Library Director Lynne E. Tharan's biweekly column in the Uniontown Herald-Standard Newspaper
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Getting in the Mood for Valentine's Day: February 1, 2012
It’s February – the month for hearts and flowers, poetry, chocolates, and lovely cards. Many couples become engaged to be married on February 14th – St. Valentine’s Day.
Here’s a bit of trivia you can use to impress someone. January 25 is the birthday of Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796), and has become an occasion for Scots all over the world to gather together in his honor. A Burns Night supper usually includes haggis, a traditional dish good for heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep or calf minced with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings. Burns's words "Hail Great chieftain o' the Puddin-race!" greet the dish's entry into the room. Men wear kilts and women their tartan sashes, and the evening's celebration includes reading Burns's poems and singing his songs, ending with one of his most famous, "Auld Lang Syne."
ATTENTION!! We do not have tax forms or instructions. Also, they’re telling us the rent rebate forms will not be available until February 18, and then you’ll be able to get them at Representative Tim Mahoney’s office on Lebanon Street.
If you have a computer and printer, go to www.irs.gov and click on the tab at the top left that says ‘individuals’. From there, click on the link for IRS forms.
Let me give you an 800 number you can call for federal forms to be mailed to you. It’s 1-800-829-3676. I understand it may take a few weeks for the forms to arrive, so do not wait too long to call.
For those who use ebook readers, our new database, OverDrive, is up and functioning quite well. You must have a current library card from our library to use this database, so if your card has expired, stop in to update it. Your number will not work until it is renewed. When you are ready to ‘check out’ a book from OverDrive, they fist ask you what library you use, and you will select Uniontown from the drop-down menu. Next page asks for your library card number. Because it requires a five digit number, you will need to add one or two zeros before your number to make it five digits.
Our web page (www.uniontownlib.org) has a link on the home page that will take you into OverDrive. Below the OverDrive link is a second link to other ebooks sites you can use for free or inexpensive downloads. There is also a very easy to follow ‘Help’ section and a FAQ link for questions you may have.
If you find yourself completely stymied by your e-reader, we will offer a few brief sessions to help you learn how to operate your unit. Call and give us your name and phone number, and when we have enough folks, we’ll call you back to let you know when the session will be.
Come see us in the library, spoil your Valentine on the 14th, and check out OverDrive!
“My lifelong love affair with books and reading continues unaffected by automation, computers, and all other forms of the twentieth-century gadgetry”. ~Robert DOWNS (1903- )
Here’s a bit of trivia you can use to impress someone. January 25 is the birthday of Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796), and has become an occasion for Scots all over the world to gather together in his honor. A Burns Night supper usually includes haggis, a traditional dish good for heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep or calf minced with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings. Burns's words "Hail Great chieftain o' the Puddin-race!" greet the dish's entry into the room. Men wear kilts and women their tartan sashes, and the evening's celebration includes reading Burns's poems and singing his songs, ending with one of his most famous, "Auld Lang Syne."
ATTENTION!! We do not have tax forms or instructions. Also, they’re telling us the rent rebate forms will not be available until February 18, and then you’ll be able to get them at Representative Tim Mahoney’s office on Lebanon Street.
If you have a computer and printer, go to www.irs.gov and click on the tab at the top left that says ‘individuals’. From there, click on the link for IRS forms.
Let me give you an 800 number you can call for federal forms to be mailed to you. It’s 1-800-829-3676. I understand it may take a few weeks for the forms to arrive, so do not wait too long to call.
For those who use ebook readers, our new database, OverDrive, is up and functioning quite well. You must have a current library card from our library to use this database, so if your card has expired, stop in to update it. Your number will not work until it is renewed. When you are ready to ‘check out’ a book from OverDrive, they fist ask you what library you use, and you will select Uniontown from the drop-down menu. Next page asks for your library card number. Because it requires a five digit number, you will need to add one or two zeros before your number to make it five digits.
Our web page (www.uniontownlib.org) has a link on the home page that will take you into OverDrive. Below the OverDrive link is a second link to other ebooks sites you can use for free or inexpensive downloads. There is also a very easy to follow ‘Help’ section and a FAQ link for questions you may have.
If you find yourself completely stymied by your e-reader, we will offer a few brief sessions to help you learn how to operate your unit. Call and give us your name and phone number, and when we have enough folks, we’ll call you back to let you know when the session will be.
Come see us in the library, spoil your Valentine on the 14th, and check out OverDrive!
“My lifelong love affair with books and reading continues unaffected by automation, computers, and all other forms of the twentieth-century gadgetry”. ~Robert DOWNS (1903- )
Manners expert to speak at library next week: January 18, 2012
What is that old adage? If you live in Pennsylvania and don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes and it will change??? That seems to be our weather for the last few weeks. We don’t know if it’s winter, fall, or spring.
Right now, of course, it is most definitely winter. Fortunately, it didn’t arrive until January, and we’re hoping it ends by March, but how could we be so lucky?
When setting the table for supper, does the fork go on the right or left side of the plate? How about the napkin – right or left side of the plate? On Saturday, January 28 at 2:30, Maryann Sawka will answer those questions for you along with many more at this children-oriented program.
Maryann has authored a book called Good Table Manners Made Easy, and will be giving simple solutions to all the etiquette issues that we should follow when eating with others. Maryann holds workshops in Pittsburgh frequently to help children and adults improve their table manners so they are comfortable in restaurants or social events where they might be meeting with friends or business associates.
Mrs. Sawka has planned some fun activities for the children so they can practice what they’ve learned. The program is geared primarily for children, and Maryann will read excerpts from her book. She will have books available for purchase that day, and has offered to autograph them.
The Friends of the library Restaurant coupons books are still available for purchase if you did not get one in your Christmas stocking. They are good throughout the year in many area restaurants and eateries. $20 buys a lot of good food. We have the books here at the library, and you can also pick up one or more at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce office.
Come and see us at the library, enjoy a program about table manners, and pick up your coupon book.
“My two favorite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library”. ~ Pete Golkin, Arlington, Virginia
Right now, of course, it is most definitely winter. Fortunately, it didn’t arrive until January, and we’re hoping it ends by March, but how could we be so lucky?
When setting the table for supper, does the fork go on the right or left side of the plate? How about the napkin – right or left side of the plate? On Saturday, January 28 at 2:30, Maryann Sawka will answer those questions for you along with many more at this children-oriented program.
Maryann has authored a book called Good Table Manners Made Easy, and will be giving simple solutions to all the etiquette issues that we should follow when eating with others. Maryann holds workshops in Pittsburgh frequently to help children and adults improve their table manners so they are comfortable in restaurants or social events where they might be meeting with friends or business associates.
Mrs. Sawka has planned some fun activities for the children so they can practice what they’ve learned. The program is geared primarily for children, and Maryann will read excerpts from her book. She will have books available for purchase that day, and has offered to autograph them.
The Friends of the library Restaurant coupons books are still available for purchase if you did not get one in your Christmas stocking. They are good throughout the year in many area restaurants and eateries. $20 buys a lot of good food. We have the books here at the library, and you can also pick up one or more at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce office.
Come and see us at the library, enjoy a program about table manners, and pick up your coupon book.
“My two favorite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library”. ~ Pete Golkin, Arlington, Virginia
December 16, 2011
Only a few, very short days until Christmas Day is here, and many of us are still wondering how we’ll ever be ready. I cannot imagine having everything done until Christmas Eve. There will be cookies to decorate, and packages to wrap – same story every year.
The Uniontown Public Library will alter its hours for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. We are closed Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26 for Christmas. For New Year’s, we are closed Saturday, December 31 and Monday, January 2, 2012. That’s the first time I’ve written 2012.
As 2011 draws to a close, bear with me as I thank all those who make our library the amazing place it is. Our staff is absolutely the best. To show no preference, I’ll list alphabetically by last name. Thanks to Jenna, Linda, Loretta, Vicki, Dianne, Sandy, Steve, Dolores, and Laurita. It is a joy to work with these people.
Every public Library has a Board of Directors who supervises the finances and policies of that library. We here in Uniontown have a dedicated group. Our Board President is Larry Bush; Vice-president, Jim Balling; Treasurer, Ed Hyjurick; Secretary, Retta Semans; Bob Cahn and Sam Davis round out the Board.
The Friends of the Library have been a vital part of this library for years, and I cannot thank them enough for all they do to keep this library going. They are a strong group that believes strongly in a healthy community library.
We also extend our thanks to the City of Uniontown for their continued support of this gem of a library.
Volunteers are vital to a library’s operation, and here, we are fortunate to have a supportive pool of men and women to help when we need them. Thanks, Volunteers.
Let me tell you how impressive the Uniontown Public Library is. Each year, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranks the libraries in the general Pittsburgh area. In 2009, Uniontown was ranked at #13, but this year, we are #12. At #16 is the Sewickley Public Library.
To compare us to that facility, let’s start with budget figures. Our annual budget comes in around $324,000, but #16 Sewickley’s budget is $987,000 – nearly three times what ours is. We have more registered patrons and work with a much smaller staff than Sewickley. I’d say we do quite well by comparison, and do more with less.
No one can squeeze more from a dollar than your library. Please consider an end-of-year donation to the library. Your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent the laws allows.
Come see us in the library, give the library a gift for Christmas, and spread the word about your great public library. Thank you.
Merry Christmas from all here at the Uniontown Public Library and thank you for your support and patronage.
“May the candle in your window spread its light and love to all who see it.” ~Unknown
The Uniontown Public Library will alter its hours for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. We are closed Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26 for Christmas. For New Year’s, we are closed Saturday, December 31 and Monday, January 2, 2012. That’s the first time I’ve written 2012.
As 2011 draws to a close, bear with me as I thank all those who make our library the amazing place it is. Our staff is absolutely the best. To show no preference, I’ll list alphabetically by last name. Thanks to Jenna, Linda, Loretta, Vicki, Dianne, Sandy, Steve, Dolores, and Laurita. It is a joy to work with these people.
Every public Library has a Board of Directors who supervises the finances and policies of that library. We here in Uniontown have a dedicated group. Our Board President is Larry Bush; Vice-president, Jim Balling; Treasurer, Ed Hyjurick; Secretary, Retta Semans; Bob Cahn and Sam Davis round out the Board.
The Friends of the Library have been a vital part of this library for years, and I cannot thank them enough for all they do to keep this library going. They are a strong group that believes strongly in a healthy community library.
We also extend our thanks to the City of Uniontown for their continued support of this gem of a library.
Volunteers are vital to a library’s operation, and here, we are fortunate to have a supportive pool of men and women to help when we need them. Thanks, Volunteers.
Let me tell you how impressive the Uniontown Public Library is. Each year, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranks the libraries in the general Pittsburgh area. In 2009, Uniontown was ranked at #13, but this year, we are #12. At #16 is the Sewickley Public Library.
To compare us to that facility, let’s start with budget figures. Our annual budget comes in around $324,000, but #16 Sewickley’s budget is $987,000 – nearly three times what ours is. We have more registered patrons and work with a much smaller staff than Sewickley. I’d say we do quite well by comparison, and do more with less.
No one can squeeze more from a dollar than your library. Please consider an end-of-year donation to the library. Your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent the laws allows.
Come see us in the library, give the library a gift for Christmas, and spread the word about your great public library. Thank you.
Merry Christmas from all here at the Uniontown Public Library and thank you for your support and patronage.
“May the candle in your window spread its light and love to all who see it.” ~Unknown
December 2, 2011
Here we are in December already, and I have big doings to share with you. Let’s get started.
Our Story Times are still on for Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 until December 22. Bring your little one for stories, songs, and a light snack.
Children and adults have been making handmade Christmas cards for soldiers serving our country who will not be home for Christmas. If you are in the library today, visit the Children’s Center and make a card. Tomorrow, December 8, the cards will be delivered to Congressman Mark Critz’s office at City Hall, Suite 216, and from there will be delivered to the troops. The program is sponsored by the American Red Cross.
We’ve only now received word that the Big Man from the North Pole is taking time from his hectic schedule to visit with the children of the Uniontown area here at the library. If you come by on Saturday, December 17, at 11:30, we’ll start the day with stories and Christmas carols led by our own volunteer, Hannah Gearhart. Then, at noon, the Stage Right actors from Greensburg, a group you’ve seen and enjoyed here many times in the past, will perform “The Year without Santa”.
Santa tells us he will arrive shortly after Stage Right takes their final bows. Each child attending can visit with Santa and will receive a candy cane, a book, and a cupcake and beverage. We’ll also have a craft for children to make.
To help homeless animals this Christmas, each child who comes to the Santa visit, or to the library any day can bring a gift of pet food, a pet toy, or a pet blanket to donate to the SPCA animal shelter. Each donation made makes you eligible to enter a drawing to win our stuffed Christmas Cat, Lucky.
The 2012 Friends’ Restaurant Coupon Books are selling like hot cakes! On December 10, the Friends will have a table at the Uniontown Mall to sell the books, and at noon, 3:00 and 6:00, members of the Friends will read Christmas stories to children who are there.
Coupon books are also available from any member of the Friends, at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce office, and here at the library. They are a thoughtful and well received gift or stocking stuffer at only $20.
Come see us in the library, visit with Santa Claus, and pick up a coupon book for a gift.
“If we didn't have libraries, many people thirsty for knowledge would dehydrate.” ~~ Megan Jo Tetrick, age 12, Daleville, Indiana
Our Story Times are still on for Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 until December 22. Bring your little one for stories, songs, and a light snack.
Children and adults have been making handmade Christmas cards for soldiers serving our country who will not be home for Christmas. If you are in the library today, visit the Children’s Center and make a card. Tomorrow, December 8, the cards will be delivered to Congressman Mark Critz’s office at City Hall, Suite 216, and from there will be delivered to the troops. The program is sponsored by the American Red Cross.
We’ve only now received word that the Big Man from the North Pole is taking time from his hectic schedule to visit with the children of the Uniontown area here at the library. If you come by on Saturday, December 17, at 11:30, we’ll start the day with stories and Christmas carols led by our own volunteer, Hannah Gearhart. Then, at noon, the Stage Right actors from Greensburg, a group you’ve seen and enjoyed here many times in the past, will perform “The Year without Santa”.
Santa tells us he will arrive shortly after Stage Right takes their final bows. Each child attending can visit with Santa and will receive a candy cane, a book, and a cupcake and beverage. We’ll also have a craft for children to make.
To help homeless animals this Christmas, each child who comes to the Santa visit, or to the library any day can bring a gift of pet food, a pet toy, or a pet blanket to donate to the SPCA animal shelter. Each donation made makes you eligible to enter a drawing to win our stuffed Christmas Cat, Lucky.
The 2012 Friends’ Restaurant Coupon Books are selling like hot cakes! On December 10, the Friends will have a table at the Uniontown Mall to sell the books, and at noon, 3:00 and 6:00, members of the Friends will read Christmas stories to children who are there.
Coupon books are also available from any member of the Friends, at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce office, and here at the library. They are a thoughtful and well received gift or stocking stuffer at only $20.
Come see us in the library, visit with Santa Claus, and pick up a coupon book for a gift.
“If we didn't have libraries, many people thirsty for knowledge would dehydrate.” ~~ Megan Jo Tetrick, age 12, Daleville, Indiana
