December 14, 2009

‘TIS THE SEASON TO CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK…OR TWO…OR FIVE
 
The first line of the widely-acclaimed novel Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann, the one that is on all of those “Best of 2009” lists, is the simple sentence: “Those who saw him hushed.” Reading on, one finds out that the “him” is a tightrope walker, and that he is about to walk his thin cable 110 stories up in the air, high above the streets of New York City.

My stomach instinctively tightens. My pulse quickens. I feel a bit dizzy -- I hate heights. And I am right there watching the walker with the rest of the city, such as it is with any good book. This one in particular has been hailed with sweeping and grand terms like heartbreaking, groundbreaking, stunning, marvelous, electric, profound, brilliant, mesmerizing; the list goes on and on. Critics promise overwhelming giddiness, dizziness. They got that last bit right, and it’s all I can do to prepare it for the shelves at the Roslyn Library without kicking back in my chair and reading more. I am longing for a good book. Or more like a stack of them.

From holiday gatherings where relatives spin tales of family lore to Native Americans who gather at the longhouses to tell their stories and sing their songs, winter is a time for stories. I’d wager that the cavemen were grunting and pantomiming their stories in the time before language, and that they did it most fervently in the long, dark and cold days of winter. For me, and probably for you if you are still reading this, winter is the time to read, read and read some more. There’s nothing like a good story, so here are a few more recommendations, just released and added to the library’s collection and all available now.

If you love a good mystery, there’s new material from northwest author J.A. Jance with Trial by Fire, and from the great Sue Grafton with her newest alphabet book U is for Undertow. The former has Jance’s Ali Reynolds helping a nun known as the “Angel of Death” discover the truth of an arson crime that left one woman burned and unable to communicate but for the blink of her eye. The latter finds the “sharp-tongued loner” Kinsey Millhone talked into investigating an old missing child case in another of the “twisting, complex, surprise-filled” thrillers for which Grafton is known. Grafton is getting close to the end of her Millhone run. If you’re going to get on the train, now is as good a time as any. 

Pirate Latitudes is the last chance for Michael Crichton fans to read a never-before-seen novel from the author, who died last year. This finished manuscript was found in his files and was published this month. A tale of “treasure and betrayal,” Pirate Latitudes is set in the Caribbean of the 17^th century and takes the reader on a rollicking and perilous adventure with Captain Charles Hunter and his quest to steal a galleon named El Trinidad that is filled with Spanish gold. What better January getaway than high pirate adventure in the Carribean?

Everyone, it seems, loves a thriller, and there are top-notch new thrillers to be enjoyed. True Blue by David Baldacci introduces new character Beth Perry, chief of the D.C. police, and her younger sister Mace, a former police officer who has just gotten out of prison for a crime she didn’t commit, and who is looking to crack a big case to prove herself and get her badge back.

The newest Michael Connelly thriller has Harry Bosch racing to Hong Kong to fight a Chinese crime ring and save his own young daughter’s life in 9 Dragons. Critics call this a gritty coffee-and-cigarette thriller, which seems like what any good thriller should be. This one’s on my list.

And Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol follows-up his hugely successful The Da Vinci Code as Robert Langdon seeks clues to another great, religious mystery by running around Washington, D.C.’s greater and lesser landmarks pursued by the villain Mal’akh. Filled with ciphers and symbols and history, this is another satisfying story for Brown fans.

More literary stories can be found in the new novels from four living masters: John Irving, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, and E.L. Doctorow.

Irving’s Last Night on Twisted River is a tale that spans five decades. In the year 1954, a 12 year old boy mistakes the local constable’s girlfriend for a bear. Both the 12 year old and his father become fugitives, pursued by the implacable constable.

Reviews describe Margaret Atwood’s Year of the Flood as a follow-up to her 2002 novel Oryx and Crake in that it features a world in the throes of catastrophic climate change, where the wealthy dwell in sterile secure compounds, while the poor live in decaying inner cities. But while the first novel focused on the privileged elite in the compounds and the morally bankrupt corporations, The Year of the Flood depicts more of the world of the “pleebs,” an edgy no-man's land inhabited by criminals, sex workers, dropouts and the few individuals who are trying to resist the grip of the corporations. Science fiction or impending reality? Atwood is a master at raising those kinds of questions.

I confess I’ve never read Joyce Carol Oates. The main reason I’m considering reading her newest is that its title is the same as the title of a song I love, written by a friend of a friend of mine, and the lyrics are quoted in the book. It’s called Little Bird of Heaven, and in it, the children of two men accused of murder become entangled with one another. I think it is high time I test the work of this giant of a writer, who has written dozens of books and stories and essays over the last several decades. 

E.L.  Doctorow is best known for his talent for blending history with social criticism. I just like his stories because they bring you right into them, effortlessly it seems. You open the pages and you are in New York in the 1930’s, or you are marching with General Sherman in the Civil War. His newest, Homer and Langley, is also inspired by a true story. It finds the blind Homer Collyer sequestered within a dilapidated Fifth Avenue mansion with his damaged brother and remembering a life marked by colorful characters, political events, and technological achievements. It doesn’t sound like much, really, but I can’t wait to read this one based on his earlier work.

There are many, many more, of course – we’ve got all the big bestsellers like Vince Flynn, Sandra Brown, Pat Conroy, Kathy Reichs, Alexander McCall Smith, Robert B. Parker, Debbie Macomber -- I could go on and on. But, it is better you come and browse on your own and discover those stories that are here just waiting for you. The library’s temporary location features the best of the collection, and new titles are added every month. There is something for every reader, and I promise not to check out the new ones myself, no matter the temptation.

The Roslyn Library is temporarily located at 109 South First Street in Roslyn. The library is open five days a week, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday. For more information, call (509) 649-3420 or visit the library online at www.roslynlibrary.org. The newest additions can be viewed by clicking on “new books list.”

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November 25, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY WILL HOLD OPEN HOUSE TO INTRODUCE PUBLIC TO ITS NEW, TEMPORARY HOME

ROSLYN – The Roslyn Library will introduce its new home to the greater upper county community with an open house of treats and tours on Saturday, December 5^th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at 109 S. First Street. The library is being housed in this temporary facility while the City prepares for the first construction phase of its Old City Hall Renovation Project.

Most of the library’s holdings and equipment were moved during the last two weeks of October with the help of dozens of community volunteers. The library was open for business, as scheduled, on November 1^st.

“All of the response has been positive so far,” said Erin Krake, Roslyn librarian. “We have people using the library regularly now who never could before because of the other building’s steep entry stairs. That really does my heart good, because lack of access was one of the main reasons we began talking about a renovation of the old building.”

The temporary facility, located right next door to the historic Old City Hall building, has some history of its own: It used to be the town’s full service gas station.

“We get people coming in, looking around with wide eyes, saying, ‘I haven’t been in here since this was a garage…’ and then they tell me stories of pumping up their bike tires here, or their kids working on their cars here.”

Not that the building has much resemblance to a garage anymore. Most recently, Suncadia rented the building and retrofitted the interior to serve as their offices. That adaptation works well for the City of Roslyn, the building’s new tenant. There are many different office rooms, large conference rooms, and storage rooms that are being utilized by all of the departments of the city. The Roslyn City Council and the City of Roslyn’s commissions and committees meet in the largest conference room.

The library has a large kids’ area, a media room for videos and CDs, and two rooms full of books for adults, with the library’s five public access Internet stations spread throughout the spaces. There are tables, chairs and couches for people to work on their own laptops using the library’s wireless Internet connection. There are quiet areas for studying and reading, and there is a common area for gathering.

“We hope that people will take some time while they are out and about to stop in and see all that their library continues to offer and all the updates we’ve made during this transition,” says Krake. “The Friends will also be holding a book sale that day, so there are lots of reasons to come in and have a look around.”

To visit the new library virtually, visit www.roslynlibrary.org and follow the links to view the library’s photos of the temporary facility and of the library’s move and the volunteers who helped make it possible.

November 10, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY’S WORLD AFFAIRS SERIES CONTINUES WITH PRESENTATION BY UW FELLOWS FROM SUDAN

ROSLYN – Ten health care professionals from the African nation of Sudan will visit the upper county area next Tuesday, November 17^th, as part of a leadership and management program through the University of Washington.

The fellows will offer a presentation that evening at the Roslyn Library for people interested in Sudan and its culture. The November 17^th presentation starts at 7:00 pm, and will take place at the library’s temporary location at 109 S. First Street in Roslyn.

“This presentation will offer residents a clearer view and better understanding of Sudan and its culture. It is an African country that has really come into the spotlight recently because we’ve heard so much about the Darfur crisis in the last couple of years,” says Erin Krake, Roslyn librarian. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about what it means to live and work in Sudan, not from the media or from aid agencies reporting on one particular aspect, such as the conflict in Darfur, but from the people themselves.”

The Global Health Leadership Program is a partnership between the University of Washington Department of Global Health and Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health. The program aims to strengthen health systems in developing countries by enhancing their leadership, management, and policy development capacity. The program is an offshoot of the Population Leadership Program and current efforts include work in Sudan, India, Ethiopia, and Pakistan. For more information, visit http://depts.washington.edu/deptgh/resource_center/training_ghlp.php.

To learn more about the visiting fellows who will be presenting at the Roslyn Library, visit http://www.population-leaders.washington.edu/fellows/GHLPFellows.shtml.

The World Affairs Series is the Roslyn Library’s 2009-2010 lecture series. The Roslyn Library offers programming to promote lifelong learning in its community. This series is made possible by a collaboration with the World Affairs Council, http://www.world-affairs.org/. More presentations will be held over the winter months; watch this newspaper for dates and details.

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September 17, 2009

ROSLYN HOSTS YOUNG LEADERS FROM EUROPE

 ROSLYN - The International Visitor Program of the World Affairs Council promotes citizen diplomacy by coordinating educational and professional programs for international delegates visiting the Puget Sound area. Roslyn has an exciting opportunity to meet one small group of the 1200 visitors that will have come to our state through this program this year.

A group of young emerging leaders from Europe will visit Roslyn as a component of their visit to the U.S. Their purpose is to visit a small, rural community like ours and meet with its leaders and citizens about economic development. Toward that end, they will meet with a group of students, city goverment officials, and community leaders throughout the day.

The Roslyn Library, in furthering its mission to promote lifelong learning, is sponsoring a community reception for the visitors that evening to enable area residents to meet with these future leaders in an informal setting.

Former program alumuni include Nicolas Sarkozy and Vladimir Putin. This particular group consists of nine 30's-ish professionals in the fields of journalism, human rights activism, international trade and relations, and politics. They come from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.K.

The Roslyn Library invites anyone with an interest in global affairs, economic development, immigration, environmental protection, health and human services, or those who simply want to meet and exchange ideas with smart, young, and interesting people from other countries to join them in the reception that evening.

Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Roslyn Library.

September 8, 2009

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES IN AN UPDATE TO THE POPULAR “ROSLYN REPAST” LOCAL COOKBOOK

ROSLYN – The Friends of the Roslyn Library are updating their “Roslyn Repast” cookbook with a supplement of new recipes that can be added to the popular cookbook that was first published in 2002 in partnership with the Roslyn Riders equestrian group.

The book’s three-ring binder style enables new sheets of recipes to be added, and the Friends group hopes that the supplement will renew interest in the book for those who already own one by adding more local, delicious recipes through this supplement. Hundreds of the cookbooks have been sold, and they make great gifts for family and friends.

The cookbook is sold as a fundraiser for the volunteer, non-profit group that raises money to enhance the services of the Roslyn Public Library. Along with the standard fare, “A Roslyn Repast” features local ethnic foods, like cabbage rolls and bagna cauda, Northern Exposure recipes, camp food and pet food.

“If it is a favorite recipe from your grandma, or one of those dishes your family begs you to prepare, then we want it in this cookbook!” said Katia Merkel, Friends of the Roslyn Library board member who is spearheading the supplement.

Instructions and collection sheets are available on the bulletin boards of your local post office and at the Roslyn Library. Deadline for submission is September 30^th in hopes that the supplement will be available for the holidays. The cookbooks are available now without the supplement and cost $15.95. They can be found at the Roslyn Library, the Roslyn Brewery, Huckleberry House, Central Sundries, and online at www.friendsoftheroslynlibrary.org.

ROSLYN LIBRARY'S SUMMER READERS BREAK NEW RECORD

ROSLYN – Roslyn’s summer readers crushed their goal to read for 1000 hours over the course of the eight week Summer Reading Program, by logging 1,460 hours spent reading.

“This year we had more children sign up, more children follow through with the program by logging their reading time, and more participants at our weekly events than ever before,” Erin Krake, Roslyn librarian said, adding that great incentive prizes like a new bicycle and an iPod Touch were contributing factors to the high level of participation.

The annual program aims to keep kids reading during the summer months so that they don’t lose those skills when school is out. It also fosters reading for pure enjoyment and to satisfy a child’s curiosity and feed his imagination. It is a national program that is held in public libraries across the country.

The Roslyn Library’s 2009 Summer Reading Program was sponsored by the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners, the Cle Elum Kiwanis, and the Friends of the Roslyn Library, with support from Fred Meyer Stores and the Roslyn Theatre.

The program ended August 5^th with a finale picnic at the Cle Elum Park that featured a pizza party and other refreshments and a special performance by magician and children’s entertainer Louie Foxx.

For more information and to view photographs from this year’s program, visit the library’s website at www.roslynlibrary.org.

July 28, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY CREATES DIGITAL COLLECTION OF LOCAL HISTORY

ROSLYN – The Roslyn Library’s digital Roslyn Heritage Collection was published last month and is now available from any computer in the world that has an Internet connection.

The Roslyn Heritage Collection tells at least a portion of the story of the settling of Roslyn and the surrounding area. It offers a glimpse into the pioneer way of life of our founding families who settled here in the mountains, near a swift river, in the sandy pines, on top of a great seam of high-quality coal, and made a lasting home.

Images from the collection were taken during the early days of Roslyn. They were originally prints of photographs which were subsequently re-photographed and reprinted as slides. The slides were bought from the Roslyn Museum as a fundraiser by a local resident in the 1970s, who then donated them to the Roslyn Library thirty years later. The images can be viewed as an entire group, or they can be accessed one by one through an interactive map or by searching for specific subjects, such as “coal mining” or “buildings” or “tipples” or “cityscapes.”

The seven audio lectures in the Roslyn Heritage Collection were presented at the Roslyn Library in 2001 and 2002 by Mr. David Browitt as a series on the history of coal mining in the Roslyn area from its discovery in the 1880s to the closing of the Number 9 Mine in December of 1963. The first lecture in the eight-part series was never recorded. The lectures are stored as audio files that one can download temporarily to listen to from their home or a library computer.

These digital collections were first published online in June of 2009 with technical help and support from the Washington State Library through the Washington Rural Heritage project. Washington Rural Heritage is a collection of historic materials documenting the early culture, industry, and community life of Washington State. State library staff traveled to Roslyn to scan the photos and install the software on the library’s staff computer to make cataloging the collection possible.

Erin Krake, Roslyn librarian, also recognized the contribution of several members of the community who helped in the project.

“I’d like to acknowledge the library’s project volunteer Lynn Louise, along with Roslyn residents David Browitt, Nick Henderson, Jim Barich, Harry Georgeson, and Leonard Rushton. They looked over the images with me and helped to verify or fill in some of the history. I think of this digital collection as just another way for people to learn about Roslyn’s history, another way to access the material. I tried to make Roslyn’s history come alive by incorporating some of the stories of these men into the collection, and by using previously-published accounts of Roslyn history.”

Krake added that the library plans to add more content to the Roslyn Heritage Collection.

“We will add a collection of photographs taken by the Northwest Improvement Company in the next year. Mostly they are pictures of the infrastructure of the mines, things like the trestles going up the number 6 canyon. I also think it would be great to add family collections, a logging collection, and other photographs of family life, industry, and recreation in our area from the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s.”

To access the collection, visit the Roslyn Library’s website at www.roslynlibrary.org and click on Roslyn Heritage Collection or go directly to the collection at http://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/roslyn/

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June 16, 2009

CHILDREN WILL GET CREATIVE AT THEIR LIBRARIES THIS SUMMER

ROSLYN – The Roslyn and Cle Elum libraries will be hosting kick off events next week for their annual summer reading program for local families. The theme for this year’s program is “Be Creative @ Your Library.” Participating children will enjoy free weekly activities, such as painting, cooking, origami, and lego-building, and will earn prizes for spending time reading.

The Roslyn Library kicks off its program on Wednesday, June 24^th at 1:00 pm with an ice cream party and children’s songs by guitarist and singer Dave Lundy. The Carpenter Library will hold their ice cream party on Friday, June 26^th at 10:30 am. Kids will sign up for the program and receive their reading logs and schedule of events. 

The goal of the program is to keep kids reading during the summer months. As incentive, participants earn toys or lottery tickets for time spent reading or being read to by others.

The program is free and open to all children from birth through age 17. All children who spend at least 20 hours reading by August 4th will earn a special prize. For children ages 12 to 17 years old, they will also earn a raffle ticket for a chance to win an iPod Touch, a $230 music and application gadget donated by a patron of the Roslyn Library.

For a schedule of free weekly events, stop by or call the Carpenter Library at 674-2313 or the Roslyn Library at 649-3420 or visit the Roslyn Library online at www.roslynlibrary.org.

The 2009 Summer Reading Program is made possible by the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners, the Friends of the Roslyn Library, the Friends of the Carpenter Library, and the Cle Elum Kiwanis.

YOUNG TODDLERS GET READY TO READ IN ROSLYN

ROSLYN – Ten young toddlers celebrated their very first “graduation” this week -- they are the first cohort to complete a new early literacy class at the Roslyn Public Library.  

Every Tuesday for the past six weeks, toddlers and their moms sang songs, used simple sign language, and learned about the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors. Toddlers also interacted with one another, followed directions, and played together in the children’s area while their mothers swapped stories and shared tips. Some days, the gathering continued after class at the park. Participants ranged in age from 6 weeks to 5 years old, but the class is especially designed for 1 and 2 year olds.

Class highlights included a special visit from new, baby chicks and the wonder of seeing their librarian act more silly than usual. And, for the last class, children enjoyed snacks and received a free “Ready to Read in Roslyn” book bag with their own alphabet book, toy, and information for their parents about early literacy and programs in our area for young children.

For more information about class objectives, visit the library online at www.roslynlibrary.org/events.html#ready_to_read. The Ready to Read in Roslyn program is sponsored by the Friends of the Roslyn Library. The library will offer another series of classes later this year.

May 27, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY RECOMMENDS GREAT READS TO KICK OFF SUMMER 

ROSLYN – Now that the Memorial Day holiday has come and gone, the summer season has officially begun. And so has the summer reading season. The Roslyn Library has a slew of new and classic books to keep readers relaxed and entertained from the backyard to the beach. Here’s a sample:

THRILLS and CHILLS

Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard: Fans of Leonard will remember Cundo Rey and Jack Foley, characters from his earlier novels. Here, they are out of prison, living with Dawn Navarro in Venice Beach, and possibly trying to go straight.

The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer: An intricate story of betrayal and manipulation, loyalty and risk in a compelling novel that is both modern and yet reminiscent of classic espionage thrillers by Graham Greene and John LeCarre.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick: The year is 1907. Ralph Truitt, a wealthy Wisconsin widower, has advertised for a wife, and Catherine Land has replied. And though Catherine has styled herself “a simple, honest woman” and a former missionary, that is not quite the truth. She has come to him with a “simple plan” that will leave him dead and her a rich woman.

The Host by Stephanie Meyer: Fans of the Twilight series might want to try this adult novel by the same author, wherein aliens have taken control of the minds and bodies of most human beings, but one woman won’t surrender.

The House of Night series, by P.C. Cast: Speaking of Twilight fans…enter the dark, magical world of The House of Night, a world where vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is, if she makes it through the Change--and not all of those who are Marked do.

DENSE and CREAMY

Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult: A woman whose daughter has a dangerous birth defect must decide whether to sue her obstetrician, an old friend.

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg: Recently widowed Helen Ames and her twenty-seven-year-old daughter Tessa discover that money has disappeared in several big withdrawals from the Ames' retirement savings. What Helen's husband did with all their money turns out to be provocative, revelatory--and leads Helen and her daughter to embark on new adventures, and change. 

Doghead by Morten Ramsland: An acclaimed, funny novel from Denmark about a dysfunctional family. Ramsland has been compared to John Irving.

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace: For intrepid readers who want to tackle something with substance, this is a 1999 collection by David Foster Wallace, who committed suicide last year.

LIGHT and FLUFFY

Lavendar Morning by Jude Deveraux:  A woman inherits a house and a mystery in a Virginia town.

True Colors by Kristin Hannah: Rivalries, betrayal and forgiveness among three sisters.

Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber: More stories of life and love from a Seattle knitting class.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith: The 10th novel in the wildly popular No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

AHHH … the CLASSICS

Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham: The cover of this 1915 coming-of-age novel encompassing the first 30 years of Philip Carey’s life called it “the greatest novel of our time,” and promises “it sings, it has color, it has rapture.”

Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey: Great, challenging writing, psychological intrigue, family dysfunction and brotherly competition, logging and union history, Pacific Northwest locale, an explosive climax – this book has it all.

How Green was my Valley by Richard Llewellyn: A great choice for transporting oneself to the old days of coal mining in the mountains. It is not set in the upper county, but it could be.

THE REAL DEAL

Unbowed by Wangari Maathai: Anyone who has watched the PBS special on this Nobel Peace Prize winner will want to read her stunning memoir of planting trees and growing hope in Kenya. A truly uplifting story of how people can make a difference in their community, their country and the world.

Flannery: A Life of Flannery O’Connor by Brad Gooch: She liked to drink Coca-Cola mixed with coffee. She gave her mother, Regina, a mule for Mother’s Day. She went to bed at 9:00 and said she was always glad to get there. And she contributed some of the best writing to the world’s literature. What bibliophile wouldn’t want to read about her?

A Place of My Own by Michael Pollan: At a turning point in his life, writer Michael Pollan found himself dreaming of a small wood-frame hut in the woods near his house - a place to work, but also a "shelter for daydreams." Here he recounts his two-and-a-half-year journey of discovery in an absorbing narrative that weaves the day-to-day work of design and building with reflections on everything from the power of place to shape our lives to the question of what constitutes "real work" in a technological society.

To search the library’s collection and for a list of the newest additions to the collection, visit the library’s website at www.roslynlibrary.org and click on “Library Catalog” or “New Books List.”

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May 13, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCES OPEN POSITION

ROSLYN – The Roslyn Library Board of Trustees has an immediate opening for one position of its five-member, volunteer board. The board meets monthly to guide the municipal library. Duties and responsibilities of a trustee include:

1.  Meet monthly to establish library plans, policies, and direction for the library.

2.  Authorize the librarian to take specific action as required.

3.  Actively seek funding for the library’s needs and services.

4.  Continually promote the library in the community and explain policies and services whenever called upon.

5.  Continually appraise the effectiveness of the librarian and perform an annual written evaluation. 

6.  Annually review the library’s operations and policies.

The Board’s stated goals are:

• To ensure the library’s budget allocation is sufficient to meet the needs of the community.
• To provide adequate and competent staffing to meet public service and management needs.
• To better the library experience for the community by providing a safe, accessible and fully functional library facility.
• To provide access to a robust collection of books and other materials that serve as a valuable resource for learning, information and pleasure.
• To provide programs for children and adults which promote lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and community belonging.
• To utilize various types of appropriate technology to meet the information needs of the community and the administrative needs of staff.
• To promote the professional administration of the library.
• To encourage the public’s use of the library.

In addition to monthly meetings, trustees convene once a year for a planning retreat to revisit and revise the library’s long-range plan.  Earlier this month, the Library Board held their retreat and reviewed plans for the following priorities: Facility improvement; Expansion of hours, Collection development; Programming; and Increasing use of the library.

Trustees are recommended by the Board and appointed by the Mayor of Roslyn to a five-year term with a two term limit. Application packets for the open trustee position are available at the Roslyn Public Library, 201 S. First Street, Roslyn or by clicking here.

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April 13, 2009

CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY MONTH WITH A COMMUNITY WIDE OPEN MIC POETRY READING AT THE ROSLYN LIBRARY

ROSLYN – Poetry is for people who love language, who love its rhythm, who love words and the ways in which words can be strung together to create a picture or a feeling or a simple acknowledgment of truth. Poetry is for people who value honesty and clarity. It is an art form for people who are not afraid to look at the world and to see it and feel it.

April is National Poetry Month. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.

The Roslyn Library will celebrate by hosting a community-wide open mic of poetry on Wednesday, April 22^nd starting at 7:00 pm.

Poets and poetry lovers will sign up for a chance to read and share poetry for up to five minutes per reader. It may be their own work that they choose to share – the poem they spent hours polishing or a more informal form of “slam” poetry that is improvisational and off-the-cuff. Or it may be that a person has a particular poem that has spoken to him in some way or at some time that he wishes to share, or one they learned to recite back in school, or the work of one of their favorite poets. Even “clean” limericks and raps will be welcome, and all ages are encouraged to participate.

“This is something we hope to do every year,” Erin Krake, Roslyn librarian said. “It’s such a simple and fun event. This year, a few high school English students will be reading from their own poetry. We’ll also feature the poems of the late, local poet Harold Enrico.”

The sign-up for reading starts at 7:00 pm. Readings will begin by 7:15 pm. Dessert, coffee and tea will be served and Marc Brodine will play jazz and blues selections on his guitar. Please come to share and appreciate the strange power of poetry.

For a list of the books of poetry for both adults and children in the library’s collection, visit www.roslynlibrary.org and click on “Poetry Collection.”

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March 2, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY OFFERS "EFFECTIVE RESUMES" CLASS

ROSLYN – There has been a lot of job loss around the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “both the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate rose in January. Over the past 12 months, the number of un-employed persons has increased by 4.1 million and the unemployment rate has risen by 2.7 percentage points” (from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm on March 1, 2009).

Kittitas County is no exception. Most of us know someone who has been laid off in the past few months. Libraries are a free and accessible community resource when times get tough. You can file for unemployment. You can search for a job. Skilled staff can help you find the resources you need online and in the library’s collection. And you can work on your resume.

Yet, an effective resume takes time and energy, and it is not an easy task for anyone. To help, the Roslyn Library is offering an introductory class on creating effective resumes on  Wednesday, March 11, 2009, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Roslyn Library, 201 S. First Street.

Effective resume-maker Sharon Robertson will share her tips and inspirations for making an effective resume, such as giving a good introduction to your skills, finding the best jobs with the most money, putting your best foot forward, and presenting your resume and contacts. There will be approximately one hour set aside for people to start creating a resume using a library computer or their personal laptop.

This class is free and open to the public.

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February 23, 2009

“SEUSSAPALOOZA” AUCTION MOST IMPORTANT (AND FUN) FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR FOR THE ROSLYN LIBRARY

ROSLYN – You can take the event out of Roslyn, but you can’t take the Roslyn out of this event. Like Roslyn, it’s a little bit wild, a little bit wacky. Definitely funky.  

Yes, it is time once again for Seussapalooza, the Friends of the Roslyn Library’s auction fundraiser, and this year the event will be held at Cle Elum’s Centennial Center on Saturday, March 7^th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

“We had some space and sound issues at last year’s event so we decided to utilize the Centennial Center, which has the space and amenities needed for these types of events,” librarian Erin Krake said. “All of us wanted to keep it in Roslyn, as a Roslyn event you could walk to, but there’s just not a good venue for this type of gathering in town right now.”

She added that she hopes the library building’s renovation project which is set to begin its first phase of construction this year will change that fact in the future. Plans for the second phase include the creation of a community center in the building’s old gymnasium, which will provide a place for Roslyn events. The Friends of the Roslyn Library have taken the lead on community and private fundraising to make this dream a reality, and Seussapalooza has become their biggest fundraiser of the year.

“We raise money for all kinds of things for the library, but the last few years, we’ve been working really hard to raise money to stabilize and renovate the library’s building.” Katia Merkel, Friends of the Roslyn Library Treasurer, said. “We want to see this project succeed.”

Seussapalooza was born in 2007 when the group decided to try a big event that would bring in big money for their big project. They wanted an auction, but they also wanted entertainment and art. And of course, they wanted good food. They decided to hold it in the spring, on or near the birthday of Dr. Seuss, lending it a sort of literary theme. Finally, they came up with the name, a take-off on the popular musical festival Lollapalooza. Seussapalooza!

Seussapalooza is like a neighborhood party that is fun for the whole family. More than a dozen kinds of homemade chili are laid out buffet-style, along with all the fixin’s, including homemade corn bread. There’s a cash bar for mom and dad and free juices for the kids. Throughout the evening, local performers – musicians, dancers and entertainers – provide variety show-style entertainment. Homemade desserts are offered in a “dessert dash” fundraiser. And at the base of it all, a silent auction offers a variety of local art, goods and services. This year, local doctor Sam Schneider, a former street performer, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The building renovation project is only part of the reason this fundraiser is so important to the library, according to the librarian. She said that “thousands of dollars worth of books and equipment” have been added to the library by the Friends over the years.

“The Friends of the Library sponsor our Summer Reading Program, our Ready to Read program and our Book Club. They have purchased big ticket items for the library, like a digital projector, camera and television. They just purchased the library’s new plastic library cards.”

And, she said, the group is very wise and prudent with the money they raise. 

“They invest some of the money they raise for specific purposes,” Krake said. “They have a computer replacement fund that they add to each year, and this year they started a “Percent for Art” fund to ensure public art will be part of the renovation of the building.”

The group also contributes to the library’s Gary Parson Book Fund, an endowment for the library’s annual book purchases that was set up through a bequest by the late Gary Parson. Krake says that the group voted to contribute all of the proceeds from the “dessert dash” portion of Saturday’s auction to this fund in 2009. 

Seussapalooza will be held on Saturday, March 7^th at the Centennial Center, 719 E. Third Street in Cle Elum. The doors open at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children from 7 to 17 years old, and are free for children 6 and under. Advanced tickets are recommended and may be purchased at the Roslyn Library during open hours, from 10 to 7 Monday through Thursday and from 1 to 5 on Sundays.

The Friends of the Roslyn Library is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. For more information, call the Roslyn Library at (509) 649-3420 or visit the Friends of the Roslyn Library online at www.friendsoftheroslynlibrary.org.

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February 2, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY OFFERS VALENTINE-MAKING CRAFT

ROSLYN – Local artist Deb Davis is bringing back her popular valentine-making craft to the Roslyn Library on Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Davis will bring lots of fun supplies and her artistic guidance to help people of all ages make beautiful creations of love. 

This event is free and open to individuals of all ages who want to express their love in a special way this Valentine’s Day. All supplies will be provided by the Friends of the Roslyn Library. Tea, cocoa and cookies will also be available.

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 January 12, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY’S HOURS EXPAND NEXT WEEK

ROSLYN – The Roslyn Library announced this week that it is expanding the hours the library will be open from 30 hours per week to 40 hours per week.

Starting after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, on Tuesday January 20^th, the Roslyn Library will be open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

 “We want to make it as convenient and easy as possible for people to use our services and materials,” Erin Krake, Librarian, explained. “Being open more hours gives the public more flexibility. And we hope this schedule is more consistent and easy for folks to remember.”

 The Library’s long term goal is to be open seven days a week. For now, they are retaining the days they’ve been open to complement the Carpenter Library’s hours. In this way, a public library in the upper county is open every day of the week.

 For more information, call the Roslyn Public Library at 649-3420 or visit the library online at www.roslynlibrary.org. 

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January 5, 2009

ROSLYN LIBRARY’S ARMCHAIR TRAVEL SERIES FEATURES A BUDDHIST MONASTERY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

ROSLYN – The Roslyn Library continues the Armchair Travel Series with “Beauty and Grace in Eastern Europe: A Monk's Life in the Czech Republic” on Wednesday, January 14^th at 7:00 pm at the Roslyn Library and Old City Hall, 201 S. First Street in Roslyn.

Resident Stephanie Breyfogle shares her 2008 trip to the Czech Republic, Prague (Praha) and Northern Bohemia. This trip will include a visit to the Samadhi Buddhist Meditation Center, the castle retreat of a Buddhist organization led by Breyfogle’s long time friend, Bhante Wimala -  http://www.bhantewimala.com/. Wimala is a Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka, and this video and photo presentation will highlight some of his relief projects and teachings.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the Roslyn Public Library at 649-3420 or visit the library online at www.roslynlibrary.org.

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