Off the Shelf

Winter 2008 Newsletter

Archived Newsletters

                   
 Library Expansion Progress

Construction has finally started on the library expansion! On September 19, the heavy equipment and workers arrived to begin work.

One issue that the crew discovered very early was the existence of ground water. The water was discovered in the southeast corner, over by the air conditioning units. The architect, engineers, and city staff met to determine a solution for this problem. Their proposal is to install a sump pump that will drain the water away from the building.

The good news is that during the past sixty days the following work has been accomplished:

• Moving dirt from the foundation and parking lot area.
• Pouring the concrete for the footings on the outside walls, the patio, and steps; pouring the concrete for the east wall.
• Installing the forms for the steps, which will lead from the alley to the patio.
  In addition, the building committee has been busy selecting furniture. The shelving, computer study carrels, and table for the study room have been picked out. The style of the furniture for the lounge area has been chosen, and currently the committee is picking out the upholstery fabric. 

Despite the rain, cold weather, and the ground water, everything is still on schedule for a late-March completion. Look for more information on the grand opening and ribbon-cutting tentatively scheduled for National Library Week in April.     

 Library Receives Donation for Autism Materials

The library recently received a $1,000 monetary donation, along with several books  from Caryl Knolton of Allies for Autism Spectrum Disorders. The money will be used to supplement our collection of materials on autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and other spectrum disorders. Items to be purchased will include books and DVDs for parents of autistic children, siblings, and teachers, as well as for young people and adults with the disease.

Allies for Autism is a local group of parents and educators who meet monthly to provide community education on autism and support for parents and family members. They raised the money by having bake sales, setting out an informational table in the community, and  having other fundraisers for the past year.  

Brown Bag Mysteries Return Beginning in January

Readers are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and join the discussion of Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos, a “bird mystery” by Donna Andrews. This first session of the Brown Bag Mystery Talks will be held on January 21, 2009, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the library Board Room. 

The setting for the book is the Yorktown Colonial Crafts Fair, where a sleazy software developer who has made enemies of everyone at the event, including ironmonger and sleuth Meg Langslow, is murdered. The author has won the Agatha, Anthony, and Barry awards, a Romantic Times  award for her first novel, and a Lefty for funniest mystery.

Additional book talk programs are scheduled for February 18, March 18, and April 15.

Upcoming Children’s Activities 

Movie Night-On December 11, at 6:30 pm, the library will be showing Toy Story 2. Come and watch this classic Disney film, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.

The movie will be shown in the Jahn Meeting Room, and no advanced reservations are needed.

Young Adult Program-On Sunday, December 7, at 2:00 pm, Judy Wiedower, financial aid officer from the University of St. Mary, will be presenting a program on how to fill out the FAFSA financial aid forms.

Spring Story time-The spring Story Time session will begin on Tuesday, January 6, at 10:30 am. Sessions will again be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.

Themes for the spring include the following:

• January 6, 7, 8-Our favorite television show includes our friend Elmo.
• January 13, 14, 15-Airplanes fly high and take us on trips around the world.
• January 20, 21, 22-It is winter, which means lots of snow.
• January 27, 28, 29-Help the library celebrate the state of Kansas’s birthday.
• February 3, 4, 5-Illustrators make our books come alive with all the pictures.
• February 10, 11, 12-Celebrate Valentine’s Day and make a special valentine card.
  
• February 17, 18, 19-Put-Put around town in our trusty automobile.
  
• February 24, 25, 26-Celebrate one of the greatest jazz performers—Duke Ellington.
• March 3, 4, 5-It’s birthday time for our favorite author, Dr. Seuss.
  
• March 10, 11, 12-Everyone’s best friend is the dog. What is your favorite breed?
  
• March 17, 18, 19-Wear your green for St. Patrick’s Day stories.
  
• March 24, 25, 26-Bubbles everywhere-chase them down and watch them pop.
  
• March 31, April 1, 2-Silly stories for April Fool’s!
  
• April 7, 8, 9-Easter bunny and Easter eggs means spring is near.
  
• April 14, 15, 16– This is a special week-National Library Week! 

Friends Programs Planned for Spring

The Friends of the Library have several activities planned for the spring of 2009. First, the Spring Book Sale is scheduled for March 27 through March 29. Friday night is the preview sale, where for $5.00 you can get first selection of all the fabulous choices. The sale will continue on Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday is the “bag sale” from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. As always, there will be a great selection of fiction, children’s, and paperback books.

The second event is “Just Desserts,” which is scheduled for Friday, April 17. The featured speaker will be Nancy Pickard, author of the “Kansas Reads” book, Virgin of the Small Plains. Information about tickets and reservations will be available later; however, please mark your calendar now for this event.

Foundation Gala a Success

The Leavenworth Library Foundation finished 2008 on a successful note with the annual gala held at the Leavenworth Country Club on October 26. Approximately forty people attended the Sunday afternoon event. The silent auction featured KU items, a Branson vacation package, and  several “themed” baskets. The featured program was a general overview of the library’s new addition.    Approximately $11,000 was raised at the event. This money will be used to help furnish the new area.    

Check out the New Books

The following books can be found on the New Book shelf at the library. Check out any of these or other new books in the library.

140 Years of Kansas Newspapers and Newspaper Families  by the Kansas Press Association. (070.172 EBL) Organized in 1863, the Kansas Press Association is dedicated to community newspapers and issues affecting the newspaper industry in Kansas.

For Service to Your Country: The Insider’s Guide to Veterans’ Benefits by Peter S. Gaytan & Marian Edelman Borden. (362.86 GAY) Written by a leading expert in veterans’ affairs, this invaluable guide gives clear, step-by-step, form-by form advice on cutting through the red tape and getting the medial, financial, and other support you’ve earned.

Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen. (638.15 JAC) This books tells how with the disappearance of honey bees, the country will not just be losing honey. Industrial agriculture depends on bees to pollinate most fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

The Complete Guide to Bed & Breakfasts, Inns & Guesthouses International  by Pamela Lanier. (647.94 LAN 2008) A complete reference listing, which includes complete information about each facility, their services, and special features.

Care & Repair of Antiques & Collectibles by Judith Miller (745.1 MIL) The author uses her vast experience in antiques and collectibles to provide information needed to care for your treasured antiques.

Giants: the Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln by John Stauffer. (920.073 STA) The author describes the transformations in the lives of these two giants during a time when men rejected the status quo and embraced new ideals of personal liberty. 

Calendar of Events

• November 26-Close at 5:00 pm
• November 27-Library Closed for Thanksgiving
  
• December 4-7:00 pm-Book Talk
  
• December 7-2:00 pm-Financial Aid Program
  
• December 11-6:30 pm-Toy Story 2 Movie Program
  
• December 24 & 25-Library Closed for Christmas Holiday
  
• December 31-Close at 5:00 pm
  
• January 1, 2009-Library Closed for New Year’s Day
  
• January 19-Closed for Martin Luther King Day
  
• January 21-11:30 am-1:00 pm-Mystery Book Talk
  
• February 16-Closed for Presidents’ Day
  
• March 27-29-Friends Book Sale
  
• April 12-18-National Library Week 

Regular Events

• Pre-School Story Time-Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays @ 10:30 am beginning January 6
• Grand Care Story Time-Mondays @ 10:00 am beginning January 5  

 Kansas Room Update

The Perfect Gift: Memories of Our First City, a coloring book based upon information and photographs in our Kansas Room, will soon be available for purchase. Ed Rotkoff, a library volunteer and graphic artist, has illustrated this book depicting life in our city in years gone by--children at play, as well as famous people and places. This is a fun way to become acquainted with our community’s rich heritage. All proceeds from the sale of the coloring book will go to building our resources in the Kansas Room.

Research Alert: The Reference Department has recently acquired the Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970, a computer database. This database includes Leavenworth and other cities in Kansas. The maps were prepared by an insurance company to assist firefighters. It may be possible to determine the construction year of one’s home or business by checking the maps through the years. Many of the businesses are identified by name.

Research Alert Two: A new word-searchable database of the historical archives of the Kansas City Star from 1880 to 1900 is also available for research. It is not only fun to see what went on during that time period, but more important, Leavenworth is mentioned frequently.   

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