The-Librarian-Blog

Chambers County Library System – May, 2015

May is the time of year when the temperatures rise, and the staff members feverishly finalize the last minute details of Summer Reading!  This year, we printed over 7,000 sheets of paper to promote the children’s, teens, and adult programs for June and July.  The flyers were folded and distributed to the schools, and in several cases, the staff members went to the schools to present previews of coming attractions.  With storytime ending the week of May 4^th, it gave the programmers time to tidy up any loose ends before June 8. 

With the arrival of reading incentives (coupons and treats from corporate underwriters), the prizes, the giveaways, and the program supplies provide lots of projects.  Registration bags were stuffed, sponsor displays were created, signs telling kids how to earn coupons were made, and the library walls were transformed to display the theme of “Every Hero Has a Story”.  Behind the scenes, the Administrative unit and Technical Services has been working overtime printing posters, flyers, cutting die cuts, and ordering and distributing all the supplies needed for summer to the branches.  With all hands on deck, we are more than ready for June 8 to get here, and for the fun to begin!

Branch Librarian Aquilia De la Cruz gets ready for Summer Reading at the Chambers County Library in Anahuac

May also started off with some excitement.  On the 8^th, the long-awaited groundbreaking for the new library in Mont Belvieu took place.  A standing room only crowd assembled at the work site so that several people could give a “thank you” speech to the crowd.  County Judge Jimmy Sylvia served as Master of Ceremonies, Library Advisory Board President Sam Little gave the invocation, and County Librarian Valerie Jensen, Friends member Leslie Schmitt, Barbers Hill ISD Superintendent Greg Poole, and City of Mont Belvieu mayor Nick Dixon spoke to the group.  It’s been said many times, but it’s wonderful to be a part of a project where three entities come together for the good of the community. 

Representatives from Chambers County, the City of Mont Belvieu, and Barbers Hill ISD break ground at the new Sam and Carmena Goss Memorial Branch Library in Mont Belvieu

A Library Advisory Board meeting was held on the 12^th.  Members met to discuss and approve updates on a couple of policies, and were also treated to a visit from the Chambers County Branch Librarians.  Aquilia De la Cruz, Cindy Alegria, and Missy Parham attended the meeting to allow board members to meet them in person.  They each gave a brief summary of their positions at the library and were able to brag on their staff. 

May 27^th was the end of GED and ESL classes to allow for summer break.  Classes have been sponsored by the Anahuac Municipal Development District, and taught by local Anahuac ISD teacher Katherine Wilkins.  Students have made such great progress over the past year with several students testing and passing their GED.  ESL students have been very loyal in their attendance, and many of them are frequent library users.  It’s great to see them use their newly taught English skills in the library as a patron.  They’ve definitely been taught the right way!  On the 27^th, a “graduation” was held to celebrate the accomplishments of the ESL students, complete with food furnished by the entire class.  Students were awarded a certificate of completion for their year of work.  They didn’t leave without a final lesson, and they all look forward to starting back in the fall. 

On the 1^st, we received news that the library received a Community Grant from Walmart.  Funds from this grant go towards Summer Reading expenses.  Walmart has partnered with the library for the past several years to assist in our goal to promote reading and libraries. 

Assistant County Librarian, Annie Vass shows off the Walmart grant with her sidekick, Wonder Woman! 

On the 16^th, the young people of Anahuac held their 9^th annual Ana-Con event.  Ana-Con is a mini anime convention for all ages.  The crowd enjoyed drawing contests, dance panels, Ramune drinking contests and more.  Several people came dressed in their best character outfits to show off during the “Cosplay” portion of the day.  The Anahuac Anime club was started in 2006 and it’s wonderful to see such a long running program still going strong. 

Bree and Myra enjoying Ana-Con!

After-school tutorials ended on May 18.  The tutoring sessions were part of a partnership with United Way of Greater Baytown and Chambers County, along with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office and Anahuac ISD.  This is the second school year that tutorials have been in session, and we’re anticipating great results again in the fall.  A pizza party was held on the last tutorial session on May 18^th for the students, staff, and volunteers.  Each week faithful volunteers were on hand to help students with reading, math, social studies, or other subjects where there was a need.  Volunteers from ONEOK in Mont Belvieu were regulars, along with several patrons who gave their time to help the kids.    

Tutorial students and their volunteers

Finally, a small electrical fire occurred at the west annex in Mont Belvieu on Thursday the 21^st that caused us to close the library doors for a about a day.  Luckily, no one was hurt and we opened back up for business on Monday! 

Until next month!