Happiness for me is buying and processing books for the library. I purchased 24 books over the weekend for a cost of $400. It seems almost obscene to spend that much. In looking through the Library Board meeting minutes from back in the late 1970s, I learned that the board had less than $5 in their account. Someone, I believe it might have been Fred McKinney, donated a small sum of money, $5 or $10, for the purchase of a large number of books. The high cost of books is just one of the reasons we work so hard to get patrons to return the materials they borrow from the library.
Some of the new titles that will be available by midweek are: "NYPD Red 4" by James Patterson; "Cometh the Hour," -- the sixth book in the Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer; "Find Her," the eighth book in the Detective D.D. Warren series by Lisa Gardner and "Scandalous Behavior" by Stuart Woods. This is the 36th book in his Stone Barrington series.
Library hours
10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays
There are a few new Christian fiction offerings including two by Beverly Lewis -- "Photograph" and "Love Letters." You will probably want to get your name on the reserved list for these two. Book one and book two in the Keepers of the Promise series by Marta Perry sound interesting. When three women, all cousins, are given the task of sorting through the treasures of several generations of their Amish family, they each discover a story from the past that provides insights and inspiration for their own lives. "If I Run" is a mystery/thriller by Teri Blackstock -- the character knows the truth but it won't set her free. "Beyond the Silence" by Traci Peterson is a story rife with intrigue, faith and family.
There are six new St. Patrick's Day books for the youngsters. "Big Nate Blasts Off" (No. 8 in the series) and two new Amulet Books -- "Escape from Lucien" and "Firelight" will be popular with the boys.
"Siren" by Kiera Cass and "Stars Above: A Lunar Chronicles Collection" by Marissa Meyer are for the teen/young adult readers.
I tried to get new releases that would appeal to a large number of readers.
A local resident stopped by the library on Saturday to ask if we were accepting book donations. Unfortunately, we are not for the next few weeks. She also has a large number of the Ideals magazines as well as a large number of craft magazines. If any of you are interested in either or both of these, please contact me at 451-8442.
On behalf of the board and staff, I want to extend sincere condolences to our board member Cinda Wooldridge and her husband Darrel on the passing of his mother last week. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
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.
Editorial on 02/24/2016