Library Lines ...

The display for the months of June and July here at Rhoads Memorial Library reflects the theme of our summer reading program, “All Together Now!” The exhibit is the epitome of teamwork as youngsters Alizay, Anahi, Ava, and Andre Oltivero loaned some of their toys (whether they knew it or not!) to our library’s own Sulema Oltivero (their great-grandmother), who arranged a display featuring characters of various ethnicities and backgrounds getting along with one another.

Children of Aaron and Leandra Oltivero, these youngsters took time out of their busy schedules to register for the summer reading program, which continues through July 28. They join several youngsters who are currently participating in the annual event. We are continuing to accept signups from any Castro County youngster through age 17 who has not registered but wishes to do so.

To the delight of Castro County youth, Terrific Tuesdays began this week in our meeting room under the guidance of Castro County’s Felice Acker, who is an agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

She has conducted the event for more than 12 years and has amassed quite a following of youngsters. The 2023 version will continue each Tuesday at 4 p.m. through July 25, except for July 4, when we will be closed for Independence Day.

To the relief of many, the rains have subsided, and the sun is shining. Even the cactussitting outside our front door is wearing sunglasses; however, the shades may be needed for a different reason. Our picnic table/ bench combo has been returned to us in sparkling condition, thanks to Ronnie Gfeller.

Mr. Gfeller graciously took the bedraggled remains of our former set and transformed it into a breathtakingly gorgeous showstopper. It sits at the south side of our building for WiFi enthusiasts and the picnicking public. We thank Mr. Gfeller for volunteering his time and efforts on the much-needed upgrade.

For those of you who would like to sit outside and commune with nature while you read, now is your chance. Or, if you would rather be inside with air conditioning, following are some of the newly released books ready for checkout: -”The Lonely Hearts Book Club” by Lucy Gilmore is the story of a “young librarian and an old curmudgeon who forge the unlikeliest of friendships in this charming, feel-good novel about one misfit book club and the lives (and loves) it changed along the way.” I read this book and agree with the author that “books have a way of bringing even the loneliest of souls together.”

-”The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise” by Colleen Oakley is “an unforgettable pairing of a college dropout and an 84-year-old woman on the run from the law,” according to the book’s blurb. It is one of the funniest novels I have read in a while that has offers some very unexpected twists and turns.

Until next week, Happy Reading!