The Library earned more than $22,000 in event sponsorships and merchandise bids. Hooray!
Please click here for THANK YOUs and more details about the day!
Author: krhoads
“Shelf Control” Cash Appeal
This year’s Cash Appeal at the Benefit Auction was for the replacement of sagging bookshelves in the Children’s Area of the Library. Auction attendees were asked to donate cash toward this specific cause, and we were touched by the monetary donations made at the event. If you would like to participate in this Appeal and make a donation to be used for the shelving project, please contact Kim Beach at kbeach@mountjoy.lib.pa.us or call the Library at 717-653-1510.
Gray’s Last Day
If you are a regular Saturday Library visitor, this cute face may look very familiar to you. Gray has been a Service Dog In-Training with the Lancaster 4-H Seeing Eye Puppy Club and has been living with his handler, Michele, since last June. As a puppy, he has been learning the basics of training, like how to be around people, learning not to bark when inappropriate, not jumping on people when excited, and other positive behaviors.
Gray has completed his basic training, and last month, he spent his last day with his handler shelving books at the Library. Gray has moved on to the next steps of his Service Dog training and will soon play a vital role in the life of a person who needs his help. We will miss his handsome face and calm “person”ality around the Library on Saturdays, but we are so proud of him.
Mount Joy Lions Make Donation
Harry Goehring with the Mount Joy Lions Club visited the Library to personally give our director a $500 donation toward this year’s Benefit Auction. That amount made The Lions a Gold Sponsor. Thanks so much!
Friends Donation
Thank You Friends!
Last month, the Friends Group presented our director with a check in the amount of $25,000. This amount was the proceeds from the June Used Book Sale held at Donegal High School by the Friends. The Library is grateful for the amount of time and energy (mental and physical) that goes into planning, organizing, and pulling off a successful sale. Since the Library must work hard to earn 50% of its annual funding, this sale is HUGE for the Library. If you know a Friend of the Library, thank them for volunteering. If you’d like to be a Friend of the library, stop by the Library!
Courtyard Project
(Director’s Letter from our September eNews)
“Wouldn’t it be nice if this were a courtyard with tables and nice places to sit?”
That’s how it started. I’ve always appreciated the kind of person who can see how a space can be made better, how to arrange furniture and such to create a more open, more inviting space. That is a gift. I am generally not that person, but this front corner just outside the library seemed to be the perfect spot to hang out on a nice day, read a book, or use a little Wifi. I know a nice place to read when I see one.
I remember saying to someone, “How hard can it be?”
It didn’t take long for me to discover what I’d gotten myself into. Changing that small area of the library would entail dealing with electrical issues, plumbing issues, rainwater mitigation issues — you name it. Suddenly what appeared to be a small, easy project turned into a head-spinning lesson in a dozen aspects of construction.
The more I talked to folks about the courtyard idea, the more complicated this “simple” project became. Early on, when one person asked, “Where does the rainwater for this downspout go?” I said, “Away?” They were too kind to laugh at me, but they should have. Librarians generally don’t have this kind of work experience.
The only reason the Library is nearing completion of the new Library Courtyard is because the community believed in the idea and came together to make it happen. From folks who donated at the 2021 Library Benefit Auction, to the volunteers who helped by building furniture. Then there’s Rick Trumper from GCM Inc. I had the idea, and Rick knew how to make it happen. Rick brought in a team of folks, including John Snavely from the mulá Group, to make the drawings, and Rhino Excavating to do the [careful not to cut the electrical wires and waterpipes] digging. I am so thankful to them for sharing their expertise, their hard work, and support.
Like the Library itself, the Library Courtyard was made possible because of our terrific community. So many people came together to help make it happen, and there is still time for you to be involved in this community project. The library is offering engraved bricks that will be inlaid surrounding the concrete of the courtyard as a permanent addition to the Library Courtyard. Click here for more information about the Courtyard Legacy Brick Program, or stop by the library and ask how you can be a part of it.
–Joseph
Remembering Bernie
The Library is saddened by the recent loss of Bernie Grissinger. Bernie served on the Board of Trustees for many years. He was President of the Board and served on the Building Committee when MSL was conceived, designed, and built. (He is shown here holding the scissors for the Library’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.)
Even after leaving the Board, Bernie was a faithful supporter of the Library, and in 2019, he attended the Library’s 20th Birthday Bash and celebrated with other Board members. We are grateful for his service to the Library.
A New Library Intern
Say “hi” to Tori, our Library Assistant Intern! Tori is a graduate of Donegal and is pursuing a degree in Library Science. She will be assisting at the circulation desk and will take on special Library projects as assigned.
Tori’s favorite genre is either paranormal, fantasy, or historic fiction. Her favorite book series is the House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristen Cast. She is excited to be working with us to get more experience in the Library Science field since it is what she plans to do for her career.
We also have a new circ desk assistant who started in March. Make sure to look for Candice when you visit the Library!
MSL’s Book of Secrets Adventure
Adam Zurn of Uncharted Lancaster created an exclusive adventure for our Library – our own “Book of Secrets” Adventure! The adventure was revealed at the program “Mysterious Petroglyphs of Safe Harbor” held April 18th at the Library.
Pick up a treasure map at the Library (or click here to print at home Book of Secrets Handout – FINAL) and follow the clues in Mount Joy, Marietta, and Maytown to find our MSL Treasure! Did you know there is a cucumber pump in Maytown? How about a Furnace in Marietta? Are you familiar with the big statue of a ship in Mount Joy?
Do the adventure in a single day or take your time through the summer to complete the adventure. Complete the “Book of Secrets Adventure” to be eligible for a grand prize!
Click to visit Adam Zurn’s Uncharted Lancaster website.
Friends’ Annual Used Book Sale
The Friends Used Book Sale returns to the Donegal High School this June! Thousands of books and dvds will be for sale at great prices, all to benefit Milanof-Schock Library!
