The Van Alstyne Public Library invites you to visit during September to take advantage of new books, new computers, and new programs.  August is usually a slow month for programming because staff is busy with budgeting, weeding the collection, and preparing for the Friends of the Library Annual Booksale.  Young Adult Librarian Judy Spence enlivened August with several memorable programs, including an Anime Convention and Battle of the Guitars.  Check this column for more exciting programs this fall. 

Children’s Librarian Barbara Washington has lined up an ambitious series of programs for the fall.  In September, Preschool Story Time will meet on Wednesdays at 10:15.  Ms. Washington will be featuring stories, displays, and activities with Colors of the Rainbow. 

On October 1, story time will be a puppet show, “Falling for Rapunzel”.  On Thursday October 2, at 6:30, at our Family Night Out, Sherman Theatrix will present their traveling show, “The Elves and the Shoemaker”.  Don’t miss this exciting event.  As we know from past performances, unusual things happen in a familiar story.  The title of story time on October 8 is “On a Chilly Night”.  Children will decorate their own pumpkins at “Pumpkin Patch” on October 15.  “Monsters” will visit on October 22, and on October 29, children will wear Halloween costumes and bring candy to share.  Check the library for a calendar of these activities to keep on your refrigerator so you don’t miss any of them.

Free computer classes for adults begin on Monday, September 22 at 2:00 p.m. and on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m.  Each class lasts for an hour and covers basic computer practices, how to use word processing, searching the Internet, and using e-mail.  Thursday’s class is a repeat of Tuesday’s class. Call the library at 903-482-5991 to register.  The series of lessons usually lasts six weeks. 

Try out one of our five new computers purchased with a $5000 grant from the Texas Book Festival.  Get ready to bring your own laptops to use, just as soon as technicians install our new firewall and wireless access drops, a project being funded by the Friends of the Library. 

September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.  This year the library will honor our Latino friends and neighbors by observing the month with book displays, programs, music, and fiesta food.  A calendar of events will be displayed in the library.  Learn what the library has to offer Spanish speaking patrons.  Find out how the Internet can connect you to important and exciting information in Spanish.  Library card applications will be available in Spanish. 

The library has received a new rotating collection of books on CDs.  This collection was paid for with a $5000 grant from the Tocker Foundation.  Each of the small libraries in the county receives a collection of books on CDs to keep for three months.  Then they rotate their collection on to another library and receive a new collection. 

Some of the titles included in our new collection are:  Faye Kellerman’s The Ritual Bath, Susan Fraser King’s Lady Macbeth, Linda Buckley Archer’s The Time Thief, Sue Grafton’s T is for Trespass, Tudor Parfitt’s The Lost Ark of the Covenant, Janet Evanovich’s Naughty Neighbor, and Paulo Coelho’s The Witch of Portobello.