Lake County Library memories

To commemorate 50 years of service in Lake County, California, Lake County Library has invited people to share their memories of the library system. Here are my memories of volunteering as a shelver at the Lakeport and Middletown libraries.
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Library resource sharing: My hands-on experience

Circa March 2011: Locating “holds” at Lakeport library

The focus of my studies this week, for LIS 5804, is on library resource sharing and consortia. As a prior volunteer for a library system that contributed to a three-county shared catalog, I’ve had direct involvement with the sharing of resources among libraries.

Sonoma County, Calif.: Seeking professional opportunities

I have significant news to share with network contacts. My family is in the process of relocating to Sonoma County, Calif., and today I submitted the “Intent to Return” document that, in this case, communicates that I will not return this fall to Bellview Elementary School.

Library work: My first 1,000 hours

Wearing my Hogwarts robes in Bellview library

With the completion of my contract-year in Bellview Elementary School library, I have amassed more than 1,000 hours in my library service career.

Middletown Public Library: Grand opening celebration and one final yarn bombing tag

On the verge of our setting out for Ashland, Oregon, Jonathan and I took time out from packing Friday to attend the grand opening celebration for the Middletown Public Library. It is a fitting culmination of our time spent in Lake County, Calif.

On Thursday night, I installed one final yarn bombing tag at the new Middletown Public Library: “NEW LIBRARY,” originally applied to a chain-link fence at the library construction site, is faded but still legible.

Sunday update: The yarn bombing tag was vandalized; we found it, slashed and lying on the ground. I have had tags removed before but this was the first known act of vandalism against one of my tags.

Moving in at Middletown Public Library

Jonathan and I shelved for several hours Tuesday at the new Middletown Public Library. We joined members of Friends of the Middletown Public Library and other volunteers from the community.

‘READ’ yarnbombing tag at Middletown Public Library

My newest yarnbombing tag has been installed at the new Middletown Public Library. This tag features greater structural integrity than previous vertical tags.

Concealed beneath the crocheted tag are bands of surgical tubing -- actually refill bands for a slingshot -- tightly cinched around the pole. Pipe cleaners were used to attach the crocheted piece to the tubing framework.

This tag is not going anywhere, at least not without some effort.

Moving day at Middletown’s Gibson Library

Middletown Gibson Library, 21267 Calistoga St. (Highway 29)
Source of image capture: Google Maps

Volunteers needed, 10 a.m. Tuesday

Coinciding with preparation for my family’s pending move from Lake County, Calif. to Ashland, Ore.: books will be moved Tuesday, beginning at 10 a.m., from Middletown’s Gibson Library across Highway 29 to the new library site. There’s no heavy lifting; that work will be done by a Hill Road inmate crew.

If you can help pack books, library director Gehlen Palmer is sure to welcome your help. Come to the Gibson Library site at 21267 Calistoga St.

A grand opening celebration for the new Middletown Public Library and Middletown Senior Center is scheduled for April 12 at 4 p.m. according to a statement on the website of the Lake County Library. The dual-use facility is located at 21256 Washington St. For more information, contact Alicia Flores at 707-263-2580.

Middletown library children’s materials to be moved next week

Main entrance, new Middletown Public Library

The highlight of volunteering today at Middletown’s Gibson Library was learning about an imminent move across the street to the new public library. Just last week cement was being poured in front of the main entrance to the new library.

Volunteers are needed to help move children’s materials on March 19 and 20. Library director Gehlen Palmer told me the rest of library materials will be moved during the following week. For more information, contact Palmer at 707-987-3674.

Yarnbombing: Book drop handle cozy at Lakeport Library

How about one final wave of yarnstorming at Lake County, Calif. libraries before I leave for Ashland, Ore.? Yesterday I attached a crocheted book drop handle cozy at the Lakeport Library. I hope to complete at least one more tag between now and our departure date.

Last day of work at Lake County Record-Bee

Cat memorabilia given me by co-workers at the Record-Bee

Feb. 28, 2013 was my last day of work at the Lake County Record-Bee. The month’s close marked the end of a professional association that lasted 15 years.

Gift bags for sale at Lakeport Library

From Jo Bennett: Friends of Lake County Library will have gift bags for sale at the Lakeport Library, 1425 High St. Selections include mysteries, fiction, historical novels, romance, health and animal nature books.

Gift bags can also be designed to a recipient's specific taste. Friends of Lake County Library will need one week to complete the order.

Each purchase will be gift wrapped in a book bag with clear cellophane and decorated. Each gift bag costs $25. Proceeds support the Lake County Library. For more information, contact the Lakeport Library at 263-8817.

Middletown Public Library to open Feb. 1

Nearly completed: Middletown senior center and public library building

The new Middletown Public Library is scheduled to open the first of February, according to the November newsletter of Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library (FMGL).

Friends sale at Lakeport Library

Jan Cook at the Lake County Library emailed me an event calendar that included this exciting lead: Friends of the Lake County Library will conduct its fall book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St. For $15, people can stuff a book bag with books, CDs, videocassettes and DVDs. The photo comes from Dewey Lake's Facebook page.

Book sale raises more than $500 for Middletown library

My $5 worth of books from Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library book sale

I got an update this weekend from Fran Rand, secretary with Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library. Saturday’s book sale raised more than $500 for new materials for the new Middletown library. Being able to fill a bag full of books for a cost of $5 was a deal that couldn’t be beat. Way to go, everybody!

Middletown library move planned for January

Book title plaques for
library patron wall

During today’s book sale I picked up informative handouts about the new Middletown library.

Latest estimate for its completion time is late November or into December, according to the message from director Gehlen Palmer in the August 2012 Library News, a publication of the Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library.

According to Palmer, library staff and county workers are planning the move in January.

“We have what we feel is a unique idea for getting materials from one building to the other,” Palmer states. “We will be asking our library users to come in to the Gibson Library, check out their maximum number of books on their card and then take them home to read or simply walk them across the street and return them at the new library. We are asking for the aid of our community to help us accomplish our move, and we very much appreciate their help and support.”

Middletown craftsman Phil Cianfarini has constructed a patron wall “bookshelf” that will hold 102 “books.” People and organizations can purchase engraved nameplates that will go on the spines of the “books.” Some of the “books” and nameplates can be viewed at the Middletown library.

The cost of a plaque for a person or family is $100 and the cost of a plaque for an organization or business is $200. The newsletter notes that all money raised will buy learning materials for the new library.

For more information or to reserve a space on the patron wall, contact Palmer during library hours at 987-3674. Payment can be sent to Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library, PO Box 578, Middletown, CA 95461.

Last sale at old Middletown library

Image added Oct. 13: ‘Friends’ book sale, Middletown library

The Middletown Library is holding its semi-annual booksale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday. According to Fran Rand, secretary of Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library (FMGL), this will be the last book sale at the old library.

eBooks available through Lake County Library

Jonathan and I spent some time last evening exploring the catalog of eBooks available for download through the Lake County Library.

Yarn Bombing @ Your Library: ‘388.4’

With grit from the Wye Fire in the air, here I am installing "388.4"
at Lake Transit's "Library Stop" near Lake County Library in Lakeport.

Middletown library project halfway toward completion

That the Middletown Senior Center/Library project is near its halfway point toward completion is welcome news to this library volunteer.