Raton Science Cafe : "Giant Waves and Rogue Waves"

The Raton Science Cafe will meet at the library Thursday, December 9, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. The topic will be Giant Waves and Rogue Waves. A collection of the best 90 slides from five different sources will be shown. Giant waves can be surf waves, tsunami waves, and rogue waves. Their power is illustrated by many photographs of damageed ships and oil rigs; and in a few instances - the actual rogue waves. A handout shows 21 of the favored locations of rogue waves. Viewers may also have a CD-ROM copy of the presentation. If you are interested in reading up on the subject beforehand, the library holds a copy of "The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean", a best-selling non-fiction book by author Susan Casey. The presentation will be followed with food and drink refreshments.

Dennie R. Gum has published a new book!

Dennie Gum, the assistant librarian at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library, has published a new book titled, "Unknown Lover". This is a modern romance involving three friends and their struggles and personal decisions regarding their attachments for one another. Dennie has previously published "Winter Dreamer" and has a third book in process. We are proud to have her books available to the public. If you wish to read "Unknown Lover", call and reserve the book. The library has two copies, both of which are flying off the shelf as our patrons enjoy this story by our very own library employee.

Vote "Yes" for Bond B for libraries on November 2, 2010!

As libraries are more used and needed in this time of economic recession, their budgets are being cut because there simply isn't enough money to go around.
On the statewide election ballot Bond B, if passed, will provide $7,000,000 to go to New Mexico public, school, tribal, college and university libraries to update their collections, equipment and databases. This money is not distributed until the library has purchased and paid for books and materials, computers (including parts, and needs to make the patron computer experience as up to date as possible), and online data bases that charge for their information. The State of New Mexico checks all submissions for reimbursement from libraries to make sure that the funds are used properly before each library receives any of these funds.
At this library, we have been able to purchase new computers, new headphones, new parts such as increased memory, as well as many books, DVDs, audio books, music and periodical subscriptions. While the city does provide many things for the library, including funds for the books and materials, necessary budget cuts have left us with only the GO Bond funds to keep our public access computer network up and running.
Not only will public libraries benefit from much needed funds, but the school libraries throughout Colfax County will also benefit. The following figures are based on charts prepared using existing distribution formulas, population figures and existing libraries in Colfax County. These figures give you an approximate idea of how much money libraries in this county will receive if Bond B passes on November 2, 2010.
Public Libraries
Arthur Johnson Memorial Library $11,233.68
Eagle Nest Public Library 3,080.30
Fred Macaron Public Library (Springer) 4,200.30
Shuter Library of Angel Fire 3,983.44

Public Schools
Cimarron Municipal Schools $10,501.60
Maxwell Municipal Schools 6,098.27
Raton Public Schools 11,329.76
Springer Municipal Schools 8,201.66
Moreno Valley High School 3,127.45

TOTAL FOR COLFAX COUNTY: $61,756.46

Please vote "Yes" for Bond B and help all the libraries in the county provide the much needed materials and computer services for our citizens. Every penny of it is needed.
Thank you!

The Raton Science Cafe Meeting on Oct. 14th, 2010

The Raton Science Cafe will present the DVD, "The Electromagnetic Spectrum". Earth Science Week is October 10 -16, 2010. This year's topic is "Exploring Energy". The electromagnetic spectrum is one of many types of energy, with light being the most common example. This 35 minute DVD will cover radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light waves, ultraviolet light waves, x-rays, and gamma rays. Although we call the latter two types 'rays', they are really waves. The video explains how these waves are formed by man or other processes, their unique properties, how we use them, and other fascinating facts. We thank Ms. Susan Welch, of the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, Socorro, NM, for the large packet of educational material she has provided. It will be donated to Raton High School after the meeting.
The presentation will be followed with food and drink refreshments.

Donations Welcome!

The Arthur Johnson Memorial Library has always accepted donations. The most frequent donations have always been books. We also accept magazines (which are placed on the Friends of the Library sale shelf, but are given away free of charge), as well as DVDs and audio books. These donations have added enormously to the reading, viewing and listening pleasure of library patrons over the years. While we cannot put every book, movie and audio book we receive on the shelves, we do go through each donation item by item. Those not added to the collection are given to the Friends of the Library. The FOL sell these donations and the money made by this independent support group is used entirely for the library's benefit.
In the past we have received donations in the form of art, items to display, a DVD player and holiday decorations.
Recently we have received book shelf donations from Mr. and Mrs. Steven Havill. We have used these shelves to expand the youth fiction section, the adult fiction section and the large print section.
And, as always, we accept monetary donations from generous individuals and groups whose pleasure in and support of this library has made it possible to serve our many patrons with even more materials in a pleasant environment.
Thanks to all of you who have thought of us as recipients of your donations.

Pre-School Story Hour - Introduce Your Child to the World of Story Books!

Young children love to have someone read them a story. The magic of a story book is one of the best gifts you can give a child too young to read to themselves. Early introduction to books (with lots of pictures!) teaches a child early about reading. Since reading is something they will do their whole lives, whether it is in school, for fun, with a book, or on the computer, the library would like to help awaken your child's interest in reading. Come to Pre-School Story Hour every Wednesday morning at the library, 10:00 A.M., and bring your pre-school children of any age. Not only will they listen to and look at great story books, they will interact with other children and make a project to take home each week. Just one hour a week in the world of books will do your child a world of good!

School Days

Now that school has started again, don't forget the library serves students of all ages throughout the school year. Class tours can be scheduled, books for reports checked out, ideas for science fair projects found, there is a fine selection of Native American books on different tribes, and we do have encyclopedias that can be checked out for three weeks.
Teachers, there are materials to aid you as well; books to aid in teaching math, English, social studies and activity books for the lower grades; books to inspire and aid teachers to do their best; books on teaching students of all ages, including advanced students and students with various handicaps; and specific materials that have been requested in the past by teachers for their students. If you have a lesson plan that requires a certain book down the road, call the library and see if we have it. If not, we may be able to purchase it.
Books on homeschooling children (not text books or home school curriculum) are also available
Books can be checked out by teachers on 'program'. This means that the books can be used in the classroom for nine weeks in order to aid students in specific projects and reports. The limit of six is extended to however many books the teacher needs and can be responsible for.
Computers for research after school hours are available. Sign up at the front desk.
The library is open Thursday nights until 9:00 P.M. and on Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. This gives students more time to utilize the collection for their educational needs.
Remember, students, it is always first come, first served. If you need a book on a specific topic, come early and check it out. If you do not have a library card, bring a parent or guardian to co-sign the form with you, and we will be happy to issue you one.
Get into the school year right by using the public library!

Library Report for Fiscal Year 2009 - 2010

At the last Library Advisory Board meeting on July 21, 2010, Thayla Wright present a report on various functions of the library during the fiscal year than ended June 30th, 2010. Included were a Usage and Checkout report, Meetings and Programs report, and Financial Take-In report.

The Usage and Checkout report included a breakdown of materials used in the library and checked out from the library of various types, including adult fiction/nonfiction, juvenile fiction/nonfiction, youth fiction/nonfiction, DVDs, audio books, music CDs, computer games, and periodicals. Services in house, such as computer usage, internet usage, reference aid and computer aid were also included in this report.

Yearly total: 69, 984 Weekly average: 1,345

The Meeting and Program Report showed a total of 207 meetings/programs held in the library with a total attendance of 2,763.

These meetings and programs included everything from pre-school story hour to hosting New Mexico Census Training. Local individuals, groups, classes, discussion groups, clubs and others use this building throughout the year. So do groups on a state level. Programs that come from inside and out of the state are hosted when possible at the library. Programs and meetings are forbidden to be held on a 'for profit' basis in the library.

The Financial Take-In Report showed money coming in from donations, memorial book donations, fines and fees and copies and faxes, totaling $10,673.34
Grants and GO Bond money totaled $24,878.66.

It was explained that funds that come from fines/fees and copies/faxes go back into the city's general fund. Memorial book money is used to buy those books specified as memorials. Donations are used as the donors specify. If that is left up to the library, it is used to aid in programming, the purchase of books and materials, or other ways that benefit the patrons of the library.

The New Mexico State Library Grant-in-Aid has limitations on what it may be used for as well criteria that must met to qualify for this yearly grant. The GO Bond funds must also be used in specific ways (materials and computer needs) and have a time line by which those funds must be spent.

Make a splash!

Looking for something to do? Summer Story Hour happens every Wednesday morning at 10:00 A.M. for children aged pre-school through the 6th grade. In the first three weeks, total attendance has been 232. Each of the group leaders are members of the library staff, and we are enjoying watching the children pour into the library every Wednesday morning. "Make A Splash At Your Library" has four more weeks to go. Come and discover books, projects and the Black Pearl, where you can spend Sand Dollars earned by filling out and turning in reading logs each Wednesday.
It's summer time! Come to the library for "Make a Splash!".

Did you know. . .

. . .that throughout the year, we have averaged approximately 650 visits per week? Why do people come? They come for:
Books
Magazines
Newspapers
Audio books
Movies
Video games
Internet
Copies
Faxing
Research
Computer classes
Used books from the Friends
Meetings
Programs
Tours
Sometimes they just need a map, or they want to look at the paintings hanging throughout the library. Occasionally they drop in to say hi or get out of the rain.
Your library is about more than books (although they are still our favorite things!). It's a world in itself, and it's populated by all of you.