Ten years ago, a bond election was held to establish a Liberty Hill Public Library District.  The funding for the Library is entirely through sales tax revenue generated by the businesses within our district boundaries (which follow the ISD boundaries).  This means that of that 8.25% sales tax you pay shopping within the LHISD boundaries, that .25% comes back to fund your public library.

We’ve had a rough five years watching spending drop, which translates to decreased revenues, which ultimately culminated in losing our accreditation.  Decreased spending with a population base that almost doubled over the course of five years has had its toll, but fear not, your library will NOT disappear.  We are here and starting to see a turn in revenues, and as always, we remain excited about what we can offer you.

REMEMBER….your ONLY source of DVDs in the community is through your library which has FREE “rentals” with your membership card (also FREE).  We offer storytime in the library on Wednesdays at 10:30 am and in the local preschools.  Summer reading programs are annual events, rewarding both children and adults.

The month of January is always exciting and this one is no different.  We are starting the New Year with Fine Free Month!  Library materials that were due December 31, 2011 OR BEFORE and are returned between Jan. 1 and Jan 31, 2012 will have all late fees waived.  We cannot waive charges for lost or damaged materials.

Starting Monday, January 23, we will be having GED prep classes at the library on Monday and Wednesday evenings form 6 – 8 pm.  These classes are offered by the Literacy Council of Williamson County.  To sign up or get more information please call 512-869-0497.

Probably our most exciting news is that we are extending our hours, giving our members a greater chance to use our computers and check out materials.  We will add another open evening and will resume our Sunday hours again.  Starting January 15 our hours will be:

M, W, F    10 am – 5 pm
Tu, Th   10 am – 8 pm
Sat   10 am – 3 pm
Sun   1 pm – 4 pm

If you haven’t been to the library, come discover us.  If it’s been a while, come say hi!  We miss you!  For our “regulars”……you make our life bright on a daily basis.  Thank YOU for using our services and being a part of the library and Liberty Hill.

WISH LIST

*volunteers for Traveling Storytime, weekly 30 minute commitment
*shelf of any type/size for lending library at LH resource center (LHPL supplies all books)
*digital camera
*office chairs (2)
*cardstock in white and colors
*fat/jumbo crayons
*construction paper
*general labor to cut and install slatwall
*garden work
*laptops for in-library use
*Friends of the Library group – someone to organize
*new computers
*monetary donations are always welcomed

A game of “did you know” is coming on.

Did you know that your library has games for your Wii, Xbox and PlayStation?  Not many, but we do have some.  Again, a week check out at no cost.

Did you know that your library has a weekly storytime?  Wednesdays at 10:30 am we conduct storytime in our library, complete with stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts.  If your children are in a preschool in the Liberty Hill Community, chances are great they are already benefitting from our traveling storytime where Miss Sandy bring storytime to the schools.

Did you know that your library is available online?  Visit our website at www.lhpl.org.  You can browse our catalog and if you already have an account with us, you can reserve and renew books online, create booklists, IM me with questions.  If you have a favorite author you follow and always want to know when their latest book arrives, you can easily set our reserve express system to be placed on the reserve list when the books arrive.   We also are on Facebook, Twitter and flickr.

Did you know that we have six public access computers?  We also have WiFi available 24 hours a day.  When we are not open, you are welcome to sit outside the library, even in your car, and access the WiFi.  We have had numerous comments from people who have been house hunting, doing online work for school, job searches, or completing and submitting reports for work about the convenience of our WiFi.

Did you know that we have the latest books on the New York Times bestsellers list?  We stay up to date and often receive books prior to release dates so that they are available to our members on the day released in stores.

The Liberty Hill Public Library, the Heart of the Hill.  We are here to support you.  Come check us out!

Little bitty Liberty Hill Public Library….making impact outside of our little community?  With the Internet, yes it is possible.  Most people know the library as a place, the physical building, but with technology, it is so much more, as we are finding.  Browse our website, contribute, give us feedback, correspond via phone, email, IM, F2F.  We are here and here for you.  Free.  Your community library…..not just a physical place.

PLEASE contact me to indicate interest, we will create a separate email list for dig information and keeping everyone up to date.

One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings riches and favor to his or her district. But that is nothing compared to what the Capitol wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rule. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her impoverished district in the Games.

But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book was written for the Young Adult audience, but as with many YA books, appeals to a far wider audience.  It is appropriate for sixth grade up.  Adults will find it disturbing, causing thought, and making a statement about people and society.  I found myself wondering what I’d do in the main characters place.  Her very life is at stake as well as the future of her family, by every move made, some of which are plotted and planned, some of which have deep instinctual backing.  How would we react in this situation?  HIGHLY recommended for ANYONE.  I can guarantee I will be leading the adults to this series in a heartbeat.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
#1 New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Horn Book Fanfare
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2008
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2008
A Booklist Editors’ Choice
A New York Times Notable Book of 2008
A Kirkus Best Book of 2008
A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice
A USA Today Bestseller

“[The Hunger Games] is a violent, jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense… I couldn’t stop reading.” — Stephen King, Entertainment Tonight

“I was so obsessed with this book that I had to take it with me out to dinner and hide it under the edge of the table so I wouldn’t have to stop reading… The Hunger Games is amazing.” — Stephanie Meyer

“[The Hunger Games] is a great book, and very thought-provoking. Read this along with your teen and discuss it.” — Charlaine Harris

“Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced.” — John Green, New York Times Book Review
“A plot-driven blend of suspense, science fiction, and romance.” — USA Today

“Enthralling, imaginative and creepy.” — Los Angeles Times

“{A} superb tale” — Booklist, starred review

“Readers will wait eagerly to learn more.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

CONNECTIONS
Upon finishing this book, it goes without saying that you need to read Catching Fire and Mockingjay.  Immediately.

Children's Musician Joe McDermott

COMING THURSDAY!!!

Joe McDermott is back by popular demand

Thursday June 23
6:30 pm
Liberty Hill Public Library