A Little Help From Our Friends

         


          The Beatles sang about getting by with a little help from their friends, Thomas Jefferson said that friendship is precious and Mark Twain was quoted as saying, “Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” Friends are important to all of us for all kinds of reasons. This is true at the Canastota Public Library, too. We want to thank our “Friends” (volunteers) for their spectacular book sale that took place at the end of October. Over $3,600 was raised from the sale of donations, weeded library materials, raffle baskets and used equipment.


          Countless hours were spent by our Friends sorting, pricing and organizing to prepare for this sale. Our Friends gave selflessly of their time and energy to convert our lower level into a mecca for shoppers. Happy customers left with great books, tapes and DVD’s at bargain prices. The basket raffle winners were especially pleased with their wonderful treasures. Patricia Baldwin won the “Women’s Pampered Reading” basket, Dawn Schoeck won the “Wine and Books” basket, Ruth VanRy won the “Garden Basket”, Carol Tefft won the “Christmas Basket”, Eleanor Bajohr won the decorative Christmas trees, Vanessa Loomis won the “Vampire Basket”, Juanita Collins won the “Smart Baby Basket” and Linda Roseman won the “Princess Basket”.

          The Friends who planned this sale deserve an extra thank you and they are Natalie Gustafson, Eleanor Bajohr and Mickey Kissane. They are an amazing trio of women who volunteer year round to keep our “Ongoing Book Sale” shelves stocked and to organize our annual sale. Mary Blanchard also deserves special thanks for her weekly sorting and shelf stocking efforts. Many additional Friends—Mary and Jim Murray, Ted Boutis, Claudio Paulini, Jean Smith, Norma Harling, Gisella Hammer, Chris and Jeff Crandall, Joyce Miller, Leslie McIntyre, Sharon Costie, Ann Pulverenti, Rita Smith, Laura and Carole Lang, Suzanne Amlaw, Mary Keck, Naomi Mayers, Barbara Woodarek, Mary Ramsdell, Jeanne Dunn, Pat Emmi, Linda Lake, Rosie Argentine, Ann Marie Rossi, Patricia Dickinson, Kari and Nels Youngstrom-- worked to set up the sale, restock and reorganize books during the sale, serve as cashiers, and help customers load their vehicles. We are grateful to each and every one of them for their hard work and dedication to our library. As in past years, seven sturdy display tables were generously donated by Tom Ralston of Ralston Supply Center, Inc. to hold all our books. We thank them for their kindness.

          This year some of the funds raised have been used to purchase an outdoor shed to store miscellaneous seasonal items like our garden bench, tax form racks, and artificial Christmas tree. This attractive, maintenance free shed was just delivered to the back corner of our parking lot.

          As we enter this season of thanksgiving, I am personally grateful for the extraordinary efforts of our Friends and thank them for being so generous to our library. I also wish to thank everyone who donated materials to our sale, everyone who made purchases at our sale and our terrific library staff members who provide excellent service each and every day.



Most Sincerely,

Liz Metzger
Director of the Canastota Public Library

When I Grow Up....

Have you thought about what you want to do when you grow up? I am in my mid-50s and wonder that all the time lately! I have a nice career in public relations and marketing. I’ve worked for some great non-profits now and before I came to the library. A few years were spent as a free-lancer, writing articles for the Oneida Daily Dispatch and some other publications. Still, I often spend time thinking about my retirement and just what I will do during that time of my life.

 

While, I’m sure “writing” will be a part of that, painting or another creative endeavor might be fun. I might even take up another type of hobby like knitting or scrapbooking. Playing Bridge might be an activity that I will be interested in learning to do. Needless to say, I know I will want to keep learning about our history and new trends and developments in technology, the arts, education and our environment.

The library is a perfect resource for all of those activities! We have two writing groups that meet here at the library, as well as two knitting groups and a scrapbooking club. Our Party Bridge group meets every Thursday afternoon. The library is a constant resource for those wanting to learn about new businesses, new opportunities and new developments in our world!

 

So, when one day I retire, I hope to still be here…at least some days…at the library. Learning. Meeting. Creating. Enjoying Life….When I grow up….

 

CPL's Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale Nears

 

The Friends of the Canastota Public Library are busy preparing for this year's annual book sale.  The sale, which will be held on October 25, 26 and 27 is certain to be one of the largest sales yet.  The money raised through this sale will benefit the library's programs, collection and/or enhance the building and services that the library offers.

 

The Friends of the Library is made up of volunteers who have helped us to prepare for the sale and work the many hours of the sale.  Several of our "friends" make raffle baskets to donate which are then raffled off for additional revenues.  The library knitters have joined in the fun this year and have made some hand-crafted scarves, mittens, hats and other beautiful knitted items available for sale during the months of October and November.  As well, Ralston Supply Company, a local business, is donating tables to be used for the event.

 

Although the library has a year-round ongoing book sale, this annual sale has a larger volume of items available.  The sale offers patrons a chance to meet with old friends and purchase from a great selection of books, DVDs, VHS tapes, Audio Tapes and CDs.  Individuals and families can also show their support of the library by joining the Friends of the Library.  Membership for Individuals is just $3, while families can join the Friends group for $10 annually.

 

We hope you will come out to support your community library in Canastota!  The times for the sale are:

 

October 25:  9am - 8:30pm

October 26:  9am - 5pm

October 27:  10am - 4pm

Fundamentals to Football, Sports and Life

          My Dad is an exceptional guy!  He has worked hard throughout his life to support his wife and four kids.  Many times, he worked two jobs!  But, he always had time for his favorite activities--sports.  And, he took the time to be sure that his family enjoyed those pastimes as well.
          Dad was a little league coach, a Pop Warner coach and didn't miss a junior high or high school event that my brothers played throughout their academic times.  As well as being a coach, Dad was able to share life lessons with his family and his players.  He taught us responsibility, caring and how to support each other both on and off the field.
          This year, the Canastota Public Library is offering a program that my Dad would recommend to every young man or woman that he knows!  We are hoping that you and your teen athlete will join us for "Fundamentals to Football, Sports and Life."  Scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 2 at 6:30pm, this program is designed to help student athletes (in grades 7 - 10) achieve their best on the playing field and in life.  A parent is encouraged to attend along with their student.  Space is limited so please contact the library at 697-7030 to reserve your spot!  This program is free and refreshments will be served.

For Women Only! A Financial Presentation!

A newly released 2012 study by Prudential reveals that women are more in control of their finances than ever, but are facing challenges with financial decision making. The study finds that both younger and baby boomer women identify themselves as financial beginners, though they feel empowered to call the shots on their own. Additionally, the study noted that only one in ten women breadwinners said they felt knowledgeable about financial products and services.


If you are a woman who is interested in learning more about financial options regarding investments, savings, annuities, retirement accounts or just finances in general, the Canastota Public Library is offering a session entitled, “For Women Only! A Financial Presentation.” On Wednesday, September 26 at 7pm, financial planner, Richard McMahon will talk to women about the importance of financial decisions. McMahon, an attorney and financial planner, is a registered representative of and offers securities through MML Investors Services

Those planning to attend should register by calling the library at 697-7030. The library is asking that when you call to RSVP, you also indicate what specific questions you have so that the session can be tailored to those attending.

NYS Sets Standards for Digital Literacy

         

           New York State recently set standards for Digital Literacy and has asked libraries to assist in helping people become digitally literate.  Literacy represents a person's ability to read, write and solve problems using both spoken and written language.  Digital literacy is the ability to apply those same skills using technology such as computers, ebook readers and smartphones. 

         

          Being digitally literate allows people to interact using the tools and technologies that are increasingly being used at home, in school and in businesses.  For example, a digitally literate person can:

• Communicate with family, friends, coworkers and prospective employers via digital technology
• Search for information including advice related to health care 
• Confidently engage in online banking and online shopping
• Use technology to complete job applications and other online forms
• Understand how information is accessed and transferred using various digital devices

          The Canastota Public Library can help you learn the technological skills to perform all of these activities.  With qualified staff and volunteers available, we hold regular classes or can tailor a specific training to meet your individual needs.  Please stop by and talk to one of our staffmembers or call us today! 

Our New Dog Needs A Name

          Jessica Carrigan, is pictured with Canastota Public Library Director, Liz Metzger and the giant stuffed dog she donated to the children’s room. Jessica is a Chittenango graduate who currently works at Fayetteville Manilius Schools but will soon be relocating to another state. She won the dog at the NY State Fair at the Wacky Wizard Game and decided it was time to find him a new home. Jessica is a wizard at the game and has won a number of giant animals, all of which she is donating to local charities or organizations. The library is a grateful recipient of this nice gift that will be a fun addition to our Baby Lapsit and Pre-school Storytime programs.
          Our new Dog needs a name!  Please help us by either emailing us your ideas or stopping by our Circulation Desk and telling us what name you think fits our newest addition.  Dog joins our moose, Chocolate Mousse! 

Director's Musing from The CPL

This summer, I visited my favorite place, The Chautauqua Institution, on Chautauqua Lake in southwestern NYS.  The Institution was founded in 1874 by inventor Lewis Miller and Methodist Bishop John Heyl Vincent as a teaching camp for Sunday school teachers. It has evolved into a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities that take place over the course of nine weeks in the summer. 

I visited the first week in August. The theme for the week was “Ethics”. I heard several lectures from amazing speakers like Duke University Professor Dan Ariely, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll B. Davis, Jr. and Theresa Sullivan, President of the University of Virginia.  The speaker that affected me the most was Dr. David W. Orr, the Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics at Oberlin College. His compelling speech titled, “Creating Cultures of Honor and Integrity in a Hotter Time” focused on the issue of global climate change. He asked the audience, “Can we build a civilization that works in the boundaries of nature? The answer is yes!”

We have the science; we just need the will to get it done. But we need to start now and everyone needs to do their part.  We must all act with honor and integrity so that future generations will enjoy the same beautiful earth that has nurtured us. So, I am now re-examining my energy consumption, food choices, purchases and life style with a focus on reducing, reusing, recycling and doing without.  I do it happily, so that the generations that follow me will look back and say that I acted ethically. You can read more about this in Dr. Orr’s book “Down to the Wire”, available at the library.

Readers Quilt Donated

Sandra Zeigler of Canastota is shown with the beautiful quilt she made for the Children's Room at the Canastota Public Library.  The quilt says, "Readers Are Leaders," a sentiment that Sandra believes to be true.  She is a retired attorney who recently moved to Canastota and along with a friend, joined the Library's Night Time Knitters Group.  She explained to Director Liz Metzger that she had this quilt project for a couple of years and didn't do anything with it.  But, as soon as she saw our library, she decided that this would be a perfect home for the quilt.  She presented it to the CPL in July and it graces one of the walls of the Children's Room on our second floor for all to enjoy!

We really love these donations that are made from the heart!  Thank you, Sandra, for being a part of the Canastota Public Library Family.  We are so happy that you chose Canastota as your new home!

Summer Planning

When I think of summer, I think of early mornings on my deck, drinking in the dawn and my coffee. I love the wild life that gathers in my yard…we see rabbits, wild turkey, birds of all types, as well as deer, raccoons and fox. I love that quiet time—just before the world has awoken.

Summer also brings to mind that the kids are out of school and looking for things to do every minute of every day. It seems we can’t keep them busy enough! At the library, we’ve seen lots of reports showing that kids who read during the summer months do better academically when they return to school in the fall. That’s one of the reasons the library has always held our Summer Reading Program! We love to see the kids come in during the summer months and leave with arms full of books. Every year, we offer incentives for those who read and we offer a variety of programs for children of all ages.

The Children’s theme this year is “Dream Big, READ.” Our scheduled activities include a visit from Leon Etienne, the magician who wowed us all last year; a puppet show by Nancy Sanders; an evening with Dan the Snake Man and his friends; a performance by jugglers called “Gravitation Bowl”; craft times, storytimes and more!

For teens (grades 6 and up), the theme is “Own the Night.” We have planned an evening of ghost hunting at the library with our friends from Scientific Paranormal. We’ll also be reading some extra books during Teen Reads, writing with author Rachel Guido deVries during a week-long writing workshop, learning about self-defense moves from a karate instructor, as well as making some really awesome crafts.

If your kids are looking for something to do this summer, the library is sure one of the great places to be. So, while you are sitting on your porch in the early mornings working on a plan for your day, be sure to stop by the Canastota Public Library and pick up a summer calendar of events. We hope you’ll be visiting us soon!

Off The Shelf

 

 

 

This week's guest blogger is Book Chat member, Deborah Rickard

The last Wednesday of almost every month, the Book Chat Group meets at 1 pm in the Lawson Room, for about an hour. This year, as the newsletter indicates, we are reading a variety of classics. For April, we have just finished The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbech. Almost everyone knows about this book, but some of the group members had never read this classic and/or have never seen the movie version (which reportedly closely follows the story line of the book).

Part of our group discussion centered around questions from a study guide as well as similarities of life styles in the ‘30s and now. Again today, jobs are scarce, homes are lost and people are displaced. College students starting off often are facing huge student loans and no employment or low wages in their chosen field. Hence, they struggle just as the displaced people in Steinbech’s book.

We also briefly looked at a map of the USA to get a sense of the geography of where the journey took place. Many of the places mentioned in the book were easily found on the map.

Most of the group enjoyed this book and Steinbeck’s style of writing. The first one hundred pages are descriptive and may be slow reading for some people. Steinbeck has devoted several pages to a chapter to describe such things as a turtle moving along or how terrible the climate was during the drought.

In addition to the group discussion, each month we spend a little time discussing other books that we are currently reading. The members are willing to share comments of so many different authors of both fiction and non-fiction. This sharing is such an enjoyable part of our meeting.

We check out the next book selection after the Book Chat, so there is ample opportunity to read it through leisurely, or in a rush if the month flies by! The next book is Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett. Yes, he wrote The Pillars of the Earth (also a TV miniseries), but this book is a different genre.

If you can, join us next time for a lively discussion and a cup of tea. Stop in and ask for the Book Chat selection for May at the library desk. Even if you can’t read every page, you are welcome to join us! Hope to see you in May!

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Comes to 13032

The Canastota Public Library is signing up children in the 13032 Zip Code to be a part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is made possible through the Madison County Literacy Coalition and a grant from the Central New York Community Foundation.  Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, preschool children and their families in the Canastota area (zip code 13032) will be able to receive the gift of a specially selected book each month. This program is targeted to help those with early literacy skills.

There is no cost for this program and families will be able to sign their children up for this great resource at the Canastota Public Library. The only requirement is that the children be between the ages of birth and five years old and reside in the 13032 area code. Interested parents and children should stop by the Canastota Public Library for more information and to register their children (102 W. Center Street in Canastota).

Dolly Parton began this program in her county in 1996. Since that time nearly 17,000 communities in the United States and Canada are involved in Dolly-sponsored library/literacy programs. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, Dolly wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could insure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.


Canastota was selected as the initial site for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library by the Coalition. Since there are so many day care providers and day care centers in the area, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library could really make a difference in the lives of children in this community. Currently, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for the 13032 area code is possible through a grant to the Madison County Literacy Coalition from the Central New York Community Foundation.

Bombarded

How do you stay up to date on current events? Do you read a newspaper? Listen to the evening news? Or, perhaps you read the news online? Today, we are bombarded by different media keeping us current with the latest in politics, science, entertainment, war, peace, religion and more. We are even able to play games online or via our cellular phones in real time! You can text anyone at anytime and generally reach them and receive an almost immediate response.


I find that lately, I am attached to my cell phone, my iPod, my kindle fire, my car radio, television and computer far more than I ever have been in my life. If my battery for any of these items runs low, I am in fear that people won’t be able to reach me in an emergency. I worry that I might miss something of national or international importance. I might not learn who won American Idol this year! As the onslaught of information bombards me daily, I feel more and more irritable and anxious.

Last week, a friend was telling me that her daughter was on a “silent” retreat. This experience, through her college, was one in which there was no verbal communication. There were no cell phones, televisions, radios or computers. Cell phones were checked at the door as were other forms of electronics. The students gathered several times a day for song and they could speak to the counselor who was assigned to them during this weeklong retreat.

As my friend was telling me about this experience, I kept thinking, “I want to be there!” I remember life without all these electronics. It seems simpler and a bit happier then. Life didn’t seem so complicated. I guess I miss those days.

EXTREME COUPONING RESCHEDULED

Due to unseen circumstances, Jessica Jones of Extreme Couponing was not able to make our Extreme Couponing Session she was scheduled to teach earlier this month.  We have been able to reschedule Jessica's presentation to February 22 (Wednesday) at 6:30pm in the Lawson Community Room.

If you have already signed up and paid your $10 fee and cannot make this date, please stop in at the library and we will refund your registration fee.  If you were not able to make the January presentation, there is ample opportunity to sign up to attend the presentation in February.

As we mentioned previously, this session is a great way to learn how to organize coupons, learn store policies on couponing and review Jessica's methods for stockpiling and saving!  Jessica Jones has been featured on local television and newspaper and has saved more than $1,700 with her extreme couponing methods. 

Please continue to join us as we find ways to help you and your family in these difficult economic times!  Call the library today to register for the February presentation at 315-697-7030.