The

Library Letter
News from the St Marys Community Public Library Spring 2004

Local Quilter Shares Art With Library Patrons

Local quilter, Marilyn pillows and giving them as
McLain, has been treating gifts. McLain hand-quilts
patrons of the St. Marys some of her pieces. Others
Community Public Library to are machine quilted or
a colorful display of her art quilted by a friend.
for the past several months. “The piecing is the
There have been patriotic fun part,” McLain smiled. “I
quilts to celebrate the Ohio will quilt the small pieces
bicentennial and the space myself. But I am working on
program, as well as one and before it’s done I
creations that seem to have three more ideas in
simply celebrate color and my mind.”
pattern. McLain likes to quilt
McLain said she several hours each day, but
started sewing as a child notes, “it doesn’t always
with her mother and 5 work out that way.” She is a
sisters. “We all quilted. We member of the Lima
used to do ‘utility quilting,’ Quilter’s Guild and the
where the tops were tied to Calico Cut-Ups, a local club
the backs instead of quilted. that meets the first Monday
They were simple, big of the month at 7:00 PM at
Marilyn McLain with one of her quilts.
squares. Old houses were Linda’s Sew ‘n So. (Call
cold and drafty. They needed 419-394-5900 for more
quilts to keep warm.” information.)
McLain’s interest in quilting was McLain lives in St. Marys with her
renewed about 25 years ago when she took a husband, Frank. They have two daughters,
class at Penney’s in Lima. She started making Allison Craft and Elaine Walker.

Online Library Catalog Gets New Look

The Library online catalog at information or on “Request this item” to place a
www.stmarys.lib.oh.us has been updated to hold on it. Once you type in your library card
show pictures of items, making it even easier barcode number and PIN, you needn’t re-enter
to use than before. them unless you close your search. You will be
The new online catalog opens to a drop- notified when requested items are in.
down menu from which to choose search All the St. Marys Community Public
terms, and items available at the St. Marys Library holdings are on the new catalog, plus
Community Public Library are marked with a the holdings of about 64 other library systems
bold checkmark if you’re searching at the across the state. You have almost 3 million
Library. If accessing the catalog from outside books, DVDs, CDs and other items available to
the Library, click on “Show Details” for more you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

National Library Week – April 18-24, 2004

From our Director
Successes from 2003 public use computers;
„ The library meeting room was used 321
It is time to reflect about the past year
times;
here at the St. Marys Community Public Library
„ 10,391 attended programs—8270 children,
and spotlight the successes for the year 2003.
461 young adults and 1660 adults;
During 2003 the following events helped
„ Summer Program for Youth was held using
our staff serve you the patron in different ways:
the theme “Celebrate Ohio;”
„ The staff and one trustee took a course on
„ Over 750 people attended the Annual
the use of two research databases;
Summer Artfest.
„ A new program called “Dinner & A Movie”
The library currently has the following
was initiated for our Adult patrons;
number of items to share with our patrons:
„ Reader’s Theater was offered at the
63,077 books; 97 audiocassettes; 759 videos;
Auglaize County Council on Aging for the
831 books on cassette; 143 book and tape
senior citizens;
combinations; 138 magazine subscriptions; 8
„ Local authors Bill Angel, Glenna Meckstroth
newspapers subscriptions; 270 music CD’s; 3
and George Neargarder presented their
e-books; and 240 DVD’s.
recently published books;
Robert Maurer resigned as Technology
„ Ronda Growler Green, a children’s author,
Coordinator at the end of 2003. A decision
gave a presentation about her books;
was made to have two staff members share
„ The library unveiled the Ray Zunk Historical
responsibility in the technology area. Donna
Collection;
Shinabery and Jay Miley began this shared
„ DVD’s and Music CD’s were added to the
endeavor in January 2004.
collection;
I hope that you feel that the library
„ The library received as a gift from an estate
continues to fulfill its mission to provide
a telesensory machine that enlarges the
creative and factual resources to meet the
print size for patrons with vision problems.
educational, informational, cultural and
(This machine is housed in our Local
recreational needs of the community.
History Room);
Come check out library materials, attend
„ A new color copier was purchased for
a program, use the meeting room or just stop
public and staff use;
by and see what’s new @ your library.
Annual statistics for 2003 were as
Susan Heckler Pittman
follows:
Library Director
„ 103,088 items circulated;
„ 23,247 items traveled the state through our BookLetters Arrive at Library
resource sharing agreement with 64 other Check out the latest new service at the
libraries; Library web site, www.stmarys.lib.oh.us. You
„ 11,399 items were borrowed for our patrons can have your favorite book lists e-mailed to
use and 11,848 items were loaned for the you so you can place holds on all the latest
use of patrons of other libraries; books—even books yet to be released.
„ Approximately 113,527 people visited the Scroll down on the library page to “New!
library this year; Click here for the new Reader’s Resource and
„ 8953 patrons have library cards with 5990 Newsletter Page” and click to see the book
being adult and the other 2963 children; lists. Click on any of the lists to see the latest
„ 11,883 patrons logged 6,023 hours on the books and place holds on them or read
reviews. You can even link to bookstores.
WINTER LIBRARY HOURS At the left side of the page are the main
Monday through Thursday…10 AM to 8 PM links to the library web site, plus, at the bottom,
Friday…………………………..10 AM to 5 PM links for Reader’s Resource and Newsletter
Saturday……………………….10 AM to 2 PM Signup. Click on Newsletter Signup and
Sunday…………………………Closed. register for your e-mail news today.
Hours change with Daylight Savings Time.
 Youth Calendar of Events
MARCH APRIL
3 & 10 – Preschool Storytime. Please 7 & 14 – Preschool Storytime. Please
register your child aged three to kindergarten register your child aged three to kindergarten
for this fun program. Two times for this fun program. Two times offered:
offered: 10:30 A.M. or 7:30 P.M. 10:30 A.M. or 7:30 P.M. Parent or
Parent or significant adult must enter significant adult must enter the evening
the evening session with child. session with child.
11 –Music Mania. 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. 8 – Unbirthday Party. 1:30 to 2:30 P.M.
Young adults, this is for you! Bring in School age children explore surprising
your favorite song on tape or CD to birthday activities from around the world.
share with the crowd. At the end of the Fun, games and snacks for a day that
program we’ll vote for the top tune and isn’t necessarily your birthday!
post it to the Library web site. 8 – Mystery Evening. 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.
26 – States Fair. 1:30 to 2:30 P.M. Young adults meet to solve the mystery:
School age children welcome! We’ll Who killed the prom queen? Please
choose four states and will create register with Mrs. Wilson for this special
activity centers around them featuring evening.
interesting facts, maps, crafts, and games or
activities. Please register for this “no school
MAY
day” activity, which is our way of celebrating 6 – Young Adult Volunteers Needed! 7:00 to
“Read Across America” which takes place in 8:00 PM. Sign up to help with this year’s
honor of Dr. Seuss’ 100th birthday (March 2). Summer Reading Program. Come tonight for a
training party—new details this year.

Adult Calendar of Events

Spring Into “Warm Climes” & Let’s Talk About It
“Travel Adventures in Warm Climes” is x April 13 – In a Sunburned Country by Bill
the spring theme for the “Let’s Talk About It” Bryson. Scholar: Sue Thompson.
adult book discussion program. Each session x May 11 – Dark Star Safari: Overland
begins in the Library meeting room at 7:00 PM. From Cairo to Cape Town by Paul Theroux.
Books for the series may be checked out at the Scholar: Dr. Jonathan Pitts.
Library circulation desk. Please call or visit the
Library to register for the following sessions: Dinner & A Movie
x March 9 – Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going
Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Spring Showings
Tony Horwitz. Scholar: Martin Kich. Adults may bring a potluck dish
to share and stay for a movie after
dinner. The Library will provide
ʊ Tully Video Presented ʊ tableware and drinks.
Registration is requested.
Buzz Howard will discuss his Jim Tully
Program starts at 6:00 PM.
Video in the Library Meeting Room on March17 at
Spring show dates are:
7:30 PM. The public is invited to attend. No
6 March 30; 6 April 27;
registration is necessary.
and 6 May 25.

~~~~Right to Read Week – May 3-7~~~~

Right to Read Week is celebrated in conjunction with local schools. Visit or call the Library for details.
 St. Marys Community Public Library
140 S. Chestnut Street
St. Marys, OH 45885
(419)394-7471

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

HOW TO REACH US:

Donations Received Last Quarter
November ADDRESS:
Gift in memory of Arthur Brockert by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Klenke; 140 SOUTH CHESTNUT ST.
gift by Dr. and Mrs. Victor Von Blon; gift of by the Ohio Assisted ST. MARYS, OH 45885
Living Association; gift by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission;
gift by Allen L. Johnson; and gift by J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio TELEPHONE: (419) 394-7471
Secretary of State
FAX: (419) 394-7291
December
Gift in memory of Richard Neely by Richard and Marilyn Long; E-MAIL:
gift by author Donald Charles Lacy; gift by National Health [email protected]
Council; and a gift by State of the Heart Home Health &
Hospice. WEBSITE:
www.stmarys.lib.oh.us
January Gifts
A gift by James E. Kelley; gift in honor of Naida R. Kuhr by Irene
Kuhr; gift by the Islamic Educational Center; gift by American
Road & Transportation Builders Association; gift by Ohio
Association of Career Colleges and Schools; gift by Local 463
Utility Workers; and gift by Reverend Arnold and Martha
Meckstroth.