It’s March and it’s a big month for us here at the library. Of course, we will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with a party on March 6 from 2 – 3 p.m. The kids are out of school that day. So why not bring them here to play? Kids from 2 – 8 years of age and their caregivers will have the most fun.

Our long standing public story time continues on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. Join Ms. Trina, a huge assortment of puppets, stuffed animals, and craft supplies to read some of the best of our children’s picture book collection. Children need to be accompanied by an adult and the programming is developed with children between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old in mind.

Programming for Young Adults happens on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5-7 p.m. March includes such programs and celebrations as Mario Day, Food on a Stick, National Popcorn Day and St. Patrick’s Day.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the library board is March 2 at noon in the library’s board room. These meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.

Consider subscribing to our e-newsletter, liking us on Facebook or checking the Google calendar attached to our webpage (tiftonlibrary.org).  You can always call the library at 386-7148 for more information as well.

New to Read

On September 3, 1902, Theodore Roosevelt was on a two week tour of New England to support Republican candidates in the upcoming election. In Pittsfield, Massachusetts, his horse-drawn carriage is broadsided by an electric trolley. Roosevelt is thrown clear and is left with injuries that would take months to heal. His Secret Service bodyguard and one of the horses are crushed in the wreckage and die. Is it an accident, or an assassination attempt? A mix of historical events and novelistic logic, Burt Solomon has written “The Attempted Murder of Teddy Roosevelt.”

Kelly Braffet has loved fantasy literature since she began reading. Now she has published her first fantasy novel. “The Unwilling” is the story of Judah, an orphan girl being raised with and as a companion to Gavin, the son and heir to Lord Elban’s empire. As Judah grows up, she begins to realize that she is completely at the mercy of the cruel Elban and as she becomes aware of her role in a monstrous plan to acquire more wealth and power for him, she searches for options. Meanwhile, outside the walls of the castle, a powerful magician is developing his own plans. And those plans hinge on Judah.

Douglas Stuart was born and raised in Glasgow, but now lives in New York City where he designs clothes. “Shuggie Bain” is his first novel and follows Hugh “Shuggie” Bain, a sweet and lonely boy who spends his 1980s childhood in run down public housing in Glasgow, Scotland with his alcoholic mother and mostly absent father. Shuggie is the youngest child. The older siblings have developed their own ways of dealing with their parents and have mostly left Shuggie and his mother to fend for themselves. Shuggie struggles to be and to act “normal” but, he is challenged in more ways than he even begins to understand.

“The Lost Future of Pepperharrow” is the sequel to “The Watchmaker of Filigree Street.” Set in 1888, Thaniel Steepleton, an unassuming translator, and Keita Mori, the watchmaker that remembers the future are traveling to Japan with their daughter. A mix of historical fiction, fantasy, steampunk and magic, “The Lost Future of Pepperharrow” is written by Natasha Pulley.

Diane Keaton is one of the more famous actors of our times. Her younger brother Randy was her best friend growing up. But Randy lost his way and by the time he was 30, he was divorced, an alcoholic and homeless. “Brother & Sister” is Keaton’s exploration of their relationship.

We have recently added “Life Wide Open: Unleashing the Power of a Passionate Life” by David Jeremiah. Dr. Jeremiah explains how to find and sustain your passion and your purpose in life.

Clint Emerson, a retired Navy SEAL has written “The Right Kind of Crazy,” a collection of stories about his adventures around the world. Emerson is the only SEAL ever inducted into the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. and his stories read like movie scripts.

About 10 years ago, Tim McGraw was struggling. He was touring constantly, eating irregularly, not sleeping, not exercising, and not thriving. “Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life” is the result of Mr. McGraw deciding to prioritize his physical and mental wellbeing. Written with Amely Greeven, “Grit & Grace” outlines the process Tim used to train his body and his mind to reach the goals that he believed were important – to build resilience, focus on what is important in this life and to become aware of grace.

If the world is just becoming a bit too much, perhaps you would like see “How to Build Your Own Tiny House?” Roger Marshall provides a lavishly illustrated, detailed description of what needs to be considered when one is seriously considering living in a very small space. If you have ever thought about building a livable tree house, this book can help you achieve that dream.

2020 Census

March is the beginning of the Census 2020 process and the library is here to help you get counted! The Census Bureau will begin mailing invitations to participate in the 2020 Census to homes on March 12.

Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. If you come to the library between March 16 and May 8, we will have computers available for you to take the census. You will not need a library card to use these machines and the staff will make sure you get to the proper census website. If you owe us fine money and do the census at the library between March 16 and May 8, we will forgive your fines. This amnesty does not extend to costs for lost materials, but, if you would like to talk to us about what can be done to get right with the library again, we would be glad to try to work something out.

Rely on the library for current and accurate information concerning the census. There are already people reporting they are being visited by (or called by) people who identify themselves as being from the Census bureau, asking people for personal information. There are people who are being confused by mail they are receiving soliciting donations for a political party with census mailings.

If you have any questions about the census, we would be glad to help. A few easy hints? 1) Census people will not come to your door until the middle of April at the earliest. 2) Census workers will not ask for your social security number or any financial information. 3) Census workers have official census identification with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. 4) They will never ask for money.

Still have questions? Call 800-923-8282 to speak to a local census representative.