Ark Valley News - From the library

From the library
By Janice Sharp, director
Last Updated: November 15, 2018

Book clubs beginning

Mother Nature is certainly showing us that she is in command. We had cold winds and snow greeting us for Veterans Day.

We shouldn't complain in our world today about the weather. There are many in the military who have had it much worse. I, for one, feel blessed for the peace we have. We should all be expressing our "thanksgiving" year round, not just at this time of year.

This is the final week of Food for Fines. We will waive $1 from fines with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Donated items must be undamaged and not expired. If donating Ramen noodles, four of them will equal $1 in fines. The donated food items will be taken to the Valley Center Food Pantry prior to Thanksgiving.

The Food for Fines will continue until closing Nov. 17. We welcome donations even if you don't have fines to be waived.

The new book clubs will have their first discussions this month.

The Book Markers will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 to discuss "The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

The Novel Bunch will be discussing "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay from 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 29. Both clubs welcome additional participants. The clubs will determine their spokespersons soon.

There have been an increased number of damaged books being returned. We request that patrons who have damaged books let the staff know about the damage upon returning the book. If a patron checks out the book and realizes the damage upon first reading at home, please call the library to let us make a notation on their account.

We don't want to request payment from a patron when the damage is already evident. It is the patron's responsibility to pay for the replacement of the book (or any other library material). If the damage was done by the previous patron, it is more difficult to verify and collect payment.

We try to fix materials that are damaged as soon as we realize the damage. Each library item is checked and cleaned after check-in, but it is difficult to catch every incident. We appreciate the assistance of the patrons for their notifications.

Thanksgiving is next week. There will be no story times and no brick clubs next week. The library will be closed Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 22 through 24, to allow staff to enjoy their Thanksgiving with their families.

The Library Board has approved scheduling several extra days off for staff around Thanksgiving and Christmas as a trade-off for having the library open on other holidays.

The Valley Center Community Foundation is sponsoring the second annual Pie Auction Nov. 20 in the Valley Center High School cafeteria. Pie tasting begins at 6:30 p.m., pie eating at 7 and the auction at 7:30. Money raised from the pie auction will go to the Foundation to support local organizations.

Last year, the Foundation awarded money to the Friends of the Library toward the purchase of new shelving. Several other organizations received grants as well to assist with their programs.

Upcoming events

Nov. 15 — Book Markers book discussion

Nov. 20 — City Council meeting

Nov. 20 — Pie auction

Nov. 22-24 — Library closed

Nov. 29 — The Novel Bunch book discussion

Dec. 4 — City Council meeting