Welcome to the April 2005 edition of LIBRARY E-NEWS. This monthly newsletter includes several features containing information about the library. If you would like to join other subscribers in receiving the Library E-News in your e-mail every month, please fill out the following form online or complete a paper registration form at the circulation desk.

For a complete calendar of events at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library go to www.smfpl.org/calendar.htm

Go directly to the following features by clicking on the name of the feature you want to read, or scroll down this page to read all of LIBRARY E-NEWS.

Notices
Upcoming Special Events
Recent Library Happenings
New Titles
Department News
Art on Display
Friends of the Library
Quilt on Display
Spotlight on Libraries
Staff Picks
Website of the Month
Previous Issues

Friends Book Donation Day
The Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library will be holding Book Donation Day Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please bring your used books, CDs, cassettes, records, computer software or puzzles to the Questions and Directions Desk at the main entrance. (No magazines or textbooks.) These materials will be sold at the Friends April Book Sale. Donate 10 items or more and receive a pass to preview the Book Sale!

Business Resource Center
A computer dedicated to the needs of the business community and job seekers will be available for appointment beginning Tuesday, April 12. This computer, located along the wall near the Corner Gallery, contains links to business and job hunting websites. Lists of library print materials, such as books on resumes, interviewing, and investing, will be available also. Please call the Information Desk at 330-688-3295 to make a reservation or for further information.

Community Jazz Band
The next Jazz Band concert will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 4 in the upstairs meeting room.

Library Board
The next meeting of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room. To read minutes from previous board meetings go to http://www.smfpl.org/trustees.htm.

Coffee With the Editor
Monday, May 2 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library presents coffee with Stow Sentry editor Sean Gerski the first Monday of each month between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Sean will be available to answer questions, discuss stories and ideas, or just get acquainted. Coffee and tea supplied by the library.

Tax Forms
Federal, state, and city tax forms are now available at the Questions and Directions Desk inside the front door of the library. If you do not see what you need ask at the Information Desk, or try online. Go to www.irs.gov, www.ohio.gov, www.stow.oh.us, and www.munroefalls.com.

By library policy, employees of the library are not permitted to give tax advice or help fill out tax returns.

Humor Display
April is National Humor Month - stop by the Display of Humorous Materials near the Information Desk. Joke books, books by humor writers, such as Dave Barry and Erma Bombeck, comedy skits on CD, and funny videos and DVDs are all available for checkout.

Tax Program 2005
Tax Counseling for the Elderly, free assistance for completing income tax forms, will be held Fridays through April 15, 2005. One-hour appointments will be scheduled between noon and 4:00 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room. Appointments may be made at the Circulation Desk.

This tax program is designed for the low to middle income elderly (60 and over), but younger people may participate if income is $60,000 or less. The Tax Assistance Program is sponsored by AARP and the IRS. Volunteers are trained "in cooperation" with the IRS.

Each taxpayer must bring:

• a copy of last year's tax forms and social security card
• any forms showing income you earned or pensions or social security paid
• 1099 forms showing interest or dividends that your investments have earned
• receipts or cancelled checks for income or property taxes you have paid or any contributions you have made to charities
• social security card and picture ID

Wish List
You can help Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library by purchasing an item to add to the collection. Library staff have selected popular books and materials and placed them on the library's Wish List provided by Amazon.com. Simply browse the Wish List and select an item that you would like to purchase for the library. Once you have purchased an item, it will be shipped directly to the library and added to the collection. To access the library's Wish List go to our website at www.smfpl.org. Click on "Make a Donation" on the left under "Resources." Click on "Take me to Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Wish List."

BACK TO TOP

National Library Week
Celebrate National Library Week (April 10-16, 2005) with special programs at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. Programs include something for children, teens, and adults! To read more about National Library Week go to www.ala.org/ala/pio/factsheets/nationallibrary.htm.

• Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. - Drama Night.
  Children of all ages and their families are invited to see a special Readers' Theater performance. No registration necessary.
• Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. - Handwriting Analysis: Get Started!
  Handwriting, even in this computer age, provides a window into the writer's personality and aptitudes. Graphoanalysis is used for such purposes as counseling and jury selection. Phyllis Berthelot, a graphoanalyst for 25 years, will teach the first step of "Eight Basic Steps" in learning to analyze handwriting. In this class you will learn tips on how to analyze your own writing. Mrs. Berthelot will also show samples of celebrity writing and her analyses of them, including that of town founder and quill pen writer Joshua Stow. This program will take place in the Local History Room. Please call the Information Desk at 330-688-3295 to register.

Friends Book Sale
The Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library will be holding their Annual April Booksale on the following dates:

From Disney to MTV: The Influence of Media on Girls
Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the upstair meeting room. This interactive workshop will explore the many images of women in the media and provide parents and teachers with tools for counteracting the negative influence of popular culture on girls. Presenters are Anita Pokorny, M.Ed and Polly Moss, M.Ed, Adjunct Instructors, Behavioral Science, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Topics to be discussed:

• The meaning of media images
• How media influence girls
• The role media plays in imparting values, particularly in relation to gender roles, self-esteem and life choices
• How parents and teachers can help girls develop healthy media habits.

Financial Workshops
Milestone Tax Advisory Group will present the following financial workshops:

• Tax Strategies for IRA Owners - Wednesday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m.
  Information to help IRA owners who are facing Requirement Minimum Distributions at age 70 1/2 now or will be in the future understand and apply new tax laws. Learn the steps you can take with the new tax rules to protect your heirs from losing your IRA assets to taxes by looking at tax savings strategies.
• Create Your Own Success Plan for Retirement - Thursday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m.
  Learn how to have your money outlast your retirement years. Apply simple, practical strategies to build the perfect retirement. Anyone can achieve financial security, independence, and freedom while protecting what you have earned.
• Avoid Catastrophic Losses Due to Nursing Home Expense - Wednesday, May 18 at 10:00 a.m.
  Learn how to protect your assets, the rules concerning Medicaid spend down requirements, Medicare's role in nursing home care, and what long-term care asset protection plan is right for you.

BACK TO TOP

Needlework Show
The Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library held their 31st Annual Spring Needlework Show March 16 through March 20, 2005. All types of needlework were accepted, including counted cross stitch, counted thread, surface stitcher, canvas, quilting, hand knitting, crochet, miscellaneous and student (ages 4-16).There were 171 adult and nine student entries from 28 cities. More than 475 visitors enjoyed the show.

Debbie Shives of Stow was awarded "Best of Show" for her folk art quilt (pictured at left, pattern by Jan Patek.) "Popular Choice " award went to John Porter of Garrettsville for his counted cross stitch of a southern plantation called "Southern Social." Mary Kay Roediger recieved a "Judge's Choice" award for her counted cross stitch on linen and Debbie Shives received "Judge's Choice" for her quilt.

Thanks go to the 21 members of the Friends of the Library who took entries, assisted judges, helped hang and arrange the show, greeted visitors, and helped with pick-up.

To see more photos from the Needlework Show click here.

BACK TO TOP

Computer Use
Computers for use by adult and teen patrons are in very high demand! This is a reminder that you can reserve a computer ahead of time. Just call the Information Desk at 330-688-3295 to reserve a computer for a one-hour time limit. Computers may be reserved up to one week in advance.

Computer Training
The library offers classes for beginning computer users and more advanced users. They include Introduction to Computers, Introduction to the Internet, and training in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Classes are offered both day and evening at no charge. The computer class schedule for May will be released Monday, April 25 at 9:00 a.m. The class calendar can be viewed at www.smfpl.org/calendar.htm. Please call 330-688-3295 if you have any questions.

Computer Volunteer
Computer volunteer Tom Labbe is available to help patrons with computer questions during the following hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 - 2:30.

Local History
The Local History Room is looking for "a few good people." Volunteers are needed to staff the Room on afternoons or evenings once a week. The Local History Room is a unique resource for the community, providing access to Stow's 200-year history via books, maps, news clippings, photo albums and more. Volunteers will welcome visitors and help them find information, as well as perform tasks to further organize the collection. If you are at least 18 and like to sleuth out the occasional mystery, please call Bridget Hair at 330-688-3295.

Graphic Novels
Graphic Novels for Teens are now in a new location along the wall near the videos in the Teen section. Look for the new display shown here with Teen Librarian Christina Getrost.

Chess Club
Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Yu-Gi-Oh Swap
Saturday, April 9 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Bring your cards to trade or duel. For ages 6-17.

For further information on Teen programs please go to the Teen Services web page at www.smfpl.org./TS.htm.

Homework Lab
Students in grades one through six may use the Children's computer lab Monday through Thursday between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. for homework assignments only. A librarian or volunteer will be on duty during this time to offer basic assistance. Due to limited availability of computers during other time periods, students are encouraged to use this service to complete their assignments. Service may occasionally be limited due to classes or other library activities.

To see a complete list of Children's programming, please go to the Children's Department web page at www.smfpl.org/CS.htm. For further information please call 330-688-3295.

Pick 5 Bestsellers Club
How would you like to automatically be placed on the reserve list for five of your favorite popular authors? Join our Bestsellers Club and that's exactly what will happen! Just pick up a form at the Circulation Desk and join over 300 satisfied members. Are you already a member, but would like to change an author or two? Ask for an "add/delete" form at the circulation desk. It's just that easy!

Honorees
Arabica gift certificates have been awarded to the following patrons visiting Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library recently: Mary Elizabeth Ruffing, the 150,000th checkout of 2005, Ann Driscoll, the 5,000th window check-out of 2005, Sandie Welch, the 6,000th window checkout, and Michael Rini the 1,500th registration of 2005.

Cardholders have their privileges at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library!

BACK TO TOP

Corner Gallery
During April the Corner Gallery features the paintings of Judith Gaiser of Kent. Gaiser has had an interest in art since her childhood. She holds a M.A. of Studio Arts from Case Western Reserve University and she studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art. While teaching high school art, drama, and English, Gaiser also continued her artistic career. She received the National Art Education Teacher/Artist Award and was granted a Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation Fellowship. Gaiser has also had solo shows at Kent State University, the Mather Gallery at Case Western Reserve University, the Edge Gallery in Cleveland, and others.

A number of her works are based on a visit to Zimbabwe; others are portraits of friends. Gaiser feels compelled to express herself visually and thinks of her paintings as a poetic expression of her thoughts and feelings.

Wildlife Photographs
A collection of wildlife photographs, on loan from Denny Reiser, are featured in the display case near the Corner Gallery. Try to match the flower with its name!

BACK TO TOP

The Friends, one of the largest organizations in Stow, is a citizen support group for Library services and activities. They sponsor booksales as well as the annual Needlework Show and other activities. Friends meet the third Tuesday of every month (except December and July) at 2:00 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room. Friends membership is currently at 495 members.

If you are interested in joining Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Friends of the Library you may call the library at 330-688-3295 for further information, or you may go to the Friends page on the library website (www.smfpl.org/friends.htm) for an online application.

BACK TO TOP

 BACK TO TOP

    April's spotlight shines on Libraries. According to the American Library Association, there are more than 117,000 libraries in the United States. This includes public libraries, as well as libraries in schools, universities, hospitals, businesses, law firms, the armed forces, and more. These libraries offer access of information to all, regardless of origin, background, or age. The largest library in the United States is The Library of Congress (www.loc.gov) with over 28 million volumes. In comparison, Cleveland Public Library (www.cpl.org) ranks as the 44th largest library with nearly 4 million volumes. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is an independent library with 115,380 volumes (not including audio-visual materials or magazine subscriptions) serving a population of approximately 34,000. We are currently celebrating the 80th year of library service.

     The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library assocciation in the world, with more than 64,000 members. Use the ALA website at www.ala.org to learn more about libraries and also to learn more about award winning books for adults, teens, and children. Outstanding Books for the College Bound, Notable Books for Adults, Newbery Medal winners, and Caldecott Medal winners are some of the book lists on this site. The Ohio Library Council (www.olc.org) is the professional association which represents the interests of Ohio's public libraries as well as their trustees, friends and staffs. OLC offers educational opportunities and support for its members, as well as information about library funding in the state of Ohio.

    The State Library of Ohio in Columbus, the first library in the "Old Northwest Territory," was established in 1817 with a collection of 509 books. It was created to serve as a depository for state records. Its mission is to provide access to information for Ohio's state government, lead in the development of library services in Ohio, enable resource sharing among libraries, and provide specialized services to Ohio's citizens. Residents of Ohio can check items out of the State Library and do research there. The genealogy collection focuses on materials for Ohio, the colonial states, and those states east of and directly south of Ohio. Some sources included are vital records, county histories, census date, and more. The Ohio Historical Society Library is another place to find historical records and documents.

     You can take a look at most public, academic, and special libraries by accessing their websites. The Public Libraries.com site at www.publiclibraries.com was created to provide access to libraries in the United States and around the world and to promote reading. Just click on the state or area you are interested in. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) at www.nara.gov is an independent Federal agency that preserves our nation's history and oversees the management of all Federal records. It enables people to inspect for themselves the record of what the Federal government has done. NARA also oversees the Presidential Libraries which you can access by clicking on the link to "Presidential Libraries."

BACK TO TOP

April's staff pick is The Dog Walker by Leslie Schnur, recommended by Reference Associate Bridget Hair. When we meet the dog walker, Nina Shepard, she is dreamily luxuriating in a warm bath. However, it is not HER bathtub - it is in the New York apartment of a man who has hired her just to walk his dog! Nina has a secret longing to share in the lives of her wealthy clients. This leads her into many delightful escapades, just as surely as she leads her pack of idiosyncratic dogs down the street and into the dog park. Nina's friends ask her whether she wants to be a dog walker for the rest of her life. She wrestles with this question, and finally finds that her art (sculpture) has led her to grow. And when she breaks a leg, she learns to value her new friend, Daniel, the man whose bathtub she used. This is a warm, funny, romantic comedy, of especial interest to dog lovers.

BACK TO TOP

April's website is Ohio Byways at www.ohiobyways.com. Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Transportation, this site lists the designated Byways in the state. Byways are roads deserving special recognition because of their importance to the state. Scenic beauty, natural qualities, and historic significance are some of the criteria used in designating Byways. View an interactive map or click on the links to each of Ohio's Byways to see photos and read descriptions. Links to additional points of interest are included.

BACK TO TOP