Cherokee Chronicle Times: Columns: Mary Jo Ruppert

Library News (05/16/13)
It's always nice to announce something new happening at the Cherokee Public Library. This week I have the pleasure of letting people know about two projects. One is finished and the other is in the works. Last week we completed the installation of automatic push button openers on the Maple Street doors. ...

Library News (04/18/13)
I read a lot of books, but I don't often pick up a nonfiction title. However, some of those who come to READit book discussion group are nonfiction fans and they keep me clued in to what's good. Following are notes on some new titles (and there are a bunch!) from the Cherokee Public Library's shelves that have garnered attention lately...

Library News (04/04/13)
In the past year a project was completed at the Cherokee Public Library that is a source of pride for everyone associated with the library and the Cherokee Area Archives. I'm talking about the effort that digitized and put all of the Cherokee newspapers from 1870 to current day on the web...

Library News (03/21/13)
The Cherokee Public Library is excited to announce the availability of a new database, Learning Express. A press release has been running but it bears repeating! This is a wonderful resource on many levels with everything from tutorials on how to run a spread sheet to sample academic tests so we hope the public will take advantage of it. It can be accessed from the library's webpage www.cherokee.lib.ia...

Library News (03/07/13)
People are surprised when they ask what I am reading and I rattle off two or three titles. It is very rare for me to only have one book going, and I sometimes have as many as four partially read. There's a reason for that. I hate starting new books. I'd rather be in the middle of one I'm familiar with. So before I get much past the halfway mark, I always begin another. It might be confusing for others, but it works for me. Here are some of my recent reads:...

Library News (02/21/13)
We are excited to announce two new activities at the Cherokee Public Library. Both are happening by request and are "spinoffs." At the risk of showing my age, I will tell you to think Knot's Landing and Shirley & Laverne which while popular in their own right, originated from Dallas and Happy Days. In this case, our weekly morning book discussion group, READit, is the genesis for what I hope will be equally well attended programs...

Library News (02/07/13)
Whew... January's over! That month seemed to go on forever as it was full of meetings and things to do, some with deadlines. During January the Friends of the Cherokee Public Library met to discuss results of the book basket fund raiser. Their profit was $2026.50. They also had some lovely gifts and with book sale proceeds added in, it gave them a very healthy bank account. They will be able to do a lot for the library this year...

Library News (01/24/13)
Last week at my crochet club meeting, it was observed that I have been working on the same piece for two, maybe three, years. I reminded the girls that I don't go to club to do needlework, even though my intention when I started several years ago was to learn how to crochet...

Library News (01/10/13)
Each month one of my tasks is lining up Stories 2000 readers. For some reason last week seeing the notation 2000 on my "to do" list made a childhood memory pop up. When the calendar turned over to 1960, a friend and I talked about how hard it would be to remember to write a 6 instead of a 5 when we dated our school papers. ...

Library News (12/27/12)
Sometimes the week between Christmas and New Year's Day can be somewhat of a blur at the Cherokee Public Library. It's usually a busy one with kids out of school and adults deciding they can take time to read again after the holiday. There's also is a big movie checkout. It's one of the times of the year that we see empty spots in our DVD racks...

Library News (12/13/12)
It's the time of year to write an annual Christmas letter. Some people love them. Some people hate them. If you're one of the latter, you may want to skip this column. Dear friends.... It's been a good year for the Cherokee Public Library. No terrible tragedies and one great triumph to report...

Library News (11/29/12)
October and November brought the Cherokee Public Library some great book titles and our "new" shelves are brimming. I have been reading one right after another. Here are some of them. 'The Dust Bowl' by Ken Burns is a companion to his new PBS series. The pictures and personal narratives are riveting. As I turned the pages, I developed a new appreciation for Mother Nature and for the people and communities that lived through that terrible experience...

Library News (11/15/12)
There is exciting news from the Cherokee Public Library! The project to digitize Cherokee newspapers is up and running. There is still some work to be done, but the papers from 1970-1985 and from 1992-2001 are now accessible online. We hope to have the missing issues and the 2002-2011 newspapers online by the first of the year...

Library News (11/01/12)
As we head into November it is time to start promoting the Friends of the Cherokee Public Library's annual book basket fundraiser. Each year the Friends take silent bids on baskets that contain a book and related items. Even after all of these years I continue to be amazed at the creativity shown in assembling them. My office is filling up with baskets waiting to be wrapped and I see some very interesting things like wine, sunblock and a gold reindeer...

Library News (10/18/12)
This fall has held some wonderful experiences for me. Last in line was my daughter Sara's wedding, which took place Sunday at the Presbyterian Camp on West Lake Okoboji. As I listened to comments from out- of -state guests about how pretty the setting was, I realized that it has been awhile since I took time to really appreciate the beauty of northwest Iowa...

Library News (10/04/12)
This past week I had the opportunity to attend the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) annual conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was a wonderful experience and I would like to share some of the highlights. First, traveling with two colleagues was great. ...

Libray News (09/20/12)
This past weekend was an exciting one for me as I welcomed my first grandchild. Isabelle Renee was born healthy and beautiful and I know there will be many happy days ahead as we get to know each other. My son says she is lucky to have a grandma who is a librarian and will encourage her to enjoy books and read...

Library News (09/06/12)
I have never spent much time at the ocean as I tend to be more of a mountain person, but I have been reading some books that make me want to listen to waves somewhere. I thought about calling brother Bob and heading for Florida, however its hurricane season. Not the best choice so I guess I'll settle for lake waves at Okoboji on a windy fall day. Speaking of choices, here are some novels to pick from at the Cherokee Public Library...

Library News (08/24/12)
Library Column Mary Jo Ruppert On Saturday when I was getting into my car I noticed several pretty leaves plastered on it by the rain. I know we've had a dry summer but I was a little surprised to see colored maple leaves already. Guess it all goes along with the sign I saw north of Orange City last week announcing that Pumpkinland opens in 19 days. Well, I love fall and I'm tired of summer so I am definitely ready to think about September!...

Library News (08/09/12)
Lately on Facebook, there have been a surfeit of pictures with the admonishment to hit "like" if you know what the item is. They range from a portable hair dryer (I still remember the smell of that plastic) to a manual meat grinder to drive-in theater speakers to my personal favorite, a pop bottle topped with a sprinkler head for ironing. ...

Library News (07/26/12)
RAGBRAI has come and gone. It is amazing how fast the riders flood in and how fast they pack up and go. We had a good experience on Sunday with nice people who were grateful for an air conditioned place to hang out. When I came in the door a guy was lying in the exterior lobby reading our Sunday newspapers and before long every chair in the place was occupied. Several people resorted to sleeping on the floor before the day was over...

Library News (07/12/12)
The July calendar at the Cherokee Public Library holds two big events coming up next week. Our annual summer book sale kicks off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 19. All year long we store nice donated books and other items in a closet for the July sale ,and we're ready to empty that closet. ...

Library News (06/28/12)
I'm beginning "Readit choices part three" with a story. The first meeting planned in 2004 for a new book discussion group was scheduled at noon and people were invited to bring their lunch. Only one person showed up. It was Sandi Beals and with her was a peanut butter and pickle sandwich. I was stunned. I did not know anyone besides me who ate that combination. We were instant buddies and she became a cornerstone of our READit group...

Library News (06/14/12)
As promised, here is "READit recommendations part 2". READit is the book discussion group that meets at the Cherokee Public Library on Thursday mornings. Please come join us at 10 a.m. for a great time talking about books! Jean Miller chose 'The Dressmaker' by Kate Alcott. ...

Library News (05/31/12)
READit is an acronym for a book discussion group that takes place on Thursday mornings at the Cherokee Public Library. I came up with it in September of 2004, when I was envisioning a lunchtime group that could meet and talk about what they were reading. Through trial and error the group evolved into a morning coffee klatch at which a fair amount of cookies are consumed. So the initials which stand for read, eat and discuss still apply...

Library News (05/17/12)
This seems like a good time to talk about weeds. They are everywhere, especially in my rock beds at home. However, in this case I'm not really talking about green stuff growing in the cracks of my driveway. Weeding is a term in library language used to describe the process of discarding items that are no longer useful. ...

Library News (05/03/12)
A box was delivered to the Cherokee Public Library last week with bright blue t-shirts and supplies for the summer reading program. It's always fun to see the shirts as the staff spends a lot of time wearing them through June and July. At least this year they are a color that we all like. The summers we wore harvest gold and neon orange were not favorites...

Library News (04/19/12)
There are not too many times when I am at a loss for words, but I don't know how to explain the damage occurring to the newspapers and magazines at the Cherokee Public Library. It is very disheartening. We have had too many incidents recently where parts of the newspaper are missing or articles torn out. ...

Library News (04/05/12)
I don't think there's any better way to kick off National Library Week than to highlight a few of the new books from the shelves of the Cherokee Public Library that I have read, so here they are: 'The Dog Who Danced' by Susan Wilson starts at a truck stop. Justine and her Sheltie, Mack, are trying to reach her hometown before her father dies. Along the way they become separated. Told in people language and dog thoughts, it is a heartwarming story of love and healing...

Library News (03/22/12)
Each year I mention a special week in April. Sometimes I just acknowledge it in passing, some years I do something about it. This time I intend to make it a big deal , so I am promoting it early. Mark your calendar and plan to stop by the Cherokee Public Library to help celebrate National Library Week from April 8-14...

Library News (03/08/12)
I think I am a senior citizen. Maybe not officially since I'm not collecting anything, but it sure is nice to have a movie discount and a break at McDonald's. I wasn't aware of the latter until a young man who has long used the library asked very gently "I don't want to hurt your feelings but aren't you over 55?" Answering yes got me a coke at less than half. So now I claim senior citizenship whenever possible...

Library News (02/23/12)
Every profession seems to have its own language and symbols pertinent to its operation. Libraries are no different and those of us who work at the Cherokee Public Library use terms that may seem like a foreign concept to our patrons. In the past week or so we have noticed such a problem when patrons reserve items online through our website. The best way to explain the situation is to use an example...

Library News (02/09/12)
It seems strange to be writing a column. Spending several weeks at home recovering from surgery has changed my daily focus and it may take a little time to shift from 'The Price is Right' and 'Ellen' to full hours at the Cherokee Public Library. Along with too much channel flipping and some movie watching, I read quite a few books during my time at home so here are the ones I liked best. If any are of interest, please call 225-3498 to place a hold...

Library News (12/15/11)
I am busy winding up things for 2011 at the Cherokee Public Library. One item on my list is to thank people who have helped out with library services this year. I will begin with the Friends of the Library. The efforts of Sue Parker, Linda Christensen, Darla Struck, Lisa Sampson and Mary Miller resulted in another successful fundraiser. ...

Library News (12/01/11)
Holiday lights, bells, snowflakes and Christmas trees. It must be December! The Cherokee Public Library is ready for the season. The building is decorated, holiday DVDs are available for checkout and there is a special display of Christmas books. We invite you to stop in and take a break from the hustle and bustle. The December issues of magazines make a wonderful excuse to relax for a little bit in the atrium and enjoy our beautiful tree...

Library News (11/17/11)
A few weeks ago I ran a column about how quiet a library should or should not be. It produced several comments so I thought a natural follow up would be the title of a workshop session I attended in September, "The Library as the Third Place." The concept of the third place is not new. It was originated by Ray Oldenberg in his 1989 book titled The Great Good Place in which he argued that third places are important for a civil society...

Library News (11/03/11)
Boo, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. It seems to me all three holidays run together anymore. This week at the Cherokee Public Library I've handed out treats, made a November bulletin board, and printed off signs for the Friends of the Library's fund raiser with pictures of Christmas trees...

Library News (10/20/11)
And the debate goes on....how quiet should a library be? At the Cherokee Public Library we have mixed opinions and this last week we had a patron strongly express their displeasure in how noisy our library is. All I can say is libraries have changed just as many other facilities have. ...

Library News (10/06/11)
Okay. it' s 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, and I just realized that I have a column due at the newspaper office at noon. What to write? What to write? Usually I would review books in a pinch but I did that last time, so I will do an update of some things happening at the Cherokee Public Library...

Library News (09/22/11)
I like books that explore relationships between people. I also enjoy following a character as he or she goes through their life dealing with daily problems and conflicts. And I love a setting that allows me to learn something new. Here are some recent titles from the collection of the Cherokee Public Library that meet my personal criteria...

Library News (09/08/11)
It seems a little early to be thinking about the Christmas season but that is just what the Friends of the Cherokee Public Library are doing. They will meet next week on Monday, Sept. 12 at 4:15 p.m. to discuss and start preparations for their annual book basket auction...

Library News (08/25/11)
I recently read an article in Footnotes, the newsletter put out by the State Library, that I found interesting. The title is "Have Book Sales Hit the Skids?" I am going to recap it as it is an issue we have been wondering about at the Cherokee Public Library...

Library News (08/11/11)
I'm in one of my favorite places right now, the middle of an interesting book. I don't like starting new books and I hate finishing good ones. I'm always happiest when my bookmark is about halfway through one I don't want to put down. This time my book of choice is 'The Forgotten Garden' by Kate Morton. ...

Library News (07/28/11)
This week's column is courtesy of a guest writer. I enjoy having a break and there is a message from Sharon Fliear of the Cherokee Area Archives that needs to be shared as the Archives looks for new volunteers to supplement the faithful ones they have. It could be a fun activity for anyone looking to fill an afternoon...

Library News (06/30/11)
The last day of June means the summer is flying by. And although that's fine with me since I'm one who prefers cooler temps, less humidity and lawns that do not require constant mowing, I'm sure there are people out there who are not anxious to turn the page over to July. It always seems once the 4th is over, summer is a rapid downhill slide...

Library News (06/16/11)
What a wild and crazy time we're having at the Cherokee Public Library. Lots of people in, lots of books and DVDs going out and computers busy from start to finish each day. It's been great! Here are some things to look forward to as we continue on through the summer...

Library News (06/02/11)
There are many new books right now to choose from at the Cherokee Public Library, so it 's a great time to come in and take a look. Here are some books I have recently read and enjoyed: 'Summer Shift' by Lynn Kiele Bonasia revolves around the owner of a seafood restaurant. ...

Library News (05/19/11)
WILBOR is arriving at the Cherokee Public Library on June 1st! In olden days I would have told you that meant the coyote who delivered pizza via a tricycle at the Piccadilly pizza place in Sioux City was coming. However, it is actually an announcement letting our patrons know they will soon have a wonderful opportunity to access free downloads of audio books and eBooks...

Library News (04/21/11)
Silos are something commonly seen in the Iowa countryside. They are probably some of biggest storage bins ever to be had. In the library world there is an acronym SILO, which also represents a huge storage bin although it is of the virtual kind. SILO or State of Iowa Libraries Online is the computer database that runs our interlibrary loan system. ...

Library News (04/07/11)
Road trip! I'm never happier than when I am on the highway, even if it's just circling Cherokee while I eat an ice cream cone. I've found the distance from the DQ drive up around the bypass back to the library to be perfect for that and I'm often seen coming down the east hill around lunch time. However, this week I'm taking a little longer trip and while I like loud music, sometimes I need something different to keep me alert...

Library News (03/31/11)
After finishing the 'new materials' section of the Cherokee Public Library's April newsletter, I have decided it should be a good month for all of our patrons who look forward to new books and movies. Many of the items I am about to mention already have reserves on them (before they're even in the door), so be sure to call or stop in and ask for a 'hold' if anything is of interest to you. ...

Library News (03/24/11)

Library News (03/17/11)
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I am not much of a holiday person but this one runs second to Halloween as my favorite. There's just something about cute leprechauns and cheerful green shamrocks that makes me smile. I always enjoy putting together bulletin boards and the annual reading of the green display in March...

Library News (03/10/11)
Last night as I was staying up way too late reading, I was startled by my dog barking at some unknown noise outside. When I looked up from my book it was like I had been in a different world. It took me a few minutes to get back to Cherokee, Iowa. That's the great thing about books. They take you places. And here's where I've been the past couple of weeks...

Library News (02/24/11)
It is actually Peg's week to write the newspaper column but due to circumstances beyond her control, she is home taking care of a broken ankle, so I have an extra turn. Peg took an unfortunate fall on the ice last week and ended up in Sioux City having surgery to have a pin put in. Not exactly what any of us would want to do...

Library News (02/17/11)

Library News (02/02/11)
DVDs There is a fairly new collection at the Cherokee Public Library that is growing by leaps and bounds. It has the second highest checkout of all our materials and we are amazed at the demand we are experiencing. I am talking about DVDs. We didn't set out to be the movie center of Cherokee but since other venues have closed, we are turning out to be just that. We now have 2,062 DVDs in our racks and the number grows almost every day. In December we checked out over 1,800 films to our patrons...

Library News (01/20/11)
It seems that Santa made a late stop at the Cherokee Public Library. We are happy to announce that we will soon have a color copier for the public to use. Thanks to a generous Merry Christmas check from a former Cherokee resident, the first year costs of leasing the machine are covered...

Library News (01/06/11)
I'm starting the new year with a promise to myself to get back to reading. After too much time spent flipping TV channels and watching movies, I turned the set off last weekend. All this came about when I read a post on my daughter's Facebook wall. I quote: "Mom says there's nothing good on television tonight. I told her to read a book." It produced some gentle cyber humor, as friends responded with comments like "I thought she worked at a library." It also served as a wake - up call for me,...

Library News (12/23/10)
Each year the Cherokee Public Library submits a report to the State Library of Iowa containing a variety of statistics and information. No matter how much I grumble about putting it together, it does give us a picture of what's been happening at the library. The numbers I am about to mention are for the months of July 2009-June 2010...

Library News (12/08/10)
"Give the gift of reading" is a common theme for bulletin boards in libraries around the Christmas holiday. Instead of utilizing that as a display this year at the Cherokee Public Library, I am going to suggest some ways the concept can actually be put in motion...

Library News (11/26/10)
Finding something to read at the Cherokee Public Library is never a problem. Here are some of my latest discoveries. Three new books by Donna Ball were delightful. 'A Year on Ladybug Farm,' 'At Home on Ladybug Farm' and 'Love Letters from Ladybug Farm' begin what I hope will be a series. ...

Library News (11/11/10)
There's been lots of activity in the alley behind the Cherokee Public Library this past week including digging, wall repair and removal of greenery. The project has been in the works since last spring but didn't get off the ground until now. It all started with a few small furry critters who managed to make their way into the building. ...

Library News (10/28/10)
We have something new at the Cherokee Public Library that we are super excited about, and we think there are a lot of people in the Cherokee area who will be too. We have subscribed to two EBSCO databases that we can share with our patrons for home use. ...

Library News (10/14/10)

Library News (09/30/10)
Last week Judy and I spent two days at workshops sponsored by the State Library of Iowa and the Northwest Library Service Area. A main focus was technical issues. I think by now everyone is aware that public Internet access is one of the most popular services offered by Iowa libraries. Here are some interesting statistics about library computer use in the state and around the country...

Library News (09/16/10)
Judging by the number of walnuts that hit my house through the night, it is time to think about fall projects. The Friends of the Cherokee Public Library are busy doing that as they start planning for their 2010 book basket fund raiser. This year will be number eleven for the annual event and we expect another successful season...

Library News (09/02/10)
It's always fun to find a new author. Sometimes first books are duds but often I think they are more carefully written and researched as the author tries to establish a place in book publishing. There are two I have read recently from the Cherokee Public Library that I feel deserve mention. Both times I put them down with a "Wow, that was a good book!" feeling...

Library News (08/19/10)

Library News (08/05/10)
I entered a new decade in age categories this week. It's scary but exciting to realize that the first digit corresponds to retirement ages. I took a little time to realize how important libraries have been to me throughout my life so I hope reminiscing can be forgiven...

Library News (07/22/10)
When I write about what I'm reading I tend to concentrate on fiction because that's what I like. However, there are many wonderful non fiction titles at the Cherokee Public Library. Maybe one of the following new ones will catch your attention. Biographies are always popular. ...

Library News (07/09/10)
Library Column for July 9, 2010 I am not a morning person. Never have been, probably never will be. I can get up early if I have to thanks to a clock with a double alarm that's set an hour ahead but the snooze button takes a beating most days. My favorite time is late evening. That's when I read. There's always one more page, one more chapter to finish and many times it is past midnight when I give it up...

Library News (06/24/10)
Going on vacation? Need something to read? Try "shopping" in the Cherokee Public Library's book saleroom. You never know what you will find but there's usually a selection of both paperbacks and hard covers. And at $.10 each no one care if it gets dropped in a lake! That has actually happened more than once with library books...

Library News (06/10/10)
This week I am taking advantage of a ghost writer as I share parts of an article titled "People of the Book," written by my son for his church newsletter. He is the pastor at the Community Presbyterian Church in Hartford, Iowa. Nathan's always been a library user and advocate, but it was a nice surprise to see his column. Of course, he was practically raised at the Cherokee Public Library in the days when I was the children's librarian. So I quote......

Library News (05/27/10)
I have never been a fan of the summer season. Give me a cool fall day or a nice winter one anytime. Heat, humidity and those stupid little black bugs are not my favorite things. However, no one gave me control over the seasons or the weather and most people don't agree with me, so enough said. I'll just hang out in the air conditioning and read...

Library News (05/13/10)

Library News (04/29/10)

Library News (04/15/10)
National Library Week seems like a good time to write about a book discussion group. READit (Read, Eat And Discuss it) takes place each Thursday morning at the Cherokee Public Library. Each participant brings at least one book they're reading and we take turns talking. The books do not need to be library copies...

Library News (04/01/10)
National Library Week has been celebrated in libraries across the United State since 1958. It is sponsored by the American Library Association as a time to recognize our nation's libraries and to appreciate their contributions to communities. This year National Library Week takes place from April 11-17...

Library News (03/18/10)

Library News (03/05/10)
I am ready to write about how the snow is melting and spring is in the air but I'm afraid that might jinx the weather. I think all of us are tired of a long white winter. But at least it's March and despite what the weatherman may throw at us, the wait for green grass doesn't seem quite as long...

Library News (02/19/10)
A few years ago I started a program at the Cherokee Public Library called Reader's Choice. It is still ongoing but I have not done well at promoting it lately so I think it is time to rework it and give it a boost. Reader's Choice involves sponsoring a favorite author and agreeing to pay for new titles by that author. ...

Library News (02/04/10)
The Cherokee Public Library has been doing a great checkout the last few weeks. After all what is there to do this winter but watch movies or read books? Here are a few suggestions from what I've been reading and watching. Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman is a first novel. ...

Library News (01/21/10)
January is budget time. On Jan. 22 the preliminary city budget is due at city hall and on Jan. 26 the Cherokee County Library Association will meet with the county supervisors. The following paragraphs contain a letter that is one of six to be handed out as part of the county presentation but it speaks to the city budget as well. ...

Library News (01/07/10)
One of the first things on my schedule for the New Year at the Cherokee Public library was to line up the Stories 2000 readers for the January WIC clinic. Our connection with the WIC clinic began in 2000 as part of a literacy effort by Christie Vilsack. ...

Library News (12/24/09)

Library News (12/10/09)
I'm sure the comment "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" will become an old story by the end of the week but I had to say it. It does look a lot like Christmas at the Cherokee Public Library. The trees are up and decorated and the special items like our accordion folded Santas are on display. The library is a relaxing place to take a break from a busy schedule so stop in and enjoy it...

Library News (11/25/09)
I suppose the logical thing to write about this week is what we are thankful for at the Cherokee Public Library. So I will give it a go. First and most important, we are thankful for the patrons who encourage us and appreciate the library. The ones who don't get upset if we make a mistake on their record. ...

Library News (11/12/09)

Library News (10/29/09)
I can't believe it's time to do the November newsletter and staff schedule for the Cherokee Public Library. I'm not sure what happened to October. It must have gone the same place that August and September disappeared to. November always brings a very special activity as the Friends of the Library's annual book basket fundraiser gets in gear at the beginning of the month. Some baskets or at least contents for baskets have already arrived so it looks like another good year...

Library News (10/15/09)
Mary Jo Ruppert I suppose I could write about the snow. How early it is. How pretty it is. How Mary Borgheiinck would have loved it. But somehow snow this early in October doesn't really thrill me although it raised enough curiosity that I looked on the Internet to see when the earliest snowfall in Iowa occurred...

Library News (10/01/09)
Last time I wrote about my experiences at the American Rural Small Libraries conference in Tennessee. One of the sessions I attended was called Practical Preparations and keyed in on safety in libraries and emergency situations. When I consider an emergency that could take place at the Cherokee Public Library, I immediately think of something like a tornado, fire or flood, all of which have happened at some time to some library in Iowa...

Library News (09/17/09)
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the annual conference of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was a wonderful experience both professionally and personally. There were some great speakers for general sessions and individual break out groups. I came home with my head swimming and a better understanding of why I many times feel overwhelmed in a technological and fast paced world...

Library News (08/20/09)
Today I told someone I was really tired of books. What I meant was I am tired of moving books. The summer book sale at the Cherokee Public Library was a great success with profits of over $1,300 but it involved a lot of book moving. I usually set it up and rearrange it as necessary but I made a note to myself to turn it into an opportunity for volunteer action next July. I think my age is showing...

At the Library (08/06/09)
It 's almost the end of the summer for the Cherokee Public Library. Once school starts the whole tempo changes and the days seem different. We've had a great June and July with kids in and out and in and out and no big problems. That's the way we like it! But even with a few weeks left of summer, we are starting to look ahead to September...

Library News (07/23/09)
The last weekend had my kind of weather, cool and breezy with sun, blue skies and white puffy clouds. It was a wonderful break from heat and humidity and I enjoyed every minute of it especially those I spent sitting on my patio with a glass of tea or a cup of coffee and a good book. Here are some suggestions from the Cherokee Public Library's new book shelf for anyone who likes to spend time the same way...

Library News (07/09/09)
Two weeks ago I wrote about opening the mail at the Cherokee Public Library and finding a nice surprise. It happened again! It's a wonderful story and I am quote from the letter I received: Dear Friends: A great many years ago -- long enough that I traveled from Sioux City to Cherokee on a passenger train -- I spent two weeks preaching is a tiny church in Cherokee, which probably doesn't even exist today. ...

Library News (06/24/09)
I was sitting at the computer this morning, wondering what I was going to write about, when the mail came. Since I wasn't having any brilliant flashes of inspiration, I decided to take time to open my share of letters, catalogs etc. A hand written addressed envelope with a Washington DC return caught my attention. ...

Library News (06/10/09)
I can't speak for everyone, but it's definitely summer at the Cherokee Public Library. As the building fills up with kids, we have a few simple rules to share. Any child not able to be responsible for their own behavior needs to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver who is actually paying attention to them...

Library News : Shut-In Delivery (05/14/09)
There is a service at the Cherokee Public Library that does not always get a lot of publicity or attention although it is very important to those who take advantage of it. I am talking about shut in delivery. For years we have been providing books and audio books to people who are not able to come to the library either because they can not physically walk in or they no longer drive. ...

Mary Jo Ruppert
Library News

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