Spring Expo Event

Be sure and attend the Spring Expo Event at the Melvin Community Hall at 108 E Main Street in Melvin on Saturday, April 28 from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.  Many vendors will be there and Friends of the Library will be serving snacks and lunch.  Please join us!

Pageturners

The Pageturners' book club will be presenting the February program for the Melvin Women's Club on Monday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Hall on Main Street. The book they will discuss is Last Man Down: A Firefighter's Story of Survival and Escape from the World Trade Center by Richard Picciotto. Phone the library at 388-2421 if you would like to read a copy of this book.

The Help

The DVD movie version of "The Help" starring Viola Davis was released yesterday and as you may know it is based on the bestselling book by Kathryn Stockett. There is a lot of Oscar buzz for this film so if you like to read the book before you see the movie stop by the library and pick up a copy soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we want to take this opportunity to thank all the library patrons for their support and use of the library! Thanks for all the time and food you've donated to help at our fundraisers, and thank you for all the donations and memorials; the library's success is due in large part to the support of our community.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat hours in Melvin are from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Halloween, followed by a party for all kids at Community Hall on Main Street. Hope to see lots of Trick or Treaters at the library, we have yummy treats waiting for you! Happy Halloween!

Upcoming Fundraiser

Friends of the Library will be hosting a fundraising lunch on Saturday, October 15 at the Community Hall, 108 E Main Street, Melvin. Nashville recording artist Jordan Carter will be appearing that evening along with the Rick Flessner Band. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. so come out and enjoy some great music and support the library!

The Pageturners

The Melvin Public Library book club meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the library to review and discuss a book. In September the group discussed Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and for October 10 the book selection is Full of Grace by Dorothea Benton Frank.

If you would like to reserve a copy of the upcoming book or receive more information on attending a meeting call the library at 388-2421.

Meet Melvin

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the library and the community by attending last Sunday's Meet Melvin event! Our wonderful dessert donors include Gayle Ford, Lolita Siems, JoAnn Althouse, Lynn Duke, Vicky Duke and Pat Donovan. Food donors include Lorie Ford, Lynn Duke, Cheryl Kurtenbach and Melvin Convenient Store and helpers that day were Lynn Duke, Lorie Ford, Bill and Helen Curtis, Diane Dawson and Jackie Allen.

Sibley 4th of July Celebration

Join us at the Sibley 4th of July celebration where Friends of the Library will be running the bingo booth at Lake Park as well as partnering with the Melvin Park Board at the funnel cake stand. Here's a link to the day's festivities http://www.sibleyfourthofjuly.com/Schedule_of_Events.html

Upcoming Fundraiser

Friends of the Melvin Public Library are sponsoring a fundraising Pork Chop Dinner on Sunday, July 3, 2011, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ford County Fairgrounds following the Community Church Service. The meal includes pork chop, baked beans, potato salad, applesause and a beverage for $7.00 per plate. Items can also be purchased individually and bake sale goods and deserts will be available. Come join us!

Successful Fundraiser

Thanks to all the Friends of the Library for helping to make our Paxton IGA fundraiser a success! Thanks to those who worked hard that day: Ron & Donna Courtright, Norman & Judy Schall, Bill & Helen Curtis, Lynn and Faith Duke and Ed Hinthorn.

Thanks also to the many Friends who donated baked goods and money: Beth Hornstein, Anjanette Christenson, Ed & Kathy Eagleson, Norm & Lolita Siems, Jean Watterson, Dolores Clauss, Donna Courtright, JoAnn Althouse, Judy Schall, Darlene Schall, Pat Reitz, Larry & Wendy Boundy, Sheila Hinthorn, Roger Arends and Janice Ehmen.

The library is fortunate to have such great Friends!

We Need Your Help!

The library is having a fundraiser on Saturday, May 7, at the Paxton IGA from 10-2 p.m. The menu includes pork chop sandwiches, chips and a drink for $5 and we are also having a bake sale.

Any Friends of the Library who can donate baked goods would be greatly appreciated! Individually wrapped, serving size portions of cookies, cakes, pies, rolls, muffins, brownies, etc. are most welcome. Thank you for your support!

National Library Week

National Library Week begins April 10 and runs through April 16th. Come celebrate with us; check out what the library has to offer and join us for our free book give-away!

Reminder--Senior Services Day

Don't forget, the library is sponsoring Senior Services Day next Monday, February 28, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Staff members from the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department will be on hand to help complete 2010 Circuit Breaker applications. No appointment necessary.

Pageturners Meet at Women's Club

There was a great turnout and interesting discussion Monday, February 14, at the Melvin Women's Club meeting at Community Hall. Sixteen attended as the library's book club The Pageturners discussed The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Thanks to the Women's Club for hosting the group, making a donation to the library and providing delicious refreshments!

Senior Services Day

Staff from the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department will be on hand from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Monday, February 28 at the library to help complete 2010 Circuit Breaker applications.

The Illinois Circuit Breaker Program provides grants to seniors and the disabled to help reduce the cost of property taxes, license plate fees and prescription drugs. The program is for income eligible seniors 65 and over or any person 16-64 that has a disibility.

Income for individuals must be less than $26, 917, income for couples must be less than $36, 212. Please bring 2010 income statements and rent or property taxes paid in 2010. No appointment is necessary.

Great Backyard Bird Count

You can participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count between February 18 and 21 by observing and counting birds for a minimum of 15 minutes then going to http://www.birdcount.org/ to record your results. It's a great family activity and a chance to learn about the local environment and the library has many wonderful bird books to guide you.

Book Club

The Pageturners book club will be holding the program for the Melvin Woman's Club on Monday, February 14 at the Community Hall on Main Street. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. and club members will discuss the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Pageturner Christmas

The Pageturners Book Club will be having their annual Christmas get-together on Wednesday, December 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bayern Stube Restaurant in Gibson City. Feel free to bring a holiday memory or collection or favorite thing to share!

Upcoming Fundraisers

Friends of the Melvin Public Library have two fundraisers approaching including a lunch stand at the Marvin Lee concert to be held at Melvin Community Hall on Saturday, September 18. Food is available beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the music begins at 7:00 p.m.

You can also support the library by visiting the Paxton IGA on Saturday, September 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to enjoy a cookout and bake sale. Hope to see you at these events!