Do you know what the word "lagniappe" means? Recently I was reading and came across this word that was new to me, so I went straight to the dictionary. "The American Heritage Dictionary" defines it as to give a small gift to a customer or to provide an unexpected gift or benefit. I think the word "lagniappe" is a good one to describe all that is going on at the library during the month of September. Our September calendar of events is packed full of exciting happenings – a small gift to you our "customers."
Parents will be happy to know that Story Time, Toddler Time and Infant Lap Sit all resume in September. Story Time is for children ages 3 – 6; Toddler Time is for ages 18 months to 36 months; Infant Lap Sit is designed for ages 6 months to 18 months. These programs are always very popular and fill up very quickly. Phone the Children's Room at 663-4455 to reserve a place for your child.
Our very special "What If All Decatur County Reads . . . " events start in mid-September and this year feature a theme of the Underground Railroad. The week of events will kickoff on September 15 at 2 p.m. with the one woman play, "Freedom Is My Home" showcasing the talents of Charlotte Battin. Ms. Battin portrays Margaret Ella Scott, a Quaker woman and an abolitionist. Margaret talks to a group of interested people (you, the audience), about the Underground Railroad. She tells of daring escapes, secret codes, and how you can help the Railroad travelers. This program is suitable for ages kindergarten through adult and is just the first event in an exciting week of programs.
On Sunday, September 16 at 2:30 p.m., David Crowley presents "Why be an Abolitionist?" David will discuss the cultural and religious motives for helping to free the slaves.
A general discussion of our chosen book, "Follow the Drinking Gourd", will take place on Monday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the library, along with other suggested readings.
On Tuesday, September 18 at 6:30, Jane Keith will present "The Patchwork Path." This program is for all ages and family involvement is encouraged. Learn about the fact and fiction behind "Freedom Quilts" and make your own quilt square.
On Wednesday, September 19 at 7 p.m. Bill Smith will talk about slavery in Indiana. And on Thursday, September 20 at 7 p.m., Bill will do a second program on "Stories of Escape Across Indiana." Did you know that Decatur County was connected to the Underground Railroad? Bill has extensively researched Decatur County's Underground Railroad connection – plan to attend and learn about this important part of Decatur County history. This concludes a week of exciting programming. Call the library at 663-2826 to make your program reservations.
If you would like to explore your family history, but don't know where to begin, simply register for "Researching Your Family Tree" with local historian and genealogist Russell Wilhoit. Join Russell on Thursday, September 20 at 6 p.m. and learn about a great online genealogy database, "Ancestry.com."
On Sunday, September 23 at 2 p.m. the Greensburg Library and Traditional Arts Indiana will honor Harold Klosterkemper and His Old Time Music. This program is sponsored by the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Harold is well known in the local community and has resided in Greensburg since 1951. He is a master fiddler and has entertained for numerous dances, taught fiddling lessons and competed in countless fiddle contests. He even has his own fiddle contest in Greensburg. Please join us as we honor Harold Klosterkemper and his musical contributions.
On Saturday, September 29 at 2 p.m. we invite children to "Bring Your Grandparents to the Library Tea." If you can't bring a grandparent, then simply bring an "honorary grandparent" with you. This program is best suited for ages 12 and under. Join us for stories, a make-together craft, and refreshments. Phone the library at 663-2826 to register for this fun event.
Programming is not the only thing happening at the library in September – we are unveiling a new database. Our new database is "Learning Express" which features over 300 practice exams. It includes the old standards such as SAT and ACT, but also features many specialized exams perfect for those who are considering furthering their education or changing jobs. Examples of the wide variety of exams in "Learning Express" are Civil Service exams, Postal Worker exams, ASVAB (military entrance), Real Estate exams, Nursing School Entrance exams, and much more. The exams are instantly scored and you are given feedback to help improve your score for the next time. You can access "Learning Express" from the Library Computer Lab or from your own home computer at www.greensburglibrary.org. You do need a Greensburg Library card and PIN number to register for use.
As I said, this is an exciting month of happenings at the Greensburg Public Library – and did I mention that all these programs are free of charge? Truly a month in which we are providing a little "lagniappe" or extra value to you, our patrons. Phone the library for more information or to register for any of our special programs. Hope to see you soon at the Greensburg Public Library.