Falling into the Season

The weather is cooling off and soon the leaves will be lazily drifting towards the earth. Naturally, this means two things: 1) pumpkin spice lattes and cappuccinos are available 2) you should read more.

You can't say that yard work is the number one reason you haven't been by to see us! I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons, but why wouldn't you want the opportunity to check out FREE books and movies?

I'm still on my quest for more Book Club members so please keep my head of hair in mind as you go about your day.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781


Nothing new on the Library front.

Yours-in-nothing-Mondays,

Sarah

Current Read: I have the Lobster Quadrille stuck in my head.

Current Mood: Slightly more deflated than Friday

Current Location: 1 more hour of Library World

STraNge

Dearest patrons,

Today is Friday. Which for me means that I've got two days to read books that should've been read last weekend, that is...if my chores and children let me. There is nothing less exciting than weekend chores, expect maybe weekday chores.

Never-the-less, I shall strive to read my books and finish up the series I've been lingering over for sometime. I'm pretty sure the universe has been sending me signals all week to read these books.

It has been a strangely quiet day and without patrons our library has felt sad and lonely. I've been working to create a wonderful Banned Book Week display for you and have continued on my quest to get more members for our Online Book Club!

You sign up by liking the facebook wall...tell your friends...we get 100 likes and some book club posts about books...I dye my hair magenta for 6 months.

See:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781

You could have the most awkwardly, awesome looking librarian in the county! Just read a book, click on the link, comment about said book on the wall and we're on our way.

Please read.

Yours-in-Strange-days,

Sarah

Current Read: Anna and I just finished a croquet game with the Queen of Hearts and Chessy almost lost his head (if that's possible). Next stop the Mocking Turtle.

Current Mood: Deflated--my hair is a rather dull brown.

Current Location: Home to the wee ones.

Flying Away

Good day SAPL patrons,

I apologize for my absence but due to many rather avoidable, yet unavoidable instances, I did not feel the need nor have the time to post a lot last week and this week.

Don't fret, you've missed nothing of import.

I have been busy working. I started a little project that I thought would be nice and perhaps fun for the library. I haven't gotten any feedback from any of you on anything. So to pass the time waiting for your response, I put my creative juices (usually reserved for programming) to decorating the children's/juveniles/teen section.

Behold my delightful, pinterest-inspired work:

The quote on the walls reads: "Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." this is supposedly based on something Plato once said. After hours of cutting and ladder climbing, I wasn't about to question the source, especially when the quote was perfect. 

I have also ordered new books--they are already on the shelves so you should really stop by to check them out! 

Oktoberfest Raffle Tickets are on sale now! $1 each or $5 for 6. The prizes include: $200 gas cards from Hucks&Casey's, Ionic Jewelry Cleaner from Wickers ($250 value), $100 gift certificate to NAPA, $100 First National Bank, $100 gift certificate Dave's Food Center, $50 gift certificate to Steeleville Healthmart Pharmacy. Stop by the library and get your tickets!

My last act for this week is to come up with a brillant Banned Book Week Display (most likely also inspired by Pinterest) and get our Author's Day set up. 

I hope to report of more charming library news tomorrow.

Yours-in-wings-and-ladders, 

Sarah

Current Read: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland  by Lewis Carroll (Anna and I have been reading a chapter or two a day and watched the movie.)

Current Mood: Slightly bitter and chewy.

Current Location: Not on a ladder.

Story Hour Postponement

Hello SAPL patrons,

I know I've been determined to bring back story hour next month but without a clear understanding of the communities' wants and needs in terms of library programming, I've decided to wait.

I'm not a patient person.

I know I look mild-mannered and librarian-ish, but deep down I can be just as impatient as the next soul. I get excited about programs that I feel will help my patrons, I just haven't figured out how to get my patrons' excited about them.

So, respecting your silent wishes (I've haven't heard from any of you) I'm retreating to my corner of Library World to hash out a more detailed plan to draw you into my lair of doom and get you excited about reading.

In other news, I finished Across the Universe by Beth Revis. Summary and review are on the library Book Club wall! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781

Surprisingly, I've had 37 likes on the wall since I've offered to dye my hair pink if we get 100 likes and some posts from someone other than me.

Please keep checking out the Book Club and please, read and review a book! Start a conversation about one you've liked in the past. TALK! Everyone is always talking and texting, yet I find my patrons to be silent about their reads....

Yours-in-Impatience,

Sarah

Current Read: I'm going to have to finish the Lux series. I've had it stashed in my bag for a week now...I don't want it to end!

Current Mood: Impatiently Waiting for a response from someone...anyone?

Current Location: Library World

P.S. I bought a bag of Cappuccino flavored lays--I'm not a huge fan but I figured I'd put them out tomorrow and let you guys decide.

Plagues and Pink Hair

Hey,

Sorry for the no-post yesterday. My 5 year-old brought the plague home from school as a sort of science experiment and I've been dealing with affects since Saturday morning. I got called Rudolph yesterday and that sort of sealed the deal for me and working. I might survive but Clarabeth has it as well and getting up every 3 hours to comfort her has me beat.

Chances for a full recovery--50/50 at this point.

Anyway, I'm here until noon. I had to get time sheets in and bills paid.

A few quick things before I pass out, the new Book Page is in and ready to be sampled. Don't worry I washed my hands before handling anything. I'm buying hand sanitizer once I get off work.

Also, I finished a Splintered by A.G. Howard and posted a review on the Book Club wall. Please read the review then go and read the book. After you've done that, please then post a review on the Book Club wall about said book. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781

I'm serious about dying my hair pink (more magenta really) if I get 100 people signed up and posting for our Online Book Club. I'd probably look awesome/awkward with magenta hair so please, please join and I'll let you gawk at me for 6 months before returning to my boring, librarian self. 

Lastly, I know the heat is killing us, but don't be afraid to hop in the car and drive down to visit your library. It's been a slow and agonizing three weeks and the only excitement I've had in this building has been the students' forced return. 

Bring back some excitement and check out a book!

Yours-in-plagues, 

Sarah

Current Read: Unhinged  by A.G. Howard (I'm close to finishing but this sickness has slowed me down.)

Current Mood: "Bring out your dead!"  Oh, Monty Python. 

Current Location: Getting ready to leave work and return to bed or more realistically, get the kids and survive until 8 p.m. tonight. Well, hello there Casey's pizza.

P.S. Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore has just arrived!!!

Story Hour Troubles

Hello dear patrons,

I know I've been trying to bring back story hour. I've talked-the-talk but now that it's coming up to that time, I'm finding the walk a bit trickier than anticipated.

The snag I've hit is how do we get the kids into the library? Or better yet how do we convince the grownups to drop the kids off at the library for a little fun and some reading?

I know how grownups are, I think my age qualifies me as one, though my family isn't convinced. Saturdays in my family are riddled with errands, chores and the oh-so-tedious tasks of looking ahead to next week's schedule.

Thankfully, my five-year-old hasn't started the endless cycle of basketball-volleyball-softball-music-dance-clubs and I'm not taxi-driver extraordinaire yet.
Still, when it comes to story hour it's easy to find an excuse not to go:

"I have to get my shopping done."

"I'm in the middle of mopping the floors."

"Clarabeth is eating."

"Sock monster ate my sock."

I have more lost soles in my house than any other person I know. Totally blaming this guy.

What I'm getting at is that we need the kids and the grownups to help us with story hour. We really can't have it without you guys. If you have better day or time or place where story hour would fit into your schedules we'd love to hear it! We welcome suggestions. 

I'll offer free coffee to parents who which to stay and socialize while their children get read to and play games.

I'll throw in an hour of babysitting services to those who have a quick errand to run and can't stay the whole time.

I think I sound a little desperate, but I'm sad to see this great service, traditionally offered by libraries, being discarded by ours due to lack of attendance.

Please give us some WORK! You pay taxes for our services and it's you who decides what services we offer.

Let us read to your children. Let us take away one hour of their usual boredom. Let us help you encourage of love of reading that can last a lifetime.

Yours-in-sorrowful-need-of-story-hours,

Sarah

P.S. Did I mention this would be FREE?

Current Read: Splintered by A.G. Howard I'm preparing to write the review on the Book Club wall...wait for it!

Current Mood: Furiously glancing at current read and then at the clock--why is this day so looong?

Current Location: Wonderland

The Return

Yeah, our students are back! Today marked the first day of our students visiting the library.

I'm happy to say that some branched out and tried our newer books and others were content to start the year with a secure favorite. Overall, a great start to a wonderful year.

I also ordered Large Print books today. I don't have a large budget for Large Print so I went with only 2 this time and hopefully, as the year progresses, we'll get more money for this section.

 I must admit that this week has made me ready for fall. The final heat wave of summer has arrived and I can almost smell the pumpkin spice lattes. Of course, I now think it's too hot to go outside and I should stay in, enjoy the AC and a good book. 

What building has AC and books? 

Yours-in-heat-waves, 

Sarah

Current Read: I'm too tired to read. (I am hoping for a second wind and for Leona to cover Splintered).

Current Mood: Tired.

Current Location: Heading toward Du Quoin to drop off brochures.