Pull out the candles! This weekend, the Marshall Public Library turns 16 years old. And in honor of sweet sixteen, we are giving the community a gift -- Forgive Your Fines Weekend! We will clear your card of any overdue fines. Please note: this applies to overdue fines only, not lost or damaged materials. Happy Birthday!

And I know I have been beating this drum a lot lately but we are definitely moving forward with the development of a 3-year plan for the library. We have completed the Community Team meetings and have the survey results. The first draft of a plan, based on your input, has been created. Over the next couple of months, the Library Board and the staff will flesh out the plan, setting up goals and activities that will enable us to meet the goals. The final version will be available to the public -- hopefully before summer. Again, I extend my thanks to the community for their help with this project.

Another group is also thinking about the future. The Lion's Club is sponsoring the second State of Saline County tonight from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at the Erikson-Mabee Theatre at Missouri Valley College. I am happy to be participating as a representative of the library. It should be a very informative evening, providing the public with a vision of what our community can be and the challenges we are facing. I encourage everyone to attend.

How can I support the Marshall Public Library?

-- Bring your receipts from Patricia's into the library when you're returning or checking out books. Each month, Patricia's Foods will donate a portion of the collected receipts to the library.

-- When purchasing items from Amazon.com, use the link to Amazon that appears on the Marshall Public Library's Web site (www.marshallpubliclibrary.com). A portion of your purchase will go to support the library.

-- Consider joining Friends of the Marshall Libraries. Membership forms are available at the library.

-- Honor a mentor. Celebrate a friend. Commemorate an event. A gift to the Marshall Public Library is a unique and enduring way to pay tribute to friends and family. Your generosity will be a lasting source of joy and enrichment for the community. For additional information, please call (660) 886-3391 with any questions.

Gifts & memorials

George and Jane Huff have given the library a memorial donation in memory of Dick Ravenhill. A memorial gift to the library is such a thoughtful, generous gesture. It is such a unique and enduring way to pay tribute to our friends and relatives while giving a resource for people to use and enjoy for many years to come.

New books

-- "Bindweed" -- Janis Harrison

-- "Pale Horseman" -- Bernard Cornwell

-- "855 to Baghdad" -- Andrew Eames

-- "Summer Snow" -- Rebecca Powel

-- "The Tenth Circle" -- Jodi Picoult

-- "Leonardo's Swans" -- Karen Esex

-- "Solstice Wood" -- Patricia A. McKillip

-- "Red Lily" (large print) -- Nora Roberts

Library events

-- Preschool Story Time each Tuesday,10 a.m. Games, stories, crafts. Appropriate for children approximately 3-7 years.

-- Pajama Story Time each Monday, 7 pm. Everyone is welcome. Wear your jammies or come as you are. Games, crafts, stories.

-- Wee Ones Lap Time Story Times for babies up to 24 months, each Wednesday, 10 am. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

-- Travel With Lewis & Clark Series every other Tuesday of the month, 6 to 7:30 pm. Moderated by Marvin Wilhite.

Column compiled by Cathie Forbes & Priscilla McReynolds