Banned Book Week:  ALA says:

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. This year, 2008, marks BBW's 27th anniversary (September 27 through October 4).

BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met. 

To Kill a Mockingbird. Of Mice and Men. The Great Gatsby. 1984.  It's hard to imagine a world without these extraordinary literary classics, but every year there are hundreds of attempts to remove great books from libraries and schools. In fact, according to the American Library Association, 42 of 100 books recognized by the Radcliffe Publishing Course as the best novels of the 20th century have been challenged or banned.  Celebrate that you have the freedom to read!

Karen’s Coffee Clatch: Meets every Tuesday @ 3:30 p.m. Share conversation over a hot cup of java or tea and a snack. Please share your favorite cookie recipe with us in the month of October. Then these recipes will be available @ the 3^rd Tuesday coffee group in Nov. Please join us from 3:30-5 p.m. for food, fun, and prizes. Please bring your friends!  

Autumn is the third season of the year. Autumn is a time of change. The green color of summer gives way to the yellow, red, and browns of autumn. Fruits and nuts are harvested, the days become shorter, and animals prepare for winter. The idea of fall sparks a sense of new beginnings. Whether it’s the new school year, the new TV shows, the new football season, or the approach of the holidays, we all tend to feel a sense of renewal as autumn begins. Celebrate the new season with a fun-filled get-together with friends.    
     
eHow.com suggests: Serve a meal or refreshments outside. Seat guests in lawn chairs and provide blankets, if   necessary. If possible, light a fire and cook hot dogs. Other possibilities for a fall menu include hearty soups and casseroles.
Apple Pie is a perfect fall dessert. Hang lanterns or patio candles if you need additional light for an evening  party.

• Pinpoint what is most terrific about autumn to you and DO IT! Whether that be making caramel apples, playing in the freshly fallen leaves or snuggling under a blanket at a football game, don't let this magical season pass you by without indulging.
• Involve your SENSES. To properly savor anything, you have engaged all of your senses. Buy a candle with the scent of spiced cider, enjoy the sunlight fading earlier by employing romantic ambient lighting, make caramel apples (have I mentioned those before?)
• Speaking of taste, now is a great time to add that to properly enjoy fall, you must GET IN THE KITCHEN (or at least become very friendly with someone who will!) The harvest is so bountiful this time of year with different textures, colors and tastes. Take advantage of them. Don't let the season pass by without baking up a few treats also. Pumpkin muffins, sweet potato casserole and Halloween cookies are just a few of the endless possibilities.
• GET OUT AND GO! Autumn is alive with festivals and events. Pick one or two then treat yourself and someone you love. Nothing says "autumn’s here" like hay rides to pick pumpkins or Renaissance Festivals. The possibilities are endless!
• SURROUND YOURSELF with everything fall. Get imaginative. Choose deep rich earth tone colors to dress in, decorate in and use. Put a candy dish (an autumn one of course!) on the table brimming with Candy Corn, pick up colorful fallen leaves and use them as table scatters. Open the windows and let in that cool, crisp, fresh air. Who says even when you are stuck indoors you can't enjoy the season?
• If you are really wanting to savor the season... PLAN A PARTY! This season gives so many tantalizing excuses to have a party. Tailgate parties, Harvest Parties, Halloween parties, Back to school parties... need I go on? Until next time, Happy Reading!!   

"Knitting & Crocheting Class/Group"- We offer a class for those who want to learn knitting and crocheting.  We also offer a wonderful opportunity for those who already knit/crochet to come together to share ideas and conversation with others in our group.

"Scrapbooking"- The library offers scrapbookers a place to come together to share their ideas and their hobby.  We have a scrapbooking group that shares their ideas and our wonderful teacher, Mary Pothast, is there to help you get started or to help spark an idea.  She also brings various paper, stamps, scissors, punches, etc. for you to use. You may purchase and complete a page for $1.00.  Come to create your albums or pages and hang out with others who enjoy doing the same thing you do- capturing those special moments and finding just the right way to accentuate them.  This group will start Tuesday, September 16th from 7-9 p.m. and then will meet  every other Tuesday after that. 

"Teen Scene"- Teen Scene is a program for 5th graders on up. We meet for activities, games, crafts, food and fun.  We meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month for a different program each time.  We will meet this Wednesday, September 17 from 7-8 p.m.  This program will be a game night.  We will have computer games, games on-line, plug n plays, board games, DDR, and even laser tag!  Bring your friends in for a great time and a little competition!! Many of the new games we have purchased were made possible by a special grant from the Martha Ellen Tye Foundation.  Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to provide great fun for the tweens and teens of the Melbourne area!

"Kids' First"- Great program for Kinder-gartners on up. We have stories, games, crafts, other activities and a snack is provided.  "Kids' First" is our after school program.  It has been a huge success the past couple years, so we are continuing it this year.   Your child can come to participate in fun and educational activities and also meet new friends from the Melbourne area. This is a great learning experience for those children involved and they all have a great time.  If your kids haven't joined us- have them make the library their first stop after school on Tuesdays- cause we'll be putting your "Kids' First!"  This is also held on Tuesdays, from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m., starting September 16th. 

"Story Hour"- This is a great children's program the library offers for 3, 4, & 5 year olds. Filled with great fun for your little one!  We begin the program with book reading, followed by songs, games, crafts, fingerplays, puppets, or other activities.  A snack is provided to hold them over until lunch.  The children will enjoy all the activities and of course be able to check out books and movies- keeping the 3-day movies for a whole week!- as a bonus for being in Story Hour.  We have a Halloween and Christmas Party and a picnic in May.  Lots of fun for your little one- let your child be the judge!  This program is held on Tuesdays, from 11:30-12:30 p.m., starting September 16th. 

September is Library Card Sign-up Month.  A library card is the most important school supply of all.  We think that every child should be able to obtain and use their library card.  We do not charge for a library card at our library, but we do require the child to have the signature of the parent/guardian and for the parent/guardian to show proof of identification.  Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.  
     We offer books, magazines, audio- and videotapes, computers, software and other multimedia materials.  We also offer many wonderful children and adult programs.  There is something @ your library just for you. 
     For any child or young adult whom comes in to receive there very own library card with their signing guardian, that child will not only receive the greatest gift ever(access to all your library has to offer)- but will receive a small prize of their choice also.  Stop on by and give the best gift ever to your loved ones- a library card!!