Without Libraries....

> A self-described illiterate person needing to apply online for unemployment benefits.

> An older adult, new to computers, needing to set up an email account before she could apply for a job.

> A local employer who receives resumes from jobseekers who don’t have the computer (or, often, the computer experience) needed to use his company’s online application system.

> A retired gentleman, subsisting on the declining value of his fixed income, wanting to turn his hobby into a business.

> A homemaker, in the midst of a job search, interested in volunteering here as a way to bolster her resume.

Without libraries, where would these people have gotten assistance?


These are all real people who came to us for help, just in the last month.


Real people.



................................... Like you.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Like me.

Libraries.


So much more than just books.

Not just books...

and cds and DVDs and computer use. I was recently reminded of the important part the public library plays as a community gathering place during our Spanish language storytime. We had a very large crowd gather to kick off the weekly event with pizza and juice, financed by our wonderful Friends of the library group, followed by stories, rhymes and a bit of dancing. Finally, the children, and a few adults, worked on a craft to take home. Throughout the program I was amazed by the growth we have had in attendance and how many friendships have been created and fostered at this event. In fact, after the program many attendees will often take their children to the children's area to play while the adults continue to visit. Overall, I think this is testament to the fact that the library serves as a very important "third place."

Papercutting program

World Papercutting Projects: More to Explore!

A member of the Guild of American Papercutters presents series of three free programs for adults at 2:00 pm Saturdays October 17, 24 and November 7. Please register at www.sno-isle.org --attendance is limited. All supplies are provided.

Even teens not immune to economic woes

The library is always looking for ways to meet the needs of the community it serves and in today's economic climate those services can be as varied as providing a computer to update a resume or check online job ads to providing free entertainment options with our collection of books, DVDs and other media.

Even area teens are learning to cope with cutbacks and economic instabilty. The Monroe Library has offered Teen Gaming on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month. The program is a way for teens to get together and socialize over video games, card games and board games. Until recently teens have been content with playing Rock Band or other multiplayer video games. But lately we have seen a number of teens embrace older games like Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon and look for opportunities to reuse and recycle their old collectable cards at game days.

Also recently teens have brought in board games such as Last Night on Earth (a zombie-themed action game) to share with friends. Teens too are looking for ways to stretch their entertainment dollar and Teen Gaming offers a way for them to embrace even older entertainments with a new group of friends.

While teens aren't facing the same pressures and challenges their parents might be, it is interesting to see how our times do affect them and how the library is responding to their unique needs and wants.

Free Computer Class at the Monroe Library

Recently I had the opportunity to work with three of Monroe Library's Tech Teen Volunteers as we team taught the Beginning Catalog and Internet Computer Class. Pictured starting on the left, back row: Tech Teens Florence, Zulqurnain, and Sohaib; front row: student Marilou. The Tech Teens help teach the class and provide one-on-one help to the adult students.
This is a free class for adults who want to learn how to use the Sno-Isle Libraries catalog, and databases, as well learn about searching the Internet and setting up a free email account. Students come to the class for various reasons including: wanting an email account to connect with family and friends, learning how to use the Sno-Isle catalog and databases, and wanting to aquire skills to search online resources for employment. In 2009 about 50% of the participants in the class are seeking skills to search employment resources, which is an increase over past years.

Upcoming classes: Saturday October 17th 10am-11:30am and Saturday November 7th 10am-11:30am. Please register at the Information desk or call 360-794-7851. Hope to see you there!

Read Them Before You See Them!

Recently, the titles of some brand new movies can be spotted on our library shelves, only they won’t be found in the DVD section! There have always been movies in Hollywood based off of books. From the well known Stephen King novels, to cult classics like Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, to children’s stories such as Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, book titles appear throughout the history of Hollywood. Lately it has become even more popular to use books for films. No longer are these films for children or devout followers, and it seems like almost every month a new one is being released.
By the end of the year we will see the release of a variety of novels for all ages. Children can enjoy the books Cloudy With a Chance Of Meatballs by Judi Barret and Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak coming to life on the screen. Teens can enjoy the first few books from Darren Shan’s creepy series Cirque Du Freak in the new movie The Vampire’s Assistant, and even adults get their day with the new drama The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and the return of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s well loved detective Sherlock Holmes.
All of these books can be found at your local library. So pick up a good book, and it just might by the next big box office hit!

The great value of craft programs.

At one of our craft programs during this past year, we had a Spanish speaking father and son come. The son had a look of excitement and expectancy as he looked around the room at the various projects to do. As they went from table to table, the father would encourage his son to try each thing on his own. Whenever his son had a hard time doing something on his own, his dad would do a little bit to demonstrate how to do it. Then the little boy would try again. One example was when the craft required using scissors. The little boy was trying to cut out a circle, but he felt frustrated. His dad did a little bit, and then encouraged his son to try. They took turns like that several times, and I could see the little boy gaining confidence through each attempt. Later, the son was making greeting cards. At times the little boy needed help with spelling and asked his dad for help. When the dad didn’t know how to spell it, the dad would ask me. I found it so heart warming that he was willing to ask so that his son could write the words he wanted to say on the greeting cards. The little boy and his dad stayed longer than any of the other attendees. He worked so diligently on each project, and his dad helped him so patiently. As they were leaving the little boy asked for a bag to carry his works of art home, because it was raining. I apologized that I didn’t have any. The dad said that it was all right. He said he would carry them under his coat. He explained that they had walked to the library for the craft program, and that his son just loves to walk. It was just really a privilege to watch a parent work so patiently with his child, spend so much time waiting and not rush the child, and knowing the whole time that they would be walking home in the rain. It really gave me a new and greater view of the value of craft programs. I recently saw the little boy come into the library after school with his backpack, and I was reminded of his efforts and enthusiasm as he worked on his projects at the craft program. No doubt his experiences at that library program and others helped to prepare him for projects at school.

The Monroe library has just started a new series of preschool storytimes on Wednesdays at 10:30. After each preschool storytime, we have a craft table set up to offer preschoolers the same opportunities to create and learn like the little boy in the story above. If you have a preschooler, please come and check it out! Also, watch our calendars throughout the year for other free craft program opportunities.