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Articles by Kathleen Whalin
Shelf Life: Books loved 'over time and space'
When asked nowadays about how long I’ve been a children’s librarian, I always answer “ever since shortly after the cooling of the earth’s crust.” It feels like forever in some ways, and in others it seems like only yesterday I was graduating from library school and collecting rejection letters in my search for my first job. What has kept me going, through different geographical locations and different types of libraries, is a never-ending amazement at how wonderful children’s books are.
My Not-So-Secret Love Affair with Books
February, despite its cold temperatures where we live, tries to celebrate what warms our heart: love, friendship, flowers, chocolate and, for many of us, the joy of reading. I’ve loved reading since I picked up my first Dick and Jane primer in school. I still remember the first long word I decoded by myself (“umbrella”) and the resulting heady freedom to turn black and white marks on a page into hours of pleasure.
Shelf Life: There’s 'snow' better winter activity than reading
Although I cannot claim to be a native Mainer, I did grow up in another land of ice and snow, North Dakota. The movie “Fargo” resonates with me, but that’s a story for another column. I really do love this coldest and darkest of seasons. I like snowbanks, winter night skies, and the cozy feeling of curling up in a warm house with a good book. There’s really nothing quite like reading as a time and space travel device.
Shelf Life: A Visit from St. Corona
'Twas the night before Christmas And all through the stacks Not one book was open Not even a crack The book trucks were parked By the windows with care In hopes that the ILLS Soon would be there And Michelle in her kerchief And Sophie in her cap Had just settled their brains For a short winter’s nap When down in the book drop There arose such a clatter They sprang from their desks To see what was the matter The books overflowing The pillow so low Gave the dread of quarantine To check-ins so...
Library News: Books, films, TV shows can take a waylaid traveler around the world
By Kathleen Whalin, Children’s Librarian Tuesday Jul 7, 2020 at 7:47 AM Summer, offering long sunshine-filled days, always seemed the perfect season to travel. Beaches, cities, lakes, mountains - the whole world beckoned. It is lovely, of course, to pack a bag and go, but often mundane concerns like finances and work schedules blocked the Siren’s call. In our pandemic-affected universe, what’s a thwarted world traveler to do? Your library offers a hassle-free virtual alternative.
Library News: The merry month of March
Kathleen Whalin, Children’s Librarian Wednesday Mar 18, 2020 at 2:00 AM EDITOR’s NOTE: This column was written prior to the onset of the coronavirus concerns and subsequent shutdowns. The York Public library is closed and all events are cancelled. Staff are available by phone and email. We know the depressing things about March, the infamous Ides, the ever-present mud, the snows that arrive just when you thought spring was really here.
Library News: The merry month of March
Kathleen Whalin, Children’s Librarian Wednesday Mar 18, 2020 at 3:15 AM EDITOR’s NOTE: This column was written prior to the onset of the coronavirus concerns and subsequent shutdowns. The York Public library is closed and all events are cancelled. Staff are available by phone and email. We know the depressing things about March, the infamous Ides, the ever-present mud, the snows that arrive just when you thought spring was really here.
Library News: In November, we remember
Kathleen Whalin, Children�s Librarian Wednesday Nov 13, 2019 at 4:54 PM Two weeks before the American holiday season, marked by turkey dinners and shopping for gifts, officially begins, occurs a solemn day of remembrance. For a century now, since November 11, 1919, the date known in this country as Veterans Day and in other parts of the world as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day has been set aside to remember the armistice that ended World War I.
Fall into children’s programs
by Kathleen Whalin, Children�s Librarian Friday Oct 18, 2019 at 2:26 PM Someone wished me a happy new year when they stopped by the library last week. I understood completely. Like him, I consider the start of the new year to be marked by falling leaves and a new school term rather than snowflakes or the winter holidays.
Library News: Practice kindness - pick up a good book
by Kathleen Whalin, Children�s Librarian Tuesday Sep 10, 2019 at 2:21 PM September 11 marks a sad national anniversary. Many kids cannot remember the easier days of travel, days before long security lines, elaborate travel documents, and arriving at the airport long before flight time. I sometimes feel we�ve all lost our innocence and have replaced it with a real fear of those different from ourselves.
Spring cleaning, with apologies to Marie Kondo
By Kathleen Whalin I’m sure as a reaction to my sister and my recent cleaning out of my mother’s house, I have become a big fan of Marie Kondo. I’ve read her book on tidying, I watch her Netflix series, and, yes, I’ve tackled my own closets and drawers.
Summer reading is for everyone
Kathleen Whalin and Katie AreyChildren’s Librarians Every summer our library is filled with readers from far and wide. We offer a reading program for younger children, detailed in last week’s article, but for several years we’ve offered a reading program for teens and adults based on the quite reasonable theory of “why should kids have all the fun?”Truth to tell, summer seems luxurious to adults lucky enough to find themselves in York.
Read about the past, understand the present
Kim Erickson Myers and Kathleen Whalin World War II’s events are fast fading from our country’s collective memory as its active participants age and die. There are many tales of valor and heroism and community support but, like most major historical events, there is also a dark side.
Inside the doors of your library
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