To the Library and Beyond Prairie Community Library, Inc. – Your nonprofit, all volunteer source! Happy New Year to all! Fund-raising volunteers are welcome; indeed, you are greatly encouraged! Bring your financial talents to the Annual meeting of the Board of Directors of Prairie Community Library, Inc. on Thursday 8 February at 10 AM in the Library. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Frances has reviewed the 2024 book, Rescuing the Warrior, by Kooskia, Idaho resident Roxanne Hicks. This volume is a New Addition to our Library collection, donated by Cindy and Emmett Wilson. Ms. Hick’s Christian romantic suspense unfolds a delightful tale about an ex-Marine and an elementary school-teacher. In their story, the couple meets by chance when the former military man, working as an Emergency Medical Technician in Washington State responds to a vehicle accident involving the young lady schoolteacher. Together they gradually learn that things they had been told about relatives and other people in their small town are not true; in fact, some well-respected citizens are involved in drug- and sex-trafficking. This page-turner sensitively includes exploration of topics like living with the scars of dysfunctional families and resistance to accepting higher powers of faith. Pat G. gives us three Thumbs-Up for The Girl With Spunk, a young-adult novel by Judith St. George about women’s rights; the young-adult Mysterious Benedict Trilogy, a page-turner by Trenton Lee Stewart; and A Place To Come Home To by Melody Carlson. Wednesday 31 December is New Year’s Eve; on New Year’s Day – as we begin this New Year we want to thank you for your many thoughtful contributions. We assure you that your donations are greatly appreciated as they provide for daily operations and support a growing fund for a brighter future. January is National Hobby Month. Thursday 1 January is designated as Copyright Law Day reminding us of the legal rights to intellectual property by those who create it. Friday 2 January is National Science Fiction Day, inviting us to read and write more science fiction stories. Saturday 3 January is the birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien. As the year ends, this volunteer will retire from Library service. The Library has added three new part-time volunteers this year, and each of them is another beautiful gem in the set of previously tried-and-true jewels: Emmett and Cindy Wilson, Colleen Wilson, Carissa Jones (and family!), Joan Brown, and Frances Conklin. I’ve had some fun, some trials, and a few victories. As an example of how closely these volunteers work together, Joan asked me to continue writing this column until the end of January – at which time you will begin enjoying the fine work of Frances Conklin. The volunteers who manage and operate Prairie Community Library aspire to a continual internal conversation among the all-volunteer staff regarding the organization’s direction and priorities. Send your volunteer message to cottonwoodlib@gmail.com. “Volunteering can provide job prospects.” Please recommend improvements to the Library’s direction, priorities and customer service. Thank you all!     Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the library during Story Time on Dec. 16. | COTTONWOOD
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