Lots to talk about at the Raymond Village Library - By Sally Holt, librarian

At Raymond Village Library teens regularly come to the library to check out books, gather materials and learn about reliable databases to do research, use the public Internet access computers and volunteer at the library. This fall several students from the Jordan Small Middle School and their teachers pitched in and painted the book Barn and raked the library grounds and the children/teen summer reading program this summer would not have been as successful without the group of teens who regularly assist Lisa, the youth services librarian at RVL.
 

It is interesting to note that tech-savvy American young adults are more likely than older adults to have read printed books in the past year, are more likely to appreciate reading in libraries, and are just as strong supporters of traditional library services as older adults, a new national report from the Pew Research Center shows.

The report finds that—while nearly all of those surveyed aged 16–29 are actively online in their lives and are more likely than older patrons to use libraries’ computer and Internet connections, access library websites, and use a library’s research databases—75 percent of young adults have read a printed book in the past year, compared with 64 percent for older adults.

Younger adults are also more likely than older adults to use libraries as quiet study spaces, and are just as likely as older adults to have visited libraries, borrowed print books and browsed the stacks.

A couple of programs we would like to highlight at the library in January include:

Sunday, January 12, at 1 p.m. will be the first in our series of game days for children ages 8 years and up. There is no registration required, just come and bring your friends. There will be all kinds of games available or you can bring one of your favorite games to share as well as pizza and prizes. For more information, call the library at 655-4283 and plan to come join the party for a fun afternoon. 

Georgette Ouellette has generously offered to teach a free knitting class to the first six people who sign up at the library. Winter can become tiresome and this is a wonderful opportunity to get together with like-minded people and learn a very useful craft. Even if you do knit, perhaps the talk you have heard of “turning the heel” has kept you from trying to make socks. Now is your chance. Georgette will be taking it slowly, but does need people who will make a definite commitment since there is just space for six participants. If you know the basics – knit, purl, increase and decrease, you definitely qualify for the class! There will be 8 weeks of classes at 5:30 p.m. The first one was cancelled due to snow. There is still room to sign up at the library or call 655-4283 and have your name added to the list. Georgette will contact those interested with more information regarding what to bring to the first class. 

There is an informational handout at the library that explains what to expect each week, or that you will receive at the first class. For more information, call the library at 655-4283.