By Barbara Mellon
It has been hot at the Andes Public Library lately, in more ways than one. Despite the beastly temperatures, patrons have been visiting the library in higher than usual numbers. I guess they’ve heard we are indeed giving things away, or at least lending them!
Earlier this summer we were thrilled to have world-renowned author John Verdon join us for an evening. He regaled us with the story of his journey from the world of advertising in New York City to retirement in the Catskill Mountains, where instead of relaxing he found himself enmeshed in a brand new career. John teased us with a few pages from his latest novel, Let the Devil Sleep, which many of us are anxiously awaiting. If you haven’t read any of his books, stop by the library to check out a copy.
A big hurrah to Laurie McIntosh who orchestrated the return of Kids in the Kaatskills to Andes this summer with a program called “Digging In… to the Art of Nature.” Each Monday afternoon through August 18th there will be free workshops for children and their families covering an exciting array of topics. Some will be at the Library and, weather permitting, others will be held at Ballantine Park. More than two dozen children attended the first session, featuring musician/naturalist Betty Boomer, to learn about butterflies and caterpillars and other interesting creatures. How delightful to see the joy on the little ones’ faces as they interacted with the live displays and later used art to express what they’d learned. For more information on these programs, pick up a schedule at the library, or contact Laurie at 845-676-4727 or via email at storylaurie@gmail.com.
Children enjoy Story Hour at the Library.
Speaking of art, Roshan Houshmand recently hosted drawing classes at the library. Sitting out on the deck, in the gazebo and scattered on the grass by the stream, the novice and experienced artists expressed the beauty of the setting in a variety of ways. I am hoping to acquire a wonderful picture of our gazebo done by the youngest attendee.
Children, children and more children. With school out for the summer, attendance at Story Hour has demonstrated how much children enjoy being read to. We’ve even been holding two sessions some Wednesdays, as the 11 am time works well for some, while others who are attending swimming lessons in the morning still want to partake of this program. If a child wants to be read to, we at the Andes Public Library will do our best to oblige.
Our little library is here to serve all members of the community. Stop in to borrow a book, DVD, audio book, music CD or magazine. Surf the web or check your email on the public access computers or with your own portable device via the free WI-FI. Need to make a copy, send a fax, or print a document? We can help. Sit for a spell and relax with our primitive air conditioning, in the guise of a delightful breeze when the front and back doors are open, or out on the deck and gazebo. It’s your library; enjoy it.~