Every summer the demand for audio books seems to rise with the heat.  For every car ride and every child in that car, patrons need a good book to listen to.  I am always happy to recommend my favorite titles and glad to see  that the interest is so great, but I wonder why it seems to taper off when summer comes to an end.  As an avid audio book listener myself, I am rarely without a book that I am "reading".  I love books on CD.  Even if you just go from here to there around town, and even after the vacations are over, remember the benefits and pleasures of hearing a good book.  You are never too old to enjoy being read to.  Next time you come to the library, let me know what YOU have been listening to.  Miss Lezlee.

Every once and a while, I get the opportunity to represent ELPL to the public.  I am so excited to let you know about my latest talk.  On Monday, May 10th from 11:30-1:00, I will be talking with the Special Education Parent's Organization of the East Lansing Public Schools, about the library's Special Needs collection of books and DVDs.  I am personally inviting anyone who would like to come to this conversation.  It is being held at the 841 Timberlane Office.  Please email Jan Clarke clarke.jan@att.net  for more info. if you would like to join us.  I promise to keep it casual and conversational.  No dry power points.  My hope is to let people know about how our collection and programming can be a great support to parents of children with special needs.  See you there. Lezlee.

As I was watching my bird feeder and all the bright and wild birds, I was wondering...when was the last time you painted with your children?  Hang with me here.  Birds, Painting w/kids?  I have a point...  One of the best crafts I have ever done  with my children, as well as yours, was when I got several of those wooden bird houses from the craft store, spread some newspaper outside, and grabbed the acrylic paints and brushes.  The more colors, the better.  Resist the urge to micro manage this one.  Let the paint flow.  Those bird houses sat on my garden fence all summer and most of the winter.  If you display them inside, they last a lot longer. We had a grand time together that day.  Next time you stroll by that big bin of bird houses on the sidewalk in Frandor, pick up a few and celebrate the season with some paint.  Happy crafting, Lezlee.

A couple of weeks ago, I did something I rarely do.  I took a precious day off and spent it at an all day seminar.  It was at MSU and called AUTISM SPRECTRUM DISORDERS SOLVING THE PUZZLE TOGETHER.  It was fantastic!  Being the parent of, not one, but two ASD children, I finally heard some information that I was ready to hear.  Thanks to Dr. Jodene Fine, I learned about autistic brain development and the difference between a normal brain structure and that of an autistic one.  Thanks to Dr. Brooke Ingersoll, I learned about Imitation Skills Therapy and how early intervention is the most successful kind of therapy.  It inspired me to beef up our ASD related DVD collection here at the library.  Some good web sites:  www.sfari.org  and www.AutismSpeaks.org.  In honor of Autism Awareness Month, you might want to check them out.  So, my day at the seminar was an answer to my 2 in the morning question to the dark, "where are all the people who need to work on this autism thing?"  Turns out, they right across the street, at MSU.  Thanks.  Till later, Lezlee.

Our first Books and Bagels of the season is coming soon! (October 17th, 2-3 pm) The title I have chosen is Swindle, by Gordon Korman.  A great adventure story for 4th through 6th graders.  We always enjoy fresh bagels with cream cheese and a drink, lively conversation, and of course, a fun hands on activity.  This month we plan to paint a picture frame for our own Babe Ruth baseball card.  Join us by picking up the book at the circulation desk.  It is yours to keep.  And you could even bring a friend!  See you there... Miss Lezlee.