'Take a deep breath,' advises Wheaton Council member

Wheaton Public Library

Link to June 18 Daily Herald letter to the editor, "Don't come unglued over library hours".

Excerpt: When I voted to approve the city's final budget (with reduced library funding), I did so with the knowledge that the Friday closures were a very real possibility. I take full responsibility for my decision and its consequences. I stand by the council's difficult and unpopular decision to reduce library funding, and I understand, even support, the library board's equally difficult and unpopular decision to close on Fridays.

Rather than engage in an endless cycle of buck-passing, the city and the library need to do two things. First, present a fair and consistent explanation to the people of Wheaton, whom we both serve. Second, work together in getting the library back to adequate funding and operating hours as soon as possible. [Emphasis added.]

These times are challenging, but temporary. A few years from now, I don't want it to be said that, "When times were tough, everyone came completely unglued and went after each other." I would prefer to talk about how we got through it together.

Thank you, Todd Scalzo,  And Retiring Guy hopes the community of Wheaton can effectively work together to achieve the goal of getting the library back to adequate funding.

Related articles:
No Friday hours at library irks council members.  (6/10/2010)
Bad news/good news.  (5/21/2010)
More budget cuts could lead to no Friday hours.  (3/20/2010)

Outpouring of Support for Wheaton Public Library.  (3/6/2010)

California Community Breaks Ground for New Library AND Plans for Amenities

Los Gatos Public Library

Link to June 20 San Jose Mercury News article, "New Los Gatos library groundbreaking is Monday".

Excerpt:   Los Gatos town officials and library supporters are shovel ready for the June 21 groundbreaking for the new Los Gatos Public Library. The ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. at the Los Gatos Civic Center, 110 E. Main St.

The Los Gatos High School String Ensemble is scheduled to perform and the town's Poet Laureate, Parthenia Hicks, will read a poem she's written for the occasion.

Work on the 30,000-square-foot library is expected to begin in earnest after the July 4 holiday weekend. It should be completed by early 2012.

The library construction contract was awarded to Bogard Construction of Santa Cruz, which bid $11.6 million for the job. That's $2.8 million less than the town estimated, so now plans are being drawn up to add amenities that were previously only on a "wish list." The town has budgted $18.4 million for the library, with most of the money coming from redevlopment agency funds.  [Emphasis added.]

Obituary: Marion L. Heiden, former WHBL Story Lady and Elkhart Lake Library Director

From the June 20 Sheboygan Press.

Marion L. Heiden, age 88, of Elkhart Lake, WI, passed away Friday afternoon, June 18, 2010, at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital.

She was born March 29, 1922 in Sheboygan, a daughter of the late Dr. Harry and Amanda (Vick) Heiden.

Marion attended the College of William and Mary in Wlliamsburg, VA, and graduated from UW Madison with a BA degree in Speech. She was a member of Gamma Phi Beta social sorority and Zeta Phi Eta speech sorority.

Upon completing college Marion joined radio station WHBL, where she hosted a daily classical music program and a children's story program, becoming known as the WHBL Story Lady. During this time, she also became widely known for her dramatic book reviews, appearing before many local and state clubs and organizations.

Leaving the field of radio, Miss Heiden began another career in library work, becoming the children's librarian at the Oconomowoc Public Library for a number of years.

Retiring from her position in Oconomowoc, Marion became a resident of Elkhart Lake, where she again entered the library field as the Director of the Elkhart Lake Public Library for fourteen years.

Marion was a member of Community United Church of Christ in Elkhart Lake.

Following her career at the library, she was a docent at the Wade House and also at the Plymouth Arts Center.

During the years, Marion travelled extensively in the United States and abroad.