Okay. Summer has not technically ended, however, the smell of Fall is in the air. This means many things for the library. First, this means we do not need air conditioning, which we never had to begin with. Second, it means I will soon be raking leaves from the library parking lot. Lastly, and most importantly it means the Fall Semester of programming has begun.

To begin with, Book Talk with Morrisville State College Professor Roxanna Pisiak will take place on Friday October 3 at 7 p.m. October's book discussion will feature The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx.

"This is a fictional story about a third-rate newspaperman who is wrenched violently out of his workaday life when his two-timing wife meets her just deserts. He then retreats with his two daughters to his ancestral home on the starkly beautiful Newfoundland coast, where a rich cast of local characters all plays a part in a struggle to reclaim his life. As three generations of his family cobble up new lives, the newspaperman confronts his private demons… and the unpredictable forces of nature and society… and begins to see the possibility of love without pain or misery."

We currently have 14 copies of The Shipping News available here at the library. If you are interested in joining us for this exciting Book Talk, please don't delay. Check out your copy at the Circulation Desk today.

In addition to Book Talk, Preschool Story Hour will begin on this Tuesday September 16 at 10:30 a.m. We have a very busy Fall Semester this year, which includes many great activities and book titles. The first day of story hour will be about Teddy Bears. Each child will want to bring its very special Teddy Bear friend to this fabulous reading. Some of the books to be read will include: Corduroy, A Pocket for Corduroy, and Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See? The readings will be followed by a craft-activity, where the children will be able to paint their very own Teddy Bear faces.

Some of the other themes for this Fall Semester are: Bees and Honey, Dogs (Clifford), Christopher Columbus, Fire Prevention, Smokey the Bear, Halloween, Drums, Thanksgiving, and a very special Mickey Mouse Birthday Party. So come join us starting this Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. for a great learning experience that all children will love.

Moreover, the library is offering Free Internet Tutoring Services this Fall. This is a service the library has always offered, but may not have necessarily been properly advertised. These tutoring services include: an introduction to the World Wide Web, new and interesting ways to use search engines, complete instruction on how to use web-based library catalogs, a preface to electronic databases, as well as your very own e-mail account. So if it is basic sending of e-mail messages you want to learn, or complex ways of researching electronic sources, this is your free ticket. Please do not feel shy or timid regarding these services. The library will be glad to tutor any age or skill level. These tutoring sessions are one-on-one, and are offered in a very relaxed environment. Please call today to make an appointment. Call 684-9130, and ask for Brian.

We are sad to see that summer is fading, but are very excited to welcome the new season of fall. This will be a great time of year to throw on a sweater, put on a pair of cozy wool socks, strap on your hiking books, and walk into the Morrisville Public Library. There is no better feeling that sitting under a tall tree, smelling the crisp clean air, watching the leaves fall, and reading words from your favorite book. The Morrisville Public Library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 10 - 1:30 p.m., and Saturdays 10 - 2 p.m.