Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Staff expressed their gratitude to those who volunteer their time at the library's annual Volunteer Appreciation luncheon on April 20. Volunteers help the library in a variety of ways. There are the Dewey Dusters who adopt sections of the library to help keep the library clean, neat and orderly, members of the library board, and members of the friend's board. It is through their caring hearts and helpful hands that they help build a strong community.

Dog Lesson

Back by popular demand! On April 20th kids came to the library to read to therapy dogs. You can see for yourself what a great way it is for children to begin to feel confident reading aloud.

Computer Use Survey - May 4-18

The Chili Public Library will be participating in a nationwide Internet survey from May 4-18 to find out how people use the free computers and Internet connections in public libraries. The Rochester Public Library and the Chili Public Library are two of 30 New York State public libraries chosen for the survey. The U.S. IMPACT web survey is being conducted by the University of Washington Information School with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Until now, there has been no nationwide research about how library computing services fit into peoples’ lives. Though many believe library computers are used only for entertainment, patrons use the computers for a variety of reasons including job search, staying connected with family and friends, and obtaining health information. This information will be used to improve library services and to inform policy makers about how best to fund and support libraries.

Chat Online With A Reference Librarian

You can now chat online with our reference librarians during hours the library is open to the public. By visiting our webpage www.chililibrary.org, on the right hand-side you will see a Reference chat box. Just type in the question you have and the librarian will respond in kind. Typical questions the library answers are if the library owns a particular item, and questions of a factual nature. Do you want to know the height of the Empire State Building, the address and phone of an out of state business or,any other question you may want to know the answer? Give us a try. If online chat is not your thing, call us at 889-2200 or visit the reference desk in person at 3333 Chili Avenue.

The Circus Is In Town

The Ringling Brothers Circus clowns came to the Chili Public Library this week to promote the circus coming to town April 29-May 3 at the Blue Cross Arena. The kids got their own special reading storytime and met with clowns. Any child can also come to our library, check out a book, and enter to win a family of four - pack of tickets to the circus.

Monthly Newsletter

The monthly Chili Public Library News is now on our homepage. The library's newsletter was originally begun in July 2000 as a monthly in-house publication of library news and events to help keep staff and library patrons informed. 106 issues later, the publication has been revamped and expanded. About 60 people currently receive it directly to their email and print copies are available in the library.

The publication has expanded from two to four pages and includes a section written by the director. There are highlights of upcoming library programs, a calendar of programs for the month, and a “new adult, teen, and children's acquisitions” section. Take a look and enjoy the colorful format and sidebar quotations.

Click here to request to have the newsletter sent to you electronically via e-mail.

Easter Egg Hunt

Last Saturday was a hit. With Easter coming up there were two programs for kids to enjoy stories, work on a craft, and search the library for eggs. The next upcoming program to look for back by popular demand is 'Tales for Tails' on April 20th. This is a great way for children to begin to feel confident about reading aloud by reading to therapy dogs. Registration for that program begins on April 6 and can be done online by clicking on the Program Registration link on our webpage www.chililibrary.org.

A Lover Of Books

I do not typically write about things of a personal nature on this blog, but due to my mother's recent passing I think it apropos to reflect upon the importance that books and learning had on her life. She was an avid reader. Even going well into her seventies she would read up to five books at a time. It was not so much that she would retain all the knowledge that was between the covers of the books she read, but it was the joy in the learning that was special to her. As soon as you saw her she would ask what you were reading, and then would share with you what she had just learned. By far her favorite subject was literature. When she could no longer drive she would ask me or my brother to drop her off at a library to spend some time there. It did not matter which one. She loved the atmosphere of a library, and took pride that I was in the library field. In looking back I would have to say my love of books and libraries come from her. Having had a sizable book collection, a share of them will find there way into the Chili library's collection as a donation. In this way I like to think she will continue to share her love of reading with others.