PETROVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THIRD GRADE STUDENTS — On Jan. 27, the Petrova Elementary School third-grade classes toured the library's Dickert Wildlife Museum. Half of the students are shown in the Community Room of the Saranac Lake Free Library. Their teachers are Mr. Bill Wilson, Mrs. Ali McCormick, Mrs. Sara Shatraw and Mrs. Wendy O'Brien. Teacher assistants are Mrs. Darlene Peer and Mrs. Laurie Woodruff. (Photo provided)

The 28th annual Winter Carnival Book Sale continues today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Thomas B. Cantwell Community Room at the library, 109 Main Street. Find hundreds of hardcover and paperback books for adults and children, DVDs, CDs, jigsaw puzzles and games. A large section of individually-priced books can be found in the special books area, including Adirondack, very old, collectible and newer fiction and nonfiction.

Tickets can be purchased for “Adirondack Splendor,” a pieced, appliqued and hand-quilted wall hanging, donated by the Cabin Fever Quilters. Tickets are $1 for one, and $5 for six tickets. The winning ticket will be drawn at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Children who visited the library recently, along with members of the Adult Coloring Group, participated in the Adirondack Wildlife Decorating Project by coloring a picture of a moose, raccoon, beaver, owl or other Adirondack animal. The pictures are on display in the Community Room throughout the sale.

Annual meeting

At the SLFL annual meeting held on Jan. 25, Sarah Shoemaker was elected to a five-year term on the board of Trustees. Retiring board members Elizabeth Johnson and Margaret Worden were thanked for outstanding service to the board.

Library director Peter Benson reported that 59,460 items circulated in 20016; 20,105 adult books circulated, 652 young adult, 11,050 children’s and juvenile items, 3,092 audio, 15,326 DVDs, 2,366 eBooks, and 6,869 interlibrary loan materials. There are 6,584 registered borrowers, with a patron attendance of 64,840 visits.

The annual report includes a letter from the director, a financial summary, and a listing of library activities and programs.

Board president Maureen Sayles thanked the board, Peter Benson and the staff for a successful year. Board members with continuing appointments are Brian O’Connor, William Chapin, Margot Gold, Lawrence Johnson, Maureen Sayles, Audrey Schwartzberg, and David Trudeau.

A copy of the annual report is available at the circulation desk.

Library Lunch Programs

Coordinator Rosalie Fontana reports that Bill and Marcia Gilbert will present “Three Years in Belize: The Story of ‘Sewing for Change’ and the Empowerment of Women” at noon on Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Community Room.

Amy Kohanski, nutrition educator, will offer “Healthy Eating Made Simple: Eat Real Food” on March 2.

Thank you to the Hospitality Committee–Joy Harvey, chair, Anne Boutilier, Shirley Morgan, and other bakers–for desserts and beverages, and to Margaret Worden for taking care of correspondence.

Women’s Suffrage

Study Group

The Fiction Book Group will resume in September. The Women’s Suffrage Study Group will meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, to discuss “Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women’s Rights Movement” by Sally McMillen.

Science Book Group

On Tuesday, Feb.14, at 2 p.m. the Science Book Group will discuss “The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery.

“Race: The Power

of Illusion”

The study group for those interested in exploring racism in America will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, to discuss “White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America” by Nancy Isenberg.

Great Films

“The Great Dictator,” starring Charlie Chaplin in his first sound film, a political satire and historically significant work, will be shown Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. in the Community Room.

Adult Coloring Group

Join the Adult Coloring Group on Monday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. to relax and create an object of beauty. If possible, bring supplies.

Story Time Programs

Thank you to Jackie Beattie, Merle Smith, Pat McGuane and Hilde Hammond for recent programs. Preschoolers are invited to enjoy Story Time each Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Elinor B. Preis Children’s Room.

In recognition of Children’s Dental Health Month, Suzanne Snizek, Saranac Lake Central School District dental hygienist, will appear as the tooth fairy on Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m., reading stories and encouraging children to think about dental care.

Adirondack Research

Room news

“The Burrows Camp at Lake Placid” (Buerkett), “Pictures in My Heart” (Yeaw) and “Adirondack Paddling: 60 Great Flatwater Adventures” (Brown) were recently added to the Adirondack Collection.

Holiday

The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, for Presidents’ Day.

Acquisition highlights

Fiction: “The Midnight Bell” (Higgins), “The Girl in Green” (Miller), “The Dangerous Ladies Affair” (Muller)

Nonfiction: “In the Woods with Adirondack Sportsmen” (Elinskas), “From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime” (Hinton)

Large print: “Rise the Dark” (Koryta), “Below the Belt” (Woods), “Hillbilly Elegy” (Vance)

Picture books: “If You Plant a Seed” (Nelson), “Zoo Day” (Rockwell), “Pablo in the Snow” (Sloat)

CDs: “The Wrong Side of Goodbye” (Connelly), “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (Lewis), “Venetian Betrayal” (Berry)

DVDs: “Who Does She think She Is,” “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “Airplane.”