I went to the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Conference today in Stowe. 
The Keynote Speaker was author, Sharon Creech and I was lucky enough to attend her small group session as well.  Sharon is the Newberry Award Winning author of Walk Two Moons and has written many amazing books (including former DCF winner Love That Dog) 

I got creative in the afternoon workshop "Reduce Reuse Recycle Re-Tell", by reusing a variety of materials to create a work of art based on a DCF book.  The talented and creative, Tina Logan led the workshop and encouraged and inspired us!  (I made a "sun catcher" inspired by the art of Alexander Calder and the book on next year's DCF list Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin.)  I won't have my art displayed in the library, but I have been inspired to include this activity and creation during our Summer Reading Program, so you can look forward to that!

The Endnote Speaker was Vermont Author Tanya Lee Stone. (her book Sandy's Circus was a Red Clover nominee this year.)   She talked us through her process of writing non-fiction for children and shared some of her incredible stories of experiences she's had because of research she's done for her books.  Her new book The Good, The Bad and the Barbie  just went to press, so we'll be looking forward to reading about the history and influences of Barbie Dolls on American culture! 

Thanks to the DCF Committee, the Friends of DCF and the sponsors of this Conference for the inspiring speakers and workshop presenters.  A great way to spend a Friday.

Come on in!  We are open today.  My drive in was okay on main roads, but the back roads were a bit tricky, so if you do come in, just drive safely.  We have power too, so the computers are up and running.

Story time will be held at 10:00 as ususal too, so if you're able to make it, we'll be here....and if you aren't able to make it, stay home,  make a snow person...put sunglasses on it and a picnic basket on it's arm and pretend it's Spring!?!

We have drawn the winners for our Earth Day Challenge!  They've been notified of their prizes: Applecheek Farm Gift Certificate, Kitchen Collector for Compost, a Recycle Bin, and a reusable shopping bag.

Visitors to the library were invited to walk around and write down the ways they noticed the library reducing, reusing and recycling.  Some of the entries included:  energy saver on the copier, lights off when not in use, download books onto MP3 or iPod, library materials are re-used, using scrap cards for notes, charging for copies so that excessive copies aren't made, magazine swap, using dry erase board, having recycle bins, reusing art supplies,.....

Thank you all for participating and for making the week of Earth Day fun and inspiring.

The 2010/2011 DCF list has been announced.  I'm proud to say that we already had several titles here at the library and the rest are ordered and are trickling in! 

It is National Volunteer Week, a time we can set aside to appreciate the volunteers in our community.  Volunteers are absolutely crucial to the operation of the Lanpher Memorial Library.  Together, our volunteers donate almost 1100 hours every year! 

Without their assisitance, the quality of service, the variety of programs, the types of materials and the over all atmoshpere of the Lanpher Library would not be possible. 

I am incredibly grateful for the time and commitment our volunteers give. 
"Three Cheers for Volunteers!"

Please remember to RSVP (call us and let us know if you can attend) so that we may be prepared for all of the friends who are joining us!  Thank you.

Next week is school vacation week and if you're looking for something to do, here are a few, free ideas.
All week long:  Earth Day Challenge!  Celebrate Earth Day by visiting the Lanpher Library and making a list of the ways the library reduces, reuses and recycles.  You will then be entered into a drawing to win a recycle bin, a kitchen collector for compost (donated by Lamoille Regional Solid Waste Management District), or a gift certificate to Applecheek Farm's Store (donated by Applecheek Farm).  The drawing will be held on Monday April 26th.

Monday:  Night Owl Story Time 6:00-6:30p.m.

Tuesday:  Informal Tea Party 10:00 a.m. Dress up as your favorite book character, in your favorite dress-up clothes, or just dress fancy!  Stories, snacks, and games.  Fun for boys and girls.

Wednesday:  10:00 a.m. Story Time
                   1:00 p.m.  "Hooked Rugs Today" program with Carolyn Buttolph.
                   Examples of handcrafted hooked rugs, history and origins of the craft, and more! 

The theme of National Library Week 2010 is summed up beautifully in Jo Knowles' blog.  Jo Knowles is a Vermont Librarian and Author.  The link to her entry is:  http://jbknowles.livejournal.com/369799.html 

April 11-17 is National Library Week, an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries.  This year's theme, sponsored by the American Library Association is "Communities  Thrive @yourlibrary. 
This theme is an important component of what the Lanpher Library strives for as one of the goals as stated in our mission statement is that we serve as an area to foster a spirit of community. 
We see this idea of community spirit at the library when neigbors, or old friends run into eachother here and stop to chat, or catch up, or recommend a good book to eachother.  We see the community thriving at the library when classes from Hyde Park Elementary School visit the library, ask questions and gain comfort here.  We see the community thriving as folks come in to research our town's history, or use the meeting room to plan and discuss ways to make a healthier and more supoprtive community for the future. 
Please visit the Lanpher Library, or any of the other great libraries in the area to see what kinds of programs and services we can provide for you.