Colgate Bookstore news

By Heather Elia

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 2012) The Colgate Bookstore will host a dragon-themed children’s program Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. in the Class of 2003 Events Room at 3 Utica St. Stories, dramatically read by bookstore staff, will be followed by a handprint dragon craft and a snack.

The program is free and open to children of all ages and their families, but mainly geared toward children 3 to 7 years old.

A tall, friendly dragon will be on hand at the end of the program for those who wish to meet and have their picture taken with it. Children who attend will also be entered to win a free book. Adults will receive a coupon for 20 percent off all dragon picture books.

The featured stories will include:

“Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon,” by Uta Krause. It’s time to feed the dragon! But this year the village is out of princesses. So the villagers send Oscar, a not-so-plump little boy who would rather COOK dinner than BE dinner. This silly tale showcases heroic Oscar’s cleverness when he matches wits with a ravenous beast.

“When a Dragon Moves In,” by Jodi Moore. On a beautiful day at the beach, a young boy brings his bucket, shovel and imagination, and builds a perfect sand castle. Right away, a dragon moves in. The boy decides to befriend his dragon and they spend time having fun (and making a bit of mischief).

“The Paper Bag Princess,” by Robert Munch. The Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth must find the dragon, outsmart him and rescue the prince.

For more information on this or other Colgate Bookstore programs, call (315) 228-6944.

Morrisville Public Library News

By Michelle A. Rounds

(Morrisville, NY – Feb. 2012) The NYS Paranormal Research Group will be here this Friday Feb. 10 at 6:30pm to share the results of the night they spent here in the library.  Learn about some of their other investigations as well.

Come learn about Susan B. Anthony and how important she was in history on Wednesday Feb. 15 at 6:30pm.

Our next book talk will be Friday Feb. 17 at 12:15pm.  The book being discussed is The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard.  Copies can be picked up now.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion.

Want to learn how to cross stitch?  We will teach you on Friday Feb. 17 at 6:30pm.  All materials will be provided.  See you then.

Kiddies Korner, our preschool story hour will meet on Tuesday Feb. 21 at 9:30am.  We will be hearing stories about Hats.  Bring your toddler or preschool child in for some fun and stories.

Our Annual Library Lock In will be Friday Feb. 24 at 8pm until 8am Saturday the 25th.  Bring your jammies and sleeping bag. Snacks will be provided but no meals will be.  Join us for stories, music, movies, games, karaoke, WII, food and lots more.  Bring the family in and join us for a night at the library.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Library Manager.  All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Library Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday Feb. 16 at 6:30pm.  The public is welcome to attend.

Don’t forget you can pay off old fines with canned goods this month. Or you can just donate items to our canned food drive. All items collected go to the Morrisville Food Pantry. Help out your community today.

The Library will be closed on Monday Feb. 20 to observe President’s Day. We will reopen Tuesday at 10am.

Michelle A. Forward is the library manager. The library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12pm to 8pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 8pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm.

(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Is your kitchen out of step with your lifestyle? Interior designer Mark Mutz comes to the Oneida Public Library Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. to give you fresh ideas in the program “Rethinking Your Kitchen.”

Mutz, proprietor of Kitchen Concepts in Rome and resident of Oneida, will discuss how to “open up” a cramped kitchen, maximize efficiency and improve layouts in existing kitchens. He will also review the latest trends in materials and designs.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, stop by the Oneida Library, 220 Broad St., or call 363-3050.

(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) School-aged children can learn the secrets of snowflakes in Winter Wonders at the Oneida Public Library with Michele Ryan Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m.

Children will learn how snowflakes are formed and how varied they can be, while doing their own experiment in snowflakes.

The program is free. For more information, stop by the Oneida Library, 220 Broad St., or call 363-3050.

Cazenovia Public Library news

(Cazenovia, NY – Feb. 2012) Until March 31, visitors to the Cazenovia Public Library Art Gallery can enjoy “Keeping Up Appearances,” the latest collection by local artist Elizabeth Cummings Monroe. There will be an artist’s reception Friday, Feb. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cazenovia Public Library Art Gallery.

Monroe uses watercolor, inks and acrylic paint interchangeably. She begins a painting with transparent watercolor in order to achieve a luminous quality and then moves to ink and acrylic for opacity and contrast.

“My current body of work features my usual unconventional abstract style in which I have now incorporated the human figure,” Monroe said. “I am constantly mesmerized by the human body, and in the past I painted people in a more realistic style, a style that I do not particularly enjoy. Now, I have found a way to incorporate a hidden world into my abstractions. The addition of a figure or groups of figures in my painting gives an immediate focal point for my viewer, and the painting becomes a mystery, story or puzzle to solve.”

The Cazenovia Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Free transportation is available through CRIS-CAT for Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson residents over 55 and ambulatory. Just call 655-0612 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. three to five days in advance. More information about this or other library events, call 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.

Canastota Public Library News

By Elizabeth Totten

(Canastota, NY – Feb. 2012) February is a very busy month at the Canastota Public Library.  With several programs and talks beginning, the library also begins its regular children’s weekly programming this month.

The Works of the Canastota Knitters will be on display in the library’s Lawson Community Room during the month. The knitters display will illustrate various stitches, techniques and yarn.  An artist’s reception will be held on Sunday, Feb. 12 beginning at 1pm.

The Canal Museum Talks will continue at the library on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7pm.  Matthew Urtz, the Madison County Historian will talk about “Madison County’s Contribution to US History.” Madison County was the home to some of the most innovative thinkers in American history.

Baby & Me Lap Sit with Miss Angela will begin Feb. 15 through May 23.  The program will run every Wednesday at 10am.

Thursdays at 10am is our Preschool Story Time. Bring your preschooler for stories, games, crafts and a snack. This program will be held Thursday mornings beginning Thursday, Feb. 16 and will continue through Thursday, May 24.

The Canastota Libra-Teens will begin meeting every Wednesday afternoon after school. This group (grades 6 and up) will create fiction, hear speakers, make crafts and a whole lot more. The group meets from Feb. 15 through May 25 at 4:30p.m. If school is not in session there is no Librateen meeting.

The Isle of Man and More will the subject of a presentation at the Library on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7pm.  Director Liz Metzger will offer a presentation on her recent trip to United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.  Liz led a Rotary Cultural Exchange of medical professionals to England. Light refreshments will be served.

The Canastota Coupon Clippers welcome Jessica Jones who will provide an “Extreme Couponing” program Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6:30pm. This presentation was rescheduled from a January date.  The cost for this program is $10 per person which pays for the binder and handouts. Coupon Clippers meet the first and third Wednesdays of every month at the library at 7pm.

The Canastota Scrapbookers meet the second Monday evening of every month at the library in the Lawson Community Room.  The group meets at 5:30pm. Bring your own photos and supplies and come out to work with us.

The library is home for two Writer’s Groups. One group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday afternoon (3 – 5pm) of each month and is hosted by Tish and Dean Dickinson in the Lawson Community Room.  The second group meets on the second and fourth Monday evening of each month beginning at 6:30pm in the library’s Carnegie Room.

We have two knitting groups that meet at the Canastota Public Library.  The Knight Time Knitters meet every Thursday evening from 6 – 8 pm.  The Friday Morning Knitters meet each Friday at 10am – noon.

The last Wednesday of every month is the library’s Book Chat.  The book discussion begins at 1pm in the Lawson Community Room.  February’s meeting will be on Feb. 29.  The discussion will be featuring, “Lonesome Dove,” by Larry McMurtry.  Books are available at the library.

Elizabeth Totten provides public relations for the library. For more information on these events and our regular weekly programming, visit canastotalibrary.org and click on the Mid-York Calendar of Events.

To the Editor:

(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Last year, for the first time, the proposed Oneida Public Library budget did not pass. The library Board of Trustees asked an independent firm to conduct a community survey to help us understand this new phenomenon.

The results revealed three major themes that impacted the vote in a negative way: 1) many voters had no knowledge of the budget process or were unaware of the date of the vote; 2) other responders described misinformation they received from outside sources, or had simply misinterpreted the budget facts or overall purpose for voting; and 3) many potential voters just didn’t vote as the library budget has always passed, and they felt their vote wasn’t needed.

We want to be sure our voters have a better understanding of the library budget, the purpose of the vote and what it means for our community. Here are some important facts about the current Oneida Public Library budget:

The budget totals $360,252.

Two-thirds of the budget is for personnel, including benefits (three full-time and 12 part-time support staff). Support staffers receive little more than minimum wage.

Purchase of books and library materials, building maintenance and utilities are other large items.

The budget vote is for approval of the library’s operating budget. This has NOTHING to do with the exciting building project the Library has been discussing for years. No money from the operating budget is spent on the project.

The library tax appears as a separate item on residents’ property tax bills. This is a small tax – last year, the tax on property valued at $100,000 was about $40.

Any increases or decreases in the library tax do not affect other taxes on the bill. For example, a 1.5-percent increase on the library tax for a $100,000 property would mean an additional 60 cents for the library tax, resulting in a library tax of $40.60 for the year. It would not be applied to the other taxes on the bill.

Voter turnout for the budget vote is historically low. Last year, only 666 people turned out to vote; 241 people voted in favor of the budget, but 425 people voted against it. When the budget is defeated, the library must use the budget of the previous year, and since costs increase this results in cuts in services.

Any registered voter who resides in the library district (the same geographic region as the Oneida City School District) may participate in the budget vote. You need not own property in order to vote.

If you are going to be out of town the day of the vote, pick up an absentee ballot application at the library. A ballot will be sent to you Feb. 10.

The budget vote will be held Tuesday, March 6, from noon to 9 p.m. at the library.

A public hearing on the proposed 2012-13 budget will be held Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the library. Attend the hearing and learn the true story of the proposed budget. The Board of Trustees knows the facts regarding the budget, and we will be happy to explain them and answer any questions regarding the operation of the library.

Feel free to call a Board member: Eileen Kinsella, (315) 363-4632; Patricia Albaugh, (315) 761-9701; Pamela Graves, (315) 363-3459; George Miller, (315) 225-2010, Diane Roy, (315) 363-4383; Bob Wilkins, (315) 363-6065 or Kate Myatt, (315) 440-3146.

Above all, mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 6, from noon to 9 p.m. to attend the budget vote, and do your part to keep the intellectual spark alive in Oneida. Your vote DOES count!

Patricia K. Albaugh, Vice President, Oneida Public Library Board of Trustees

(Oneida, NY) Sen. David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) was named to a newly-created bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Libraries.

“Libraries are an integral resource in our communities, providing access to books, technology and education to people of all ages,” Valesky said. “I am pleased to serve on this committee, to focus on the specific needs of libraries in Central New York and across the state.”

The 19-member Select Committee may conduct meetings, conferences and public hearings, gather information and make recommendations on library-related legislative proposals.

New York has 750 public libraries, and that total rises to 7,000 when academic, school and special libraries are included.  There are dozens of libraries and several library systems within the 49th Senate District.

Valesky has been a supporter of libraries throughout his service in the Senate. In 2011, he earned an “A” rating from New Yorkers for Better Libraries for his legislative work with respect to libraries.

Hamilton Public Library news

By Barb Coger

(Hamilton, NY- Feb. 2012) The Hamilton Public Library is pleased to announce that their annual “Exceptional Art Exhibit” is now on display. This art show features work created by artists from several area agencies, including Heritage Farm.

Among the art work you will find colorful paintings, creative sculptures, art forms found in nature, paper folding, jewelry and collages.

The public is invited to attend a special reception in honor of these talented artists on Friday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m.

Susan Beattie has once again donated some of her lovely nature photography note cards as a fundraiser for the library. These items are limited in quantity and sell for $3 each. All proceeds from the sale of these note cards will be used to purchase books for the children’s area.

Children’s books are also added to our library’s collection through a generous gesture of the Hamilton Rotary Club. This club has chosen to honor their weekly speakers by purchasing books for Hamilton Public Library in their name. Some of the most recent gift books include Cornelia Funke’s “Dragon Rider,” “Homer the Library Cat” by Reeve Lindbergh and Shel Silverstein’s “Everything on It.”

As a reminder, federal and state tax forms at available at the library. We now have the 1040 instruction booklets. Call the library for the free tax consultant contacts.

Barb Coger is director of the Hamilton Public Library. The library is usually open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please call the library at (315) 824-3060, during these hours for assistance. The book drop on Broad Street is always open for your convenience. Check the library’s Facebook page for up-to-date information about programs and special events.

(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) AARP will offer a two-day Driver Safety Program, The 6th Edition, which will be co-sponsored by the Oneida Public Library at 220 Broad St. Pre-registration is required as class size is limited. Sessions will be held on Monday Feb. 13 and Tuesday Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

A reservation may be made by calling Harold A. Mellen Jr. at 363-8357 or Marion Burback at 363-6160 and mailing your check or money order, made payable to “AARP.” Send all checks to: Harold A. Mellen Jr, 532 Lincoln Ave., Oneida, NY 13421. The course fees are: $17 (AARP members) or $19 (non-AARP members). Any individual with a valid driver’s license is encouraged to apply.

The two-day course takes into account many traffic problems that may confront experienced drivers. All sessions will be done with student workbooks, audio/visuals and classroom discussions pertinent to Driver Safety. Course participation is renewable by completing a “Refresher Course,” once every three years.