By Trish Conroy, County Librarian Alexandria Echo Press -3-19-08

While driving to work last week between Lake Winona and Lake Agnes, on 5th Avenue West, I saw a sign that our long awaited spring is almost here.

It was a bird, not your usual spring bird sighting, but a wonderful surprise none the less.
It flew over my car and landed on the ice near the open water where the geese are usually seen. The bird was huge. It had a white head, a black body and a tremendous wing span.

Spring at the library means planning for summer reading activities, our annual Sunrise Lion's Chili Feed and celebrating National Library Week.

The Alexandria Sunrise Lions will again hold their annual Chili Feed to buy large print materials for the library.  The Chili Feed will once again be held at Calvary Church, April 3, from 4:30-7:00.  Tickets are available at the library, from members of the Sunrise Lions Club and at the door the night of the event. 

The chili is excellent. The recipe is safely guarded by Harold Koep.  Last time we heard, it was hidden inside a golf cart over on Sixth Avenue. This is an annual "don't miss" event and the proceeds go for a very good cause.

National Library Week will be observed April 13-19, 2008 with the theme, "Join the circle of knowledge @ your library®."

National Library Week is a national observance across the country to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and to promote library use and support.
The Douglas County Friends and Foundation will be sponsoring several activities throughout the week at our local library. A drawing will be held for a gift certificate to a local book store in both the children’s and adult sections of the library.  On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, members of the Friends will be on hand to acquaint library visitors with our selfcheck machine.

Keri Mohror, local children’s book author, will give a presentation,” The Making of a Book: Trials, Tribulations, and Joys.” on Wednesday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. at the library. Keri’s books are Alphabet Zoop and Gannon’s World.

All week long, April 13-19, the library will have a FINE FREE WEEK. During this week all fines on materials will not be collected. Return overdue materials and no questions will be asked. If you have library materials that are long overdue return those as well and no fines will be charged.

If eagles are on the move, the robins can't be far behind.

Happy Easter and happy spring everyone!