Things are incredibly busy at the library these days. The second-grade reading challenge runs Jan. 20 through Feb. 20. Many parents have stopped in to get library cards so their children will be able to check out books. By the time you are reading this, the library will have hosted approximately 120 second-grade students plus teachers, aides and some parents. They will have spent an hour or so reading and checking out books. In preparation for this we have spent several hours buying new books, not only for the children but for teens and adults as well.
There are so many good books available now for all ages!
One day last week we had 66 patrons visit us and the next day the total was 69! Some were getting library cards for the first time, others were up-dating their cards; many were using the computers, a few were just browsing. On Thursday we checked out 92 books. It keeps us busy.
Myra Moran from the Trolley Line Book Shop stopped by the library on Thursday morning to give me information on a book signing that was being held on Saturday at Victoria's Café & Bistro on Walnut Street in Rogers. This event was co-sponsored by Trolley Line and Victoria's to introduce a new local author. Susan Holmes is a writer, editor, college professor, avid researcher and very charming. A friend and I stopped in and had a wonderful meal and purchased a couple of copies of "Deadly Ties: A Waterside Kennels Mystery." Started reading my copy last evening and am enjoying it very much. A copy will be on the shelf in the library this week. Plans are to have these "Brunch and Book Signing" events each Saturday featuring a different local author. The next one will be Jan. 31. When I have more information on the author, I will post it on Facebook and in this column if possible.
A large donation of magazines has been given to the library. Would love to pass these on to someone who could use them -- teachers, home-school parents, anyone?
Lee has been working hard on getting the remaining adult non-fiction works entered into the system, labeled and on the shelves. We will have a big celebration when we complete the children's non-fiction section.
A few of the new books that will be available by mid-week are: "All Things Hidden" by Tracie Peterson; Karen Kingsbury's "Fifteen Minutes," "Stand Up Guy by Stuart Woods," "Deadly Ties" by Susan Holmes; "The Execution" by Dick Wolfe; two books by Leslie Gould -- "Adoring Addie" and "Courting Cate," "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd; James Patterson's "First Love," "The Death Trade" by Jack Higgens and Donna Tratt's "The Goldfinch."
Check the library's Facebook page for a list of the new teen books.
As many of you are aware, a beautiful quilt and a hand crocheted afghan was donated to the library for us to raffle. We have been selling raffle tickets for quiet some time but sales have been slow. We will continue to sell tickets and will draw the winning tickets on Thursday, Feb. 13.
Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Both these items are on display in the library. Come by and get your tickets. We would like to have the area behind the library fenced before spring/summer so we can have some outside children's activities. I know we won't sell enough raffle tickets to cover the cost of fencing but it will help.
See you at the library!
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Editor's note: Peggy Maddox is the librarian of the Pea Ridge Community Library. She can be reached at the library at 451-8442 or by mail at P.O. Box 9, Pea Ridge, AR 72751. Library hours are 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.Wednesday and Thursday. The library web site is www.pearigecommunitylibrary.org.
Editorial on 01/22/2014