The

Library Letter
News from the St. Marys Community Public Library Spring 2009

From Our Director: Library Business Up in 2008

Last year was good for the St. Marys Community Library materials that support their goals while enhancing
Public Library. Our statistics for 2008 reflect an 8 percent our collection. In addition, I will be seeking grant
increase in circulation; a 9 percent increase in patron opportunities.
traffic; and a 10 percent increase in program attendance.
Unfortunately, the increased activity comes with Data 2007 2008
an 8 percent cut in this year’s budget. Most of our expenses Total Items Circulated 125,796 147,769
are fixed – salaries, heating, and cooling, for example—but Computer Lab Use 16,439 18,191
the amount spent on books and materials is flexible. That’s Items borrowed from other 20,287 23,702
the area that will take a hit. Whereas last year we spent Libraries
$64,000 on books, DVDs, music CDs, books on CD, etc., Items loaned to other 20,762 22,767
this year we had to slash the budget 66 percent—to libraries
$21,625. The following areas of expense were curtailed: Total books 65,293 62,893
• Newsletter printing/bulk mailing—The Library Total Audiovisual Items 5,421 5,819
Letter will be printed in-house and may be picked up at Magazine subscriptions 125 118
the Library instead of being mailed. It is also available Newspaper subscriptions 10 10
online at www.stmarys.lib.oh.us; Total Program Attendance 13,861 14,277
• Limited conference attendance/travel—Our staff
will be attending only those meetings and training As always, we greatly appreciate individual
sessions deemed absolutely necessary; donations for the purchase of books and materials. We
obtain materials from our jobbers at a discount, enabling us
• Window washing—Service was discontinued;
to make even small cash donations go a long way—and we
• Paid scholar contracts for “Let’s Talk About It”—
can specifically target the needs of the Library. In addition,
Beginning in June scholar contracts will expire and we
your donation is a tax deduction for you.
will recruit volunteer discussion leaders;
Now more than ever, our saving grace is the SEO –
• Ohio Library Council dues—Eliminated for non- Serve Every Ohioan – Consortium to which we belong.
salaried personnel; Through this consortium we share materials with other
• Programming—We will rely on the Friends of the libraries, and we can get many items that we cannot
Library and other donations for program expenses as purchase for our own shelves. We send and receive
the Library contribution was cut by half; and approximately 70 bags of books and materials each way
• Magazines/Newspapers—The Library will implement every weekday—and the number keeps growing. Although
an Adopt-A-Magazine Renewal Campaign. Interested customers may have to be patient, quite often their requests
citizens may adopt a magazine by making a cash or are filled in a couple of days.
check donation to the Library. We will cancel the The We believe the community will keep us going
New York Times Sunday edition, and we will try to during this difficult economic period. Meanwhile, we will
retain most of our remaining newspapers. do our best to live up to our mission statement to “provide
In addition to these cuts, we are looking for ways creative and factual resources to meet the educational,
to bring money into the Library. We will continue to informational, cultural and recreational needs of the
partner with businesses, clubs and organizations. Our community.”
liaison with the St. Marys Rotary Club has resulted in the —Susan Pittman, Library Director
addition of many new Health and Wellness materials to the
Library. I invite other service clubs to find ways to fund
Board of Trustees: Kimberlee Pierce, President Bill Angel, Vice-President
Linda Schloemer, Secretary Donald Glaser DeWayne Marsee
Robert P. Maurer, Fiscal Officer Ruth Ramsey Doris Lawler
Susan Heckler Pittman, Library Director
What’s Inside: Adult Programs, pg. 2; Youth Events, pg. 3; and Donations, pg. 4.
St. Marys Community Public Library  140 South Chestnut Street  St. Marys, Oh 45885  (419) 394-7471  www.stmarys.lib.oh.us
 Computer classes at the Library
Adult computer classes focus on basic skills needed to start using a computer. Taught by Jay Miley.
Class sizes are small. Please register.
• March 5 – 6:00 PM. Windows XP Basics. Hands-on practice; mouse skills required.
• March 17 – 1:00 PM. Using the Mouse & Windows Basics. Hands-on practice; no prerequisites.
• April 9 – 6:00 PM. Internet 1: Searching & Surfing. Hands-on practice; mouse skills required.
• April 21 – 1:00 PM. Windows XP Basics. Hands-on practice; mouse skills required.
• May 19 – 1:00 PM. Using the Mouse & Windows Basics. Hands-on practice; no prerequisites.
• May 28 – 6:00 PM. Google Tips & Tricks. Lecture; computer skills are necessary. Learn what
Google has to offer and how to search the web like a pro.

Civil War Brig. Game Night for Adults

Individuals over 18 years of age are invited
Gen. to Visit to three Game Nights at the Library. Join us from
Step back in time 7:00 to 8:30 PM as we play Wii, XBox and more
with Ron Volbert who will on the following nights:
portray Civil War Brigadier
 March 20  April 30  May 29
General John Buford on
Saturday, March 14 at 1:00
PM. This free program is
open to the public.
CCAC & Library
Club to Evaluate Coins Sponsor Poet
The College-Community Arts
The Tri County Coin Club will evaluate coins at the
Council and the St. Marys
Library on Thursday, May 21, from 4:00 to 7:00
Community Public Library
PM. Anyone interested in learning the value of
are hosting Ray McNiece,
their old or rare coins is welcome. Club meeting
performance poet, on Thurs.,
will be held after and is open to the public.
April 16, at 7:30 PM.

Learn @ Your Library: Basic Crochet Classes Offered

Learn @ Your Library this spring! Adults are crochet hook and one skein of light colored 4-ply
welcome to attend Basic Crochet Classes on yarn. There is no charge for the classes, but
Monday evenings: April 27, and May 4, 11 and 18 please register early as class size is limited.
from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Please bring a size G Instructor: Nikki Dietz.

BOOK DISCUSSION SESSIONS AM & PM

Books may be checked out & read prior to the “Let’s Talk About It”
sessions. Adults only, please.

Tuesday AM Book Group
10:30 AM on the following dates:
March 3 – Maybe a Miracle by Brian Strause;
April 7 – Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen;
May 5 – Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock; and
June 2 – Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman.

Theme: Three Ways to Get Involved.
Sessions begin at 7:00 P.M.
Please arrive early if checking out books.
March 10 – Pay It Forward by Catherine
Ryan Hyde, scholar John Bernstein;
April 14 – Three Cups of Tea by Greg
Mortenson & David Oliver Relin with
scholar Dr. Marty Kich; &
May 12– The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane
Ackerman with scholar Dr. Hope Jennings.

St. Marys Community Public Library  140 South Chestnut Street  St. Marys, Oh 45885  (419) 394-7471  www.stmarys.lib.oh.us
 SPRING CALENDAR
Gaming at the Library
Wii and XBox gaming have taken the

Sojourner
Library by storm! Be sure to mark your calendar
for the sessions you want to attend. Sessions start

at 3:15 PM.
• TEENS: Grades 7-12 only.
March 17, March 31, and April 21.
• TWEENS: Grades 4-6 only.
March 18 and April 15.
After-School Movies
All ages are welcome to attend our after-
school movies. Showtime is 3:15 PM.
March 25: Disney movie about a super
dog—or is he? Rated PG; 96 minutes.
April 29: Discovery of a lost and
dangerous world leads to great adventure!
Rated PG; 92 minutes.
Truth:
Destiny’s
Traveler
Visit the Library on March 16 at 6:30 PM to
see history come alive in this very special
program. Sojourner Truth: Destiny’s Traveler is
about an ordinary woman who did extraordinary
things, portrayed by Dr. Annette Jefferson.
This free program is for all ages, so bring
the whole family. It is sponsored by the Auglaize
County Historical Society and the St. Marys
Community Public Library.

Summer Reading Fun Begins

Story Times: Themes for this summer are “Get Creative
@ Your Library” and, for teens, it’s “Express
Preschool Story Time: Yourself @ Your Library.” The 2009 program
for children ages 3-5 years old. 11:00 A.M. begins on Tuesday, May 26 and runs through July
March 4, 18, 25 8. All ages are welcome to participate!
and April 1.
Toddler Story Time: Special Days @ the Library
for 2-year-olds.10:30 A.M. There are special days ahead at the
March 5, 19, & 26 Library. Mark your calendar so you won’t miss
and April 2. any of the action.
• March 1-7 – Return a Borrowed Book Week.
Baby Story Time: Fines will be waived on all overdue items
for parents& babies newborn-13 months. returned to the Library.
11:00 A.M. • April 12-18 – National Library Week. Free
March 5, 19, & 26 new library cards to the first 100 people who
and April 2. request a replacement card. Save $1!
• May1-31 – Get Caught Reading Month.
Between April 27 and May 11 you can submit
What is Animanga, Anyway? your photos of people (or pets) reading—to the
Join our Library Animanga Club to find out! Library circulation desk or on our web site at
Anyone in grades 7-12 is welcome to meet at the www.stmarys.lib.oh.us. Between May 18 and
Library with us to explore Japanese animation and May 22 we’ll vote for our favorite photo.
movies. Meetings begin at 3:15 PM on March 24 Winners will be posted on May 27. Submitted
and April 14. photos must be picked up by June 6th.

St. Marys Community Public Library  140 South Chestnut Street  St. Marys, Oh 45885  (419) 394-7471  www.stmarys.lib.oh.us
 St. Marys Community Public Library Non-Profit
140 S. Chestnut Street Standard Mail
St. Marys, OH 45885 U.S. Postage PD.
(419)394-7471 Permit No. 12
St. Marys, OH

POSTAL PATRON

“The library will provide creative and factual resources to meet the educational,
informational, cultural and recreational needs of the community.”
– SMCPL Mission statement

Donations Received:
November: In memory of Sharon Johns by Maynard and Betty Schamp; a gift from Martha Kuhlman; and a
gift from Thomas L. Corogin.

December: A gift from the American Cancer Society Ohio Division, Inc.; a gift from anonymous; a gift in
memory of Berdell Ice by the Mother’s Study Club; and a gift from the Supreme Court of Ohio.

January: A gift from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S Department of Energy; a gift in
memory of Joseph Donnerberg from Anna Donnerberg; a gift from the Shakespeare Club; and a gift in honor
of James C. Pittman from Ruth Rohrbach.

St. Marys Community Public Library  140 South Chestnut Street  St. Marys, Oh 45885  (419) 394-7471  www.stmarys.lib.oh.us