Spring Has Sprung

I love to sleep.  Sleeping in and sipping a steaming cup 'o joe on my deck is a spring and summer ritual for me. This time of year it is especially wonderful.  My husband filled all the bird feeders during a warm spell last week and the bluejays, cardinals, wrens and finches are visiting us in droves! 

This morning, alas, I was not able to sleep leisurely.  A friend, who also happens to be a library patron, decided that spring brings with it a new physically fit Beth.  Although I didn't want to admit it, she is right.  All of the health magazines and women's magazines that I am reading tell me that I need to get in shape.  Exercising will help me to decrease my blood pressure.  Eating healthier portions with more fruits and vegetables will help my cholesterol numbers to drop.  But, most of all, the winter blues that I get should diminish as I begin to exercise more both at the gym and outside. 

Today, my regiment began.  I was ordered to be up, walking, dressed for the gym and waiting in my driveway at 5:10am.  At that time, a blue van with my chaffeur and exercise partner, Lisa, would pick me up for our appointment.  Holy Toledo!  I didn't realize that anyone actually got up at that hour, let alone exercised.  Are people really that crazy, I thought?  Yes, they are.  My alarm jarred me at 5am.  I was up, dressed, walking but definitely not awake!  We made it to the gym and had to look for a parking place!!!!  I was amazed at all the other folks who are up, exercising and SMILING.  I did about 25 minutes on the treadmill and another 20 on various weights to tone what once was a size 2 body.  And, although I will never admit it to my friend Lisa, I rather enjoyed getting up and going early.   My day started so much more productively than usual. 

I guess some of my spring mornings will now be spent at the gym.  So, that leaves the deck and all those wonderful birds for my evenings, after dinner.  I bet the birds are still feeding then.  You'll find me there with a new bestseller and my cinnamon scented coffee.

Happy Spring everyone!

Change

In the small community in Western Pennsylvania where I grew up, I can remember how “adult” I felt when I was permitted to ride the bus or walk downtown to the public library. For me, the library outing soon became a regular event. Every Saturday, I would find a project that needed me to check out the card catalog on the first floor of the library. Hours were spent pouring through the catalog and various books to ensure that I would create a good research paper. I would sit in one of the reference rooms and work on term papers, read books and giggle with friends who had also gone to the library to hang out! For me, that was heaven!




Today, much has changed. The card catalog has been replaced by a computer program. The internet has replaced many of our book resources. But, much hasn’t changed. I am still drawn to peruse new books. I love to check the shelves for books on subjects of interest—from planting a summer garden to organizing my house and on genealogy. Sitting in the magazine room and flipping through the current issues is an enjoyable afternoon or evening pastime. And, the library staff is still friendly and helpful. If I can’t find a particular book, the library has the resources of more than 40 other libraries in its system and countless other libraries, world-wide.



The Canastota Public Library is a great community center for our area. Monthly, the public is invited to art exhibits showcasing artisans from the area. On Sundays, we’ve been showing “Oscar’s Best Picture” films, alternating between early and more recent winners. This spring, we’ve held two free concerts for the public on Sunday afternoons. Every Friday morning, the area’s knitters descend on the Lawson Community Room to knit, sew and talk technique with others. Mothers and their babies and tots arrive every Wednesday and Thursday mornings for our Children’s programs on the second floor of the building. As well, seniors have been able to obtain help in completing their taxes with a volunteer since January. We’ve also featured programs on breast cancer awareness, surviving a money crunch and hiking the Appalachian Trail. Over 100 local community groups meet at the library on a regular basis including girl scout troops, tutors, public service groups such as the Rotary and Lions Clubs, a Bridge playing group, The Canastota Community Chest and more.


Change is inevitable in life. And, while change has happened in the library, I’m so glad that the library hasn’t changed too much! It is still a haven for me and so many other readers, researchers and members of the community. The Canastota Public Library touches many lives in our area!

Is Our Library Essential?

Did you know that Governor David Paterson is proposing a $2.4 million cut in Library Aid in the NYS 2010-2011 Executive Budget?  This will be the fifth cut in less than two years and will bring Library Aid down from $102 million in 2007 to $84.5 million in 2010. These cuts combined total an $18 million or 18% reduction in funding for library services. Libraries are part of our safety net—they are essential to life long learning, jobs and opportunity, quality of life and community empowerment.

 

Here at the Canastota Public Library, we have seen an increase in the number of people using services here.  From our regular programming like StoryTime for Toddlers and Baby & Me Lap Sit to our Teen Group and evening programs, we see more people walking through our doors.  We have also seen a rise in computer usage here at the library.  With so many locally out of work, we've had people coming in to fill out on-line applications, search job opportunities on the internet and take out books on starting a business or writing a resume!  Our DVD collection seems to see a lot of action, too.  Many families can't afford to take the whole gang to the movies but they can borrow a DVD for two nights at no charge, make popcorn at home and have a great time!
 
Last year, when my husband was out of work, we looked to the library for resources on cutting our household expenses, living on a budget and for entertainment purposes.  The library had those resources for us!  Our children use library resources for educational learning and for reading entertainment.  The library is our second home.
 
We asked some of our patrons why the library is essential in their lives...here are some of the answers!
 

• My library is essential because: "My son couldn't live without the library.  He has a great love for the library!"
• My library is essential because: "It is the touchstone of Canastota and life!"
• My library is essential because:  "Without it, I would be lost."
• My library is essential because:  "It offers many hours of peaceful entertainment."
• My library is essential because:  " We couldn't afford to buy books for our children.  We don't have a computer at home. My children use the library to get information for school like the computers and books that the library has."

If the library is essential in your life, you can provide support.  Stop into the library at 102 W. Center Street and sign our petition which will be delivered to Albany politicians in March.  Or, visit http://www.protectnylibraries.org/.  There, you can sign the online petition as well as see what a typical day at a library looks like.  We have submitted a Wednesday Video from our library and statistics for a typical day here at the Canastota Public Library.  We used statistics from Wednesday, Feb 2, 2010.

When we, as a people, seem to have less resources, the libraries are the first place we turn.  Why would we allow Albany to cut aid to libraries again?  Please offer your support!

Calling All Teens! Learn To Knit @ The Library!

Have you ever wanted to learn to knit? If you are a teen, in grades 6 and up, this is your chance! The Canastota Library Knitters are offering free knitting classes for teens during the month of March!

The Canastota Public Library Knitters will provide a pattern and plenty of assistance during this free program. The knitting lessons will be provided every Thursday evening during the month of March from 7 – 8 pm. Classes will be held on March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25. Teens need only provide a set of single pointed knitting needles, size 7 or higher and one skein of worsted yarn. Teens should also bring their enthusiasm for learning something new.

To register for the Teen Knitting lessons, contact the Canastota Public Library at (315) 697-7030. Or, stop by the circulation desk to register with your name and telephone number.

The Canastota Public Library knitters meet every Friday morning at the library. Their goal is to offer friendship, knitting lessons and knitted items to local non-profit agencies and those in the area who might be in need of knitted items. The group is open to anyone who knits or would like to learn to knit.

Chase Away the February Blues @ The Library

February is the shortest month of the calendar but I still find that it is one of the hardest months of the year for me.  Perhaps I feel that way because I am tired of the cold, windy, snowy weather that keeps me housebound. I find that I develop cabin fever and start looking for new hobbies or new places to visit just to get me out of the house.

In February, we have a lot going on at the Canastota Public Library!  Several of our regular programs such as Baby & Me LapSit, Preschool Storytime and our Librateen programs gear back up during February.  As well, we have some special programs that you might want to check out. 

Baby & Me Lap Sit With Miss Angela will begin February 3 through May 19. The program will run every Wednesday morning for parents and/or caregivers and their babies to age twenty-four months. This spring session will include numbers, letters, colors, zoo animals and the farm. Baby and Me Lap Sit begins at 10 am and includes story reading, fingerplays, songs, rhymes and more to stimulate your baby!
Thursdays at 10am is our Preschool Story Time. Bring your preschooler for stories, games, crafts and a snack. This hour-long program is definitely a favorite of children and parents who attend. This program will be held Thursday mornings beginning on Thursday, February 4 and will continue through Thursday, May 20.

The Canastota Libra-Teens will begin meeting every Wednesday afternoon after school. This group (grades 6 and up only) will create fiction, hear speakers, make crafts and a whole lot more! The group meets from February 3 through May 19 each Wednesday afternoon until 4:30pm. If school is not in session( for vacation or for weather reasons), there is no librateen meeting. All are welcomed.

If you love beautiful artwork, you'll want to stop by the library during February to discover the art of M. Santiago Pavone. Ms. Pavone was born in Puerto Rico, raised in Connecticut and now lives in Canastota with her husband, Mike, her dog, Gala and a beta fish named Rojo. Pavone enjoys working in oils, ceramics, color pencil, pen and ink and pencil. Currently a graduate student, Pavone would love to someday be a Children’s Book Illustrator.  Her work is whimsical and can brighten up a dark February day!
For the movie lover, nothing goes better than Sunday afternoons and movies! We’re showing the Best Picture Oscar Winning Films on the first and last Sundays of each month. Our Sunday Cinema shows begin at 1pm in the Lawson Community Room on the lower level of the library. We will be alternating between early and more recent winners. Light refreshments will also be served during the movies.  Movies for February are:

February 7: American Beauty (1999)

February 28: You Can’t Take It With You (1938)

The last Wednesday of every month is the library’s Book Chat. The book discussion begins at 1pm in the Lawson Community Room. February’s meeting will be on February 24. The discussion will be featuring, “The First 48,” by Tim Green. Books are available at the library.

“Surviving A Money Crunch” will be the topic of a presentation by Consumer Credit Counseling Services on Tuesday, February 9 at 7pm. The talk is open to the public and will be held in the Lawson Community Group. We ask that you call the library to confirm that you will be attending so that we have enough handouts for everyone!

On Monday, February 15, the Canastota Public Library will be closed in honor of President’s Day.

For more information on these events and our regular weekly programming, go to www.canastotalibrary.org and click on the Mid-York Calendar of Events.

Keep Smiling!  February is a very short month!

Learn How to Survive a Money Crunch @ The Library

When the economy gets tough, many of us have trouble staying current with our creditors.  Wouldn't it be nice to learn how to create a family household budget and survive these difficult times?

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Central New York will provide a free one hour session at the Canastota Public Library on Tuesday, February 9 at 7pm. The session will be held in the library’s Lawson Community Room.
This workshop, “Surviving A Money Crunch” is designed for anyone facing a financial crisis such as a loss of income or major unexpected expense. Participants learn how to prioritize their obligations and gain control of the situation. A Consumer Credit Counselor will talk about recognizing your money personality, developing a spending plan and will teach you the Six Steps to Gaining Financial Control.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central New York ®, Inc. (CCCS) provides solutions to budgeting, credit and debt problems. Since 1972, the agency has helped individuals and families gain control of their money and get on the right track to financial stability. CCCS is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) agency, licensed by the New York State Banking Department as a Budget Planner. CCCS is a member-affiliate of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and maintains accreditation through the Council on Accreditation. There are no income qualifying guidelines for the agency’s free financial counseling.

This program is free but to ensure that there are sufficient materials for all who plan to attend, reservations are requested. To reserve your space, call the library at (315) 697-7030. Located at 102 W. Center Street in Canastota, the Canastota Public Library is a timeless community resource for you and your family.

Potato Chip Scarves

Potato Chip Scarves?

          What can be better in the winter than a nice warm colorful scarf to keep the wind from swooping down into your coat?  I can't think of anything, personally.  And, if you like knitting, you'll love Potato Chip Scarves.  The Canastota Public Library Knitters recently completed their latest project, “Potato Chip Scarves.”

          “They just look like the chips that come out of those cans and they are really delightful,” noted Eleanor Bajohr of the Knitters Group.

          With an average of fifteen to twenty knitters attending meetings to knit every Friday morning at the Canastota Public Library, the knitters are just coming up to their second anniversary! They are very proud of their donations to various organizations in the community. During this past year, the knitters created preemie hats, hats and booties for the newborns at the Oneida HealthCare Center. They also knitted caps, scarves, mittens and slipper socks that were donated to the Opportunity Shop in Canastota. This year, sixteen lap robes were donated to area shut-ins.

          The Canastota Library Knitters meet every Friday morning at the Canastota Public Library at 102 W. Center Street in Canastota. The meetings run from 10am until noon. Everyone is welcomed to attend. If you are interested in learning to knit or an accomplished knitter, feel free to stop in for one of the Friday meetings. Additionally, the knitters group always appreciates donations for their projects.

TEEN ACTIVITIES AT CANASTOTA PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Canastota Public Library has a group of teens who meet at the library every Wednesday after school. The Libra-teens range in age from 11 to 16. Generally, fifteen to twenty teens attend the weekly programs.


The first event for the fall was redecorating the teen room. That project, which actually began as a part of the Summer Reading Program, allowed the teens to create a new brick and graffiti look to the teen room. Once the new wall hangings were in place, colorful stars were added to the ceiling. New lounge chairs and pillows help to give the teens a place to sit and read or to talk quietly with friends. A bulletin board displays artwork of the students and a calendar of events is posted in the room to allow the teens to know what events will be coming up!

This year, the group has listened to several guest speakers. A workshop on Healthy Relationships was provided by Liberty Resources staff. The group also heard a presentation regarding World Hunger. After this talk, the group donated non-perishable food items to the Opportunity Shop. Recently, teens met with Amanda Hewitt, Product Development Manager at Nelson Farms. Hewitt brought recipes and demonstrated how to make holiday gifts from the kitchen. The group also held a “Survivor Day” at the library where they used library skills to win the game.

Plans for the rest of the year include speakers from Operation Wildcat and Bridges Prevention Program. The teens have planned a movie afternoon, a Valentine’s Party and a recycled craft day.

For more information, call us or stop by our teen room and check out the schedule. You just might realize that the library is a fun place to meet!

An Opportunity for the New Year

We rang in the New Year, like many families, at home watching the ball drop at Times Square. We sat in the living room, eating junk food and drinking soda and were entertained. We hollered and whooped and there were hugs and kisses all around. My husband turned to me at midnight and said, “Well, we made it through another one.”

I’ve been thinking about that comment for a few days now and I have to admit that while I agreed with him, I’ve decided that I am troubled.. With our current economy, the news focused on terrorism, unemployment rates at an all time high, high snowfall and cold weather and more, a person has to feel great frustration in the day to day routine. I’m sure there are many of us thinking the same as my husband. But, “Making it through another one” just doesn’t do it for me. I want to do more than just survive. Don’t you?

In spite of our tribulations, we have countless opportunities available to us. This is a great time to look at our goals, lifestyles, pastimes and be able to make changes. Not resolutions to change but change itself. Change, while sometimes frightening, can be a good thing!

Since my husband lost his job several months ago, the family budget has diminished significantly. Mealtime planning has become very interesting. I now make a weekly “menu” before I leave for the grocery store. How do I decide on the meals? I’ve got a list of family favorites and I’ve been experimenting by checking out cookbooks and cooking magazines from the library. Some of my favorites are The Frugal Gourmet by Jeff Smith, Once A Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and The Freezer Cooking Manual: From 30 Day Gourmet: A Month of Meals Made Easy by Tara Wohlenhaus. I look for ways that I can save and still provide a healthy, nutritious diet for the family.

From that menu, I only add to the grocery list those things that we absolutely need. By using a grocery list, I find that I don’t spend extra by impulse shopping. Clipping coupons and checking store circulars while I am working on my menu for the week also help me in keeping the costs down. I buy what is on sale and use that in my menu options. And, if it is possible, I may buy extras of those items that are on sale to use in a future week’s menu cycle.

This past weekend, I took our youngest son with me on the menu planning and weekly shopping trip. He has started to make some of our meals and help in meal preparation so I thought this was a good idea. Since he can be a picky eater, it was helpful to have him with me to support the menu/food changes that we are making.

It also gave us some great quality time to spend together. While he wasn’t ‘feeling the love’ for some of the items that we bought, he understands that change is important. I was surprised to note him checking the prices on some of our old “staples” like name brand cereals and breakfast items. He quickly checked coupons and then decided on ‘store brand’ if coupons weren’t available.

We’re living changes—not making resolutions to change. And, it is due to our family’s economy. This is a great opportunity! The dietary changes are healthier for us. We are spending less, experimenting in the kitchen together and having fun creating and eating improved meals.

Madison County Reads Ahead Student Passes GED Test

CANASTOTA, November 18, 2009 – When Jeffrey Huss was fifteen years old, he quit school. It is a decision he says he has regretted every day since the day he left school. Huss, a Canastota village native, knew he had to get his G.E.D. Certificate if he wanted to get a job.

“I’ve got a son and daughter and knew I needed to do something to help myself.” Huss said.

He met Kathy Stagnitti, coordinator for the Madison County Reads Ahead program at the Canastota Public Library. He wasn’t sure if he’d need additional help to prepare for the upcoming test or not. After taking a pre-test and spending some time with Stagnitti, he decided to take the test.

“I passed. I’m just trying to make a better life for myself and my family,” Huss said.

Huss is hoping to go to college and further his education during the next few years. A football and basketball enthusiast, Huss also enjoys working with computers and would like to eventually find a job where he can do that.

General Educational Development (or GED) tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American high school-level academic skills. The GED is sometimes referred to as a General Equivalency Diploma or General Education Diploma. To pass the GED Tests and earn a GED credential, test takers must score higher than 60 percent of graduating high school seniors nationwide.

The Madison County Reads Ahead program is a free program which assists individuals needing help with reading skills, English as a second language and with GED Preparation. Madison County Reads Ahead tutors are volunteers who provide one on one lessons with flexible scheduling. All materials are provided at no charge and the service is completely confidential. For more information, call Kathy Stagnitti at the Canastota Public Library at 697-7030.

Hello from the Stacks!

Hello from the Stacks!


The library is quiet this week as we recover from our best ever Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale. Friends Representatives tell us that they raised nearly $3,000 in this three day event! The library welcomed many new people to the library during the sale as well! Our thanks go out to everyone who made this a memorable Annual Book Sale. There were many new volunteers and buyers who stopped by the circulation desk to visit and we had an increase in patrons who filled out applications for their library cards.

This week, I always find myself borrowing more magazines than usual. The November and December issues have great ideas for the holidays. My favorites seem to be Martha Stewart’s LIVING, Woman’s Day, Family Circle and any of the cooking magazines. I have found some wonderful side dishes and desserts to try out on the family as we celebrate Thanksgiving.

My family is planning a quiet time at home during Thanksgiving this year. The library is going to be the greatest resource for us! Traditionally, we make cinnamon rolls on Thanksgiving morning. I found a new recipe for those, as well and am very excited about trying them! Cinnamon rolls are especially delicious as we sip cocoa or coffee and wait for Santa to make his appearance at the end of the Macy’s Parade.

I’m looking for new ways to make the celebration special and plan to create a centerpiece from different materials that I have at home. The craft books, holiday books and magazine articles have offered unique ideas that look fun and easy. The china dishes that my mother handed down to me last month will set a beautiful backdrop for our meal of turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, acorn squash and homemade dinner rolls. We’ll begin the meal by talking about what we’ve been thankful for in the past year.

After dinner, we will all gather around the living room as we watch one or two movies that we have borrowed from the Canastota Public Library! This is a tradition for us as well and we always try to find something that everyone will like. A comedy like “The Proposal” or an older action flick will be sure to be showing at our house on Thanksgiving night.

The Pumpkin Pie comes right after the movies with another cup of coffee or cocoa! I will probably be reading a book, borrowed from the library while my husband puts on a CD borrowed from the library to entertain us. As night nears, we’ll all head for bed, drifting asleep with visions of Thanksgiving still in our hearts!

My special thanks this year will be for the Canastota Public Library. I work here with fantastic people on our staff. The patrons who visit us are such great folks that my job here is very easy. And, I save tons of money by using the library’s vast resources…on Thanksgiving and every day of the year!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Food for Fines

Recent months have seen area residents laid off or out of work as companies struggle with losses and impending closures. The Canastota Public Library does offer help in the way of researching job options, providing entertainment by borrowing books, movies and magazines. The library also has many books on different topics that may help in times of financial crisis including books on financial planning and saving money!



At the library, there is now more that we can do to help local families and individuals in need. During the months of November and December, the Canastota Public Library will be accepting non-perishable food items in place of regular library fines. If you return an item to the library which has a late fee attached to it, please feel free to offer a food donation commensurate with the fine charged. For example, if a patron owes $2.00 for a late DVD charge, an acceptable food donation might be a $2.00 box of rice. If several books are overdue, an acceptable donation might be a can of soup or vegetables. The library can only accept Food for Fines for Canastota Public Library items and not for items that have been borrowed from other area libraries!



This Food For Fines program will not only help patrons who might be a bit late returning items to the library, but it will help those in need in our community. The non-perishable food items will be donated to The Opportunity Shop in Canastota to help keep their shelves stocked during this coming holiday season.

Canastota Library Gears Up For Annual Book Sale in November

The Friends of the Canastota Library will be holding their Annual Book Sale on November 5, 6 and 7 in the entire lower level at the library. This year, the group is offering some exceptional titles and prices on hard cover and paperback books as well as VHS Tapes. Gently used paperbacks and hard cover books, VHS tapes, audio tapes and CDs are all available at the sale. Raffle baskets will also be available and will go home with lucky winners after the sale.

Although the library has an ongoing book sale, this annual book sale offers shoppers a chance to meet with old friends and purchase from a great selection of items. Library commemorative items will also be on sale. Raffle baskets, designed by Friends of the Library, will be donated and sold. Ralston Supply Company will provide the tables that are needed to make this sale happen.

Hours of the Annual Book Sale are Nov. 5: 9 am until 8:30 pm; Nov. 6: 9 am until 5 pm; and Nov. 7: 10 am until 4 pm.

The Friends of the Library group is a great help to the library, offering volunteer services, fundraising events and assistance at community programs. Annual memberships are available year-round at $3 for adults and $10 for the entire family. Membership dues for Friends of the Library, and profits from the annual book sale go toward the purchase of special library supplies and programs. The money raised through this sale is always used to benefit the library’s programs, collection or to enhance the building and services that the library offers. Last year’s book sale revenues were used as a matching funds donation towards the four Gates Foundation laptop computers that the library received this past summer. Those computers are now part of the library’s larger bank of community accessible computers and will be used in group training programs. A portion of the funds raised during last year’s book sale was also donated by the Friends of the Library to the library’s endowment fund.
The event is operated and fully staffed by volunteers of the Friends of the Canastota Public Library. Volunteers make this event a special one for the library. The group is currently looking for volunteers to help with set-up for the event on Wednesday, November 4th and throughout the entire sale period. If you are interested in helping, please call the library at 697-7030.

Increase Use to Learn How to Reduce

By Liz Metzger, Director; Canastota Public Library

Aldous Huxley once said, "Most human beings have an infinite capacity for taking things for granted."  I am ashamed to admit this is sometimes true of me but my eyes were opened once again during my summer vacation.

At the beginning of August, I visited my college aged daughter in Spain after she had finished classes at the University of Barcelona.  We had a whirlwind week of 18 hour days, trying to cram in as much sightseeing as humanly possible in 95 degree heat.  We were surrounded by history, fabulous art and architecture, the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea, delicious food, great music and scads of people  (and their pet dogs!).  But, you couldn't drink the water!  Even the locals buy ALL their water in giant sized plastic bottles.  We found no working public drinking fountains and there were no water glasses at restaurants because you have to buy bottled water there, too!  And 16 ounces of water could cost as much as 3 Euros (about $4.50 in American money).

My daughter's host family asked her to limit shower length, not to shower daily and to reduce her dirty laundry and toilet flushes to conserve water.  Hotels and hostels had signage about doing the same.  I realized that I took fresh, potable water for granted.  I bet many of us in the United States do not consider water to be a scarce resource.  But, less than 1% of the world's fresh water (or about 0.007% of all water on earth) is readily accessible for direct human use.  An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the typical person living in a developing country's slum uses in a whole day.

So, now I am much more conscious of how I use water in my personal effort to waste less and appreciate more.  You can learn more about this and similar issues from books and from the internet. 

Visit us at the library.  We can help you find the resources to reduce your capacity for taking our resources for granted.

The Loomis Gang

As we get older, the past seems to become so important to us.  On a recent visit to my parent's home in West Virginia, I had the opportunity to talk to my cousin who has been working on the geneology of our family.  He told me that my father's maternal ancestors hailed from Holland.  My father's paternal ancestors can't be traced back much further than my great-grandfather.  On my mother's side, everyone was Irish!

On the wall in my bedroom hangs a Marriage License for Louis Loomis and Carrie Mumpton.  This beautiful piece of art was given to me from my grandmother-in-law soon after my husband and I married.  Louis and Carrie were her parents.  I always wondered if the surname Loomis was any relation to those famous horse theives who ruled Central New York in the early 1800s.  Gram never said.  If the subject came up, she would tactfully change gears to talk about something that happened at church or in the neighborhood.  Several years ago, when Gram went into a nursing home, I found a letter and application to the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Gram could trace her family back to Joseph Loomis of Hartford, CT.  When I found that letter, I quickly searched the internet for information on the CNY Loomis Gang.  My quick search told me that Gram was indeed a relative of the renown clan.

At the Canastota Public Library, we are pleased to present a talk on the Wednesday, October 21 at 7pm, the library will hold a special presentation on "The Loomis Gang." Learn about this notorius family of outlaws and horse thieves that operated in Central New York from local descendent, Robert Loomis. This event will be held on the second floor of the library.  I'm planning to be there to learn more about my husband's ancestors.  I hope that you will be able to attend as well.

October is Busy at the Library!

October is a busy month at the Canastota Public Library.  As we fall into the autumn and winter routine, we begin to schedule concerts, regular children and teen activities and various workshops for the community.

Children and Teen Activities: 
Our Baby & Me Lapsit with Miss Angela returns to the library on Wednesday mornings at 10am on October 7.  The program is an early literacy program involving babies up to age 24 months and their parents/caregivers.  Our staff provides songs, stories, rhymes and fingerplays to help you work with your baby!  This is also an excellent way for babies to learn to interact with other babies!  Baby & Me will be held every Tuesday morning through December 16 in the Children's Area on the second floor of the library.

Pre-School Storytime with Mrs. Liz begins on Thursday mornings at 10 am .  Beginning on October 1 and runs through December 17, this program is for children aged 3 and older.  The program includes stories, songs, games, crafts and a snack.  The program is held in the Children's area on the second floor of the library.

With the return of school comes the return of the Librateens to the library!  Our librateen group is a teen program for students in grades 6 and higher.  The group meets every Wednesday afternoon that school is in session.  The librateens first organizational meeting for the school year will be held on Wednesday, October 7.  Various activities such as game days, movie days, speakers, books and crafts are scheduled for the fall sessions.  Meetings are open to every student from grades 6 through grade 12 from 3pm until 4:15pm.   This group has been diligently working to redecorate the teen space on the second floor of the library.  An open house reception for the newly decorated room will be held on Monday, October 19th at 3pm.  The reception is open to the public!

Workshops & Concerts:
The month will begin with an October 4 concert by "The Excelsior Cornet Band."  "The Excelsior Cornet Band" is New York State's only authentic Civil War brass band.  Founded in 2001, the band consisrts of a group of upstate New York musicians who are dedicated to the performance of original Civil War music on actual antique brass band instruments of the 1860's period. The band will be performing their Abraham Licoln Program on Sunday, Oct 4 on the second floor of the library.

The Canal Town Quilters quilts will be featured on display at the library during the month of October.  The Lawson Community on the library's lower level will feature wall hangings as well as traditional quilts and table runners.  A reception for the Canal Town Quilters will be held on Saturday, October 3 from 1 - 3 pm in the Lawson Community Room.

A four week workshop, Job Hunting 101, will be offered on Tuesday mornings during the month of October.  In this program our staff will show you library and online resources available as well as help participants create a resume, search for jobs online and apply for online opportunities.  The program will begin on Tuesday, October 6 and end on October 27.  Particpants should contact the library to sign up as spaces are limited!  The program will be held in the Lawson Community Room beginning at 9:30am until 11 am. 

On Wednesday, October 21 at 7pm, the library will hold a special presentation on "The Loomis Gang."  Learn about this notorius family of outlaws and horse thieves that operated in Central New York from local descendent, Robert Loomis. This event will be held on the second floor of the library.

Thursday Theatre Returns this autumn!  Continuing with our theme of showing an Oscar Winning Film for Best Picture, the library will be showing movies on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month beginning at 6pm in our Lawson Community Room.  We will alternate between recent winners and early winners.  Join us on Thursday, October 1 to view, "Chicago."  This 2002 Oscar Best Picture features Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart.  The pair find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920's Chicago.  This is a musical starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones.  On Thursday, October 15, we will show the 1934 Best Picture, "It Happened One Night."  A spoiled heiress, running away from her family, is helped by a man who is actually a reporter looking for a story.  But then, he falls for her!  Starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

We hope that you will join us for one or all of these great programs at the library!  See you between the stacks soon!

The Ninth Annual Rebecca Eddy Memorial Contest

Entries are now being accepted at the Canastota Public Library for the 9th Annual Rebecca Eddy Memorial Writing Contest. Short stories and poems may be any style and/or subject and should be submitted to the library by October 31, 2009.


Entry requirements indicate that original poems should be 20 lines or fewer and original short stories should be between 500 – 5,000 words. Submissions should be made in only one category (poetry or short story) and will be judged by a panel of judges from the community. The following age divisions will be used in determining awards:

• Ages 10 and under

• Ages 11 – 14

• Ages 15 – 18

• Over Age 18

The contest was organized by Joan and Doug Eddy of Canastota as a memorial to their daughter, Rebecca Eddy. Ms. Eddy was a graduate of Canastota High School as well as a graduate of John Hopkins University. She was an athlete, an artist, a thespian and a scholar. Eddy felt a passion towards writing and also towards her community. Joan and Doug Eddy read each entry that is received into the contest.

The contest is free to enter and there are no residential requirements or limits. Entry Forms, available at the library, should be submitted with each entry.

An awards ceremony will be held Wed, Nov 18th at 7pm on the second floor of the library for all participants. All participants will receive a certificate for entering the competition. First and second place award winners in each age category will also receive a cash prize of $25 and $10, respectively.

The contest is coordinated each year by the Canastota Public Library at 102 W. Center Street in Canastota. For additional information, please contact the library at (315) 697-7030.

 

Puppy Love

I work at the Canastota Library and am always amazed at the resources that are available to the community here. Those resources proved to be invaluable to me several weeks ago.

It has always been my dream to breed small dogs and when I received a female Cairn Terrier for a birthday a few years ago, I was delighted. I named her Maggie and soon we were also the owners of her mate, Argus. Gus and Maggie were getting along well and before we knew it, Maggie was expecting. As we left the vet’s office after confirming her pregnancy, I knew I was going to need to prepare for the upcoming blessed event.

I had already used the library to find books on the Cairn Terrier breed when I was deciding what kind of dog I would like to own. Some of the best books I found were “Cairn Terriers” by Patricia Lehman and “The Complete Dog Book” by the American Kennel Club. Online resources were also helpful during this research! As well, we found local breeders and talked to them about the breed including health issues, training, feeding and more. Our vet was a wealth of information and offered suggestions along the way. And, so, now knowing that Maggie was expecting, I stopped at the library to search for books on birthing puppies.

“Breeding A Litter” by J.M. Evans seemed to be the most comprehensive book on the subject of doggie pregnancy and delivery and I left the library prepared to read every page! I thought I would be prepared for just about anything we encountered during Maggie’s pregnancy and delivery. Our vet indicated that Maggie would probably deliver four to six puppies and indicated that the breed were very good “whelpers” so we shouldn’t have many problems. The book, I thought, would do just the trick. While I skimmed the books on a couple of occations, I never did get around to reading it before the puppies came.

Early one Saturday morning, I went to Maggie’s kennel to take her out for her morning constitution. As I opened the crate, I noticed something wasn’t quite right. Maggie had her back to me and wouldn’t come out of her crate. As I reached in to get her, I quickly realized that puppy number two was on her way into the world and puppy one was already here! I grabbed the book and started reading…I figured better late than never! As it turned out, Maggie instinctively knew what to do but the book helped me to understand what to look for, what would come next and how to help if Maggie had any problems with delivery. Three hours later, Maggie and Gus were parents to four healthy Cairn Terrier pups—two baby boys and two baby girls.

Today, I am looking for books on puppies and their nutritional needs during the first few weeks of life! This is so much fun and the library is able to offer help at every turn. From books on housetraining, to medical needs, natural health tips and obedience training tips, the library can assist anyone who has questions about owning a dog.

The Bark is a new magazine that the library carries. I’ve been reading this monthly since the library purchased it. This month, we’ve received two new books that dog owners will find helpful. They are:

• “Green Dog, Good Dog. Reducing your Dog’s Carbon Footprint” by Dominique DeVito

• “The Everything New Puppy Book” by Carlo DeVito

I don’t know if the DeVitos are related but both books are great!

I've posted two pictures here.  The first picture shows the puppies during their first week and the second is a picture of the first born last Saturday at 3 weeks old! 

Job Hunting 101

Here in Canastota, we have been helping patrons to use the internet for many things. Most recently, we have found an increase in requests to help people find and apply for jobs on line. In light of those requests, the Canastota Public Library will begin a four week workshop, Job Hunting 101 in October. In this program, our staff will show participants resources that are available through the library and online to help them create a resume, search for jobs online and apply for on-line opportunities. The program will be held Tuesday mornings in October from 9:30am until 11am, beginning Oct. 6th and ending Oct. 27.


The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supports efforts to supply and sustain free  public access computers and the internet through local public libraries.  In the past several years, the Canastota Public Library has been able to upgrade and increase the number of public access computers to six due to the generosity of the foundation and matching funds made available by our local Friends of the Library group.   This past summer, the library received four laptop computers to add to the bank of public use computers from the Friends support and the Gates Foundation. Those computers are now a part of the library’s larger bank of community accessible computers and will be used in the Job Hunting 101 group training workshop.

According to the Gate's Foundation website, more than 70% of folks who use public library computers to access the internet indicate that the library is their primary and often only source for internet services.  The internet gives these patrons access to valuable information like health facts, financial planning and online banking, job services and job banks, research information and it also provides people with the ability to keep in touch with family and friends across the state or across the world.  The Gates foundation notes that "in the United States, where Internet access has been more widely available, going online also enables people to participate more fully in the social and economic fabric of their communities and make meaningful contributions to society."

Due to the number of laptop computers on hand, we will need to limit the number of folks participating in Job Hunting 101.  Computer skills, while helpful, are not necessary for this workshop.  You can sign-up by calling the library at 315-697-7030.  If enough interest is generated from Job Hunting 101, a second session will be offered in November.

Thanks to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this and other laptop workshops will be available at the Canastota Public Library in the coming months and years!

You Can Download Audio Books to your iPod/iPhone/MP3

The Canastota Public Library has great news for iPod© and iPhone© users who love audio books. With the free OverDrive Media Console v3.2© for Windows, most audio books including Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight," Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers," and John Grisham's "The Appeal" are compatible with the Windows formatted iPod and iPhone. These and hundreds of other titles can be downloaded free and transferred to these and other popular players.


In addition, MP3 titles are being added to the site on a regular basis. MP3 titles can be downloaded to MACs and transferred to any Mac formatted iPods and iPhones . Even more good news: now that the collection has increased in size, customers may now check out up to 5 titles at a time!

This increasingly popular service is called MYaudio2go. You can access the service by clicking on the “Digital Audio” link from Mid York’s homepage. This new software provides access to Mid York’s collection of audio books for Windows formatted iPhone and iPod users. With a few clicks and using the built-in Transfer Wizard!, audio books can be sent to a iPod, a Zune, many smart phones, and most other portable players.

MYaudio2go allows you the freedom to enjoy audio books, anytime, anywhere. You can borrow audio books even when your library is closed and there is no need to worry about fines because the file becomes unplayable on the computer when the loan period ends. All you need is your Mid York Library System card.

“I travel for work and was happy to learn that I can download audio books to my IPod. It makes traveling a bit more enjoyable,” noted Jerry Mc Dowell, a patron of the Canastota Library.

The service is jointly funded by the Mid-York Library System and its forty-three member libraries. “This is a great example of how cooperation can expand the services available to every library customer in our service area”, said Darlene Ford, Mid York Library System Director.

For help or information, direct email to: myaudio2go@midyork.org

Enjoy listening!