A Fond Farewell -- and Looking Ahead to the End of the Year

Well, if you haven't heard the news yet, I have accepted a new librarian position over at the Comstock Township Library near Kalamazoo and will be leaving the Vicksburg District Library.  I have really enjoyed working with all you teens and getting to know the community.  It was a wonderful experience and I will miss you all.  My last day will be Halloween, so come on out and say goodbye before I leave.  

Okay, that being said, the fun isn't stopping at the Vicksburg Library!!  On Thursday, October 31, in celebration of Halloween, we are having our monthly teen/tween event.  Come in that day at 4:00pm to participate in a Food Fear Factor.  All you need to do is bring an empty stomach and your sense of adventure to participate in an extreme (and gross) eating challenge.  There will be lots of fun and prizes, too!  

Then it will be November (already)!  On Tuesday, November 5, from 3-4, there will be a Writers' Workshop in honor of November is National Write a Novel Month.  All writers are welcome to bring stories they are currently working on to ask for help or suggestions.  Anyone interested in writing is welcome, too!  And then on Tuesday, November 12, from 3-4, there will be Free Wii Play.  Bring in a Wii game from home or play one of ours!  

The last teen event of the month of November is the monthly teen/tween event, run by Ms. Kristy.  On Thursday, November 21, at 4pm, we will be doing an "Attitude of Gratitude" event -- come in and make blankets and "snuggles" for animals that we will then donate to an area animal shelter.  See how good it feels to give back and do something for charity -- right before Thanksgiving!  And that will do it for November -- we have no programming the last week of the month because of the Thanksgiving holiday.  (Don't forget that the Vicksburg District Library is closed on Thanksgiving, but reopens the next day for normal Friday business hours -- 10 to 5).

That brings us to December, which generally has no programming or events; everyone is so busy that we like to give everyone a break for the holidays and the librarians use the time to plan new programs for the rest of the winter and spring.  This year -- however -- Ms. Kristy and I settled on just a few small things to keep everyone in good spirits.  On Thursday, December 5, at 4pm, we will hold the next "Pizza and Pages" bookclub.  The pick for this time is "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli -- come in and check out a copy at the library and be ready to discuss by the next meeting.  (Usually the bookclub is the fourth Thursday of the month, but we bumped it from November due to Thanksgiving.)

On the next Thursday, December 12, Ms. Kristy will host a special holiday event for all ages!  The community is invited to make Candy Cottages from 5-7pm -- we'll supply all of the music and supplies for the houses, you supply the creativity!  Then on the following Tuesday, December 17, there will be a special teen event (at the normal 3-4pm time) for a "Welcome Winter" party.  Come and enjoy food, games, and crafts as you learn about different seasonal holidays.  

Also, don't forget about T.A.B. -- the Teen Advisory Board!  We are still taking new members -- sign up to help plan programs, help pick out books and movies to add to the library's collection, and to possibly get credit for school volunteer hours.   The meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month from 3-4pm, ask at the Circulation Desk for more information.  The next meetings are: Thursday, October 24, and Thursday, November 21.  
  
Lastly, a reminder of our holiday hours as the year draws to a close.  Like I mentioned before, the Vicksburg District Library is closed on Thursday, November 28, for Thanksgiving.  The library is also closed Tuesday, December 24 for Christmas Eve; Wednesday, December 25 for Christmas; Tuesday, December 31 for New Year's Eve; and Wednesday, January 1 for New Year's Day.  We will be open all of the days in between for normal business hours.  Have fun and be safe!

Any questions or comments?  Contact the library at 649-1648 or at info@vicksburglibrary.org.  Hope to see you soon!!