February Newsletter

February 2021 Newsletter

Springvale Public Library

Announcements: The library will be closed on Monday, February 15, in observance of Presidents Day.

The Annual Appeal donations are still coming back to us. We are so grateful for the support of our community.

Please help us welcome our newest staff member, Ginnie Drouin! Pop in once we are open to the public again and say hello

The Backyard Bird Count is February 12-15. See further down for details!

The Winter Reading Challenge has been very well received! You still have time to join in the fun. The Winter Reading Challenge is going on until March 31st. Read books and win prizes!

In Lieu of my letter from the Director, I give you an ode to my staff:

Dawn, the brightness and energy that you are greeted by daily. Books bought to engage, entertain, and learn, just for you. Sam so reliable, kind, and funny whose laughter echoes through the building. Always knowing the perfect thing for you to read. Those audio books you enjoy, all Sam through and through. Sheila, who sparkles with joy for her job and love for the families that she serves. She crafts, she reads, she teaches, and Zooms. Rebecca, who calls you with your wishes granted, and sorts through the totes of MILS books. Nancy who prepares your family crafts with care. Nancy who dashes about, doing everything she’s asked, greeting everyone with great cheer. Terry and Aaron who keep our building clean and tidy, our sidewalks safe for all. Ginnie, who we’ve welcomed in as family just new to the fold. No one above will feel slighted at all when I say, Susie Riding the best of them all! Susie has given of her time, volunteered, cataloged, spread joy, and helped us balance our books with the most important fundraiser of all, our Annual Appeal! The official time of joining our staff was perhaps 24 years, but most likely 28. The Annual Appeal she started a bit less than a decade ago, from small donations to an enormous revenue for real. Susie, most importantly, has shared kindness and a passion for this library and our community. While her retirement has us all forlorn, we know that she’ll always be near; for this library is the heart of the Riding family.

~ A Grateful Director

Mark Your Calendars! Arlene Jackson will be hosting her last book group for the winter in March, The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline. All meetings will be done via Zoom.

A special thank you to Arlene for the wonderful book group. We are in the process of putting together a new Springvale Library book group. Stay tuned for details!

Children's Programing

Stay at Home Story Time is every Friday morning at 10:00 am. Miss Sheila presents a few stories and preschool interactions through Facebook Live. Feel free to join in the chat.

Winter Scavenger Hunt kits are available now for families to enjoy together. Pick up curbside and have some fun outside!

Take it-Create it crafts are available every week. Come by and get your craft of the week to make at home. Feel free to send us some pictures-we love to see all the amazing creations!

Winter Reading Program theme is “Inside Outside”. Pick up a folder curbside began on January 11th. Kids can read through February 26th to earn free books and a special wintery prize!

Are you a new homeschooler? Please reach out to Sheila for resources and information about our weekly homeschool meetup on Zoom. Currently, we meet Thursday mornings at 10 am.

Middle and High school students can be offered research seminars upon request led by Lesley, our new director, and former high school librarian.

Adult Programing

The Winter Reading Group will be meeting via Zoom on Wednesday February 3rd at 10:00 am. The book to be discussed is The Immigrants written by Howard Fast. Next month the group will be reading The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline.

Adult Reading Challenge is available now! Read through March to win prizes!

Knit and Chat with Dawn! On Tuesday February 23, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm Dawn is going to Zoom with anyone who would like to join her in an hour of knitting and conversation. Email us at spl@springvalelibrary.org for the zoom link.

Lesley’s Craft of the month is a Book Page Wreath with Paper Roses. This is a beautiful, but time consuming craft just perfect for sitting and listening to an audio book while you roll paper. You can pick up your kit after Feb. 1st and Lesley will be on FaceBook Live to show you how to make your wreath on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6pm. There are only 25 kits available to hurry by to get yours!

Back Yard Bird Count

Between the dates 2/12 and 2/15

Each year people from around the world come together to watch, learn about, count, and celebrate birds. Participating is easy, fun to do alone, or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds. It is recommended that you watch over the span of four days. Details, apps, and links can be found at www.birdcount.org

Covid-19 Vaccine Information

Maine Health now has a vaccine hotline to pre-register for the vaccine. The number is 1-877-780-7545.

There is no cost for vaccine, but there may be a fee for administering it depending on where you received your vaccine.

We have more detailed information on our website. Please be aware that information on the Covid virus and vaccine is constantly changing. You can get the most up to date information on the following websites:

www.mainehealth.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Vaccine (Maine Health virus information)

www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/documents/frequently-asked-questions.pdf (Maine State CDC FAQs)

www.cdc.gov (US Centers for Disease for any health questions or concerns)

In addition to the above sites if you do not have internet access you can call 211 for information. We are always available to help you navigate the web, set up email accounts and other technology tools.

Staff Picks

Layla Colleen Hoover *Nancy

Always the Last to Know Kristan Higgins *Sam

Squeeze Me Carl Hiaasen *Dawn

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie Marie Benedict *Dawn

When We Believed in Mermaids Barbara O’Neal *Dawn

I’ll be the One Lyla Lee *Sheila

The Silent Patient Alex Michaelides *Lesley