What's Happening at the Quitman Public Library, Quitman TX -- February 22, 2013

Spring is just around the corner, and we are planning to have an Open House, an Author’s Expo and an Art Show during the month of May 2013.  There are so many new things and services offered by our Quitman Public Library, and we want to share our excitement with the community.

            Spring cleaning has begun early this year, and thanks to our volunteers, Amanda Rogers and Virginia Hoffpauir, every shelf and every one of our 25,000+ books have been wiped off and cleaned. 

We are pleased that Gordon Schulz  has constructed custom shelving for our Audio room to accommodate our 500+ audiobooks. Also H-Tronics has installed a sound system for the main gallery that serves as a public address system and allows us to play light music on occasion.

            Lately, the library has been busier than ever with much more activity in the Youth Section.  This may be partially due to the addition of our new pet gecko the children have named Stanley.  He is a leopard gecko from Pakistan (hence the name), and he is sponsored by Casey’s Pet Shop, Winnsboro TX.

                Today, the library hosted The Great Library Scavenger Hunt for Homeschoolers organized by Jessica King.   There were age-appropriate clues children (K - 8). It was fun way to reinforce library skills and network with other area home- schoolers. The library sponsored prizes for everyone.

            The Quitman Public Library Advisory Board will meet on March 14, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.  Friends of the Library members are always welcome to join these bi-monthly meetings.

GED classes are in session each Wednesday from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., and English as a Second Language (ESL) meet on Thursdays from from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.  The classes are taught by Sandra Grider. 

Knitting instruction is offered by Virginia Hoffpauir in the library’s main gallery each Thursday, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Virginia has 40+ years of experience in hand-knitting, can teach all levels, and can unravel almost any snag. Bring your own supplies and join the group for a fun time of free instruction. 

The Wood County TX Genealogical Society will begin their “Root-Digger’s Road Show” which is where the members present genealogy training at different locations throughout the county. The society’s first presentation will be at the Gilbreath Memorial Library, Winnsboro, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.

            The crowd is really growing at the  Acoustical Bluegrass Jams which are held here at the Quitman Public Library on the 2^nd Friday of each month 5-9p.m. The public is invited to join in and play, sing, or just listen.  It’s free and lots of fun!  Next one is Friday, March 8th, 2013!

As always, I thank the Friends of the Library for its generous support of the Quitman Public Library.

The Great Library Scavenger Hunt at the Quitman Public Library

The Quitman Public Library is hosting The Great Library Scavenger Hunt this Friday, February 22nd at noon. There will be age appropriate clues for younger and older children (K - 8). This is a fun way to reinforce library skills and meet other area home- schoolers. If the weather stays nice, we would like to suggest playing at Quitman's Gov. James Hogg Park afterwards. The event has been organized for those who home-school, but all children are welcome.

Free IRS Tax Help @ Quitman Public Library

Tax preparation volunteer, Lisa Dominguez, will offer free line-by-line help to assist those who wish to prepare their own taxes.

This is free tax help only – as a pencil and paper workshop for the following dates:

January 30, 6 – 7 p.m.

February 20, 2013 6 – 7 p.m.

February 27, 2013, 6 – 7 p.m.

Bring the following materials with you:

Social Security numbers for everyone listed on the tax return (including children) Birth dates of everyone listed on the tax return Photo I.D. Last year's tax return W-2 forms, 1099 forms and any other taxable and nontaxable income statements or forms Receipts for charitable donations Property taxes paid in 2012 on your home

Daycare expenses (include provider's name, address and tax ID or Social Security number) Receipts for purchase of school-related material for K-12 students Form 1098-T for college, technical college or other post-secondary schools Form 1098-E if interest was paid on a student loan RENTERS: Form CRP from your landlord HOMEOWNERS: 2013 property tax bill

Eublepharis macularius a.k.a. Stanley the Leopard Gecko

Eublepharis macularius "Stanley"

There is a new addition to the Quitman Public Library -- a Leopard Gecko named “Stanley” sponsored by Mark and Pam Wallis, Owners of Casey’s Pets in Winnsboro, TX.   Leopard Geckos are brightly colored, are native to semi-arid areas Central Asia, and they eat small crickets and meal worms.  Stanley’s permanent home is a large terrarium located in the library’s youth section.  

             Regular hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Call 903-763-4191 for more information or visit our website at www.quitmanlibrary.org  

Review: Hitlerland: American Eyewitnesses to the Nazi Rise to Power

Delene H. Allen's review

Photo from Goodreads

Read in January, 2013

This well-written book proves that Andrew Nagorski has thoroughly researched the Nazi Rise to Power in the 1930s. Essentially, this story covers the account of American correspondents prior to when Hitler launched his attack on Poland. Hitler wiped Poland out in four short weeks. Nagorski's account covers how Nazi officials dealt with the embassy staff for the United States Consulate, and he shows readers 1930s Germany from the perspective of the American Embassy staff. I found the interviews with Hilter to be enlightening, because there were somewhat shocking things I had never before read. Example: There was a General Motors plant in Germany and an American was an overseer of the operation during this time! I enjoyed this book, yet I was disturbed by eerie parallel with our present day. For example, the media then was designed to deceive the masses, and I perceive that our media today is likewise biased and distorted. After reading this book, I am more convinced than ever that history does indeed repeat itself -- and that can be a fearful thing.

Happy New Year 2013!

It’s a Happy New Year at the Quitman Public Library! Each month, staff member Melissa Frosch carefully selects media that highlights a particular theme, and prepares a display for the patron’s enjoyment.  This month, her theme focuses on New Year’s resolutions of being “Healthier, Wealthier, and Wiser.”  

            The Quitman Public Library Advisory Board recently accepted the resignation of R.T. Bridges who completed two terms as Chairman. Mayor Jerry Edwards and the Quitman City Council have approved of and appointed Dorothy Harbin to serve.   The next meeting is scheduled March 14, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. 

English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED classes are back in session Thursdays from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. The class is taught by Sandra Grider. 

Knitting instruction is offered by Virginia Hoffpauir in the library’s main gallery each Thursday, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Virginia has over 45 years of experience in hand-knitting, can teach all levels, and can unravel almost any snag. Bring your own supplies and join the group for a fun time of free instruction. 

The Wood County TX Genealogical Society will continue its guest-speaker series that focuses on the families and histories of smaller communities in Wood County.  Recent guests have talked about growing up in Pine Mills and the Cartwright community. Join the group when it meets Monday, January 21, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. when the meeting will  focus on Alba-Golden and the Rhoads community.  Attendees will discover that Alba was once the largest settlement in the area due to its coal mines and boasted having the first automobile owner in Wood County.

            The library is hosting Acoustical Bluegrass Jams on the 2^nd Friday of each month 5-9p.m. The public is invited to join in and play, sing, or just listen.  It’s free and lots of fun!  Next one is January 11, 2013!

New Books to Arrive:

Invisible by Carla Buckley, Collateral Damage by Stuart Woods, Threat Vector by Tom Clancy, Two Graves by Preston & Child, The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, Mad River by John Sanford, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, Against the Odds by Kat Martin, Big Sky River by Linda Lael Miller, Heart of a Hero Series (Trilogy) by Shelley Gray, Aftershock by Jill Sorenson.

Happy New Year!!

From: Delene, Melissa, Mallory, Allyson, Martha & Virginia