"Notes From Nancy"

Quarterly News Column

By Village of Fontana Library Director Nancy Krei

Summer is finally here. Naturally, it is time to get excited about the Fontana Public Library's Summer Reading program! This year's theme is "Make a Splash @ Your Library." The library has events scheduled throughout July and early August.

Discover the "hidden treasure" which is Van Slyke Creek and Headwaters Park, as Sharon O'Brien leads a nature walk on Tuesday, July 6.

The Lakeshores Library System and the Fontana Public Library are once again sponsoring the Storywagon performances. On Tuesday, July 13, a very special program will be presented by Steve Belliveau, entitled "Get Excited About Science!" Don't let the title fool you-it is not like being in school. I have seen this program, and it will be entertaining. Steve does "magic things" with liquids. On Tuesday, July 20, enjoy a family comedy show with a fishing theme, when Curt Strutz -The Bassmeister presents "Fishing for Laughs."  Both programs will be held at 10:00 AM in the Village Hall meeting room.

Once again, the library is offering its popular Make and Take craft programs on Wednesdays July 7, 21 and 28, 2010 and August 4 and 11, 2010 at 10:00 AM. No registration is required for the programs, but to help offset some of the costs, there is a fee of $1 per kit. The library is also offering Scrapbook Saturdays, with Tammy Brooks, a Creative Memories consultant, offering a different scrapbook project at classes that will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 10, 17 and 24, 2010 and August 7, 2010. There will be a $5 charge for each class.

A detailed brochure listing the Wednesday crafts and the Saturday scrapbook classes is available at the library. If you have any questions about any of the library's programs you can call the library at 262-275-5107.

I am very pleased to announce a new resource, a Gale database called Powerspeak, is available to public library users in Walworth and Racine counties. If you have ever wanted to learn a new language, or those language classes that you took in high school are just a distant memory, this product is for you. Powerspeak is an online tutorial that consists of interactive lessons that combine audio and visual learning tools. Currently, the languages that are available are French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Spanish ESL-English. These language courses can be accessed from you home computer with your library card, and can be completed at your own pace. Details about this database and how to access it are available by calling the library.

The Fontana Library is very proud of its free DVD collection. We have an extensive collection of DVDs that can be checked out and enjoyed by the entire family, as well as some such as those produced by HBO, that are geared to a more mature viewing audience.          The library's DVD collection is funded entirely by monetary donations. We are still grateful to Jerry Sjoberg, who started it all with his initial and subsequent donations that allowed the library to build and maintain a DVD collection. Through the years, we have had been grateful to receive other generous donations from foundations such as the Adreani Family Foundation, the Alben F. and Clara G. Bates Foundation, and the Chapin Foundation as well as from businesses and individuals such as Barbara Bourjaily, John and Carol Frandolig, Millie Ferris, Addison Foss, Gordy's Boat House, Home Design Mfg., Martha Jorgenson, Carol Lobdell, Micki O'Connell, Bruce Thompson, Walworth Fontana Rotary Club, Walworth State Bank, and Tom and Geri Whowell.

A thank-you just seems inadequate for to recognize these special people, so early in the fall, the library will be unveiling the "Giving Tree," which will be our way to say thanks to those donors. More details about the Tree, and how you can become involved in donating to the library, will be available later this summer.

The Fontana Public Library is here for you. Stop in and "check us out!"