Turkey Family

 

Summer Reading Program at the library tonight.  The kids were read a Dr. Suess book and then went outside to make colorful slime. Tonight's treats were ice cream cones made by Volunteer Tom.   Thankfully it was a perfect summer's night here - temps in the high 60's sunny and bright.  Everyone wanted to stay outside so I saw no slime or ice cream in the library.   I even finished shelving all of the books the children brought in by 6:30.  Looked like I'd get home on-time tonight - turned out to be wishful thinking.   First there was a frantic search for a young boy who had disappeared while his father was making sure his older sister ate the ice cream and not the slime.  I was certain he wasn't in the library and, sure enough, he was found further on down the block on 'walk about'.  A family came in 15 minutes before we were to close w/ children who wanted ice cream  AND to spin the wheel for prizes.  They opted for ice cream first.   Meanwhile Coordinator Sarah had found a new family in the crowd and brought them back into the library.  She explained the Summer Reading Program to them and said all three children could spin the wheel. The mother and oldest child both asked for library cards so I had them fill out the paperwork and started entering the information into the computer (the system asks for each piece of info so it takes a bit to enter everything).  While I was busy, Tom had come back and helped the kids spin the wheel.  The late family had finished their ice cream and also reentered the library looking to spin the wheel.  (The wheel is marked w/ categories of prizes so each child takes some time going through a category's bin looking for that perfect toy),  I let the new family know their library cards were ready and they both had books they wanted to check out.  I'd never heard of the road they lived on and asked where it was located.  The mother said it was off Sawdust Road.  That meant it wasn't in the village as she indicated on her card.  I asked if she knew what town they lived in or where they voted.  They had just moved to the area - she didn't know.  Once they and the other family had left, I googled the road and found out it was in the Town of Thornapple.  That meant going back into the computer and editing both cards.  (Not sure the connection between towns and funding but we volunteers have been told to ensure the municipality is correct on each patron's record.)  Library closing time had come and gone.  I ran around doing shut down activities.  Earlier in the evening I had thought I'd be home on time - didn't make it until after 8.