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.

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.