Spring?

It's May, but it sure feels like March.  This is spring?  Really?  Last week it was beautiful, but at least we have avoided the snow, so far.  The tulips in my yard are very confused.  They came out and basked in the sun and now they are closed and shivering in the wind.  Graduations are being planned and who knows what the weather will be like? 

My son-in-law is receiving his Master's degree in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison this month.  According to the UW-Madison description, "The Water Resources Management Program (WRM) prepares students to face the complexities of meeting the increasing human demand for water while ensuring its future availability and quality."  He is hoping to work in community planning or research.  We have a big party planned for that weekend to wish him success!

The Library is also busy planning.  Summer reading begins on May 29th.  Stay tuned for all the fun events and be sure to register for the Read at Home program to earn prizes! 

Tomorrow is the Friends of Dubuque County Library used book sale at Asbury Branch.  We were planning for a lovely event in the park, but due to the weather forecast; the book sale will be held from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Asbury Library.  There is a great selection of books, DVDs, and videos at very low prices.  Come out of the rain and scoop up some great bargains.  While you're here, join the Friends and you will get to attend future pre-sale events. 

Our library book group has decided to continue to meet during the summer.  The May book is "Digging to America" by Anne Tyler.  We will be talking about it on Thursday, May 16th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at our NICC/Peosta Branch.  Copies of the book are available at all branch locations.  I love this book.  It is so uplifting and funny compared to Tyler's other novels. 

For June we are reading "Quaker Summer" by Lisa Samson.  Here's what Amazon has to say, "Sometimes you have to go a little bit crazy to discover the life you were meant to live.  Heather Curridge is coming unhinged. And people are starting to notice. What's wrong with a woman who has everything--a mansion on a lake, a loving son, a heart-surgeon husband--yet still feels miserable inside?  When Heather spends the summer with two ancient Quaker sisters and a crusty nun running a downtown homeless shelter, she finds herself at a crossroads. Life turns upside down for Heather in a Quaker Summer."  Come join us.

On a bittersweet note, this is Sam Sporer's last day with the library.  Sam has been with us for over seven years.  She started as a shelver in high school and worked as our delivery person all during her college years.  Sam has been working at our Drexler/Farley branch for the past year.  But Sam studied conservation in school and she has finally secured a position with the Department of Natural Resources.  She will be studying invasive species which is a really hot area right now.  We are so pleased that Sam will be working in her field, literally crawling the river banks.  Congratulations Sam, we will miss your bright, smiley face. 

Have a great weekend and think spring thoughts.  Happy reading, Dawn.