April Newsletter

Columbia Public Library Newsletter – April 2017

 

April showers bring pretty flowers and new library books bring many hours of reading enjoyment.

New titles coming for the month of April:

 

The Fix (an Amos Decker novel) by David Baldacci

Two From the Heart by James Patterson

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Ominous by Lisa Jackson

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline

No Easy Target by Iris Johansen

Golden Prey by John Sandford

High Stakes by Fern Michaels

All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

Fast and Loose by Stuart Woods

The Burial Hour (a Lincoln Rhyme novel) by Jeffrey Deaver

New DVDs coming for April:

“Rogue One: a Star Wars Story”

“Hidden Figures”

“Monster Trucks”

“Sing”

“La La Land”

 

April is an important month in the world of libraries.  National Library Week occurs this year between April 9-15.  This year’s theme matches last year’s: “Libraries Transform”.  Libraries are now more than places to get books.  In fact, their role changes swiftly as technology advances.  Libraries now can show you how to download and read ebooks on your phone or tablet, apply for jobs online, learn new skills, attend programs for all ages, make new friends – and, of course, get books and movies!

 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.  We are hoping to soon get a new bookmobile, as ours is aging rapidly.  For information on how you can help, email mheltshe@lancasterlibraries.org.

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, David Donnan, Susan Kalas, Kelly Skiptunas, Mary Ellen Donat, Janice Anderson, Gregg Dubbs, Sylvia Powell, Sandy Gable, Leticia Crowl, Bob McCarthy, Brenda Paxson, Joe Eshleman, Adalie Burgard, Haven Burgard, Brian Tran, Ashley Kissinger, and Tim Brallier.  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:  Mondays at 10:30 AM:

Monday, April 3:  “Spring Into Spring”

Monday, April 10:  “Daniel Finds a Poem”

Monday, April 17:  no Pre-school Pals

Monday, April 24:  “April Showers”

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 22, 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

Spencer, our Reading Education Assistance Dog, (along with his handler, Kelly Skiptunas!) will be starring in a movie!  Titled “Black Beauty Breed 2: Forever Faithful”, it features Rottweilers working to benefit their communities in various ways.  It also features several medical advances designed to combat health issues indigenous to this large breed and other dogs as well.  The movie, filmed in February 2016, also features teacher Alex Brown and his former students from Park Elementary School.  Several library staff will be attending the premier of this film on May 24 at the Strand Capitol Theater in York.

“Biggie”, our Read Aloud cat, will be joining Caitlin Peters’ fifth grade from Our Lady of the Angels when they visit on Thursday, April 20, at 1 PM.

 Young Adult Book Clubs will meet at the Columbia High School Library on Wednesday, April 19.  Middle School students will be discussing “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner, while the senior high students tackle “Num8ers” by Rachel Ward.

About the “Maze Runner”:  When Thomas wakes up, he is in a completely strange place with no memory of anything except his name.  He is in the Glade – along with a number of other young people whose memories are also gone.  Outside of the Glade is a limitless, constantly changing maze – through which no one has ever made it out alive.  Things can’t get much worse – until a new “glader”, Teresa, arrives with an even more terrifying message….

 About “Num8ers”:  Jem has a frightening secret that manifests itself whenever she looks into someone’s eyes.  But while waiting in line to ride the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel, she becomes aware of an imminent terrorist attack.  Can she stop it?  Will others believe her?

 Any interested students are welcome – see Mr. White at the high school for more details!

 April Community Program on Monday, April 3, at 6 PM will feature Joan Groh from Hospice and Community Care.  Her topic is “Making Your Wishes Known: A Living Will is Not Enough”.  Like many of you, I did not want to address this topic.  However, when my mother passed in 2013, I learned how important it is to face this natural fact of life.

If you became seriously ill and were unable to speak for yourself, would your family and health professionals know your wishes regarding medical treatment? If you were terminally ill and near death, is your family clear on whether you want to be resuscitated if your heart stopped beating? Would you want to be kept alive on life support if there was no hope for improvement? This program looks at why it is so important to answer these difficult questions and how to share your answers with others. We will discuss completing an advance directive using the “Five Wishes®” booklet as a guide to document your exact medical wishes.

Mom had completed this procedure and my brothers and I found it a tremendous help.  Please don’t leave your family to make this agonizing decision on their own.  I’ve completed a Five Wishes booklet and I’m not even sixty yet!  Rather than dwelling on morbidity, it will give you peace of mind to fully enjoy your life all through your retirement years.

 Crochet with Mitzi evenings for April:  April 11 and April 25 at 6 PM.  Newcomers are always welcome and clear instruction is provided.  Come out and learn a new skill or get together with fellow crocheters for fun and conversation.

The Library System of Lancaster County’s Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 19, at 7 PM.  This year’s Staff Member of the Year from Columbia is Heather Beury.  Many of you know Heather from her expertise with technology and children’s movies – she always greets everyone with a friendly smile and a kind heart!  Congratulations, Heather, on this much-deserved award.

Family Film Night:  “Storks” on Wednesday, April 26, at 6 PM.    For all ages.  Non messy snacks and drinks with a lid are welcome.

The Columbia Public Library will be closed on Friday, April 14, for Easter.  We are open Saturday April 15 from 9 to 4, and Monday April 17 from 10 to 8.

Special thank you to Musser’s Landscaping for our mulching this Spring…they always do such a beautiful job!

 

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!