Abington Township Public Library

As we approach the end of 2006, the Library looks once again to the community it serves so well for financial support.

2006 has been a great year for Abington Township Public Library. Our resources now include wireless Internet access and new databases like the Historical New York Times (1851-2003) and Price It!, an online antique appraisal service. You, our patron, are our highest priority, and every upgrade and new service is offered with you in mind.

The library has seen an 8% increase in patron registrations this year – 67% of Abington Township’s population has a library card. The library is the go-to place for the young, not so young and seniors. It is a hub of activity and a community treasure.

Garrett Page is a busy man. He was interviewed for this article after dropping his son, Gary (14), at school for basketball, and before working on Thanksgiving baskets for local homebound people through his church, Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown. Later his daughter, Lauren (7) got dropped at dance class.

Garrett has more contact numbers than anyone associated with the Library. He is in his second term as Montgomery County Treasurer, and is Treasurer and Tax Claim Director of Montgomery County. He’s on the Pennsylvania State Committee as well as several boards, and is president of the Abington Library Trustees. And, oh yes, he has his own law practice, with emphasis in civil rights, personal injury, estates, family law, and criminal law. Yet Garrett is easy-going and down-to-earth. Comfortable with public speaking he gets poignant points across with clarity. To hear him is a pleasure.

His family, (three brothers and one sister) started out in Germantown and moved to Roslyn in 1979. Garrett and his younger brother, Glenn, went to Central High, a magnet school. When told, “Congratulations! Isn’t that the genius school?” he will say, “Well, they made an exception in my case.” Only when pushed, he admits that he won the Barnwell Award given to straight-A students. His gymnastics team was in the City Championships in 1971. He attended Swarthmore College, switched from pre-med to pre-law, and received his law degree at North Carolina Central Law School. He opened his own practice after being a Montgomery County public defender for seven years.

Garrett knows the insides of libraries. Often he and his brother walked 20 minutes to his first library at West Oak Lane. He took refuge at Abington Free Library while studying for the bar. He is impressed with all that Abington’s libraries have to offer, especially its Adult Literacy Program.

Garrett credits his parents as his first influences. They taught him to depend on the church for strength and to reciprocate. A junior deacon at 14, he's now a deacon, on the Lay Evangelism team, prison ministry, etc. As a deacon, he was honored to introduce Miss Rosa Parks when she spoke at Salem Baptist 15 years ago. Weekends are dedicated to family, with church on Sunday. A major influence and natural-born organizer, Trish, his wife, will graduate from Penn State Abington this year and intends to teach. Also warmly remembered as his mentors are Emeritus Pastor Robert Johnson Smith I and his son (the II) and Jon Fox, who, thank goodness, endorsed Garrett for Library Trustee.

Hobbies? Garrett coached gymnastics at a North Carolina YMCA, while in law school. He is assistant-coach for his daughter’s t-ball team. He emphasizes that he has started golf. Just a beginner, he is enthusiastic about the sport.

If you think everything’s “just peachy” at Abington Library it’s because we have a maintenance man who is peachy keen.

Frank Tholey was born in Willow Grove, where he still lives, and graduated from Upper Moreland High School. He came to work at Abington Library in 1985, after a stint of making all types of mechanical and electronic controllers for the Honeywell Corporation in Fort Washington.

That experience has come in handy, because fixing mechanical and electrical systems is a big part of Frank’s job at the library. “Call Frank,” is close to being a mantra for our weekend staff. Too hot, too cold or the sump-pump alarm is screeching? “Call Frank.” And, "just peachy" is close to being a mantra for Frank. It's his usual reply when you ask him how things are going.

Frank’s mechanical bent runs outside of the library, too. In his spare time, he is part of “Tholey Racing Dynamics,” which is another name for Frank, his brother, a nephew and a lot of friends hanging out in the driveway, fixing cars.

Nevertheless, the roster of cars Frank has rebuilt is impressive. He and his brother, whom Frank describes as a mechanical genius, got their start fixing “Mom and Dad’s cars.” After a while, it occurred to them to build their own car, and they bought the remains of a 1942 Ford pickup truck. All that’s left of the original is the cab and the body and 18 inches of the frame; the rest was totally rebuilt. Frank drives it to work sometimes and shows it at car shows as far away as Oklahoma and Canada. For the record, he also shows at the Glenside and the Roslyn Valley car shows.

Other cars that the Tholeys have fixed up include several Chevelles, a ’67 Nova and
a ’69 Camaro. Right now, Frank is working on 1946 Buick Roadmaster Club Coupe.

Reference Department News
For more information call 215-885-5180, ext. 13 or http://abg.mclinc.org

Miss Ellanie
For more information: http://abg.mclinc.org

NANCY GETS NAACP AWARD

Our Director, Nancy Hammeke Marshall, recently received the Community Service Award from the Willow Grove NAACP. The honor was bestowed on October 22 at the group's Freedom Fund Dinner, ably and pleasantly presided over by Dr. Donald Clark, President, and Margot Clark, Banquet Chair. Elva Bell, former library trustee and frequent library user, presented Nancy with the award "for her contribution to one of our community's treasures, the Abington Free Library, and her outreach support to our Youth Council in accommodating their Black History Programs." Nancy also received a state House of Representatives Citation and a Congressional Certificate of Merit Award, which applaud her work on the library renovations and innovative programs such as Abington READS!, Park Pals and the WWII Lecture Series.

HOLLAND-GLEN IN HATBORO

It’s possible, but difficult, for one person to make a difference. A like-minded group can do more. So at the end of the year, the library staff pulls together and gives to a local charity. A few years ago, Jackie Egitto, a then Penn State Abington student and daughter of staffer Trudy, inspired us to give to 4 Diamonds for children's cancer research at Hershey Hospital. The next year our staff, through the newly formed Charity Committee, gave to PhilAbundance, which feeds the homeless.

This year it’s Holland-Glen in Hatboro. About 30 children and adults receive skilled nursing care there around the clock in a home-like setting. For years our Director, Nancy, has contributed items on their wish-list and has told us of the extreme needs this facility has. Find their wish-list on hollandglen.org.

- Miss Ellanie (as told to Karen Burnham)

IN MEMORIAM – The Friends have been saddened to learn of the recent death of Mr. George Werthner. George was a longtime member of the Friends and will be remembered for his good humor and active support of our libraries. George was the husband of JoAnn Werthner, a past president of the Friends and presently a member of the library’s Board of Trustees. The Friends extend their heartfelt condolences to JoAnn and her family.

SILENT AUCTION – Our recently completed Silent Auction was an over-the-top success! The Friends can report an unprecedented income of more than $2,000 from auction sales. Due to popular demand, the Friends may hold another auction in about six months.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS – A great gift for family and friends, Entertainment Books are again available for $25 at both Abington Free Library and Roslyn Branch Library. Savings for dining out and entertainment far exceed the cost, and the price is the same as last year!

VISIT OUR BOOKCELLAR – A daily influx of new books is available for your review and purchase. We are located in the lower level of Abington Free Library next to the Children’s Department. Used books, movies and music in a myriad of formats are for sale at bargain prices.
Our hours are: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri: noon-4p.m.; Wed: noon-8:30 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

BECOME A MEMBER! BECOME A BOOKCELLAR VOLUNTEER! – Join our sociable group to enjoy the comradery and satisfaction of helping our libraries grow. Attend our next meeting at Abington Free Library, Jan 20 at 9:30 a.m.

Roslyn Branch Library - Winter 2006-2007
For information: 215-886-9818 or http://abg.mclinc.org/roslyn/index.htm
2412 Avondale Avenue, Roslyn, PA 19001

TEENS WANTED
Roslyn Branch is looking for teens to create and lead programs for elementary age children. Possible ideas include skits, games, journaling, creative writing, etc. You will be awarded service hours for your time.

PAJAMA PARTY
Jan 8, Feb 12, March 19, 6:30-7 p.m. - Stories, songs, fingerplays, and crafts.
Children are invited to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal to cuddle. Registration begins Dec 28.

WINTER STORY TIMES
Jan 22 through March 15. Registration begins Jan 4.
Ages 3-6: Mondays at 1:30 p.m. - Jan 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 26, March 5, 12.
Ages 2-3: Thursdays at 11 a.m. - Jan 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15.

DR. SEUSS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (Dr. Seuss’s birthday is March 2.) Registration begins Feb 8.
Feb 26: ages 2-5 - 6-6:30 p.m., ages 6-12 - 7-8 p.m. - Stories, crafts and refreshments.

Wear green and celebrate
ST. PATRICK’S DAY!
March 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dancing, folktales, crafts and refreshments K-6th grade. Registration begins Feb 26.

HOLIDAY DROP-IN STORY TIME
Dec 28, 11-11:45 a.m. - All ages welcome.
No advance registration required.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

A CELEBRATION OF GRANDPARENTS
Dec 29, 11-11:45 a.m. - Intergenerational story/craft program for ages 4-8 and their grandparents, great-grandparents,
great-aunts/uncles, or special older friends.
No advance registration required.

DOGGONE GOOD READERS (ages 7-9)
Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3 and April 7, 10:15-10:45 a.m. OR 11-11:30 a.m. (Register for one session per date.) Children read to licensed therapy dogs in small groups. Great fun for all! Registration begins Dec 11. Children do not have to attend on all four dates.

WINTER PRESCHOOL STORY TIMES
Jan 8 through Feb 12.
Two-year-olds: Tuesdays, 10-10:45 a.m. Registration begins Dec 26.
Three-year-olds: Mondays, 10:30-11 a.m.
No advance registration required.
Four- and five-year-olds: Thursdays, 2-2:30 p.m. No advance registration required.

TODDLER STORY TIMES (ages 12-23 months)
First session: Jan 17, 24, 31, 10:30-11 a.m.
For children who are walking independently and their parents/caregivers. Registration for Abington Township residents begins Jan 10; out-of-township residents Jan 14.
Second session: Feb 28 & March 7, 21, 28, 10:30-11 a.m. (No program on March 14) Registration for Abington Township residents begins Feb 21; out-of-township residents, Feb 25.

BABY STORY TIMES (ages 6 months and up)
Jan 19, 26 and Feb 2, 10:30-11 a.m. - For children who are not yet walking and their parents/ caregivers Registration for Abington Township residents begins Jan 12; out-of-township residents, Jan 16.

DROP-IN STORY TIMES
Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Led by members of Jenkintown Kiwanis Club. All ages welcome; no advance registration required. All children must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver.

The Ab Lib from Winter 2006-2007 Vol. 5, No. 4