Winter 2007 Newsletter

Archived Newsletters

Plans for Library Addition Approved

At their November meeting, the Library Board of Trustees approved the final design plans for the library building addition. The plans will now be presented to the city commission at an upcoming meeting. Everything is still on schedule for construction to begin next spring.

Details of the new addition include the following:

• Sixteen additional parking spaces
• An approximately 500 sq. ft. meeting room that will be used for library programs, including story times, books talks, movie nights, and others
• Twice as much shelving for the young adult collection
• Room for additional Internet workstations for the public and possible computer classes
• Two staff offices with storage space
• A finished courtyard to the south of the building

Look for further updates in the Spring and Summer editions of the newsletter as work progresses. 

Kansas Reads In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

“Kansas Reads”, a program sponsored by the Kansas State Library and the Kansas Center for the Book, encourages adults to read, discuss, and experience the same book throughout the state. The book for 2008 is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Libraries are encouraged to participate by hosting book discussions, showing films, or bringing in speakers to discuss Capote’s writings or other related topics.

Look for more information in January concerning Leavenworth Public Library's programs related to this book.

Library to Receive $14,950 from Gates Foundation

The library recently received notification that it will be receiving a total of $14,950 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help replace our public Internet workstations. Approximately five years ago, the Foundation donated workstations to help libraries increase their number of Internet computers. However, many libraries do not have the funding to replace these computers now that they are becoming outdated. The Foundation is now offering a second round of funding to help libraries replace these older machines.

This grant, which will be received in 2008, requires that the library purchase nine computer workstations. However, any money left over can be used for other technology equipment upgrades, such as printers. The new computers will be installed by October 1, 2008.

Contest Winners Announced

The winning photographs in the 2007 Library Photo Contest have been announced and are currently on display in the library’s lobby. Congratulations to Felicity Avenenti for her photograph “Doggie in the Window,” to Cynthia Hesser for her photographs “Train at Riverfront Park” and “Flag,” to Lois Kastner for her photographs “Flowers and Fences,” “Fall Has Arrived,” “Dew-Laden Grasses,” “Centennial Bridge,” and “Fireworks Over Centennial Bridge,” and to Kaleena Persyn for her time-lapsed photograph of 4th and Shawnee Streets. The winners received a framed copy of their photograph, along with a copy of Leavenworth Legacy.

A big “Thank You” to all who entered, the judges for their time, and to Photographix Unlimited for their contributions.

Teen Advisory Board Members Wanted!

Youths from ages thirteen to eighteen are invited to join the library’s teen advisory board to provide input on services and programs. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 4, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the Library Board meeting room.

Topics to be discussed over the next year include the following:

• Suggestions on furnishings and décor of the new young adult area
• Programs and services for teens
• Input on the collection, including books, music, DVDs, and other media

If interested in becoming part of this group, please call 682-5666 ext. 207 for more information and to register for the meeting.

Photo Story Time Themes For Spring

January 8,9-Recognize the first balloon race across the English Channel
January 15,16-Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 22,23-Read about winter carnivals and make snowflakes
January 29, 30-Kansas Day!
February 5, 6-Celebrate Chinese New Year
February 12, 13-Valentines Day!
February 19, 20-Celebrate pets during National Pet Owners’ Month
February 26, 27-Make paper bag pig puppets for National Pig Day
March 4, 5-Prepare for April showers by observing National Umbrella Month
March 11, 12-St. Patrick’s Day!
March 18, 19-Easter egg crafts are part of our Easter stories
March 25, 26-Let the March winds blow for Kite Flying Day
April 1, 2-Listen to circus stories for American Circus Day
April 8, 9-Begin thinking summer with National Ocean Week
April 15, 16-National Library Week!

Recent New Books

The following books were recently added to the collection at the Leavenworth Public Library. Most can be found on the New Books Shelf.

• 305.5 NEW The Missing Class: Portraits of the Near Poor in America by Katherine S. Newman and Victor Tan Chen—An urgent and timely exploration describes the unique problems faced by the growing class of people who are neither working poor nor middle class.
• 332.1 GRE The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World by Alan Greenspan—The author shares the story of his life, drawing readers along with his own understanding of world events.
• 372.125 SAM One Room Country Schools of Kansas by Bill Samuelson—This book is the story of the people-teachers, students, school boards, and parents-who nurtured the one- room schools in Kansas.
• 613.7 FIT Fitness over Fifty—This book features practical advice about how you can increase your energy, strength, balance, and flexibility, along with nutrition tips.
• 616.462 KAN 10 Steps to Better living with Diabetes by Ginger Kanzer-Lewis—The author provides practical, no-nonsense information and tips to give you a framework for building a better life with diabetes.
• 641.555 RAY 2,4,6,8 Great Meals for Couples or Crowds by Rachel Ray—Trying to halve or triple recipes can be confusing! Rachel Ray comes to the rescue once again with 30-minute meals for any size group of people.
• 650.1 WIN It’s Called Work for a Reason! By Larry Wingate—The author shows you how to take responsibility for your own success, whether you punch a time clock, own your own business, or manage people.
• 973.921 NIC A Matter of Justice: Eisenhower and the Beginning of the Civil Rights Revolution by David A. Nichols—Fifty years after Eisenhower ordered troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, the author presents information that places the President and his civil rights policies in a new light.

Looking For the Perfect Holiday Gift-Try the Library!

As part of the Library and Carnegie Arts Center twentieth-anniversary celebration, the book Leavenworth Legacy was reprinted. They are currently on sale at the library-$30 for a soft cover book and $50 for the special anniversary-edition hard cover. The book features a selection of historic photographs taken in the early twentieth century by photographer Frank Morrow.

These books would make a perfect holiday gift for either life-long residents or our friends who spend just a short time in our town. All money raised will benefit the Friends of the Library.

Foundation Gala A Success

The second Library Foundation Gala, held at the Leavenworth Country Club on Saturday, October 27, was a huge success! Everyone in attendance had a good time, the food was excellent, and the auction items represented a wide variety of prizes. A big “Thank You” to our sponsors, members of the committee, and our Foundation Board who put in hours organizing the event, as well as all who attended.

Approximately $7,800 was raised at the gala, which will help with expenses related to the library addition. Plans are already being made for next year’s gala-look for more information next summer.

Next Friends of the Library Meeting
Monday, February 4th
6:30 pm Jahn Meeting Room
All members are welcome to attend,

Calendar of Events

• December 4-3:30-5:00 pm-Teen Advisory Board Meeting
• December 6-7:00 pm-Mystery Book Talk-Israel
• December 24 & 25-Library Closed
• December 31-Library Closes at 5:00 pm
• January 1, 2008-Library Closed
• January 21-Library Closed
• February 18-Library Closed for Staff In-Service
• April 4 through 6-Friends of the Library Book Sale
• April 18-“Just Desserts” featuring Fr. David Suwalsky

Regular Events

• Grand Care Story Time-Mondays @ 9:30 am from January 7 to May 12
• Pre-School Story Time-Tuesdays and Wednesdays @ 10:30 am from January 8 to April 16
• Toddler Time-Thursdays @ 10:30 am from January 10 to April 17

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