Our volunteers repair books, shelve books, and stuff envelopes. They water plants inside and outside, weed the flowerbeds, and spread mulch. They hold fundraisers, sort through donated books, and organize and run the annual book sale. They build things and fix things. They are valuable to us, and we are so grateful for them!

We hope you enjoy this video that would put together to show our appreciation for all they do for the Library.

In addition to the Book Store off the lobby that is run by the Friends Group, we always have a good variety of gently-read to almost-new books and movies for sale by donation in our lobby. Paperback and hardcover, romance and action, fiction and nonfiction, inspirational and self-help, even books for kids!

Thank you to everyone who has been donating good quality books and media to the Library. Check back often as the carts are frequently restocked.

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.

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.

Another Extraordinary Give has come and gone (did you know we were a part of the event from its beginning 9 years ago?), and once again we are touched by the support of our amazing community.

Online donations on November 19 were made by 170 donors to bring us to $17,450. When all the donations were counted for the event, including checks or in-person donations, we reached a grand total of $19,505.

Thank you to all who donated and to all who support the Library in other ways. We are very grateful.

Miss Jan was honored to be asked by Assistant Professor Kathryn Caprino, Ph.D. at Etown College to be a guest speaker for her PK-12 New Literacies class on Tuesday, November 16.

Jan’s focus was on Pre-K through 4th grade read-aloud storybooks, how to best present them to children, and which types of books and stories would be appropriate for that age-group. The 12 students were very co-operative in interacting with the stories she read and got a taste of Miss Jan in action as she “performed” a narration of “Grumpy Bird” by Jeremy Tankard and one other picture book.

The students asked her lots of questions, and Professor Caprino reached out to Jan after the class and shared, “My students LOVED you! One student gave a read-aloud after you and said, “I hope I can live up to Miss Jan!”” Anyone who has attended one of Miss Jan’s Story Times at the Library understands.

Jan “had a blast” and looks forward to returning in the Spring to share more of her knowledge and expertise in reading to young children.

Our annual Giving Tree (aka Mitten Tree) is up and ready to be “decorated” with new or handmade mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves for local families in need. We are also collecting underwear, socks, slippers, ear muffs, even small umbrellas if you’d like. Donations will be accepted until Dec 17. Thank you!

Puzzle Swap at the Library!
We now have a puzzle swap in the ALPS (Adult Library Patron Space)! Bring a puzzle (all the pieces, please!) and take a puzzle – this is perfect for puzzle-lovers who need a new challenge but don’t want to spend the money on new ones. If you don’t have any at home to swap, we invite you to borrow one using the honor system.

The Summer Reading Program and Adult Summer Reading Olympics were so popular that we have created interactive reading for all ages at the Library this fall!

We are “falling” back into reading with another fun program that encourages children to read at least 20 minutes a day. Pick up papers at the front desk October 18 thru November 27, turn in completed papers (more than one is awesome!) to earn a book prize and to be eligible for the grand prize drawing in December. This challenge is for kids in grades K-12. Click here for printable pdf.

The Adult Summer Reading Olympics were so well-received that we are continuing with monthly reading challenges thru to next summer! Pick up entry forms at the Library; one winner chosen each month. Please make sure to check our social media pages for new challenges, stop by the Library, or give us a call!

The first challenges of Autumn are:
Oct 1 – 15: Read or listen to a book that says autumn to you
Oct 16 – 31: Read or listen to a book about a classic monster

Friends Group president Joyce Summers (left) and treasurer Marilyn Barnett (right) presented MSL director Joseph McIlhenney with a check for $21,000. This amount was the proceeds from their summer Used Book Sale. They also gave the Library a donation in the name of three devoted Friends who have passed – Donna Little, Janet Jarvie, and Dorothy Allen. The Library is grateful for the Friends and their dedication, hard work, and service to our Library!