Internet "Social" Sites

Are you worried about your children spending time on the Internet? There are so many wonderful sites they can visit for fun, information, or relaxation. However, as with anything else, problems are always considered more newsworthy. There have been many articles in print and on TV recently concerning social sites such as myspace.com. The Federal Trade Commission has some good safety tips to observe when visiting and/or posting on these sites; click here to visit their page. Please make sure that your children and teenagers observe these simple rules and "surf" safely.

Library Closing

The Library will be closed Saturday, May 27, through Monday, May 29, for the Memorial Day weekend. We will reopen at noon on Tuesday, May 30. Our online catalog is available 24/7 for renewals, account checks, or the placing of holds.

May Friends Meeting

The Friends of the Sodus Free Library will meet at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 25th, in the Library's meeting room. All are invited to join us as we discuss plans for our 1st annual "Just Paperbacks" sale.

New Book Club Starting

As part of working toward their Girl Scout Silver Awards, Jessica Jonasse and Ana Abkarian are starting a book club for girls aged 12 to 14. We hope to read one book a month, with the first being Heir Apparent by Vivan VandeVelde. Stop by the check-out desk to sign up.

Monday's Books-Sandwiched-In

Bill Bolling presented us with many facts about identity theft, and provided several tips on how to avoid it during our Monday Books-Sandwiched-In. Just a reminder: if you would like to hear the topic covered in more depth, or if you were unable to attend the noontime program, Bill will return at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6th, for an encore presentation. Call 483-9292 or stop by the Library for more information.

Proposition 3 Passed

Thank you to the 340 Sodus residents who voted "Yes" for Proposition 3, approving $56,000 for our Library. This funding is a vital part of our budget, and we are pleased that so many people recognize the Library's value.

Annual School Vote

The Sodus Central School District annual budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 16th, from noon to 9 p.m. in the High School lobby. Proposition 3 reads: "Shall a levy of $56,000 on the taxable property of Sodus Central School District as a contribution to the Sodus Free Library for its maintenance and support be approved?" If you have any questions regarding this proposition, please leave a comment here, or contact me or one of our Trustees by phone or email.

Upcoming Children's Program

"All About Ducks," the next program in our Community Reader Series, will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 18th. Dynalec's Greg Cuvelier will be reading The Wide World of Suzie Mallard by Hazel J. Hutchins, and will also share some of his knowledge about ducks with the children. In addition, we'll have stories, activities, and refreshments. Registration is welcomed, but not required for this free program. Be sure to bring your children to the Library for this fun program!


Mike Garlock has generously
loaned some of his duck decoys
and specimens for our display case.

Pick Up A Library Book Bag

Keep all of your checked-out items together in one of our new book bags. Our Friends group started selling these sturdy totes today; the cost is $8 each. Stop by the desk soon - at this price, we expect them to go fast!

May Books-Sandwiched-In

The Friends of the Sodus Free Library will host a timely Books-Sandwiched-In on Monday, May 15th. William R. Bolling, Risk Management Specialist for WCTA Federal Credit Union (and retired long-time Library Trustee and President) will give a presentation on preventing identity theft. Lunch, which includes a sandwich, beverage, and a slice of homemade pie, starts at noon; the cost is $3 per person. Doors to the lunch room will open at 11:45, so come early and check out some of our new books and DVDs. Space is limited, so stop by, email, or call today to make your reservation. If your schedule does not permit you to come for lunch, mark your calendar for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6th, when this program will be repeated. Reservations will not be required for the evening program.

Perennial Planter Update

The container of perennials planted for us by Christine Sanguedolce at the April Books-Sandwiched-In is growing by leaps and bounds.

Closed for Mother's Day

The Library will be closed on Sunday, May 14th, in honor of Mother's Day.

May Board of Trustees Meeting

The monthly Board of Trustees meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 11th, in the Library's meeting room. The public is welcome at all Board meetings.

Pictures From Shipwreck Program

At last Thursday's program, local author Susan Peterson Gateley discussed shipwrecks and rescues and also signed books for enthusiastic attendees.

Monday's Books-Sandwiched-In

Chris Sanguedolce demonstrated how she plants perennials in containers for an enthusiastic audience at Monday's luncheon. We'll be taking photos periodically of the planter over the next months to see how it progresses. Thanks to Chris for an inspiring talk, and to Grandpa's Nursery and Garden Center for the plants.

We're Closed

The Library is closed today, Saturday, and Sunday for the Easter weekend. Our online catalog is still available if you need to check due dates, renew materials, or place a title on hold. We will reopen on Monday, April 17, at 10 a.m.

Head Start Fun

Head Start families created beautiful Spring flowers and listened to stories during their library visit.

This little one curled up in a comfy corner with a good book.

Quote for National Library Week

"The richest person in the world - in fact all the riches in the world - couldn't provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available at your local library"
~ Malcolm Forbes

Meeting Postponed

Due to scheduling conflicts, the special Board meeting which was to take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 6th, has been postponed.

Upcoming Meet the Author Program

Susan Peterson Gateley will present a program and readings on Lake Ontario shipwrecks and rescues at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 20th. The program is based on Peterson Gateley's most recent book, Ariadne's Death: Tales of Heroism and Tragedy on Lake Ontario.

Shipwrecks, the result of bad luck, bad management, or some combination of the two, were an all too common event on Lake Ontario in the 19th and early 20th centuries. From the tragic ends of several family-owned cargo schooners of the 19th century, to the improbable outcome of a fishing trip on Lake Ontario taken in 2002, Gateley's newest book chronicles a variety of maritime disasters, acts of heroism and near misses. The book program will include an account of the unfortunate end of the schooner Ariadne, destroyed by winter gales at the lake's east end, and the sad tale of the Belle Sheridan, owned and manned by the McSherry family. All but one were lost in the great gale of 1880. Steamers, too, were at risk, as the story of the Quinte's end by fire and the Lady of the Lakes' close call show. Gateley will end the program on a lighter note with a couple of really close calls that ended well - including the heroic beer cooler's tale!

Gateley plans to have copies of the new book available for purchase and signing the night of the program. We're looking forward to filling the meeting room with fans of Susan's books.

April Books-Sandwiched-In

Join us at noon on Monday, April 17th, for a timely presentation on Planting Perennials in Containers by gardener Christine Sanguedolche. As before, $3 covers the cost of the program and lunch, which consists of sandwiches, beverage, and homemade pie. As registration is limited, be sure to stop by the Library to sign up for this program ... and get ready to plant!

Board of Trustees Meetings

There will be a special meeting of the Sodus Free Library's Board of Trustees at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 6th in the Library's meeting room. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss fundraising plans. The regular monthly meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 13th. All Board meetings are open to the public.

Month of the Young Child

To celebrate April as the Month of the Young Child, children from Sodus Head Start classes, Sodus Early Head Start, Sodus Preschool, and Sodus Cooperative Nursery School have made a striking rainbow of hands for our display case.

The display also features the building blocks which lead to reading. To further encourage and assist parents in learning how to use these building blocks, Head Start's Amy Thatcher will be presenting a Growing a Reader workshop at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, in the Library's meeting room. We'll have stories and snacks for the children while parents are presented with practical, enthusiastic ways to encourage a love of books and reading. SallyAnn Danforth will present a similar program to parents of infants and toddlers at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18. While these programs are targeting Head Start families, the Library will repeat both in the future for all who would like to attend.

Women's History Month

In addition to checking out the books in our Women's History Month displays, click here to connect to a list of sources recommended by the Library of Congress.

Quote for the Day

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."
Anna Quindlen, "Enough Bookshelves," New York Times, August 7, 1991

Today's Books-Sandwiched-In

We all had a great time today listening to Stephen Heald recount the amazing adventures of Alice Ramsey as she drove across the country.



Stephen and his wife, Pamela, demonstrated the functional, protective clothing worn while driving those early automobiles.

2006 Book Sense Book of the Year Awards

The winners of the 2006 Book Sense Book of the Year Awards have been announced. "Independent booksellers have chosen to honor these handselling favorites from among a wide array of interesting, unique, and thought-provoking titles sold in their stores during the past year," said ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz. Click here for the complete list of award winners, and stop by or call the Library to place any of these titles on Hold.

Every Genius Knows

Every genius knows that the Library is *the* place to be!

To make your own Einstein picture, click here and enjoy.

Irish Storytime Pictures

These pictures are from Monday's special storytime with Colleen McCarty. We listened to Irish stories, were treated to goodie baskets made by Pauline Baker, and had a visit from a leprechaun!

Sodus Citizen of the Year

The Sodus Chamber of Commerce announced today that Joe Schell is this year's Citizen of the Year.

An email from the Chamber states, "Joe is the Director of Operations at S.T.A.C. (Sodus Town Ambulance Corp) as well as one of the founding members in 1971. He continues to train new members as well as maintaining the skills of the other members. He also works for the Wayne County ALS Fly Car and travels all of Wayne County to answer the call of duty. He has saved countless lives and his quiet demeanor comforts all around him during very scary times. Joe's reputation of going above and beyond has earned him this well-deserved recognition." All of us at the Sodus Free Library add our congratulations to Joe for this honor.

For information on attending the Citizen of the Year Banquet on April 7th, contact the Sodus Chamber at 315-398-8473 or email your inquiry to chamber14551@yahoo.com.

March Books-Sandwiched-In

Stop by the Library this week to sign up for the March 20th Books-Sandwiched-In. The luncheon will feature Stephen Heald, lifelong Sodus resident and antique car hobbyist, reviewing Alice's Drive by Alice Ramsey. Ramsey was the first woman to drive an automobile across the United States, proving "without doubt that America's burgeoning love affair with the new-fangled horseless carriage and the open road applied equally to both sexes. Alice's Drive puts us in the front seat of her brand new Maxwell DA to join in her grand and historic adventure" - quote from Dayton Duncan, author of Horatio's Drive. The luncheon starts at noon; the cost of $3 covers sandwiches, beverage, and homemade pie.

Irish Folklore Storytime

Colleen McCarty will be sharing stories on Irish folklore at a special Storytime at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 13th. Children of all ages are welcome.

Friends' Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Friends of the Sodus Free Library will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 16th, in the Library's meeting room. Officers for the coming year will be elected at that time, and annual membership dues will be collected. We would love to add several new members. Come join us!

Oscar Night

How exciting that someone from "just down the road" won an Oscar at last night's 78th annual Academy Awards! Click here to find a complete list of winners at the official Oscar website. We already own several of the nominated movies, and will be purchasing more as they become available. Stop by or call the Library to put any of the titles on hold.

New Children's Choice Award Announced

Children in grades 3 through 6 are encouraged to nominate their favorite book for a 3 Apples Book Award. Developed to encourage the joy of reading for pleasure and to give the children of our State the opportunity to participate in honoring their favorites, this New York State Children's Choice Award is based solely on their nominations and votes. Children can pick up nomination forms from Mrs. Olson, Sodus Primary Librarian, or Mrs. VanKouwenberg, Sodus Intermediate Librarian. The completed forms (one nomination per child) can be dropped off at either of the school libraries or at the Sodus Free Library.

The Youth Services and School Library Media Sections of the New York Library Association will announce the top nominees, and children will be reading those titles over the Summer. They will then be allowed to vote for their favorite of the group, with the winner of the first 3 Apples Award being announced next February.

There are so many excellent children's books available. We hope that your children visit our libraries soon to vote for their favorites.

March Trustees Meeting

The Sodus Free Library Board of Trustees will hold their next monthly meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 9th, in the Library's community meeting room. All Board meetings are open to the public.

From Books to Inspiration to Art

Here is the fun group of ladies who are painting rock houses with Shirley Patchett. If you'd like to join them, stop by the Library and pick up a list of the supplies you'll need. They're meeting again next Monday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m.

Encouraging Boys to Read

Click here to read an interesting article in the Miami Herald entitled "These Tips Might Make Your Son a Reader." If you leave out the gender-specific tips, these ideas also work with girls. Gift your children with the love of reading - it will last a lifetime!

Fun at the Library

We not only had fun listening to stories about trees, we learned many new and interesting things, were given acorns to plant (we hope our great-grandchildren enjoy the oak trees), and sanded and decorated beechnut tree rounds. Our thanks to Martha and Jim Miller, a great library team!

Today's Program

Remember to bring your Primary School-age children into the Library at 1 p.m. today for Martha Miller's "Once there was a tree ..." program.

We're closed today, but take some time to visit the Library of Congress and learn more about our Presidents. Click here to visit Mr. Lincoln's Virtual Library, and here for the George Washington Papers collection.

Sending Kisses

"Kisses" to all who helped with the Library's Third Annual Valentine Chocolate Sale. Thirty-five people donated chocolate goodies of all kinds, several members of the Friends of the Sodus Free Library set up, sliced and priced, and countless people shopped. At the end of the two days, we had made $501.90, more than double last year's total!

Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month by learning more about the history of the civil rights movement in America. Click here to connect to the Library of Congress' Learning Page.

Library Closing

The Library will be closed Monday, February 20th, in honor of Presidents Day, and will reopen at noon on Tuesday, February 21st.

School Break Program

Are your children looking for something fun to do during February break? We're starting a monthly series of free children's programs which will feature enthusiastic readers from our community. The first program will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 23rd, and will be aimed at children of Primary School age. Martha Miller, President of the Library's Board of Trustees, has planned an hour of fun, stories, and activities with the theme "Once there was a tree ..." Registration is encouraged, but not required. Call or stop by the Library to reserve a spot for your children, or to find out how to volunteer to read for a future program.

Friends of the Sodus Free Library Meeting

The February meeting of our Friends group will be held in the Library's meeting room at 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 16th. Come join us!

A Reminder to Chocolate Lovers

The tables are filling for our 3rd Annual Valentine Chocolate Sale, and the smell is heavenly! So many goodies have already been donated, the sale has been moved into the Library's meeting room. I spotted Chocolate Lava brownies, chocolate chip cookies, a heart-shaped chocolate cake, chocolate rum balls, Que Sera Sarah brownies, and a variety of cookies in handmade paper baskets - I'm so glad I've been saving my pennies! Remember to stop by between noon and 8 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Time for Movies

Academy Award nominations were announced today - congratulations to local actor Philip Seymour Hoffman on his Best Actor nomination for Capote! If all the talk of Oscars has put you in the mood to watch a movie, stop by the Library. We've added several new DVDs to our collection; among them are Lord of War, Flightplan, Transporter 2, Red Eye, The Constant Gardener, and Beauty Shop. As Oscar-nominated movies become available on DVD, we will be purchasing them. For those who enjoy documentaries, my personal recommendations are March of the Penguins and Mad Hot Ballroom. Any of these titles can be placed on hold.

Best Books for Young Adults 2006

YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association) has announced its 2006 recommended list of Best Books for Young Adults. A fifteen-member committee narrowed a list of 217 nominations down to the final list of 991 recommended titles. Click here to access the BBYA list. The committee also selected a Top Ten list of titles, which you will find here. Place an OWWL Hold on any title you'd like to read.

Best in Children's and Teen Literature

This morning in San Antonio, Texas, the American Library Association announced the year's top books for children and young adults. The winner of the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature is Lynne Rae Perkins for Criss Cross. Chris Raschka won the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children with The Hello, Goodbye Window.

Looking for Alaska by John Green is the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award winner for excellence in literature written for young adults. The Coretta Scott King Book Award, recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults, was given to Julius Lester, author of Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue, and to Bryan Collier, illustrator of Rosa. The first Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book went to Cynthia Rylant for Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas.

Click here to see the complete list of all the 2006 literary award winners, including Honor books. Stop by or call the Library to place OWWL Holds on any of these award-winning books.

Decadent, Devilish, Delightful, and Decidedly Delicious!

Yes ... it's almost time for our Friends group's fabulous Third Annual Valentine Chocolate Sale! Offerings for your honey will include homemade pies, candies, cakes, cookies, brownies, etc. - everything and anything chocolate. The sale will be held Thursday, February 9, from noon until 8 p.m., and on Friday, February 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contributions of chocolate products will be gratefully accepted between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday. See you there!

Annual Association Meeting

The annual Sodus Free Library Association meeting and election of Trustees will be held on February 2nd, at 7 p.m. The Library's 2006 financial budget will also be submitted for approval at this meeting. Three candidates (Robert Bayless, Jr., Carol Sergeant, and John Cook) are running for two Board openings; each position is for a five-year term. To vote in this election, you must be 16 years of age, a resident within the Sodus Central School District, and an OWWL card holder. If unable to attend the meeting, you may vote by absentee ballot, available now at the circulation desk.

Come Linger & Mingle!

Click here for an interesting article about libraries which appeared in the January 13, 2006, issue of The Christian Science Monitor.

New Oprah Book Club Selection

The newest title chosen for Oprah's Book Club is Night by Elie Wiesel. While we do have a copy available, the "official" Oprah selection is an entirely new translation by the author's wife, Marion Wiesel. This new edition is touted as being longer and more accurate than the previously published edition, and features a new introduction by the author, along with his 1986 Nobel Peace Prize presentation and acceptance speeches. We have these new copies on order, and will be accepting OWWL Holds for them starting next week.

January Friends Meeting

The Friends of the Sodus Free Library will meet at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, in the Library's meeting room. All are welcome to attend.

Painting Rocks at the Library

Intrigued by the beautiful rock houses on the bottom shelf of our display case? Would you like to try your hand at this unique art? Shirley Patchett will be teaching a three-part class on how to transform rocks into houses, shops, or virtually any building you can imagine. The classes will be held at 10:30 a.m. on three consecutive Mondays, starting January 23rd. Registration is required and will be limited to ten, so stop by the Library at your earliest convenience to sign up. Upon registering, you will be given a sheet of the supplies that Shirley would like you to bring to the first class. And start hunting for that "perfect" rock!

Library Closing

We will be closed on Monday, January 16, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Click here to learn how you can volunteer for a day of service, making it "a day on, not a day off."

Pictures from Kwanzaa Program

Symbols of the holiday




Storytelling: Seven Spools of Thread, a Kwanzaa Story, by Angela Shelf Medearis

January Board of Trustees Meeting

This month's meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, in the Library's meeting room. All Board meetings are open to the public.

Blue Ribbon Awards

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books has announced its 2005 Blue Ribbons, awarded to titles that the Bulletin's staff deem to be the best of the previous year's literature for youth. Most are available at our Library; those we do not own are easily obtained by placing an OWWL Hold. Click here for the list, and make plans to share some quality children's literature with your favorite young person.