THE BREWER TIMES
The Newsletter of the Brewer Public Library February-March 2002
Thanks, Friends!
Brewer Public Library would like to publicly acknowledge all of the contributions and accomplishments of the Friends of the Brewer Public Library organization this past year. When looking over the achievements of the past year, it's apparent that the Friends organization is responsible for many of our significant improvements here at the library. Early last year, new carpet was installed in the main area of the library. A web site was begun about a year ago, thanks to a volunteer from the Friends group. The copy machine was replaced on the main floor of the library, for staff use only, because a coin operated copy machine was installed in the entry for public use.
The Friends had a used book sale in early May, and another on December 1st. to raise funds for their various projects. A craft sale was co-sponsored with the Sister city project in November. Several of the friends worked hard to obtain a grant to procure a millennium collection of great books, which were presented to the library at a ceremony in September, 2001. A new copy machine was purchased for the Children's Room at the library in late fall, and new window shades were installed in all the windows on the main floor of the library, because of the Friend's generosity. Many new periodicals were made possible through additional funds from the Friends.
Obviously, this group is hardworking and industrious, and we're indebted to them for all their contributions. Please contact the library at 647-6444 if you'd like to join the Friends, or contact any member of the group to ask for information about their projects.
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WILLIAM BARTRAM in the Millennium Spotlight
Nature and travel writing is well represented in the Library of America Millennium Project collection of classic American literature. Readers interested in nature, travel, and history will be well rewarded if they borrow WILLIAM BARTRAM, TRAVELS AND OTHER WRITINGS (Thomas Slaughter, editor). The Philadelphia Enquirer says TRAVELS "remains an intoxicatingly dreamlike journey, an achingly beautiful bible of what the American landscape once was."
Writing in the late colonial and early Federal era, William Bartram, a Quaker and a naturalist, described the inland South before major American settlement. He captured not only an original view of the natural environment, but of the various cultures of the South as well. Writing in the William and Mary Quarterly, G. A. Waselkov says of Bartram: "This complex man of enormous intellectual breadth created a work that has been variously perceived as naturalist's checklist, paean to a benevolent God, romantic reverie, proto-ethnography, and travelogue."
WANTED! BACKPACKS
Your used backpacks are urgently needed!
In March, Jennie Marroquin and her family will be visiting El Salvador and touring many sites that were destroyed by earthquakes last January and February. Children here are attending school in tents and doing without many basic necessities, let alone school supplies. To help these children, Jennie is collecting all the used backpacks and small duffel bags she can. Bring your used (but good condition) backpacks, duffel bags, and tote bags with closures to the Brewer Public Library by March 1st. If you want to help even more, fill your bags with notebooks, pencils, erasers, rulers, crayons, or any other school supplies, new or used. Add a small toy if you'd like. Thanks for your help.
HELP CELEBRATE!
ATTEND A RECEPTION FOR JOE KOELSCH
The Library Board and The Friends of the Library cordially invite the public to attend a reception honoring Joe Koelsch for his thirty-three years of service on the Library Board. The reception will be held on Saturday, February 23rd, at 2:00 P.M. in the Colonial Room of the Brewer Public Library. Joe ha lp. s been a true friend of the library, always supporting its mission, and working tirelessly to make changes which have benefitted the library. Please join us as we celebrate Joe's many accomplishments and contributions to the Library.
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BRING YOUR KIDS TO PLAYGROUP
Kids aged about one to four years old love it when a parent or care giver brings them to playgroup in the basement of the Brewer Public Library on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 A.M. Bring a couple of toys to share and join the fun. New faces are always welcome.
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A CHANCE TO START FRESH
Brewer Public Library will have "Amnesty Week" February 9-16.
No Fines for overdue materials returned during Amnesty Week
and 1/2 off existing fines!
Happy Valentines Day !
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The Give and Take of the Friendshop
The Friends of the Library invite you to visit on the second floor of the Library. Those of you who frequent the History Room or the Science Library will have noticed new book shelves at the head of the stairs on the west side of the building. The shelves hold books given to the library by patrons. Some of the gift books are needed for the permanent collection. Tom Bachman, the Librarian, happily accepts books needed for the permanent collection; the rest are received by the Friends for the Friendshop or the larger collection now on the "balcony" at the top of the stairs. Take the elevator to explore the book room there; walk around the connecting room which leads to the History Room and the Science Room. Sandy Cunningham staffs the History Room and is happy to show you around. Likewise, the staff in the Science Room will welcome you.
The Friends urge you to browse in the extended Friendshop upstairs and take home many of the good buys in the mystery, fiction, history, children's, adventure, science and social sciences. The price is right and will be posted clearly on the bulletin board.
We have used the honor system for the Friendshop and appreciate all the patrons who have found good books and left their contribution to the library at the main desk. Thank you all for being so honorable. All moneys go to the library for various unmet needs. We invite you to join the organization and become a "Friend."
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Please, No More National Geographics!
The Friendshop used bookstore will not be able to accept any more donations of National Geographics Magazine. Please share them with friends, schools, or the recycling center. We love the National Geographic, but people have been so generous that we are inundated!
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More News from Kathy Bastian, president of Friends of the Library
Recently, the Friends received a generous check from Trappings, which reminded me that some of you may not know about their "Friends" donation program. did you know that Trappings carries a variety of books for children and adults? Did you know Trappings will order the book you want if it's not in stock? Did you know that when you purchase books from Trappings you also benefit The Friends of the Library? Here's the deal. Trappings donates 5% of in-stock book sales and 10% of order-out sales to The Friends of the Library. Pretty cool, huh? Just be sure to be a "friend" and mention their "Friends" program when you purchase books at Trappings--we'll all benefit!
Recently, The Friends of the Library acquired some sturdy steel shelving from the Southwest Wisconsin Library System, which was installed on the library's third floor landing. The shelving will enable the Friends to sort, organize and store donated books more efficiently. Thanks to the sweat equity of Ruth and Fred Graf, library staff Michele, Tom and Ed, and a number of FOL members who stayed after the January 21st meeting, book storage is much improved. And, while on the subject of book sorting.. we are in need of more volunteers to sort donated books. This is not a difficult job, and there are several experienced members who would be glad to train others. What we need is several more people who could volunteer about two hours per month. Call Ruth Graf (647-2174) or Kathy Bastian (647-4948) for information.
FEBRUARY STORY HOUR SCHEDULE
Ages 3-5, Fridays at 9:30 A.M and 10:30 A.M.
Feb. 1 - Groundhog Day Feb. 8 - Chocolate Feb. 15 - Folk Dancing
**Kindergarten - 3rd Grade Saturday Story Hour 10 A.M . - DNA Extraction
Feb. 22 - No Story Hour
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FOLK DANCING! ALL AGES SHOW FRIDAY, FEB. 15 7:00 P.M.
Live music and instruction from the Shoefly Folk Dancers and Musicians
At the Brewer Public Library
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Newsletter Submissions
Thanks, contributors! Please submit news, event information, book reviews and other library related material for the April-May newsletter by February 28. Submissions may be left at the children's desk or e-mailed to Greg Myszkowski at grmyszko@yahoo.com.