Happy March, readers!

I have a very unusual topic to discuss with you in this issue of our newsletter. I’m going to justify to you (and myself) how I can back down from my standards of workplace professionalism and permit library staff members to come to work in what I’ve long told them I would NEVER allow. Yes, I’ve given the approval for *jeans* (gasp) to be worn on Fridays and Saturdays after just recently telling staff to “quit asking me--and stop stuffing the suggestion box with 'let us wear jeans'--because as long as I’m director I will never allow it!”

What’s that saying about never saying never?

So, here’s what happened to change my mind. At a Rotary meeting, Judge Elum was telling us about the need to find local individuals and organizations to sponsor rooms for $50 per month at Massillon’s Family Living Center, the only family homeless shelter in the country. There is increased need, so the FLC is adding rooms after some offices moved out. Sponsorships help with toiletries, linens and the like. The Rotary club and some individual members have become sponsors, and I really wished the library could…but of course that’s not a legitimate usage of public funds (tax dollars) and we have our own needs. 

As with many ideas (good and bad) that come into my mind, I was driving in to work one morning and it struck me that if I permitted staff to wear denim on just Fridays and Saturdays, and each person who chose to do so paid just $1 for the “privilege,” (I don’t get it…at my age, I prefer elastic around my middle!) we could more than enough raise $50 so that the STAFF could sponsor a room. I made some inquiries of library employees who were overwhelmingly supportive of the idea, found a willing “banker” in circulation assistant Lore Glay, and kicked off this new perk in February.    

I wanted to explain to our patrons that you might notice this casual attire on folks who help you at the library, but the reason is that the staff is also personally helping the community in a generous way. 

As for a book recommendation, I can’t speak highly enough of astronaut Scott Kelly’s memoir Endurance about his year in space and what led him to his career. Maybe I love it so much because (spoiler alert) his life was literally changed by a book. An indifferent student with no goals, his life was forever impacted by reading Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff, where he made the shocking realization that there were jobs for adrenaline junkies like him and his twin brother Mark, like becoming a fighter pilot-turned-astronaut. I won’t say more, other than that I instantly became obsessed with the International Space Station (it has been continuously occupied for 17 years!) and made my husband watch two documentaries about the ISS in one night… checked out from the library of course! Full disclosure, I already had an app that tells me when the ISS is flying over us, and we’ve stood in the yard to watch it, so maybe I was already a *bit* of a space nerd. But you don’t have to be to enjoy this book.

Best wishes for happy reading and viewing,

Director, Massillon Public Library

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March Story Times

Family Story Time
Mondays: March 5, 12, 19
7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
For all ages, accompanied by an adult.

Little Listeners Story Time
Wednesdays: March 7, 14, 21
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
For children ages 2-5, accompanied by an adult.

Tyke Tales
Thursdays: March 1, 8, 15, 22
10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
For children ages 0-2 ½, accompanied by an adult.

Shake-It-Up Story Time
Thursdays: March 1, 8, 15, 22
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
For children ages 2-5, accompanied by an adult.

Simply Stories
Fridays: March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
For all ages, accompanied by an adult.

No registration is required for story times. For more information, contact the Children's Department at 330-832-5037.

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Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, March 2 --- 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The community is invited to take part in this lifesaving event to help boost the blood supply and ensure blood products are on the shelves for patients in need. For more information, contact the library at 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

YA Movie Night
Saturday, March 3 --- 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Teens in grades 7 -12 are invited to a free showing of Wonder Woman. Popcorn and other snacks provided! 330-832-9831, ext. 312

Historical Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, March 6 --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Thieving Forest by Martha Conway
For more information or to reserve your copy of the book, contact the Reference Department. 330-832-9831, ext. 312

Friends Meeting
Monday, March 5 --- 6:30 p.m.
New members always welcome! 330-832-9831, ext. 301

Meditation
Tuesday, March 6 --- 6:30 p.m.
Led by guest presenter Gwen Miller. As a prelude to each session, the group will discuss a chapter from the book Empowering Your Soul Through Meditation. The group will meet again on Tuesday, March 20. Registration is required for each session. For more information or to register, contact the Reference Desk at 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

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Physical Therapy and Fitness
Saturday, March 10 --- 11:00 a.m.
Physical therapy does more than help patients heal from injuries and regain mobility. It can also help them learn to pursue wellness, achieve greater fitness and possibly avoid injuries in the future. Topics to be covered include: how physical therapy strengthens older adults; the benefits of continued exercise; fall risk factors (including medications and your environment); fall risk testing; various types of therapy and equipment, and how to obtain a referral from your doctor.

Samples from a variety of heart-healthy recipes will be available, provided by members of Massillon Public Library's Cultural Diversity Committee. Registration is recommended for this free program.

For more information, contact Patricia Beane, Library Board Secretary and Chairman of the Cultural Diversity Committee at 330-833-4560 or Sherie Brown, Library Director, at 330-832-9831, ext. 314.

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Origami
A Massillon 2nd Saturday Program
Saturday, March 10 --- 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Stop in any time between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to learn how to make a simple Origami craft that can hide secret messages! Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. For more information, contact the Children’s Department at 330-832-5037.

Internet Email Basics
Barry Askren Memorial Branch Library
1200 Market Street NE Navarre, OH 44662
Tuesday, March 13 — 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. An introduction to creating and using an email account on a personal computer. Experience using a computer mouse, keyboard, and the Windows operating system is needed to participate in this class. Registration is required. To register, contact the Askren branch at 330-879-2113.

PAWS To Read
Tuesday, March 13 --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Boys and girls are invited to read to the gentle and well-behaved therapy dogs that participate in the program. Collectible trading cards about each dog will be available and light refreshments will be served. No registration is necessary. For more information, contact the Children's Department at 330-832-5037.

Anime Night
Friday, March 16 --- 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to watch Anime and enjoy snacks from Japan! 330-832-9831, ext. 321

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Registration required. 330-832-5037.
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Student Chess Club
Saturday, March 17 --- 1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Students in grades 1-12 are invited to come and play the game of chess. Library staff members will be on hand to teach those who do not know how to play the game. Those who already know how to play are invited to bring some friends and challenge them! Stop in anytime between 1:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. to play. Kids in grades 3 or below must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. 330-832-5037

Askren Branch Book Club
Barry Askren Memorial Branch Library
1200 Market Street NE Navarre, OH 44662
Tuesday, March 20 --- 9:00 a.m.
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
No registration required. For more information, contact the Askren branch at 330-879-2113.

Board of Trustees Meeting
Barry Askren Memorial Branch Library
1200 Market Street NE Navarre, OH 44662
Tuesday, March 20 --- 4:00 p.m.
The Massillon Public Library Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at the Barry Askren Memorial Branch. All library board meetings are open to the public.

Family Movie Night
Tuesday, March 20 --- 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Auditorium doors open at 5:15 p.m. Limited seating offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn! 330-832-5037

Internet Email Basics
Pam S. Belloni Branch Library
12000 Navarre Road SW Navarre, OH 44662-9486
Tuesday, March 20 --- 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
An introduction to creating and using an email account on a personal computer. Experience using a computer mouse, keyboard, and the Windows operating system is needed to participate in this class. Registration is required. To register, contact the Belloni branch at 330-767-9939.

Pinterest Craft Series: Painted Rocks
Wednesday, March 21 --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us as we try our hand at popular crafts being shared on Pinterest! Space is limited to 15 participants. For ages 12 and up, unless accompanied by an adult. Registration required. 330-832-9831, ext. 312

When We’re Singin’: The Partridge Family and Their Music
Thursday, March 22 --- 6:30 p.m.
Author Johnny Ray Miller will tell what led to the writing of his book about the Partridge Family and their music. While compiling his extensive research about the Partridge Family TV series and records, Miller interviewed over 100 people, including series stars Danny Bonaduce and Shirley Jones. David Cassidy graciously contributed the foreword to the book. Miller will also bring his extensive collection of Partridge Family memorabilia. No registration is required for this free program held in the library’s auditorium; however, seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the Reference Desk at 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

Super Saturday
The Magic of Tom Duplain
Saturday, March 24 --- 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Kids in grades K-6 are invited to enjoy The Magic of Tom Duplain. Crafts and a snack will also be included. Registration required. 330-832-5037

Tween Time: Mini Birdhouses
Saturday, March 24 --- 2:00 p.m.
Kids in grades 4-8 are invited to paint and decorate mini birdhouses. Registration required. 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

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Do you have books you've finished reading that you don't know what to do with? Would you like a chance to trade them in for something "new" to read? Bring those gently used books to the library's 2nd Street entrance any time between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 26th or between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27th.

Each book brought in will receive one point. Points can be traded in for "new" books from the collection on Tuesday, March 27th, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

This book swap is co-sponsored by the Massillon Recreation Center. For more information, contact the library at 330-832-9831.

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Monday Book Discussion
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Monday, March 26
An afternoon book discussion will take place at 12:00 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting room. An evening discussion about the same book will be held at 6:00 p.m., also in the Second Floor Meeting room. No registration required. For more information, contact the Reference Desk at 330-832-9831, ext. 312. 

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The entry deadline for the library's annual Poetry Contest is Saturday, March 31.

Entry forms are available at the Reference Desk of the Massillon Public Library, Main Children’s Department, the Bookmobile, Barry Askren Memorial Branch Library and Pam S. Belloni Branch Library. Entry forms may also be downloaded from the library’s website or poems may be submitted online. Visit our website for more information: www.massillonlibrary.org/poetry

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Photography by Jim Walker
on display in the Computer Center
March 5 - April 28, 2018

Born and raised in Akron, Jim Walker left employment with Goodyear in 1976 to teach here in Stark County. An award-winning science teacher by 1984, Mr. Walker also has pursued photography as an amateur since the 1960's. In years past, his photos have been on display at Goodyear's corporate headquarters, Akron's Metro Parks, and E.J Thomas Performing Arts Hall. He also mounted a one-person show at North Canton's Little Art Gallery in the late '70's. More recently, his work has been on view at the Joseph Saxton Gallery in Canton and in the Stark County Artists Exhibition.

Walker's black and white photos from Kent State's gym annex/Tent City controversy are housed, along with his papers, published writings, and other photographic work, within KSU's Department of Special Collections. His 2003 memoir, Before I Go: My First Fifty-six Trips Around the Sun is available as an e-book from Amazon.

Jim Walker lives in Massillon.

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March Computer Classes
Main Library - 208 Lincoln Way East

Monday, March 5
Windows 10 Introduction --- 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 6
Using Windows 10 File Explorer --- 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m

Wednesday, March 7
Using Windows 10 OneDrive with Cloud Storage
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m

Monday, March 12
Microsoft Word 2007 Basics --- 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 14
Microsoft Office Online --- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Monday, March 19
Digital Photo Editing Basics --- 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 21
Mouse Basics --- 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, March 28
Keyboard Basics --- 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, March 28
Virtual Reality Technology Presentation
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 29
Virtual Reality Technology Presentation
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 31
Internet Basics --- 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 31
Email Basics --- 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Registration is required for computer classes. Contact the Computer Center at 330-832-9831, ext. 327 for more information or to register.