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.