LIBRARY NEWS
Library celebrates National Volunteer Week
By Carole Howard and the Library Staff
Like most non-profit organizations around the country, the Sisson Library is celebrating National Volunteer Week this week – April 27-May 3. Our staff members are cooking a delicious brunch this morning in honor of our volunteers, without whom we could not run the library. They put in an average of 90 hours a month – a total of 2,112 hours last year -- doing crucial tasks to keep the library functioning well and our customer service top-notch.
Maintaining the collection is a never-ending operation. Shelving and making sure all the books and materials are in their proper place is another job we value from our volunteers. In addition, we encourage volunteers to participate in special events and programs including story-telling to preschoolers, helping with the children’s summer reading program and giving lectures or identifying other people to give lectures at the library.
We also want to pay tribute to the ladies of the Civic Club and to the Friends of the Library. The Civic Club is most famous for its Christmas Bazaar and the Friends for the summer book sale, both fundraising events which result in generous support of the library. Less well known is the fact that the generosity, enthusiasm and hard work of these wonderful people contribute greatly to our library all year round.
If you would like to help make sure our library remains an active and vital part of our community, please join our team. To volunteer, to join the Civic Club or the Friends of the Library, or for more information, please call the director, Jackie Welch, at 264-2209.
National Volunteer Week was created in 1974 by President Nixon. A recent Gallop poll found that 44 percent of Americans volunteered in the year 2000, giving educational, health, cultural and human services organizations access to an extraordinary pool of talent they could never afford otherwise.
Author Everett Mámor once said, “The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers.” We agree, and we are deeply grateful for their service – all over the country and especially here at our library.
Non-fiction on CDs
Barack Obama’s memoir “Dreams from My Father” is read by the author and includes the senator’s 2004 Democratic convention keynote address. We also have this book in hardcover. “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” is the latest by spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle and also is read by the author. “The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore” is the latest by spiritual leader Deepak Chopra. “How to Meditate” by American-born Tibetan nun Pema Chodron presents the author’s first audio course for those new to meditation.
Fiction on CDs
“Change of Heart” by Jodi Picoult is a novel that explores capital punishment and the separation of church and state, and is narrated by a full cast. “Remember Me?” by Sophie Kinsella tells of a woman who wakes up with amnesia after a car accident in London. We also have this book in hardcover. “The Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory is an historical novel that has been made into a major movie. “A Prisoner of Birth” is the latest thriller by British author Jeffrey Archer. We also have this book in hard cover. “7 th Heaven” by James Patterson is the latest in the Women’s Murder Club series. We also have this book in hard cover. “Lady Killer” is the latest mystery by Lisa Scottoline, which we also have in hard cover. “Duma Key” is the latest supernatural thriller by Stephen King.
Advice and how-to books
“Stop Whining, Start Living” by marriage and family therapist Dr. Laura Schlessinger helps you reject negative thoughts and start living life to the fullest. “Intelligence for Your Life” by radio host John Tesh is a memoir and guide to living better. “Where Value Hides” by Stuart Jackson combines the principles of customer preference, producer economics and corporate finance to construct an accurate picture of a company’s opportunities.
Large print books
Mary Higgins Clark’s latest mystery is “Where Are You Now?” Karen Robards’ latest romanic suspense is titled “Guilty.” “How Come That’s Idiot’s Rich and I’m Not?” is a how-to book by Robert Shemin that shows you how to make money. “Lonesome Cowboy & Texas Two-Step” is volume one of the Heart of Texas series by Debbie Macomber. “Miss Julia Paints the Town” by Ann B. Ross tells of a plot by townspeople to fight condo developers.
“The Gods of Newport” by John Jakes tells of a robber baron trying to get acceptance for himself and his daughter with Newport society. “ Buckingham Palace Gardens” is a murder mystery by Anne Perry. “Blue-Eyed Devil” is a contemporary romance about a Texas oilman by Lisa Kleypas. “Half a Heart” by Rosellen Brown tells of the appearance of a biracial daughter who must be introduced to Houston society and a white New England town.
“Skinner’s Drift” by Lisa Fugard is the story of a South African woman returning to her post-apartheid home because her father is dying. “Mourning Ruby” by Helen Dunmore is the story of a woman, abandoned in a shoebox as a baby, who builds a beautiful life and then faces tragedy.
Colorado history
“A Silver Camp Called Creede” by Richard C. Huston explores the history of the last of the Colorado boomtowns, bringing great opportunities for some and financial ruin for others.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Dark Tide” is a crime novel set in New York City by Andrew Gross. “Black Widow” is the story of blackmail of a new bride by Randy Wayne White. “Killer Heat” is an Alex Cooper murder mystery by Linda Fairstein set in Manhattan in August. “Mountain Top” by Robert Whitlow is a legal thriller with a supernatural twist. “Tumbling Blocks” is the latest murder mystery in the Benni Harper series by Earlene Fowler. “Winter Study” is the latest in the Anna Pigeon national park mystery series by Nevada Barr.
Quotable quote
“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” – American comedian and film star Groucho Marx.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Teresa Huft for her monetary donation to our new teen area, and to Kent Davis for a subscription to YES magazine and Kay Grams for a subscription to the Christian Science Monitor. For books and materials this week we thank Gene Cortright, John Coughlin, JoAnna Ester, Barbara Ferrick, Jim Gavic, Kathy Golden, Alice Hunt, Susan Lomperis, Carole Nasralla, Carol Otis, Marilyn Otteman, Lisa Peterson, Glen Schneider, Charleen Stipe and Peter Welch.
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