By Barbara Mellon

What do you do with your library books and DVDs when you get home? How do you remember when you are supposed to bring them back? While most of our patrons have no problem returning or renewing their items on time, there are some who express a frustration with being able to remember where the borrowed titles are or when they are due. With multiple borrowers or children in the household, the problem is exacerbated.

Some of the ideas I have heard for solving this problem involve designating a special place for borrowed books: a basket, a bag, the bottom step. When the book isn’t being read, it goes to this spot; nowhere else. Some folks write the due date, which is stamped or written inside the DVDs and books, on their calendars as soon as they get home. Being a bit disorganized myself, I know that such ideas may not work for everyone, at least not for long. But sometimes when you hear a number of tips to solve a problem, you might just find one that will strike a chord with you.

To this end, I’m asking patrons to share their ideas on how to keep track of items borrowed from the library. Stop by or send an email to us at an.ill@4cls.org. We’ll keep a list at the library and perhaps post them in this column in the coming months.

A couple of reminders. You do not need to come to the library to renew your books; a phone call or email works just as well. Also, we still have some Andes Public Library tote bags available for sale; they’re perfect for carrying books back and forth, and the picture of the library on the front can serve as a reminder of the bag’s purpose.

In October we welcomed a new group to the Library. Just formed under the direction of Andes resident Laurie McIntosh, the 4H chapter called “Wild Things” will be meeting in and around the building on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. So far they’ve been doing educational yet fun things with toothbrushes and leaf bags. You can always count on Laurie to find unusual ways to make learning fun for children.

The Stitch Witches continue to meet at the library on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 2 pm. Members bring a variety of projects to work on while they enjoy the companionship of friends and are always glad to have someone new join them. So whether you knit, embroider, mend, quilt, crochet or just like to chat, stop in to join the fun sometime.

With winter on the way, many of you will be spending more time inside. What better way to enjoy a cold, blustery day than to cuddle on the couch with a book, watch a movie with a loved one, or listen to some engaging music. Stop by the Andes Public Library next time you’re in town to check out our selection of novels, non-fiction, DVDs and CDs. You’re sure to find something to suit your fancy. ~