A former newspaper reporter who has lived in Franklin for nearly 40 years, Marjorie is active in several Franklin and Hales Corners organizations.
Here’s a multiple choice question:
Libraries are places to go to:
A) Check out books,
B) Enter a contest,
C) View an art exhibit,
D) Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a handmade quilt,
E) Donate a handmade pillowcase to a soldier in Iraq,
F) Send an e-mail (or type and print a letter) to your Cousin Sally,
G) Hang out with a giraffe.
The answer: All of the above – if the library in question is the Franklin Public Library. Of course, that’s not all you can do at the Franklin library, but let’s start with this list and, in particular, the two opportunities which will end this month. I’m referring to choices “B” (Enter a contest) and “C” (View an art exhibit.)
Enter a Contest: This contest, sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Public Library, could win you a $50 gift certificate just for reading a book. Most summer reading programs are for children – (and our local library has those as well – but this summer contest, which was launched the end of May, motivates the older crowd to read. For details, and a chance to enter the drawing, you’ll have to visit the library, and you’ll have to fill out a form for each book you’ve read this summer. Check at the reference desk. [Note: If you’re in the middle of a book right now, here’s motivation to finish it this week and start a new one. Each additional book you read increases your chance of winning!]
View an Art Exhibit: In the entrance area and in various other locations throughout the library, look for original art work by Milwaukee area artists. I found one Franklin artist, Rev. Jerome Hudziak, whose oil painting, “Sitka, Alaska,” depicts a quiet waterfront scene of small boats. In the card which accompanies the painting, I learned that this local pastor was inspired while at an Elderhostel at Sitka. He has been painting for many years, but this is his first time as part of the juried art exhibit, “Exposure,” sponsored by Interfaith Older Adult Programs. “Creating art balances the tangible and intangible realities of life,” is a printed quote from Hudziak.
This traveling art exhibit will be at the Franklin library through August 31st. Artists are 55 years and older and work in a variety of mediums (watercolor, oil, acrylics, line drawings, etc.) The subject area varies, including still life, portraits, landscapes and nature scenes. Some of the artwork is for sale; others are on loan from the artist. Hudziak’s oil painting is one of those offered for sale.
Entry forms for the 2008 Exposure Exhibit are available from Anne Dow at (414) 220-8860.
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Now let’s take a brief look at the other items listed in the “Multiple Choice” test above.
A) Check out books. I’m sure everyone had that choice correct because, after all, that’s been the major function of libraries since time began. (Well, I take that back – not since time began, but soon after so many books were published that an individual couldn’t hope to own them all.) These days we can check out magazines, audio books on tape or CD, musical CDs, videotapes and DVDs. And if you don’t like waiting in line, you can check out most of these items yourself on the Self-Checkout station.
One of the perks of this electronic age is searching for books online. Any time, day or night, if you have access to the internet, you can go to www.mcfls.org, click on “CountyCat” (the online catalog, which replaces the old-fashioned card catalog) and start browsing. If you need help learning how to do this, check with the reference librarian – it’s very easy. What I like is finding books or audio-visual materials available in other county libraries which, with a mouse-click or two, can be sent to the Franklin library for me to pick up. At the same time, other library patrons are tracking down materials available from the Franklin location to have them sent to a site close to them. It’s a win-win situation for readers.
D) Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a handmade quilt. Although libraries, as government entities, cannot run raffles, the Friends group holds a state-authorized raffle license to conduct fundraising events that benefit the library. Among the numerous activities sponsored by the Friends are two quilt groups which convene in one of the meeting rooms to practice their craft, learning from one another while enjoying some friendly conversation. Twice a year one of these groups donates quilts for a raffle. What I like best about this event is the colorful display the quilts make hung on overhead walls near the checkout counter. For $5 I get six tickets to deposit in one of the numbered jars corresponding with the quilts I most hope to win. Every time this quilt raffle is held, I buy six tickets or more and, though I’ve never won yet, I’m happy to see my dollars go to support Friends’ events.
E) Donate a handmade pillowcase to soldiers in Iraq. Karen Gro
