With the latest blast of winter a few days behind us, I hesitate (but not too much, apparently) to mention the prediction for February, courtesy of the "Farmer's Almanac." Here it is:

"February2007

1st-3rd. Fairweather prevails. 4th-7th. Powerful storm pushes heavy snowacrossColorado, parts of Nebraska, Iowa, much of Kansas, Missouri, accumulations of a foot possible. 8th-11th. Drier, but also much colder. 12th-15th.

"Flurries Northern and Central Plains, points east. 16th-19th. Fair at first, then stormy conditions. 20th-23rd. Mostly fair weather. 24th-28th. Milder, then some snow for Northern and Central Rockies and Plains, then fair and colder.

"'While global warming has taken up much of our attention (as well as news coverage), our winter predictions are pointing towards widespread cold from coast to coast, especially for the western sections ofthe country,' shares Peter Geiger, Editor. Geiger continues, 'The cold may not be as frigid as 30 or 40 years ago, but we do expect this to be the coldest winter we've seen for quite a few years.' And, after last year's unusual warmth, this chill might make winter harder than usual.

"Snow, and lots of it, is also forecast for the nation's midsection, parts of New England, and the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. 'The Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley may be the only area spared the extreme cold,' reveals Sandi Duncan, Managing Editor, 'but this is not to say this area won't be without its cold spells and significant snowfalls.'"

The Marshall Public Library is here to serve during those wintery blasts. Neither wind, nor rain ... you know the spiel! Our doors are open so that your reading needs can be met when you are hunkered down inside, riding out the weather. One does not live on bread (or milk) alone.

Did you know ... the library hosted 174 children's programs with 3,053 participants in 2006.

New books

Fiction

-- "Maelstrom" -- Anne McCaffrey

-- "Plum Lovin'" -- Janet Evanovich

-- "Web of Evil" -- J.A. Jance

-- "Exile" -- Richard NorthPatterson

Non-fiction

-- "Yoga For Women at Midlife" -- Pat Shapiro

-- "Photographer's Life 1990-2005" -- Annie Leibovitz

-- "Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted" -- Mo' Nique

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.