Need Help? Ask Your Librarian

Last week I wrote a little teaser about a very special cabinet and a plea for help for doing book reviews for the library blog.  I am not a librarian but I’ve always heard how much librarians love to help their patrons.  Well, I’m a believer now. OMG!  I’ve never seen the Library Director of the Haltom City Public Library move so fast when she read that. (Okay, I am kidding—a little).  The next thing I knew I was receiving copies of multiple e-mails that she’d sent out to her many various resources saying,  "the Library Blog Mistress needs help".  Most folks can’t say no to Ms. Smith so I think the library blog will be having quite a few guest book reviewers in the upcoming weeks.  And that’s the way it should be.  Librarians and readers – a perfect combination for a successful and vibrant library and library blog.

Now for rest of that story about a very special cabinet that I promised I would do this week...nope...I'm not going to do it.   I simply cannot do it justice so this adorable story of “Lonesome Hank” is one that you have to read yourself and one you will have to hear for yourself.  I will tell you that it is a story of reinventing oneself after being retired and finding hidden talents.  You can find “Lonesome Hank” in center stage at the Library’s main lobby, patiently waiting for that special someone to hear his sweet music and read his story.   It looks like you just might find Librarian Grant Vaden, Lonesome Hank’s creator, mentor, and storyteller, hanging around with Hank in his spare time too.  (That’s another strange thing that I’ve noticed about librarians.  They always seem to spend their spare time at the library!)

Speaking of spare time, I hope that you have managed to find or borrow a copy of the book, To Kill a Mockingbird to read for the upcoming August 4^th panel discussion to be held at the Haltom City Public Library.  I know I’m heading for Half-Price Books this weekend for my copy.

And if you have been waiting to hear who the winners are for the library’s writing contest, the wait is almost over.  The four judges for the Library’s 2011 Annual Writing Contest have been busy reading all 194 entries that were received for this year’s contest and will be meeting tomorrow to review their favorites and select the final winners.  The winners should be announced shortly.

Attention Haltom City readers and surrounding neighborhood readers!  I have a challenge for you, myself included.  There are three parts to it but I guarantee they will all be easy.  The hard work has already been done by the Haltom City Public Library’s 50th Anniversary Committee, other volunteers, and the library staff. 

The first part:  Our reading assignment for the summer is only one book.  A timeless classic, Pulitzer Prize winning novel that has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.  To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  You’ve already read it?  So have I, years ago.  It’s a book worthy of reading again and I don’t know about you, but I know that my perspective and insight has changed over the years so I’m eager to read it again with wiser eyes.  The deadline for completing our reading assignment is August 4^th.  (Please note that the book covers serious and mature themes.)

The second part:  Show up at the Haltom City Public Library at 7:00 sharp on August 4^th for “The Songbird Still Sings: A Celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize Award for To Kill a Mockingbird".  Expect an evening of stimulating and exhilarating panel discussions and dramatic readings.  I can promise you that we will not be disappointed, not with the caliber of guest panelists that they have somehow managed to obtain and the actors/actresses from the Artisan Center Theater doing the readings. 

The third part:  Come back to the library on Saturday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m., sit back, relax and enjoy the academy-award-winning film of the book, To Kill a Mockingbird.  (Please note that the film covers serious and mature themes.)

All three parts sound like fun, don’t they?  Then why the challenge?  Because I know from personal experience what an enormous task it is to plan such an event.  I know how difficult it can be to find and select the just-right guest panelists, then beg or bribe them to agree to be on the panel, coordinate everyone’s time and schedule, and then do the same for the dramatic readings.  The timings of the discussions, the dramatic readings, questions and answers sessions, how to publicize the event, etc.  all have to be decided. And then there's those hundred or so other little things that were almost forgotten that have to be tended to.  It takes hard work, dedication, and soul to pull off this type of grand event.  These good folks have done more than their fair share. 

Now’s it our turn.  Let’s not let them down.

Fondly, your library blog mistress

This is National Pet Week

Most of us know and remember that Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, May 8^th.  But did you know that this week, May 1-7^th,  is National Pet Week?  Petie, one of my two adorable rescue dogs, wants to remind you that when you go shopping for Mother Day’s, to please pick up a special little treat for your pet as well. 

Per the website:  www.petweek.org,  “the American Veterinary Medical Association is celebrating the 30th anniversary of National Pet Week. Over the years, everyone from Bill Clinton, as governor of Arkansas to Miss America, Dr. Debbye Turner has celebrated National Pet Week. Veterinary clinics across America have hosted everything from fun runs, dog washes and most unusual pet contests during the first full week of May since National Pet Week launched in 1981. National Pet Week is a week of education, fun, and a focal point for celebration in the community.”

While we do not suggest that you surprise your mother (a major no-no) with a puppy or a kitten for Mother’s Day, we do hope that when your family is ready for a new furry member of the family, you will consider adopting your new best friend from the Haltom City Animal Services or another animal rescue organization. 

If you decide to adopt a dog, Petie recommends that you check out these books and DVD’s from the Haltom Public Library to help your new dog adapt into your family.

Dogs all-in-one for dummies (Book)

Cesar’s rules: your way to train a well-behaved dog (book)

The World of Dogs (Instructional DVD)

If you decide to adopt a cat or kitten, then Petie says you’re on your own since he claims they are untrainable (his word, not mine). But I’m willing to bet that you will be able to find a book or DVD at the Haltom City Public Library on how to co-exist with them. Just ask one of the friendly librarians to help you find the book, DVD or article on how you and your furry pet can live in harmony.

Time for Spring Cleaning?

Is it time to declutter? Do the shelves in your bookcase look like this?  Overflowing with books that you’ve read and no place left to keep them? 

I have the solution!  Donate your gently read books to the Haltom City Public Library.  Some books may be used to add to the library's shelves or replace existing torn or worn books; the rest will be donated to the book sale being sponsored by the Friends of the Haltom City Public Library on April 28-April 30, 2011.  (If you have empty bookshelves, you won't want to miss this sale!)

Helpful hint from your library blog mistress:  If you use your library card instead of your charge card, not only will your book shelves stay neat, you will save money and still be the best-read person in town.

And if you still have that prize-winning photo sitting on a shelf along with your books or knickknacks, you only have a few days to submit it to the 24^th Annual Images of Haltom City Photo Contest.  The contest deadline is March 29, 2011.

And if you still have that award-winning poem or short story cluttering up your mind, make time to get those words down on paper.  The deadline for the Library’s 11^th Annual Writing Contest is May 31, 2011. 

Themes and rules are on the City’s website for both the photo contest and the writing contest.