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Month Day, 2015



After spending four days at the American Library Association Midwinter Conference last weekend, I am stoked with new ideas for the library and our community. This year's theme was "libraries transform," and I attended a lot of discussion groups, lectures, and workshop sessions on community sustainability. I hope that I can bring some of these ideas home to Douglas, making the library an integral part of our town's strategy to thrive in the ever-deepening information age.

I'd love to see Douglas residents have access to a local computer lab, spaces set aside for one-on-one tutoring and small group meetings, a playlab where kids can experiment and explore through play, a maker-space for local, small-scale production using 3-D printers, and a slew of other things. The state of our building doesn't make these things possible (which will hopefully change sooner rather than later), but I am constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the space we already have to make it more appealing, functional, and suitable for the needs of this specific community while we continue to seek out support for a renovation. I want to re-iterate my open-office, open-email policy: if you have an idea, I want to hear it. Don't be shy--get in touch!

Thank you,

Justin Snook
Director, Simon Fairfield Public Library
A Message from the Friends

The Friends of the Simon Fairfield Public Library are preparing for an exciting 2016. Membership application and renewal forms are being mailed out on the week of January 25, so look for a colorful flier in the mail! Your tax deductible donations are essential to continue providing exciting programs for children and adults in the community. If you do not receive a flier, extras are available at the library. Call, email, or visit if you have any questions!
Give to the library without actually giving!
We know that a lot of people love books so much that they just have to buy them to love and keep forever. We know that a lot of people turn to Amazon to supply those books, as well films, music, toys, vacuum cleaners, electric screwdrivers, car seats, coffee filters, bird seed, hot pot holders, and lightsabers.

Starting now, 5 cents per every dollar you spend on Amazon can go directly to the Friends of the Simon Fairfield Public Library. How? Amazon Smile. Amazon Smile is identical to the main Amazon website in every way. Same products. Same searching. Same Prime functionality. The only difference is that Amazon donates a percentage of your purchases made on smile.amazon.com to the nonprofit of your choice, of which our very own Friends group is now an option.

So please, if you can be troubled, click here. Bookmark that link. Use it when you do your Amazon shopping, and let Amazon help fund next year's library programs. 
MORE SCIENCE!
Our young scientists program was so popular that we are doing it again! In conjunction with the YMCA Family and Community Partnership, we are hosting a month-long course for children ages 3-5 (accompanied by a caregiver). The course will entail a series of hands-on activities with science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as a story time.

The dates for the course are Wednesdays, March 2, 9, 16, and 30--at 10:00 am sharp. Please call 508-476-2695 or email dsoderman@cwmars.org to register today! 
MORE MAGIC!
Ed the Wizard, a perennial favorite, will present Alchemy Laboratory, an entertaining program for children of all ages, on Thursday, January 21 at 6:00 pm. Watch, volunteer, and learn as we perform vanishes, transfigurations, and other feats of magic with everyday items found at home.