Fall 2004
From our Director

A great friend of the Library, Phil Kind passed away recently, leaving a great and gaping hole in the hearts of his friends and family and in the fabric of the community. I know that the majority of you who read this newsletter knew him well and know what he and his wife, Pat, meant to our library. They have honored us with their attention for many years, and by their asking that Phil’s memorial contributions come to the library, we have been given the opportunity to do something meaningful and worthy of him - a near impossible task.

Phil was a devoted and generous friend, and a great cheerleader for all our endeavors. He applauded everything we did, was cordial to and appreciative of the staff, and thought this Library was the greatest thing going! When he published his book, The Collected Play, all the proceeds benefited our construction fund. Our copier room is dedicated to Phil and Pat (he said he used copiers all the time in his work at the newspaper, so a copier room suited him down to the ground!), the information desk in the Children’s Department was given by the Kinds, and every year the family supported any request we made for funds. I will miss his purposeful stride as he made his way toward my office, the interesting conversations we had, and his cheerful laughter. I remembered Wordsworth’s poem when thinking of Phil, and I know I could not determine “that best portion of a good man’s life,” because Phil’s was made up of hundreds of “acts of kindness and of love.”

Read of the Month:  There is a line in Herman Wouk’s Marjorie Morningstar when Noel Airman was trying to convince her to eat her first lobster and she refused, shoving it away from her with a grunt of disgust,: “d*mn red bug.” I’ve been hooked on lobsters ever since. Read The Secret Life of Lobsters by Trevor Corson and follow it up with the article in the August issue of Gourmet magazine by the truly outstanding writer David Foster Wallace, “Consider the Lobster.”

- Nancy Hammeke Marshall

Fall 2004
Volunteer Spotlight – Douglas S. Callantine

For more information/Become a volunteer: 215-885-5180, ext. 11 or abg.mclinc.org

Doug Callantine conveys an aura of quiet competence that suggests he rarely encounters a problem he cannot resolve calmly and with gentle self-assurance. This quality of warm authority has enabled the South Bend , IN , native to become president of Legg Mason Real Estate Services. Doug joined Legg Mason, which is headquartered in Philadelphia , in 1982 and became head of this investment advisory service in 1987.

Doug and his wife, Pam, moved from Washington , D.C. , to Abington in 1977. He holds a B.S. from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.

Doug and Pam have 3 children, all of whom consider themselves to be Abington natives. In 1993, having previously served Abington Township on both the Planning Commission and the Industrial Development Authority, Doug accepted the invitation of outgoing Library Trustee Chuck Marsh to join the library's Board of Trustees. In short order, Doug assumed the position of board treasurer (1995) and then president, in which capacity he served from 1997-2004. During this time, Doug presided over our library's capital campaign, which resulted in our joining the MCLINC automated network and both phases of the library’s renovation. When discussing these achievements, Doug generously credits a long list of people that includes other members of the board, the Friends, and the library staff, soft-pedaling his own contribution.

Doug regularly works out at the Abington YMCA and enjoys golfing, traveling and attending Philadelphia Orchestra concerts. As he looks to the future, Doug anticipates spending some of his new-found "leisure time" serving as chairman of the newly established Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Historical Society.

We wish Doug well in all his future endeavors and offer our deep appreciation for his years of devotion to the Abington community through his service to this library.

- Michael Rechel

Fall 2004
Staff Spotlight – Nancy Hammeke Marshall

This month’s newsletter spotlights Nancy Hammeke Marshall, director of Abington Free Library, on the occasion of her tenth anniversary with this library. “Forthright … decisive … really smart … funny … really appreciates her staff.” These are just some of the accolades her staff gave in a recent survey. Nancy is a strong, courageous and, yes, sassy woman and she brings all that to her job of directing one of Pennsylvania ’s busiest public libraries.

Nancy grew up a self-described “corporate brat” in California , Illinois , Minnesota , New Jersey and South Carolina . She attended Stephens College in Missouri , spending a year at Cambridge University in England . In retrospect, she says she really appreciates the confidence she gained at an all woman’s college. Nancy earned her master’s in library science at the University of

Missouri after receiving a full scholarship (despite her father’s fear that as a librarian, she would never earn any money). Her first library job was, oddly enough, in the same library she used as a child, Bernardsville Public Library in New Jersey . She was the children’s librarian there, but quickly jumped to the directorship of the Florham Public Library, also in New Jersey . She’s been at the top ever since.

Ten years ago, many will remember (and some will lament) the library still had an old wooden card catalog and green shag carpeting on the walls. The stacks were, for some reason, set at an angle to the main floor, making a maze. “I knew I had a lot of work to do here,” she remembers. “My library in New Jersey had been automated for 15 years!”

Over the last ten years, Nancy brought Abington Library into the MCLINC consortium, shepherded the library into the digital age and remade a dark, dank old building into a bright showcase. The renovations, of the main floor in 1999 and the children’s department in 2001, were the most fun she had. She recalls: “Making thirty decisions a day and working with the most diverse group of people: carpenters, electricians, architects, designers, plumbers. And my staff was really impressive, the way they figured out how to pack up a library and still continue to provide public service, at the Roslyn Branch.”

Directing a big library is a hard job, managing a creative and hard-working staff is often challenging and very little in library school prepares one for smoke in the elevator shaft, leaks in the roof or patrons who flush their cell phones down the toilet. Nancy takes it all in stride with a hearty dose of laughter. And so the doors open every day in this big and wonderful library.

- Lois Odabas

	What attracts so many artists to work at the Library? This question arose recently when a change occurred in scheduling exhibits for the glass case by the library entrance, and it was decided that the AFL staff could easily fill this case with visual art and writing. Writing, paintings, poetry, sculpture, multi-media art; there was an overflow of items submitted. It suddenly became very clear that there was no dearth of artists at the library. Indeed, there were enough of us to cause a guffaw and a further pondering of this question. So what does attract us? Is it our lovely building? The schedule? Steady money? The people? Surely all of these things make our library a wonderful workplace. I think there may be something more than fine-free status that the library offers its staff. It’s the exhilaration of working in a building filled with ideas. Ideas are fine; there is no shortage of ideas within any artist’s mind. But they are ephemeral; they come and go in wisps. Books, however, are another story. If ideas are butterflies, then books are their wings. Books give substance to ideas; they take them out of the minds of artists and into the minds of anyone. Even if you don’t have the money or shelf space to buy yet another book, libraries bring those books to you. That is the beauty of working at the library. Artists abound here, from Sherry and Joy (painters) and Susan (multi-media/stamp artist) who begin the library process in Technical Services, to Laurel (a weaver) and Jacqui (artist defying classification) who put the books on the shelves, to Carla, Lois, Tim, Jackie (writers) and Bill (artist) who check them out to you. Go down to the children’s department and you’ll find Carolyn (writer/illustrator), Kristina (writer), Andy (invitation queen) and Diana (book artist/multi-media) working with the kids. Karen (painter) does all of the signage and flyers in the office. Wander over to the! Roslyn branch and there's Celia and Patti (creators of crafts) and Cathy (writer). Well? No great mystery: Creative people attract more of the same. Even the staffers who proclaim, “I’m not an ARTIST,” are amazingly creative in their jobs and lives. There are always ideas floating around, how to improve service or punch up programs, for instance. Cooking, home decorating, gift-giving, party throwing. It seems as though inspiration touches each part of our lives and in a circular fashion we all inspire each other. The twist in the story? Artists are also explorers, and what better place for this activity than a library? So many interesting books and people pass by our desks each day that we are literally never bored. We’ve all come upon the most unusual books that we might not have otherwise sought out. As an extra bonus, the library is a wonderful place to study human nature. Faces and the stories that go with them are wonderfully rich and often inspiring. To keep our minds stretching and sometimes stumbling over new territories to be explored is a priceless perk. At the end of the tale, between the books and the patrons, there are no riper pastures of heaven for the artists of Abington Free Library. - Diana Trout

Please Note - These events occurred in the Fall of 2004

From the Roslyn Branch Library Fall 2004

For more information: 215-886-9818 or http://abg.mclinc.org

If you are unable to attend one or more sessions, kindly call the library in advance. This will allow others on the waiting list to attend the program as well as prevent waste of craft materials .

NEW HOURS FOR ROSLYN BRANCH!

Beginning Sept 20, 2004 the Roslyn Branch Library will be open
Monday, 11-9, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 11-6, and Saturday, 11-2.
The library is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

After studying patterns of library usage for several months, the Library Board of Trustees, Executive Director Nancy Hammeke Marshall, and Roslyn Branch librarian Celia Frankford have determined that these new hours will better serve the Roslyn community.

Roslyn's Adult Program Fall 2004

MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM
FALL AND WINTER INTEREST GARDENING
with Master Gardeners Pat Conn and Kathleen Britton
Mon, Oct 11, 7-8 p.m.
Registration starts Sept 20.

Roslyn's Children's Programs Fall 2004

PAJAMA PARTIES FOR AGES 3-6
Monday evenings from 6:30-7 p.m.
Sept 27, Nov 8, and Dec 13
Please register for each program separately.
STORIES + SONGS + FINGERPLAYS + CRAFTS
Children are invited to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal to cuddle.

FALL STORY TIMES
Ages 3-6 meet Mondays at 1:30 p.m. A ges 2-3 meet Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, 8. Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11.
Registration started Sept 7.

 HALLOWEEN PARTY - Mon, Oct 25
Wear a costume and join the fun! Stories, songs, games, crafts and refreshments!
Ages 2-5 at 6-6:30 p.m. - Ages 6-12 at 7-8 p.m.
Registration starts Oct 4.

BABY DAYS ( AGES 8 MONTHS - 2 YEARS)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m. - Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14
Stories, songs, fingerplays Bring your baby and join the fun!

 Please Note - These events occurred in the Fall of 2004

From the Children's Department Fall 2004

PRESCHOOL STORY TIMES (AGES 2-6)
Week of Sept 13 thru week of Oct 18
Week of Nov 8 thru week of Dec 13
Call for specific dates and times
http://abg.mclinc.org

DROP-IN STORY TIMES
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. , starting Oct 5 All ages welcome.

STORY TIMES FOR WALKERS UNDER 24 MONTHS
Wed, Oct 20, 27 and Nov 3, 10, 27 10:15 a.m. OR 11 a.m. Registration starts Oct 13.

CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN ( AGES 5-8)
Thu, Oct 28, 7-7:45 p.m. - (Community Room)
Listen to Halloween stories, play games, eat spooky treats, and enter our pumpkin decorating contest!
Bring your decorated pumpkin with you. No costume required. Registration starts Oct 18.

MEET WORLD WAR II VETERAN TONY ZANZINGER (AGES 7 and UP)
Thu, Nov 4, 7 p.m. Registration starts Oct 25.

TWILIGHT PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS “A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS” (AGES 7 & UP)
Thu, Nov 11, 7 p.m. Registration starts Nov 1.

TAKE THE CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK CHALLENGE: See photos of Children’s Dept. staff as children. Guess who’s who and win a prize! Contest begins the last week of October

Please Note - These events occurred in the Fall of 2004

Young Adult/Teens at Abington Fall 2004

For more information: Linda Jones, Young Adult Librarian 215-885-5180 ext. 13

Come to the library and celebrate! Check out and enjoy horror, mystery, forensic books, movies and audio books.

Book Swap: Bring a book you have read and trade it for a mystery or horror book from the Teen Book Swap Cart in the YA section of the Library.

Pick up an “IT’S ALIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY” bookmark, too.

Please Note - These events occurred in the Fall of 2004

Calendar of Events for Adults Fall 2004

For more 215-885-5180, ext. 15 or abg.mclinc.org

WIN WITH ARISTOTLE! – 10-11 a.m.
in the Shorday Room. Prof. Burton Klein will show us how to win life’s arguments with Aristotle’s teachings.
Sept 9, 23, Oct 14, 28 and Nov 11.

DAYTIME BOOK DISCUSSION SERIES
Meets every first Thursday at 1 p.m.
Oct 7 - Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Nov 4 - The Pact : A Love Story by Jodi Picoult
Dec 2 - Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson

OLD YORK ROAD GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY - Meets every second Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Oct 12 – Jean Hall (OYRGS) - Tour the Abington Library, lecture, inter-library loans & discussions
Nov 9 – “Train wrecks” with Larry Eastman as our guest speaker
Dec 14 – Holiday memories, traditions and genealogical gift ideas

WORLD WAR II LECTURE SERIES - Meets every third Tuesday at 3 and 7 p.m.
Oct 19 - George Stiftinger - U.S. Army Aircorp, 8th Airforce
Nov 16 - Edwin Hays - American Ex-Prisoner of War, U.S. Army Aircorp, 8th Airforce
Dec 21 - William Van Ingen - U.S. Army, 10th Mountain Division

Please Note - These events occurred in the Fall of 2004

From the Friends Fall 2004

For all Friends activities call: 215-885-5180, ext. 36 or abg.mclinc.org

The Friends of the Abington Library and Samuel T. Freeman & Co. present an
ANTIQUES APPRAISAL FAIR
Sponsored by Carol K. Gerstley
Sat, Oct 2, 5-8 p.m.
Appraisal categories include: paintings, jewelry, books, prints and manuscripts, silver, ceramics furniture, decorative arts and more. A detailed photograph can be used for large items. $15 for one item, $7.50 each additional item (limit 3 items) Raffle and a wine & cheese reception

Because tickets are limited, we urge you to register in advance. Forms are available at Abington Library. Your tickets will be held for you at the entrance. For information call 215-885-5180, ext. 36 All proceeds benefit the library. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

HANDKNIT SCARVES FOR SALE in the Bookcellar.

BOOKCELLAR - PRE-OWNED BOOKS, VIDEO and AUDIO TAPES, CDs, DVDs, BOOKMARKS FOR SALE on the lower level of the library!
Mon-Fri, noon-4 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun – call 215-885-5180, ext. 36 for hours.
DONATIONS OF ALL OF THE ABOVE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!

VOLUNTEER AT THE BOOKCELLAR! Looking for a way to support your library? You can donate books, etc. (donations are tax-deductible), sort, price and shelve items, staff sales, or purchase from our wide selection. Volunteers needed to sell books. Call 215-885-5180, ext. 36.

LIBRARY BOOK BAGS: LARGE TOTE BAG - $10, TOM THUMB TOTE - $6

Thank you! Items may be purchased through the Friends at the Circulation Desk, Children’s Department or in the Bookcellar. All proceeds benefit Abington Township Public Libraries.