Are you still out cruising for last minute Christmas Gifts? Tickets to the Library Foundation Dinner Theater at the end of January are available at the library.

Float on in and pick one up today!

Did you know the Overbrook Public Library now contains 165 bakeware items you can borrow? With the end of the year holidays fast approaching, you should browse the list or stop by and look through the book to get your selections for delicious treats to share with your family and friends or as gifts.  Click on this link to the PDF document of items. bakeware-inventory

The Library Board meeting dates have changed!

Meetings are now being held on the 2^nd Monday of the month at 7:00pm in the library conference room. Our next meeting is December 12th, 2016.

Make sure you take a look at the new 2016 Kansas Notable Books display by the service desk the next time you are in the library! These books are either about Kansas or written by Kansans and are selected by the State Library of Kansas.

This year the book topics range from bank heists, to poetry, to Kansas hiking trails, so should be something for everyone!

Kansas Notable Books 2016 Display

Kyle Sederstrom, our new director, is a resident of Lawrence and has a Master’s of Library Science Degree from Emporia State University. He had been employed by the University of Kansas  Watson Library and brings a variety of experiences and training with him. We’re pleased to have him join our team in this great community. Be sure to stop in and say hello.

We have had a couple of generous donors recently who have given the Overbrook Library some retro character cake pans to add to our collection.  The photo in this post shows some of the new items that have been added. I hear many of these are coming back in popularity. So come to the library and check out a few – just for fun times with the youngsters before school starts – or for a special party. I hear there are even several bakers in the area who have made cakes for parties using our bakeware.  Have fun!

The Overbrook Friends of the Library is asking for the community to donate Best Choice labels for fundraising efforts for the library.    Every 1000 labels earns the Friends organization $30.   A jar is available to receive donations in the library main room.

For some time now, the Library Board has been discussing and debating about the age of unattended and disruptive children in the library and all the related safety and liability issues.  At the April 6th board meeting the following new policy was approved:

The two key provisions are:

Children aged 8 and younger must at all times be in the immediate vicinity of and supervised by a parent, adult guardian, or responsible caregiver.

A “responsible caregiver” is defined as a person age 12 or older who is attentive to the safety, needs, and behavior of the child. “Supervised” means that a parent, adult guardian, or responsible caregiver is attentive to the safety, needs, and behavior of the child.

The entire policy is:

Unattended and Disruptive Children Policy:
(Approved 4-6-2016 Overbrook Library Board)

Prompted by concern for the safety and well-being of all patrons, especially our children, the Overbrook Library has adopted a policy for unattended children. This policy affirms that library personnel do not take the place of the parent, nor act as caregiver or babysitter. The Library does not act in loco parentis (in place of parents) and Library staff do not have the authority to take responsibility for your child.
Should it come to the attention of the Library staff that a child has been left alone, or if an unattended child calls attention to him/herself, library staff will attempt to locate the parents and explain our concerns. If the parents cannot be located, local authorities will be contacted and asked for their assistance in finding them.

Children aged 8 and younger must at all times be in the immediate vicinity of and supervised by a parent, adult guardian, or responsible caregiver.

A child must be continually accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or caregiver unless the child is attending a library program. Children 9 years of age and older may use the library on their own; however, parents are still responsible for the actions of their children.

A “responsible caregiver” is defined as a person age 12 or older who is attentive to the safety, needs, and behavior of the child. “Supervised” means that a parent, adult guardian, or responsible caregiver is attentive to the safety, needs, and behavior of the child.

Children who are being disruptive will be asked by staff to behave. If disruptive behavior continues, a staff member will inform the responsible caregiver that their child is disturbing others. If the caregiver(s) refuse or are unable to control the child, they will be asked to leave. Disruptive children aged 9 and older will be asked to leave after receiving one warning.

Parents/legal guardians/caregivers and children who are in violation of this policy are subject to suspension of library privileges.

These procedures are set for the safety of your children and for the comfort of all those using the library facilities and services. The Overbrook Public Library encourages you to bring your children to the library often and allow them to explore and appreciate what it has to offer.

The Overbrook Book Club meets at the Overbrook Library the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM.  All are welcome to attend and enjoy the fellowship and refreshments!

The May  book club selection is celebrated author John Steinbeck’s 1935 novel Tortilla Flat.

Google Review:  “Adopting the structure and themes of the Arthurian legend, John Steinbeck created a “Camelot” on a shabby hillside above the town of Monterey, California, and peopled it with a colorful band of knights. At the center of the tale is Danny, whose house, like Arthur’s castle, becomes a gathering place for men looking for adventure, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging—men who fiercely resist the corrupting tide of honest toil and civil rectitude.”

2016 Book Club Selections

January:  Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

February:  Ordinary Grace by Kent Krueger

March:  Little Bee by Chris Cleave

April:  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

May:  Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck

June:  The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

July:  Big LIttle Lies by Liane Moriarty

August: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

September:  The Postmistress by Sara Blake

October:  Rosie Project by Graeme Simison

November:  The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

December:  No Book Club Meeting; Enjoy The Holiday Season!

The Overbrook Library now has a separate display area in the children’s room for children’s books written in other languages.

All the current selections are familiar titles (like Dr. Seuss or Curious George) in Spanish or both Spanish and English.   Other languages and titles will be added to the collection in the near future.

Suggestions Welcome!