It's official -- I have moved into "mom with older kids" stage. It happened on Sunday night, July 16, when my youngest child lost her first baby tooth. Add that to the fact that I have two teenagers at home, and I feel that I have truly left the baby days behind.

Time marches on, dragging me kicking and screaming along with it.

Speaking of teenagers, the library is featuring a teen movie event this Friday night, July 21.

The Creature Feature Film Festival begins at 7 p.m. and we will be showing two movies back to back. Have no fear (literally) because we will not be showing anything that involves gore. Yours truly is a big chicken when it comes to scary movies and since I have to watch the movies with the teens, I get to decide what movies will be shown. I have chosen to feature Tim Burton movies: "Edward Scissorhands" (rated PG-13) and "The Corpse Bride" (rated PG). The entry fee is one can of pet food, to be donated to the local animal shelter.

Don't forget our special program for kids on Saturday, July 22, at 10 a.m. Storyteller extraordinaire Judith Wynhausen will be presenting "Believe It Or Not Animal Tales" -- I guarantee you won't want to miss it!

July 22 is also the deadline for kids who participated in Summer Reading to register for the Finale Event -- a pool party on Saturday, July 29! Sign up and don't forget that the entry fee is one can of pet food, to be donated to the local animal shelter

New books

Fiction

"Angels Fall" -- Nora Roberts

"Susannah's Garden" -- Debbie Macomber

"Pale Blue Eyes" -- Louis Bayard

"Bad Twin" -- Gary Troup

Non-fiction

"Tile style" -- Heather E. Adams

"Goth Bible" -- Nancy Kilpatrick

"Miracle in the Andes" -- Nando Parrado

"American Chopper at Full Throttle" -- Mike Flaherty

Library events

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

Pajama Story Time each Monday, 7 p.m. 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 a.m.

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 p.m. Moderated by Marvin Wilhite.

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 Website: 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.

Column compiled by Cathie Forbes and Priscilla McReynolds.