Homer Township Public Library

Positive Connections Matter
We welcome home Sgt. Brent Annen from his second tour in Iraq. He is the husband of our Adult Services Director, Alexandra Tyle-Annen. And we bid farewell to long-time employee Mary Woolley who retired from her position in Outreach Services.

We nurture relationships - with our family, friends, colleagues, and with our customers. They are important. When welcoming new employees or recognizing the dedication of ones that leave I find myself continually noting the *family* we have created among our staff and acknowledging how it comes back to the relationships we initiate and foster, at every stage in our lives. Whether bidding farewell to a retiree or teen employee now leaving for college or welcoming new staff, customers, or friends coming home - making positive connections matter.

Known for our personal and friendly service, Homer Library has mostly long-time staff. I think this says something very good about our library. With proactive management and supportive trustees we have created a wonderful *team* who enjoy their jobs, look forward to assisting customers, and has great synergy with fellow colleagues and community members. There is a saying, "walk in our door and you are a friend" and that is true at Homer Library.

Changes
Change has led to wonderful growth at Homer Library. You will see expanded services and additions this coming year as we use grant awards, sponsorships, and Friends funding to develop a new *teen scene* nook, wii area, add or update computers, and begin our newest collection of DVD movies. We're listening to our users - that's you - and building more relationships, so you will find even more value @ your library this year.

Your Support is Needed
Please note that our space issues have not changed - we need a new building and the funding to support it soon. We are tax-capped and have lost more than one million dollars in funding over the past ten years. The library is tight in space for people and books, there are parking limitations, etc. So yes, at a future point in time we must address a referendum question. That is a certainty. And with your support we will continue to provide the best for you and the fast-growing Homer community.

p.s. Your donation of any DVD to help build the new movie collection will be greatly appreciated!

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U.S. Soccer Team member from our 'burb!
Olympian Brad Guzan, goalie for the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team, is from Homer Glen. Our local newspaper, the Homer Horizon, featured Brad in an article here. We congratulate Brad & the U.S Soccer Team on winning their first game against Japan 1-0. What an exciting moment that must have been!

Olympian Behind the Scenes Insight
Brad is blogging throughout the Summer Games in China from a behind the scenes perspective. Check it out here. It is quite interesting to read and offers nuances that you would typically not receive from regular news stories. That is the wonderful thing about personal blogging and I am excited to share this Olympian's blog information.

Go Brad! Go U.S. Athletes....we are proud of all of you!

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Our first annual book sale is this week!

When:
Friday, August 15 - 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 16 - 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Homer Township Public Library, 14320 West 151st Street, Homer Glen

Library teens and staff are dedicating countless hours to sorting and organizing materials donated to the library. We have a wonderful selection of fiction and non-fiction reading for all ages. Visit the library and snap up a wide variety of great books during our sale days!
Pictured right: teen volunteer sorting donations.

Hope to see you there!

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Join the Friends of the Library
A strong library is essential to the health and growth of the community. We need you!

The Friends of the Homer Township Library (FOHTL) group offers you an opportunity to join an association of people interested in books and libraries. You can make a positive difference and enjoy meeting people with similar interests.

Through the Friends group you can volunteer, sponsor events, raise funds for equipment and programs that are beyond the library's budget, increase community awareness of the library, solicit funding for programs and events, and generally help foster a love of reading and library use to everyone. It shows you care about the library. And we need that caring.

A non-profit, volunteer organization, FOHTL is supported primarily by dues ($5 individual / $7 family) and contributions from from sponsors or events, such as book sales, etc. Our Friends group is seeking new members. Your contribution is key and you can have a wonderful impact in your hometown!

Benefits for You - JOIN US!
~Enjoy meeting and networking with fellow library advocates.
~Help the library continue to provide the best for Homer residents.
~Help fund programs, equipment, and events that support life-long learners.
~Gain satisfaction that your work benefits all ages in our essential community center.

Rewards for Being a Friend:
--"Library Friend" sticker on your library card
--Monthly raffles provided by the Friends Group
--$5 in "Library Bucks" which can be used for book sales and classes
--Free back issues of magazines

Join the Friends of the Homer Township Public Library District today. Simply pick up an application at the circulation desk or on the web here. Call us if you have questions at 708-301-7908. We'd love to have you as a Friend!

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25th Anniversary...
A Successful Event!

State Representative Renee Kosel, Mayor Daley, Library Trustees, Local Dignitaries, the LTHS ROTC Color Guard, and our many wonderful library supporters and customers attended Homer Library's 25th Anniversary Festival of Culture Event held June 7th. View the many pictures being posted on the library's flickr photo site here. With more than 1,500 attendees the day-long event was busy and fun. Strolling mariachi bands, a variety of diverse entertainment, children's ethnic crafts, and a sampling of food from around the world at eight food stations was enjoyed by all.

All attendees received our most cool "going green" recyclable, washable, and reusable book bag. Our time capsule items are on view for you to see in our display case. And check out 25 Things You Didn't Know About Homer Library and our Library Staff's Top 25 Book Recommendations.

Many local businesses and organizations donated raffle prizes and funds that assisted us in presenting a most successful day. We thank our many supporters and sponsors who are listed on the Homer Library's web site here. We also thank the Will County Sheriff for their assistance in keeping our parking situation under control and above all safe for all visitors.

Exceptional Service for You @ Homer Township Public Library!
My appreciation extends to my WONDERFUL STAFF and the COMMITTEE members who all worked so hard over these past several months to coordinate this event, down to the last exceptional detail! I am blessed to have such a dedicated and visionary team, and that includes our library trustees who are such a support to all of us. What a wonderful day. I know the memory of this team effort will last forever. I raise a toast to the next 25 years of excellence in library service to our Homer Community.

The Festival of Culture event was partially funded through an LSTA grant titled: Character Counts: Bringing Ethics, Culture and Diversity Together. Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

pictured right: Sheree Kozel-La Ha, Library Director with Sara McCambridge, Assistant Director
pictured left: Ed, O'Brien, Board President with LTHS ROTC Honor Guard

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