THE BREWER TIMES

The Newsletter of the Brewer Public Library March 2003

TRAPPINGS DONATES TO FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Recently, Trappings donated 8 children’s books, autographed by the authors, to the Friends. These were gratefully accepted by the library and added to the Children’s Room collection. In addition, the Friends received a check from Trappings, proceeds from their “Friends Fund.” Here’s how you can help the Friends if you purchase books from Trappings. Trappings carries a variety of books for children and adults, and will order out books they don’t have in stock. Tell Trappings that you are a Friend of the Library, and they will donate 5% of in-stock book sales and 10% of order-out book sales to the Friends.

NEW GED MATERIALS

At their February meeting, the Friends allocated $600 for the purchase of a set of 39 GED instructional video cassettes. There is a need in the community for adult basic educational materials, and this collection will be a welcome addition. The Friends also donated $300 to the Richland County History Room for necessary purchases.

VALUE-LINE NOW AVAILABLE

Thanks to a generous donation from Dr. Guelig, a subscription to the investment service Value-line is available at the front desk in the library.

Story Hour

Children approximately 3 to 5 years old are invited to participate in story hour on Friday mornings in the basement of Brewer Public Library, at 9:30 am or 10:30 am. Topics for March include:

March 7 - Make Believe

March 14 - Bears

March 21 - Spring Starts!

March 28 - Silly Stories

Kindergarten through 3rd Grade children will have an Amelia Bedelia story hour Saturday, February 15 at 10:00 am.

FRIENDS HOST TOM BACHMAN RETIREMENT RECEPTION

On January 25, area residents gathered to honor retiring Library Director, Tom Bachman, for his 29 years of service. In thanking Tom, many attendees spoke from the heart, relating personal experiences in which Tom had helped or encouraged them. Speakers thanked Tom for the positive growth and changes in library services over the years. Descriptive words such as helpful, kind, knowledgeable, dedicated, and inclusive demonstrated the community’s admiration for and appreciation of Tom’s efforts to make the library an important community resource and a place where everyone can feel welcome.

As always, many people helped make this event a special occasion. Special thanks to the following Friends and friends for many tasks well done:

All those who spoke from the heart

The “good wishes to Tom” journal- LouAnn Walton’s clever idea

Invitations-Ariel Ferguson, Ruth and Fred Graf

Cake, punch & collage-Ariel (cake baked by Veva Brockway)

Awesome retirement card-Lee Scoville

Eye-catching posters-Peggy Swan and daughter Clara

Chef’s apron-Bonnie Wright

Additional nutritious goodies-Marty Clearfield

Archival photos/articles from County History Room-Sandy Cunningham & Nita Liska

Keyboard music-Naomi Lafferty

JoDon Anderson, SWLS, for getting the word out to System librarians

Dawn Kiefer,The Observer, and Ben Koelsch, Nova Video Productions, for their

excellent coverage of the event.

MILLENNIUM MOMENTS UPDATE

By now you probably have been hearing the public service announcements that are being aired on WRCO AM and FM publicizing the library’s Millennium Books Collection. The pieces turned out very well; kudos to Ron Fruit and the following community members who made time in their busy schedules to make these recordings: Bob Foote, James Gollata, Jean Birkett, Deborah Cureton, Neal Weber, David Kopitzke, Marni Dresser, Susan Marino, and Michelle Goebel. Let these people know how much you appreciate their efforts. Ron Fruit made a copy of the CD with these recordings for the Friends. If you wish, you may borrow the CD from the Friend’s room in the library.

The Millennium Collection is published by the Library of America and features classic works of American literature collected in authoritative volumes with additional biographical and background materials. Featured authors include Eudora Welty, Robert Frost, Thomas Paine, Dashiel Hammet, and many other luminaries. Brewer Public Library invites all of its patrons to explore the Millennium Collection. Ask a librarian for more information about this new resource.

BOOK AND BAKE SALE PREPARATIONS

The tentative dates for the upcoming Friends Book and Bake Sale are May 16 and 17 . There will be an update in the April Times. Start bringing in your book, video, and CD donations now. We also need the names of those willing to contribute baked goods. Leave your name at the library or call Kathy Bastian, 647-4948, bastian@mwt.net

If you checked “Baking for Special Events” on your membership form, expect a friendly phone call!

HELPING HANDS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed to help plan Friends programs. This is your chance to help select future lectures, poetry readings, promote local authors or invite speakers from the Wisconsin Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. We thank those new volunteers who have stepped forward to help with book sorting and the Friendshop. More volunteers are needed to continue this important work as Ruth takes a well deserved break. Contact Kathy Bastian, 647-4948, bastian@mwt.net, for more information.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Southwest Wisconsin Library System, Fennimore, WI, is seeking a Youth Services Coordinator. This is a part-time, 3 days per week position. A Master’s degree in Library Science is preferred. Wages are $15-$17 per hour, with prorated benefits. Direct inquiries to: Southwest Wisconsin Library System, 1775 4th St., Fennimore, WI 53809.