Alpine Public Library News

Way Out West Texas Book Festival

The Rotary Club of Alpine will host the WAY OUT WEST TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL to benefit the Alpine Public Library and its Marathon branch.

The multifaceted event is scheduled for August 8-9 at the Sul Ross Espino Conference Center. Participants will gather at 7 p.m., Friday, August 8, for a Chuckwagon Supper and Songfest on the grounds of Kokernot Lodge, where singer/guitarist/author Mike Blakely will perform, and special invitees will be introduced. This ticketed event will require reservations.

Programs throughout the day Saturday, August 9, will feature authors who have written books on Western Fiction, Texas Rangers in Fact and Legend, Natural History of the Big Bend, and other such topics. These programs are free and open to the public. Some sessions will feature panels of authors hosted by a moderator, while others will highlight one or two authors.

On Saturday, August 9, authors and publishers may rent booth space in the reception area of the conference center to sell their books to the visiting public.

A Grand Silent Auction will take place during the day in a designated area of the Espino center. In order to bid, attendees must have purchased tickets for either the Chuckwagon Supper or the Saturday Night Banquet Finale, a dressy affair with a gourmet menu with the evening entertainment provided by Kinky Friedman and guests. The auction will end just as the banquet begins at 7:00 p.m., and guests will claim their auction items before they leave.

To date, authors Elmer Kelton, Jim Glendinning, Mike Blakely, Sharon Spinks, Joaquin Jackson, Bobby Byrd, Lee Merrill Byrd, Tim McKenzie, Denise Chavez, David Carlton, Joe Nick Patoski, Roy Morey, Benjamin Saenz, Sarah Bird, Cyndi Hughes, Larry Thomas, Mike Cox, James H. Evans, Bob Kinford, The University of Texas Press, Texas Tech University Press, Cinco Puntos Press, Iron Mountain Press, have made plans to attend.

“We expect a great deal of enthusiasm for this event,” said Festival Committee Chair Wanda B. Morgan. “We have just begun to fill in the dots in what we hope will become a premier literary festival for the entire state.”

Committee members Jean Hardy and Arlene and Steve Griffis round out the planning group, which is actively seeking volunteers and participants. Authors, publishers, journalists, and other publishing professionals, as well as those individuals with interest in supporting the Alpine Public Library, are encouraged to contact Arlene Griffis at info@wowtxbookfestival.com(or 432-386-4695) or any member of the committee.

For more information visit: http://wowtxbookfestival.com/1.html

Marathon Public Library, a branch of Alpine Public Library, began its Summer Reading Program on June 4, 2008. Jackie Boyd read The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie DePaola. The 15 children in attendance colored pictures of bluebonnets while listening to the story. During the craft time they made painted pinecones to look like bluebonnets. The program is held every Wednesday from 1-2 pm during the months of June and July. Children of all ages are invited to join the fun. Please come by MPL to register for the program.

Many fund raisers have taken place to benefit the library. People of all ages have participated. However, one of the most unique participants has been Lydia Nell Jones, age 10. By May of 2008, she had already donated $300 to the Capital Campaign! But, that was not enough for Miss Jones. On Saturday, May 31, with the help of her parents and others, she hosted a large yard sale. Events included the sale of snow cones and even a silent auction. Though Lydia has a mature outlook on helping the library, it was nice to see her youthful vigor while she held the donated funds in her Fischer Price cash register.

How much did Lydia raise, you ask? The total was a whopping $623.15. When Lydia and her mother presented the donation to the Director, she was asked why such a young person is so involved in fundraising for the new library. Her reply was: “I like to read.” “And you guys offer her books,” added Ms. Jones. Thanks Lydia , it’s nice to know that future generations are interested in the future of our local library.

In 2009, all television signals will be digital. Do you have an analog TV or questions about digital conversion? If so, please visit www.dtv2009.gov.  Or, you can visit www.alpinepubliclibrary.org and click the links section. The DTV 2009 site will even tell you how to get a free converter so your television will do digital signals.  If you have any questions, please ask a librarian.

The IRS has begun sending the promised economic stimulus payments.  Are you wondering when you will receive yours?  To find out, visit www.irs.gov.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

A link to the specific irs.gov webpage can be found on the library’s main website, in the links section.

Contact the Alpine Public Library if you need additional assistance.

Alpine Public Library recognized three of its volunteers with awards at the 2008 luncheon for Volunteer Big Bend on Monday in Alpine.      Chris Ruggia was the first recipient, for his service on the Board of Directors as a former officer of the board and chair of various committees, as well as being “the go-to guy for graphics and Web Page design and maintenance.”

The second recipient was Marilyn Terry, who has served as President of the Friends of the Alpine Public Library. Her many hours of volunteering included organizing several book sales, at locations ranging from Re-Reads to the Center for Big Bend Studies Conference.

The third award-winner was Gail Lewis, for her service to the Friends of the Alpine Public Library. From the remarks delivered at the luncheon, “she particularly enriches the lives of the library’s homebound patrons by taking the time to understand each home-bound patron’s interest and takes them books and books on tape on a regular basis.”

This week the Alpine Public Library also recognized significant donors to the institution, with a spotlight on Kathy and Albert Bork, Anne and Malcolm Calaway, Elizabeth Foley, Nina Foley, Jim and Macy Chionsini, Kay and Don Green, Joan and Herb Kelleher, McDonald’s of Alpine (and Irma Campbell), Mary Jane and Vic Morgan, Carol and Pete Peterson, Jan and Harold Skaggs, Mary V Stringfellow, Becky and King Terry, Texas Disposal Systems, West Texas National Bank and Big Bend Telephone .

Workforce Solutions/Upper Rio Grande and the Alpine Public Library have teamed up to offer the community free basic computer classes starting April 14th at the library from 6-8PM. The course will meet three days a week (days to be determined at the first meeting) for two weeks. New classes will continue to be formed as need and funds permit.

Participants will learn an introduction to computers including parts of the computer, how to search the Internet and how to set up and use an email account. Classes will be instructed by Ninfa M. Rodriguez, Career Counselor at the Workforce Solutions/Upper Rio Grande who will be able to accommodate both English and Spanish speaking students.  Applications for the classes are available in Spanish or English and can be picked up at the Alpine Public Library or Workforce Solution Center in Ward Plaza office #4. Seating per class is limited to six participants on a first come first serve basis, to ensure that participants get plenty of one-on-one instruction.

For further information please contact Anitra Clausen,Director, or Valerie Richard , Circulation/Reference Manager, at the Alpine Public Library at 432-837-2621. You can also contact Ninfa M. Rodriguez from the Workforce Solutions/Upper Rio Grande at 432-837-9800 extension 2762.

Great Pictures from SLM classes at the Ft. Stockton Library. We all had a great time learning together/

Carol/MPL Branch Manager

Anitra Clausen and Carol Townsend attended Small Library Management class at the Ft.Stockton Public Library on April 7^th and 8^th, 2008. There were two graduates from the class, Carol Townsend, Marathon Public Library and Julie Layton, Dell City Library.       

  LIBRARIAN COMPLETES STATE TRAINING PROGRAM 

Carol Townsend, branch manager of the Marathon Public Library, has joined the ranks of some 450 librarians statewide who have graduated from the Small Library Management Training Program, administrated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. This two-and-a-half year commitment included the completion of five core courses covering topics Administration and Planning, Collection and Development, Reference Services and Technology. 

The small Library Management Training Program enhances the management skills of library staff members in smaller communities who have not had formal library school coursework. According to Dawn Vogler, library management consultant and coordinator of the program, the training sessions are intensive, stimulating, and exhaustive. “It’s quite an accomplishment to successfully complete the program,” she notes. “The participants leave the program with a greater confidence and with some very practical skills they can apply within their libraries right away.” 

Participants are encouraged to apply the theories and practices learned to their own unique situations, and to network with other librarians in their region. Carol Townsend’s active involvement in the State Library training program represents an substantial commitment of time, energy and personal expense. She received over 50 hours of continuing education credits for her participation.Marathon Public Library branch of Alpine Public Library

Carol Townsend/Branch Manager

Many of you have already discovered our newest additions to the Reference section. A few of our newest titles to browse are:

·        Texas State Directory 2008

·        Exploring Texas with Children

·        Guinness World Records 2008

·      2008 Peterson’s 4-Year and 2-Year Colleges as well as Peterson’s College Money Handbook

·        Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-2007

·        Old Farmer’s and Texas’ Almanac 2008

·        Hiking in Big Bend National Park

·        More How Stuff Works

·        Gallaudet Dictionary of Sign Language

·        Roads of Texas

·        World Almanac for Kids 2008