Columbia Public Library Newsletter – April 2019
April showers bring pretty flowers and new library books bring many hours of reading enjoyment.
New titles coming for the month of April:
The 18th Abduction by James Patterson
Neon Prey by John Sandford
Redemption by David Baldacci
Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline
The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis
The View From Alameda Island by Robyn Carr
Willing to Die by Lisa Jackson
The Peacock Emporium by Jojo Moyes
Two Weeks by Karen Kingsbury
Far and Away by Fern Michaels
The A List by J. A. Jance
New DVDs coming for April:
Glass
Holmes and Watson
Bumblebee
A Dog’s Way Home
April is an important month in the world of libraries. National Library Week occurs this year between April 7-13. This year’s theme perfectly coincides with Columbia’s renaissance: “Libraries Build Strong Communities”. Community involvement is a core value of the Columbia Public Library. Stop in the library any time this week (April 8-12) for special surprises!
April 12 is National Bookmobile Day! I join my friend Ed Miller on the second Tuesday of each month at the Bookmobile’s visit to the Head Start on Wright Street. The Bookmobile also makes the following stops in Columbia:
First Tuesday of each month: 1:00 PM at St. John’s Herr
First Tuesday of each month: 2:00 PM at Trinity House Apartments
Be sure to visit your bookmobile, as it provides a valuable service throughout Lancaster County. Many people (including myself) have fond memories of the bookmobile beginning in childhood.
It’s appropriate that National Library Week falls on the same week as National Volunteer Week – because libraries could not function without their volunteers! We extend our thanks and gratitude to: Coni Haas, Joe Eshleman, Susan Kalas, Kelly Skiptunas, Mary Ellen Donat, Tess Leberfinger, Gregg Dubbs, Sylvia Powell, Sandy Gable, Tom Mimnall, Kasey Patterson, Cathy Rideaux, Brenda Paxson, Gaile Morrison, Adalie Burgard, Roseann Nikolaus, Dorie Conlin, Moe McFarland, Bobbie Thomas, and Steve Sherk. Each volunteer will receive a “lottery” scratch-off ticket this year: prizes being a clipboard, a duffle bag, travel tumbler, or tote bag – depending on what your ticket reveals!
Pre-School Pals for April will be held Mondays at 10:30 AM, with the exception of April 22 (Easter Monday).
I will once again be reading “The Lorax” for children of all ages at Sahd’s annual Earth Day celebration held this year on Saturday, April 27, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Children who visit at least ten “stations” and have their passport initialed at each will receive a free Rita’s Ice. In addition to stories, there are games, exhibits, contests, and a tour of the facility in this fun free event for the entire family. Meet Lisa Landis from the WJTL Kids’ Cookie Break and visit the food vendors – proceeds benefit the Columbia Food Bank
Young Adult Book Clubs will meet at the Columbia High School Library on Wednesday, April 19. Middle schoolers are reading “The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall” while high school is discussing “P.S. I Still Love You”.
“The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall” has been read several times now by different groups of middle schoolers and is actually one of the better written ghost stories Patti and I have read. It also shows some of the restrictions placed upon women and girls during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
“P.S. I Still Love You” is the second novel the high school students have read about Laura Jean Covey and her sisters. After Laura Jean’s letters to “all the boys she’s loved before” (the first book in the series) have been sent, she begins receiving responses and must learn to differentiate between friendship and love – and also finds out that love can ruin friendships.
Our Community Programs begin once again on Monday, April 1. This program needs the input of the entire community. A comprehensive plan is being developed for Columbia. The first session will focus on three areas: what is liked best about Columbia, what challenges is Columbia facing, and what opportunities could be developed. Please attend – and give your honest opinions! Change cannot happen until we know what we are working toward. Speak up and make your voice count! Moderated by Jeff Helm. Monday, April 1, at 6 PM in our conference room.
Many people complete school feeling unprepared about how to manage their finances. Trial and error mistakes can take years to fix. Kris Nice, of BB and T Bank, is offering a three-part series called “Banking 101” here at the library. The first session is “Banking Basics” and it covers balancing your checking account, tips and tools to help you save, and establishing credit. The session will be held in our conference room on Tuesday, April 23, at 6:30 PM and is designed for ages 16 and up.
Prime Timers will be meeting on Wednesday, April 24, at 1:30 PM. Our topic is “Stress Reduction”. Learn some physical and mental techniques for relieving stress from Sue Tushingham, peer educator of Mental Health America of Lancaster County. Embrace a healthy lifestyle by focusing on your mental and spiritual facets as well as physical. Anyone aged 50 or older is welcome! Light refreshments served.
Yarn Arts Crafting is going full swing. Crocheters meet every Tuesday night at 6:30. For our April class we will begin our CAL (crochet along). We will be making this simple ribbed hat! This is a great project for any beginner and can make a great addition to your winter scarf sets. Yes, it is spring but this is a great project to make in preparation for Christmas or to donate to your favorite local charity or organization or hospitals.
For this project you can chose any favorite yarn. Worsted or chunky yarn are recommended. Of course you will need the appropriate hook size depending on the yarn you choose (see label on yarn). PLEASE NOTE you will need at least 250-300 yards of yarn. Other supplies needed are: crochet hook, scissors, and measuring tape. Crochet instructors are Kasey Patterson and Randi Clark, assisted by Cathy Rideaux.
Our plarn project (sleeping mats for the homeless) continues with Cathy Rideaux every Thursday at 1 PM. It is very easy to learn to prepare the plastic grocery bags to make plarn for crocheting. All are welcome to help fold and cut bags – no crochet experience is necessary.
Knitting classes are every Thursday night at 7 PM with the exception of April 18 (Maundy Thursday). Anyone is welcome and NO EXPERIENCE is needed for any of these classes! Knitting instructor is Gaile Morrison
Don’t forget our Puzzle Swap located in our Community Room! Feel free to both bring and take puzzles for any age: children and adults. Please make sure puzzles are in good condition with no missing pieces.
The Library System of Lancaster County’s Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 17, at 7 PM. This year’s Volunteer of the Year from Columbia is Jeanette Sherk (posthumous award)
Jeanette has done so much for our board – and the library was Jeanette’s passion. Her dream was to see it expanded and renovated to keep up with our community’s needs. Thankfully, she was able to see her dream come to fruition. Receiving the award on behalf of Jeanette is her husband Steve Sherk (our current board vice president) and her children
Family Film Night for April will feature “Mary Poppins Returns”. This film is appropriate for all ages. Date is Wednesday, April 24, at 6 PM
Summer Reading is fast approaching! This year’s theme – timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing – is “A Universe of Stories”. Children aged birth through 19 may pick up reading logs beginning Saturday, June 1. Programs kick off on Tuesday, June 11, this year with a kick-off concert by “Phredd” McNaughton. Refreshments and prize drawings on the terrace! Logs may also be picked up at this program as well. Our Scavenger Hunt of space-related posters at Columbia business establishments returns this summer. New performers this summer include Neill Hartley (portraying Charles Lindbergh), Family Stages, and the North Museum (“Mission to the Moon”).
Returning presenters are: Ryan Bridge and the bugs; Jesse Rothacker and the reptiles; character juggler Chris Ivey; magician John Andrews; illusion and mind reading with Ran’D Shine; singer Mark DeRose, singer Maggie Spike, singer Matt Dodd, Columbia Borough police, Columbia Borough fire company, Columbia QRS, Al and Patti Means and their search-and-rescue bloodhounds, Fred Nell with Sadie and Piper, Lancaster County Parks, CHI Children’s Health with Hank the Healthy Hero puppet, and tour of Sahd’s Metal Recycling.
Last day to turn completed logs in is Saturday, August 10.
Thank you to all who contributed to Food for Fines….by the end of March we have collected 201 items. Thank you for helping your neighbors! We will be offering this program again next year.
The Columbia Public Library is located on 24 S. 6th Street, next to Park Elementary School. (Cattycorner to CVS Pharmacy and across the street from St. John’s Lutheran Church) Phone number is 684-2255 and web address is www.columbiapubliclibrary.org. Find us on Facebook! Please visit and find out what new worlds await for you!