Mama (okay, papa too), if you’ve been fortunate enough to read any of the Llama Llama books, you’re going to love this drama.

What’s more fun than reading Llama Llama Red Pajama with your child? Okay, okay, maybe reading Llama Llama Misses Mama, but what would be even more fun that that?

How about hanging out with your child at Kirkwood Library while author and illustrator Anna Dewdney reads from her Llama Llama books!

You’re in luck because Missouri Library Association is about to award Anna and her book Llama Llama Mad at Mama the Missouri Building Block Picture Book award. The award is presented annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri’s public libraries.

“This is a big event for the library,” Acting Director Sarah Erwin says. “The kids really like her books, and they’ll love her in person.” Moreover, the library is reaching out to the community and sponsoring visits from the author/illustrator to three area schools.

Join us at the library Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. when the Jill Raiser Memorial Author Fund welcomes Anna Dewdney. A mama herself, she’ll read, sign and talk about her stories. Mainstreet Books will be selling copies of her books during the evening, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the library.

After months of work below grade getting the new library ready to rise out of the hallowed ground at 140 East Jefferson, we can finally start seeing work above grade. And as the walls begin to rise, you might wonder what’s going to happen to the building’s interior. Wonder no more; we have answers.

Randy Miltenberger, president of the Board of Trustees, beams about the many fine improvements patrons will see inside. It will truly be a community building, he says. “The building will be fully handicap accessible. There will be wheelchair access to the entire garden level. The multiple elevations and small stairways are a thing of the past.”

You’ll see many more improvements on the garden level: “We’ll be able to close off the entire library except the meeting rooms downstairs, so that area can be used for elections or meetings while the library is closed.”

Another innovation on the same level features the large auditorium. A folding partition can split the room in half, so the space will accommodate two meetings simultaneously.

Patrons can feel safer during inclement weather too. By code, an exit area needs to be either covered or heated to keep snow and ice from building up. In lieu of a canopy, the exterior stairs will include heating coils. “It’s a push on cost since we’re starting from scratch,” Miltenberger says. But patrons will likely agree, we’re way ahead on convenience and safety.

Kirkwood Librarian Lynn Bosso gets excited when you ask her about the upgraded World Book that patrons can access using their library card. Take one visit to the site, and you won’t be able to contain your excitement either.

“They talked with librarians and used that information to redesign everything,” Bosso says. “They’ve added in-demand features that people will really use.”

Oh, yes they will. A quick visit shows three different offerings. While there is plenty of crossover appeal in all three, the general guidelines tell you that the Kid’s version addresses topics up to grade 4. Info Finder is for students in fourth grade through college. The Reference Center is geared to high school students through adults.

Inside, you’ll find amazing stuff like world newspapers, print activities and lesson plans (hello, home schoolers!), educational games, science projects, maps, computer and web tutorials and government information on the state and federal level.

You’ll find the World Book online reference center a valuable resource whether you’re doing homework, planning a trip or writing a business proposal. With the new upgrades, you can do all three in one place.

KMOX radio host and Donnybrook veteran Charlie Brennan wants to give you some of his insights gathered from a fascinating life. The radio personality is also an accomplished author with two books to his credit, most recently the 2006 publication of Brennan’s Here’s Where: A Guide to Illustrious St. Louis.

The founder of Rediscover St. Louis, Brennan was named one of St. Louis’ Most Valuable Volunteers and earned the 2002 Civic Stewardship Award. Even better, he’s a tremendous public speaker.

“He’s an amazing guy to sit and listen to,” confirms Ginny Kramer, Friends president. She has the experience to know. “A group of us went downtown to hear him live when he broadcast his book club show. No notes. No prompting. He just rolls from one subject to another and even into a commercial. It was very impressive how he ran the show.”

If you want to be further impressed, head to Epworth Hall at Kirkwood United Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m. In addition to a great talk, refreshments will also be served. The event is free and open to the public, but please register by calling the Friends at 314-821-5770 x1023 or sign up at the Circulation Desk in the library.

When Kirkwood artist Nancy Maier wanted to promote a unique artistic idea, she knew she needed some new computer skills to do it. She also knew where to turn: Kirkwood Public Library.

“I had never used Microsoft Publisher, and I wanted to create a flyer,” Maier explained. “I’ve taken a PowerPoint class as well, and the classes are five star. It’s a humorous presentation and you learn an incredible amount. Plus, they have handouts, so you can refer back to the notes later when you’re on your own.” If that’s not an endorsement, this is: She’s already signed up for an Excel class!

Check the course descriptions, and learn some new computer skills. Sign up at the library or call us at 314-821-5770 x1. While we are in our temporary home, the computer classes are held at Kirkwood School District’s Hough Community Learning Center, 106 N. Sappington Road.

Upcoming Schedule:

Wednesday classes are 10 a.m.-noon and Thursday classes are 1-3 p.m.

• Wed, November 4 – Windows XP
• Thur, November 5 – Microsoft Word 2007, Session 1
• Thur, November 12 – Microsoft Word 2007, Session 2
• Wed, November 18 – Microsoft Excel 2007, Session 1
• Thur, November 19 – Microsoft Excel 2007, Session 2
• Wed, December 2 – Microsoft Word 2007, Session 1
• Thur, December 3 – Internet 1.0
• Wed, December 9 – Microsoft Word 2007, Session 2
• Thur, December 10 – Microsoft PowerPoint 2007, Session 1
• Wed, Dec 16 – Digital Pictures and Social Networking Websites
• Thur, December 17 – Microsoft PowerPoint 2007, Session 2

We love getting your comments – complimentary, constructive or critical – and do our best to act on them.

You:
“Thank you for the Playaways. I enjoy walking around Kirkwood, and a Playaway makes it so easy to read a book while I walk.”

Us:
You’re very welcome, and let us take this opportunity to remind all our patrons about our Playaway collection. Currently, you’ll find 225 selections available covering all genres.

If you haven’t enjoyed the easiest way to listen to a book on the go, a quick introduction is in order. A Playaway is comparable in size to an iPod. All you do is plug in your earphones and enjoy. No cassettes or CDs. No downloads. Just pleasure from listening to the pre-loaded audio book. There’s even a lanyard to hang the Playaway around your neck.

So go take a hike … and bring a book along.

Check out our online calendar for lots of upcoming events at your Library. Here are a few to keep in mind:

October 3: Jim Gill entertains at Station Plaza

November 4: Author Carol Ferring Shelpley

November 7: Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt

November 17: Mother/Daughter Book Club