Cumberland Co. Public Library

Au revoir

2010-09-16T11:52:00.000-04:00

It is with mixed feelings that I (Mel) announce my departure from Cumberland County Public Library to accept the position of Library Director for the Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library in Elizabethton, TN. As many of you know, my husband, David, and family have continued to live in Jefferson City, TN, while I have been in Cumberland. The original plan for David to relocate to Cumberland as soon as possible after our youngest child graduated from high school just didn't work out, and "as fate would have it" this new & exciting opportunity in Elizabethton came through. While I will be very glad to be close(r) to home and no longer face a 700+ mile round-trip just to see my family, I will also miss the people here and can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Director of Cumberland County Public Library. It is truly the home of good books & great folks!

If you know of someone with an MLS/MLIS who is looking to serve a small, rural community in the heart of Virginia, please direct them to the Library's home page, where they will find a link to the job posting for a new Director of Cumberland County Public Library.

And if you are ever in the Tri-Cities area of East Tennessee, please stop by & say hello!

Friends Annual Meeting & Potluck Supper

2010-09-16T11:39:00.000-04:00

The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library will hold their annual meeting and potluck supper on Wednesday, October 20th, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Payne UM Church. If anyone needs a ride, please call the Library!

Held on the Homefront: German POWs in the U.S. 1943 - 1946 -- update

2010-09-16T11:37:00.000-04:00

The BUSeum from TRACES will be at the Cumberland County Public Library on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, from 11 AM until 5 PM. The public is invited & encouraged to stop by and tour this mini-museum on wheels!

Held on the Homefront: German POWs in the U.S. 1943 - 1946

2010-08-19T13:06:00.000-04:00

A "Buseum" -- museum (on wheels) -- display of the 660 camps across the U.S. that housed nearly 380,000 German POWs. Virginia had 35 such camps. The display offers "an unusual, rich story brought to life in the BUS-eum, a 40-foot school bus converted into a mobile classroom and museum. The exhibit consists of 15 narrative display panels illustrated with dozens of photographs and documents, DVD documentaries, artifacts, and much more. See still images at http://traces.org/Buseum_3_tour/Buseum_3_Scenes.html ...."

The Friends of Cumberland County Public Library have agreed to sponsor a 6-hour showing here at the Cumberland County Public Library. Dates & times are still being worked out, but we are focusing on either November 18 or 19th. Mark your calendar & keep your eyes & ears open for additional information!

Catalog's New "Name"/Location

2010-02-19T09:28:00.002-05:00

The Library's Destiny program has been moved to a new & improved server as of 9:20 this morning. The biggest change patrons might notice is the new domain name: http://destiny.cucps.k12.va.us/vopac/servlet/presentsearchform.do?site=201. I've updated the library's homepage to reflect this new address, but it may take a day or two for the update to be distributed for world-wide access, so if you try to log-in and get an error message, that may be the problem. The new server will allow us to continue to implement improvements & upgrades to Destiny for at least several years into the future.

Many thanks to John Lore at CCPS for his long-suffering work on this project!!

NetLibrary e-books available!

2010-02-12T12:31:00.001-05:00

Better late than never??? I learned just yesterday that CCPL has access to over 16,000 e-books on NetLibrary through a purchase made by the Library of Virginia. The most recent acquisition is of a job-search & related skills collection, which was made available only a few months ago. But in investigating our lack of access to that set, I learned that a larger collection had been purchased in 2004.

Access to the books, which have to be read on-line, is now established and the titles have been added to the library's catalog. E-book results will show in any other search you do, along with our physical holdings. To read the ebooks, you will either need to be on a computer in the library, or have first created a free NetLibrary account from a library computer. Once you've created your free NetLibrary account, you'll be able to read the ebooks from any computer with internet access.

Many of the books are non-fiction, but there are some fiction, including some juvenile fiction like 13 Mississippi Ghosts and Jeffrey. I hope you'll take the time to look at this valuable resource!

Thursday, Feb. 11, hours

2010-02-11T11:22:00.000-05:00

We opened on time this morning, but will be closing at 6 p.m. this evening so that staff can get home before dark. Back roads are still very treacherous today, covered in packed snow & ice which, for those large sections that are tree-lined, won't see any significant melting until the temperatures stay above freezing for more than just the "heat of the day." And since 3/4 of the library staff and the vast majority of our volunteers live on those back roads, we will continue to close early to get everyone home safe with at least a little daylight to see by.

Library is OPEN

2010-02-10T11:41:00.000-05:00

Deanna and Mel are in! We'll likely be open until 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10

2010-02-10T08:04:00.000-05:00

The library is officially closed today. I'm going to try to make it in around 11 a.m., assuming I can get out of my driveway and down the road. If I do, we'll be open for a couple of hours, maybe as late as 4 p.m.

Closing early; BOS rescheduled

2010-02-09T16:21:00.000-05:00

We are closing at 6 p.m. this (Tuesday, Feb. 9) evening. Tomorrow's schedule will be determined by road conditions in the morning. Please call the library to see if we are open before making the trip in!

Also, the County Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. this evening has been postponed until next Tuesday (Feb. 16).

Winter Weather

2010-02-08T13:13:00.000-05:00

The Library will close at the regular time -- 6 p.m. -- today (Monday, Feb. 8). Hours for Tuesday (Feb. 9) are quite "iffy" right now. We hope to open on time, at 9 a.m., but if the weather is bad prior to 9 a.m., it is likely we'll be opening late. Also, assuming the forecast is accurate, we'll be closing early Tuesday evening. I'll post details tomorrow!

Thursday schedule

2010-02-04T10:24:00.003-05:00

We will be closing at 5:30 again today. Tomorrow we should be on a regular schedule, but if it starts snowing early that may change.Unless the forecast is completely wrong, we will be closed on Saturday. Please call the library before coming out!

Wednesday Schedule

2010-02-03T09:15:00.000-05:00

We hope to open at 10 a.m. this morning, or as soon thereafter as we can. It is likely that we will close early, by 5:30, so that folks can get home while there is enough light to distinguish between driveway, road, and ditch -- something still rather challenging on snow-pack covered back roads where the ditches are filled-in to road-level with snow.

Groundhog Day

2010-02-02T12:32:00.003-05:00

In light of the weather advisory (and I don't mean from dear ol' Phil up in Punxsutawney), the library will close at 5 p.m. today. Hours for tomorrow (Wednesday, 2/3) will be determined by road conditions in the morning. Patrons should call the library before trying to come in!

Snow schedule!

2010-02-01T13:08:00.003-05:00

We were closed Saturday, January 30 -- any materials due that day will not incur late fees. Today (Monday, February 1) we opened at 9, but will be closing at 5:30 so that we can all get in our driveways before dark. At this point we plan to open tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 2) at 9, but will likely close at 5 p.m. (or earlier) if the weather forecast is right.

Snuggle Up with Peter Rabbit

2010-01-21T14:15:00.002-05:00

Cumberland County Public Library is holding its first-ever Winter Reading Program. The Winter Reading Program is designed for preschool aged children, and is a "read-to-me" program that helps parents nurture a love of reading in their young children. This year's theme is "Snuggle Up With Peter Rabbit," and will feature the writings of Beatrix Potter.

The program begins at the Library on Wednesday, February 3, and runs through March 20. Story Hour is at 11:00 a.m. each Wednesday, and will to include Murphy the Reading Dog. Then, for the duration of the program, registered children are invited to return (with a responsible adult) to the Library each Saturday morning at 11 a.m. for a Craft Time, followed by a "potluck lunch" where we are suggesting each child and parent bring a bagged lunch, or lunch items to share. The Library will provide drinks, cups, paper plates, & flatware.

In addition to the in-library program, CCPL is partnering with the Pre-K classes at Cumberland Elementary School to bring the program to as many children in the County as possible. Beginning Tuesday, February 2, Library Volunteer "Story Ladies" will visit the Pre-K classes at the school for StoryTime. At those Story-times, materials provided by the Library of Virginia with tips on encouraging young children to enjoy reading and Peter Rabbit themed coloring sheets will be distributed. The children in the Pre-K classes are also invited & encouraged to register for the Saturday Craft Time.

Registration is now open -- please call or stop by the Library to register your Preschooler! (Please note that Library policy requires children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. For Saturday's craft & lunch program, parents will be asked to assist.)

Community Christmas Tree Lighting

2009-11-30T12:54:00.003-05:00

Cumberland County Public Library is delighted to again host the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting, which will take place Monday, December 7, at 6 p.m. The "Community of Light" choir will provide special music and lead the caroling; refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library. We hope to see you there!

Technology Updates: Phones & more

2009-11-25T11:17:00.002-05:00

As some of you may have noticed, there have been a couple of technology changes made recently. Here's a summary:

As a cost-saving measure, we are moving our phone line onto the public school's VoIP telephone network. While we had originally planned to make the change-over on December 4, Verizon actually changed the lines over today (Wednesday, November 25). This unexpected shift in date has caught us a bit off-guard, and there are a few technicalities we're still working out. Right now, if we call out, the receiving party's caller ID will show the school board's main number (492-4212). And, if an incoming call isn't answered (because we're closed, or don't get to the phone in time), the call will be sent to the school's voice-mail system, rather than to our own mailbox. Messages can be left for us by choosing voice mailbox 6799. Hopefully, both the caller ID and messages issues will be resolved by the end of next week.
We've upgraded to the latest version of Destiny! You've probably noticed the new "look" to the catalog -- Destiny Quest is now the default search interface. One of the nicest new features is that patrons can create their own passwords, and you can also do a bit of customizing, including selecting a different background. If you want to change an already-assigned password, just click on the "forgot password" link and follow the directions.

Hope everybody has a great Thanksgiving! Remember, the library will be closed Thursday through Saturday for the holiday. We'll open again Monday, November 30, at 9:00 a.m.

Cumberland Library's "County Gaming Day"

2009-10-23T17:16:00.004-04:00

As previously announced, the American Library Association promotes a "National Gaming Day," encouraging all public libraries to host a Gaming Event for their community. National Gaming Day is usually on a Saturday, and this year it is no different, the date being designated is Nov. 14. HOWEVER, that date does not work particularly well for Cumberland County Public Library, and so our Gaming Day will be on Wednesday, November 25, from 2 - 5 p.m. As many of you know, Cumberland County Schools begin their Thanksgiving break on that day, and we hope to provide a fun, safe activity for young people (aged 10 or above if not accompanied by a responsible adult) and adults. We will have games for ALL AGES. The Friends of the Library will also be selling baked goods. Plan to join us -- and bring your favorite board game to share!

NEW HOURS NOV. 2

2009-10-20T14:05:00.008-04:00

NEW!

Hours of Operation

effective Nov. 2, 2009

Mondays & Wednesdays:

9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesdays, & Thursdays:

9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Fridays:

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturdays:

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Computer Use Time Limits Increased

2009-10-16T15:32:00.004-04:00

Several changes have been made recently in our technology resources, including changes to the filter. While not all of these changes please everyone, one good thing is that, based on observed daytime usage for the past two weeks, we are able to EXTEND the daytime (before 3:00 p.m.) computer-use allotment from 40 minutes to one hour. We hope this will give most people ample time to complete their tasks!

Book Club Meets Monday!

2009-10-14T17:17:00.001-04:00

The Adult Book Club which began as a Summer Reading Program for adults is scheduled to meet this coming Monday, October 19th. All adults are welcome to attend -- bring a friend, and help this fledgling program fly!

Friends Potluck Next Wednesday!

2009-10-14T17:14:00.004-04:00

Don't forget about the Friends Meeting on Wednesday, October 21, at 6 p.m. at Payne UMC Fellowship Hall. The potluck dinner will have a "Friends Cookbook Sampler" theme -- be sure to call Lauraetta at the library (492-5807) and let her know what dish you plan to bring!

We will also have a presentation on Internet Safety -- learn some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe on the world-wide web!

National Gaming Day

2009-10-13T12:50:00.002-04:00

Saturday, November 14, is ALA's National Gaming Day @ your library. CCPL has nascent plans to host a computer-free gaming event. Details are still being worked out, so stay tuned!

Francis Wood's Book Talk

2009-10-13T12:47:00.001-04:00

Remember -- local author Francis Wood will be giving a book talk at the Library on Wednesday, October 21, at 5 p.m. Francis will be discussing his newest book. Sunflower.

Archives Month in VA Book Talk

2009-09-23T17:11:00.003-04:00

The Library of Virginia invites the public to attend a book talk with author Bruce Chadwick on Thursday, October 29, at 12 noon. Mr. Chadwick's recently published book, I Am Murdered: George Wythe, Thomas Jefferson, and the Killing That Shocked a New Nation (Wiley, Jan. 2009) is the bizarre true story of the murder of George Wythe, an original signer of the Declaration of Independence and close friend of Thomas Jefferson (who hailed him, as "the Father of American Jurisprudence"). Wythe was murdered by his grand-nephew George Wythe Sweeney. Mr. Chadwick conducted part of his research at the archives of the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Historical Society.

The book talk, part of the celebration of Archives Month in Virginia, will be followed by a book signing, light reception and "behind-the-scenes tours" of the LVA archives. The Library of Virginia is requiring reservations for the tours, which will run from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. The Library of Virginia is located at 800 East Broad Street in Richmond, where underground parking is available at no charge for library visitors. For more information about the book talk and tours, call (804) 271-2527.

Woman's Club Raffle

2009-09-22T14:41:00.002-04:00

The Woman's Club of Cumberland has placed a display in the library's show case of items they are raffling . The red and grey afghan was made by Audrey Webb, the quilt was made by Chris Watts and the picture was painted by Gigi Rigsby . Lucia Whitlock will make the pound cake she is famous for. All of the above items would be a real prize for any home, a delight to admire and scrumptious treat to eat. Tickets are one dollar. They are available at the front desk of the library or through members of the Woman's Club. The drawing will be held in December 10th.

Trustees Meeting

2009-09-21T13:29:00.001-04:00

The Board of Trustees of the Cumberland County Public Library will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5. All meetings are open to the public.

Book Club Meets Monday!

2009-09-18T19:14:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder that the book club which began as the adult Summer Reading Program will meet this coming Monday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. Any adults interested in joining are welcome to attend!

Francis Wood

2009-09-09T10:05:00.002-04:00

Don't forget-------at 5 p.m. on October 21, 2009, Cumberland County Public Library will host Francis Wood, well known local author. He will be speaking about his book, coming out this fall, entitled Sunflower. Following this the yearly meeting of the Friends of the Library will be held at Payne Memorial Methodist Church. Hope to see you there!

Learning Express Library

2009-09-02T17:15:00.002-04:00

Overcoming test-taking anxiety, raising test scores, and improving skills is possible with just the click of a mouse, courtesy of your local library!

Enjoy free, unlimited access to interactive skill-building courses in math, reading and writing as well as a broad range of practice tests based on official exams such as the ACT, SAT, GED, ASVAB, Firefighter, Police Officer, Paramedic, EMT Basic, U.S. Citizenship, Postal Worker, Cosmetology, Real Estate Agent & Broker Exams. This valuable service is available 24/7 from any internet-enabled computer—in your library and even from your home!

Follow the directions below to create your LearningExpress LibraryTM account and access over 700 of the most up-to-date test-preparation and skill-building resources. Both students and adults can prepare for a wide range of academic and career-oriented exams as well as improve basic skills in reading, writing, and math. In addition, job-skills tutorials are available to assist in creating a great resume, honing interviewing techniques, and improving business communications. Patrons also have the option of selecting from more than 130 e-book titles to help learners of all ages prepare for success. The innovative platform includes self-paced study, instant scoring and diagnostic feedback and can be accessed from any computer that has an Internet connection.

Here's how:

Go to LearningExpress Library (
http://www.LearningExpressLibrary.com

Sign in as a NEW USER, click “Register.”

Use 23040+your Cumberland County Public Library card=10 total numbers as the USERNAME. No spaces please!

Create and verify any password you are comfortable with.

You might see a list of libraries to choose from at this point. Please choose your library and UPDATE.

Whenever you log in after this, you will sign on as a RETURNING USER.

ENJOY!!!

I Love My Librarian!

2009-09-01T12:33:00.003-04:00

Nominate your librarian today for the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award!

Friends Annual Potluck & Meeting

2009-08-29T12:44:00.003-04:00

The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, October 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Payne United Methodist Church. Details to come soon!

Labor Day

2009-08-27T17:38:00.001-04:00

The Library will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.

Book Club

2009-08-12T17:46:00.002-04:00

What began as an adult program for the 2009 Summer Reading Program will continue as a Book Club for adults of all ages. The group will meet on the third Monday of every month beginning in September at 6:30 p.m. Regular participants will take turns choosing monthly topics/books/authors. Join us!

Banned Books Week

2009-08-12T17:32:00.003-04:00

September 26 - October 3 is Banned Books Week! Among the list of challenged & banned books in 2008 are Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Alice Walker's The Color Purple.

For a list of the most commonly challenged books in the USA, take a look at this article in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_commonly_challenged_books_in_the_U.S.

Friends Backyard Booksale

2009-08-06T13:58:00.008-04:00

The Friends of the Library will have a huge booksale in the backyard/parking lot of the Library on Friday, August 28 & Saturday, August 29. Sale hours will be Friday from noon until 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. 'til 2 p.m. The books will be (at least partially) sorted by genre and grouped by author.

PRICES: paperbacks – 25¢ ea.
hardbacks – 75¢ ea.

Welcome to our Blog!

2009-08-06T13:21:00.000-04:00

Hi! Cumberland County Public Library, in Cumberland, VA, has just started this blog. We hope it becomes a valuable source of information and forum for discussion for the entire community. Announcements of upcoming events, book reviews (also available in our catalog!) & discussions, and other Library-related news will all be posted here.