Hello Readers,

There’s still plenty of summer left, with plenty of great library programming and plenty of great books and movies to enjoy, whether you prefer those as physical items, or on your digital device. But let me bring you up to speed on some library concerns, all out of our control, that have been impacting our ability to get the physical materials to you in a timely fashion this summer.

First, I’m sure you’re aware of the labor shortage plaguing so many employers. We are fortunate to have no trouble filling MPL vacancies, BUT what if there aren’t enough workers in the warehouse at the vendor where we purchase all our print books? We’re finding out right now, because things we ordered in MAY are still not here in mid-July! If you have wondered why the latest bestseller has been “on order” forever, you aren’t imagining it. The vendor (which all libraries use) promises to be hiring and training, and that “things will get better.”

Then there’s the new statewide contract that went into effect July 1 with a different carrier for all the materials moved between Ohio libraries. It’s July 8 as I write this, and we haven’t had a delivery or pickup for several weeks. We’ve run out of bags and bins to stack them in, and I hear there are hundreds of items piled up at MPL waiting to go back to their home library, or to fill a hold somewhere. And things that YOU might be waiting for are sitting in a similar pile in Toledo or Youngstown! No one is happy. Some of the drivers quit within days of taking the job. The State Library of Ohio who administers the contract promises…you guessed it…“things will get better.” Here’s hoping!

What DID “get better” was our concern about funding for the next two years! Am. Sub. House Bill 110, the Ohio's Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget bill that took effect July 1, 2021, restores the Public Library Fund to 1.7% of the general revenue fund rather than giving libraries a decrease as was in the original bill. We particularly thank our state senators Kirk Schuring (Massillon/Navarre) and Kristina Roegner (Brewster), since the Senate version of the bill restored the funding. And thanks to all of you who showed your concern, knowing that libraries are essential state services!

I love ending this column with good news like that. But to make it even sweeter, I’ll tack on a few summer book recommendations from recent weeks. Margreete’s Harbor by Eleanor Morse is such a memorable family saga, following daughter Liddie as she uproots her family in the tumultuous 1960s to live with her headstrong mother, who almost burnt down her house on the Maine seacoast and can’t be left alone. And the psychological thriller I’m reading now, The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, led Stephen King himself to claim as “one of the best novels I’ve ever read about writers and writing. It’s also insanely readable and terrifying. The suspense quotient is through the roof...It’s remarkable." I haven’t gotten to the terrifying part yet, but I concur!

Happy Reading,
Sherie Brown, Director

Historic Churches of Massillon
Wednesday, August 4 - 1:00 p.m.
Anyone interested in the history of Massillon churches is invited to attend an online panel of speakers as they present on a selection of the area’s churches. This talk will take place via Zoom and include St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and First United Methodist Church.

Local Author Visit: Cat Russell
Saturday, August 7 - 12:00 p.m.
Local author Cat Russell will read from her latest book, An Optimist's Journal of the End of Days and Other Stories, followed by a Q & A session and book signing. Her books will be available for purchase and free refreshments will be served.

Book Sale
Saturday, August 14 - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 .pm.
The Friends of the Massillon Public Library will hold a Book Sale in the Massillon Public Library Book Garage. For sale at bargain prices will be gently used/new hardbacks, paperbacks, CDs, DVDs, video games, and more for all ages! Entry numbers to be in the garage will be given out starting at 9:30 a.m.

Vinyl Night on the Blacktop

Monday, August 16 - 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Join us LIVE in the Massillon Public Library parking lot for “Vinyl Night on the Blacktop!” Grab your lawn chair and settle in to listen to the unique sound of vinyl records with guest presenters Sherie Brown (Garfunkel without Simon) and Jim Walker (The Odd Couple: Janis Joplin and Bette Midler)! Bring along a record of your own to share!

Declutter Your Digital Life
Wednesday, August 18 - 6:00 p.m.
The Massillon Public Library Technology Department will host an online YouTube Live class on how to “Declutter Your Digital Life.” Feeling bogged down in your inbox or bombarded by notifications? We can help! Get organized and less stressed with these simple tips and tricks for your smartphone or PC.

Food Truck Day
Thursday, August 19 - 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Visit the MPL Patron Parking Lot at the corner of 2nd Street N.E. and Lincoln Way East on Thursday, August 19, from 12 Noon until 4:00 p.m., as Doanville's Finest Foods food truck serves up some scrumptious choices for lunch or an afternoon snack! Boneless wings, hot dogs, mozzarella wedges, risotto balls, Italian sausage, nachos, cheesecake, and more will be on the menu. Items are individually priced.

Cookie Decorating Open House
Saturday, August 28 - 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Massillon Public Library’s Children’s Department will host a “Kids' Cookie Decorating Open House” in the library Auditorium. Cookies, icing, and sprinkles will be provided! One cookie per person, please! We will have free refreshments and free recipes to try at home. Plus, explore the collection of specialty cake pans that MPL has available for check out!

Virtual Author Visit: Kate White
Monday, August 30 - 6:00 p.m.
The Massillon Public Library invites the public to a virtual author visit with best-selling thriller and suspense novelist Kate White! We will discuss how White started writing novels, what makes an amazing, “edge-of-your-seat” thriller, and her advice to aspiring authors. There will also be a Q&A session.

Book Swap
Monday, August 30 and Tuesday, August 31
Do you have some books and vinyl records you need to shed? On Monday, August 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., and Tuesday, August 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., bring your gently used books and vinyl records inside the Second Street entrance of the Massillon Public Library and exchange them for vouchers good for one point per item. On Tuesday, August 31, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., those with vouchers may use points to redeem free items from the hundreds that have been collected. Members of the public without vouchers can pick out items from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.