The
Library Letter
News from the St Marys Community Public Library
From Our Director
We Need Your Help!
In an effort to better serve you, our
customer, we are asking that you take a few
minutes to complete the enclosed survey. We
want to make sure that we are meeting your
educational, informational, cultural and
recreational needs. Completed surveys can be
mailed, placed in the outside library book drop
or returned in person. Your opinion is
important to us.
We are heading into a budget year that
is uncertain. By sharing your reading, viewing
and listening interest with us we can better
serve you and spend the materials budget
more economically.
Your library is funded through the
Library and Local Government Support Fund
(LLGSF) that is part of the Local Government
Fund. We have been advised by the Ohio
Library Council that the Ohio General
Assembly may seek to develop some plan to
dramatically reduce, if not eliminate, all three
local government funds, including the LLGSF.
These funds have historically been the state’s
commitment toward returning monies to local
communities that are needed to operate
counties, townships, cities, villages, and
libraries. We are currently working with the
HOW TO REACH US
ADDRESS:
140 SOUTH CHESTNUT ST.
ST. MARYS, OH 45885
TELEPHONE:
(419) 394-7471
FAX: (419) 394-7291
E-MAIL:
pittmasu@oplin.org
WEBSITE:
www.stmarys.lib.oh.us
Winter 2005
Auglaize County Commissioners to educate
our legislators on the importance of the Local
Government Funds. Our Board of Trustees
adopted a resolution at their October meeting
stating the importance of the Local
Government Funds that will be sent to Senator
Jordan and Representative Seaver.
We are asking that you write letters of
support beginning in January 2005. We need
to protect public library funding as the state
begins consideration of the next 2006-2007
biennium budget. Talking points for your
letters should be: 1. Our goal is to preserve
the Library and Local Government Support
Fund; 2. Remind legislators that the
investment they make in public libraries is not
only worthwhile but important to you the people
they serve; 3. Ohio’s formula for funding
libraries at the state level instead of the local
level has been successful for almost two
decades; 4. Please keep this formula intact so
that libraries can continue providing the same
level of service to the patrons in their
communities and 5. Tell you legislators how
your public library has served you during the
past several years.
Letters are to be mailed to:
Senator Jim Jordan
Senate Building
Room 128, 1st Floor N.
Columbus, OH 43215
SD12@mailr.sen.state.oh.us
Ohio Representative Derrick Seaver
77 S. High St., 10th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
district78@ohr.state.oh.us
We try to be good stewards of the
money that we receive and feel that the St.
Marys Community Public Library is “Making a
Difference” for those we serve. Please write
your legislators on our behalf.
Susan Heckler Pittman
Library Director
 DINNER & A MOVIE
December 7 Û January 25
Û February 22 Û
Adults are invited to bring a potluck dish
to share at 6:00 PM, and the Library will
provide tableware and drinks. Afterward,
stay to enjoy new friends and a classic
movie. Please register at the Library.
Business Person’s
Breakfast Scheduled
On February 3, from 7:30 to 9:00 AM,
local businesspersons are invited to the
Library for a very special catered
breakfast. Following breakfast, there will
be a program highlighting the business-
related materials and services available
at St. Marys Community Public Library.
Sign up early for this annual and very
special program.
Patron Appreciation on
Valentine’s Day!
Visitors to the Library will be treated
extra special on Valentine’s Day, with
sweet treats and surprises. This annual
tradition is our way of showing you how
much we value your patronage. Please
come to the Library during our regular
hours and let us show you that we care.
Holiday Open House Slated
On Sunday, December 5 from1-3 PM
the Library will be open to the public
with holiday music, crafts, Santa and
refreshments. Everyone is welcome to
come and join the festivities.
Library offers used books
at Winter Book Sale
Don’t miss the new winter Friends of
the St. Marys Community Public Library
used book sale December 17, 18 & 19 in
the basement of St. Marys Hobby Center
and Trading Company, 111 West Spring
Street. Mary Dull, Book Sale Chairperson,
lists the sale hours as Friday, December
17 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday,
December 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and
Sunday, December 19 from noon to 4 p.m.
Members of Friends of the Library
are invited to attend a special “Friends
Only” Presale on Thursday evening,
December 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Friends of
the Library memberships will be available
at the door for those who haven’t yet joined
the Friends.
Thanks to Our Donors for
Gifts in the Following Months
August:
A gift by the Bellefaire Jewish Children’s
Bureau; a gift by Dr. James Robenstine;
donation in memory of Ned Johns by
Donald and Catherine Laden; gift from
the Estate of Mary Seigle. September:
In honor of Donald Glaser by the
Prudential Foundation; a gift by the
Sears Roebuck & Company; in memory
of Ned Johns by Mark, Linda Lunz &
Family. October: A gift by Dr. James
Robenstine; a gift by Mika Sasaki; in
memory of Dorothy Bertke by Mr. & Mrs.
Darwin Zeigler; a gift by Donald Glaser;
in memory of JoAnn Mohr by Peg
Grimm, Grady & Diane Shaner and
Terry & Joyce Finke; in memory of
JoAnn Mohr by Jean & Jeff Vossler,
Roberta & Tom Yingling, Tony & Robin
Laman, Ken & Debbie Baker, and John
& Terri Maze; in memory of Ned Johns
by the Family of Ned Johns.
 For
Winter calendar
Registration is necessary for all programs unless otherwise noted.
Kids!

december
Young Adults’
Û Dec. 1 – Preschool Story Time at 10:30 a.m. Winter Programs
Stories and fun for children three-years-old through Young adults in grades 7
Kindergarten. through 12 have their own
Û Dec. 13 – Family Story Time at 7:00 p.m. special section at the library
Families with young children are invited—the whole and their own programming.
family is welcome!
Û Jan. 15 – After-school
JANUARY Movie. 3:30 to 5:00 PM.

Û Jan. 5, 12, 19, & 26 – Preschool Story Time at Û Feb. 23 & 24 – YA Chess
10:30 a.m. Stories and fun for children three-years- Tournament. There will be
old through Kindergarten. two challenging afternoons
Û Jan. 17 – No School Program from 10:30 a.m. of mind-bending fun from
to noon. Crafts and surprises for students in grades 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Gather
1-6. No registration is necessary. together all your BRAINIAC
Û Jan. 17 – Family Story Time at 7:00 p.m. friends and play!
Families with young children are invited—the whole
family is welcome!

FEBRUARY
Û Feb. 2 & 9 – Preschool Story Time at 10:30 a.m. Stories and fun for children three-
years-old through Kindergarten.
Û Feb. 14 – Family Story Time at 7:00 p.m. Families with young children are
invited—the whole family is welcome!
Û Feb. 18 – No School Program from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Crafts and surprises for
students in grades 1-6. No registration is necessary.

CALDECOTT MOCK-ELECTION on January 8

The St. Marys Community Public Library is
holding a Caldecott Mock-Election workshop
on January 8, from 8:30 AM to noon. Evaluate
the best picture books of 2004 with presenter
Floyd Dickman, member of the Caldecott
committee in 1986, 1994 & 2002.
Participants will examine over 70 of the
best picture books from 2004 and will vote on
and discuss them as a group.
The Caldecott Mock-Election Workshop
costs just $12, which includes a materials
packet and continental breakfast. A selection of
books will be available for purchase at the
workshop at a generous discount to
participants. Continuing Education Units will be
available upon completion of the program from
the St. Marys City Schools. Preschool
Certification CEU’s will be available at the end
of the program from Mr. Dickman.
St. Marys Community Public Library Non-Profit
140 S. Chestnut Street Standard Mail
St. Marys, OH 45885 U.S. Postage PD.
(419)394-7471 Permit No. 12
St. Marys, OH

POSTAL PATRON

“The library will provide creative & factual resources to meet the educational,
informational, cultural & recreational needs of the community.” – SMCPL Mission statement

Bernadine Potbury and Jane

Stewart craft holiday
ornaments at the annual
Holiday Workshop at the St.
Marys Community Public
Library. At left, completed
ornaments hang to dry.
Inside this newsletter, you’ll
find library programs for
December, January &
February:
ADULT PROGRAMS, pg. 2
HOLIDAY OPEN
HOUSE, pg. 2
USED BOOK SALE, pg. 2
CALDECOTT
WORKSHOP, pg. 3
YOUTH CALENDAR, pg. 3