Local Library News

+ Maine Librarians and Supporters Receive Awards
“Maine librarians and library supporters gathered in Augusta in late October at the annual Maine Libraries Conference to recognize their colleagues’ efforts to promote awareness and improve services of libraries to Mainers across the state.” Awards included:

• Outstanding Librarian Award: Linda Packard, Director of the Guilford Memorial Library.
• Maine Library Journalism Award: James Straub, a reporter for the The Ellsworth American, for his article “Libraries Oppose Proposed Tax Cap.”
• Maine Library Excellence Award: South Portland Public Library for their 2004 adult summer reading program.

+ County librarian finds adventurous career, even without fish [Montana]
“Walk through the doors of the Flathead County Library, and you enter a realm of discovery and adventure. There are dragons inside, and treasure, too. There are books filled with heroes and villains and far-away lands. Its shelves are lined with historical figures come alive, with tragedies, comedies and horrific crimes. And thats just the first floor.”

+ Spinning tales [NY]
“Nancy Pieri says downloadable audiobooks are one of the greatest services her Bethlehem Public Library has been able to offer its patrons.”

+ Workshops to help get kids reading [Hawaii]
“Three Oahu public libraries are scheduled to host ‘Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library,’ a free workshop for parents and caregivers of young children. The Hawaii State Public Library System is sponsoring these one-hour workshops to teach the importance of early literacy, and how to develop pre-reading skills so that every child enters school ready to learn to read.”