LIBRARY CORNER

Our new look

What on earth are we talking If you haven't noticed the wonderful new look outside the Whitehouse Community Library then slow down and smell the flowers.

We're so excited about the welcoming look of our library with the beautiful flowers. We've even finally gotten our waterfall running and it's gorgeous!

Parents please help us to keep it looking that way. Don't allow your children to walk in our flowerbeds or play in our pond. Also notice our gazebo is looking much more inviting.

Maybe it needs a ceiling fan and a hammock for a comfortable place to read books. Wouldn't that be nice?

The Great Big

Book Sale:

Sept. 22-22

The library's annual book sale is being presented in a new and expanded version that we're really excited about! We have collected thousands of books for this sale. There will be something for everyone- collectibles, best sellers, book series, paperbacks, children's books, how-to books, and lots more.

We will close during regular library hours Thursday, September 20th to get ready for the sale

Would you like to have a

sneak preview and a chance

to purchase before the sale

begins?

The library will open in the evening Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. to those that purchase a $5 ticket. This ticket entitles the holder to light snacks and to purchase books by the inch. about? We will measure the width of the spine of the books and the price will be $1 per inch. In other words, if the width of the book is ½ inch the charge will be 50 cents (if you are only purchasing one book the minimum charge will be $1). You can get great bargains and we'll have lots of fun.

Tickets will be available beginning Sept. 4.

The sale days will have limited library access. We want to sell as many books as possible during the two-day sale.

Story Time

Story Time will start again Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m.

Island Sailing

The theme of the Summer Reading Program has set free a lot of creative activity in the library. The last three weeks had the participants:

• making & launching rockets - sometimes with hilarious results

• having a bird & his caretaker visit & mingle with the youngsters

• a day devoted to island sailing

The rockets were based on a pattern that library director Sandra Knackstedt learned in a NASA outreach workshop. The rocket engines were film canisters powered by water and Alka Seltzer. Some of the rockets flew very successfully but others just sat and fizzled on the launching pad. Many of the "engineers' went home to show their Dads how to make a rocket & talking about the solar system and its components about which they also learned.

Sailing with Birds brought Jester and his caretaker Kara from Petland for a visit. He is a very tame and people-oriented bird. He sat on shoulders, walked up arms, whistled and bit his nails (a really nasty habit he has). The activities for the day were a flying dove created by the younger children and a floating swan created by the older group. (Thanks to Kiepersol Estates for supplying the corks)

During the Island Sailing activity, the children created an ocean scene, went fishing in an island cove, made their own necklace, and discovered real sea shells. Some of the funniest times took place in the fishing cove when some children caught prizes instead of fish! The discovery of the sea shell took place during the island walk where paper "islands" were laid out like a cake walk. The snack for the day was, of course, fruit.

All children who participated in the Summer Reading program will receive a certificate signed by Gov. Rick Perry, Texas State Librarian Peggy Rudd and library director Sandra Knackstedt.

The finale for the reading program will be a Prize Auction on Saturday, Aug. 25 for those children who:

1. registered for the Summer Reading Club before May 30

2. turned in their final reading logs by July 31

When the children arrive for the auction they will also receive the "librar y bucks" they've earned.

Question? Call the Library @ 903 839-2429 or email at whitehouselibrary@hotmail.com

We need you!

The Board of Directors for the Library is in need of additional directors due to term expirations and a move to another state. If you or someone you know would be interested in this position, please speak with Library Director Sandra Knackstedt. Qualifications for the position don't require you to be a millionaire or have a college degree. What you do need is a desire to help the Library continue to improve. This is a two year term and the board meets once a month.