End of October

31 October 2013 Here it is the end of October and it is ending on a cloudy, rainy day. Today is Halloween and the origins go back to ancient Ireland. Halloween was the last night of the Celtic year and the belief was that on that evening the barrier that separates the physical world from the spiritual world was very thin and spirits could cross over from one world to the other. This was the night where conjurors could call forth the spirit of a dead relative and you could ask the spirit questions. They were compelled to answer you but the answer could be a lie or so cryptic that you left confused. Evil spirits could also cross over and take possion of a person's body, evicting the person's soul and sending it into the spiritual world. The demon possed body was known as a changling and to help protect a person from the demon, people would dress in disguise to escape being identified by the demon who was after you. Some people also left out gifts for the spirit of a person that had died and was known to be greedy or angry. The hope was that the gift would please the spirit and it would leave you alone. Today we dress in costumes and the children ask for a treat so you can avoid a trick. We continue to tell tales of gobblins and other demons and how they make evil for people. Our reference and teen librarian, Beth, is leaving us. Today is her last day and she will be missed by everyone on staff as well as the teens she worked with over the past eight months and many patrons. We wish her good luck at her new job. The raffle to support the South County Pantry has begun. Last week's blog has a list of items that they need. Remember you get to submit one entry for every item you bring in. For example, say you bring in a package of disposable razors and bottle of shampoo. You would get two entry forms to fill out. The raffle runs through December 8 and the drawing will be the next day. The Brown Bag Classics Club will be meeting at noon on November 18, in the meeting room. This month you may read a book by Mark Twain. We have several copies behind the circulation desk. Several of them are collected works. You only need to read one of the books in the collected works or four or five short stories. Just a reminder, as the end of the year draws to an end, don't forget the Library as you make year end donations to your favorite institutions. Our children's programs are very dependent on donations and the number of people attending the programs are growing. Also, you can make a donation in memory of a loved one and designate what you would like the library to purchase with the donation. It can be books, audio books, programming, maintenance, displays or for staff continuing education. We appreciate the support of our patrons and we will continue to give you the level of service to which you are familiar. Until next week, stay safe and read. John

October 25, 2013

25 October 2013 The weather has gone from wonderful to damp and cold. Is there anything better on these damp cold nights than sitting in your favorite chair and reading a good book? Playing video games and watching TV doesn't count. We are coming into the long time of the year where we enjoy the dark more than the light and it is a perfect time to catch up on your reading. Why read? It helps your child develop mental skills they will need in life as well as increasing their vocabulary, command of the English language and building on their knowledge base. For adults it helps to keep the mind active which helps keep the memory intact. Keeps adults aware of the world around us, inspire ideas for craft projects, and just for the fun of reading a good story. The ability to read is an amazing thing. Most people can do it and trying to live in the modern world without the ablility is nearly impossible. If a child cannot read at their grade level by the time they leave third grade, they will have a harder time the rest of their school career and have a harder time being successful as an adult. Parents, your children will follow your lead, so read for enjoyment, read to your children. I know, I am banging that drum a lot but if I didn't think it was important, I wouldn't mention it. Monday we kick off our raffle to help South County Pantry. The raffle will run from Monday, October 28 through Sunday, December 8. To enter you must bring in an item from the following list that South County needs. One entry is allowed for each item. The grand prize is a winter family basket that contains 2 mugs with the library logo on it, a box of hot cocoa mix, microwave popcorn and two DVD's for family viewing.

The items needed by South County Pantry are:

Toothpaste               Tooth brushes               Shampoo/conditioner          Deodorant             Bar soap     
Razors                     Shaving cream               Aftershave lotion                 Mouth wash          Lotions   Other toiletries         Dish soap                      Cleaning supplies                 Laundry detergent

This is the time of year when we think of those who have fallen on hard times and need a little help.  The generostiy of the people in this area is great and I hope that you will step forward and help feel the needs of our neighbors.

Until next week, be safe.

John        

9 October 2013

October 9, 2013 What a wonderful week has just gone by. Warm and sunny and on Sunday we got some much needed rain. A little chilly at the beginning of the week but it is getting better. With the shorter days we are spending more time inside and what better way to spend that time than with a good book or movie. Reading helps keep you mentally alert and parents, reading to your children helps them academically. The plus of reading to your children is that it is a shared experience with you and your children. As the children get older, they can take turns with you reading to the others. Make a story night and read for fifteen minutes, half hour or even hour. You may start off reading Little Critter books and by the time they get into high school maybe works by Robert Louis Stevenson or the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes. Just because your child is able to read on their own doesn't mean you can't read to them. It can build memories and traditions that you and your children can pass down for generations to come. An added plus for your child is that as they get older and they start to take part in the reading, they learn public speaking skills. Remember that Beth has her Tech-Tutor on the first Monday of the month beginning at 10:30. She will answer questions on how to connect your mobile device to sign in to our ebook collection or help you sign up an email account to keep in contact with family all over the country. We have about 8 Vicksburg District Library travel cups in metallic red available for you to purchase for $6.00 each. We also have Vicksburg District Library canvass book bags available for $10.00 each. The next Thursday morning book discussion book will be any work by Louise Penny. They meet the first Thursday of the month at 9:00 in the library by the fireplace. The selection for the Brown Bag Book Classics Club is any work by Charles Dickens. The club meets at noon on the third Monday of the month in the meeting room downstairs. The Library will be open at its regular hours on Columbus Day, Monday, October 14. Until next time, be safe. John

2 October 2013 Happy Wednesday. We have had to reschedule the dates for the Library/South Community Pantry Raffle. We were not able to make the deadline for the South County News and we do want to promote the raffle so that the Pantry can get a good supply of toiletries and cleaning supplies to distribute. The new dates for the raffle will be as follow. You can begin bringing in donations and register for the raffle on Monday, October 28 and the raffle will end on Sunday, December 8. Sorry for the delay. This is the time of the year when many people want to make a donation to a charity or civic organization. Remember the Vicksburg District Library. Donations and Memorials made in memory of loved ones have enabled us to purchase a new CD spinner for our music CD's, purchase easy read and early reader books for the pre-schoolers, career books and college test preparation books for the Young Adults, and many books for the Adult books. Generous donations have enabled the Library to pay for performers for the Summer Reading program. The Library has never been busier and our funding has remained the same, your donations to the Library are greatly needed and apreciated. On the first of October the Secretary of State Express website came online. You can access it from the Library or online at www.express.sos.com. From the ExpressSOS website you can perform some of the simple and basic functions that you would ordinarily have to go to the a Secretary of States office such as: Renew or replace standard driver's license or State ID card Renew vehicle tabs Obtain a replacement vehicle title or registration Submit a change of address Join the organ donor registry and much more. If you need help using ExpressSOS you can phone: (888)SOS-MICH or (888) 767-6424 Remember the Brown Bag Book Club meets at noon on October 21. This month's book is your choice of any work by Charles Dickens. So bring your lunch and join us in the meeting room in the basement of the Library. Have a great week. John