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The INDEPENDENT, March 18, 2010
Between the Bookends
By Nancy Burch, Librarian
Vernonia Public Library
A column written by David Sarasohn in
the March 7, 2010, Sunday Oregonian dis-
cusses the striking increases in library use
(in this case—Multnomah County Library)
during these economically trying times. In
his column “Reading a Recession”, Sara-
sohn makes particular mention of the range
of library services including circulation of
written and electronic materials, availability
of Internet access (especially for preparing
resumés and making job applications), and the encouragement of
early literacy, and says that libraries are no longer “Sshhh” institu-
tions.
Statistics collected by the Oregon State Library show that li-
brary use is at an all-time high. A news release from State Librar-
ian Jim Scheppke, states that the number of books and other li-
brary materials checked out from public libraries was up seven
percent from the prior year, with fifty-three of the 130 public li-
braries in the state reporting double-digit increases in check-outs.
Scheppke says, “Oregon public libraries have really stepped up to
be ‘first responders’ in this time of need for many Oregonians.”
Observations by staff as well as collected statistical data show
that use in our library reflects this correlation between library serv-
ices and the economy. Our circulation for the past two years has
averaged an increase of 15.7% over the two previous years, with
circulation for the last twelve months at 27,697, which means that
an average of 92 items are checked out each day the library is
open. Periodicals, especially the daily Oregonian, are in constant
demand as residents have cut back or discontinued these items
from their personal expenses. All six of the Internet computers are
usually in use. As with Multnomah County, many of our patrons
(an average of 30 per day) are using the computers to write re-
sumés, search job sites and send job applications. If anyone is in-
terested in these statistics which are collected yearly by the State
Library, the website is Oregon.gov.OSL/. Under department,
choose Library Development Services & Public Library Statistics.
You will find all public libraries in Oregon and be able to evaluate
and compare statistics.
Even though our library is very different from the Multnomah
County Library in size, budget, and uniqueness of the desires of
the patrons it serves, our goals are the same—to provide the best
possible service to the citizens of our communities. In our case,
this means offering a variety of programs and materials for young-
sters and adults as well as the invaluable computers with Internet
Midway
Veterinary
Clinic
Senior
Discounts
Open in Vernonia
Wednesdays and Saturdays
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call for appointments
503-429-1612
805 Bridge Street
Vernonia
Small and Large Animals
access. The weekly preschool program and the summer reading
program have been in existence for at least 25 years in our local
library, and the after school story/activity hour has been a reality
for close to 10 years. Movies for adults and for families have been
shown regularly for the past several years, a book discussion
group meets monthly, and special presentations (through the Ore-
gon Council for Humanities) have taken place on a regular basis.
Special upcoming events to take place in the library reflect the
individuality of our community. Book discussion group will meet
Monday, March 22 at 5:30 to discuss Pilgrims, a book of short sto-
ries by Elizabeth Gilbert. Movie matinees will be shown during
Spring Break on Tuesday, March 23 (Bedtime Stories) and Thurs-
day, March 25 (Where the Wild Things Are) at 2:00 p.m. On Sat-
urday evening, March 27 at 6:30, the movie New Moon will be
shown. Tuesday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m. will be the first of the new
Conversation Projects offered by the Oregon Humanities. Life in
a Mega City: Images of Urban Bangladesh will be presented by
photojournalist and Fulbright Scholar Geoffrey Hiller. Through
slides, videos and stories, Hiller will lead a conversation about the
challenges associated with the growth of mega cities and the dif-
ferences between Bangladeshi and American cultures. During the
week of April 11-17 (National Library Week) special events such
as guessing and coloring contests will also be taking place. Fea-
tured during this week, on Thursday, April 15 at 6:45, will be a fa-
vorite of the community—B.J. the Clown. This event will be spon-
sored by the Friends of the Library.
New DVD acquisitions to look for this month include House
Rules by Jodi Picoult, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W.
Durrow, A Night Too Dark by Dana Stabenow, Second Hand Lions
starring Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, The Bucket List starring
Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, and Julie and Julia starring
Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I would also like to bring to your at-
tention another new acquisition, Calamity: The Heppner Flood of
1903 by Joann Green Byrd. This carefully documented, poignant
story includes a moving collection of photographs describing a
flash flood that claimed the lives of 238 men, women and children
in little more than an hour. This calamity also caused the loss of
141 homes, 40 businesses, and hundreds of animals, while poi-
soning the drinking water of two other communities. The conse-
quences of our two floods, (as catastrophic as they were to us)
pale in relationship to the devastation that took place on June, 14,
1903, in this small farm town in northeastern Oregon.
Remember, this is your library—reflecting your individuality. If
you have suggestions for materials or services, make them known
and we will try to be of assistance. In Multnomah County Library
there is a sign reading, “A City with a great library is a great city.”
Our expectation is to make sure that this statement is also true of
Vernonia and our library.
Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Ave.
Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tues., Thur. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m. when school is
in session.
Phone: 503-429-1818
Mariolino’s
B ECAUSE
Get Your
I
Favorites ce Cream
Here!
OF YOUR REQUESTS
W E ARE NOW SERVING P RIME R IB
F RIDAY AND S ATURDAY N IGHTS
721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018
Miller now OPI
Care Manager
Karen Miller of Community
Action Team (CAT) is now
serving Vernonia senior citi-
zens who are 60 and over as
Oregon Project Independence
(OPI) Care Manager. Miller
had been serving as Senior
Center Advocate for CAT,
working out of the Vernonia
Senior Center until earlier this
year, when that program expe-
rienced funding cuts.
The OPI program, funded
through CAT, helps older adults
stay in their home by offering
services such as;
• home care
• chore services
• shopping
• personal services
• meal preparation
• care management
• respite for caregivers
Call Miller at 503-429-0273
for more information on avail-
able services based upon
funding through the Oregon
State Legislature.
Financial help
at workshops
Were you one of the millions
of Americans who made it their
new year’s resolution to get
your finances in order? Well,
April is financial literacy month,
and a great time to start evalu-
ating your family’s budget. To
help you get started, the Co-
lumbia County Extension FCH
and 4-H Programs are hosting
a Family Finance Workshop
Series. We invite you to attend
all four sessions in April.
A different element of family
finance will be presented each
Wednesday in April, from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m., as follows:
• April 7th – Family Budgeting
• April 14th – Understanding
and Protecting your Credit
• April 21st – Saving for
Family Goals
• April 28th – Investing for
Retirement
All sessions will be held at
the OSU Extension Service Of-
fice in St. Helens. Cost of the
series of classes is $20.00.
But, if you invest the time and
attend all four sessions, we’ll
give you your money back!
For more information and to
sign up, call or visit the OSU
Extension Service office at 505
N. Columbia River Highway,
St. Helens, OR 97051, 503-
397-3462.