Winter 2014 Newsletter - Berks County Public Libraries

Winter/
Spring 2014
Volume 15, Issue 1
The Newsletter of the Friends of Mifflin Community Library
INSIDE
From the Friends
2
What’s Coming Up 3
Happy New Year and thanks so much for your
continued support of our library activities and
fundraisers.
What does it mean to be a “Friend of MCL”? Friend
does not mean that you MUST attend meetings. We
have a multitude of opportunities for you to share
your time and talent as well as your treasure. Simply
indicate on our Membership Application how you
would like to be involved like baking a cake, sorting
books, manning a stand at Community Days for an
evening, etc.
The Friends of MCL have donated $6,000 to Mifflin
Community Library’s Operating Fund and $1,000 to
the Capital Campaign for the year 2013.
We also hope to have an attractive electronic message
board installed in the future and are always looking
for new fundraising ideas to help finance this project.
Please become a new member of Friends or renew
your current membership for 2014.
Hunterdon Hills
Playhouse Bus Trip 5
Storytime Schedule 6
Library Programs Edible Book Fest
8
17
Capital Campaign 19
Mission Statement
The Friends of Mifflin
Community Library is a
nonprofit organization
dedicated to providing
financial support for
the library’s role as a
source of information
and enjoyment for the
community.
Mifflin Community Library | 6 Philadelphia Avenue | Shillington, PA 19607
Phone: 610-777-3911 | email: [email protected] | www.berks.lib.pa.us/mifflincl/
LIBRARY STAFF
Library Director
Helen Sheimo Flynn, MS
Youth Services Librarian
Kristin Brumbach, MS
Programs/PR Coordinator
Elizabeth Shepley
Library Assistants
Melissa Cronrath
Patti Hutchinson
Sharon Kleckner
Liz Latch
Gary Colosimo
Jillian Woodruff
FROM THE FRIENDS
A bus trip to Hunterdon Hills
Playhouse in New Jersey is planned for
Saturday, March 22nd. Details on page
5. Cabin fever will be set in by that time,
so this should be a welcome event!
Hometowne Collectible replicas of our
library are still available. Remember,
purchase of these lovely replicas of the
library are a donation to the Friends.
They make a great gift, and the $20 price
will continue to support a good cause.
Phone
610-777-3911
Website
www.berks.lib.pa.us/smi
email
[email protected]
Since our fall bus trips to New York
City have become so popular, we have
decided to make them an annual event.
Watch for a date to be announced for a
Saturday in the end of September and
plan to join us for a trip to the Big Apple.
LIBRARY HOURS
NEXT MEETING
MARCH 12
@ 1:00PM
Monday9am–8pm
Tuesday9am–8pm
Wednesday9am–5pm
Thursday9am–8pm
Friday
9am–1pm
Saturday9am–4pm
Special
program
to be
announced.
Please join us with your ideas & meet other
folks who are passionate about our library.
Watch the
bulletin board
for more
information.
Become a Member of the Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
Friends of MCL is a 501 (c.)(3) non-profit organization. Your membership donation may be
considered a charitable contribution. Check your number on the mailing label. Please make
checks payable to Friends of Mifflin Community Library. Mail to: Mifflin Community Library, 6
Philadelphia Avenue, Shillington, PA 19607
Friends of Mifflin Community Library Membership Name_________________________________________
New Renewal
DUES ENCLOSED
$10 Friend
Address_________________________________________ (individual)
$15 Family
City, ST, Zip______________________________________
$25 Contributing
WHAT’S COMING UP?
What: Hunterdon Playhouse Bus Trip (details pg. 5)
When: March 22, 9:15AM-4:30PM
Where: Shillington to Hunterdon Playhouse, Hampton, NJ
Phone_________________________________________ Friend
Other
Email­_________________________________________
How I can help:___________________________________
2
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
What: Pancake Breakfast
When: April 12, 7AM-10AM
Where: Dairy Queen in Kenhorst
3
Mark your calendars for June 3, 2014 for our
8th Annual Golf Outing!
Sponsored by Penske Truck Leasing
Sponsorships/Golfers being accepted now.
Contact Brian Parkes for more information:
(610) 279-4141 OR
[email protected].
Friends of
Mifflin Community Library
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse
Bus Trip
More registration information at MCL and on the
website in March. Raffle tickets will go on sale at
Circulation Desk in April.
HOMETOWNE COLLECTIBLES
Limited Edition
$20.00
Checks payable to “Friends of MCL”
Saturday • March 22
Departs 9:15am from Rite Aid parking lot on Lanc. Ave
Returns approximately 4:30pm
DEADLINE • February 20
$75
includes
bus fare,
luncheon,
& a show!
per person
Payment must accompany registration. Please make checks
payable to Friends of Mifflin Community Library. No
refunds will be granted unless there is a waiting list. Limit of
54 passengers.
Friends of Mifflin Community Library and Mifflin Community
Library are not responsible for the safety of the passengers and
their belongings.
PLEASE SEE OPPOSITE PAGE FOR RESERVATION
FORM.
4
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
5
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
Storytime
Schedule ReadTOBean
ds
Preschool For ages 3-5 years
Tuesdays at 9:30 am
Stories, crafts, activities & fun!
Toddler For ages birth-3 years
Tuesdays at 10:45 am
Toddler storytimes include fingerplays,
songs, stories, and a simple craft.
StoryRiders For ages 1 - 5 years
Monday at 9:30 am (see schedule pg. 7)
Evening Storytime For kids of all ages
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
Weekly Themes for T/Th times
& Frien
Tuesday,
February 11th
@ 6:30 PM
Research shows that reading to
therapy dogs improves literacy
skills, self-confidence, self-esteem,
and participation in other activities.
Children who would like to practice
reading aloud can come with a book
of their own or choose a book from
our collection.
January 21 – Clothes I Wear
January 28 – Exercise!
February 4 – Monkeys
Stay tuned for future reading dates
February 11 – Lions
for Bean & friends.
February 18 – Giraffes
February 25 – Elephants
ALL AGES.
March 4 – True Blue
Please register.
March 11 – Mellow Yellow
March 18 – Green Scene
March 25 – Red Rocks!
April 1 – Trickster Tales & Funny Stuff
This lapsit series for babies 0-12
April 8 – Ducks
months with their caregivers will
April 15 – Rabbits
return on Mondays in March at
April 22 – Chickens
10:45am. Parents get a chance to
April 29 – Bugs
learn how to lay a good foundation
May 6 – Numbers
for literacy and learning right from
May 13 – Imagination
the start as well as the opportunity
May 20 – Friends
to meet other new parents. We’ll
Pick up our monthly Storytime
have lots of songs, nursery rhymes,
Calendar in the library!
and yes, books for babies.
BRILLIANT
BEGINNINGS
Please register for the series.
6
Thanks to a $4,000 grant from the Russell L. Hiller Charitable Trust of Berks
County Community Foundation, Mifflin Community Library was able to
purchase a second Early Literacy Station for our Children’s Area, this one with
a touch screen. The Early Literacy Station computer is geared for preschoolers
and loaded with about 60 age-appropriate educational children’s games.
The grant also enabled us to purchase an iPad
for use in our storytimes, along with a small
budget for educational apps. The iPad will
enable multimedia content for storytimes as
well as providing a model for reading and
using technology that parents can adopt at
home with their children.
Together these tools will enhance the library’s
programs to foster early literacy skills for
preschoolers, and we are grateful to the Community Foundation for supporting
our efforts.
Thanks to
St or yR i d e rs
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Stories, Songs, giggles & games!
January 20: Changing Seasons
January 27: Shuffle Shuffle Step
February 3: Perfect Pets
February 10: Fun Fairy Tales
February 24: No StoryRider, join us
with a Library Storytime Substitute
March 3: Hats Hats Hats
March 10: Community Helpers
March 17: Up Up & Away
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
Mondays
9:30 am
March 24: Creepy Crawlers
March 31: Dot Dot Dot
April 7: Go van Gogh
April 14: No StoryRider, join us with
Library Storytime Substitute
April 21: I Love Books!
April 28: Under the Sea
May 5: Dear Dads
May 13: S’more Camping
7
LIBRARY PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Find us on facebook.com/MifflinCommunityLibrary for the latest
updates, and search for and “like” our Mifflin Community LibraryChildren & Youth Services page for age-specific updates and insights!
Early Literacy
Brilliant Beginnings
March – Mondays at 10:45am (March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31)
Story time designed for babies ages 0-12months and their caregivers. Learn how
to support your child’s learning right from the start and connect with other
moms, dads, grandparents and friends. Please register for the series.
School Age Programs
LEGO Club
2nd Saturday each month, 9:30-10:30AM
See the monthly theme schedule below. Kids can always build whatever their
imagination desires, but the themes will hopefully be a jumping-off point for
kids to discuss and design collaboratively. Please do not bring LEGOs from
home. Please register.
February 8-Winter OlympicsThink about making scenes from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
March 8-Circus!Think about scenes and characters from the circus.
April 12-FOODThink about building your favorite snack out of LEGOs.
May 10-Simple Machines
Gear up for the Summer Reading Program, “Fizz Boom Read,” and think about
building simple machines out of LEGOs.
Juggle, Spin and Flow
Saturday, March 1, 10 AM-11 AM
Learn the basics of juggling, and play with other skill toys like spinning plates,
rings, and other devices to challenge your concentration. Door Prize of tickets
to see Gizmo Guys at the Miller Center on March 22nd. Must attend for your
chance to win! Please register.
Edible Book Festival Jr.
Saturday, April 12, 11AM
Kids are invited to decorate a literary cupcake in our Edible Book Festival Jr.
program. Please Register. Come in to celebrate art, books, and food!
8
All Age Programs
Kids Craft Day: Crochet!
Saturday, May 10, 11 AM
Learn to crochet “in the round” to make an adorable monster. No prior
experience is necessary. We will provide yarn, but students will need a size
“E” crochet hook (available at most craft stores). We strongly recommend that
children are at least 8 years old for this program. Please register.
“Take Your Child To The Library Day!”
Saturday, February 1, activities mostly in the morning, celebrate all day!
This is an annual celebration encouraging families to spend some time
exploring the library. We’ll have storytime and a kids mini-health fair with
vision screenings by the Lion’s Club, preschool yoga time, and other information
for parents and children.
Art Today!
Saturday, February 8, 11 AM
Newly published author and Mifflin Park teacher, Jane Wolfgang, talks about
her book, Art Today! Learn what it takes to write and illustrate a book. Plus,
children can make the same craft that Billy makes in the story. Books will be
available for sale ($14.95) and signing. Please register.
“On the Road” Storytime
Thursday, April 3, 6:45 PM
Welcome Spring and the re-opening of mini-golf at the Kenhorst DQ. Storytime
on the patio and celebrity reader Hamid Chaudry.
Teen Programs
Tween & Teen Book Club
Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 PM
Have you ever wanted to join a book club? Now is your chance! We’ll be
reading Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass. Buy or borrow a
copy, read it, then come talk about it with other kids. A craft will be provided by
the editors of Macaroni Kid Newsletter. Please register.
Teen Tech Week, March 9-15, 2014--DIY @ your library
Special Program
Thursday, March 6, 5-6 PM
Teens are invited for a special DIY celebration at the library. Fortunes aren’t just
for cookies. In the spirit of DIY, we’ll be creating our own wisecrack fortune
eggs complete with egg-ceptional puns! Please register for this event.
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
9
Adult Programs
Health Insurance Marketplace Program
Thursday, January 30, 6:30-7:30 PM
Need affordable health insurance? Get answers! Berks Community Health
Center’s Certified Application Counselors can help you learn more about the
Health Insurance Marketplace. The Health Insurance Marketplace is a new way
to find coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs. Whether you’re
uninsured, or just want to explore your choices, the Marketplace will help find
coverage that’s right for you. Please register.
“The Dirty Thirties: Surviving the Dust Bowl” & Book Discussion
One Book, One Community Special Program
Tuesday, February 25, 6-8 PM
Gerald Ronning, History Professor, Albright College, presents a public lecture
on one of the greatest devastations this country has known and how America
pulled through. Following the presentation, join the Afternoon Book Group at
this special time for a discussion of Timothy Egan’s The Worst Hard Time.
A Primer on Pipelines
Saturday, February 22, 9:30 AM
Natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale is a “game changer.” Pipelines
in your communities are a significant part of this change. The League of
Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA), through a grant from the Department
of Transportation, will be presenting a Primer on Pipelines at the Mifflin
Community Library.
Dr. Roberta Winters, coordinator of the League’s statewide studies on natural
gas extraction from Marcellus Shale and pipelines, will be focusing on “An
Ounce of Prevention.” Learn about the basic components of the infrastructure,
your role in assuring pipeline safety, the agencies responsible for its oversight
and siting, and resources to help with planning for pipelines in your
neighborhood.
Job Hunter Series: Internet Job Search
Tuesday, March 4, 6:30-8 PM
Learn to effectively search and apply for jobs online. The class includes
handouts with useful website addresses, instructions on setting up a free email
account, and practice in using a search engine. Registration required.
Job Hunter Series: Killer Resumes & Cover Letters
Tuesday, March 11, 6:30-8 PM
Get an employer to select your resume from a stack of 50. Megan Adukaitis,
Director of Career Development for Alvernia University, will discuss the
10
current standards for resume formatting, common “Do’s and Don’ts,” and
how to best promote your skills. Then, shift gears to focus on writing the killer
cover letter. Cover letters are an essential, and often overlooked part of the
employment application process. What you say in a cover letter is crucial in
providing a first impression and ensuring that the prospective employer goes
a step further and reads your resume. Here you’ll learn how to craft a cover
letter and how to avoid the 7 deadly cover letter mistakes that can land your
impeccable resume in the trash bin. Please register.
Job Hunter Series: Interviewing Tips & Tricks
Tuesday, March 18, 6:30-8 PM
Megan Adukaitis, Director of Career Development for Alvernia University, will
discuss how to prepare for an interview, the most common interview questions
and how to answer them, your 30-second introduction, avoiding fatal interview
mistakes, and the importance of nonverbal communication. Please register.
Kitchen & Salad Gardens
Thursday, March 13, 6:30-7:30 PM
Come learn about creating successful kitchen gardens, with an emphasis on
container gardening. Penn State Master Gardeners will discuss how to select
seeds that will grow well in our climate, soil basics, and how to place your
garden or containers for best results. Gardening enthusiasts with a budding
interest are welcome, and even well-seasoned gardeners might pick up a tip or
two.
A Money Smart Week Special Program
Week of April 5-12. Stay tuned for details!
Edible Book Festival
Saturday, April 12, 12-3 PM
See more details on page 17. Everyone is invited to submit an entry into our
Edible Book Festival! Bring your best puns and your tastiest delights for a chance
to compete for prizes. For ideas see the official website: http://www.books2eat.
com/.
Bard Fest’s Poetry Out Loud
Tuesday, April 22, 6:30-8 PM
MCL will again be a stopping point for Berks Bard’s BardFest in April. Featuring
participants from the 2014 Poetry Out Loud competition and local student
poets as well as Berks Bards, readings will be followed by an open mic time.
Berks Bards,a grassroots poetry group, meets the first Thursday of each month
at the first floor Café in the GoggleWorks, Second & Washington St., Reading,
PA. Monthly poetry readings feature an invited poet & an open mic. The group’s
special poetry events are the Literary Festival in October & BardFest in April.
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
11
Ongoing Groups
Computer Workshops
Mifflin Writers’ Group
Demystify your Devices
1st & 3rd Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 PM
Mifflin Writers Group is beginning its third year and is composed of writers
of all genres and levels of experience. Their purpose is to motivate, inspire,
instruct, inform, share and critique each other in their writing efforts in a free
flowing and relaxed atmosphere. The group includes new writers to published
authors. All writers are welcome to join in!
Thursday, February 13, 5-6PM OR Thursday, April 24, 5-6PM
Did you get a new gadget recently and are not quite sure how to use it or want
to learn how to use it more effectively? Join us for a walk-in workshop with
one-on-one help with your electronic device. Bring your laptop, e-reader, tablet,
smart phone, etc. along with your questions or concerns.
Computer 101
Questions? Contact Mary Favatella Becker at [email protected].
Tuesday, January 28, 3:30-5 PM
If you’ve never or almost never used a computer before, this class is for you.
Learn basic terms and concepts and practice using a mouse–often the biggest
barrier to the beginning computer user. Registration required.
Evening Stitching Circle
Every Monday, 6:30-8:00 PM*
Afternoon Stitching Circle
Every Wednesday, 1-3 PM**
Our MCL Stitching Circles are open to those who sew, knit, crochet, and even
those who tat. In addition to working on personal projects, the group stitches
projects for nonprofit organizations such as the Reading Hospital and area
animal shelters. Come join us for loads of fun and stitching!
*Except holidays when the library is closed. **Except for every other month when
Friends of MCL hold their meeting.
Internet 101
Monday, February 10, 3:30-5 PM
Learn about browsers, search engines, and more effective Internet searches
using alternate terminology, plus or minus signs, quotation marks, and more.
Registration required.
Pinterest for Beginners
Tuesday, February 11, 6:30-7:30 PM
What is Pinterest? Pinterest lets you organize and share all the things you find
on the Internet. People use pinboards to plan events, decorate their homes,
and organize their favorite recipes and craft ideas, and more. This class will
introduce you to the basics from signing up to creating your own pinboards.
You must have a valid email address for this program. Advance registration is
required for the class.
Introduction to Word 2007
Tuesday, February 18, 5:30-7 PM
This workshop will cover the basics of using Microsoft Word: creating and
saving a document, editing a document, formatting text and paragraphs, and
proofreading and printing a document. A basic understanding of keyboarding
and mouse operation is essential. Registration required.
Introduction to Excel 2007
Tuesday, April 1, 5:30-7 PM
Besides their business applications, spreadsheets are handy for a variety of
personal uses, including making lists, tracking budget and financial data,
recording steps in a process, maintaining an inventory of baseball card or other
collections, and keeping an address book. This course will cover the basics of
spreadsheet use: creating and saving a workbook, entering data, manipulating
Continued page 14
12
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
13
Computer Workshops
Registration
Introduction to Excel 2007 cont.
data, modifying a worksheet, performing calculations, formatting and printing
a worksheet, and creating charts. A basic understanding of keyboarding and
mouse operation is essential. Registration required.
Introduction to Power Point
Tuesday, April 8, 3:30-4:30 PM
Have you ever needed to make a public presentation and wished you could
create a PowerPoint for it? Here’s your chance to get started with this
presentation software. Learn how to create a basic PowerPoint slideshow with
or without a template, how to use text and graphics effectively, and how to view
your slideshow in different modes. A basic understanding of keyboarding and
mouse operation is essential. Registration required.
Social Media Crash Course
To register for any of the library’s programs, call 610-777-3911 or click
register in the online events calendar. Ongoing groups and storytimes do not
require registration. Programming is free and all activities are held at the
library at 6 Philadelphia Avenue in Shillington, unless otherwise noted.
PARKING FOR EVENING PROGRAMS
The following local businesses have given permission for patrons to park in
their lots. Please respect the hours or conditions listed.
M&T Bank | After 4pm, do not impede drive-up area.
Klee Funeral Home | Do not use lot if marked with orange cones.
White Star Tours | After 5:30pm.
We urge all patrons to use cross walks to reach the library from
these off-site locations.
Tuesday, April 29, 6:30-8PM
Have questions about social media or wonder if it’s right for you? Come learn
about the top three social networking sites: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Learn how to manage and create an outstanding web presence for work, or
create a private network of friends and family to share videos, pictures, and
much more.
Digital Privacy & Security: What do you know about cyber-safety?
Tuesday, May 6, 6:30-7:30 PM
Watch for more details to come.
Online Library Resources
Tuesday, May 13, 5:30-6:30 PM
Are you using all the online resources the library has to offer? Do you know
how to check your library account online or place your own holds? Do you
know that practice tests are available for a variety of standardized tests? Or
that you have access to databases of thousands of magazine articles? This
workshop will survey these resources and more and offer tips for using the
online library catalog, Power Library, and the County-wide resources.
14
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
15
MIFFLIN COMMUNITY LIBRARY
NOW SEEKING
Start your ovens. It’s time to cook the books.
Mifflin Community Library
Local History Donations
Saturday, April
If you have any local history items, please consider donating them to
Mifflin Community Library.
MCL would love to offer ongoing tech support for patrons who are new
to electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, e-readers, or even,
computers. If you have such expertise, please consider volunteering for
a time each week where we could offer appointments for patrons to get
help with their technology related issues. Please contact Sharon at the
Circulation Desk for a Volunteer Application or more information.
edible
BOOK
festival
12-3:00 PM
2014
Tech-savvy Volunteers
12
Book lovers and bakers,
adults and kids, foodies and friends
are invited to create an edible piece of
art related to books. It can be a pun on the
title, refer to a scene or a character, look like a
book, or just have something to do with books.
Whatever the inspiration, it must be edible.
REGISTER BY MARCH 29
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FOR
Most Creative | Most Punderful | Best Looking
Most Appetizing | Best Youth Entry
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
For more information contact the libary at 610.777.3911
Philadelphia
Shillington,
The Edible Book 6
Festival
returns Avenue,
to MCL this
year, and PA
we need your help
to make it a success. After two successful years, the festival was cancelled
because of lack of participation in its third year, and due to library staffing issues, it was impossible to ensure a successful effort last year. But we
are ready to give it our all this year. We hope you’ll help us out. Give us
your entry commitment today, and save the date to come out and vote.
16
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
17
HOW TO DONATE
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Inching Ever Closer
The Giving Tree is located
in the vestibule by the front
doors. A gift of $500 includes
an engraved leaf where you
can memorialize or honor a
loved one.
If you enjoy using the Mifflin Community Library, please consider making a
contribution to help pay off the building fund.
The library completed an expansion and renovation project when two new
sections were opened in March 2008.
Permanent Plaques
Gifts of $1,000 or more are
recognized on the permanent
plaques near the circulation desk.
We are continuing to appeal to the community for donations to this project
because we would like to pay off the present mortgage and once again own the
building outright. Future fundraising efforts could then be used to build our
book, DVD and audio collection, build technology resources, such as
computers, and offer more programs for the community.
Monetary pledges and donations of every size are appreciated.
Make checks payable to Mifflin Community Library. Please mail your donation
to: Mifflin Community Library CCII, 6 Philadelphia Ave., Shillington, PA 19607
Capital Campaign Pledge/Donation
Name
_________________________________________________
Address
_________________________________________________
City, ST ZIP _________________________________________________
Telephone #_________________________________________________
You can now donate directly to library online through Just Give. There is a link
on the left column of the library’s home page at
http://www.berks.lib.pa.us/smi/
Read more about how your donations help the library on our
website’s Donations page.
18
Pledge
_________________________________________________
1 yr.
_________________________________________________
2 yr.
_________________________________________________
3 yr.
_________________________________________________
Donation
_________________________________________________
Friends of the Mifflin Community Library
19
6 Philadelphia Avenue
Shillington, PA 19607
Mifflin
Community
Library
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 127
READING, PA