A CHRISTMAS CAROL CELEBRATION
Between the beautiful singing from our carolers, the sharing of poignant Christmas memories, Mike Formhals’ incredible passion for history and the delightful holiday confections, there was no shortage of Christmas cheer to be found within these walls on the night of December 7th, 2019. More than that, I would even be so bold as to say that anyone who stepped into town that day witnessed for themselves the very best that Malvern has to offer - in its people. I saw so many genuine smiles, bore witness to the kindest acts of generosity and witnessed for myself the real excitement of anticipation for the arrival of Christmas bubbling forth from kids of all ages - everyone from ages one to ninety-three! I am so grateful to have been part of it all. Nothing puts you into the Christmas spirit more readily than this feeling of togetherness that the holiday brings. And so, as Tiny Tim said, "A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!" CARNEGIE CONFERENCE CENTER RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY The Malvern Public Library’s Carnegie Conference Center is once again undergoing some renovations in an effort to improve the facility while also paying homage to its history. Some of these efforts include the creation of a Harold Wilkins corner featuring original oil paintings by the famed native Malvern artist. Additional projects include the restoration of the original wooden bookcases for the purpose of creating a historic display corner showcasing old artifacts and antiquated books. The newly acquired theater system is also enjoying the inclusion of some additional features such as stage curtains and stanchions to really “usher” in the moviegoing experience for our community. Stay tuned to learn more about these developments in the months ahead! REFLECTIONS ON YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW The new year is upon us, and with that comes pause for reflection…When I first started in my position as director of the Malvern Public Library some four odd years ago, I had this very particular and riveting image in my head of what I imagined the library could be - and, in that moment, I experienced the simultaneous inner groan of having the realization that it was going to take monumental patience, effort and painstaking work to bring that vision to life, if it could ever truly be done. I saw doors leading to other worlds around every corner. I saw ancient castle walls with darkened halls illuminated by candle light. I heard the music of times gone by echoing in the chambers of my mind. I saw dedicated patrons walking the library’s corridors, book in hand, deeply entrenched in thought and wonder. Ah, yes, nothing delighted me more than to see a sharp mind engaged in the pages of a good book! I even saw visions of dancing literary characters in my head - only they were actually pirouetting in and around the library bookcases themselves. (Today, you can find a few Redwallers, Narnians and other personalities running amuck in the library!) And, too, I saw the books - books, everywhere! I was overwhelmed. We needed more books, more kinds of books, and most importantly, they needed to be organized in a very specific way. Was there any system already out there that matched my own distinct sense of order? (As it turned out, there wasn’t!) At this point, you can probably imagine the rush of inspiration and overwhelming exhaustion that hit me all at once with the advent of these ideas! I knew I had to make it all happen, somehow. And so, book by book, piece by piece, I continue to cobble together my impassioned “vision” of what I saw in that Da Vinci moment back in September of 2015. I have just recently completed the task of returning the last book from storage onto the shelf, and that provides me with some sense of accomplishment. The work is never over, however, and I like it that way! Once I have my spiral staircase leading up to that second story floor of even more books and that study complete with its own brick fireplace framed by leather-bound books of antiquated thought -- well, I still won’t be done! NEW BOOKS & MOVIES: I am pleased to announce that the Malvern Public Library has recently added the following titles to its collection: Inside Out: A Memoir by Demi Moore One Hundred and One Beautiful Small Towns in France by Simonetta Greggio Voice Lessons: How a Couple of Ninja Turtles, Pinky, and an Animaniac Saved My Life by Rob Paulsen Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended Fasting by Jason Fung, MD German Castles and Palaces by Uwe Albrecht Inkheart by Cornelia Funke Aladdin the 2019 Movie Visit us today to view more of our newest books, movies and more!
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Rebecca BassichAs Library Director here at our Malvern Public Library, you can count on me for all the latest on books, events, programs & more! Archives
May 2023
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