Whatever your feelings about "The DaVinci Code," you have to admit it's kind of cool to see a movie where the people being chased by a murderous monk go to a library to find out where to go next. I was intrigued about how many libraries and/or librarians are featured in movies. I actually found a website (leave it to librarians) that listed all of them.

Some of the more well-known ones are "The Mummy," "Because of Winn-Dixie," "The Day After Tomorrow," "Double Jeopardy," "Field of Dreams" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." My two favorite library-related movie quotes are the following: When the female lead in "The Mummy" states that she is proud of who she is and when someone asks who that is she states, "I am a librarian" and then she passes out.

I also enjoy the library scene in "The Day After Tomorrow" where the librarian saves the Gutenberg Bible from being burned. When there is a protest, one of the characters states that he's pretty sure the tax codes won't be missed.

Just some ramblings of mine about the sometimes invisible roles of libraries and librarians. If you know how to look it up, thank a librarian today.

New books

Fiction:

"Ricochet" -- Sandra Brown

"Mad River Road" -- Joy Fielding

"Married to a Stranger" -- Patricia MacDonald

"The Hot Flash Club Chills Out" -- Nancy Thayer

"The Guilded Chamber" -- Rebecca Kohn

Library events

No story times during August. The regular schedule resumes in September.

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

Pajama Story Time each Monday at 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 old, each Wednesday at 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.