Library Closing Early

The Library will close at 5 p.m. today, October 31st. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Library Staff in the News

Our own Allen Tompkins has been named the 2007 recipient of the Grace Frost Library Advocate Award, which annually highlights an individual who exemplifies service and dedication to Wayne County libraries and the communities they serve. Click here for an article on Allen that appeared in the Courier-Gazette Digital Edition (where this picture appeared). We're all really proud of you, Allen!

We have reopened after our computer upgrade. We are dealing with a few minor glitches, but most will not directly affect you, and they should all be resolved early next week. Exceptions: If you don't know your PIN number, you may have to wait a couple of days before we can get it for you or assign you a new number. If you are applying for your first library card, we will not be able to immediately assign you a PIN number.

We'd like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience during this process, and hope to see you all in the Library soon.

OWWL Will Be Sleeping

Our library, along with most OWWL libraries, will be closed from Wednesday, October 24 through Friday, October 26. During these three days, the Pioneer Library System will be upgrading the servers that keep OWWL running - a move that will help our libraries contain costs. In addition to the closings, the following services will be unavailable:

• Searching for items on OWWL
• Renewing items online
• Placing holds online
• WiFi access
• Database access
• Borrowing and returning items

Our system has been set to ignore due dates from October 24th through the 29th, so materials you've checked out last week and this have an extended loan period (and any videos checked out from the 17th to the 22nd will be extended until the 30th.) With the longer loans, it's a great time to check out that book you haven't had time for, or one of our TV seasons on DVD.

Second World War I Program Tonight

Interested in history? Researcher Victor Harris returns this evening at 7 p.m. for Over Here, Over There, the second installment of his World War I series. Harris states: "As the United States entered World War One to preserve democracy in Europe, it became increasingly undemocratic on the domestic front. War hysteria and paranoia would sweep America with German-Americans and other recent immigrants being victimized in its wake." Come and learn more about it.

Reservations are not required for this free program.

October Books-Sandwiched-In

In 1907, the State of New York issued a provisional charter to the Sodus Circulating Library Association to form a circulating library and reading room for the residents of the First Fire District of Sodus. From this beginning, we've grown into the Sodus Free Library of 2007. To learn some of what happened in between, sign up now for our October 16th Books-Sandwiched-In. Shirley Patchett, Library volunteer columnist for the Sun & Record, will be presenting One Hundred Years of the Sodus Free Library. Reservations are required; $3 covers the program and noon lunch.

Library Board Meets Thursday

The September meeting of the Sodus Free Library Board of Trustees will be held at 4 p.m. this Thursday, October 11th. Board meetings are open to the public.

Library Closing

The Library will be closed on Monday, October 8th, for the Columbus Day holiday.

Treasure Your Freedom To Read

What better time to celebrate our freedom to read than Banned Books Week? This year's theme is "Treasure Your Freedom To Read, Get Hooked on a Banned Book."

During Banned Books Week, September 29 - October 6, 2007, thousands of libraries and bookstores throughout the nation are celebrating the most basic freedom of a democratic society -- the freedom to read. According to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, more than a book a day faces removal from free and open public access in American schools and libraries.

"Not every book is right for every reader," said ALA President Loriene Roy. "Libraries serve users from a variety of backgrounds - that's why libraries need - and have - such a wide range of materials. Individuals must have the right to choose what materials are suitable for themselves and their families."

The "10 Most Challenged Books of 2006" reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles: And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher, Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye, also by Toni Morrison, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler, the Gossip Girl series by Cecily Von Ziegesar, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and the Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz.