Springtime means a fresh start as the library looks to freshen up inside

The roof is complete. The skylight is in place. And how about that incredible window that will afford library patrons a dazzling look into downtown Kirkwood.

Front stairs are being poured as we go to press and, assuming the good weather stays, the rest of the site work will continue at a brisk pace.

The sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water service are all now in place, and the gas line shows up very soon. Up on the main level, ductwork is nearly complete and the sprinkler pipe is in. Plumbing is ready, with water service about to begin. Electrical is just around the corner, so “live, real power” will usher in other things like the elevator.

Very soon, it will be time for the furnishings inside to go in place, and that’s where you come in. While the bond issue covered the cost of the renovation, we’re reaching out to supporters that want to help cover the cost of the furnishings.

We’re confident you’ll love the new look, and want to offer you a chance to become part of the new library. Donors who contribute $500 or more to the Kirkwood Public Library Furnishings Capital Campaign will help the community and also receive recognition on a special plaque that will hang prominently inside the library.

Before we tell you about the podcasts coming to Kirkwood Public Library, let’s make sure everyone knows what podcasting means.

Podcast is simply a combination of the words iPod and broadcast. It’s an audio or video recording made available over the Internet for downloading to an MP3 player. If you’re reading this, you have an MP3 player: it’s called a computer. If you want to listen to a podcast while you jog or walk Fido, then you’ll need to download it to an iPod or some other mobile player.

According to Chris Durr, Teen Coordinator at Kirkwood Public Library, “listening to a podcast is just as easy as checking your email.” Click a link with your finger and start listening with your ear. It’s that simple.

The good news: Now you can enjoy podcasts directly from the library. There are over 10 podcasts available now on the KPL website and that number keeps growing. We plan to use our teen volunteers this summer to record Book Talks after they read a good book, and our goal is to keep adding more and more for all genres and all ages.

What do you get when you combine delicious discourse, fabulous friends and a succulent supper?

Well, on May 11, you get Ridley Pearson to deliver a talk titled “From Flaming Fingernails to Peter Pan: An Author’s Journey.” Come on, who doesn’t want to hurry up the dessert tray to listen to that!

Pearson, for the uninitiated, has lived enough to speak from dessert till the next day’s breakfast. (Unfortunately, we only have him for the evening.) He’s spent as much time on the New York Times bestseller list as many of us have spent in the Kirkwood Library. His books have been translated into 22 languages, and he deftly moves between crime novels for adults and adventure stories for teens.

He paired with Dave Barry on the Peter and the Starcatchers hit series, and has four additional books series written with young readers in mind. The nonstop action keeps the pages turning, and you’ll get a taste of the excitement on this special evening.

His newest title for adults, In Harm’s Way, will be released August 3. It continues the “Killer” series that has seen Killer Summer (2009),  

Send us your comments – complimentary, constructive or critical – and we’ll do our best to act on them. The patron comment box is near the electronic card catalogs.

You:

“I suggest that patron hold slips do not have the email address and phone number of the patron.”

Us:

Thank you for your keen eyesight! As of March 2, we’ve enacted this idea.

To give a little background …

Previously, staff needed the phone number to call patrons and let them know their requested material had arrived at the library. Email information often appeared on the hold slip to alert staff that an individual would be emailed and no phone call was necessary. This was the only way for staff to identify which patrons needed a phone call and which would be notified through email.

We recently introduced a more automated system and don’t require patron information such as phone number and email on the hold slip. Thanks for the great catch. Since getting a more efficient system, we no longer print that information on hold slips.

To reserve your next item from Kirkwood Public Library, visit our website and pick out something you’d like from the Mark Your Calendar

Keep these dates for upcoming events at Kirkwood Public Library

Check out our online calendar for all upcoming events at Kirkwood Public Library. Then, mark these dates on your calendar.

April 4: Closed for Easter.

April 7: English Tea; Friends annual English Tea is 1:00 pm at Kirkwood United Methodist Church – Reservations needed. Call 821-5770 x1023 or sign up at the Circulation Desk. Free for members. $5 for non-members, which will be refunded if you join Friends of the Kirkwood Library.

April 23: George Frein as Mark Twain; 6:30 pm at Webster University Library conference room.

April 29: Actor’s Guide to Shakespeare; 7:00 pm at the Community Center.

April 30: Teen Game Night; 6:30 pm at the library for ages 12 and up.