Although we don’t loan sunscreen, we can provide you with many other things that will make your summer fun, comfortable, and entertaining. What could be more fun than sprawling out in the backyard with a good book and a big dog? Sadly, we don’t loan dogs, yet, but we have been thinking about it ever since Marley and Me started flying off our shelves a few years ago.

As any of our 19,000 cardholders will tell you, the library is more than books, but, I am pleased to tell you, books are being read in impressive numbers by Upper Merion residents. According to some statistics I compiled, the average Upper Merion adult resident reads seven books a year, which is not bad considering all the demands on their time. But, the children have the adults beat hands down. The average Upper Merion child, age fourteen and under, reads a whopping twenty-four books a year! This is a tribute to the children, and, most important, to their parents and teachers who have kindled the love of reading in our youth.

This summer we have several events for readers of all ages. For the adults there is PAGETURNERS and the One Book/One Community programs. Teens and Young Adults can "GET LOST@THE LIBRARY," and children can "CATCH THE READING BUG" in our joyful and frenetic Summer Reading Program. Last year, 1360 children, a record number, read an incredible 30,000+ books! All Upper Merion children who use the library and their parents know Jeanne Kauffman, head of children’s services. Jeanne runs such a wonderful program that Senator Connie Williams named her the “2008 Librarian of the Year” in the annual library recognition program she sponsors.

Jeanne is not the only library luminary this summer. Mr. Harry Bailey, recently retired director of the Upper Merion Senior Service Center, was named the 2008 “Library Friend of the Year” for his dedication to the community and for paving the way for a popular and growing large print book collection at the Senior Center. The library supplies the books, from funds provided by the Robert and Shirley Fine Library Endowment, and the members of the Senior Center borrow them in large numbers from this convenient location.

In addition to books, we have large collections of books on CD, DVDs, music CDs, Videogames, and other items that will make your summer vacation a delight, whether you are traveling across the world, the county, or to your backyard hammock with your large dog.

Best wishes to all for a happy and memorable summer.

Karl Helicher
Director