September 2017 Newsletter

Columbia Public Library Newsletter – September 2017

September means back to school – and more time to read!   The month of September brings some great new titles to enjoy:

Don’t Let Go by Harlan Coben

Proof of Life by J. A. Jance

Enemy of the State by Vince Flynn

A Legacy of Spies by John Le Carre

The Romanov Ransom by Clive Cussler

Secrets in Death by J. D. Robb

To Be Where You Are by Jan Karon

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King

Enigma by Catherine Coulter

Haunted (Michael Bennett) by James Patterson

Robert B. Parker’s The Hangman’s Sonnet by Reed Farrel Coleman

Killing England: the Brutal Struggle for America’s Independence by Bill O’Reilly

New DVDs for September:

Wonder Woman

Captain Underpants: the First Epic Movie

 

This year, we had 209 children and teens complete reading logs for Summer Reading and nearly 2300 people attended 29 programs this summer.  But, outside of the statistics, the most important part is the fun and learning gained from reading and from interacting with the wealth of talent in our community.  Special thanks and kudos to:

John Black, Park Elementary principal

Tim Stambaugh, Park School custodian, and his staff

Jack Gamby and the Lions Club                                             Jesse Rothacker

Ryan Bridge                                                                                Fred McNaughton

Chris Ivey                                                                                    John Andrews

Matthew Dodd                                                                           Al Means

Fred Nell                                                                                     Chief Doug Kemmerly

Chief Jack Brommer                                                                 Tyler Seibert

Mary Ann Schlegel                                                                    Mitzi Sanchez

Marcy from Giggle Magic                                                        Heather Beury

“Princess Brooke” from Dutch Wonderland                        Sharon Negron

Peggy Gernerd (aka “Miss Maggie”)                                      Mike and Roberta Straka

Bricks for Kidz®                                                                       Denise Strawser

Renee Christiansen, Youth Services Manager, Library System of Lancaster County

Summer Reading 2017 could not have happened without you!

 

September means back to school and that means I shift my focus from Summer Reading to my classroom read alouds.  Some of the groups I plan to work with this year:

Kim DeBord’s class from Park

Meg Wagner’s class from Park

Kim Herskowitz’s class – Our Lady of the Angels

Caitlin Peters’ class – Our Lady of the Angels

Head Start Columbia Branch (with Bookmobile Visits)

Our Lady of the Angels PreSchool

Luthercare PreSchool

Teachers who are interested in visiting the library with their class are encouraged to contact me at 717-684-2255.

 

Is there a first grader in your life?  September is the month for Mission Grade One (“Mission GO”) where first graders may receive their first library card.  If your child is in first grade at Park School or Our Lady of the Angels, a packet will be coming home in September if you would like your child to have a library card.  Just fill out the form and we will get your child’s card ready!  If you child already has a card or you don’t want them having their own card, there’s a spot to note that as well.  Applications will be coming home with your child and the MUST have a caregiver’s signature to process the cards.  Cards will be taken to Mrs. Bucks or Mrs. Williams for distribution.  Thanks to Kelsey Bucks, Park librarian, and Marie Williams, Our Lady of the Angels first grade teacher for their assistance with this important milestone.

You don’t have to be a first grader to get a library card.  September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!  Anyone over five years old can get one and there is no charge for your first card.  All you need to bring is a photo ID with your current address and we’ll take care of the rest.  Lost cards do incur a $1.00 replacement charge.  With your library card you can:

  • Check out books, music CDs, audiobooks, and movies
  • Use our public access computers
  • Use our wi-fi
  • Access Tumblebooks and Tutor.com for your children
  • Read e-books on your tablet or other device (e-book downloads are also free of charge!)
  • Access free databases, ranging on subjects from test preparation through the Learning Express Library to health information from Consumer Health Complete.
  • Order books from across the state at no charge

A slide show program for all ages!  Riding the Rails: 175 Years of Passenger Travel brings a favorite subject of many people – trains.  We are used to seeing the freight trains pass by, but what about passenger trains?  Names like the Broadway Limited and the City of New Orleans are part of America’s history.  Why is traveling by train so popular?  This slide show program will take us across our state from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh during several different time periods using several different modes of transportation: stagecoach, canal boat system, passenger trains, and automobiles on the interstates.  Innovations made by railroads that made train travel more comfortable and safe will also be highlighted.  Presented by Troy Grubb of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.  Light refreshments available.  Wednesday, September 20, at 6 PM in our conference room.

The Young Adult book club will once again begin on September 20, meeting in the high school library.  There will be two discussions: one for middle school and one for high school.  The first meeting is usually spent suggesting books to read for the upcoming year.  Students must sign a behavior contract and also inform their last period teacher (middle school only) that they are attending book club.  Middle school club begins at 1:50 and continues until 2:35 dismissal.  High school club meets 2:45 to 3:30 PM.  The exact schedule will be determined in conjunction with Mr. White, the high school librarian.  Adult leaders are Patti Fischer, Lisa Greybill, and Michael White.  See Mr. White for more information and to pick up contracts.

Due to traveling and medical appointments, our Reading Education Assistance Dog Spencer’s next public visit will be in October. Please call 717-684-2255 to schedule a time to read with the dog.  Spencer also does read alouds with visiting school classes – these are closed events due to the number of people involved.  We do offer a time each month for public reading sessions but you must call 717-684-2255 to schedule.  Ages 5 and older.  We also host “Biggie”, our Reading Therapy cat, each month.  As with Spencer, there will be both closed classroom sessions and public times made available for Biggie.  It is important that you call and let us know you are coming, so that the animals’ handlers may plan their schedules.  Call 717-684-2255 to schedule or if you have further questions.

PreSchool Pals Returns!  Susan Kalas will begin her story and craft sessions on Monday, September 18, at 10:30 AM.  All preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome for stories and a simple craft.  Caregiver must stay.  Ages 18 months to 4 years.  September’s topics:

September 18:  Welcome Back!

September 25:  Johnny Appleseed

All sessions are Mondays at 10:30 AM.

 

Our Family Movie night for September features “The Boss Baby”!  September 27 at 6 PM.  You may bring snacks and drinks with a lid on them.  Held in our Conference Room.

Mitzi Sanchez’s crochet class will be held on Saturdays, September 9 and September 23 at 9 AM.  Mitzi is such a good teacher that this class is growing as well!  Please come out and join us.  Mitzi will let you know what size crochet hook you will need for your project – she does have hooks you may use in class to get you started.  All you need bring is scissors – we even have donated yarn!  Experienced crocheters – bring your current project!

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!