It is almost time to bid a fond farewell to our library director of 17 years, Kathy Bretschneider.  Kathy has served the community of Battle Creek faithfully with her wit and knowledge of all things English.  The City of Battle Creek will host an open house for Kathy on Friday, November 30th from 3pm to 5pm in the library meeting room.  Come wish this special lady a very happy retirement!

The current month is justifiably important to Americans. Three holidays present a real picture of the devotion of our people to ‘life, liberty and the American way’. Most citizens of this world love their home country and its celebrations of life, to be sure. But the month of May in the USA represents some of our deepest, emotional ties to each other as citizens.

Mother’s Day (this year May 13) reconnects families in so many ways. American families rely so much on their mothers for family history, traditions, and what’s cooking on special occasions. Togetherness is represented on this day in May as a tradition. Without Mom there would be no family. Dad, of course, gets his due on Father’s Day in somewhat the same way. He’s the head of the household, its leader and guide. Yet Mother is the glue, the emotional center of the family. Both are needed and respected.

Armed Forces Day on May 19 is a tradition in the USA evolving over the years of conflict and struggle to maintain our way of life, and protect our citizens. Celebrating and honoring the American soldier, who fought and sometimes died in defense of this land, is an honor we cannot forgo. As time has a way of changing things, our Armed Forces are not just men, but also women these days. We salute those who face great struggles and desperate times on behalf of our country. And we admire those who come through the strife with a quiet pride at our country’s progress.

Last, but not least, Memorial Day is an honor and duty Americans serve with gratefulness. Memorial Day represents the Americans who fought and died, or served and survived, perhaps. But it is also a time to remember fellow citizens who pass away and are remembered for their part in our way of life.  Truly, this month gives us much to reflect on and to talk proudly about.

Oh, there are many times in a year Americans celebrate their fellow citizens and their country. And it’s good to think about how lucky we are to work here together–to challenge each other and congratulate our country on its ability to move ahead and to glance back in time somehow.

National Library Week will be observed April 8-14, sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries all across our country. There are many types of libraries that participate: school, public, academic, and special. All share leadership in information and education for our citizens. The dedication to accurate and unprejudiced information is a keystone to our nation’s progress and development.

Celebrations for National Library Week include: National Library Workers Day (April 10, 2018), a day for recognition of library staff, administrators, users, Foundations and Friends groups and of efforts of local governments to support these local entities that work with them and for them.

On Wednesday of National Library Week (April 11, 2018), many libraries celebrate  National Bookmobile Day, recognizing the outreach made possible in many communities and rural areas.

On Thursday of National Library Week (April 12, 2018), we celebrate Take Action for Libraries Day. This is an effort to advocate for support of local libraries’ efforts to improve opportunities for all segments of our society, and to equip citizens with information and opportunities to improve their way of life.

Local libraries do more than house important documents, books and other resources. They can provide a forum for discussion of the particular needs of the community and provide resources to equip local leaders with information that will support the needs of the community.

More than that, libraries support interaction among their citizens that feeds the need for knowledge and support for necessary action and discussion.

Lied Battle Creek Public Library staff believes in working with fellow librarians in our county, state, and region to promote the values of education, information, leadership and friendship. Come in during Library Week and discuss needs you see as incomplete in  service.

Soon December will exit, leaving us with memories of old connections renewed and new attachments invited.  What wonders await? Certainly the current weather trends inspire all to dress warmly, speak softly, and listen to the winds of time rushing at us with a new year.

If one reads too much into the headlines of each day, those winds wail of oncoming troubles. But between the lines there are and will be items of kindness and companionship, devotion to duty, blessings for all.   

This is the season when our better selves are renewed with a breath of welcome to all, and a hope for caring for others. Christmas is about giving and it is passing, but taking that feeling into a new year will inspire all to try again, one more time, one more  day.

For the last few months, this page has been a forum for  ideas coming from the Library staff. We challenge you to offer some ideas about the reason for the season. You may put them in our Facebook page below and they will fill in this space as well. It may be funny or serious. You may offer a new slant on old news or old traditions slanted a new way. Keep it short enough others may also participate, but long enough to make us think anew.

If you watch the news or read a newspaper frequently, you can see some reasons that a month that honors giving thanks might be a difficult season. The media report every ghastly  event they see, hear or witness. In a giving season (such as Thanksgiving), one can be overwhelmed with the horrific or the unthinkable. And lately there has been so much.

But don’t give up on the idea that  our country also hosts many amazing and wonderful events that shine a light on what is truly a gift. It doesn’t have to be a star-studded fund raiser; it can be a one-person effort to add beauty or meaning to others’ lives. It is out of thankfulness for one’s own well-being that many people here in our country  offer help for the troubles in others’ lives.

Often the bad news blares into the darkness, warning us of the evils that track others down. Too often we become second-hand witnesses of the wrongs done and it’s  harmful to us all.

During this month we honor our veterans who gave selflessly to keep us free and we give thanks to our creator that we have life, love and liberty.  To forget this  makes us susceptible to the despair that can ruin our country and our lives.

Yes, everyone has wondered that in recent years. Well, maybe not everyone, but some of the avid fair goers might have. Take the example of a young student who joined 4-H and she/he has accomplished many goals toward State Fair participation. Could it be that if one had to miss a day of school to show his/her accomplishments during the summer and he/she had to take homework to the Fair the assignments might not get done???

Now, a dedicated 4-H’er’ would never be lax enough to forget homework, but it could be quite a challenge to remember homework when your prize chicken gets a ribbon– or a cool report about the wheat grown on the farm gets you first place and a chance to go to the Fair for the first time.

But think of all the things that can be learned in August at the State Fair! Surely one cannot miss such an opportunity! Work hard young 4-H participants and don’t let your assignments get lost along the way. We are rooting for you.

July is a great month for remembering, and it is also a great month for honoring. What can we remember? The wonderful celebrations of our cities and towns that honor our veterans and citizens who have performed difficult tasks, sacrificing lives, wealth, and honor for others.

July is a great month for remembering how much we need each other in order to preserve and enhance the wonderful country we have.

July hails us as a guardian encourages his children to enjoy and participate in all that is good in our lives.

The 4th of July sings to us of courage and sacrifice, giving and receiving, honor and hope.

Gusty summer days and wild sparkling nights remind us to be grateful for what we know every day and night is ours and it is beautiful.

Independence Day–a reminder of what the people who came before us sought so desperately and their heirs cling to still today.