'Noooooo!' I exclaimed upon witnessing a potential defacing of one of our books recently. Two youngsters accompanied their mother into the juvenile section here at Rhoads Memorial Library when I noticed they had candy with them. I told the mother that food and beverages are not allowed, so she instructed the youngsters to put the wrapped candy in their pockets.
Doubting this would happen, I decided to check on the children while their mother used one of our public access computers. Sure enough, the candy was left out, but it remained wrapped, which impressed me. But then I noticed that both children had pencils and an open book. The little girl held her pencil in mid-air, poised to scribble all over our precious book!
After my outburst (and regaining consciousness) I told the youngsters that they could draw on some blank scratch paper instead. They declined my offer, though, as Mom had completed her computer session and was ready to leave. Crisis averted!
The arrival of November is bringing various events and holidays. Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, meaning we set our clocks BACK one hour. While I am not a fan of darkness so early in the evening, I do enjoy lighter mornings while I am readying for work (and reclaiming the hour of sleep I lost when DST began!)
Locally, Nov. 5 features 'Sip and Shop' at various businesses and is hosted by the Dimmitt Chamber of Commerce; Thanksgivingstyle lunches will be offered Nov. 6 and Nov. 8 by Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and First United Methodist Church, respectively. Election Day is Nov. 8.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, is the date of Dimmitt Book Club's meeting that will begin at 2 p.m. in our meeting room. Guest speaker will be Sue Buckett.
Our meeting room will be the site for Panhandle Community Service personnel on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. They will provide information to anyone who does not have health insurance but is curious about it. Open enrollment began Nov. 1 and will continue through Jan. 15, 2023.
Additionally, they will explain tax credits which are available to help pay monthly premiums. Income tax assistance, such as Earned Income Tax Credit for the year 2022, will be covered, too.
Speaking of our meeting room, it continues to be the site of groups' regular meetings, including English as a Second Language, Diabetes Support Group, Al Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous/ Narcotics Anonymous, Dimmitt Book Club, and the Library Advisory Board. For a fee, the room also serves as a popular venue for family gatherings, parties, baby showers, meetings, etc.
We will be closed Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12, in observance of Veterans' Day. We will reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Meanwhile, we offer newly released books ready for checkout including: -'The Maze' (a John Corey novel) by Nelson De-Mille; -'The High Notes' (a novel) by Danielle Steel; -'The Boys from Biloxi) (a legal thriller) by John Grisham; -'The Christmas Spirit' (a novel) by Debbie Macomber; -'No Plan B' (Jack Reacher series) by Lee Child and Andrew Child.
Until next week, Happy Reading!