Friends of the Library Newsletter Fall 2005 Keene Memorial Library Volume 9, Issue 2

Dessert in the Hay Stacks 2005 Friends Board of Directors This year's "Dessert in the Stacks" takes on a western All Friends of the Library members are invited to attend this ex- Richard Felt, President clusive event Friday, November 18th at 7:30 p.m. Lana Larsen, Vice President Rhythm will entertain us with cowboy and western songs, poetry, , and tidbits of history. Comprised of Ron Dave Theophilus, and Leigh Anne Frame of Ceresco and Sarah Kovar of Elkhorn, Treasurer this trio will bring traditional western music to Keene. Laura Wray, Secretary Faith Perry, Booksale With guitar and banjo, they will perform the music of , Sons of the Pioneers, , Rex Allen, Girls of the Larry Jirsak, Liaison to Golden West, Patsy Montana, and others. Cowboy Rhythm has the Library Board performed at events across the country and has released several Ann Stephens, Library recordings which will be available for purchase at the concert. Director Ann Colvin Dessert in the Hay Stacks will also include the presentation of the Faith Perry Service Award and homemade desserts. While not Laura Cooper required, you are welcome to don western apparel. Cindy Hasemann Invite friends and family to become new Friends members so Jim Holtam they can accompany you to this foot-stomping, hand-clapping event. Jan Therien "Happy Trails." Annual Meeting a Success

The annual meeting of ing board members, Ivy Berg the Friends of the Library was and Bobbie Hughes were Library Board held on Sunday, March 13th thanked for their years of ser- at Keene Memorial Library. vice to the Friends Board. An Tim Schulz, President President Dick Felt welcomed update was given on the up- Patty Dillon members and guests to the coming book sale. Jenna Parkening meeting. A program was then pre- Charles Gordon Jan Therien and Clarice sented by local children’s Larry Jirsak Magnuson were installed as author Nancy Wegner, aka new board members. Outgo- N.L. Sharp. She spoke about Author N.L. Sharp shares the the process that followed in process she went through in publishing her children’s books. She shared some of of self-worth back by engaging the basic premises shared by The Friends Newsletter is herself in the lives of children a quarterly publication of all children’s books and de- at a neighborhood school. scribed the very unique story the Friends of Keene Me- Refreshments and social time morial Library. It is dis- of each book that she has were enjoyed following the talk. written. She then treated tributed to the Friends those in attendance to a read- This was once again a won- membership. This issue ing of her newest book, Effie’s derful opportunity to network was designed by Cindy and socialize with others who Hasemann and edited by Dick Felt thanks Ivy Berg for Image. The tale is a beautiful story of an older woman who have a great deal of interest Janet Kletke. her years of service on the and concern for the library. Friends board. finds her beauty and feeling Message from the President Chamber Coffee a

Greetings Friends of the Library, library. As time Success went by, I met It’s hard to believe that the holiday more people The Friends of the Library spon- season is fast approaching. We’ve who worked sored a Chamber coffee on Friday, May done so much this past year, and I’m through the 6th at the Library. There was an im- pleased to share some of those Friends pressive turnout from the business successes with you. organization to community. Special thanks to Laura The annual book sale was a help with Wray and Jan Therien for their efforts in tremendous success. I can not say too projects for the planning the event. much in praise of all those who worked betterment of so hard preparing for the sale by the library, sorting, moving, stacking, and then therefore improving and enriching the those who helped with the sale event patrons’ experience there. I realized itself. Thank you all so much. Be sure that through the Friends helping the to read Faith Perry’s comments library, I would be helping the regarding this successful event. community also. There comes a time when a person realizes that it is time A Chamber Coffee was hosted on to give back some of the richness and th May 6 at the library and was well rewards that you have experienced attended by Chamber members and from your community. I believe that Friends. Refreshments were served, time has come for me. When asked and all who attended were pleased with to serve on the Friends’ Board I was the muffins and cookies from CARE pleased to say yes. It has been my BEARS, run by Ms. Carrie Beecham of privilege to serve on the Board and Fremont. help make a difference. No We hosted a successful Lemonade organization can continue to grow on the Lawn during John C. Fremont and fulfill its promise without new Days. members and new ideas. I would challenge each and every one of you I was recently asked why I joined to find a friend to become a Friend. the Friends of the Library. For such a straightforward question it required Until next time, remember we some thought. I first joined Friends always appreciate your dedication because I enjoyed the events and and support for your organization. programs they put on through the Richard Felt, President

Books for Babies There is so much children succeed in school is to read to your child grow available to us about them early and often. emotionally, and the importance of it brings you Children who are read to learn to reading to our closer together. read more easily than those who are not. children. In this When you read to your children you newsletter I am going Reading to children is good for their let them know that reading is a valued to share the message curiosity, their imagination, and their activity in your home. of a national program vocabulary. It helps them pay attention attempting to do longer, think better, and communicate Reading helps us grow, head and simply that: more successfully. heart. It gets children ready for school and helps them once they get there. It is The mission of the Barbara Bush Children’s ability to understand what a special time for children to be close to Foundation for Family Literacy is to they read depends a lot on background grown-ups who care for them ~ a establish reading as a value in every knowledge ~ what they already know. wonderful way to feel loved. family in America. The home is the The more children are read to now, the child’s first school, the parent is the more they will learn for use in reading For more information about The child’s first teacher and reading is the later. Barbara Bush Foundation for Family child’s first subject. The Foundation Literacy contact the following: Reading to your child leads to great states it best: One of the most important www.barbarabushfoundation.com things parents can do to help their conversations that give you a chance to share thoughts and feelings. It helps Sheryl Thomsen, Coordinator Letter from the Library Director

Dear Friends of Keene Memorial Library, Friends went especially well More than a year has passed this year: Lem- since I wrote to thank you for all your onade on the support of the library. Once again, Library Lawn throughout the 2004-2005 year, the with Yester- Friends have made a great difference day's Lady in the services and the marketing of fashion show our library. and Sam The big ticket items this past Heinemann, year were the annual $5,000 contri- bagpiper; Des- bution for the Enrichment Collection sert in the and the $2,190 toward the new land- Stacks with Dean Jacobs and the scaping of the library grounds. These high school orchestra; and the an- Wireless Hot-Spot at the projects are key to the support of the nual meeting with Nancy Wagner. library and provided much needed Thanks to all the Friends who Library additional funding not included in the stepped forward to coordinate, serve refreshments, arrange rooms, deco- Keene Memorial Library has gone library's budget. rate tables, purchase coffee and buy wireless! The library has run out of ways to We love the long list of door prizes. add more cabling to the library, so we made "provisions" from our Friends: pizza a decision to install a wireless connection. for the Golden Sower Party and the Especially noteworthy, of course, Junior Friends, assistance to mail are the Herculean efforts of the book Library users may bring their laptops 150 copies of the annual report, sale coordinator Faith Perry and the into the library building or the east building lunches for staff and board training more than 100 volunteers who make and use the wireless hot-spot to access the sessions, our new flag presented the sale so successful. What an Internet. each year, pencils, help with the staff amazing fundraiser! Each year is bet- float, programs such as "Willa ter than the previous year. Unbeliev- In addition, the library has Cather" by Betty Jean Steinshouer, able! implemented a wireless classroom with five summer reading prizes and refresh- laptops, an instructor’s laptop and a Finally, thanks for putting on the ments, refreshments, refreshments projector. The classroom is completely Chamber Coffee on May 6. Laura for many events. portable and can be set up anywhere in the Wray and Jan Therien deserve kudos library, from the Board Room to the east Thanks to the Board for its work for the beautiful flowers, refresh- building. and dedication, and special thanks to ments, coordination and serving. This the officers, Richard Felt, Lana Lar- coffee is an important event at the The hot-spot, hardware and software sen, Laura Wray and Dave Theophi- library, and it went exceptionally well. were purchased for about $11,000 with lus. Cindy Hasemann at First State The library staff, library board funding from Friends of the Library and a Bank does a beautiful job of publiciz- and I greatly appreciate the Friends Trust. ing the Friends and events at the of the Library. The dedication, energy library through the quarterly newslet- and enthusiasm of its members ex- The library staff has already used the ter. Thanks to Duane Humphrey for tend and promote the work and good classroom for new training classes. In the compiling membership lists and will of the library throughout the com- future, staff is planning to teach the public printing labels. Special thanks to munity. Thank you! how to use special features in the online Cindy for ensuring Keene's presence catalog and subscription databases. at and support for the Scribner Tan- Sincerely yours, nenbaum Festival. Ann E. Stephens Yearly events sponsored by the Library Director

Keene Memorial Library Hours of Operation

Sunday...... 2 p.m.—5 p.m. Monday...... 10 a.m.—9 p.m. Thursday ...... 10 a.m.—9 p.m. Tuesday...... 10 a.m.—9 p.m. Friday ...... 10 a.m.—6 p.m. A patron utilizes the new wireless hot-spot. Wednesday ...... 9 a.m.—9 p.m. Saturday ...... 10 a.m.—6 p.m. Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds Keene Memorial Library Summer Reading Program

Dragons, brary on Mondays and at Dreams & Daring the Art Association on Deeds. That was Thursdays with staff the agenda from member and artist, Mary May to August at Ringenberg. The course Keene. Looking at of study for this group is our calendar can be the work of major artists. compared to looking Knitting for Kids met at a buffet with dar- weekly with hopeful knit- ing deeds taking ters and volunteer teach- place almost every day of the month dur- ers Cynthia Hansen, ing the summer. Our summer goal was Roberts offering a wonderful experience Robyn Schulz, Marta Calhoun, Jennifer 1,300 readers which is about 75 more both entertaining and creative for third Bartling, Ginny Wojtkiewicz and Pat Do- readers than the 2004 summer pro- grade and up kids, book discussion brusky. When you see teens coming into gram. groups such as Book Bugs for grades 2 the library to practice their knitting dur- to 5 and Battle with Books for grades 6 Summer Reading Programs at ing the day, you know you’ve hit on a to 12, What’s Cookin’ at the Library with Keene are enriched by professional per- success! A creative writing group made Valerie Enholm demonstrating to a room formances including Jeff Quinn the magi- up of kids grade 5 and up met with each full of hopeful cooks how to make very cian, Stinky Feet (aka Jim Cosgrove), of the authors this summer, and did eatable goodies, puppet shows pre- Raptor Rescue, Svoboda Astronomy, some creative writing on their own. Duct sented four days a week by the Junior Vern Wirka the puppeteer, Dan Sullivan Tape Magic and Wizard Wardrobe were Friends, Tuesday crafts, Baby Play and of Capow Science, the Omaha Royals, July and August ventures into new areas, Toddler Play, the incentive reading for Brian Henning and his marionettes, Rope along with celebrating the new Harry prizes and the Mystery Boxes to keep Tricks by Brother Mel, Cheri Clark and Potter release with a Harry Potter Special everyone guessing. her Nebraska nature program, plus spe- afternoon. Readers also had an oppor- cial appearances by three authors, tunity to “Tour the Castle” by reading Put all this together and it was in- James Solheim, Nancy Sharp Wagner books through the summer. deed a summer of dragons, dreams and and Dean Jacobs. daring deeds. (The dragons were in the Old favorites returned this past sum- puppet shows.) Some exciting new programs were mer, such as Movin’ with Susan with offered this summer such as Art with Susan Allen offering a dance and exer- Joan Chesley, Children’s Librarian Mary as a collaborative effort with the Art cise workout for over 40 kids every Association. This group met at the li- week, Journaling with Katie with Katie

Book Sale nets tremendous success Save the Date! In a recent and at Bergan who promote community The 2006 Book Sale is conversation, I service with their classes-100 students mentioned our who move boxes for us on set-up day. scheduled for April 6-9. volunteers for the We have Velma Shipley, who gives us book sale. I was most of a 10 day period of time calling amazed at the members and non-members to staff our we should net around $13,000. attitudes of the others five day sale weekend. We have a group in the group. They of twelve women who sort year-round The reward for each person who is agreed with one who said, "If I'm going for us. The Golden K men have involved is in seeing those results and to work, I am going to be paid for it." unpacked boxes for us for seven years, that the Friends can continue to They belittled volunteering. as a community project. Our book support Keene Memorial Library needs The Friends of the Library are expert, Vince O'Connor, helps price and programs. extremely fortunate that our volunteers several times a year. Our library staff Thank you for all that you do to do not feel the same way. We have the promotes our fund-raiser, accepts make the Friends’ Book Sale a success. example of our board members who donations, and moves books. We have Thank you for choosing to volunteer. attend meetings once a month and plan an additional 100 workers who move library events. We enjoy the use of the boxes, unpack, set up, work as Faith Perry, Booksale Chairperson storage facility at the Masonic Home, cashiers, and help customers during the P.S. Donations are currently being thanks to Ben Harvey. The Home five days in April. accepted for the 2006 book sale. With provides student involvement, both We did have our most successful your help, we can continue to make boys and girls, during our sale. We have sale. Our grand total was $14,315.18. each book sale more successful than high school teachers at Fremont High After expenses and Nebraska sales tax, the last. Yes, I would like to join for 2006!

Name: ______Address: ______City:______State:____ Zip:______Phone: ______E-Mail Address: ______

Friend ~ ($5.00 per person per calendar year) $______

Patron ~ ($10.00 per person per calendar year) $______

Additional Donation to the Friends $______

Total Enclosed $______

Please return this form with your dues to: Friends of Keene Memorial Library 1030 N. Broad St. Fremont, NE 68025

Advantages of membership: • Members-only night for the annual book sale • Three - Four newsletters a year • November event ~ entertainment and dessert • Short annual meeting (wintertime) with entertainment and dessert • “Lemonade on the Library Lawn” with Mrs. John C. Fremont

Suggestions for programs: ______Projects I am willing to help with and/or my special talents: ______ˆ Please call me. I would like to help with Friends’ projects. 10th Annual Lemonade on the Lawn draws large crowd

A very successful, 10th Annual Lemonade on the Li- brary Lawn was held during John C. Fremont Days this past July 9th. The event kicked off with a flag raising presentation. Im- mediately following the pro- gram, Sue McClain of “Yesterday’s Lady” presented a mother and daughter style show featuring vintage clothing. Jessie Benton Fremont, portrayed by Susan Allen, read stories to children. This patriotic afternoon at the library was once again a marvelous time. Welcome to the board!

The Friends Board would like to welcome our newest member, Laura Cooper. Laura joined the board this summer due to a vacancy. She is a familiar face at the library and will be a great asset to our board. Welcome, Laura!

web! We’re on the ene.lib.ne.us http://www.ke