mothrmöv

On September 20^th, three special guests visited the library and presented a wonderful story time.  A harpist, an English horn player, and a dancer performed “The Ugly Duckling,” the well-known story by Hans Christian Andersen.  The dancer interpreted each character.  Children were entranced, and responded to the music whether happy or sad.

Performances such as this are paid for with funds from the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment.  I am so happy to see our tax dollars used to introduce children to classical music and dance. Rural libraries especially benefit from this program, letting us provide wonderful performances that our children would not usually see in person.

The next extra fun thing we’ll have at the library is a visit from the Tail Waggin Tutors on October 12 at 10:00. These wonderful dogs are certified therapy dogs and love to listen to young readers read. 

And now for some new books!

Kate McMullan has a brand new book, “As Warm As the Sun.”  This sweet story is about a French bulldog named Toby who has to get used to his new bulldog sister, Pinky.  (They had me at French bulldogs)  Toby loves to bask in the sun, and Pinky is determined to prove that she is the perfect “warm as the sun” companion. 

“Ball and Balloon,” by Rob Sanders, is about jealousy between a ball and a balloon.  I didn’t expect it   For example, read this exchange between Ball and Balloon:  “How did you learn to fly?” asks Ball.  Balloon hadn’t learned to fly.  It was just something inside him.  “Gas,” he replied.”  I’m still laughing.
to be so funny.

Now that the first day of school is past, we can all relax.  “Butterflies on the First Day of School,” by Annie Silvestro, is a gentle story about a little girl named Rosie who bravely faces her first day of   Her mom helpfully tells her her tummy ache is just butterflies in her stomach.  When Rosie and her equally shy friend start to talk to each other, beautiful butterflies fly out of their mouths.  While I find this a little disturbing, none of the reviewers at amazon.com mentioned that.
school.

Finally, Susan and James Patterson (yes, THAT James Patterson) have released “Bigger Words for Little Geniuses.”  This is their third “little geniuses” book.  The first two were “Big Words for Little Geniuses,” and “Cuddly Critters for Little Geniuses. The Pattersons are indeed husband and wife.  The “Big Words for Little Geniuses” book was a big hit with the geniuses in our family.  The books are exactly what they say – collections of unusual words that require a dictionary to understand and pronounce.

These books, and more, are waiting for you at our local bibliotheca.

Another Day that will Live in Infamy

By Jan Pease

When you see the date, “September 11,” does a chill run down your spine?  I remember coming to work that day having just heard that America was under attack, including Minneapolis.  We quickly looked at the news on the Internet, a new thing back then, and discovered that Minneapolis was fine, but that the east coast was in turmoil.  A book salesman was visiting the library whose brother worked at the Pentagon. What a day.  Anyone who was alive back then probably can still recount what they were doing when they realized the magnitude of the attack.  2001 was 18 years ago. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 28.5% of Americans are under 18.  So what do we tell them, especially if they’re children?

Here is a list of books that explore this day in our history.

“The September 11 Attacks Transform America,” by Whitney Sanderson, published in 2018 by The   This nonfiction book is part of the “Events that Changed America” series.
Child’s World, is a book with a lot of information in only 32 pages.

“America is Under Attack,” by Don Brown, was published in 2011 by Roaring Brook Press.  This book is designed for very young children, but has great information.  Don Brown is a well-known author of books for young children that delve into history.  

“A Nation Challenged: a Visual History of 9/11 and Its Aftermath,” staff at the New York Times and published by Scholastic in 2002 as a young reader’s edition.  This book is shelved in the adult area (973.931).  Reviews of the book are mixed.  The photography and text in the first part of the book are described as spectacular, but the second half of the book shows a bias against American involvement in Afghanistan. 

Sometimes fiction books can help a reader process a tragic event.  “I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001,” by Lauren Tarshish, is part of the very popular “I Survived” series.  In this book, a boy skips school and rides the train into New York City to visit one of his dad’s friends, a  firefighter.  Just as he reaches the fire station, the planes crash into the twin towers.    Ms. Tarshish thinks and writes about famous disasters, and her books just fly off the shelves.

“Nine, Ten: a September 11 Story,” by Nora Raleigh Baskin, looks at the days just before September 11, and how the disaster changes the lives of four young people in different parts of the U.S.

Finally, “Truthers,” by Geoffrey Girard, examines conspiracy theories inspired by 9/11.  For an interesting time, read some of the reviews at Amazon.com about this book.  Mr. Gerard tells an  intriguing story about a young girl’s search for truth hidden among her father’s bizarre claims of what really happened on that tragic day.

 (Note: one Amazon reviewer seems to have mixed up “Truthers” with “Among the Truthers,” by Jonathan Kay, an examination of various conspiracy theories.

Where were you on that fateful morning?  I was at Litchfield Public Library!

   

Revised job posting - Library assistant

JOB OPENING: LIBRARY ASSISTANT III
LITCHFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Job Description: Provides reference, research, and specialized circulation services to library patrons in locating and utilizing library materials and services.   Handles incoming and outgoing interlibrary loan deliveries.  Leads a craft program for older children.

Qualifications:  Knowledge of library system operations, procedures, and resources; ability to work effectively with the general public; ability to plan, implement, and promote specialized events and programs; ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers; proficient with computers and related technology; ability to work independently; strong communication skills.

Education and experience required: High school diploma or equivalency, plus one year of directly-related experience; or a combination of education, experience and training necessary to perform the essential requirements of the work. 

Physical Requirements:  Must be able to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, lift, feel, grasp, talk, hear and see.  Some light lifting and carrying may be required up to 25 pounds.

Hours:  Mondays 1-8 pm, Tuesdays 1-8 or 3-8 pm, Wednesdays 9:30 am-2 pm, and one to two Saturdays per month 9:45 am – 5 pm.  Additional subbing as needed.

Application deadline:  Until filled

Applications available at the library or www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us .  Submit them to:

Beth Cronk
Litchfield Public Library
P.O. Box 220
Litchfield, MN 55355

Phone: (320)693-2483

We made a small change to this job description: they will lead a craft and activity program for 3rd through 5th graders rather than teens.