Everybody Needs Friends

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be." (Douglas Pagels, contemporary Colorado writer)

 

Last night was a busy one for me.  First I attended an Asbury City Council meeting to hear about their plans for a new city hall building.  In all of the designs presented, they have planned for a larger library along with shared programming space.  Just imagine, in this new space we would be able to have movie nights, storytimes and all kinds of programs.  I am really excited and grateful for the continued support from the Asbury City Council and the entire community.   

 

After that meeting I joined our Friends of Dubuque County Library monthly meeting.  This is such a great group.   Friends help in so many ways.  They organize book sales, march in parades, provide treats for children's and adult programs, volunteer to help with summer reading programs, and talk to public officials on our behalf.  Right now the Friends are planning a meet and greet reception for me.  They are sponsoring the event to be held at Park Farm Winery later in August.  Isn't it wonderful to have Friends?  Wouldn't you like to be a friend of the library?  We needs friends from all over the county. There is plenty of work to do and you can participate in lots of ways.  You can volunteer for programs, serve as a contact person in the network, serve on the board, and more.  If you want more information, contact Mary Pfeiler.  Her email address is pfeilerj@iowatelecom.net.  Or you may stop by your local library branch and fill out a Friends "Time and Talent" sheet and tell us how you would like to help. 

Let me share with you a quick rundown of the summer programs going on next week. 

Tweens will be creating on Monday at Farley Memorial Hall from 11:30-1:00.   They will be learning origami and making their own Mancala game.  Mancala is a very old African game played with beans that is sort of like backgammon.  I used to play it for hours when I was in college and worked as a playground director in the summers at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids. 

Adults can learn how to make their own keepsake books on Tuesday evening July 19th at 7:00 at the Farley library branch.  Spaces are limited so be sure to call the library to sign up for your spot.

You can travel from your armchair many times next week.  On Wednesday watch the beautiful Julia Roberts' movie, "Eat, Pray, Love" at 6:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross branch.  Popcorn is provided.  And on Thursday, July 21st at the Epworth library at 7:00, join Julie Habel as she shares her travels through South America and the Galapagos Islands.  Julie did a slide show on Australia and New Zealand last week in Holy Cross and I have it on good authority that she was great! 

Wrap up the week with on Friday, July 22nd with a Movie @ Your Library in Asbury beginning at 6:30.  We will be showing the Swedish film sensation, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."  The movie is based on the best selling novel by Steig Larsson.  In the story, a journalist and a computer hacker get entangled in a forty-year-old missing persons case and you won't believe how it turns out!  The movie is rated R and has English subtitles.

The heat is supposed to return this weekend so be sure to plan to do something cool at the library next week.  We'll be waiting for you.

Dawn