The

Library Letter
News from the St. Marys Community Public Library Spring 2008

From Our Director: 2007 Review; 2008 What’s New

S
pring is when I annually take the pulse of the library by reviewing year-end statistics. (See
chart below.) I also reflect on what we did well in 2007 and share our plans for 2008.
The Board adopted a three-year
Long Range Plan in March, and most of the items Data 2006 2007
on the plan for 2007 have been accomplished. Total Items Circulated 116,477 125796
We enjoyed author visits by Robert “Buzz” Computer Lab Use 12,135 16,439
Howard, Eldon Montague and Polly Slonkosky- Holds, placed by computer 12,472 15,020
Barga. Learn @ Your Library Tatting Classes and Patrons registered 8782 9714
programs on pain management, healthy cooking Items borrowed from other 17,137 20,287
and controlling clutter were offered for adults. Libraries
A toy area was created for children, with Items loaned to other 18,349 20,762
adaptive toys aimed at those with disabilities. libraries
Teens formed a library Animanga Club to share
Total books held 64,391 65,293
their love of the Japanese art styles. “After-hours”
Total Audiovisual Items 4,736 5,499
programs were offered for “tweens” in grades 4-6
Magazine subscriptions 126 125
and for young adults in grades 7-12.
With the help of the Friends of the Library, Newspaper subscriptions 10 10
we purchased two Early Literacy Stations— Total Program Attendance 12,484 13,861
computers for young children that feature fun and educational games and activities. Adult computer
classes on a variety of topics were offered.
The Audiovisual budget was increased for the purchase of DVDs, music CDs, and Books on
CD. In addition, we purchased a CD/DVD resurfacer to extend the shelf life of our collection.
We’ve embraced face-out shelving where we can, as well as creation of themed book displays,
to make browsing easy and interesting for our patrons.
In 2007, the Library Youth Services Staff mentored Steve Moser, a student intern from Kent
State University. Our entire staff enjoyed the exchange of ideas during his stay.
Thanks to many donations throughout the year, including the “Health
& Wellness” grant from Rotary and two sizeable memorials, we were able to
purchase a significant amount of materials for the Library collection.
In 2008 the community will see new Library signs installed in town,
and expanded shelving will be installed in the Teen Area of the Library. As
ever, our patrons will continue to receive exceptional service and programs
from the Library. Please visit us soon to see What’s New @ Your Library!
Susan Heckler Pittman
Library Director

Board of Trustees: Ruth Ramsey

DeWayne Marsee, President Doris Lawler
Kimberlee Pierce, Vice-President Bill Angel
Linda Schloemer, Secretary Susan Heckler Pittman, Library Director
Donald Glaser Robert P. Maurer, Clerk Treasurer
What’s Inside: Adult Programs, pg. 2; Youth Events, pg. 3; and Donations, pg. 4.
 Computer classes at the Library
BOOK DISCUSSIONS Adult computer classes focus on basic skills
FOR ADULTS: needed to start using a computer. Taught by Jay
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Miley. Class sizes are small. Please register.
• March 6 – 6:30 PM. Using the Mouse and
Tuesday Morning Basic Computer Skills. Hands-on practice.
Book Group • March 13 – 6:30 PM. Windows XP Basics.
Adults only; sessions meet Hands-on practice.
at 10:30 A.M. on the • March 25 – 10:00 AM. MS Word Basics.
following dates: Lecture format.
March 4 – Amateur Marriage by Anne • April 10 – 6:30 PM. MS Word Basics.
Tyler; Lecture format.
April 1 – Light On Snow by Anita Shreve; • April 16 – 10:00 AM. Using the Mouse and
and Basic Computer Skills. Hands-on practice.
May 6 – The Lost Mother by Mary • April 23 – 10:00 AM. Windows XP Basics.
McGarry Morris. Hands-on practice.
~~~~~~~~~~ • May 1 – 6:30 PM. Internet 1: Searching &
“Let’s Talk About It” Surfing. Lecture followed by hands-on practice
Theme: The Immigrant Experience in the computer lab.
• May 8 – 6:30 PM. Library Catalog. Lecture.
March 11 – Digging to America
• May 12 – 10:00 AM. Internet 1: Searching &
by Anne Tyler with scholar Sally Angel;
April 8 – The Master Butcher’s Singing Surfing. Lecture followed by hands-on practice
Club by Louise Erdrich, with scholar in the computer lab.
Christine Wilson; and
May 13– The Namesake by Lahiri, March 1-8 is Fine Free Week
Jhumpa, with scholar Marty Kich. “Return a Borrowed Book” Week is
Sessions begin at 7:00 P.M. Books may be March 1-8, and the Library will be waiving
checked out & read prior to the sessions. fines. It’s a great time to return the forgotten
Please arrive early if checking out books. books stashed under the bed & in the closet.
Please contact the Library for more
information or to register.
Much Ado About Movies
Visit the Library for
New Tatting Classes Offered monthly movies for adults, shown
Learn @ Your Library this spring! Adults are in the Library meeting room.
welcome to attend Basic Tatting on Monday Each month has a special
evenings: March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 7:00 to theme. Join us for an evening of
8:30 PM. There is a $12 fee to cover all the free entertainment! Dates and themes are:
materials needed for the sessions. • March 25 – March Madness;
Advanced Tatting 1 is also being offered • April 22 – Shakespeare’s Birthday; and
for those who’ve completed Basic Tatting. • May 22 – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Birthday.
Sessions will be held Monday, April 7, 14, 21, 28 Club to Evaluate Coins
and May 5. Classes are free but there will be a The Tri County Coin Club will evaluate
charge for materials, which will be provided. coins at the Library on Thursday, April 17, from
All sessions run from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Anyone interested in learning the
Registration is requested as class size is limited. value of their old or rare coins is welcome to
attend. Free. Club meeting will be held after and is
open to the public.
 Spring Activities for Children & Teens
Teddy Bear Tea
Monday, April 14 at 6:30 PM.
For girls in Preschool to Grade 3. After School
‘Tween After-Hours Party Movies:
Friday, March 7, from 7:00-10:00 PM.
Grades 4-6 only. All ages are welcome.

‘Tween Craft March 4 & 20;

Monday, March 31 at 3:30 PM. April 1 & 10
Make your own pillow! Grades 4-6 only.
Registration is requested—participation is limited. at 3:30 P.M.
Ask at the Library for
Clifford Party movie titles and ratings.
Monday, March 3 at 11:00 AM.
Preschoolers & toddlers are invited
to the Library for a Clifford Party.
The American Legion Auxiliary and the
Library team up for literacy and fun.
Teen Animanga
Story Times: Club Meetings
Preschool Story Time—for children ages 3-5
years old: 10:30 A.M. Slated for Spring
March 12, 19 & 26 and April 2. Grades 7-12 – Share your favorites &
discover new & awesome movies &books.
Family Story Time—for the family: 6:30 P.M. • Club Meeting.
March 10. Tuesday, March 18 at 3:30 PM;
Toddler Story Time—for 2-year-olds: 10:30 A.M. • Animanga Marathon!
March 13, 20 & 27 and April 3. Friday, April 4
from 4:00 to 11:00 PM;
Baby Story Time—for parents and their babies • Club Meeting.
newborn-13 months: 11:00 A.M. Tuesday. April 15 at 3:30 PM; &
March 13, 20 & 27 and April 3. • Club Meeting.
Tuesday, May 6 at 3:30 PM.

Special Days at the Library HOURS CHANGE NOTICE

• March 1-7: Return Borrowed Books Week. No The Library Hours will change on
fines! It’s a great time to clean out your room & locker. Monday, March 10 to:
• April 18: House that Ruth Built. Free Baby Ruth Monday-Thursday 10 AM-7 PM.
candy bars to celebrate the new Yankee Stadium. Friday 10 AM-5 PM.
• May 1: National Smile Month Kick-Off. Free smiley Saturday 10 AM-2 PM.
magnets with check-outs. Closed Sunday.
 St. Marys Community Public Library Non-Profit
140 S. Chestnut Street Standard Mail
St. Marys, OH 45885 U.S. Postage PD.
(419)394-7471 Permit No. 12
St. Marys, OH

POSTAL PATRON

“The library will provide creative and factual resources to meet the educational,
informational, cultural and recreational needs of the community.”
– SMCPL Mission statement

Donations Received:
November 2007. Gifts by Eldon Montague, Martha A. Willis, Reflections OCCL, Vic and Judy VonBlon, and
Richard L. Stein. Donations in memory of R.E. “Bill” Bowlby by Linda Koons and in memory of Etna Tabler
by James and Marion Folk.
December. Donations in memory of Nicholas Bayer by the Bovin Family Foundation; in memory of Robert L.
Hirschfeld by Guiding Hands OCCL; and in memory of Cathryn Long by Guiding Hands OCCL. Gifts by the
U.S. Department of Energy; the Ohio School for the Deaf; Federal Student Aid; Brackemyre Publishing;
Shakespeare Club (bronze plaque); Ohio Representative John Adams; and Margi Moul.
January. Donations in memory of Nichoas E. Bayer by Robert and Shirley Huckeriede; Chris W. Sherman;
and Paul and Barbara Powers. Gifts by the Swingin’ Seniors; the Auglaize County Retired Teachers
Association; Mary Maurer; and Carol Palmer. Donation in memory of Martha Meckstroth by Arnold W.
Meckstroth.