Welcome to the February 2006 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
New Titles
Department News
Art on Display
Friends of the Library
Quilt on Display
Spotlight on Local History Room
Staff Picks
Website of the Month
Previous Issues

New Board Member
Stow-Munroe Falls Library Board of Trustees appointed Rick Archer as its newest trustee during the board's first regular meeting of the year. Archer has lived in Stow for 18 years and is a certified public accountant with Brott Mardis & Co. in Akron. He is involved in the Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary and numerous other organizations in the area. Trustees do not receive a salary and terms run for seven years. Welcome, Rick!

Stow History
Stow History: 1900-1948, an original production by Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library's Local History Specialist, Bridget Hair, is now available for circulation. For the first time, the history of Stow Township has been compiled into a colorful PowerPoint slideshow. Part One, Stow Township: The First Hundred Years began the series. Now Part Two illustrates what happened in Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake from the time of the Silver Lake Amusement Park through World War II. Learn about ice harvesting, dairies, the first library, early schools and much more. Photographs, maps, sounds and animation enliven the 30-minute self-running computer presentation. Look for both shows in the CD-ROM rack on the first floor.

New DVDs
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library has recently purchased a large selection of TV series on DVD. Titles include The Gilmore Girls, Seinfeld, 24, Angel Lost, Simpsons, Charmed, Babylon 5, O.C., and One Tree Hill. The library is also purchasing some of the more popular operas, such as Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen Das Rheingold, on DVD.

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.

Tax Program 2006
Tax counseling for the elderly, free assistance for completing income tax forms will be held Fridays, February 3 - April 14, 2006 from Noon to 4:00 p.m. in the Munroe Falls Room (except during Needlework Show) on the second floor.

Each taxpayer must bring:

Appointments will be taken at the front Circulation Desk. Appointments are one hour for each taxpayer. This tax program is designed for low-middle income elderly (60+ years), but younger people may also participate. Participants should have an annual income of $60,000 or less. This program is sponsored by AARP.

Phone Book Recycling
You may recycle your telephone books in the bin inside the library front doors. The recycle bin will be in place through February.

Coffee With the Editor
Coffee with the editor of the Stow Sentry will be Monday, March 6 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Stow Room.

Bridge Club
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library and Stow Woman's Club are co-sponsors of Bridge Club. Meetings are held the second Monday of the month from October through May. Meetings are from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m. in the Stow Room. The next meeting is Monday, March 13. For more information or to register, contact Cheryl Nelson at 330-688-3295.

Community Jazz Band
The next Jazz Band concert will be Wednesday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room. This event is free and open to the public.

Library Board
The next meeting of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stow Room. To read minutes from previous board meetings go to www.smfpl.org/trustees.htm.

KnowItNow
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is now offering access to KnowItNow, a live online information service provided free of charge for the citizens of Ohio by the State Library of Ohio. Professional librarians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your reference questions and assist you in finding information. Once logged on with your Ohio zip code, you and a librarian engage in a "chat" session. The librarian "pushes" high quality, authoritative online resources to your screen. You can watch and participate as librarians skillfully navigate the internet to find precise answers to your questions. At the conclusion of each KnowItNow session, you will receive a complete transcript of your session via email including links to all the online resources shared during that session. You will find the KnowItNow button on the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Homepage (www.smfpl.org).

Acme Receipts
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is once again collecting Acme receipts. Receipts must be dated between September 4, 2005 and March 25, 2006 to qualify for the cashback program. Receipts are being collected near the downstairs elevator.

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

Home Heating Costs Program - Why is My Gas Bill Going Up?
Wednesday, March 1 at 11:00 a.m.
A representative from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will provide information on financial assistance and energy efficiency tips in a one-hour program to be held in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room. A question and answer period will follow this presentation. Please register by emailing Ann Malthaner at a_malthaner@yahoo.com or calling Ann at 330-688-3295. There is no charge for this presentation.

Dorothy Fuldheim
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
Celebrate Women's History Month with Dorothy Fuldheim. Join Carol Starre-Kmiecik as she portrays one of Northeast Ohio's most recognized television news reporters. Dorothy Fuldheim (1893-1989) began her television career at Cleveland's first television station WEWS in 1947, becoming the first woman in the country with her own news show. She went on to conduct over 15,000 interviews, including those with Helen Keller, the Duke of Windsor, and Wilt Chamberlain. She received a National Overseas Press Club award for her work as a roving reporter, was a charter member of the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame, and was the author of two autobiographies. She continued to work until the age of 92.

Carol Starre-Kmiecik is the writer, actor, and producer of the one-woman production company Famous American Women. She brings to life many internationally famous women such as Amelia Earhart, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her portrayal of Dorothy Fuldheim appeals to all generations interested in the story of a ground-breaking, feisty, woman reporter.

Reservations are preferred, but not required, for this special program. Please call 330-688-3295 beginning March 1. This program will take place in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room. Carol will take questions from the audience after her presentation. She will also have copies of the book Dorothy Fuldheim: The First Lady of Television News by Patricia M. Mote available for the price of $20.00 (including tax).

Investment Education Program
Investment Education speaker, Kelly Igoe, an attorney for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities, will speak at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library on Thursday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. in the Stow Room. Some topics to be addressed include:

Basic Knitting
Mondays, March 6, 13, and 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Instructor Dave Macseoinin will teach the basics of knitting during these introductory classes. Participants must attend all three classes in the series and allow two hours per week to work at home on knitting projects. Bring size 8 or 9 set of needles and one skein of 4-ply worsted acrylic yarn. Registration required: class size limited. Instruction is free and there is no materials fee.

Contact Cheryl Nelson at 330-688-3295 or e-mail nelsonch@oplin.org. Participants should not have any knitting experience and be 15 years old and up.

Shadow Box Art Classes
Local artist Sandy Lin will present the techniques involved in constructing Shadow Boxes during this special art class series. Select from several different designs and create your own Shadow Box to take home. These classes are free, but frames and prints will need to be purchased from the instructor (checks should be made out to Ylfang Sandy Lin). Bring an Exacto knife with extra blades and a small cutting mat to class. Participants should be 16 years of age or older. Attendance during the first few classes is critical as the instructor presents the technique.

Classes will be held on the following Mondays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.:
February 13, March 13, March 27, April 10, April 17, May 8 and May 22.

To register, please call Cheryl Nelson at 330-688-3295. Leave a message on voicemail or send e-mail to nelsonch@oplin.org. Please include class dates, your name, phone number, and e-mail address. Registration is limited.

Spring Needlework Show
The annual Spring Needlework Show will be held March 22 through March 26 in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room. Registration of entries will be March 18 and 19. Please watch for more details coming soon.

BACK TO TOP

New titles are arriving daily at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. Some of the new titles this month are:

May 12 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Computer Use
Computers for use by adult and teen patrons are in very high demand! This is a reminder that you may 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. All adult patron computers are now available by reservation only.

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 class calendar can be viewed at www.smfpl.org/calendar.htm. The class schedule for March will be released Monday, February 27. 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. He is available at the Adult Information Desk.

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.

Teens

Book Blog
Join other teens who like books by reading their reviews and posting your own. Link to the blog from the Teen Services Book page at www.smfpl.org/tsbooks.htm.

Teen Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament
Saturday, March 11 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Chess Club
Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m.

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

Children's

Storytimes
Storytime registration for 2006 has begun. Please call 330-688-3295 for further information.

Kids in the Kitchen!
For ages three to six.
Saturday, April 1 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Call 330-688-3295 to register.

Professor E's Science
For children in grades three to six.
Saturday, March 11 from 10:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. Registration begins February 27.
Call 330-688-3295 to register.

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

Circulation
Drive-Up Window
Don't forget about the Drive-Up Window service at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. This is an especially helpful service during inclement weather! The drive-up window is open during regular library hours and closes 15 minutes before library closing.

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: Fran Waybright, the 1,000th window checkout of 2006, and Daphne Wallace, the first Bestseller's Club sign-up for 2006. Congratulations!

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

BACK TO TOP

---

Art on Display

Corner Gallery
During February the Corner Gallery features the quilts of fiber artist Leigh McDonald. Leigh has been quilting since 1990 and began teaching quilting in 1995. Her classes are based on traditional techniques, and emphasize color, inventiveness and imagination. She is a member of Ohio Designer Craftsmen, Studio Art Quilt Associates, American Quilt Society, Contemporary Fiber Artists, International Quilt Association, and is a founding member of The Artists Network of Kent. To learn more about Leigh McDonald, please go to her website at www.adventuresinquiltinq.com.

BACK TO TOP

---

Friends of the Library

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 450 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

---

Quilt on Display

Tumbling Blocks, the quilt recently displayed over the Circulation Desk, was created by Mae Hicks of Manchester. Mae, who is 80 years old, started quilting when she was in her late 60's. Tumbling Blocks is made the old fashioned way - each piece individually cut out with a cardboard template, each piece stitched together by hand, and hand quilted. The fabric for this quilt was purchased at the Stow Needlecraft Shop.

BACK TO TOP

---

Spotlight on Local History Room

    Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library's Local History Room, located in the magazine area, contains a wealth of information on the Stow and Munroe Falls areas. Many unique items, such as historical maps, city directories from 1940 to the present, family histories and documents, and photographs of classes, groups and individuals are located here. History books about Ohio, Summit County, Akron, Stow, and Munroe Falls are available, including several unpublished manuscripts.

    Special Collections in the Local History Room contain items from local families and organizations. Organizations such as the Stow Garden Club, Stow Junior Mothers Club, the Darrowville Friendship Club, and the Stow Lions Club may include meeting minutes and club photos in their collections. Of special interest are the oral histories of local long-time residents, such as Charles and Jean Call, Leona Farris, Mildred Monteith, and Elizabeth Cowles. The histories are available in booklets complete with family photos. The Biographies binders in Local History contain newspaper clippings about local residents, including obituaries. Also found in the Local History Room are newspaper clippings on local subjects, such as Stow-Munroe Falls schools, businesses, groups, parks, and events.

    Many of the titles found in the Local History Room have duplicate copies shelved in the non-fiction book section. They may be checked out by patrons. History of the First Christian Church of Stow, Summit County, Ohio by Robert Taylor Henning Jr., History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio, written and compiled by Katheryn Myers, Renbee Peterson, Carl Donaldson; edited by Dawn Bishop, Stories From a Stow Native by Fred Long, and The Bronson Book; Accounts of the Establishment and Early Settlement of the Connecticut Western Reserve, as Written and Collected From the Writings of Early Pioneers by Charles Cook Bronson are titles included.

     The Local History Room is staffed by volunteers who assist patrons and complete various assignments, such as clipping and copying. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Local History Specialist Bridget Anthony at 330-688-3295. To find out more about the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Local History Room visit the website at www.smfpl.org/lh.htm.

BACK TO TOP

---

Staff Picks

February's staff pick is Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl, recommended by Adult Services Librarian Beth Daugherty. This book is about the experiences of former New York Times food critic and restaurant reviewer Ruth Reichl. During her tenure at the New York Times Riechl devised disguises to keep restaurant staff from recognizing her. She always visited a restaurant more than one time, usually going as one of her "characters" and as herself. She found she was often treated differently when she went as the "New York Times Food Critic," receiving preferential treatment such as the best table, service, and food preparation. This did not go unnoticed, as one of her most celebrated reviews was the double review of a famous New York restaurant. Reichl wrote one review on her experience as Molly, the retired high school teacher from Michigan, who was ignored and condescended to by the staff and another review on her experience as Ruth, the New York Times food critic who was pampered and coddled.

Included in this book are restaurant reviews and recipes of Reichl's own. When she isn't going out to eat (which she did about ten times a week during her stint at the New York Times), she likes to entertain by cooking for others. Reichl stated in an interview that she has a good metabolism and eats only small portions.

Place a hold on this book by going to the library's online catalog at http://www.smfpl.org/catalog.htm.

BACK TO TOP

---

Website of the Month

Website for the month of February is NBC Olympics coverage at www.nbcolympics.com. Beginning with the opening ceremonies February 10, the Winter Olympics will be held in Torino, Italy. Use this website to view information about the athletes, sports, and countries of the Olympics. Find your local TV listings and sign up for e-mail alerts. There is also information on the beautiful city of Torino.

BACK TO TOP

---

E-Mail Your Comments