Common wisdom has it that the best leaders surround themselves with smart people. As I certainly don't claim to be another Einstein, I have worked toward the goal of having a smart staff. Case in point: Marshall High School's valedictorian, Amy Yeagle, works at the library.

In fact, I was pleased to see all three of the high school students who work at the library were recognized at the Academic Excellence banquet earlier this year. Gretchen Roehrs, Edgar Sanchez, and Amy Yeagle are all assets to the Marshall Public Library.

I'm sure we all recognize how crucial reading is to the academic success achieved by the library's high school employees. Both parents and teachers work hard to encourage reading and make it a priority. Summer Reading 2007 at the Marshall Public Library is another way to do just that. And it's fun too!

Our kick-off is on Saturday, June 2. The pre-school and elementary children can attend our annual Builder's Fair from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Parental supervision is required -- as well as a hammer. For sixth grade and above, we offer Spine Tinglers for Teens as the kick-off for Teen Summer Reading. Hope to see a lot of you then!

Just a reminder: The library will be closed on Monday, May 28, in recognition of Memorial Day.

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New materials

Fiction

-- "Bad Luck and Trouble" by Lee Child

-- "Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Susan Vreeland

-- "The Overlook" by Michael Connelly

-- "The Land of Mango Sunsets" by Dorothea Benton Frank

Non-fiction

-- "This Moment on Earth" by John Kerry

-- "Way Off the Road" by Bill Geist

-- "FDR" by Jean Edward Smith

Music

-- "Anthology," Al DiMeola

-- "In the Night," George Shearing Quartet with Dakota Staton

-- "The Bluegrass Sessions: Tales from the Acoustic Planet," Bela Fleck

-- "Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert (1938)," Benny Goodman

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.