My family and I spent Father's Day weekend on the Niangua River for our first family canoe trip. We went with several other families who were experienced canoers. Our second and third daughters took to the river, well, like fish. They both particularly loved the feeling of getting into the river and letting the current pull them along the river for a way. Of course, our youngest is only seven so she could only do that with an adult waiting to catch her. It struck me that there is no security like feeling that you are safe enough to be carried down a current with a parent waiting to catch you. Waxing a bit poetic, I know, but it was a great weekend. I hope everyone had a good Father's Day.

Carrying on that analogy, the library is working to be like the life preserver a child wears on the river. Many of you may have learned that using on-line chatrooms and instant messaging is now permitted on the library public-use computers.

I want to reassure those parents who find themselves wading in the Internet "river," standing by to catch their children. Our library policy states that children under the age of 12 must have a parent with them while using the computers. This helps ensure their safety, along with the filters that we have in place on the computers. Those same filters help protect youth ages 13-17 because while chatrooms and instant messaging is available to them (with parent's permission), the filters keep out any websites that contain adult or mature content. For example, while chatting on a Yahoo group is possible, Myspace.com is not, due to the adult content. Our filters are still in place and will still work to limit access to inappropriate sites for youth.

On beyond Google

Some of you know that Shirley Haynes is the one of the reasons that the library has such a fantastic genealogy collection. In addition to the print resources, the library subscribes to a genealogy database -- Heritage Quest. This resource allows you to search Census records from 1790 through 1930, as well as genealogy books and magazines. You can even search for Revolutionary War Records and Freedman's Banks (from 1865 through 1874). Either our genealogy staff or the library staff can help you examine these records. All you have to do is ask.

Check it out

We have three special events this week and each one is special enough that I had to mention all of them.

On Friday, June 22, we will be having a book sale outside (weather permitting) from noon to 5 p.m. We are just swimming in books here and need to clear out some storage space. Stop by and take a look.

On Saturday, June 23, the library is hosting a Star Wars movie marathon featuring the first three released movies from the 1970s and 80s. We will have food, fun, and games as well as watch the movies. The event is free and open to teens in sixth grade and up. You may attend either all or any one of the movies. See schedule below.

Ever wanted to pet a reptile? Now's your chance on Monday, June 25, at 7 p.m. Dianne Moran is coming to present Animal Mysteries Uncovered, where she will present stories, facts, audience participation, and live animals. This event is free and open to all ages.

New materials

Fiction

"All Together Dead" by Charlaine Harris

"Innocent As Sin" by Elizabeth Lowell

"Pearl Harbor: A Novel of Dec. 8" by Newt Gingrich

"Once Around the Track" by Sharyn McCrumb

Non-fiction

"God Is Not Great" by Christopher Hitchens

"Forever and Ever, Amen" by Sister Karol Kackowski

Music CDs

"Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 1 & 2" -- BBC National Orchestra of Wales

"Tchaikovsky: 1812" -- Chicago Symphony Orchestra

"Paco De Lucia" -- John McLaughlin

Circle of days

Friday, June 22, from noon to 5 p.m. -- Book sale at the library.

Saturday, June 23 -- Star Wars Movie Marathon for Teens; 10 a.m., "A New Hope" (originally titled "Star Wars"); 1 p.m., "The Empire Strikes Back;" 3:30 p.m., "Return of the Jedi."

Monday, June 26, at 7 p.m. Animal Mysteries Uncovered by Dianne Moran.