I always hate to say that...closed for the holidays. It's hard for me to ever imagine a library being closed for anything. Especially for the holidays. But then, our staff needs time off just like others. And being closed around Christmas time is probably the nicest time to be closed.
But while we're closed I always wonder what those people will do who need to use our computers. They're usually the ones who use the computer to job search, or do research for college classes, or just keep in touch with family and friends.
I also wonder about those people who come to our library to get in out of the cold. And it's been really cold lately for us Southern states. The other day a staff member and I were talking about some of the homeless people who come to the library to get warm and get out of the cold wind. They use our place as a refuge and even catch up on things they like to read. I always wonder where they'll go while we're closed.
Of course, there's been a great run on checking out books to read while we're closed. Those items won't have to be returned until we reopen, so there's a nice long two weeks to read a stack of good mysteries, crime novels, or romances.
And the children's books are going out in stacks also. Especially the books about Christmas, Santa Claus, elves, and even the Grinch.
So, let me tell you what the schedule will be. The MCCLS libraries (includes the Doerun Library and the Odom Library) will be closed from Saturday, December 18th, at 5:30 p.m. until Monday, January 3, 2011 at the regular times (8:30 a.m. for headquarters and 2 p.m. for Doerun).
Just writing 2011 looks strange, doesn't it? However, after we're closed for the holidays that's the number we'll be using.
I'd like to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I hope all of you will be "open" for the wonderful opportunities that come your way in 2011. And we'll be open for you also. Happy holidays!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The new Rosner Estate books are coming in
Not too long ago I told you about a gift from the Estate of Joanna Rosner. Well, the books are coming in! Ms. Rosner's gift was to definitely include books by Anne McCaffrey and I see several on the list of "here now."
If you're a fan of McCaffrey, you'll be delighted to know that we have on our shelves the following books: All the Weyrs of Pern, Dragondrums, Dragongirl, Dragonheart, Dragonquest, Dragonsblood, Dragonsdawn, Dragonseye, A Gift of Dragons and Dragon's Fire. And there are more to come.
If you like to quilt, be sure to pick several of Jennifer Chiaverini's books. She has a series about the Elm Creek Quilters. On the shelf we have The Aloha Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel, The Christmas Quilt, Circle of Quilters, The Cross-Country Quilters, and The New Year's Quilt. All of these books seem to fit right in with our holiday season.
For all you coffee lovers, you'll be delighted with the books by Cleo Coyle. Look for Decaffinated Corpse, Espresso Shot, French Pressed, Latte Trouble, Murder Most Frothy, Roast Mortem, Through the Grinder, and Holiday Grind, with more to come.
Susan Conant has the Dog Lover's Mysteries: The Barker Street Regulars, Evil Breeding, Gone to the Dogs, and Ruffly Speaking. And Denise Swanson has the Scrumble River Mysteries: Murder of a Barbie and Ken, Murder of a Royal Pain, Murder of a Small-Town Honey, Murder of a Sweet Old Lady, and Murder of a Wedding Belle.
Be sure you look for the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton (Aunt Dimity is a ghost), the Hope Street Church Mysteries by Jennifer Stanley, and the Chet and Bernie Mysteries by Spencer Quinn.
And for all you food lovers, be sure to look for the Wine Country Mysteries by Ellen Crosby, the books by B. Haywood (Town in a Blueberry Jam and Town in a Lobster Stew), Jeffry Cohen's Some Like It Hot-Buttered, Avery Aames' The Long Quiche Goodbye, Riley Adams' Delicious and Suspicious, and Julie Hyzy's Eggsecutive Orders.
Of course, there are many more books to list. Instead of me listing them here, you can find them listed in our Pines System. Look for books by Mary Clay, Emilie Richards, Mary Maffini, Jessica Conant-Park, Elizabeth Lynn Casey, Christy Evans, Jennie Bentley, Laura Childs, Richard Castle, Kate Carlisle.... The list goes on and on.
You really need to come visit us and see all these new books on the shelves. If the titles don't draw you in, the fascinating covers certainly will.
And I can guarantee you this...we have so many books from the Rosner Estate gift that we can keep you reading for the entire year of 2011. Well, maybe not all of it, but the biggest part anyhow. Enjoy reading! You'll never regret making the time to lounge in your favorite place and hold a good book in your hands while you get totally involved in a magical place called imagination.
If you're a fan of McCaffrey, you'll be delighted to know that we have on our shelves the following books: All the Weyrs of Pern, Dragondrums, Dragongirl, Dragonheart, Dragonquest, Dragonsblood, Dragonsdawn, Dragonseye, A Gift of Dragons and Dragon's Fire. And there are more to come.
If you like to quilt, be sure to pick several of Jennifer Chiaverini's books. She has a series about the Elm Creek Quilters. On the shelf we have The Aloha Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel, The Christmas Quilt, Circle of Quilters, The Cross-Country Quilters, and The New Year's Quilt. All of these books seem to fit right in with our holiday season.
For all you coffee lovers, you'll be delighted with the books by Cleo Coyle. Look for Decaffinated Corpse, Espresso Shot, French Pressed, Latte Trouble, Murder Most Frothy, Roast Mortem, Through the Grinder, and Holiday Grind, with more to come.
Susan Conant has the Dog Lover's Mysteries: The Barker Street Regulars, Evil Breeding, Gone to the Dogs, and Ruffly Speaking. And Denise Swanson has the Scrumble River Mysteries: Murder of a Barbie and Ken, Murder of a Royal Pain, Murder of a Small-Town Honey, Murder of a Sweet Old Lady, and Murder of a Wedding Belle.
Be sure you look for the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton (Aunt Dimity is a ghost), the Hope Street Church Mysteries by Jennifer Stanley, and the Chet and Bernie Mysteries by Spencer Quinn.
And for all you food lovers, be sure to look for the Wine Country Mysteries by Ellen Crosby, the books by B. Haywood (Town in a Blueberry Jam and Town in a Lobster Stew), Jeffry Cohen's Some Like It Hot-Buttered, Avery Aames' The Long Quiche Goodbye, Riley Adams' Delicious and Suspicious, and Julie Hyzy's Eggsecutive Orders.
Of course, there are many more books to list. Instead of me listing them here, you can find them listed in our Pines System. Look for books by Mary Clay, Emilie Richards, Mary Maffini, Jessica Conant-Park, Elizabeth Lynn Casey, Christy Evans, Jennie Bentley, Laura Childs, Richard Castle, Kate Carlisle.... The list goes on and on.
You really need to come visit us and see all these new books on the shelves. If the titles don't draw you in, the fascinating covers certainly will.
And I can guarantee you this...we have so many books from the Rosner Estate gift that we can keep you reading for the entire year of 2011. Well, maybe not all of it, but the biggest part anyhow. Enjoy reading! You'll never regret making the time to lounge in your favorite place and hold a good book in your hands while you get totally involved in a magical place called imagination.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Have I told you about Darrell Huckaby?
I haven't? Well, lordy mercy, let me tell you about this funny man!
He's an author who has been called "Garrison Keeler with a Southern accent." He's been called "the South's hidden literary treasure." He's a syndicated columnist, a noted author, a teacher and a public speaker.
And he's going to here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library on Monday, December 6th, at 7 p.m. to tell you all about grits and catfish, the flag of the South and the Civil War (not what he calls it), and road trips, Georgia football, and his family.
Darrell draws from his own experiences about growing up in Newton County, Georgia's mill village of Porterdale. He writes about everyday life in America the way it is, the way it used to be, and the way he thinks it should be. He'll make you laugh, occasionally cry, and sometimes shake your head in disbelief.
In fact, when you come see him on Monday, you'll even be able to purchase his books, which include What the Huck!, Dinner on the Grounds (a great cookbook), Grits is Groceries (my favorite), Southern is as Southern Does, Need Two and Need Four. And if you want, he'll even autograph the books for you. (Think of it this way, you will be purchasing some of the best Christmas gifts you can give; you can't give anything better than a book!)
Oh, yes! Since Darrell is a graduate of the University of Georgia and writes a syndicated column called The Dawgbone each week during football season, I bet you can even get him involved in a good discussion about those Georgia bulldogs!
Come join us! We expect to have a good time.
This project is sponsored by MCCLS and supported by the Georgia Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.
He's an author who has been called "Garrison Keeler with a Southern accent." He's been called "the South's hidden literary treasure." He's a syndicated columnist, a noted author, a teacher and a public speaker.
And he's going to here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library on Monday, December 6th, at 7 p.m. to tell you all about grits and catfish, the flag of the South and the Civil War (not what he calls it), and road trips, Georgia football, and his family.
Darrell draws from his own experiences about growing up in Newton County, Georgia's mill village of Porterdale. He writes about everyday life in America the way it is, the way it used to be, and the way he thinks it should be. He'll make you laugh, occasionally cry, and sometimes shake your head in disbelief.
In fact, when you come see him on Monday, you'll even be able to purchase his books, which include What the Huck!, Dinner on the Grounds (a great cookbook), Grits is Groceries (my favorite), Southern is as Southern Does, Need Two and Need Four. And if you want, he'll even autograph the books for you. (Think of it this way, you will be purchasing some of the best Christmas gifts you can give; you can't give anything better than a book!)
Oh, yes! Since Darrell is a graduate of the University of Georgia and writes a syndicated column called The Dawgbone each week during football season, I bet you can even get him involved in a good discussion about those Georgia bulldogs!
Come join us! We expect to have a good time.
This project is sponsored by MCCLS and supported by the Georgia Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Pardon me for being an old poop...
...but I want to share something with you that made a big impression on me this weekend.
I had the privilege of helping our director last Saturday as she emptied the two book drops just outside our library. I actually helped with only one because I was working on something else.
But when she came in from gathering the books from book drop #1, the pickup cart was filled to the brim! Not with only our returned library books, but with paperback books (the small size) that someone had unloaded thinking we might be able to use them. But now that I've said that, that's not what I really think they were doing.
These paperbacks were old, old, old. They were so old they were yellow. And they were bent and torn and dirty. Yep! Dirty. It's like they had come from someone's garage attic and had been up there for upteen years. And they smelled! Bad!
Since I finished what I'd been working on, I went with her to retrieve the books from book drop #2. And guess what. Yep! Same thing. Lots and lots of old books, same kind, apparently from the same person. The one I'd like to think gave us the books because they thought we might be able to use them.
So, I'm going to be an old poop and say this...please! if you don't want old, yellow, bent, torn, dirty, and smelly books, please throw them away. Because if you don't want them, we certainly can't use them.
Sometimes we get bags (plastic grocery bags) and old boxes filled with old books and inside those books are bugs. Sorry to say that, but it's true. We certainly can't give those books out to our patrons! But sometimes people drop them off anyway.
As much as we always appreciate receiving gently used books, those in good condition and clean (and smell good too), we just have to ask you not to give us those old, yellow, bent, torn, dirty, smelly books.
We appreciate your understanding. We're a library, not a garbage dump.
I had the privilege of helping our director last Saturday as she emptied the two book drops just outside our library. I actually helped with only one because I was working on something else.
But when she came in from gathering the books from book drop #1, the pickup cart was filled to the brim! Not with only our returned library books, but with paperback books (the small size) that someone had unloaded thinking we might be able to use them. But now that I've said that, that's not what I really think they were doing.
These paperbacks were old, old, old. They were so old they were yellow. And they were bent and torn and dirty. Yep! Dirty. It's like they had come from someone's garage attic and had been up there for upteen years. And they smelled! Bad!
Since I finished what I'd been working on, I went with her to retrieve the books from book drop #2. And guess what. Yep! Same thing. Lots and lots of old books, same kind, apparently from the same person. The one I'd like to think gave us the books because they thought we might be able to use them.
So, I'm going to be an old poop and say this...please! if you don't want old, yellow, bent, torn, dirty, and smelly books, please throw them away. Because if you don't want them, we certainly can't use them.
Sometimes we get bags (plastic grocery bags) and old boxes filled with old books and inside those books are bugs. Sorry to say that, but it's true. We certainly can't give those books out to our patrons! But sometimes people drop them off anyway.
As much as we always appreciate receiving gently used books, those in good condition and clean (and smell good too), we just have to ask you not to give us those old, yellow, bent, torn, dirty, smelly books.
We appreciate your understanding. We're a library, not a garbage dump.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A word from our director
I can hardly believe it. Thanksgiving is only days away and that means Christmas will be here in a flash!
My grandmother always told me that the older I got, the faster time would go. I never believed her then, but now I know she was telling the truth. There are evidences all around me that prove that fact...I have lived in Moultrie much longer than the place I call my hometown, my children are now adults, I have had the same job for 35 years, and on my next birthday, I will be...well, old enough. How did that happen?
At this time of year, I always look back over the past 11 months to see what I've accomplished. Sometimes it's hard to put my finger on a single tangible project because so many activities seem to be on-going.
But the one thing I can always count as an accomplishment is the fact that I have grown (as a human being) because of all of the wonderful and sometimes quirky people with whom I have come in contact. I hope that each of you know that I count you as one of the "wonderful" people who has influenced my life this year and made it so rich.
When Thanksgiving rolls around and I am counting my blessings, there are so many of you right at the top of the list.
Thank you for enriching my life and have a happy Thanksgiving.
Melody S. Jenkins, Director, Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System
My grandmother always told me that the older I got, the faster time would go. I never believed her then, but now I know she was telling the truth. There are evidences all around me that prove that fact...I have lived in Moultrie much longer than the place I call my hometown, my children are now adults, I have had the same job for 35 years, and on my next birthday, I will be...well, old enough. How did that happen?
At this time of year, I always look back over the past 11 months to see what I've accomplished. Sometimes it's hard to put my finger on a single tangible project because so many activities seem to be on-going.
But the one thing I can always count as an accomplishment is the fact that I have grown (as a human being) because of all of the wonderful and sometimes quirky people with whom I have come in contact. I hope that each of you know that I count you as one of the "wonderful" people who has influenced my life this year and made it so rich.
When Thanksgiving rolls around and I am counting my blessings, there are so many of you right at the top of the list.
Thank you for enriching my life and have a happy Thanksgiving.
Melody S. Jenkins, Director, Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Well, I spoke too soon!
Just when I thought I had my winter reading all set...just when I thought I'd found my series to read...well, I spoke too soon!
Today our director showed me the books she ordered with the Joanna Rosner Estate gift. Ms. Rosner's gift was to purchase only mysteries and the books have started coming in.
On our "New Books" shelves and our "7-Day-Loan" shelves are more books than I could possibly read during just one winter-sitting. I may have to extend my series reading far into the summer. And look at some of what I'll be reading.
Today our director showed me the books she ordered with the Joanna Rosner Estate gift. Ms. Rosner's gift was to purchase only mysteries and the books have started coming in.
On our "New Books" shelves and our "7-Day-Loan" shelves are more books than I could possibly read during just one winter-sitting. I may have to extend my series reading far into the summer. And look at some of what I'll be reading.
- Nancy Atherton writes the "Aunt Dimity" series. Aunt Dimity is a ghost and signs of her appear in every book. The new one on our shelf is Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon. But, I've read all this series and will move on to another.
- Emilie Richards is the author of the "Ministry is Murder" series. We have the book A Truth for a Truth. This is a new series for me and is now on my must-read list.
- Jennifer Chiaverini writes lots of books about quilts. I've been watching her list grow over the past few years, but haven't begun any yet. The Rosner gift has purchased The Lost Quilter, Circle of Quilters, The Runaway Quilt, and The Aloha Quilt. We have lots of quilters in town who will really enjoy these books.
- Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant write the "Gourmet Girl" series, books about the doings of an executive chef. We have Cook the Books on the shelf with recipes included.
- Ellen Crosby has a series of "Wine Country Mysteries." If you're a wine-lover, these are your books. The one on our shelf is titled The Viognier Vendetta.
- The Laura Childs "Tea Shop Mysteries" I've read from first book to last. However, she also has a "Scrapbooking" series and we have her book Fiber and Brimstone.
- Gail Fraser's books were introduced to me by our director. She writes "The Lumby" series. This is another series I've followed from the first book, and now I get to read the latest, Lumby on the Air. Just checked it out! Guess what I'll be doing all weekend!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Maybe I've found my books for winter reading
For quite a while now I've been thinking about starting a series. I like reading about a person or a group of people and following them through a series of several books.
I did that with the Laura Childs "tea shop" mysteries and with Alexander McCall Smith's series about "The Number One Ladies Detective Agency." And there were a good many more series before that.
There's something comforting about reading a series. It's like going home and being on familiar ground. In the tea shop mysteries I learned all about Charleston, South Carolina, the historic sites and festivities, the little shops and restaurants, as well as a ton about the different kinds of teas. In the detective mysteries, I learned about Africa and Botswana, the customs and dress, the beauty of the land, and the politeness of the people.
Yesterday I wondered if I'd found my books for winter reading. The best way for me to be sure was to log onto the Pines Catalog and see how many of the books in this special series we have here at our library. Also, if we don't have them, can I get them through our Interlibrary Loan System.
Sure enough, after all that checking, it looks like I have a winner. I'm going to start the Fairacre series and the Thrush Green series, both by Dora Jessie Saint, best known by the pen name of Miss Read.
Saint is an English novelist, by profession a schoomistress, using a pseudonym derived from her mother's maiden name. Her series of novels centered on two fictional English villages, Fairacre and Thrush Green. The principal character in the Fairacre books, Miss Read, is an unmarried schoolteacher, a sharply severe yet compassionate observer of village life. Her books are laced with gentle humor and subtle social commentary, as well as observations about nature and the changing seasons. She retired in 1996 and in 1998 was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to literature.
Her first Fairacre book was published in 1955 with the last in 1996, understandably titled "A Peaceful Retirement." There are 20 books in this series.
The Thrush Green books first began in 1959 with the last published in 2009. There are 13 in that series.
That's a total of 33 books in both series. Don't you think I've found my books for winter reading? Maybe even into the early months of spring.
If you'd like to begin a series, why not stop by the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library and talk to a few of us who like to read series about quilts, needlework, English ghosts, candlemaking, and lots of other topics. I'm sure there is someone here to help you.
(Source: Pines 2000-2010, Wikipedia Dictionary)
I did that with the Laura Childs "tea shop" mysteries and with Alexander McCall Smith's series about "The Number One Ladies Detective Agency." And there were a good many more series before that.
There's something comforting about reading a series. It's like going home and being on familiar ground. In the tea shop mysteries I learned all about Charleston, South Carolina, the historic sites and festivities, the little shops and restaurants, as well as a ton about the different kinds of teas. In the detective mysteries, I learned about Africa and Botswana, the customs and dress, the beauty of the land, and the politeness of the people.
Yesterday I wondered if I'd found my books for winter reading. The best way for me to be sure was to log onto the Pines Catalog and see how many of the books in this special series we have here at our library. Also, if we don't have them, can I get them through our Interlibrary Loan System.
Sure enough, after all that checking, it looks like I have a winner. I'm going to start the Fairacre series and the Thrush Green series, both by Dora Jessie Saint, best known by the pen name of Miss Read.
Saint is an English novelist, by profession a schoomistress, using a pseudonym derived from her mother's maiden name. Her series of novels centered on two fictional English villages, Fairacre and Thrush Green. The principal character in the Fairacre books, Miss Read, is an unmarried schoolteacher, a sharply severe yet compassionate observer of village life. Her books are laced with gentle humor and subtle social commentary, as well as observations about nature and the changing seasons. She retired in 1996 and in 1998 was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to literature.
Her first Fairacre book was published in 1955 with the last in 1996, understandably titled "A Peaceful Retirement." There are 20 books in this series.
The Thrush Green books first began in 1959 with the last published in 2009. There are 13 in that series.
That's a total of 33 books in both series. Don't you think I've found my books for winter reading? Maybe even into the early months of spring.
If you'd like to begin a series, why not stop by the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library and talk to a few of us who like to read series about quilts, needlework, English ghosts, candlemaking, and lots of other topics. I'm sure there is someone here to help you.
(Source: Pines 2000-2010, Wikipedia Dictionary)
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