Annual Association Meeting

The Sodus Free Library's annual meeting and election of Trustees will be held this Thursday, February 1st, at 7 p.m. in the Library's meeting room. All meetings of the Board of Trustees are open to the public. Anyone 18 years or older, living within the boundaries of the Sodus Central School District, and having an OWWL card, may vote in the annual election. Absentee ballots are available at the check-out desk.

Pre-K Visit

That same icy weather kept some of Debbie Neal's Pre-K families from their field trip to the Library, but the children who came had a good time playing with the puzzles, reading the books, and listening to stories while their Moms had a tour of our "home." If you belong to a group who would like a tour, call or stop by the Library; we'd love to show you around.

Library Blooms

It might be icy outside, but inside the library we're quite tropical. The Snowcap poinsettia's white bracts appeared with no special care, and the hibiscus seems to be very happy in its new home at the Library.

New Book Club Choice for Oprah

Oprah Winfrey has chosen a new book to share with her audience: Sidney Poitier's The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography. Click here to access the Book Club home page, where you can read or listen to an excerpt, take a trivia quiz, and even print out a bookmark. And stop by the Library soon to borrow our copy of the book so that you can be part of "the biggest book club in the world."

Chocolate Sale

Yes! It's almost time for our Fourth Annual Valentine Chocolate Sale. The Friends of the Sodus Free Library are busily signing people up, both for making goodies and to work at the sale. If you'd like to do either, please call or stop by the Library and add your name to the list. The sale will be held on Thursday, February 8th, from noon to 8 p.m., and on Friday, February 9th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our Koffee Korner will also be open for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, along with a single-serving Valentine treat. Mark your calendars now!

Rock Painting Class

While they all look very serious in this picture, there was plenty of laughter and fun at Shirley's first rock painting class on Monday. There's room for more at the table, so call or stop by the Library if you'd like to join the group.

Printz Award

Another big announcement: This year's winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature goes to Gene Luen Yang for American Born Chinese. Click here for more information and for the list of the 2007 Printz Honor Books.

Award-Winning Children's Books

The Newbery and Caldecott Medals were announced today, with The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron, winning the Newbery, and David Wiesner's Flotsam winning the Caldecott. We have the Patron title on order, and Wiesner's book is here on display. For the complete listing of award winners, click here. Call or stop by the Library to put any of these books on Hold.

Opposing Viewpoints

"Those who do not know their opponent's arguments do not completely understand their own." ~Motto of Opposing Viewpoints series

To gain more understanding on several current topics, stop by the Library and check out the new additions to our Opposing Viewpoints and Current Controversies collection. New titles include: Animal Experimentation, Mental Illness, Energy Alternatives, Hate Crimes, Child Abuse, Iran, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Teen Pregnancy and Parenting, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Problems With Death, and Police Brutality. These not only provide great research for school projects, etc., but are interesting reading for those wishing to understand diverse opinions.

January Friends Meeting

The Friends of the Sodus Free Library will meet at 4 p.m. this Thursday, January 18th, in the Library's meeting room for the purpose of planning the February Chocolate Sale. Come join us!

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

This is part of a mural in Kansas City credited to Alexander Austin.

Knitting Fun

It's obvious that these ladies are having a great time at their first knitting class with Sarah Harper. They will be meeting for the next three Fridays at 10 a.m. Stop by and find out how you can join in the fun.

Seminars on Government Branches

"Every officeholder, including every federal judge, takes an oath of office when we assume the role of judge. And we swear to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States, so help me God. And it doesn't matter what I personally think or would do at all. It matters what the Constitution provides." ~Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

To help us all understand what the Constitution does provide in relation to the Judicial and Executive branches of our government, the Annenberg Foundation Trust has donated DVDs of four Sunnylands seminars. Titles are:

Our Constitution: A Conversation
A Conversation of the Constitution: Judicial Independence
Key Constitutional Concepts
Mandate: The President and the People

Stop by the Library soon to pick up one of these informative DVDs.

Library Closing

The Library will be closed Monday, January 15th, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. At the age of 35, Dr. King was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. Click here for a biography by Nobelprize.org.

Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting

This month's Board of Trustees meeting will be held at 4 p.m. this Thursday, January 11th, in the Library's meeting room. All Trustee meetings are open to the public.

Best of the Year

Looking for a great book to share with a favorite young child or teen? Check out the list at the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books for the titles earning their 2006 Blue Ribbons. There are some terrific books on the list, including picture books, fiction, and nonfiction. Let us know which titles you'd like to read, and we'll help you place an OWWL Hold on them.

Rock Painting Classes

Shirley's very popular house painting classes will be starting again soon. House as in "rock," that is. You can create your dream house, or store, (or library!), or whatever you'd like. Only a couple of spots remain available, so call or stop by the Library soon if you want to be included. Classes will be held on Monday mornings from 10 to noon (or so), starting January 22nd. We guarantee you'll have a rockin' good time!