Director's Corner - April 2013

Quitman Public Library News

If you haven’t noticed, the Quitman Public Library is one of the busiest places in town – and that’s a very good thing!   

            Across the country gardeners are celebrating National Gardening Month!  On display this month is a collection of books -- ranging from novice to expert -- to help you grow your best garden ever!  Many of the books were selected by and purchased with funds donated by the Quitman Garden Club.

            This is short notice, but the library is hosting an Art Show for Erica Fry on Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Shamburger Community Room, and the public is invited.  Erica Fry is owner of Murals Plus+ and has been working on the mural in the library’s Young Adult Department, and it is a one-of-a-kind sight to behold.  

Also, the staff and I are planning an Open House and Author’s Expo which will be an all-day event on Friday, May 3, 2013.  Some of the scheduled authors will be Jerry Yost, Jackie Blackerby Ricks, Rebecca Crump, Maryann Miller and  Dot Drulman Strause.  

The Friends are welcome to set up a community information table for the Open House.  Hopefully, by then, we should receive the 4’ x 8’ banner designed exclusively for the Friends of the QuitmanPublic Library (pictured).

            The Quitman Public Library Advisory Board will meet on April 11, 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.  Bring your own supplies and join the group for a fun time of free instruction.  Light refreshments and finger foods welcome.

The Wood County TX Genealogical Society will meet Monday, April 15, 2013 at 7 p.m.  An open workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. for anyone who needs help with family history research.

            The crowd is really growing at the Acoustical Bluegrass Jam which is 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, April 12, 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. As always, I thank the Friends of the Library for its generous support of the Quitman Public Library.

Delene H. Allen

Library Director

Happy Easter from QPL!

The library will be closed Friday, March 29th for Good Friday.  We will re-open on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 10 a.m.  The library staff and volunteers wish everyone a safe and Happy Easter!

QPL Celebrates National Gardening Month

Across the country gardeners are celebrating National Gardening Month!  On display this month is a collection of books -- ranging from novice to expert -- to help you grow your best garden ever!  Many of the books were selected by and purchased with funds donated by the Quitman Garden Club.

Genealogy Meeting - Monday, March 18th at 7 p.m.

Just a brief reminder that the March regular meeting of the Wood County Genealogical society is Monday, March 18, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Quitman Public Library, Those interested are invited to a gathering at 5 p.m. at Peralta's Mexican Food Restaurant in Quitman. The library meeting room will open at 6 p.m., and family research volunteers will be available to help anyone who is seeking research assistance.

Free knitting class today 2 - 4 p.m. at Quitman Public Library - Quitman TX taught by Virginia Hoffpauir! Bring your own supplies and join the fun! All levels welcome. Virginia says it's okay to bring non-greasy finger foods and drinks.
“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either.”
― Elizabeth Zimmermann

Library Notes by Delene H. Allen, Wood County Democrat – Wood County, TX

                March is National Women’s History Month, as declared by Congress in 1987, and the library is recognizing this with a media display honoring extraordinary achievements of American women. Stop in and check it out.

Spring has begun early this year thanks to volunteer, Amanda Rogers, who has cleaned and straightened every shelf and every one of our 25,000+ books.  We are pleased that Gordon Schulz has constructed new 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 at times.

                Due to a shortage of AARP volunteers in Wood County, there will be no free Federal Income Tax assistance at the Quitman Public Library this year.  The nearest locations will be the Lindale Public Library (903-885-3383) and Wesley United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs (903-885-3383).

                 Library hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Visit our website at www.quitmanlibrary.org. Stop by soon and check out what your library has to offer.

Adult Services

GED classes meet each Wednesday from 4-6 p.m., and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes meet each Thursday 4-6 p.m.  The free classes are taught by Sandra Grider.

Knitting and crochet 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 most snags. Bring your own supplies and join the group for a fun time of free instruction. 

Young Adult and Children’s Services

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 in Winnsboro.

We recently 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 homeschoolers. The library sponsored prizes for everyone.  

Story Time meets each Friday at 11 a.m.  The program and craft activities are designed for preschoolers, but anyone who wants to hear a good story is welcome.  Special thanks go to volunteer readers, Sara de la Rosa, Stephanie Felty, Thomas Harrell II, Diane Moseley, Wayne McCluney, Erica Fry, Amanda Rogers and Virginia Hoffpauir.

Advisory Board

                The Quitman Public Library Advisory Board will meet Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the Shamburger Community Room.  Among the items on the agenda will be updating the library’s media policy.  The public is always welcome to attend advisory board meetings.

Friends of the Library

                The Friends of the Quitman Public Library invites the public to join them at their next meeting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.  Please note that the meeting is usually at noon, but will be meeting one hour earlier to accommodate the schedule of special guest speaker, Mark Scirto, Chief Meteorologist from KLVT-7.

Friends of the Library is an active group of volunteers dedicated to the growth and improvement of the library.  The public is always invited to bring a lunch and spend an hour with people who really love their library.   

Genealogy

                The society will meet on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the Shamburger Community room at the Quitman Public Library.  Anyone is welcome to join society members for their “pre-meeting” social at one of the area’s local restaurants.  That information is always posted at their web blog:  http://www.woodtxgene.com.

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.  Check their website for meeting time.

Ancestry.com is now available at no charge for library patron. This subscription is provided by a generous gift from members of the Wood County Genealogical Society.

On Display

A collection of keys is on display in the lobby showcase through the month of March 2013.  The keys are part of my personal collection. The ancient Greeks saw keys as symbols for unlocking the door to knowledge, life, wealth, health and love. I just collect them because it makes me happy, which I suppose encompasses all of those things  Among my favorites are those keys that have been given to me by friends.   

New Arrivals

                We have a new Large Print and Audio CD display that showcases our newest arrivals such as: Beneath the Burning Ground by Jeanne Williams, Cotton’s Law by Phil Dunlap, Big Man, Big Mountain by Wade Everett, The Last Gunfighter: Sudden Fury by William H. Johnstone, The Last Ride of Jed Strange by Frank Leslie.

One Day Only -- Free Tax Help on Wednesday, February 27th

Free help with tax preparation is available at the Quitman Public Library, located at 202 East Goode Street. Tax preparation volunteer, Lisa Dominguez, will present a free line-by-line workshop to assist those who wish to prepare their own taxes. Dominguez says this is a free tax help only- as a pencil and paper workshop. The seminars will be available February 27 beginning at 6 p.m.
You are asked to bring a Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), photo identification such as a driver’s license, spouse (if filing a joint tax return), all W-2 wage and tax statements from all employers for the year 2012, all 1099 forms for taxpayer and spouse if filing jointly and a copy of any educational expenses paid to a qualified educational institution.
Other pieces of information that are essential for filing a tax return are lists, bills or receipts of expenses for out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses, property taxes, auto vehicle registration, home mortgage interest payments, charitable contributions and miscellaneous expenses that could be used to itemize deductions and reduce the amount of taxes to be paid.
Families with children who are cared for by a child care provider should bring the tax identification number of the provider for child and dependent care credit. For more information call 903-763-4191.