Highland County Public Library E-Newsletter October 2008

The annual used book sale was a success this year with thousands of books sold. With the help of over sixty volunteers and more than one hundred book donors we raised $3800 for the library’s operating budget. We hope all the new book owners across the area are happy with their latest purchases and are planning to enjoy them throughout the long winter.

I’m pleased to announce the library’s new Afterschool Crafts Programs, put together by library board member, Jennifer Cockerham. So far we’ve had fantastic programs on quilting and watercolors. The programs are held on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Mountain View Room of the library. Upcoming programs include a Halloween Craft Party on October 30th, Origami taught by David Cockerham on November 6th, a Thanksgiving Craft Party on November 13th, Bracelet Beading with Tate Swecker of Mariah Boone on November 20th, and a Christmas Craft Party on December 18th. The programs are geared toward school-age kids and are free, with all materials provided.

The next Family Movie Night at the library will be on Friday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. We’ll be showing “Nim’s Island” (Rated PG). The movie, popcorn, candy and drinks are all free. Bring the whole family; everyone is welcome.

On Monday, Nov. 10 at 7:00 p.m., Monterey author Will Vaus will be reading from and signing copies of his latest book “The Professor of Narnia, the C. S. Lewis Story.” The author will be sharing what caused him to write this intriguing book as well as some interesting tidbits about the creator of Narnia he has gleaned over the years. Books will be available for purchase at the event. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 10:30 a.m. “Curtie the Builder” will be reading stories to preschoolers and showing them the tools of the building trade. There will be activities and refreshments too. All preschoolers are welcome.

Library use continues to grow across the country and in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This library’s September circulation numbers, referring to how many items were checked out, increased 27% over the previous year. Computer use continues to rise also.

Check out our hottest new titles on the shelves this month. We have Nelson DeMille’s “The Gate House,” Margaret Truman’s “Murder Inside the Beltway,” Danielle Steel’s “A Good Woman,” Vince Flynn’s “Extreme Measures,” Iris Johansen’s “Dark Summer,” Gregory McGuire’s “A Lion Among Men,” Jonathan Kellerman’s “Bones,” Anita Shreve’s “Testimony,” Michael Connelly’s “The Brass Verdict,” John Le Carre’s “A Most Wanted Man,” and Christopher Paolini’s “Brisingr.” In non-fiction we have Bill O’Reilly’s “A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity,” William Least Heat-Moon’s “Roads to Quoz,” and Vicki Myron’s “Dewey, the Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World.”

Classic cookbooks added today

Check out one of our new classic cookbooks:

Mastering the Art of French Cooking - Julia Child

The German Cookbook - Mimi Sheraton

Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking - Marcella Hazan

Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico - Rick Bayless

Other more recent titles:

The Best of Mexico: A Cookbook - Evie Righter

Complete Book of Indian Cooking - Suneeta Vaswani

The Everything Chinese Cookbook - Rhonda Laurent Parkinson

Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook - Beth Hensperger

Microwave Gourmet - Barbara Kafka