Beach Library applauds graduated Master Gardeners
Upcoming Events
Preschool Story Hour on Wednesday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Children’s area
Open Public Forum: short-term rentals, Wednesday, 4:30-7:15 p.m. in Community Room
Apps for iPad, iPhone on Thursday, April 25, 10:30 a.m. Pre-register.
Drawing, Monday, April 29, 10:30 a.m. Pre-register.
Drawing
Added sessions have been added for the Drawing class on Apr 29. We are delighted that this time has been so appreciated and used. New attendees are welcome, just bring along a good eraser, paper and soft dark pencil.
Graduation
We congratulate the Master Gardeners for completion of their course via the County Extension Service. Their graduation will be held in the Community Room, and though the room on Friday, April 16, is in full use for Master Gardener activities and closed to the public, we wish them well. We say thanks for a team of Master Gardeners who spruced up the landscaping last Thursday-pulling weeks, removing debris, and strengthening supports where needed.
Parking
Please use library parking for library patron use only. Upon closing, gates are closed.
Volunteers
If the coming months enable you to have a few hours each week for a community activity, consider volunteering at the library. If you have an interest in the library, are eager to help support and enhance library services or enjoy the satisfaction of helping others, complete an application to be found at the workstation on the first or second floors.
Library Usage
The number of library users was up over 50 percent last month compared to the same month a year earlier when usage was also higher. We continue to delight in the many upbeat comments of satisfaction and praise from users regarding the beauty and layout of the facility. We have also been pleased with donations to the library and thank you for your continued good will and graciousness. It is clear that the Beach Library is appreciated and made possible by the local residents who recognize its value and overall contribution to the community.
Familiar Names
It’s often interesting to see what has changed or what patterns are showing in the world of publishing. What has not changed for 2012 are the authors who appear in the fiction top list: Patterson, Evanovich, Grisham, Clancy, Baldacci, Harris, Beck, Connelly, Child and Vince Flynn. These authors continue to attract new readers and have built such a following that their works easily attain bestseller status. There are two newcomers to the list: J. K Rowling for her first adult novel, The Casual Vacancy (ROW) and another Flynn-Gillian with Gone Girl (M FLY). Two new authors appear too: Amor Towles (Rules of Civility, TOW) and M.L. Stedman (The Light between Oceans, STE).
If one looks at the top non-fiction list in terms of growing interest and attracting readers, familiar subjects are evident, namely politics, cooking and religion. Past presidents -Kennedy, Lincoln and Jefferson- were the focus of three books on the top 10 as was a title not so enamored with current President Obama.
Art Publishing
There have been concerns the prospect of art publishing may be somewhat gloomy as we look into the future. Thankfully, early signs note that these concerns may be unnecessary. Recent publishers have noted that ” the art book business is doing as well as it ever did,” to quote publisher Margaret Chace.
Bookstores have always been an important part of becoming aware of art titles and with the transition in number of brick and mortar stores, particularly with the closing of Borders, concern was where exactly are people going to see art books? What a consumer encounters on Amazon online is a cover image of an art book with an above-average price tag and without seeing the book; the purchase is more of a challenge.
One fascinating result of this transition is that art book publishers are making sure their books are elaborately designed and even packaging limited editions. Auctions have given much evidence over the past year that when art books have a look and packaging match, as Deborah Aaronson of Abrams put it, “There’s a willingness on the part of the consumer to pay a real premium for something that is elaborately and beautifully produced.”
Many attribute the higher prices not simply to deep pockets but to a newfound appreciation for print, an after effect of reading being transferred to digital space, where books are abstracted and have no material value. Enhanced e-books offer chances for publishers that might not have been tried before but the market for art e-books remains miniscule.
Hours
A recorder gives the hours we are open if you call in at 765-8162 when we are closed. Open hours are Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.