Head West this summer with the Vernon Area Public Library District!

Rustle Up A Good Read is the theme for our Summer Reading Club. From Barbeques, to Line Dancing, to a Romping Round of Miniature Golf, our library offers something for everyone east the Mississippi.

We encourage everyone in our community to join us in reading this year’s One Book One Community selection, These is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901, Arizona Territories by Nancy E. Turner. We will be hosting two book discussions in July and talking with the author. More information about this program can be found on page 6 of the June / July edition of Columns. 

Before saddling up this summer and heading for the open range, check out some of the most-wanted audiobooks for Adults, Teens and Youth featured in this issue. Audiobooks don’t have to take much room; the library offers downloadable titles for your MP3 player or IPod, and if you are not gadget inclined, check out our playaways – all you need is ear buds. 

Remember even if you are traveling this summer, you can still participate in the library’s Summer Reading Club.  Registration begins at high noon on Sunday, June 13. 

Happy Trails Reading to You,

Cindy

National Library Week is April 10–17. It is the time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers. So it is only fitting that on Saturday, April 17, our library will be celebrating the work of Allen Meyer.

Allen was director of the Vernon Area Public Library for 23 years;he passed away in June 2008. I have never met Allen, but sitting in what was once his chair, I feel I have gotten to know him well this past year. An impressive building, an informed board, a strong Friends organization and a great staff are Allen’s legacy to this community. 

“Communities Thrive @ Your Library” is this year’s theme for National Library Week. Today’s libraries are modern community centers where everyone is invited to explore, dream and learn. People of all backgrounds and ages come together for community meetings, lectures and programs, conduct research with the assistance of a trained professional, receive help finding a job or with homework. We serve as a crucial technology hub for people in need of free web access, computer training and provide assistance finding job resources.

Our library is part of the American Dream – it is a place of opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning. I encourage you to join us in
celebrating National Library Week and Allen Meyer this April.

Happy Reading, Cindy

1. Books, Books and More Books. A collection of more than 250,000 printed items available in 12 different languages.
    
2. CDs, DVDs, Downloads and Blu-Ray. Music, movies and more are available in a variety of formats.
    
3. Internet for All. Wi-Fi hotspot offering wireless color, as well as black and white printing. No laptop, no problem; we have 87 computers available for VAPLD card holders.
    
4. Programs. From Authors to Zumba, we offer a wide variety of programs and special events.
    
5. Outreach. Provide library materials and services to area schools, social service agencies, nursing home residents, as well as to the homebound.
    
6. Expert and Helpful Staff. Available to answer your questions and to recommend great reads.
    
7. 24 Hour Access. Our virtual branch never closes! Apply for a library card, reserve a bestseller, download an e-book or find the answer in one of our online databases by accessing our website at www.vapld.info.
    
8. Family Activities. Entertaining and educational activities to encourage the development of lifelong learners.
    
9. Community of Readers. Book discussion groups for all levels of readers, as well as the resources to begin your own with our “Book Club in a Bag” or recommended reading lists.
    
10. Free and Independent Information. From a trustworthy source.

This winter, we invite you to put our library under surveillance.

Join our Youth Winter Reading Club, and let our librarians help you decipher the clues to find the perfect book to curl up with on a snowy winter’s night. Uncover what interesting programs are being held at the library. Find out what famous author is coming to Lincolnshire. Discover who the “Friends” really are and what this organization is all about.

January marks my one year anniversary as Director of the Vernon Area Public Library District. I’ve met so many wonderful people and have learned so much about Lake County. Our library serves seven distinct areas, but there is one thing all of these places have in common. And it is no mystery what that is: we are a community of readers, a community of lifelong learners, people who are interested in culture, science, history, current events and – of course – mysteries.

This is a community that values the library and the resources and services we provide. This is a great place to be a librarian! I hope this winter you will become a Reading Detective.

Learn the truth, solve the mystery, be empowered – visit the library.

Happy Reading, Cindy

What are you thankful for this fall?  I’m thankful for lazy weekend walks with my family and our dog, Melvil Dewey.  Bright autumn afternoons, filled with an array of brilliant colors and the laughter of children.  The sound of crisp brown leaves crunching under my feet.  Hay rides, campfires, s’mores, and of course, a good ghost story.  I am also very thankful for libraries, my favorite place to find all sorts of great ghost stories, mysteries, thrillers and much more.

I may be just a little biased, but the VAPLD staff is among the best read readers and researchers in the state!  With a collection of over 300,000 items, our library offers a wide selection of great stories in a variety of formats: DVDs, audio bookson CD and downloadable audio books that you can listen to on your mp3 player or iPod; downloadable e-books that can be read on your cell phone or a digital reader; as well as stories in the traditional print formats, including large print books and even giant-sized picture books for children.  While we are always thankful to see you at the library, many of our resources are available, and downloadable, at our website (www.vapld.info). As you leafthrough this newsletter, you will learn about many exciting programs, services and resources. I hope that you will take the time this fall to check out all that our library has to offer you online and in person.

Happy Reading, Cindy