Make visits to the library a part of your NYE Resolutions

Eleven days into the New Year, have you kept your New Year’s Resolutions?  Some core items that individuals set their goals on include spending more time with family and friends, getting fit, financial goals, learning something new, and getting organized, taming the clutter. If one is on your list, the library can help you! We have a wealth of information and books about making your resolutions a possibility.

For getting fit, we have Zumba and introductory yoga books and DVDs to help you along the way. Within the last few weeks, we've acquired new cookbooks including “The Daniel Plan” by Rick Warren, Daniel Amen, and Mark Hyman, “Giada’s feel good food: my healthy recipes and secrets” by Giada De Laurentiis, and “Wheat Belly” by William Davis. On display in the adult area are “Real Food’ by Nina Planck and “Skinny Bitch in the Kitch” by Rory Freedman.

The newest financial book on the shelf, is “Jim Cramer’s get rich carefully” by James Cramer as well as others on the non-fiction shelves.

For organization check out “Organic Housekeeping” by Ellen Sandbeck, “The Organized Home” by Leslie Plummer Clagett, and a slew of Martha Stewart books. Family Circle, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, and Martha Stewart Living magazines (not the only ones) are great for finding articles and recipes. Or check out our newest Zinio magazine subscription on your e-reader.

If you’re learning something new, check out our computer classes every week on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Or start a path on web design and languages with “Web design in a nutshell” or an audiobook on learning German, Greek, Portuguese or Japanese.  

As for spending more time with family and friends, do so at the library! You knew that’s where I was going didn't you? In the month of January, children’s programs include Stories on Mondays at 11:15 a.m., Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., and Thursdays at 11:15 a.m., Lapsit on Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m., and Evening Story time on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m.  There will be a Cowboy Party on Saturday, January 25. Registration is required for this one so call the library today.  There will also be a Chinese New Year’s Eve Party on Tuesday, January 28 during Evening Story time.

Family Place Library Parent/Child Workshops will also have a run early this year starting on Thursday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m.  Join us to play with your children, meet other parents, and have fun.

 

Library and Lunch will be meeting this week on Tuesday, January 14 at noon for “The Husband’s Secret” by Liane Moriarty.  We meet every second Tuesday of the month so join us this year! Book Chat will also take place on Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m. Come and discuss what you’re reading and check out new books at the library. Recipe Swap will be held on Monday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m. Bring a copy of a recently made by you recipe to share with the group.

For the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages. If you have any questions or suggestions about books or programs don't hesitate to ask. Make visits to the library a part of your NYE Resolutions!

Music soothing the community at Liberal Memorial Library

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.

I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
'Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv'd the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg'd
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?

--William Congreve, in The Mourning Bride, 1697

In this complicated world of ours, lately, it seems hard to find commonality. However, one thing that we can agree on is that music and song has a place in all of our lives. Whether that music is pop, rock, country, rap or classical, there is something on the music spectrum that we all enjoy and brings us all together.

The Liberal Memorial Library hosted two musical performances last month – the Swingin’ Saints Jazz Band and Scenic Roots. You couldn’t have two more diverse music styles between the two, but the community came out in force and supported both groups.

The Swingin’ Saints Jazz Band, under the direction of Seward County Community Instrumental Music Instructor Darin Workman and comprised of 14-18 community and student musicians, took the community back to the days when Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman were the kings of swing and ruled the music world.

Trombones, trumpets, and saxophones along with the piano, drums and bass brought the swing era back to Liberal as the community brought their lawn chairs and gathered out in front of the Library and listened to great music.

Scenic Roots is the sister duo of Erin and Amber Rogers from Concordia. Their music is a little bit different from the swing band, but no less toe-tapping or inspiring – it’s old fashioned bluegrass with banjos, guitars and dulcimers. The community welcomed them with open arms and packed the Library.

While the Library will take a break from the musical scene this month, we’ll kick it back up again in December. The First United Methodist Church Bell Ensemble will grace the Library with an assortment or holiday and instrumental music through the bells on Tuesday, December 3 at 7 p.m.

And a tradition continues, as the Library will once again play host to the Redskin Singers on Thursday, December 12 at 7:10 p.m.

Even though my esteemed colleague Doreen Wright wrote about this last week, it bears mentioning once again. The Liberal Memorial Library, in partnership with Southwest Kansas Library System, member libraries, and RBdigital from Recorded Books, is pleased to offer Zinio for Libraries.

It’s a free service which patrons can access through the Library’s website at www.lmlibrary.org. Click on the Zinio link, choose a magazine, set up a couple passwords and you’re ready to read on a computer or tablet.

Zinio’s unique technology digitally recreates a magazine page for page, including full color pictures, intuitive navigation, key word article search and interactive elements such as audio and video. (Insert “big name” magazines that library has) are just a few of the popular titles available.

Just remember, you need a Liberal Memorial Library card to use the service.

Events for November:

* Library and Lunch: The Silent Wife by A.S.A Harrison on Tuesday, November 12 at noon.

* Book Signing: You Never Know by Shyla Suddeth on Saturday, November 16 at 10 a.m.

* Hunger Games/Catching Fire party (middle school/teens) on Thursday, November 21 at 4 p.m.

* Book Chat: Thursday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Parent/Child Workshop and Watch Party @ the Library

Summer vacation is over and it is time to hit the books again. The library is hosting two special programs that will be of interest to everyone in the community.

 Family Place Library Parent/Child Workshop

The first program is a parent/child workshop aimed at families with children who are between the ages of two and five. The five week program starts on August 29th and is held on Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 in the evening. The library held the same program in the spring, and the program is a lot of fun for kids (and the parents/grandparents/adults that accompany the kids got something out of the program too!).

The Family Place Library parent/child workshop has two main goals. The first is to get young children out of the house and to get them playing with their parents. Parents are a child’s first teacher and young children learn through playing. The second goal of the workshop is to connect parents with other parents from the community. Not only are parents supposed to mingle with each other and talk about the problems of parenting, but each week, there is a different community member who comes and interacts with parents to answer questions about child development, health issues, parenting and more.

If you have issues with a picky eater, sign up for this free workshop, because we have a nutritionist coming as a guest one week. If you have development issues in a small child, sign up for the program, because we have several different experts lined up that are trained in development issues that can give you information on where to go to get help. If you don’t have any issues, sign up and bring your children for free fun at the library. Registration is required, and parents don’t need a library card to sign up. The workshop is free and the library will have translators available to bridge any communication gaps.

Affordable Care Act Watch Party 

The second program at Liberal Memorial Library is a Watch Party giving an overview of the Affordable Care Act on Thursday, August 22nd from 7 to 8 in the evening. The State Library of Kansas in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will present this webinar, which is the first of three. The other two watch parties will be held September 12th and September 26th at 7:00 p.m. No registration is required for this free event at the library.

Starting October 1, 2013, the Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance "exchange" will begin open enrollment. Coverage starts January 1, 2014. The Marketplace website, HealthCare.gov will be the primary tool for delivering information to Americans about their health coverage options. For Spanish speaking consumers, CuidadoDeSalud.gov is also available.

Health Insurance Marketplaces are where people and small businesses can shop for and buy private health insurance. Consumers will have the same health plan choices available to members of Congress. The marketplaces are not private insurance companies or government-run health plans.

With one application, consumers can find out if they qualify for health plans in the marketplace, and other programs like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), tax credits, and cost-sharing reductions.

We hope to see you at the library for these events. For more information, stop by the library at 519 N. Kansas Avenue or give us a call at (620) 626-0180.

Catch a library program before the summer’s over!

The summer reading programs have wrapped up for the year. It was an astounding success! The adult program finished a week ago and we’re in the beginning stages of planning a Murder Mystery for the lucky individuals who received bingo's on their bingo cards.

Library staff has so far been out in the community twice this month.  First at the Five State Fair where we met a lot of patrons and non-patrons, a nice opportunity to showcase our services and secondly at  the Teacher Fair this past week welcoming the new teachers at USD 480 into the community.   We’ve been particularly excited over the fact that many new teachers have already stopped by the library to sign up for library cards before the fair!  It establishes a great connection for us particularly when they have projects and assignments for the kids throughout the school year. We love being prepared for requests from the kids particularly if we can get more materials into the library. We are most definitely here to provide extra resources!  I even have had the chance to get to know one of my new neighbors, a new fourth grade teacher. 

This week, kids (and adults alike) had a chance to learn about bike repair.  We had a few bikes that kids brought in and were shown how to fix all the ailments of their bicycles by Mr. Ed.  Some of us may also have learned how to pump bicycle tires.

Ms. Casandra, our children’s librarian, has a few programs in the works this month before the start of school.  There will be a program “Back-to-School with Amelia Bedelia” celebrating her 50th birthday this year. It’s a back to school event with crafts, fun, and stories, on Tuesday, August 13 at 6 p.m. Registration is required so call the library at 626-0180.  There will also be “Camping at the library” on Wednesday, August 14 at 2 p.m.  Come set up a tent, learn about camping, and tell scary stories.  Join the camp out!  Ms. Casandra will also be hosting Chess on Thursdays, August 15 at 2 p.m., Monday, August 19 at 6 p.m., and Monday, August 26 at 6 p.m.  Come beginners and advanced players!

And of course our much awaited adult programs!  Library and Lunch will be held on Tuesday, August 13 at noon for “Ladies Night” by Mary Kay Andrews.  Last month, we decided an end of the summer book was in order.  The novel follows Grace Stanton who finds herself locked out of her home, checking account, and her beloved blog after she catches her husband cheating and torpedoes his pricey sports car.  She starts attending court-mandated weekly therapy session with three other women and one man.  Their “divorce coach” starts acting suspiciously and they decide to start their own Wednesday “Ladies’ Night” sessions.  

The theme for this month’s Recipe Swap on Monday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m. is noodles!  My favorite food group in the form of homemade chicken noodle soup which my aunt made when my sister and I were growing up or lo-mein by far the best comfort food or my attempts at pierogi (they’re so noodley!) for which after years of experimenting I have found the perfect dough recipe.  Next on my personal list is tortellini.  In the meantime at this Recipe Swap, Mr. Tian will be demonstrating noodle-making at the library.  One of these days he will teach me how to make his Chinese dumplings.

So for the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages.  If you have any questions or suggestions about books or programs don’t hesitate to ask.  See you at the library this month!

Find out what’s Beneath the Surface at the Liberal Memorial Library

Summer Reading begins this upcoming week at the Liberal Memorial Library! Activities and programs kick things off on Tuesday, May 28 and programs and activities will run through the end of June. And if you haven’t signed up yet, what are you waiting for?!

In last week’s column, we let you know what was going on with the children’s portion of summer reading. But the fun’s not limited just to the kiddies this summer. There’s plenty of fun stuff for the teens as well.

So what are we going to do? We’re going to find out what’s Beneath the Surface this summer. That’s the theme: Beneath the Surface. We’re going to take it figuratively and literally.

Here’s a list of activities for the teen/young adult summer reading program:

* We will kick things off with a movie on Wednesday, May 29 at 4 p.m. A scientist whose radical theories have completely tarnished his reputation goes backpacking across Iceland and finds a cave that leads him deep down into the bowels of the planet. He discovers a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth filled with bizarre landscapes and terrifying creatures.

* It’s time to unleash some energy and join us for Zumba on Thursday, May 30 at 3 p.m. Zumba fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-fitness sensation, blending upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography, for a total-body workout that feels like a celebration!

* Join us as we explore wild and crazy hairstyles courtesy of the SCCC/ATS Cosmetology Department on Wednesday, June 5th at 1:30 p.m. Express your true self with a hairstyle that matches your personality. Maybe it’s big hair? Or perhaps a mohawk? How about a beehive? Learn about the out of control hairstyles through the years.

* Did you know that underground tunnels exist beneath us on Main Street? Find out more from Lidia Hook Gray on Tuesday, June 11 at 2 p.m. We’ll head underground, take a look at a local business and learn a little history about the buildings and tunnels that are connected to one another.

* Unleash your inner hero as we delve into the magical world of Dungeons and Dragons with Brad Kearn on Thursday, June 13 at 4 p.m. Learn about how you can guide your heroes through quests for treasure, battles with deadly foes, daring rescues, courtly intrigue, and much more. That’s Thursday, June 13 at 4 p.m. See you at the Library.

* Join us for Tai-Chi as we find serenity in motion on Wednesday, June 19 at 4 p.m. Terri Barnes introduces us to the art of Tai Chi. She will help us meditate through movement as we connect our mind and body through gentle activity. That’s Wednesday, June 19 at 4 p.m. See you at the Library!

* We’ll take a look at Mermaid Art on Thursday, June 20 at 4 p.m. Susan Copas leads us through a wondrous art adventure with the mystical and magical creatures known as mermaids. In the end, you’ll have created your own mermaid masterpiece. That’s Thursday, June 20 at 4 p.m. See you at the Library!

* Join us for yoga as we find self-awareness and inner peace on Wednesday, June 26 at 4 p.m. Alli Lyon introduces us to yoga, which is more than stretching exercises. It is also about creating balance in the body through the development of both strength and flexibility. Relax and find your spiritual self. See you at the Library!

And remember, it’s more than just books for young adults (and everyone else) during the summer reading program.

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Just, that we do have a Kindle Fire available for check out.

If you’ve always wanted to see what a tablet can do, here’s your chance to find out first hand. Here’s a great opportunity to check out the wonders of what a tablet can do. You can surf the web, read a book, watch a video and do so much more.

All you have to do is come down to the circulation desk and ask for the Kindle Fire. Borrowers have to be at least 18 years old and sign a borrowing agreement adhering to the Library’s policies and terms for the device. Once you’ve done all that, you’ve got 14 days to check out one of the coolest devices around. (And don’t forget, late fees do apply!)

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For the latest events and happenings at the Library, check out our webpage at www.lmlibrary.org or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/lmlibrary.

Fall into the library this February

Starting February 1 and running the week of Valentine's Day, the library will be having a heart promotion similar to the one we’ve done in years past. Patrons will be asked to share their favorite movie adapted from a book! Previously, we have had hearts on display as you walked through the entrance to the adult area with favorite books and what patrons loved about their library.

This week the library will be hosting our first Recipe Swap on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. Come prepared to share a recent (or favorite) recipe.  Bring one copy of your recipe and copies will be made depending on how individuals come for the meeting. Hopefully once we get chatting, we can decide on thematic sessions (desserts, crockpot, appetizers, main dishes, etc.!) for future meetings.

On Thursday, February 7 at 4 p.m. there will be a session for middle schoolers (ages eight to thirteen) on Chinese New Year. We’ll have a sampler and craft.  A week later, there will be one for Valentine’s Day.

The next Library and Lunch will be held on Tuesday, February 19 at 12 p.m. The book chosen by the group is “Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks.  More than likely we’ll have a chance to discuss favorite books, so if you haven’t read the book or don’t get an opportunity to do so, just bring yourself.

Children’s storytimes continue every week with Ms. Debbie. On Mondays, preschool storytime meets from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. for children ages 3, 4, and 5.  On Thursdays, toddler storytime meets from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. for children 19 months to 35 months. On Tuesdays, infant storytime meets from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. for little ones birth through 19 months.  There will be a special evening Valentine’s Day storytime on Thursday, February 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Book Chat will meet on Thursday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. Come down to discuss what books you are currently reading and discover what new books have hit the shelves. If you haven’t read one in a while, stop by and discuss what book you absolutely adore!

While you're at the library, make sure to go on a blind date with a book. Grab a title that you wouldn't normally take off the shelf whether it is non-fiction, fantasy, science fiction, or mystery. Try something new.

For the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages. If you have any questions or suggestions about books or programs don't hesitate to ask. See you at the library this month!

Check out digital and audio books

If you’re interested in downloading and checking out e-books and audiobooks, you can do that on the Library Memorial Library website.

Downloadable audiobooks and e-books are available for checkout through the Kansas EZ Library; this includes OneClickdigital for audiobooks and 3M Cloud for ebooks.

The books available in this collection are provided through a consortium including the State Library of Kansas and your local public library.

Downloadable audiobooks are available from OneClickdigital. Users must register online for an account before they can access the audiobook site.

There are more tutorials on the Kansas EZ Library site and under Help in OneClickdigital.
Downloadable e-books are available from 3M Cloud Library. Users must have a Kansas Library Card, which they can get at their local library.

There are mobile access and computer access tutorials on the Kansas EZ Library site. Their 3M help page offers troubleshooting advice.

To get started, go to the Library webpage at www.lmlibrary.org, look at the quick links section on the left side and click on Downloadable audiobook and e-book help. Follow the instructions on the page and you’ll be on your way in no time.

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If you haven’t experienced the world of e-books, you can check out one of our two e-readers. We have a Nook and Kobo. Both are just e-readers and not tablets. While you can’t surf the net, there are hundreds of books downloaded onto the readers. You can pick and choose from a varied selection and this should give you a quick introduction into the world of e-books.

And there is a rumor that a tablet may be appearing at the Library for check out in the near future. Keep your eyes and ears open for further details!

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The Library will be closed from Monday, December 24 to Wednesday, December 26. We’ll re-open for regular hours on Thursday, December 27 at 9 a.m.

We’ll also be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1.

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Here are events for January:

Preschool storytimes:
January 7, 14, & 28 from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Toddler storytimes:
January 10, 17, 24, & 31 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.
Infant storytimes: January 8, 15, 22, & 29 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

Computer classes in English will meet on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and computer classes in Spanish will meet on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m.
The library will be closed on Tuesday, January 1 for the New Year’s Day.

Make It and Take It Craft program on January 2 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Chess Club will meet on Thursdays, January 3 and 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Library and Lunch will meet on Tuesday, January 8 at noon for "A Gift of Hope” by Danielle Steel.

The Gardening Club will meet on Tuesday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Book Chat will meet on Thursday, January 17 at 4:30 p.m.

The library will be closed on Monday, January 21 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

There will be a Teen Pizza Party on Thursday, January 24 at 4 p.m.

The Library will be doing a Recipe Swap on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m.

New Titles Abound @ Your Library

As this column is being typed, visions of gingerbread houses are dancing through the heads of over 50 children signed up for our Gingerbread House Decorating Event, which will be history by the time you read this column.  Those same visions are dancing through the heads of staff members who will mix about 25 batches of royal icing and put together those 50+ houses before the children arrive on Saturday morning.  As in past years, surely it will prove to be a good time indeed for all involved.  Our teen staff and teen volunteers are a huge help with this project and are greatly appreciated!

 Since the last writing of Kids’ Corner on November 11, some changes have taken place in the children’s library.  The desk is now manned from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.   Story times have changed as well.  Preschoolers now meet on Monday beginning at 11:15.  On Tuesday, infants come to story time at 11:15.  Toddlers have their story time at 11:15 on Thursday mornings.  Please stop by the library or check our website for the exact dates that each of these groups of youngsters meets. 

The display rack just inside the children’s area has been continuously stocked with Christmas books for the past several days.  These books, as well as any others that are on display, may be checked out.  A number of new chapter books and picture books have recently come into the library.  One of these books could possibly win the Caldecott or Newbery award this winter, so make sure you check out some of these new titles.  Here are a couple of the new chapter book titles.   The first is Cold Cereal by Adam Rex.  Fine print on the cover reads “there’s a little bit of magic in every box.” Inside the dust jacket is a chart like a typical nutrition label on food items.  It reads as follows:

That should be intriguing enough to attract some readers!  The next title is The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone.  This is the description provided by the publisher “A wounded girl and the boy who won’t give up on her.  Seventh grader Louise Terrace has a secret admirer.  He sends her notes when she needs cheering up, and draws chalk hearts on the sidewalk outside her apartment.  It should be the perfect romance…but somehow they never meet up.

 “It’s the same with gymnastics.  Louise is a natural champion.  She can do cartwheels all day long and even backflips on the balance beam.  She should be captain of the school team…but somehow it doesn’t work out.

 “There’s something holding Louise back, a family secret from the past so heart-breaking that it’s got her frozen inside.  And it’s going to take a miraculous spring to thaw her out again.”

 For the younger crowd, new to our collection is Hello! Hello! by Matthew Cordell.  In our techno-saturated society, a young lady finds a meaningful escape in the great outdoors.  Follow her on her escapades in the pages of this book.  Philip Stead’s newest, A Home for Bird is a cleverly written, wonderful story of friendship.  Do plan to stop by and check out these or other new titles on display in our in both the Easy book and J Fiction areas.

 In a never-ending quest to assist parents with valuable early literacy materials, Memorial Library is putting together 6 by 6 kits in line with the statewide initiative of the same name.  These colorful yellow and blue bags will contain a book and a suggestion card of activities to use with the book.     The kits are geared to three separate age groups—early talkers, talkers, and pre-readers.  Be watching for more information about availability of these resources in the very near future. 

 With Christmas fast approaching, plan to stop in and check out some materials, as the library will be closed December 24, 25, and 26.  Have a Merry Christmas and we’ll see you at Memorial Library!

Swing down to the Library

Swing on down to the Liberal Memorial Library and get ready for an evening, outdoor concert with the "Swingin’ Saints Jazz Band” on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m.                                                                                                        

It’s free to the public so bring a lawn chair and listen to music from the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s. It also might be appropriate to bring your dancing shoes.

Under the direction of Darin Workman, the band is of comprised of 14-18 community and student musicians, who will take you back to the days when Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman were the kings of swing and ruled the music world.

You’ll hear the combination of trombones, trumpets, and saxophones along with the piano, drums and bass that will bring you back to an era gone by. Memories will start flowing and the urge to get up and start swinging and dancing may overtake you.

Come down to the library, bring a lawn chair and enjoy what sure will be a wonderful trip down memory lane and an exciting new experience for those who have never heard the Big Band sound.

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We are continuing with our journey into outer space on Mondays in October. Learn about the wonders of the universe and NASA programming at the Library through a series of fun and educational events, which will include speakers, demonstrations, and activities.

Monday, October 8: Movies and video clips on NASA, featuring “Toys in Space”

Monday, October 15: Aaron Johnson of the National Weather Service in Dodge City will be presenting a program on the introduction to the basics of the atmosphere and climate controls of the earth along with the beginnings of the NWS.

Monday, October 22: Space Food. What did the astronauts take we them to eat in outer space? We’ll find out. And you’ll get a chance to taste space food!

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Just for a refresher, here’s are the policies of the Liberal Memorial Library.

Liberal Memorial Library’s collection includes more than 77,000 items: books, audio books, videos, DVDs, magazines, music CDs, reference materials, puppets, and audio files through the Kansas Library Card.

Library cards are free to all residents of Kansas. A form of state identification must be presented to show that a patron is a Kansas resident along with a piece of mail. Out-of-state patrons are required to pay an annual fee of $25 per family.

All library patrons over the age of 18 MUST present a government-issued form of identification and a utility bill.

Library cards are sent through the United States

Postal Service to library patrons and should arrive within one week of application.

A patron cannot check out items until they receive their card in the mail.

Children are entitled to the same check out privileges as adults. They must have a parent or guardian present to get a library card. This parent or guardian will be held responsible for the safe return of all library property and any fines or fees that are accrued.

The staff asks that parents or guardians monitor the appropriateness of library materials that their children borrow. The library staff is not responsible for making that judgment as individual families have different ways of deciding what is suitable for their children.

All materials in the library may be checked out for two weeks, except for DVDs and video cassettes which may be checked out for one week.

All library patrons must have their own library card to check out materials.

In an effort to circulate as many materials as possible a patron is limited to no more than 15 items: which may include four DVDs, six VHS, six audio CDs (including audio CD books and music CDs), six audio cassettes, six magazines, one equipment, and four interlibrary loan items.

Overdue items are $.10 per day except for DVDs which are $1 per day.

Materials may be renewed in person, by telephone, or online.

Most materials may be renewed twice unless another patron has reserved the item.

DVDs, video cassettes, pre-literacy kits, and items that have placed in the New York Times Bestsellers cannot be renewed.

A request for renewal of interlibrary loan materials must be made three days before the due date or they may not be subject to renewal.

Variety of Things for Patrons at Your Library

Some exciting things are happening here at the library!  Last week staff attended a training session for a new early literacy concept called 6 by 6 Ready to Read.  The library also applied for a grant to help update our parenting collection, which has found its way once again to the children’s side of the library in the non-fiction section.  Watch for more news on these exciting ventures in the weeks to come. 

 If you haven’t come to one of our NASA sessions, be sure to check the schedule for more information on the upcoming programs. The next program in the series will take place on Monday, September 24, at 4 p.m. when a speaker from the Kansas Cosmosphere will be presenting “Living in Space” in the Cooper Clark Room and will address such things as what an orbit is and how it is achieved, what micro-gravity is and how it affects human physiology and function, and how an astronaut spends a typical day in space.   This is a great opportunity to hear a Cosmosphere program without having to leave Liberal.  Plan to join us at 4 p.m. on Monday.

 Some of the new books to recently arrive are now in our non-fiction section.  Learn to Speak Fashion – A Guide to Creating,Showcasing & Promoting Your Style by Laura deCarufel  provides the interested young person with information on every aspect of fashion from creating to modeling to photography to marketing.  The author is very down to earth, shares her opinions, and uses lots of examples from her own experiences.

 Nature’sPatchwork Quilt – Understanding Habitats is by Mary Miche’ with wonderful illustrations by Consie Powell.  This book explains several different habitats and their occupants and how the existence within the habitat fits together like a patchwork quilt.  Terms such as adaptation, interdependency, and biodiversity are explained in easily understood terms.  Age range is listed as 4 to 10, lending itself well to some parent and child time with lots of discussion about the various smaller pictures in each spread.

 Note on the schedule below that our story times will take place on September 27.  That day will mark the end of the first session of story times for the school year.  Though we normally take a two-week break between sessions, this next session will be the exception.  We will only break for one week and resume story times on October 11.  Check the library’s website or in-house postings for the complete schedule, or stop by either the circulation desk or children’s desk for a printed copy. 

 The library is seeking national political campaign buttons and other small memorabilia from past elections to place in the glass display case in our hallway for the month of October up through the election in November.  If you have any items you would be willing to loan, please phone 626-0180, ext 4 or stop by the library.  Make sure the person who accepts your loaned items catalogs them and gets your name and phone number to insure their safe return. 

 Another thing the library is seeking are names of daycare providers who cannot bring the children in their care to the library for our special celebration of Kansas Reads to Preschoolers the week of November 12 and would be interested in lining up a home visit from a library staff member to share the selected story.  If you know someone in this situation, please have her call the library to get on the schedule. 


Check out what’s going on below, and we’ll see you at Memorial Library!

Happenings at Your Library the week of September 24

Sept 24         4 p.m.          “Living in Space” presented by KS Cosmosphere

Sept 27         9:15             Infant Storytime

                   9:55             Toddler Storytime

                   10:15            Preschool Storytime

Sept 27         4:00             Teen Gaming

 

Knitting for an important cause

Attention! Attention! Calling all knitters and crocheters! Join the Liberal Memorial Library for a “Knit In” to raise awareness about normal infant crying and the dangers of shaking an infant.

The Library is participating in the CLICK for Babies: Period of PURPLE Crying Caps campaign, which invites knitters and crocheters to make purple colored baby caps.
 

The “Knit In” will be held on Saturday, September 8 at the Library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to come and make baby caps. We’ll supply the yarn and served snacks and refreshments.

The caps will be donated to Kansas Children’s Service League who will distribute them in November and December to new babies by hospitals and birthing centers across the state.
 

CLICK for Babies, now in its second year, is a collaborative effort between the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome and invited states and provinces who have implemented the Period of PURPLE Crying. Oregon, Washington, Utah, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, North Carolina, West Virginia, New Hampshire and Maine have joined the 2012 campaign in addition to the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
 

Last year, over 60,000 PURPLE colored caps were donated and distributed to thousands of families across North America in an effort to prevent infant abuse.

Organizers have set a goal of collecting 100,000 purple caps for the 2012 campaign.

For more information about the CLICK for Babies campaign, including patterns for caps, guidelines and details about the national campaign are available at www.CLICKforbabies.org.

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Liberal Memorial Library now offers the Mango Languages online language-learning system to its patrons, through the State Library of Kansas.
 

Learning a new language with Mango Languages is free for all library patrons, and offers a fast and convenient solution for our community’s increasing language-learning needs. Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application that integrates components of vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and culture. Users learn actual conversation, breaking down complex linguistic elements within an audio-visual framework that draws important connections and builds on information they have already learned.
 

Mango is available in two versions. One is Mango Complete, a 100-lesson course that is designed to provide a deep understanding of a language and its culture. The second is Mango Basic, which teaches everyday greetings, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time and is designed to appeal to a beginner in a new language. There are more than 40 foreign language courses available and 16 English as a Second Language courses.
 

To access Mango Language, go the Library’s website at lmlibrary.org, scroll down to the Mango Languages icon, and click on it and get started.

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Don’t forget that we’re on facebook at facebook/lmlibrary. It’s a great way to communicate with us. We want to let you know what we’re doing and we want to hear from you. What programs would you like to see at the Library? What books would you like us to carry? How can we better serve you – the community? We’ll keep you posted and hope that you’ll do the same!

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Upcoming events for September:

September 11 (Tuesday): Library and Lunch at noon.  “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn will be discussed.

September 15 (Saturday): Mexican Day Independence Day Carnival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Library lawn and parking lot. (The Library will be closed that day).

September 18 (Tuesday): The Gardening Club will be meeting at 6:30 p.m.

September 20 (Thursday): Book Chat at 6 p.m. Come down and tell us what books you’ve been reading.

All events are free and open to the public.

Saunter into the library this September!

The kids are back in school.  Autumn is slowly approaching. The library has a lot of activities planned for September.

Teens looking for activities after school can stop by the library on Thursdays. Chess classes run every two weeks.  They will be held on Thursday, September 6 and 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Teen Gaming will be on Thursday, September 13 and 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  for video games, board games, and card games.  Snacks and refreshments will be served.

The library will be holding a Knit In on Saturday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Kansas Children's Service League Period of PURPLE Crying. Come and knit purple baby caps for newborns across the state.  The library's goal is 100 hats! Purple skeins and light refreshments will be provided. The gals at the circulation desk are furiously working on their hats through looming.  It is remarkably similar to knitting.  Some of us are trying our hand at it for the first time and bring our mistakes for our master expert Debbie to fix until we learn how to fix them ourselves.

Our weekly NASA program for middle schoolers will commence on Monday, September 10 at 4 p.m. with Space Rocks! A Giant Meteorite Board Game where students assume the roles of meteorites and learn about meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites competing to get to Antarctica! On Monday, September 24, a speaker from the Cosmosphere will be at the library for a Life in Space program detailing what an orbit is and how it is achieved, what micro-gravity is and how it affects human physiology and function and how an astronaut spends a typical day in space…  still harboring dreams of becoming an astronaut.

We will be hosting a Mexican Independence Day Carnival at the library in Cooper Park on Saturday, September 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entertaining activities will include: raffles, bingo for books, musical chairs, soda toss, basketball toss, piñatas, chicken chuck, fishing, kissing booth, fortune telling, tortilla toss, beauty salon, and many more! 

The Library and Lunch gang is growing!  The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 11 at noon.  The book “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn will be discussed.  A husband comes home and discovers his wife missing… Trying to avoid spoilers from patrons at the circulation desk until my copy comes in utilizing a lot of shushing.  The book has been making its rounds on the New York Times Bestseller list. 

The Gardening Club meets every third Tuesday of the month.  The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m.  Discover what autumn and winter plants and activities are in store for the group.

Book Chat will be held on Thursday, September 20 at 6:00 p.m.  Come down to discuss what books you are currently reading and discover what new books have hit the shelves!

Out in the community, the library will have a booth at the Duck Races on Saturday, September 22. So before you get a duck, stop by the booth and say hello!

The final stages of programs are in the works for a lot of excitement for all age groups this coming fall so stay tuned!

For the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages.  If you have any question or suggestions about books or programs don’t hesitate to ask.  See you at the library this coming month!

Spring in the library!

Spring is in the air. People are eager to get out and move around.  Have you started your spring cleaning yet?  According to a recent article in a national newspaper, due to rising temperatures and spring-like days, spring cleaning now frequently starts in early March.   The library catalog has  great books on spring cleaning, decluttering, and environmentally friendly solutions to your cleaning needs (all found in the 600s!). Remember to spring ahead this weekend!

It’s also a great time to get outdoors!  The Library Lads and Lasses are participating in Kansas Walk this year! There’s a rumor that they will win.  Our gamut includes everything: walking, jogging, running, zumba, and pilates. Two new acquisitions in the exercise department include “101 muscle-shaping workouts & strategies for women” edited by Joe Wuebben and “The Blood Sugar Solution: The Ultrahealthy Program for Losing Weight, Preventing Disease, and Feeling Great Now!” by Mark Hyman.

Events at the library over the next few weeks include a book signing by local author Zach Carpenter. He will be at the library for a book signing on Monday, March 26 at 6 p.m. of his novel “Soul Hunters”.  He started writing the book at the age of 16 and received his official publication date while enrolled at SCCC/ATS.  He is currently busy at work on “Soul Hunters II”.

The book groups are active! We had a good ol’ chocolate fun last month during the For the Love of Chocolate discussion.  March’s Library and Lunch will be held on Tuesday, March 20 for Paul Theroux’s “Murder in Mount Holly”.  Paul Theroux is a popular author known for his travel books and fiction. This book is different from his other works as an off-beat story set in the 1960s. 

The Book and Movie Series pick for the month of March is Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh. Come join the discussion on Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m.  The book is about a group of young people from London’s bright young generation in the 1930s.

The Teen Advisory Committee meets at the library every two weeks.  The group is for teenagers ages twelve to eighteen, a chance for them to meet and hang out at the library.  The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 22 at 5 p.m. for a Hunger Games themed gathering just in time for the film release of Suzanne Collins’ first book in the trilogy.  In case you’re really curious, my Hunger Games name is Limet J. Hoppetunia. Those attending will get a chance to enter to win a Hunger Games poster and two tickets to the show!

There will be a Chess Workshop for Tweens on Tuesday, March 27 at 4:30 p.m.  The class will be taught by Emile Darga. All skill levels are welcome.  The players will cover the basics of how the game works, how to play, they will study game chess openings, and end game tactics.  Then, there will be a face-off amongst players. A duel at the library!

For the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages. The library is now on GoodReads! Make sure to join the library group to see what we’re discussing each month and engage in the art of books. If you have any questions or suggestions about books or programs don't hesitate to ask. Hope to see you at the library this spring break!

Christmas Programs

Greetings from amidst the Christmastime bustle! Things have been moving right along here with decorating the library, the Redskin Singers coming to perform, and the Fancy Nancy Spendiferous Brunch & Soiree'. Two more events are approaching. One is the library's annual Gingerbread House decorating. New and exciting items are being added to the great assortment of goodies participants can use to create their own unique house. Everything is provided. Youngsters ages 4 to 11 are invited to take part. The event will take place on Saturday, December 17, starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a reservation activity, so give the library a call to reserve a spot for your child. Don't miss out on a good time! The second event is Poppa D. Clown's Magical Christmas. This is a free program that will take place in the Children's Library on Wednesday, December 21, at 2 p.m. The program will be approximately 45 minutes in length. Plan to come and join in the fun!

A number of new Christmas titles have been added to our collection in the last few weeks. Here is a sampling. Olivier Dunrea, best known for the Gossie & Friends series, brings us A Christmas Tree for Pyn. In spite of Pyn's father's objections, she manages to get him to help her find the perfect Christmas tree, and in the process forges a closer relationship with him. This is a heartwarming story indeed.

The Christmas story is beautifully told in Lauren Thompson's One Starry Night. All sorts of animals watch over their young as Mary & Joseph watch over their baby boy, Jesus.

Jennifer Holm provides another episode of her famous Babymouse series with A Very Babymouse Christmas. This series is for chapter book readers.

Home for Christmas is another of Jan Brett's books with her beautifully decorated signature borders. In this tale, Rollo the troll gets bored doing chores and runs off to spend some time on the tundra with various animals who live there. Finally he decides that he wants to be home for Christmas, even if it means he will have to behave better than he has in the past.

For those who are fans of non-fiction, check out Franklin and Winston: A Christmas that Changed the World by Douglas Wood. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, these two great world leaders met at the White House at Christmastime to decide how best to face the threats which were occurring worldwide. This was the beginning of an alliance between the United States and Great Britain. The book shows the human side of these gentlemen as they got to know each other better during that Christmas season.

A fiction story based on a true event is The Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo, a story of a family facing hardship in their newly assigned, isolated lighthouse post but how a special flight service, the Flying Santa Service, saves Christmas for the family. Here's a bit for information about that service. "In 1929, the first year of the Great Depression, aviation pioneer Captain William Wincapaw began the tradition of "The Flying Santa." Also known as the "Santa of the Lighthouses," Wincapaw oversaw flying operations for the Curtiss Flying Service at Rockland, Maine. He had a great deal of admiration for lighthouse keepers and their families, who served in isolated and inhospitable locations. On the morning of December 25, 1929, Wincapaw loaded his aircraft with a dozen packages of Christmas gifts and delivered them to a number of local lighthouses. By 1933, the Flying Santa program was so well received that Wincapaw expanded it to include ninety-one lighthouses throughout Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Wincapaw began to dress as Santa and he enlisted his son, Bill, Jr., to help pilot some of the flights." Since this title was checked out and exact facts could not be obtained from the back of the book, this information was taken from the Coast Guard Compass, which is the official blog of the U. S. Coast Guard.

Christmas Eve at the Mellops' by Tomi Ungerer is the story of the four Mellop brothers who each had the idea to provide their family with a Christmas tree. Now the family must decide what to do with four trees.

Our collection features many of the old Christmas standards, such as Clement C. Moore's The Night Before Christmas and 'Twas the Day Before Christmas, which is the story of the poem The Night Before Christmas. In addition, there are a lot of books following the Night Before Christmas format--The Redneck Night Before Christmas, The Librarian's Night Before Christmas, and The Barnyard Night Before Christmas. A quick perusal of our card catalog will bring up a wealth of Christmas titles to be enjoyed. Stop by and check them out, as well as our Christmas activities. See you at Memorial Library!