National Nurses Week is a week that we can pay tribute to the thousands of nurses who dedicate their lives to caring for others. The week began on Sunday, May 6th, with National Nurses Day; continues May 8th as National Student Nurses Day, and concludes on May 12th which is International Nurses Day and also Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Nightingale is considered to be the founder of modern nursing. Her legacy lives on in the pledge that all nurses make before they begin their profession.

May is the month to show some appreciation for the Asian-Pacific Americans who made contributions to America.  On Saturday, May 5, 2012, at 1 pm we will be celebrating at the library with crafts, fun and food, but until then here are a few  books or  DVD's to get you started. The countries of Asia and the islands of the Pacific are at your fingertips.

To those of you like me, who take their time in figuring out their taxes, you still have the opportunity to get them done for you here at the Maud Marks Library. The AARP Volunteers are here on Mondays from 10 am - 2 pm and Fridays from 10 am - 2 pm.  They are set up in the meeting room located off the main lobby.  It is on a first come first serve basis.  Be sure to bring all the appropriate paperwork and I.D., or you won't be happy when they turn you away. Good news is they will be here through April 16th.  BUT... don't forget we are closed on Friday, April 6th for Good Friday.

 Y’all come out and have some fun at the Maud Marks’ Texas Heritage Festival on Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 1-4 pm. There will be crafts and face painting, spinning and weaving, rope-making and lassoing. Also on the agenda will be the Wild River Band and the Katy Prairie Promenaders.  Enjoy food and fun for the entire family. This includes a silent auction and lots of Texas historical items on display. For more information call the library and speak to a librarian.

February is the month for valentines and candy. No wonder it is also Dental Health Month.

 Is there something you have wanted to read but have not been able to find it in our HCPL catalog? The library might be able to request it for you through our Interlibrary Loan service. This service can only be used if the item is not part of our collection and it is more than six months post-publication. We will not be able to borrow music CD’s or cassettes, DVDs or VHS tapes, or software.  Also, we cannot request items from outside of the United States.  Otherwise, take a look at our ILL policy and see if we can help you find what you’ve been looking for.

Is this the year of the important high school reunion? Or is your son or daughter getting married? Is your cholesterol a little too high? Are you tired during the day? Sometimes it only takes a little motivation to get started. Having two grandkids to bend down and pick up is what first got me started doing some strength training. Then three years ago when my son told me he was getting married I knew I was on the right track.

     The month of December can be a time of "hustle and bustle"... so what better time to use your slow cooker. It's nice to have a hot meal ready and waiting for you and the family after a day at work, school, or shopping.  Whether you check out the book or download it...

This is the time of year to remember the things we are thankful for.  The library has a few things in that category. You can now download audiobooks to your Kindle for free. Yea! The library now has an app that can be downloaded from iTunes to your iPad.  Yea!  Look for "BookMyne".  Hoping each of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We will reopen on Monday, Nov. 28th at 1:00 pm.

Have you been looking in the library for a good mystery to read... and looking.... and looking?