Columbia Public Library Newsletter – February 2017
Warm your heart and build your mind with one (or more!) of these titles arriving in February:
Heartbreak Hotel (an Alex Delaware novel) by Jonathan Kellerman
Echoes In Death by J.D. Robb
Bone Box by Faye Kellerman
Humans Bow Down by James Patterson
My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Book of American Martyrs by Joyce Carol Oates
Death of a Ghost by M. C. Beaton
A Piece of The World by Christina Baker Kline
New DVDs for February:
“Trolls”
“The Girl on the Train”
“Arrival”
Doctor Strange”
February is the month for One Book, One Community – Our Region Reads. Multiple copies of this year’s selection, Rose Under Fire, are available at our library now. Rose Under Fire is the unforgettable story of Rose Justice, a young pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. Author Elizabeth Wein spent her teen years in Harrisburg, PA and, after the loss of her mother in a car accident, turned to books as a way to deal with this unexpected tragedy. In fact, Elizabeth wrote her first novel at age 14.
About Rose Under Fire: Rose Justice is a young pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. On her way back from a semi-secret flight in the last days of the war, Rose is captured by the Germans and ends up in Ravensbrück: the notorious Nazi women’s concentration camp. There, she meets an unforgettable group of women, including a once glamorous and celebrated French detective novelist whose Jewish husband and three young sons have been killed; a resilient young girl who was a “Ravensbruck Rabbit” – a human guinea pig for Nazi doctors; and a Nachthexen, or Night Witch, a female fighter pilot and military ace for the Soviet air force. These damaged women must bond together to help each other survive.
If you enjoy Rose Under Fire, you may also like its companion novel Code Name Verity, also about young female pilots in World War II. The books read as stand-alone novels and you do not have to read them in any particular order.
A book discussion of Rose Under Fire will be held on Wednesday, February 15, at 6 PM in our upstairs Conference Room. The discussion will be led by Mary Ann Heltshe-Steinhauer of the Library System of Lancaster County.
We are fortunate to now have TWO reading therapy animals visit us each month. During the month of February, they are visiting with private school classes. When the weather becomes nicer, they hope to schedule more visits for the community.
Spencer is an eleven-year-old Rottweiler who has won numerous awards for his therapy work. His fame has not gone to his head one bit; Spencer is always happy to meet anyone who comes to visit him! Spencer loves working with children ages 5 and up and is comfortable with older kids and teens too.
Biggie is a Maine Coon cat who received his name from his size. This cat is truly the most laid back cat I have ever seen. No running, no hiding, no yowling or scratching – he is just happy to lay on his blanket and the more petting he gets, the better! Biggie works well with ages five and up as well – and again, is a great companion for older kids, teens, and adults. I f you pet him long enough, you might even hear him snore! And he LOVES our bay windows where he can watch the birds and squirrels.
Young Adult Book Clubs, which are now held at Columbia High School, will meet Wednesday, February 15. Seventh and eighth graders meet from 1:50 to 2:30 PM and will be discussing the book “City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau.
About the book: The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race in a post-apocalyptic world. Now the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s certain it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues before the lights go out on Ember forever! This book, the first in a series, has won multiple awards for young people’s literature.
Senior high students will be discussing “The Female of the Species” by Mindy McGinnis (a high school librarian). There is a part of Alex that she keeps hidden – a part too dangerous for anyone to know about. This title was named “Best Book of the Year” for 2016 by School Library Journal. Senior high book club meets from 2:45 to 3:30 PM in the high school library.
Our Family Film night selection for February is “Pete’s Dragon”. The movie will be shown on Wednesday, February 22, at 6 PM. You are welcome to bring a drink in a spill-proof container and non-messy snacks.
Come and join in the fun of our yarn arts craft nights! “Crocheting with Mitzi” meets Tuesday, February 14, and Tuesday, February 28, at 6 PM. “Knit and Chat with Cortni” meets Tuesday, February 21, at 6 PM. Feel free to come out to one, two, or all three sessions. For ages 9 and up. Instruction is provided. Newcomers need bring only themselves; experienced yarn crafters should bring their current project.
If yarn crafts aren’t your cup of tea, how about Learning to Solder? This program is provided through our new partnership with Make717, located at Thaddeus Stevens School of Technology. Come and solder electronic parts onto a small circuit board under the instruction of electronic technicians or make717 volunteers. After completion, you will be able to take the board home with you. This program is for ages 12 through ADULT – yes, it is designed for adults too. Date is Monday, February 13, from 3 to 5 PM. This is a make and take type of program – you should have your project finished in 20-30 minutes. Held in our basement Community Room.
Join Tammy Garza from Career Link on Tuesday, February 21, at 11 AM and learn “How To Prepare For Your Next Job Fair”. Attendees will receive a “golden ticket” for free early admission to the Career Link Job Fair held on March 15 at Liberty Place in Lancaster. Learn how to dress for success, items you should bring to a job fair, how to get your resume and cover letter to make an impact, what to say during an interview, and how to make your positive attitude shine! Held here in our upstairs Conference Room. For more information on the job fair (the county’s largest), visit www.jobs4lancaster.com.
The Columbia Public Library continues its Food for Fines program throughout February and March. “Food For Fines” involves bringing in nonperishable food items for the Columbia Food Bank and for the Columbia Presbyterian Church community meal program. Personal hygiene items for the traveling winter shelter will also be collected. This year, the campaign ends March 31. Each item donated will allow the donor to have $1.00 removed from their outstanding library fines. Maximum amount waived will be $10.00 PER MONTH. This program is good for fines on COLUMBIA items only – no other libraries’. Of course, people who have no fines are certainly welcome to donate as well!
Tax filing season began on January 23 for online filers. You now must have a working e-mail address to file online, as well as your previous year’s return. Sam Edmond is once again offering one on one tax assistance. PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT: 717-686-7096. Please do not call the library. You will need to bring your W2 forms, social security numbers of all family members reported, 1099R forms, and 1098-EDU if applicable. Sam will also offer assistance for state and local taxes – as well as rent rebate applications. Tax refunds will not be released until February 27 at the earliest. For more information on changes, visit https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-for-tax-filing-season
“PreSchool Pals” continues on Mondays at 10:30 AM. Children ages 2 to 5 and their adult caregivers are invited to hear a story and complete a simple craft or coloring page. No pre-registration is needed; caregivers must stay with their children. Topics for February include:
February 6: “Mittens”
February 13: “Will You Be My Valentine?”
February 20: NO Pre School Pals
February 27: “President’s Day”
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.columbia.lib.pa.us. Find us on Facebook! Please stop by and visit often!