Yes, It's Chocolate!

It's that time again - our Fifth Annual Valentine Chocolate Sale will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13th, and on Thursday, February 14th. The Friends of the Sodus Free Library are now signing people up, both to make goodies and to work at the sale. If you have time to do either, please call or stop by the Library and add your name to the list. And be sure to mark your calendars so you don't miss the delicious fun.

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Knitting Group Resumes

Our knitters are at it again. They are now meeting every Friday from 10 a.m. until noon. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Don't know the difference between a knit and a purl? Drop by and we'll help you get started.

Cast Your Ballot

At the annual Association meeting of the Sodus Free Library, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 7th, we will elect three Trustees. The public is invited to come to this meeting, and to vote in the election. Two of the open positions are for five-year terms, expiring in 2013, while one position is to fill a mid-term vacancy, expiring in 2012.

Three people have applied for these positions: Tom Garlipp, Michael Madison, and Martha Miller. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will fill the full term open positions, and the candidate with the least votes will fill the mid-term vacancy.

If you would like to cast your ballot but will be unable to attend the meeting, stop by our circulation desk and ask for an absentee ballot. To be eligible to vote, you must be at least 16 years of age, live within the Town of Sodus, and have an active Pioneer Library System library card.

Holiday Closing

The Sodus Free Library will be closed Monday, January 21st, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Awards Announced

Congratulations to the award-winning authors and illustrators named by the American Library Association this morning! Laura Amy Schlitz won the 2008 Newbery Medal for the year's most outstanding contribution to children's literature, "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village." Brian Selznick won the Caldecott Medal for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret;" this award just made my day. In the teen category, Geraldine McCaughrean won the Michael L. Printz Award for "The White Darkness." Click here for the entire list of medal and honor books. There are some great titles listed, and you can place an OWWL Hold on any of them.

Friends Meeting

The January meeting of the Friends of the Sodus Free Library will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15th. (Please note the change of time from 4 to 3.)

Tax Forms Available

January brings tax forms to the Library. If you're getting ready to file, stop by or call to see if we have the forms you need. We can help you download any that are not yet available.

"Sometimes Books Are Better"

Click here for the Library Ninja's take on books vs. computers.

Recognition

I was just looking through the November 30, 2007, issue of Entertainment Weekly. In every issue of the magazine, Jessica Shaw compares what's "in," "five minutes ago," and "out." According to this issues Shaw Report, buying books online is out, reading in the bookstore is five minutes ago, and ... drum roll ... getting a library card is in. It made my day!

As seen here, the issue also named J. K. Rowling as EW's 2007 Entertainer of the Year. Citing her ability to inspire countless numbers of children to read, the article states, "In an era of tinier-is-better mobisodes, minisodes, and webisodes, she got people to tote around her big, fat old-fashioned printed-on-paper books as if they were the hottest new entertainment devices on the planet." It's great to see books, reading, and libraries discussed in such a positive light - and twice in the same issue. Thanks for the recognition, EW.

A reminder: the current issues of our magazines are for in-library use only, while all past issues check out for a three week loan.

Library Board Meets Thursday

The January meeting of the Sodus Free Library Board of Trustees will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 10th. Library Board meetings are open to the public.

Receive Holds Faster

Spending an extra minute to check the "Full Details" of an OWWL record can shorten your wait for that book you can't wait to read, or that movie you're just dying to see. Follow these tips to receive those Holds faster.

You've probably noticed that some titles show up more than once in the online catalog. When placing a Hold at home, check to see if Sodus is listed on that specific record before you place your Hold. Did you know that OWWL Holds placed by Sodus Free Library cardholders rise to the top of the list for our library's copy of that title? So, click on "Full Details" to see if we're listed - if we are, place your Hold on that record. You'll then bypass the Holds of cardholders from other libraries and receive that book or DVD much faster. If we're not listed as holding the title you're requesting, place your Hold on the record which shows the greatest number of libraries owning the title; that will also speed up your journey through the reserve list.

Applications Due

If you are interested in serving as a Trustee on the Sodus Free Library Board, stop by after noon tomorrow to pick up an application at our circulation desk. Thursday, January 3rd, is the last day to submit an application. Trustees meet at 4 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month, and are responsible for policy making, building maintenance, funding, and advocacy.

Three Trustee positions will be voted on at the February 7th Annual Association meeting. Trustees Tom Garlipp and Martha Miller have stated their intention to run for reelection. After several terms of service, Trustee Audrey Ferris is retiring from the Board (and will be sorely missed!).

If you would like more information, stop by tomorrow, or give me a call at 483-9292.