Music at Your Washington County Library

Programs begin in June at the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury.

With inspiration from the Buffalo Gals folk song, children’s book author Joanne Ryder wrote the words to the picture book Dance by the Light of the Moon. In the story, she has animals gathering for a barnyard dance organized by Farmer Snow. I recently re-read the book to a favorite little person. Charlotte said, “Sing it, Gramma!” And I did, because somehow it’s best that way. And so librarians are saying, “Sing together!” Baby and preschool storytimes around the County feature not just reading, but singing, as well. Children’s picture books, or sometimes phrases from them, just beg to be sung. In Dooby, Dooby, Moo by Doreen Cronin, the author has the animals practicing for a talent show; Duck takes home first prize with his rendition of …

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‘Brooklyn, Burning’ Author to Appear at Woodbury Library

The Feb. 16 event is part of the Teens Know Best Author Series.

Author Steve Brezenoff will visit the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury in mid-February to talk about the writing process and answer questions from those in attendance. Brezenoff, a finalist for NPR’s Best-Ever Teen Book feature, is the author of Brooklyn, Burning, a story about two homeless teenagers. The book was listed on the 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults list by the Young Adult Library Services Association. The event—part of the Teens Know Best Author Series—is set for 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. “The Teens Know Best Author Series is the first region-wide author series to focus on writers for teens,” reads a release from Washington County Library. “Working in collaboration with the Teens Know Best Book Club, each of the eight …

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Soldier Stories at Washington County Library

It’s important that these stories are told, and you’re invited to hear two first-hand. We can count ourselves extremely fortunate for the work of our soldiers and their sacrifices that help to keep us safe and free.

It was my experience growing up with a World War II Navy-veteran father that soldiers didn’t talk much about their military experiences—at least, not my Dad. He sometimes shared stories about the men he served with, but not much about the combat.  In the next few weeks, two soldier stories will be told at Washington County Library. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 in Woodbury’s Central Park amphitheater, local author John Kriesel will discuss his book, Still Standing, as a part of the Library’s annual One County, One Book reading event, a time when county residents are all encouraged to read the same title and talk about it.        Related: John Kriesel's Book Chosen for Washington County Library Reading Program SSG Kriesel was serving in Iraq …

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Bookish: Group Donates $14,000 to Washington County Library

The Washington County Board on Tuesday accepted the donation.

A group of Washington County Library supporters were looking to raise $10,000 to buy 2,012 books for the library system in 2012. The campaign was a success, and Washington County Library Partners on Tuesday donated $14,700 to the Washington County Library. Ken Stone, president of the board of director of the foundation, presented to the gift to the Washinington County Board. Through his Woodbury Patch blog, Stone tracked the nonprofit’s progress:  Washington County Library Partners’ goal was to raise enough money for the purchase of 2,012 large-print and children's books in 2012. For more information about the foundation, visit www.librarypartners.org.   Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter

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Sunday, Monday Hours to Return to Woodbury Library in 2013

The R.H. Stafford Branch in Woodbury would still be closed on Sundays during summer months.

It might be a day to loosen the guidelines on being quiet at the library. Washington County plans to restore Sunday and Monday hours at the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury starting in 2013. Under a pilot program, the Woodbury library would be open from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, except for summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The concern was: “Is everybody going to swamp Stafford?” said Washington County Library Director Pat Conley. “We want to make sure we have good customer service—that’s why it’s a pilot (program),” she said. Last year, as part of a cost-saving measure, the county opted to eliminate Sunday and Monday service at all branches. Plans call for the R.H. Stafford, Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Wildwood and Hardwood Creek …

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Editor's Notebook

Snapshots: Celebrity Read-A-Thon At The Woodbury Library

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, local celebrities read to children at the R.H. Stafford Branch Library in Woodbury.

One of the best parts of my job is getting out in the community and meeting people. I was grateful for the chance over the weekend to participate in a Washington County Library Read-a-Thon. And while I viewed this as a good chance to meet some of Woodbury's younger residents, when I started reading on Saturday, there wasn't anyone there. R.H. Stafford Library Manager Chad Lubbers said it didn't matter. It's like keeping a vigil, he told me, just keep on reading. So I jumped into Green Eggs and Ham. It was a little odd reading to no one, but by the time I got into The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Curious George and the Dump Truck, I had a small audience of a handful of kids. They were engaged listeners, quickly answering my questions about …

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Eric Berg

4:39 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012

Sorry, I missed you reading, but my daughter and I did see Councilor Rebholz. I don't know if he picked the book or if the library did, but perhaps "Horton Hears About a Large Road Project on Woodbury Patch" might have been a bit over the heads of many.   more ›