by Pat Wiggins
We enjoyed a successful April and have already made a running start into May, getting ready for Summer Reading and a very special Tech Training time in June. April saw a book signing by Courtney Taylor who read her book, Teddy Bear’s Birthday Bash. We are currently looking at other local authors for future book readings and signings at the library for both adults and children.
Your friendly Fairfield Library staff also participated in the 100 Year Anniversary of our Courthouse and hope that you had a chance to stop by and meet our staff, Jennifer Kilkenny and Lela Erwin (shown at right). If you got a piece of the Courthouse in cake you saw them! A Fairfield Library card with the name “Freestone County Resident” was placed in the time capsule that was buried to be retrieved in 50 years. We hope there are no overdue books inside as well!
Already in May, Lela, the Children’s Program Coordinator, has conducted library tours and programs for Fairfield ISD Kindergarteners, coordinated with the Fairfield Elementary School. Seven classes with 121 students participated in the event with many of the students checking out a book for the first time.
Lela is busily working on the Summer Reading Program, A Universe of Stories, targeting birth to six years of age at 10 a.m. beginning June 5, continuing June 12, 19, 26, and July 10, 17 with programs for first through fifth graders at 1 p.m. on the same dates. There will be stories, crafts, incentives, and snacks in addition to a line-up of guest speakers. Some of the special guest readers will be Sheriff Jeremy Shipley, Judge Linda Grant, the Fairfield State Park Rangers, and others. Start signing up for summer library fun now at www.fairfieldtxlibrary.org/.
Lela is also seeking student volunteers between the ages of 12 and 18. Volunteers that serve at four or more of the Summer Reading Program events will score an END OF THE SUMMER BASH. To volunteer, register online at www.fairfieldtxlibrary.org or drop by the library. This is an excellent way for teens to get involved in our community and have a fun time in the process.
As we announced in last month’s news, a special Tech Time is scheduled in June. Tuesday, June 18th at 5:30, Ana Krahmer with the University of North Texas Digital Newspaper Unit will be speaking. Ana will share how to utilize the Portal to Texas History website to access Freestone County newspapers that were recently added to the collection through the Tocker Grant. Genealogists and all interested in Freestone County history will want to put this event on their calendars.
In June we will introduce Kim Reese, ANGELS Care Home Health, who will present monthly health education programs in the Community Room. Focusing each month on different topics related to health, June 6 will feature Fall Prevention. Mark your calendars for the first Thursday every month at 10 a.m. for an hour of informative presentations about Dehydration (July), Diabetes (August), Alzheimer’s and Dementia (September), Pain Awareness/Management (October), and Heart Health (November).
All events, including weekly Story Time are featured on Facebook.com/FairfieldTXLibrary . Stop by and check out pictures and notices for future events. There is a calendar that can be accessed on the library website as well.
