Month: September 2015

After twelve years behind the desk of the Ponca Carnegie Library Margaret Saxon has announced her retirement.  According to Margaret, “I decided it was time for me to relax a little, but I didn’t want to leave until we had found a good replacement. We have found her and it has been a pleasure to train her for her new position.

At its September 17 Library Board meeting, the trustees approved the hiring of Pattie Goodier. Director Beth Foulks reported to the Board, “Patti Goodier brings with her extensive experience with children both in a professional and personal capacity, being the parent of five and having operated an in-home day care for several years.  She is also proficient with computer technology, which is an essential skill in today’s library.”

Attending the end of the September Board of Trustees meeting, Goodier shared “As a child I was an avid reader and dreamed of being a librarian when I grew up. I did my best to instill by love of books and of the written word to every child that I have had the pleasure to know.”

At its meeting the Board presented Saxon with a certificate of appreciation for her years of service to the Ponca community. Saxon plans to continue to be involved with Friends of the Library and will be available to fill in at the library when needed.

Friends of the Library are planning a road trip for their next book discussion, which will focus on “Black Elk Speaks” by John G. Neihardt.  The discussion will be held at the Neihardt Center in Bancroft, Nebraska, on Saturday, October 3 at 10:00 am, followed by lunch in Bancroft.

Friends member, Myra Alley Kingsbury, created the plan for the road trip and explains, “Since Neihardt is one of our most famous Nebraska authors and since he lived in Bancroft it made sense that we would visit his home and the beautiful center that honors his memory.”

Leading the discussion will be Nancy Gillis, former Executive Director of the John Neihardt State Historic Site and the Neihardt Foundation’s Institute for Vision and Learning. In 2014 Gillis received the Addison Sheldon award from the State of Nebraska for “distinguished service to the history of Nebraska in the stories of Native Americans and the writings of John Neihardt” as well as being a consultant for the Sovereign Youth Leadership Camp. Gillis is listed on both the Nebraska Humanities Council and Wayne State College Speakers Bureaus, for presentations on topics such as Neihardt’s legacy, Native American Women’s Oratory, stereotyping of Native Americans in children’s literature and curriculum materials, as well as workshops on teaching about Native Americans for education majors and teacher in-service programs. 

Story Hour begins after school on Wednesdays starting September 16th at 3:45 – 4:45.  On days when school dismisses early for professional development, story hour will meet from 2:30 -3:30.