Columbia Public Library Newsletter – February 2015 Our new Crochet Club, a Valentine Craft night, a One Book One Community book discussion and, of course, lots of good books are coming your way at the Columbia Public Library to brighten the dreariness of winter. Here are some titles releasing in February: NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson The Stranger by Harlan Coben Cold Betrayal by J. A. Jance Host by Robin Cook Last One Home by Debbie Macomber The Assassin (Isaac Bell) by Clive Cussler In Plain Sight by Fern Michaels The Cavendon Women by Barbara Taylor Bradford Endangered by C. J. Box World Gone By by Dennis Lehane The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis New videos releasing in February: “The Boxtrolls” “The Best of Me” Perhaps you have seen the promotions on WGAL Channel 8 – this year’s One Book, One Community selection is Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. This novel brings to light an often forgotten part of America’s history – the orphan trains. Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by luck or chance. Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hard labor and servitude? As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past. Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community-service position helping an elderly widow clean out her attic is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she discovers that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they appear. A Penobscot Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past. Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is a powerful tale of upheaval and resilience, second chances, and unexpected friendship. Columbia Library will be holding a discussion of Orphan Train on Wednesday, February 4 at 6 PM. A PBS documentary “American Experience: the Orphan Trains” will also be shown. Light refreshments will be provided. Snow date is Wednesday, February 11, at 6 PM. The Columbia Public Library continues its very worthwhile and popular outreach begun last year. “Food For Fines” involves bringing in nonperishable food items for the Columbia Food Bank from February 3 through February 24. Personal hygiene items for the traveling winter shelter will also be collected. Each item donated will allow the donor to have $1.00 removed from their outstanding library fines. Maximum amount waived will be $10.00. 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 Danielle Peters of the Columbia Food Bank and Robert Middleton, assistant coordinator of Hands Across the Street and the traveling winter shelter, items needed include any nonperishable foods, along with shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, socks, and mouthwash for the winter shelter. Items will be collected between Tuesday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 24. The Columbia Public Library, along with all other county libraries, is participating in an exciting new venture: “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten”. This worthwhile program is a collaboration between the Library System of Lancaster County and the “High Five Campaign”, a program of the United Way of Lancaster County. The exciting initiative is funded by the United Way, Susquehanna Bank and many other donors. Its goal is to have every child in Lancaster County ready to succeed by being prepared for kindergarten. An official launch of the initiative was held at the Lititz Public Library on Tuesday, January 13 at 1:30 pm. Interested caregivers will receive a 1000 Books folder when they enroll at our library and are encouraged to read to their child daily to start building their 1,000 book lists. If you read your child even a single book each day, you will have reached the 1,000 number in less than three years! Participants are encouraged to avail themselves of the libraries’ extensive children’s book collections as well as our story times – both here and at Head Start. Local libraries will reward small prizes at certain milestones to participants, and special gift books for those who reach the 500 and 1,000 book levels. Please stop by and sign up soon!! Our first crochet class, held January 13, was a huge success! The next crochet class will be held on Tuesday, February 10, at 6 PM. The class will be taught by Shirl Stumpf, who generously provides for our Mitten Tree each year. Both novice and beginning crocheters are welcome. You will need to bring: a skein (or two) of yarn, a size J crochet hook, and a pair of scissors. There is no charge for the instruction. If you already know how to crochet, come join us – you can help those of us who are just beginning! Wells Fargo Bank has begun “Finances 101” satellite visits at our library every Thursday. Times alternate between mornings and afternoons. January’s schedule is: February 5: 11 AM to 12 noon February 12: 1 to 2 PM February 19: 11 AM to 12 noon February 26: 1 to 2 PM A bank staff member will be here in our reference room to answer all questions and provide information. Topics covered will include: managing your money, improving (or establishing) credit, opening savings or checking accounts, saving for your children’s future, funding college, and preparing to purchase a home. Your questions are more than welcome and private sessions can be arranged if you prefer. For more information, call 684-1124 or email [email protected] February means tax time. The IRS has sent us VERY limited forms this year and NO instruction books. The IRS is working to make all of its tax returns be submitted electronically. We can help you download instruction books (which can be up to 200 pages) onto a flash drive device for you to refer to. We can also access and print any specialized forms you may need from the state and federal tax services’ web sites. Sam Edmond offers online tax preparation assistance; if you are interested, please set up an appointment with Sam (686-7096). Appointments begin February 1 – no exceptions. You MUST call 686-7096 and sign up for an appointment – whether for tax assistance or computer assistance with Sam! Sorry, no walk-ins. Family Film Nights continue – Wednesdays at 6 PM (only one film this month though!): February 4: No film - One Book, One Community Book Discussion of “Orphan Train” February 11: No film – Valentine Craft Night! February 18: No film: Library System of Lancaster County Board of Directors meeting here. February 25: “Shrek” PreSchool Story Times are Mondays at 1 PM: February 2: “Me and My Shadow” (Groundhog Day) February 9: “Gung Hay Fat Choy” (Chinese New Year) February 16: “I Cannot Tell a Lie” (Presidents’ Day) February 23: no story time We are open regular hours on February 16. A Valentine craft night will be held on Wednesday, February 11, from 6 to 8 PM. Participants will be making magnets and a thumbprint picture frame. This activity is for ages 4 through 10 and there is a limit of 18 children. Caregivers must stay with child. Registration is needed for purchase of materials – call 684-2255 or email [email protected]. Spencer, our Reading Education Assistance Dog will be here on Thursday, February 5 and Thursday, February 19, at 1 PM. We would like to remind everyone that this is a program for ages 4 and up – it is not designed for infants or hand-held toddlers. Children should be able to read to the dog (beginning readers are welcome!) and also listen to Miss Lisa read a story aloud. Thank you for understanding. 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!