.  It honors not only those authors in the current publishing houses of the world, but also the independently published authors.
     The Awards began in 1964 by the Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists.  But GAYA changed hands in 1990 to Georgia Writers Association and in 2006 became affiliated with Kennesaw State University's Department of Humanities.
     When I looked over this year's nominations, I found a few I recognized...some only by their names, but others whose books I've read.
     Janice Daugharty is a local area author, living over around Stockton, Georgia.  She's affiliated with the Abraham Baldwin Ag College in Tifton.  She has been nominated this year in the category of Fiction for her book "The Little Known."
    In the category of Creative Nonfiction Specialty Book, long time writer H. E. "Doc" Holliday has been nominated for "Boys Transitioning from Athletic Aggression to Academic Affirmation."  He's currently an assistant professor at Kennesaw State University.
     We just had the honor of having Dr. Niles Reddick at our fourth annual Moultrie-Colquitt County Library's authors' event.  Dr. Reddick is on staff at ABAC, Tifton, and has published his second book, "Lead Me Home," which has been nominated in the First Novel category.
     Of course, many of us have Ferrol Sams' books and love their wonderful simplicity of olden times and funny tales.  This year his book "Christmas Gift!" has been nominated in the Creative Nonfiction Memoir category.
     And Patricia Sprinkle!  Love those Sprinkle books!  Ones of mystery, of Georgia places, of southern beauty, and now of women in crisis.  Her book "Hold Up the Sky" has been nominated this year in the Fiction category and is a break from her mystery writing.
     Last, but not least, is "Whisky, Kilts, and the Loch Ness Monster" by William W. Starr in Creative Nonfiction Memoir.  Bill is the director of the Georgia Center for the Book and is a great writer of several genres (which includes his blog).
     There are many more authors nominated this year, in many other categories, such as Poetry, Biography, Creative Nonfiction Essay, Picture Book, etc.
     They need your support as Georgia authors and I would recommend that you take a look at the complete list.  Look at The Georgia Author of the Year Awards website, click on Current Nominees and see how many Georgia authors you have read.  I believe you'll be surprised who has been nominated.  It's a great way to pick a great book to read.
(Source:  http://authoroftheyear.org/)