Thank You

Your voice has been heard, loud and clear.

Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans have contacted their legislators, and many are firmly on our side.

It’s not over, though.

The budget may not be passed before the 1st as the conference committee did not meet over the weekend.

saveohiolibraries.com can keep you up to date.

SAVE OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES – ACT NOW!

In the midst of these mean economic times, Governor Strickland and the General Assembly have been struggling for months to create a balanced budget for the state’s next biennium – July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2011 – and to close a budget deficit of $3.2 billion.

The budget – which must be balanced and approved by June 30, according to state law – is currently in Conference Committee. On Friday, June 19, Governor Strickland presented a plan to the Conference Committee to fill the $3.2 billion budget gap.  This plan includes a 50 percent reduction in state funding [Public Library Fund] for Ohio’s 251 public libraries, effective July 1, 2009.

State funding comprises 30 percent of the annual revenue for Avon Lake Public Library.  While we have been quietly “tightening our belt” behind the scenes at ALPL for the past year, a 50 percent reduction in our state support will have serious ramifications, most significantly to reductions in hours of operation, services, programs and staffing.

Public library usage has hit record numbers, all over the nation, not just in Ohio and at ALPL.  Public libraries offer vital services to those looking for jobs and running small businesses.  We support education at all levels, which our Governor says is a lynchpin to Ohio’s recovery.

ACT NOW! Call or e-mail the Governor and our State Senator and Representative before June 30.  Remind them how crucial public libraries are to your family and community, especially in these economic times.  Ohio’s public libraries have ranked #1 in the nation for the past 20 years, in large part, because of our excellent state funding.

We only have ten days to prevent this 50 percent reduction to the Public Library Fund

from happening.  We need your help today!

~ Mary P. Crehore, Director / 22 June 2009

Governor Ted Strickland

614.466.3555

www.governor.ohio.gov

Click on “Contact the Governor” under “Assistance” at the top this page to access an e-mail form for the Governor.

Senator Sue Morano

614.644.7613

senatormorano@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Representative Matt Lundy

614.644.5076

district57@ohr.state.oh.us

Last Son / Cleveland and Superman

Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m.  we will have a pre-release short showing of Clevelander Brad Ricca’s film Last Son about the Cleveland origins of Superman.  Seems the Man of Steel was created right here in our fair city, back in the 1930s, by Glenville High graduates Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

This film played at Ingenuity Fest last summer and at the Akron Film Festival.  It’s not yet in general release, so there are few opportunities to see it.  And along with the film itself (this version is about an hour long), Brad will be here to answer questions and talk about the research and filming of this Cleveland original movie.

This film is more than suitable for all ages of Superman fans.

Reference Gem #3

Today’s amazing Reference find is The Encyclopedia of Earth: a Complete Visual Guide published by University of California Press in 2008.

This one-volume encyclopedia is gorgeous! There are stunning photographs and illustrations throughout the book.   Topics, developed by international experts, include Birth (the history of the planet), Fire (the interior of this ball of rock), Land, Air, Water and Humans.  Throughout you’ll find charts, diagrams and cut-aways that make challenging concepts clear.  The text is in small chunks of fascinating tidbits of information.

This new item in our Reference collection will be useful for school projects or anyone looking for a brief, clear explanation of a basic concept related to geology, weather, astronomy, oceanography, the environment, human ecology and anything else related to earth science or natural history.  But most of all, this is a beautiful book to browse through on a hot or rainy afternoon.  Come by the Reference desk; we’ll pull it for you and you can find a comfy chair to spend the afternoon!

SunCelebration

Saturday, June 20 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Kopf Family Reservation

In partnership, the Lorain County Metro Parks, Avon Lake Public Library, Avon Lake Parks and Recreation and the Avon Lake Schools, invite you to celebrate the summer solstice with a day of “sun fun!”  The SunCelebration for the whole family will include:

• Sun Crafts
• Tram Rides through Kopf Family Reservation
• Launch Solar Balloons
• Sun Viewing with Specialty Telescopes
• Sunny Displays on Solar Power and Green Energy
• Summer Fun Raffle Basket

Superheroes at the Library

Here at Avon Lake Public Library, we’re celebrating the Summer Reading Season with a superheroes theme.  Come see our superhero decorations in each department and join one of our summer reading contests – we have them for all ages, all with great prizes!

Of course librarians have long been associated with superheroes.  Take a look at this old Brady Kids episode featuring Ms. Prince, aka Wonder Woman:

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Get your tickets at the Library!  Bring the whole family as we celebrate “Avon Lake Community Day”  at the new All-Pro Freight Stadium, when the Lake Erie Crushers take on the Kalamazoo Kings Sunday, August 2.

Purchase $9.00 box seats at a discounted price.  $5 for Friends of ALPL and $7 for general public.  For every ticket purchased, enter a drawing to throw out the first pitch of the game! 

Get your tickets at the Circulation desk.  Not a Friend?  Join NOW and take advantage of this great deal!

AudioBook Month

June is AudioBook month. What a great way to kick off the summer travel and relaxation time by listening to a good book. We have over 4,000 audio and downloadable titles to choose from. If you are looking for popular fiction, classics, self-help, biographies, history, and others-we have them! Here are some titles of our recent arrivals: Genghis by Conn Iggulden, I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulla Melucci, Little Bee by Chris Cleave, and Mafia Son by Sandra Harmon. Call or stop by and we can help you find a good audiobook. Happy Listening!!