Lou's News & Reviews
April 14, 2010
April is National Handwriting Month
When is the last time you received a hand-written letter? Wasn't it a special treat? I'll gladly throw down my bills and advertisements for the lure of that cursive script. Invariably, I'll sniff the paper, hoping for a lingering scent of a loved one. Ron Hall recently asked if the library would be willing to take part in promoting April's letter writing month. I sent him my reply with a hand-written message in a card - just to show I meant business! Stop by the library this month to check out another of Karen Roger's great displays featuring "epistolary" works - a fancy way of saying novels that involve letter writing to advance the plot. I just read another one, The Swan Thieves, that involves a painter who becomes obsessed with a long-dead female artist and it is through letters that we uncover the mystery. Delicious!
Feel like your handwriting could use more of a flourish? Joyce Lyster, is donating her time and expertise of 30 years to teach an introductory calligraphy class in April. Free to the public, maximum of 15 people. Supplies will be provided, but bring your own calligraphy pen if you have it. At the very least, you'll leave with an ability to dash off a really eye-catching note or addressed envelope with style. Space is limited so call to sign up: 468-2265.
Meet Author Janet Thomas - April 24th
Mark your calendars for April 24th at 6pm for an author reading and presentation by San Juan writer, Janet Thomas. Thomas, author of Day Breaks over Dharamsala is also a playwright with a long history of participation in civic and environmental issues.
Janet Thomas was born in Wales and lived ten years in Canada before moving to the Northwest. She's lived on San Juan Island for 15 years. Throughout the 1980s, Thomas' plays were produced in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC. She wrote At Home In Hostel Territory, a travel guide to hostels of the west, and was editor of SPA Magazine for five years. The Battle in Seattle: The Story Behind and Beyond the WTO Demonstrations was published in 2000. Thomas was a contributing editor to the 2007 Northwest Best Places and has contributed to the Lopez Writer's Guild publication, Shark Reef. Come enjoy Janet as she shares her experiences and photos. FREE to the public.
Your library is growing and thriving
In the April 9, 2010 issue of the New York Times, The Lost 'Library Voice' article lamented the lack of quietude to be found in libraries today, what with the increase of usage and addition of popular programs and services bringing folks of all ages and voice levels into the library proper. Our library is seeing similar customer gains but we aren't complaining! We are planning new space utilization to help. The Lopez Island Library has seen an increase of 54% in usage in the past three years. Many times every seat and table are taken. Thanks to input from a community steering group, the Lopez Island Library's long-range plan listed "a comfortable place" as a top service priority. To help meet this goal, the library has asked Lois and Bob Wardell to enclose the patio for year-round use to increase personal space for patrons. We want to hear your ideas for the new library addition which will be built this year. Take a minute to tell us what is most important to you in this new area. The survey is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VLKLRDV. The theme of National Library Week, which began on Sunday, is "Communities Thrive @ Your Library" so let us know what you need!
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