Menasha Public Library Newsletter

Menasha Readers - December 2007

Director's Note
As this year comes to an end, I hope you had a wonderful year. I also hope it was filled with moments here at the library. Making memories with your children is so very important, and many of my childhood memories are of the small public library I grew up using. You can build memories with your children in libraries as well. Come together and pick out books to share. Even children who can read on their own appreciate sharing a book with someone, especially if it is one that can make you laugh out loud. Don't have children to bring? Well, come and make some memories of your own. Learn a new craft, attend a movie or music program, or just come and spend some needed quiet time on your own free from the hustle and bustle of the season. Your library is here for you. Let's make memories together!

Music in the Library
Join us for a Christmas Piano Concert by local musician and recording artist, Amy Danke on Tuesday, December 4th, 7:00-8:00 pm. The concert will be held at the Fireplace Lounge on the main floor. Enjoy a free program with refreshments.
Plan on heading to the library on Monday, January 7th for Swing into the New Year. The Neenah Ambassadors Dance Band will be joined by a swing dance demonstration by the Fox Valley Dance Studio from 7:00-8:00 pm. The concert will be held in the Company E Room in the Lower Level of the library. The program is free and refreshments will be served.

Sarah Loescher Dollhouse Debut and Tea Party
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6:30-7:00 p.m.

Join Mary Cottrell ("Miss Mary" from Barnes & Noble) as we celebrate the annual holiday opening of the Sarah Loescher Dollhous. This eight room dollhouse, donated to the library in 1988 by the Loescher family, is full of miniature furniture collected by Ms. Loescher during her lifetime. The dollhouse, built by her son Richard in the style of a Beacon Hill Boston row house, is a marvel of miniaturization. Three of Sarah's grandchildren (including Miss Mary!) helped with the cutting and installation of the bricks and shingles which were installed one at a time. Miss Mary will share the story of her grandmother's dollhouse as well as a holiday tale or two. Tea party refreshments will complete this charming program. The dollhouse will remain on display through the first week in January.

Movies in the Library
Wednesday, December 5th, 6:00 - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Wednesday, December 12th, 6:30 - The Bourne Ultimatum

Holiday Party!

Join us for a special seasonal party and help celebrate the holidays with stories, games, treats, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Santa on Saturday, December 15, 1:30-1:45 pm. Kids up to the age of 9, please bring a personal hygiene item or non-perishable food item. Donations will go towards the Neenah-Menasha Red Cross emergency food pantry. Co-sponsored by the Neenah-Menasha Red Cross Youth Committee

Computer Classes - Company E. Room, Lower Level

Registration Required: sign up at the Reference Desk or call 967-3690
Dec. 4th, 2:30-3:30 pm - "Tuesday TechTalk"
Wed., Dec. 5th, 10-11 am - "E-mail"
Dec. 11th, 10:30-11:30 am- "Tuesday TechTalk"
Wed., Dec. 12th, 10-11 am - "Intro. to the Internet"
Dec., 18th, 2:30-3:30 pm - "Tuesday TechTalk"
Wed., Dec. 19th, 10-11 am - "Online Catalog"
Tech Talk - Are you a novice computer user with a lot of questions? Then join this informal discussion group where we talk about whatever (digital) is on your mind, including the Internet, Microsoft Office, printing, free email, wireless access, our new website, the catalog, etc.!

Harry Potter Film Festival

Celebrate Potter during the holiday school break!

Wednesday, December 26 - Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Thursday, December 27 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Friday, December 28 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Saturday, December 29: Double Feature!: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire followed by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

These free events feature a bit of trivia, some popcorn and a chance for fans to watch all five films over the course of four days.

Harry Potter Party
Children of all ages are invited to enjoy a Harry Potter as part of our Film Festival series on Saturday December 29, 11:00 am-noon. Come dressed as your favorite character and enjoy Hogwarts classes, a small feast, prizes and fun based on the Harry Potter books.

Holiday Hours
December 24th and 25th - CLOSED
December 31st - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
January 1st - CLOSED

Menasha Readers
May 2007

Introducing Playaways!

Ever been on your walk or run and your audiobook CD runs out? Wish you didn't have to change a disc while zooming along Hwy 41 at 65 miles per hour? Wish you could take an audiobook on that beach vacation but don't want the hassle of lugging around and keeping track of multiple discs? Then you may be interested in our newest audio collection - Playaways!

Playaways are audio books in a digital format (think your iPod or MP3 player). The size of a deck of cards, each Playaway title contains an entire audiobook in its small case. All you need is an AAA battery and your earbuds and hours of great listening are at your fingertips. If you have an adapter, you can listen to the book through your home or car audio system.

The Friends of the Library will be selling earbuds and batteries at $1.00 each at the Check-out Desks. Titles for both children and adults will be available starting this month.

Ladies Night Out Readers Group or Lit Lite Readers Group

The Library is sponsoring a special summer session for ladies interested in reading and discussing contemporary American fiction. The books will have substance without being too dark, perhaps featuring a touch of romance or a bit of humor. Explore new authors, share your views, or just escape for a few hours.

The group will meet June 11, July 9 and August 6 at 7 pm at the Library. The first book will be Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. Copies of the book will be available at the Reference Desk after May 10.
Sign up in person for the group at the Reference Desk, call 967-5166 x 3690 or email dalum@menashalibrary.org.
Watch Our Children's Garden Grow

Did you know that Menasha Public Library has its own Secret Garden? The Children's Department wants to keep it a secret no longer! Preschoolers and their parents participating in the Let's Grow story sessions will be planting sunflowers in the garden located in the northwest corner of the library right by the Children's Room. This year's garden theme is the "Read and Grow Garden." Be sure to check out the beauty and growth of our sunflowers throughout the summer as you make your visits to the library. Check out our garden as you check out your books!

It's Easy to "Get a Clue@ Your Library"
On-the-Go Group Summer Reading Materials

Are you planning to teach summer school or work with kids in a childcare, preschool or large group situation? If the answer is yes, then the Children's Dept has a deal for you! We have a free, simple do-it-yourself, in-classroom or care center summer reading incentive program that encourages kids to read and write. Each pre-packed kit comes complete-in-a-bag with a poster-sized chart; stickers to put on the chart; prizes for each child; and an easy sheet of instructions. The materials let you provide your students with the same fun reading and writing incentive program that we provide without needing to bring the kids into the library. Details and packets will be available in late May for pick-up for your summer classroom!
Let's Grow! Stories and Gardening Fun
Mondays, May 7 and May 14 9:30-10:15 a.m. in the Children's Dept.
Preschoolers and their parents or caregivers are invited to a free two-week session of super garden stories and planting fun. We'll read of pesky rabbits, grouchy gardeners, and wormy friends, plus you'll get a chance to plant flowers in the secret Library Garden. "Weed" be sad if you didn't join us!
Come Visit the "Eis Café"(the Ice Cream Café) in the Co E Room
Tuesday, May 8 6:30-7:15 p.m.
The German students at Maplewood Middle School will help children discover German culture through engaging stories, crafts, and songs all centered around the Ice Cream Café. Participants will learn to speak a few words "auf Deutsch," plus sing the smash hit song about a little crocodile named "Schnappi."

Blood Drive - May 29

The Community Blood Center will conduct a Blood Drive at the Library on Tuesday, May 29 from 3 - 6 pm. Walk-ins are always welcome! However, scheduling an appointment in advance helps ensure a speedy donation for all.

Call the Reference Desk at 967-3690, to reserve a time. A person never knows when they, or someone they love are going to need blood. It may be YOU!
Friends of the Menasha Public Library
The Library's Friends' group is a volunteer organization which provides an opportunity for community members to help make their library even better. Staff can always use an extra pair of hands. Even if you have just a few hours to spare, we would appreciate your help with:
• Used Book Sales
• Receptions for special events
• Gardening
• Adult & Children's Services programs. .
• Distributing Friends publicity throughout the community.
• Working on special projects that enhance the quality of service at the Library.
If you are interested in joining the Friends of the Library, please contact Kathy Hannah at 967-3692. Membership is free.
"As a Friend You Can Make a Difference "

Fox Cities Reads

Nickel and Dimed

The Library will host a book discussion, Wed., April 4th, 7- 8:00 pm on Barbara Ehrenreich's book, Nickel and Dimed: On (not) Getting by in America. This event is part of a Fox Cities-wide effort to discuss issues surrounding the plight of the low-wage American poor. To find out more go to the website: http://foxcitiesreads.org/. The site provides information about the author, other libraries' book discussions, a discussion blog, community participants, and more about the scheduled author visit on April 17th at the Appleton Public Library. Registration is required for the book discussion. Please sign up at the Reference Desk, or, call 967-5166, ext. 720, for more information.

Where Can I Fax?

The Library does not offer FAX service to the public. However, the following local businesses provide FAX for a fee:

Appleton
FAX-9 Public FAX Service
1722 W. Wisconsin Avenue
738-7747

PostNet Postal & Business Services
3825 E. Calumet Street
991-1362

UPS Store
1717 E. Calumet
730-1157

Menasha
Postal Annex Plus
1110 Midway Road
751-3888

Neenah
UPS Store
691 S. Green Bay Road
729-6403

National Library Week

Libraries across the country will celebrate National Library Week, April 15-21. As a gesture of appreciation for our patrons, we will be offering refreshments on the Main Floor. Please stop by and have a cup of coffee and donut hole while you read the newspaper or browse for books. And, make sure you enter drawings for a free MPL mug or book bag!

Free Tax Assistance

Volunteers will continue to offer free tax assistance at the Library on
Thursdays Only!!
April 5 and April 12
1-4 pm
Activity Room, Lower Level.

Please bring the following:

• Two forms of ID.
• Copy of last year's return
• Federal, state, homestead booklets and forms received in the mail.
• Rent certificate or property tax bill for current year, i.e., one due in 2007, and tax receipt for taxes paid in 2006.
• Social security statement (SSA 1099) for benefits received in 2006
• Pension/annuity statements
• IRA statements 1099-R
• W-2s, if working
• Any other statements of income - Forms 1099s
• Interest
• Dividends
• Sale of stock, bonds, CDs
• Yearend bank statements
• Deductions: medical bills and insurance, prescriptions bills, dental bills, etc.
• Charitable contributions, donations, etc.
• Mortgage interest
• Receipt for taxes paid

Filing deadline is Tuesday, April 17th.
Ask for more information at the Reference Desk, or, call 967-3690.

National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 15 - 21
"Inspire By Example"
National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. The 2007 theme is "Inspire by Example", because it truly reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they help, as well as, to inspire others to serve! The Menasha Public is taking time during this week to give special attention to our great volunteers. Currently, the Library has ____ outstanding volunteers who help enhance the quality of service we bring to our patrons. Whether it is helping at the Friends' Used Book Sale or assisting the Circulation staff with ___________________, we wish to say, "Thank You," for all of your hard work and support.

"Geocaching Workshop"
Sat., April 28th, 1-3 pm,
Co. E Room, Lower Level

Do you have a love for the outdoors, a fondness for high-tech toys, and an adventurous spirit? Then, "Geocaching" might be the hobby for you! Come to the Library on Saturday, April 28th and find out about the sport that has people using the Internet, handheld GPS's and their eyes and wits to search for "treasure" hidden all over the world. Geocache specialist, Robin Cleveland, will explain the game and its variations. Caches are set up all over the world along with their locations on the Internet. GPS users use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache. Call Robin at 470-6194 for more information.