Library Happenings

By Julie Jarman

Happy Fall everyone.

Fall is always a busy time in a state of constant change. Once the school year starts, activities seem to ratchet up a bit.

Library Peace Poster Contest

The Staunton Lions Peace Poster Contest show and judging was held on Wednesday, Oct. 18, with 51 pieces of artwork submitted. All the art was created by 11, 12 and 13-year old students from the local area. Three students were awarded first, second and third place for best interpretation, most original and creative work based on the theme of Dare to Dream about Peace determined by the Staunton Lions’ judges. Every poster was interesting, compelling and thoughtful in its own way. The judges had a hard time trying to pick just three.

First Place was awarded to Emily Eldred; Second Place went to Kayden Gausig; and Third Place was given to Olive Diveley.

Each student received a gift card from the Blackbird Bakery in various amounts. Emily Eldred’s first place poster will be going on to the next round of judging in the Carlinville area. Lions Club International sponsors the Peace Poster Initiative every year with students all over the world. After each round, the winner goes on to the next round until there is one sole winner. Google the topic to witness some of the best art work promoting peace on earth on a global scale. It was a wonderful event to co-host with the Staunton Lions. We thank everyone who helped us put the art show on this year, especially our local educators who requested the information. The library and the Lions hope to be able to do this again next year.

Story Book Walk (SBW)

Last week the library staff decorated the front hallway with, “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, story book walk on the wall along with the rest of the art work there, the beautiful antique display case and the free book cart full of nice books, old newspapers, and magazines.

The Oct. book display at the Water Tower Park was the beloved children’s classic “The Little Old Woman Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything” by Linda Williams. What a way to celebrate Halloween by featuring this story. In the next few days, “Grumpy Monkey” by Suzanne Lang, and illustrated by Max Lang, will be the next story to go up. I personally love the story, “Grumpy Monkey,” for the message of dealing with one’s true feelings and how it’s okay to not just be fine all the time. As we enter the colder months, bear with us on changing out the Story Book Walk in the Park. The goal is to change the story every four to five weeks weather permitting. Please feel free to check out both of our stories at your leisure.

Halloween Party

The Staunton Library Halloween Party was held on Thursday, Oct. 26, and was a great success with 25 children in attendance playing games, listening to a fun spooky story, getting their face painted and doing an art project with the cute little witch from the story. Party bags were handed out at the end of the time period for all who came, even those who merely stopped by and discovered there was a party going on also received a party bag. Everyone seemed to leave in smiles that day.

Library Crawl

The fifty annual Library Crawl began on Oct. 1 and ran the entire month. Everyone was encouraged to pick up a passport from their home library and travel around to other participating libraries getting their cards stamped. Some libraries chose to hand out fun little party favors just for playing the game. Staunton Library handed out Sixty eight plastic cups with ghost suckers, a Halloween art kit and a package of candy corn.

Remember, if you reside in Staunton and traveled to five other libraries including ours and got your card stamped, you can turn in your passport for a chance at a gift card. Please get your passports in before Wednesday, Nov. 8, to be eligible for the drawing. You have to reside in Staunton School District to qualify for our drawing.

Family Reading Night is Thursday, Nov. 16

The week of Nov. 13, the library will be handing out grab bags to the young people as a way to celebrate this date. On Thursday, Nov. 16, the library staff will have the cart of brand new children’s books out free for families to take a couple of new books home that night in hopes you will sit down after supper and read together. Reading is so important to our future.

While you are at the library, we invite you all to look at our children’s reading kits near the desk. These are fun little totes that can be taken to one of the tables. Each one has a story and few activities in the tote that centers around the story. They cannot be checked out but only enjoyed in the library.

Just a head’s up: Story-time for children ages three and up have been changed. It is now being held the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. at the Staunton Public Library children’s library. A story, an art project and possibly a game will follow the storybool.

Days closed in Nov.: Saturday, Nov. 11, which is Veteran’s Day and Thursday, Nov. 23, which is Thanksgiving Day.

Secret Santa applications

The Staunton Lions Secret Santa applications are here at the library on the front desk. Stop by and pick one up today if you are interested in the program.

Please bear with us, our library Facebook page is experiencing technical difficulties. We honestly are not sure when it will be up and running again. Please follow us on Instagram @ Stauntonlibrary1. We hope to have more material up soon.

The library has over 20,000 items of fun entertainment within grasp including books, audiobooks, movies, computers, and free wifi. We also have access to ebooks with a valid library card. The library provides fax service, copies, and scanning. Our contact information is 618-635-3852 or email the library at [email protected]. The fax line is 618-635-2246. The Library welcomes and is eager to help anyone who ventures inside.