Busy, Busy, Busy!!

How can one even begin to express the busyness since January! We have really blown through January, February and March 2011. So much has happened in the library! We had Matt Ludwick discuss his book in January and enjoyed snow storms which closed the city down three times. Twice we closed the library due to -30 degree weather, ice (cars slipping into the street) and then a day of wonderful snow coming down heavy and beautiful.

We’ve been working learning and implementing a new catalog system, adding new computers, Microsoft 2010 and more to our library. I have worked through the process of new library cards that look fresh and light. They will be revealed and rolled out during National Library Week with a silent auction and also a free drawing of 7 cards for those that attend our weekly lunch during National Library Week. I’d show you what they will look like, but I’d like to keep them under wraps a bit longer. They include a new slogan for our library that a Friends member came up with. I think it speaks volumes about what libraries do. This too will be revealed soon.

We have had a great Jazz event in February, complements of the Colby Community Library Jazz band and library staff who made the deserts. On Valentines Day evening we held an event that honored relationships. We showed some videos on the wall while they played, read some poetry about love and relationships and just listened.

 

The library also celebrated 150 years of Kansas by having Tom Averill speak to us about his book, “What Kansas Means to Me.” What a fabulous easy going speaker! He just oozes history and makes one want to attend a class of his just to learn and glean from his thoughts and insights.

We enjoyed collaborating with AAUW in celebration of Women’s History month. During Booked for Lunch we had well known author speak about her writing history including writing historical documentation of African Americans in Kansas, short stories and mysteries set in Kansas.

We also had a 7th Annual Murder Mystery by the Friends of the Pioneer Memorial Library. The play was the Murder of the Great Chef. I ended up being in the play since one of cast was sick at the last moment. I enjoyed going out and finding the things to wear to play the local bag lady. Great fun was had by all!

We are working hard preparing for a civic event this week. Colby is getting ready to vote on a new Mayor. We have 3 candidates and we are organizing a “Meet Your Mayoral Candidate” event on Thursday. They will answer questions sent to the Library by local citizens.

Besides being busy organizing these types of things, we have attended high school basketball games with our exchange student and cooked lots of cookies and things. The CHS Faculty, Administrators and others did a "dance" for the Orange & Black Basketball Tournament. My sweetheart took part in that fund dance.

There has been judging of debate and forensics for high school events (Cherry did not compete in these). We have worked with the local Colby Energy Challenge events as well. My book club is a great group to laugh and talk with. Recently, we shopped in Denver for Prom!  And in between times, I try to get a book review in weekly for our local paper, work with the Thomas County Community Coalition, attend church and soooo much more. Life is full!