Friends of the
Livingston county library
June 2008
Friends of the Livingston County Library certainly have something to celebrate! With passage of the bond issue, improvements to the library are set to begin soon. The Board wishes to thank all those who worked on the bond issue and especially those who voted to support our library. We anxiously await the wonderful improvements to be made.

The annual book sale, held in March this year, was a huge success. Over 5000 books were sold and $7000 earned from the sale. These funds will be available to meet the needs of the Library, to support the Boofest book give-away, and for special programs and events sponsored by the Friends. After the book sale, many of the remaining books were donated to the Cameron Veterans’ Home, the county jail, and the women’s shelter. Others remain available for purchase in the library. Check out the cart for great buys on great reads!

We have agreed to purchase a digital camera so that planned renovations of the building can be photographed for future generations. There are wonderful old photos of the building as it appeared during its original construction, which can be viewed anytime in the library.

The Friends have purchased 75 new book bags which are available for sale at a cost of $10.00 each. We have already sold 150 bags, making this a worthwhile fund-raiser. The book bags can be purchased at both the Adult and Children’s desks.

The Friends Board of Directors will meet on June 8th at 5:00 in the Ruddy Smithson room on the second floor of the library. All library patrons are invited to attend.
 
Happenings at LCL…

Of course, the big event this summer will be the start of renovations to the building. Design plans will be finalized at the beginning of summer and renovations should begin shortly after that. The Friends of the Library collectively and many individual members of the organization were instrumental in the passing of the bond issue in April. We are all excited to see the end product but realize that there will be many dusty, difficult days ahead. Robin and the staff ask for your patience as work progresses toward making your Livingston County Library a better place for today and tomorrow. They are both excited and anxious and look forward to keeping you informed as the work proceeds. Robin encourages you to contact her with any questions or concerns you may have about the project. Her email address is robin@livingstoncountylibrary.org

The noon book group continues to meet throughout the summer. The group meets the second Monday of each month at noon in the Ruddy Smithson Room on the second floor of the Library. In June, they will be discussing River of Doubt by Candice Millard. An exciting non-fiction adventure, it is the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s journey down the Amazon River that almost had a disastrous ending. Other upcoming books the group be discussing this summer include Buffalo Soldiers by Tom Willard and Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. If interested in participating in the group, call the Library at 646-0547 for additional information.

For teens, the Library is once again asking for book reviews that will be posted on the Library’s website. Those submitting reviews will be entered into a drawing for prizes to be awarded at the end of summer. Review forms are available at the front desk in the adult services area of the Library.

Genealogy Classes are starting in June for those wishing to find out about ancestors. The courses start at 5:30 p.m. and last until 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night from June 3rd to June 24th. According to Robin, “We have had a lot of people requesting the genealogy class. Since we have family history and Livingston County information at the library, it only makes sense that we teach people to use it. To sign up for classes call the library at 660-646-0547 or ask at the Adult Circulation Desk. Cost is $5.00 for the handouts given at each of the classes.
 

For additional information about the Friends of the Library or to join, contact Kris at 660-247-0154 or sign up at the circulation desk.
In the Children’s Department…..

GO OUTBACK MISSOURI is the 2008 Summer Reading Program theme for the Children’s Department at Livingston County Library this year. On May 15th, children of all ages
began registering for the Independent Reading portion of the program, which is proving quite popular as 147 youths from birth through 14 years have already signed up to participate. Registration will continue through June. This program encourages children to read for fun throughout the summer. Each child is provided a carry-along notebook to record the books they read or have read to them. On return visits to the library, the book totals are counted and the notebook is stamped. A penny is provided for each book read by each child weekly. In past years hundreds of books were reported read throughout May, June and July. The more books that are read, the more pennies there are to win at the Big Penny Giveaway on July 30. Children may participate in the Independent Reading Program whenever they visit the library.

The program portion of the Summer Reading Program is held every Wednesday in June and July. Outback Storytime is 10-10:30 a.m. for all ages and Outback Readers is 10:30-11 a.m. for those ages 8 years and up. (A child is eligible if they have their eighth birthday during June or July.) The programs will include books, guest presenters, crafts and trunks from the Missouri Conservation Department. A weekly program list is posted on the Children’s Library portion of the library website: www.livingstoncountylibrary.org or call the Children’s Library at 646-0563 for further information. There is no registration for the library programs and visitors are welcome.

Participants will be encouraged throughout the program to “Take a closer look at nature this summer” and to “Go Outback and Explore”. “Outback” can include any outdoor space including local parks and even a back yard. The library offers a large collection of books, both fiction and nonfiction, to support the outdoor theme. Although these wildlife books will be featured during the program, any books of interest to the child can be explored independently. Library workers are always available to offer suggestions when selecting books to read for fun.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Your Librarians…

Robin Westphal, Director of Livingston County Library

Robin Westphal, and her family moved to Chillicothe in August of 2005 so she could take the job of Director of the Livingston County Library. Robin commends her husband and daughters for taking this leap of faith with her, but it has proven to be a wonderful choice for all of them. Robin was previously the Adult Services Supervisor at the Olathe Public Library. She has also worked in a law library and a high school library. While all jobs were similar, she enjoys working in a public library the most, stating that “the variety of requests we get make every day unique.” Robin earned her Master in Library Science from Emporia State University and has a B.S. in Political Science from Kansas State University.

While Robin loves to read, she became interested in library work because of a strong interest in doing research. She admits that she is “more interested in looking through a World Almanac than reading the latest Janet Evanovich book.” Another aspect of library work that Robin likes is book discussion, and she is particularly fond of the noon book group held at the Library the 2nd Monday of each month.

When she is not working, Robin enjoys traveling with her family and listening to music. She has two beagles, Ally and Sadie, which keep her family on their toes. Robin also enjoys watching and attending sporting events and hopes to someday attend a World Series game and Wimbledon.

Robin states that “Brian, Jamie, Kelly and I love Chillicothe and especially appreciate how welcome the people of this community have made us feel. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as your Library Director.”

Robin’s Book Review…

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Gilbert takes a year to off from writing to embark on a journey of self-discovery after the end of her marriage. The title describes the three journeys she takes to find balance in her life. “Eat” takes place in Italy, where Gilbert wants only to explore the art of pleasure, mainly speaking and listening to a language she loves and, of course, eating a lot of great food (what better place than Italy?). “Pray” describes Gilbert’s spiritual journey in India where she learns how to find inner peace with the help of meditation and the guidance of others looking for spiritual answers. “Love” is set in Indonesia where the treasures that Gilbert gained from her time in Italy and India allow her to fall in love. Not only is this a powerful and inspirational book, it is laugh out loud funny and touching as well. While the locations are exotic, it’s the people that she encounters along the way that are the most memorable. This book left me wanting more.

Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of several other books but is most notably an award winning journalist working for several magazines.

This title is available in print and on CD at the Livingston County Library.

 

Friends of the Livingston County Library
Board of Directors
President Kris Daniel

Directors

Pat Nichols

Gene Whitmer

Brenda O’Halloran

 

Vice-President Father William Bellais

 

Secretary

Lindy Chapman

 

Treasurer

Diana Roberts

Ex-Officio

Robin Westphal
Judith Shoot