We received word this week at Rhoads Memorial Library that we have been accredited again by Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) for the state’s fiscal year spanning Sept. 1, through Aug. 31, 2024. Information we provided on our annual report to the state secured this designation, which permits us to participate in interlibrary loans and continuing education, among other perks. TSLAC noted that our library has been accredited for over 33 years.
Accreditation allows us to offer various databases valued at a retail cost of $351,804 if purchased separately, via Tex-Share, a consortium of 665 Texas libraries. The TexShare Databases Program allows libraries such as ours to provide authoritative and ad-free electronic articles, books, tutorials and other resources to patrons 24/7.
This means a local library card provides access not only to the 21,000+ items in our building but to electronic databases covering business, literature, science, health and medicine, genealogy, and job and career development.
A major complaint in a small town is that “there’s nothing to do.” If lively action is what you want, the Castro County Hispanic Heritage Association will host Fiesta at the Courthouse Square from 4:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Music, food and drinks will be offered as events include a parade, dance contest, homemade salsa competition, Selena contest, car show, and a 1-mile chancla run. (I am told that “chancla” refers to the footwear commonly called “flip flops.” Personally, I remember that walking in flip flops in my younger days was challenging enough, much less running, so this should be an interesting event!
If relaxing with a good book is more your style, here are a few donated books which are ready for checkout: -”The Prayer Box” by Lisa Wingate. The novel, released in 2013, finds Tandi Jo Reese tasked with cleaning out the Victorian home of her landlady, Iola Anne Poole, an oldtimer who passed away at the age of 91.
Tandi discovers 81 carefully decorated prayer boxes created by Iola, one for each year spanning Iola’s youth to her final days. The story of her lifetime is revealed, culminating in one final lesson that could change everything.
-”We Were the Lucky Ones” by Georgia Hunter. The 2017 release is “inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive and to reunite...showing how the human spirit can endure and even thrive.”
-”The Enlightenment of Bees” by Rachel Linden. An apprentice baker, Mia West, has her life planned out at age 26 until her boyfriend leaves her. Watching her planned future crumble, Mia joins housemate Rosie on a humanitarian trip around the world funded by a reclusive billionaire.
Accompanying them on the trip is a famous grunge rock star, a Rwandan immigrant, and a handsome Hawaiian urban farmer. Mia’s journey through self-discovery finds her facing a choice between the past she left behind and a new dream for the future.
Until next week, Happy Reading!