Monday, February 28, 2011

A Tea-rific Program!

Over 200 princesses, princes, knights, dragons, and their lords and ladies-in-waiting graced the library with their presence at our Princess Tea Party on Saturday, February 12th! Following a Princess Parade around the library, we enjoyed crafting some royal attire, which included crowns, scepters, and jewel necklaces. Once we were properly outfitted, we attended a royal tea complete with mini-cupcakes, dainty tea sandwiches, and princess punch! Everyone looked amazing for this fabulous program! Thank you to the staff for all your hard work and many thanks to all our attendees for your energy and enthusiasm.

Check out the youth services calendar for future events!

Jamie Bunn, Circulation Librarian

Book Group Learns New Skill

In February, the Wednesday book group discussed the book Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas. The main character in the book is a quilter in a mining town. To get into the spirit of the book, the book group learned how to tie a quilt. Each of them quilted as they talked about the book and also learned the history behind the quilt squares that had been passed down and given to a member of the group. This member also shared the story behind some of the 50-year-old squares that had been made from her relatives' shirts, dresses, and aprons.

This group reads a variety of books. Some of the favorite books they have discussed over the past five years include Elantris by Brandon Sanderson, Poison Study by Maria Snyder, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, and The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

The Marshall Public Library has four book discussion groups for adults that meet each month. The current titles and meeting times are listed in the newsletter or you may call the reader advisory desk at 232-1263 ext. 41. Feel free to drop by and join a discussion.

Becky Hadley, Reader's Advisor

Read This Book! America's First Clash with Iran

This little-remembered chapter in our relations with Iran deserves far more attention than it has received. Author Allen Zatarain's book does an acceptable job of explaining the historical background that resulted in the United States providing escort to shipping in the Persian Gulf during the later phases of the Iran-Iraq war. He provides a narrative of the most serious confrontations between the United States and Iran. American policy had to walk a fine line between compelling Iran to leave shipping alone and preventing confrontations with them from escalating into a full-scale war.

One of the closing events of the conflict, the downing of an Iranian civilian airline by the USS Vincennes, an Aegis-class missile frigate, is dealt with in considerable detail.

America's First Clash with Iran is available for checkout at the Marshall Public Library.

John Bickelhaupt, Reference Librarian

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Email Notification is Now Available

The library is now able to email notifications of overdue books and holds. In order to receive these notifications ask at the circulation desk. Provide your email address and we'll let you know when your books are overdue and when the books you have requested are available to be picked up. And don't worry, that's the only way we'll use your email address.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Library Welcomes New Director, Eric Suess

On February 9, 2011, the Marshall Public Library will host a meet & greet for its new director, Eric Suess (pronounced Cease).
Patrons and the general public are invited to attend, ask questions and enjoy light refreshments between 5:00 and 7:00PM.

On January 9, 2011, the Marshall Public Library Board of Directors unanimously voted in the Notre Dame graduate to help move the library forward, as he did so in the past thirteen years in Michigan, five years as Director of the Commerce Township Community Library in Township, Michigan.
Eric was not only successful in building and maintaining relationships with local Friends, Library Board and Township officials, but also created Township Michigan’s first community public library. That library today still consistently posts statistics that match with libraries serving much larger communities and with much bigger staffs and resources.
Eric is a bright, level-headed and passionate individual, and is very happy to be here with his family in Pocatello. Eric will reside with his wife Karen, and their 17 year old son Aaron who will be attending Century High School. Their daughter Sarah, who is completing her BA in Education, will stay in Michigan after she graduates.
Eric holds a BA in Government and English, and a non-degree program in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, a MS in Library Science and PhD studies in Information & Library Studies from the University of Michigan.
In addition to his love for the theater, Eric is an active member of the National Puzzlers League and a frequent contributor to their monthly publication.