The Summer Reading Program at the Southeast Anchor Library has gone swimmingly well so far.  We have registered 1,884 children and teens who have read almost 6,000 books since June 12.  The Library also has its first systemwide summer reading program for adults called Beach Blanket Bingo, and our 37 dedicated adult readers have read 173 books.  Thanks to all of you for your eager participation, and remember... you have two weeks left.  All reading logs must be turned in by Saturday, August 7, so get reading!

Is your PC misbehaving? Looking for a quiet place to finish some school work? The Southeast Anchor Library is here for you, Monday through Saturday. We’re equipped with over 50 computers for public use, plus we offer free wireless internet access (as do most Pratt locations)!  With a valid library card, you can use our public PCs for up to four hours per day and get your first five prints free.  If you’re visiting us, just show your valid out-of-state identification at our Circulation Desk to receive a visitor’s pass which allows you up to two hours of PC access.  Just a word of warning – even with 50 public computers, you may experience a wait; in the first six months of 2010, we logged 70,863 user sessions on our computers!  

Libraries offer so much more than just books these days.  Come visit us and find out more.  See you at the Library!

Insurance can be a touchy subject for most of us. If you’re feeling bewildered over some aspect of your coverage, cancel that impending panic attack and know that help is on the way!

On Tuesday, July 13, the Maryland Insurance Administration will be at the Southeast Anchor Library all day (10:00am to 5:00pm) in order to answer your questions and to help make things clear. Whether you are concerned about rate increases, had a policy cancelled, or question the handling of a claim, the Maryland Insurance Administration can clarify your options and suggest a proper course of action. Among other things, they can provide you with guides that allow you to compare rates among insurers, help you to better understand your automobile, health, or homeowners insurance policy, investigate the handling of claims, and determine whether or not your insurance company acted within the law.

No appointment is necessary, and we look forward to seeing you there.  

On Wednesday, June 23rd at 6:30pm, British author Patricia Finney (a.k.a. P.F. Chisholm) will be joining us for a book discussion of her latest detective thriller A Murder of Crows, set in 16^th century England. Ms. Finney’s A Shadow of Gulls, published when she was only 18, won the David Higham Award for Best First Fiction Novel of that year. Copies of A Murder of Crows and other works by Ms. Finney will be offered for sale by local independent bookstore Mystery Loves Company following the discussion.

Ms. Finney has written under the pen names P.F. Chisholm and Grace Cavendish. She is both talented and prolific, having authored historical mysteries, children’s books, and the Doglish language featured in I, Jack and Jack and Rebel, the Police Dog. 

We hope to see you there!