The Summer Reading program was definitely different this year, and we did miss the programs with big crowds, but I think the staff has done a great job adapting to the circumstances we find ourselves in. Kids could still get books to read, whether they came into the library, picked them up at the curb or had someone to pick them up for them. So reading is still happening and reading is what it is all about.
Don’t feel like that has to stop. Even though the Summer Reading program is over, we encourage folks of all ages to continue to use your hometown library regularly. Our current hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our drop box is at the corner in case you need to return items at other times.
All participants of the Summer Reading program received a certificate recognizing their efforts, and some won some big prizes. Prize winners were Kathryn Neuberger, Corrie Higdon, Keiran McBrayer, Martha Plumlee, Jenna Hodge, Chris Ray, Hutch Garmany, Dexter Biggers, Daphne Wallin and Ashleigh Garmany. Congratulations to all these winners. Prizes were provided by the Friends of the Library.
We had several winners of our Bounce Back Bingo games, sponsored by the Bank of Dade. These winners received gift cards to various businesses. Those winners were Janet Hunt, Nancy Garrett, Pat Williams, Linda Wilson (ahem), Corrie Higdon, Elizabeth Mullins, Cindy Vail, Elizabeth Holdaway, Connie Daniel, Earl and Mary Winters, Stacy and John Huffman, Penny Haswell and Allison Lancaster. These winners had to Bingo on the card by doing business with some of the library’s longtime sponsors and bringing in a receipt and doing random acts of kindness. That put them in a drawing for the prizes. Thanks to all who participated.
The Local History Room is now open by appointment for those needing to do research. This is to limit the number of people using a smaller space. Call the library at (706) 657-7857 to make an appointment.
The Book Club met last week on Zoom to discuss Where the Crawdads Sing. Our book for August is News of the World by Paulette Jiles. It is a Western novel set in Texas after the Civil War, and it centers around the return to her family of a girl who was kidnapped by the Kiowa. The Book Club will meet the third Tuesday in August.
The library welcomes anyone who needs a computer to complete their 2020 census report. It doesn’t take long at all.
The library sometimes gets information about jobs and grants and we got a brochure about some funding through a grant that will give jobs to people who have been out of work because of the Corona virus. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
Be 18 years of age
A legal U.S. citizen
In compliance with the Selective Service act
Workers temporarily or permanently laid off as a result of Covid-19
Workers laid off due to a plant or business closure related to COVID-19 or lack of work
Long-term unemployed individuals
Self-employed individuals unemployed or underemployed
This is a federally funded program that prepares eligible adults and dislocated workers for entry or re-entry into the workforce through retraining and education. Online applications are available at www.careerdepot.org.
For more information about this program contact Paula Stallings at (423) 322-1039 or paulastallings355@gmail.com.
Linda Wilson is everybody's favorite retired English teacher and a faithful library volunteer. You can email her at lanew@tvn.net.
