The time has finally come!

After three years in our present location our branch has outgrown it's tiny space. So we have a new home waiting for us just up the road. We will be closing the current branch located on School Lane at close of business day Saturday, June 13th (4pm). We will remain closed the following week in order to move everything out and settle in to our new building. Any of our books that you have that are due back during that time (June 14th - 21st) can be returned to the Main Branch or the Centre Branch. If you cannot get them back to these branches, you can return them to us when we re-open on June 22nd and we will waive any late fees caused by our closure. We are extremely excited about this move and we think you are going to love the new location. We will be located right in front of the Pittsville Middle School on Old Ocean City Road (Look for the big white building with the blue shutters...and of course our sign!).

We could not have done this without all of you, our wonderful Patrons who have welcomed us so warmly into your community. We look forward to the years ahead as we continue to grow and work to bring you more great programs, events and resources. We welcome your input going forward. Let us know what you would like to see in your new Library space. You can email us at pittsvillebranch@gmail.com with your comments, questions or ideas.

So that's the news. We will be closed June 14th-21st. We will re-open officially June 22nd at 2pm (maybe sooner...keep your eyes out for the "Open" sign, you may get a surprise)! And keep checking back here for more news and information about our upcoming "Grand Opening" events!

We're getting ready to move in June! Stay tuned here for more news as we get closer. Meanwhile...come to Astronomy night on May 30th at 7pm. It is going to be our last big event before we move!

Well, we are still in our old home as of this writing. We had planned to be in the new building by now, but as I said in the last blog post, we are a bit behind schedule. Right now it looks like we will be in the new building in February. It's tough to see the building sitting there and not be in it (for us and the Patrons), but we realize that all good things take time and in order for us to have the best Library branch possible we need to take the time to make sure everything is perfect.

I have been in the new building and it is beautiful. Everyone is going to love it! We will have comfy chairs to sit in and read, tables to do homework or other work, a room just for the computers and much more!! So please know that we are doing everything we can to make sure that things move along smoothly and that we have the new Branch ready for you for the new year! I will continue to keep everyone posted here and in the branch itself. Thanks for hanging with us as we move through this crazy time.

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The Months Ahead
Not ones to rest on our laurels and do nothing, we have a ton of stuff planned for the months ahead. Keep an eye on our calendar..we are starting a Readers Group for teens and adults, a camera club. We will continue having the wildly successful "Wii After School" as well as adding other Wii events such as Rock Band days, Dance Dance Revolution competitions and a Wii Bowling League for adults. Come spring we will be having a Wii Fit challenge to get us all in shape. We are going to be continuing our "Make it @ The Branch" series with a class in beaded jewelry, a sewing class and in March a special class on making Ukranian Easter Eggs. We are hoping to have Astronomy Night again in the Spring, stay tuned for more on this. Once we actually move into the new building we will be having a whole month of Grand Opening events that we are sure you will love! So keep an eye out here for any news!

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WEBCAM
Yep we have a live webcam! Monday through Friday (and the occasional Saturdays) from 2pm till 8pm est (times may change based on our whims)you can tune in and see what's happening in the branch LIVE! Just go to www.ustream.tv/channel/library-cam0 and check us out. There is also a chat box on ustream that you can chat live to us..and we'll actually chat back at ya! Come see us when you get the chance. We may even have it running when no one is there to try to catch the branch ghost in action (word is a ghostly presence is coming in and eating our Gold Fish crackers and playing with the kiddies doll when we aren't there...can we catch them live? We'll see).

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FOOD DRIVE
Starting next week we will be having an ongoing food drive box to help with the food shortage at our local Food Bank. The box will be in the back room for anyone to bring any extra non-perishable foods. Also the box will be there for anyone in the community who may be needing it. Come in and take what you need. No questions asked, no need to ask permission.

We are still here in the old branch. Things are moving along but we are a bit behind schedule, but thats ok! Ya know how  moving goes, lots of things to do and plan for, and sometimes it takes longer then you originally thought. Stay tuned and we will keep you updated as things move forward.

Also we have a fun new thing at the branch...we have a live webcam!!! Come check us out LIVE on the web at www.ustream.tv/channel/library-cam0 and come chat at us (there is a chat box on the page).

The new building was installed last weekend (see our pic section for photos from the entire day). They are currently working on hooking us up to the electric, plumbing and sewer system at the site. Everything is going great but we are going to be behind just a bit so we will be staying open at the old branch site into this coming week. We will be open to the public at the old branch on Monday, December 1st and Tuesday December 2nd. We are looking to close on Wednesday the 3rd and will keep you posted here. Everything else is still the same with the projected re-open date set for December 15th. Stay tuned here for updates.

The Pittsville Branch of the Wicomico Public Library is on the move!

 

The current branch, located in a construction trailer at the rear of the Pittsville Elementary and Middle School, has clearly demonstrated that the community and the school value the library service.

Based on the number of people using the branch and the needs of the school, the branch is being relocated to a larger portable unit to be placed in front of the school (near the tennis courts). This will provide nearly twice as much space, be far more visible to the public, and will be a more attractive and functional building.

Weather permitting; the new unit will be installed over the weekend of November 22 and 23rd. Contractors and county employees will hook up water and sewer, electrical, and related services during the week of November 24th to the 28th. The current branch facility will remain open until November 29th. The branch will be closed from December 1st to December 14th as computers and books are moved and the new facility is set up.

Since the branch opened in January 2006, nearly 10,000 books have been checked out, 1,879 people have participated in programs, 118 adults have taken free computer classes, and there have been 13,000 sign ins to branch computers. The new branch will provide needed space for materials, a reading area, display space for children's books, and separate meeting area for programs.

This move respresents the growth of a valuable partnership among the library, the Board of Education, the Town of Pittsville and Wicomico County to find a way to bring library service to the Pittsville area.

 

Thanks for helping us grow!! We look forward to seeing you at the new branch!

Wow...the year has really flown by and we are getting ready to jump right into another Summer Reading Program. This year the theme is "Catch The Reading Bug" (for kids) and "Metamorphosis @ The Library" (for teens). We have a lot of exciting things lined up this summer, you won't want to miss any of them. Here is a brief run-down of what we have planned:

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Sunday, June 8th 5-8pm is the kick-off of our Summer Reading Program with a very special evening of music from Zanna and The Zen Monkeys featuring Suzanna Mallow of Red Letter Day. It will be a blast! Come out and bring a blanket or a lawn chair and dance on the lawn with the Library ladies. Refreshments will be served and kids and teens will be able to sign up for the Summer Reading Program that night and get their gameboards so they can start a great summer of cool reading!

Tuesday, June 10th 6-8pm come spend an evening with Herbalist Henriette Den Ouden as she teaches us All About Herbs.

Friday, July 11th 5pm come and Catch the Juggling Bug with Carlos Mir. All ages can learn to juggle. A great night out for the family!

Saturday, August 9th 2pm come and meet author Tom Tancin and enjoy an afternoon as he reads from his latest novel. Books will be available to purchase and to have the author sign.

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This summer we will also be doing Wii Wednesdays! Come in every Wednesday between 4 and 6pm and play all the latest Wii games.

Our craft series continues into the summer with Scrap Booking for Beginners the first Monday of every month at 6pm.

Computer Tutor continues on Tuesday nights from 7-8pm and we will have two special computer classes just for kids this summer. Publisher For Kids on July 10th from 6-8pm and Powerpoint for Kids on August 7th from 6-8pm.

There is plenty more happening at the Pittsville Branch this summer. Stay tuned here for more details AND a big surprise coming soon!

Sorry it has been a while since we updated. It has been a busy holiday season and we have been spending the time doing lots of cool stuff in preparation for the months ahead.

First of all January is full of great activities for the whole family. Beginning on Tuesday, January 8th we are Losing Big at The Branch. Put off till after the holidays (by popular demand), we are ready to start getting healthy in the New Year. Losing Big is a 12 week health challenge that will help you lose weight, get fit or just learn to eat healthier. 12 weeks of support meetings, special fitness sessions and informational speakers will be on board to help us shed the pounds and jump in to 2008 in our best shape yet. At the end of 12 weeks prizes will be awarded to those who have made the greatest changes. Come join us on the 8th as we get started!

Thursday, January 10th is "Spice Up With Naz" the first in a series of special cooking classes. Come learn to create a special authentic Pakistani dish. Samples will be provided, a spicy time is qauranteed!

Computer Tutor continues in January, every Tuesday night from 7pm to 8pm we answer all of your computer questions and assist you with any software or internet challenges.

We will also be offering another class in our "Internet Trends" series. Tuesday, January 22nd at 6pm come learn about Photohosting on the web.

There is more to come in the months ahead. Stay tuned here...

Come and join us as we get healthy at the Branch. Beginning December 4th we will be having a 3 month health challenge called "Losing Big @ The Branch". Whether you need to lose weight, get fit, learn to eat better or just improve your overall health, we want you! Participants will be able to take part in weekly seminars, classes and support meetings. They will learn about everything from fitness to diet to general lifestyle issues that effect your overall health and how to improve them.

At the end of 90 days the person who makes the most radical change in health will win a prize!

No scales involved. All assessments will be done by a certified medical professional!

Join today and have fun, get healthy, and meet people just like you, looking to start the new year in a brand new healthy body!