At the library program on World War II German-American internment camps last month, one of the more striking things I learned was that mothers and children were separated from fathers and other family members simply because some had legal residency and others had not.

This was true in part because the wives believed they were legal if their husbands were. It seems so wrong to me that families were broken up because of fear.

As we pass the first day of May -- the "Day Without Immigrants" observation -- I see the similarities in current events and those WWII policies. Families are being torn apart -- through deportation -- because of governmental policies that seem to require closer examination. You can learn more about both time periods at your Marshall Public Library -- there are a number of books addressing these issues and history.

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New materials

Fiction

"I Heard That Song Before" by Mary Higgins Clark

"Obsession" by Karen Robards

"Fresh Disasters" by Stuart Woods

"Dream When You're Feeling Blue" by Elizabeth Berg

"Simple Genius" by David Baldacci

Nonfiction

"The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey

"Grace Eventually: Thoughts on Faith" by Anne Lamott

"From the Heart" by Robin Roberts

"Spiritual Connections" by Sylvia Browne

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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.marshallpublib.org. 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.