Columbia Public Library Newsletter – January 2019
The decorations have been put away and the cheery Christmas lights have gone out. Why not brighten your long winter evenings with a good book from the Columbia Public Library? Here are some titles releasing in January:
Letters from Peaceful Lane by Janet Dailey
The Suspect by Fiona Barton
Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz
Turning Point by Danielle Steel
Liar, Liar by James Patterson
The Best of Us by Robyn Carr
Crucible by James Rollins
Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz
New DVDs releasing in January:
“The First Man”
“Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween”
“Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen)
“Halloween” – Jamie Lee Curtis, 40 years later
At the end of December, our Library Board bid farewell to two very instrumental members:
Jeanette Sherk ended her term as our Board President on December 31. Jeanette was instrumental in many positive changes for our library, including the reconstruction project. The board accomplished much under her leadership. She is well known throughout Columbia as a long-time resident here and member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Jeanette’s husband, Steve, has been nominated as a potential new member to be determined by board vote.
Clarissa Wolcott also ended her board membership on December 31. Clarissa was our social committee chair and made certain that all staff, volunteers, and board members received birthday and Christmas cards every year! A retired kindergarten teacher, Clarissa is very vivacious and is enjoying her many new friends and activities at St. Anne’s.
Jeanette and Clarissa will both be very much missed – we thank them for their faithful service to the library over the years.
The Columbia Public Library continues its very worthwhile and popular outreach for the first three months of the year. “Food For Fines” involves bringing in nonperishable food items for the Columbia Food Bank and winter shelters. Personal hygiene items will also be collected. This year, the campaign begins January 2 and 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!
According to Pastor David Powers, items needed include any nonperishable foods – specifically, peanut butter, jelly (strawberry and grape), canned soups (any flavors) and canned stews – along with shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, socks, and mouthwash for the winter shelter. Items will be collected between Monday, January 4 and Thursday, March 31. The food bank and shelters will be collecting the items from the library periodically as they are needed
Family Film Night will be held on Wednesday, January 13 at 6 PM. Our film for January is “Frozen” and will be shown in our conference room.
“PreSchool Pals” continues on Mondays at 10:30 AM. Dates for January are January 14, January 21, and January 28. Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult caregivers are invited for stories and a simple craft. There is no charge for the program and caregiver must stay.
Our Young Adult Book Clubs meet Wednesday, January 9. Middle School club meets at 1:50 PM and is reading “Twilight” (the first in the series). High School meets at 2:45 and is reading “Rebel of the Sands”.
“Twilight” is somewhat of a modern classic in teen literature; the paranormal love story has been unfolded in a series of four books and accompanying feature films. “Rebel of the Sands” features Amani – a young woman with no money or family, who wishes to leave behind the mythical desert of Miraji. When she meets Jin, a handsome foreigner, she believes she may have found her escape route – but at what cost? With the sultan’s army in hot pursuit, Amani and Jin face one deadly adventure after another in this exciting fantasy.
Many people who were planning on joining the crochet and knitting classes after the holidays are in luck. The “Hooked On Crochet” class will be held on Tuesday, January 8 and Tuesday, January 22. Instructors are Kasey and Randi – the actual instruction begins at 7 PM. Those who know how to crochet and want to get in some extra time are welcome to come at 6:30!
Knitters, take note: classes will resume on Thursday, January 3 and continue on the 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st. Start time is also at 7 PM and instructors are Gaile and Molly. You are welcome to come weekly, bi-weekly, or however often you can make it. No materials are needed for your first visit; Gaile and Molly will let you know what you need to bring.
Since we are now in January, both yarn classes may be canceled at times due to inclement weather. Please check the library’s Facebook Page and WGAL. There is also a Facebook page for the crochet class: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2194399507465447/.
Thank you to all who donated hats, scarves, and gloves for our Mitten Tree in December. 490 items were collected and taken to Columbia Borough School District and Visions Columbia shelter. Thank you for helping your neighbors!
Tax filing season begins on January 18 for online filers. Sam Edmond will once again offer one on one tax assistance beginning January 25. PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT: 717-681-4401. Please do not call the library. You will need to bring your W2 forms, social security numbers of all family reported, 1099R forms, and 1098-EDU if applicable. Sam will also offer assistance for state and local taxes – as well as rent rebate applications. Please remember that rent rebate applications for 2018 will NOT be released by the state until late January.
The Columbia Public Library is happy to announce new programs for SENIORS – “The Prime Timers” – beginning in January!
The last Wednesday of each month at 1:30 will feature a program geared towards those 50 plus. Assisting me in developing these programs is Elaine Glatfelter Carrigan. Ms. Carrigan is Director of Community Relations & Development at Susquehanna Valley Rehabilitation Center. She truly has a “heart” for seniors and wants to get every citizen of Columbia involved regardless of age. We felt the perfect place to do this is our remodeled library!
The first program will be Wednesday, January 30, at 1:30 PM. Titled “Am I Just Forgetful? Or Is It Something More?”, this presentation will answer a recurring question in the minds of many. Seniors, caregivers, families, and friends – all are welcome! Light refreshments in the Community Room afterward.
Ms. Carrigan and I are also thinking of future programs for the community: a caregivers’ support group, intergenerational read-aloud sessions, and perhaps even a roundtable for all of the pastors of our community. And of course seniors are always welcome at our current events scheduled for adults of all ages:
* Community Bible Study – Mondays at 1:30 PM. ALL are welcome. Call Marilyn for more info: 717-341-5062
* Nifty Needles Knitting Classes – Thursday evenings at 7 PM. Call the library for more info.
* Hooked on Crochet Classes alternate Tuesday evenings at 7 PM. Call the library for more info.
Finally, the Columbia Public Library is excited to announce our newest collection of fiction titles: “The Great American Read”, sponsored by PBS. These titles will be displayed in the “Criswell Corner” of our new entrance area beginning in mid-January.
Many of us faithful readers were wondering how these titles were chosen. A poll put out by PBS received responses from readers, who named their favorite fiction books. Nonfiction books were not included on the list (my apologies to our nonfiction readers!) There were a few surprises – however, many of the titles have indeed stood the test of great literature. I’ve discovered as I get older, it is nice to read those classics we were “forced” to read in high school and college. Aging gives one a whole new perspective on their message. Please come in and check out our “Great American Read” display! For more info and a list of the books: https://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home/
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