What’s New at the Library - January 19, 2012
Submitted By Joan Huff

“My lifelong love affair with books and reading continues unaffected by automation, computers, and all other forms of the twentieth-century gadgetry.” — Books in My Life -Robert Downs (1903- ). This is a heartening statement and apparently our younger readers have demonstrated this past year that Mr. Downs is not the only lover of reading. Readers of young adult books are usually sixth graders through high school seniors.  From January 1, 2011 through January 1, 2012, this group had 1,827 checkouts of young adult books.  We are now struggling to meet their reading needs.  This is almost a 40% increase in circulation from five years ago.  There were 4,554 checkouts of books for children below the age of twelve in this same time period.  Our children may indeed be texting, ipoding, tweeting, and facebooking but they are also reading age appropriate good literature.

Unfortunately, I had the opportunity to use one of the library’s services last week.  I can sincerely recommend the new Defensive Driving program entitled “Wheels in Motion”.  Through the years I have had the “opportunity” to experience Defensive Driving programs first hand.  This new one is by far the best. If you prefer to either take the course to reduce your insurance rates or because of for other reasons, you can check out this video from the library at no cost.  At least the check out is no cost.

New Best Sellers

Cannell, Stephen - Vigilante
Hoag, Tami - Down the Darkest Road
Horowitz, Anthony - House of Silk
Hunter, Stephen - Soft Target
Nesbo, Jo - The Leopard
Rosenfelt, David - One Dog Night
Woods, Stuart - D. C. Dead

Friends of the Library Membership Drive Continues - September 14, 2011
Submitted by Joan Huff

The Fannie Brown Booth Library continues seeking members for the Friends of the Library program.
This program provides benefits for members while generating much needed funding for new books, services, and technology. Joining the Friends of the Library will help the library continue to provide children’s programs, computer classes, and current, quality library materials. In addition, and most importantly, the library can continue to be the place where community members from all backgrounds can come together to have their world expanded through the magic of books. To become a member you can pick up an application at the library or call 598-5522 to join. Your support is needed and will be greatly appreciated.

New Program for the Library; Become a Friend - August 27, 2001
Submitted by Joan Huff

The Fannie Brown Booth Library is asking for community support through membership in the Friends of the Library program.  This program will assist financially with books, technology, and programs that meet the needs of an increasing number of library users.  The library lost half of its book budget, free technical service, and staff training in the recent statewide library budget cut.  In addition, the increase in daily population in Center has significantly increased the number of library users.

The library board and staff are exploring innovative ways to expand the library’s collection without building cost.  One option is to provide library users with an electronic library.  This library will be accessed through the FBBL website, centerlibrary.org. Library card holders could checkout and download digital print and audio books.  As this technology expands and more area residents use reading and listening devices, an electronic library will be an efficient delivery system of materials. 

Internet use at the library averages 785 individual sessions on the computer every month with one hour time limit for users. In addition, use of the wireless network averages 40 users a month.  Most significant is the 38% increase since 2008 in book circulation with 5,041 checkouts of 9,147 library materials from August 2010 to August 2011.  The summer reading program serves an average of 70 children at each event and 60 children in the reading program.

A Friends of the Library program will help maintain and improve quality library services and materials.  As the library gains community support through this program, there will also be an expansion of current services to include computer literacy, literacy, and teenage reading programs. Support through the Friends program will also provide much needed current quality books.

For more information and an application for membership, call 598-5522 or pick up an application at the library.  The library staff can also email or fax an application.