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.

Today’s Headline!

I hope that you got a chance to read the special 4-page insert in today’s Star-Telegram.  If you didn’t get a copy, please stop by the library and pick one up.  It makes us so proud to read about where the library has been, where it is now and where it is going.  Ann Bastable’s wonderful article titled Haltom City: A look back in time takes you on a picturesque trip back to the typical small town in the 60’s.  Haltom City has grown so much since then and so has the library.

We want to thank all the local businesses, the 50^th Birthday Committee, the Friends of the Library, the Library Advisory Board, the library staff, and the Star-Telegram for helping put the Haltom City Public Library’s 50^th Celebration in the news!  (OMG – I hope I haven’t forgot anyone – is it Oscar time again?)

While it is always fun to look back and reflect on the past, the library continues to look forward for new ways to enhance its services to you, the community.   The library is in the process of building a Permanent Art Collection.  New classes and workshops are being offered such as Art Wednesday, Art Classes for children by Bennie Johnson Wood, an eBook Reader Workshop, and a Resume Writing & Job Searching Workshop.  They all start this month and others are planned for the following months. Stop by the library and pick up a flier or check the City website for more information about these classes and workshops.

From Headlines to Deadlines—the entry deadline for the Annual Images of Haltom City Photo Contest is March 29, 2011.  The entry deadline for the Library’s Annual Writing Contest is May 31, 2011.

Library Trivia Question:  Which one of your friendly library staff studied at the Oxford University in England?  Hint:  The answer is in the 4-page insert that is in the Star-Telegram on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.

Photos & Words

Words in a book can tell us a story, give us information, or make us feel a particular emotion.  A photograph can often do the same and when it does, it’s magic.  It talks to us without words. 

The deadline for entries for the 23^rd Annual “Images of Haltom City” Photo Contest is March 29, 2011.  This contest started in 1985 as part of an American Library Association contest with the City of Haltom City taking over the sponsorship of it in 1989.  The number of entries and the talent displayed has increasingly grown over the years. 

In honor of the library’s 50^th birthday, a new photo category, “A City of Readers” has been added to the contest this year.  Focusing on the importance of reading in America and in our community is a truly fitting tribute to the library's 50 years of service.  So grab your camera and help make this year’s contest the best ever!  All of the photo entries will be displayed at the library in April, 2011, so I hope to see yours there! 

You can find out more information about the “Images of Haltom City” photo contest on the City’s website as well as the rules and other contest photo categories.

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50^th Year Birthday Cake!  Just a reminder to stop in tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 4:30 for a cake cutting ceremony to be held by the NET Chamber.

Don’t forget that we still want to hear about your memory of the first time you went to the library.  Submit them to: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com