Need Your Help!

We want to be able to serve the Van Buren community as best we can.  In an effort to do this we are doing some evaluation of our resources and services.

Would you take a moment to fill out our survey?  You can come in and pick up a paper copy or you can easily click the link below for our on-line survey which is very easy to fill out.

Take Me to the Survey!

Your help with this will be much appreciated . . . Thank you!

New to the Shelves

Come in and take a look at some brand new books on our shelves!

Adult
Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward (Paranormal)
Letter from a Stranger by Barbara Bradford (Fiction)
Knock Off by Rhonda Pollero (Fiction)
Silver Birches by Adrian Plass (Christian)
The Unseen by Heather Graham (Paranormal)
The Savage Grace by Bree Despain (Paranormal)
Loving by Karen Kingsbury (Christian)

Beyond Hospitality by Tricia Goyer (Christian)
Guilty Wives by James Patterson (Fiction)
Betrayal by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman (Non-Fiction)
The Surrender by Gilbert Morris (Christian)

Teen
Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen

Children

Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes by Jarrett Krosuczka

Look into My Eyes by Lauren Child

Gardening Tips and Help

Most of us think of March as the advent of Spring. The weather gets warm – very warm as the case is this year – and we want to be outside. For many people, that also translates into gardening. Novice gardeners, however, may not know where to begin. What to plant? When to plant it? The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service offers a tool that just might help. Their Plant Hardiness Zone Map tells you which plants are most likely to thrive at which locations. Use the map to determine which zone you’re in. If you’re living in Indiana, you’re in Zone 5b, 6a, or 6b. Once you know the zone, use the United States National Arboretum site to tell give you examples of what grows well there. Those of us in Central Indiana may have luck with English ivy, heavenly bamboo, or the Chinese redbud. If you’re looking for further information on gardening, be sure to check out the Gardening Page from the National Arboretum. You can find basic FAQs, tips on specific plants, and how to deal with pests. This is a great way to welcome the warm weather and get ready for Spring!

A Few Spring Pictures

I'm sure you are enjoying the unseasonably warm weather we have had over the past week.  It looks like it will continue through the rest of this week.  According to the National Weather Service, the average temperature for this time of year ranges from the upper 40's to the low 50's.  But, records have been set over the last week as we have topped out near 80 on some days.  Stop by the library and enjoy the flowers that have bloomed in our landscaped areas!

Be sure to watch for tulips to bloom in red to add to the yellow of the daffodils and the purple of the crocuses!

New to the Shelves

Be sure to check out some of our new arrivals in our fiction sections!

A Texan's Honor (Shelley Gray) - When a hostage situation goes awry for Will McMillan an innocent woman is caught in the middle of the fray.  Will know he must protect her no matter what happens even if the woman he is risking everything for may never love him back.  (Adult Christian Fiction)
 

By the Light of the Silvery Moon (Tricia Goyer) - A twist of fate brings Amelia Gladstone and Quentin Walpole together on the Titanic.  When the fateful night arrives, all involved will have great decisions to make. (Adult Christian Fiction)
 

Monday Mornings (Sanjay Gupta) - Best known for his work as a medical correspondent for CNN, Gupta presents the story of five surgeons as they push the limits of their abilities and confront their personal and professional failings.  Gupta presents a unique look into the high-pressure world of medicine. (Adult Fiction)

The Compelled (L.J. Smith) - Continues the story of how the love triangle between Stefan, Damon, and Katherine begins and follows Stefan's ongoing quest to escape his violent origins.  Volume 6 in Stefan's Diaries. (Teen Fiction)

 

Moonsong (L.J. Smith) - Elena returns home after saving Fell's Church and rescuing vampire boyfriend Stefan only to find her efforts to resume a normal life challenged by a new enemy lurking in the shadows.  Volume 2 in the Hunters Series. (Teen Fiction)

Irish Heritage Month

Not only is March 17 dedicated to the Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, but the entire month of March is dedicated to the Irish.  Starting in 1991, March has been declared Irish American Heritage Month.  It's a good thing, too because there are a lot of Irish in America.  According to the Census Bureau, 34.7 million people claimed Irish ancestry in 2010 - that's more than the seven times the population of Ireland.  The President issues a proclamation declaring the month every year.  Read President Obama's 2012 address in the Federal Register.  You also may be interested in reading a message from the Executive Director of the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights, part of the US Customs and Border Protection.  In it, he discusses the impacts made by Irish immigrants and their descendents, including Sandra Day O'Conner, Spencer Tracy, and President John F. Kennedy.  On a related note, the Library of Congress has a great website on immigration and the contributions that immigrants have made to the United States.  It talks about the cultural impact they have had, how they've adapted, and the religious issues they faced.  Of course, there is a section on the Irish.  However, you can also read about the immigrant experience of those from Africa, Germany, Scandinavia, Mexico, China, and more.

Free Movie Night at VBUMC

The Van Buren United Methodist Church is holding their Free Family Movie Night on Saturday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. in their Fellowship Hall. Free popcorn and drinks will be provided.

The movie this month is Puss in Boots. Years before meeting Shrek and Donkey, the adorable but tricky Puss in Boots must clear his name from all charges making him a wanted fugitive. While trying to steal magic beans from the infamous criminals Jack and Jill, the hero crosses paths with his female match, Kitty Softpaws, who leads Puss to his old friend, but now enemy, Humpty Dumpty. Memories of friendship and betrayal enlarges Puss' doubt, but he eventually agrees to help the egg get the magic beans. Together, the three plan to steal the beans, get to the Giant's castle, nab the golden   goose, and clear Puss' name.

Voices by: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianokis, and Billy Bob Thornton.

 Come join the fun Saturday night!

Harvest House Pantry Donations Needed!

The Harvest House Food Pantry, located just off First Street on West Vine is putting together a donation drive for the month of March.  Please consider helping this valuable service to the community by making a donation of needed items.  The Harvest House is being supported in this effort by the United Hearts Ministry of the churches of Van Buren.  The following is a list of just some of the needed items.

Non-Perishable Items - Canned Goods, Flour, Sugar, Spaghetti, Hamburger Helper, Baby Food.

Hygiene Items - Shampoo, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, soap, razors, shaving cream, lotion, baby items.

Collection Points - Central Christian Church, Van Buren United Methodist Church, Farrville Church, Hemmick Hardware, Van Buren Public Library, Van Buren American Legion, Van Buren Town Hall.