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MAY 2024 Volume 5 Issue 5
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Farewell and Best Wishes! |
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LaRee Parkinson, our Public Services Librarian, retires at the end of May. When I started at the American Fork Library, the outgoing director told me, “You are so lucky to work with LaRee! She will always be there for you.” Over the past 6 years, I have had the privilege of sharing an office wall with LaRee and she has indeed proven a steadfast and loyal support to me, the staff, and our community.
The American Fork Library has been a great fit for LaRee’s talents! As the supervisor of the team responsible for welcoming patrons, she became gifted at perceiving the challenges of our community and finding ways to help. LaRee advocated for fine elimination, self-check stations, and the extension of services to those who need it most, such as the sight impaired and home bound. One of LaRee’s favorite memories is “the service we continued to provide to American Fork residents during the Covid shut down. The curbside service and grab bags we offered were born out of a deep desire to continue to serve our residents at that crucial time.”
LaRee will leave a lasting impact on library programs. She started offering teen activities with a budget of only $50/year. LaRee is the creator of our library’s annual Well-Read Dinner, a thank you to avid readers in American Fork. LaRee proposed the idea for the Mitten Tree to collect gloves, mittens, hats, & scarves each December. LaRee has overseen the Proper Tea, one of our most beloved events. She introduced a senior outreach program that evolved into her current craft programs, which she offers both in-house and at a local rehabilitation center.
LaRee said, “I’m proud to have been part of the phenomenal growth of our American Fork Library. Outstanding programs are offered in great abundance, new books arrive hot off the press, and our staff is some of the finest you will ever find. I’m so proud to have been a part of all of that.” She has single-handedly purchased all the library’s adult fiction collection for years. LaRee loves to talk about and share books, and it’s a joy to overhear her connecting with library users every day. I will miss LaRee’s enthusiasm and delight at being in the library. She fosters a contagious happiness in everything she does, and I am grateful to have been a beneficiary.
Best wishes to LaRee Parkinson as she moves on to other adventures!
Casandria Crane, Library Director |
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An Evening with Author
Camron Wright | May 10
Appetizers at 6:30 pm, Author at 7:00 pm |
Enjoy this after-hours event with Camron Wright, author of "The Rent Collector." We'll start the evening with yummy appetizers followed by the author presentation. We'll also have an author meet-and-greet, as well as books available for purchase. Registration required at aflibrary.eventbrite.com. This event is sponsored by a PARC grant and is for adults only.
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ASL Storytime
| May 7 & 21 at 9:30 am |
Join us for a storytime presented in American Sign Language. For children of all ages and abilities with a parent or caregiver. Presented by the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. |
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Gardening Class: Water Features
| May 20 at 7:00 pm | Learn about including water features in your yard. Presented by the American Fork Beautification Committee. |
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Español
¡Vea la página en español en nuestro sitio web para obtener información sobre programas, eventos y recursos en español! Obtén más información aquí.
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A FEW NEW READS IN OUR LIBRARY |
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| Aaron Becker |
Bracing for the next storm, NOA, a compassionate construction robot who is the caretaker of the Earth's remaining zoo, builds an ark from the wreckage in search of new land and a new home, only to discover something even more profound.
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| Fern Haught |
When an unusual order at the bakery sends them on a journey to forage for magical mushrooms, apprentices Juniper and Hadley find their simple errand turning into a thrilling quest to save some furry new friends—and their caretaker—who are in danger of losing their home. |
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| Andrew Nelson |
As many of the world's sightseeing treasures have become overcrowded and expensive, an award-winning writer and editor for National Geographic Traveler offers a list of 100 alternative destinations including the Azores of Portugal and Art Deco skyscrapers in Detroit. |
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Lisa Shepherd
Works as a substitute clerk Has worked at our library for 2 weeks (welcome to our newest staff member!!) Favorite food is chicken enchiladas Favorite genre to read is historical fiction Recommends "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows "I love to read and to learn, so going to the library and bringing home a big stack of books just makes me happy :)" |
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