Alva Review-Courier -

With local public school classes beginning Aug. 14, the Alva Public Library is transitioning into a number of fall programs for youth and adults. If you want to get a full list of planned activities, stop by the front desk at the library where they have printed schedules available. These will also be posted on the library’s Facebook page.

Library Director Sandra Ott Hamilton says a number of activities have been planned for after school. Meeting once each week, the activities will include building, knowledge-based challenges and problem solving, game days and the occasional movie days.

The popular Lego Club will meet on the first and third Mondays after school. It’s open to all ages. Some adults even attend to build.

The Code Club is for students from third grade on up. Once students complete the basic online courses with library help, they can continue to work on projects at home or check out the library computers to devise computer programs. Hamilton said they found the planned day for Code Club conflicted with activities offered at Graceful Arts Gallery so they are choosing another day.

Adults can become involved in the “Let’s Talk About It” series which begins in October. The program includes a talk and discussion on a selected book each month with the library carrying multiple copies of the book for readers.

If there is enough interest, the library will continue the Monday evening crochet and knitting group. Those interested bring their own patterns and supplies. Then they can share ideas and help each other with their projects.

The library considered offering a program to prepare teens for adult life but learned a similar program was available at Northwest Technology. Then they were contacted by Oklahoma State University about offering a free program called “Life Skills Boot Camp.” Geared toward 15 to 25 year olds and older, the first program is August 26 at 4 p.m. on the topic of time management and study skills. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by the Wednesday before each workshop at the Woods County OSU Extension Center 580-327-2786 because space is limited. Later topics include basic cooking skills, basic car maintenance, survival sewing, laundry 101 and more.

The library had a nice turnout for the book signing by Alva High School graduate Roxie Faulkner Kirk last Saturday. They are in contact with other local authors for some future book signing dates.

Of course, the library staff is hopeful those attending the programs will browse the selection of books, magazines and newspapers, audio books on CD and movie DVD’s available.

Other Library Business

All members of the library board were present for Monday’s meeting with the exception of Patti Harkin who was out of town.

Hamilton said the library budget for the new fiscal year has been approved. It’s up about $1,500 from the previous year. The property maintenance portion of the budget includes enough funds to continue to replace the remaining old air conditioning units.

The annual report for state aid for the library was nearly ready to turn in. Hamilton said she wanted to check it over one more time. She said it usually takes a couple of months before the library will know who much state aid they’ll receive this year.

An unexpected opportunity to buy some shelves came up when the local fabric store decided to close. Hamilton said the Alva Friends of the Library had already approved an amount to spend on library needs. She approached them, and the Friends agreed to pay for the shelving. Some of the shelves will be used to display books for sale in the south end of the library. Four book shelves will go to the youth department.

The library recently had some new donations of DVD’s and enhanced DVD’s to add to their collection available for patron check-out. The number of internet users is staying consistently high with just under a thousand uses in July.

The library continues to be used for a number of meetings. In addition to the library’s Code Club, Lego Club, Little Explorers and Summer Reading Program, there were meetings of the Robotics Club, a genealogy meeting, an online school group and job training meetings during July.

With the next regular meeting of the library board falling on Labor Day next month, the board agreed to move the meeting to Sept. 9.