Library News & Notes: Library focuses on community service

With colder weather and the holidays approaching and with more and more people, young and old, struggling to make ends meet, the kindness and generosity of the Carson City citizenry is especially visible and necessary. Groups and organizations band together and step forward to help those in need, and the CC Library is ready and willing to do its part.

Friends of the Library holiday book sale

The Friends of the Library, with its many volunteers and series of books sales, is both an example of community generosity and community service. Thousands of books are donated and Friends volunteers sort and organize them to either sell or distribute. The Holiday Book Sale provides an opportunity for shoppers to browse a large selection of holiday books: Crafts, cooking and decorating volumes are among the many offerings. The preview for members of the Friends takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and those who would like to join the Friends will be able to do so Thursday night. The book sale will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. According to the Friends, during the last event, sales were strongest at the Thursday preview. So join the Friends, find amazing bargains and jump-start holiday shopping.

Ron Wood food drive

According to its website, the Ron Wood Family Resource Center was founded in 1995 by a group of local residents concerned with the future of Carson City's young people and their families. The center originally began as the Ron Wood Project and the main focus was to be a truancy center. However, the "project" quickly grew into a Family Resource Center in order to meet the growing needs of Carson City's residents. Today, the shelves of the food bank are almost empty and some of the support the Center offers to families is strained by a lack of food resources. In front of the main desk, the library has two large barrels, designated for non-perishable food items for the Resource Center "pantry." The library has hundreds of visitors every day, and if every patron who could would donate at least one item; many, many families would find this time of year more festive and less challenging. Return or check out a book, drop off a can of food and help fill those empty shelves at the Ron Wood Resource Center.

Kit Carson Trail holiday art contest

Carson City boasts some talented young artists, and a local contest gives these students an opportunity to showcase their work and win monetary recognition as well. Wednesday is the final day to submit artwork based on the theme "An Abundance of Snow People." Contest rules require painting, drawing or any medium creations to be submitted on an 8 1⁄2" x 11" paper. A student's name and grade must be on the front of the drawing and a phone number should be included on the back. There is a $50 prize in each of three categories: K-3rd, 4th-6th, and 7th-12th. All entries should be brought to the youth desk at the Carson City Library.

National Adoption Month and author Jennifer Lauck

Jennifer Lauck spent much of her early life on Mary Street in Carson City, before her life and her family were fractured and her childhood became one of turmoil. Ms. Lauck went on to become a best-selling author and has penned memoirs such as "Blackbird," "Still Waters" and her fourth and final series title, "Found," which chronicles her search for and reunion with her birth mother. "Blackbird" has been translated into 22 languages and has been used as a reference by foster parenting groups throughout the country and has been given to Post Traumatic Stress patients dealing with childhood trauma. In recognition of National Adoption Month, Ms. Lauck will speak about "perseverance, courage and the capacity to transcend the worst losses with grace." This inspiring program takes place at 6 p.m. Friday at the BRIC (108 E. Proctor St.).

Regular activities and library notices

Family Story Time will be held at its usual times, 10:15 and 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays and 10:15 and 10:45 a.m. Thursday. There will be no story time on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, as the library will be closed.

Children can participate in the wildly popular Love on a Leash Therapy Dog Reading Program from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in the Children's Room.

The Library Board of Trustees will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the BRIC. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The library will be closed Nov. 24 and 25 for Thanksgiving. The library will be open for its regular hours at 10 a.m. Nov. 26.