Spring 2006 Newsletter

Archived Newsletters

Issue #29

Library Finishes 2005 with Increases in Circulation and Visits

The Leavenworth Public Library continues to be a very busy place, as reflected in the year-end statistics for 2005. Total circulation increased three percent from 423,255 items in 2004 to 436,345 items in 2005. Library building traffic increased from 188,534 visits in 2004 to 194,580 visits in 2005. Other significant increase in activity include the following:

Several days set records in 2005 with regard to the number of patrons using the library. The record setting days were as follows:

• Monday, July 25 with 1,036 patrons
• Tuesday, June 28 with 930 patrons
• Saturday, April 9 with 697 patrons
• Sunday, October 16 with 393 patrons

The library is a very active place and an integral part of the Leavenworth community. Patrons continue to compliment the friendly staff, great collection, and the increasing quality of our programs.

Highlights and Activities from 2005

Community Outreach/Support

• Partnered with the University of St. Mary’s marketing class to provide an informative study.
• Received $100,000 donation from the estate of Mr. Lorin Newman.
• Acquired photograph and negative collection from Johnny and Annie Johnston.
• Collected canned goods for a “Food for Fines” campaign benefiting Catholic Community Services.
• Reviewed donations from the estate of Judge Arthur Stanley for placement in the Kansas Room.
• Participated in Riverfest activities with a booth promoting library services, Ladies Night Out, PAIR day and Best of Leavenworth.
• Celebrated Children's Book Week with Mayor Lisa Weakley and by reading No Matter What by Debi Gliori.

Friends

Hosted two book sales, “Just Desserts” with Johnny Johnston, and continued the successful magazine table sales.

Patrons

Surpassed $260,000 in the trust fund, hosted the twelfth Festival of Trees, and donated $10,500 to the library to enhance technology.

Spanish Grant

• Applied for and received a grant for Spanish materials.
• Purchased Spanish language signs and display rack for brochures.
• Relocated all Spanish materials to one location in the library.

Things you may not know about Leavenworth Public Library

Did you know that you can check your account from the on-line catalog?

Click on “My Account” on the first screen and enter your library card number, including the PLEA and any symbols at the end, and your PIN. You can check to see what you have checked out, what fines you owe, the status of your reserves, and even renew materials.

Did you know that you can place materials on hold yourself from the on-line catalog? Locate an item of interest, then click on the tab that says “Details.” On the left-hand side of the screen is a tab that says “Place Hold.” Click here and then enter your library card and PIN number. You may place a hold even if the book still states that it is on order.

Did you know that you can access several online databases from the comfort of you home? Bring up the library’s web page and click on the “online databases” tab on the left side to bring up the listing. Databases include a Literature Resource Center, Health and Wellness Resource Center, Business Resource Center, and Newspaper Index.

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Computer Classes Offered

The Reference Department will offer computer instruction classes this spring on a monthly basis. Training will include “Basic Internet Skills,” “E-mail: Setting up and Maintaining an Account,” and Heritage Quest genealogical database.

Each class will be scheduled once a month and will meet on either a Monday or Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:15. Contact the Reference Department at 682-5666 ext. 206 for more information or to sign up for a class. If you are interested in a class but are unable to attend at the scheduled time, staff will attempt to schedule other sessions.

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Friends of the Library Spring Activities Planned

Book Sale- The spring Friends of the Library book sale is scheduled for March 17-19. Friday evening is the preview sale, and for a $5.00 admission fee shoppers will be able to get first pick at the books. Saturday the sale will run from 9:00-4:00 and Sunday will be the bag sale from 1:00-4:00. This sale will feature a good selection of VHS tapes that have been donated or deleted from the library’s collection.

“Just Desserts”-Friday, April 7, is the date for the Friends annual “Just Desserts.” The featured speaker is local author Roger Spiller. Mr. Spiller has written several books on military history. His most recent title An Instinct for War:Scenes From the Battlefields of History, was recently featured in an article from The Kansas City Star. This book will be available for purchase the evening of the program.

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Summer Reading Program to Feature Pets

The theme for this summer is “Paws, Claws, Scales, and Tales.” Story times, family nights, and other activities that involve animals are being planned.

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Spring Books to Be Published

• Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark. A mother’s search for a kidnapped child.
• Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson. Caterer Goldy Schultz embarks on a new adventure.
• Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich. New adventures for Stephanie Plum.
• Kingdom Come by Time Green. A billionaire’s death engenders greed and a competition among friends.
• Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag. A Minneapolis homicide detective and his partner become embroiled in murder and betrayal when an unpopular judge is kidnapped.
• Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber. At 50, a woman returns to her childhood home to care for her mother and relive the past.
• The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard. A long-ago murder resurfaces in a Kansas town.
• Everyman by Phillip Roth. Illness befalls a successful commercial artist and ex-husband of three very different women.
• Dead Watch by John Sanford. Politics is the milieu for passion, ambition, and murder.
• Dirty Blond by Lisa Scottloine. Trouble assails a female judge when a high-profile defendant is killed.
• Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith. The latest offering in the bestselling No. 1 Ladies Detective Agancy series.
• Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods. Stone Barrington investigates a CIA officer’s apparent suicide.

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Calendar of Events

• March 2-4:00 pm-Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration
• March 17-19-Friends of the Library Book Sale
• March 20-7:00 pm-WWI Book Talk-Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemmingway
• April 2-8 National Library Week
• April 7-7:00 pm-“Just Desserts” with Roger Spiller, author of An Instinct for War
• April 13-11:00 am-WWI Book Talk-A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East by David Fromkin
• April 16-Library Closed for Easter Holiday
• April 19-Last Story Time for Session One
• May 21-2:30-3:30-Program on Tea.
• May 29-Library Closed for Memorial Day
• Forever Free Exhibit-June 14 through August 5.
• Art & Reading Programs-March 14, & April 18 at 4:00 pm.
• Family Chess Club-March 11, & April 8 at 2:00 pm.

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On-line Book Clubs Offered at Library

The Leavenworth Public Library has partnered with DearReader.com to bring you the Leavenworth Public Library On-line Book Club. Subscribe, and every day, Monday through Friday, an e-mail will be delivered to you containing a new chapter from a best-selling book. The chapters are divided into daily segments that take about five minutes to read. Each week you will receive excerpts from a new book, sent directly to your e-mail address, completely free. You may join as many as you wish.

After reading your selection from the On-line Book Club, you may have an interest in reading the entire book. Please check the catalog for availability of the book. The following book clubs are offered:

• Fiction
• Business
• Science Fiction
• Non-Fiction
• Romance
• Horror
• Mystery
• Good News
• Pre-Publication
• Teen Reading
• Audio Books

Sign up for an On-line Book Clubs here.

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