I had a bit of good news waiting for me in the mail yesterday when I came back from the Christmas weekend. The Missouri State Library had awarded a $5,585 grant to the Marshall Public Library. This particular grant is provided to purchase some software for the computers available for library patrons' use. The software will help streamline the process for patrons to access the computers. The staff and I are thrilled at this opportunity to improve our services.

As frequently happens at this time of year, I started looking back at the past, thinking about what has been accomplished because of grant money received here at your library. I thought it might be interesting to let the community know what those monies have been and what we've done with them.

In 2006, the library was awarded a total of $6,356 in grants through the Missouri State Library. These funds allowed the library to bring in a consultant to facilitate the construction of a three year plan for the library; funded the purchase of materials for the Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library initiative, a program designed to promote early literacy skills; and provided an opportunity for the MPL Board president and myself to travel to a storytelling conference in Tennessee to learn about incorporating storytelling for all ages at the library.

In addition, we received donations and memorials that funded a subscription to a genealogy database, brought in two performers for Summer Reading, provided the library with a book return box, and purchased a much needed set of folding chairs as well as a cart to hold them.

In 2005, the library was awarded a total of $10,139 in grants through the Missouri State Library. These funds brought Ralph Duren to Marshall to present two of his wildlife programs, purchased a set of 39 GED Connection videotapes geared for students who are studying for the GED exam, provided four new computers for public use to replace older models, allowed me attend a week-long training session on strategic planning for libraries offered by the Public Library Association, and funded a storytelling festival to celebrate the library's 15 year birthday.

As we head into 2007, I look forward to continuing our efforts to provide the community with a library that is an asset to Marshall and the surrounding community. Happy New Year!

New books

Non-fiction

-- "Watching the World Change" -- David Friend

-- "You: On a Diet" -- Michael F. Roizen

-- "Christianity: The Origins of a Pagan Religion" -- Philippe Walter

-- "Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell" -- Karen DeYoung

-- "Mindless Eating" -- Brian Wansink

-- "War On the Middle Class" -- Lou Dobbs

-- "Truck: A Love Story" -- Michael Perry

Library events

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 Time -- for babies up to 24 months old, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

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.