WOOD CARVINGS by SUSIE KARSCHNER

The Green Free Library is proud to exhibit a display of extraordinary wood carvings by local artist, Susie Karschner. Working in medium including basswood, butternut, oak and Tagua nuts, the artist has created works of whimsy including several carousel animals, a Great Blue Heron, and my particular favorite, a striking oak leaf (carved from oak) with an extremely life-like visage. Please stop by in the next five weeks to view and appreciate this display .

The collection of The Green Free Library includes many books on woodworking, carving, and other related subjects. Check the online catalog at http://www.greenfreelibrary.org/, or use the Webpacs(computerised card catalogs) at the library. As always, staff members are available to assist you either in person or on the phone. The phone number is 570-724-4876

Note: Tagua nuts are also called Ivory nuts because they are white inside. They are harvested from palm trees that grow in areas ranging from southern Panama, along the Andes to Bolivia and Peru.Their scientific name-Phytelephas,means "plant elephant" and refers to the very hard, white endosperms of their seeds that resemble elephant ivory.

Note: Carousels and carousel animals-Though today most carousels or merry-go-rounds in the US usually sport only carved horses, earlier American and European carousels included a whole menagerie of other animals. They included zebras, pigs, and rabbits, to name a few. All of the carousel animals face in the same direction with the "Romance" side facing outward. In Europe carousels usually turn in a clockwise direction, while in the US they turn counter-clockwise.

WINTER PROGRAM SPONSERED by THE FRIENDS OF THE GREEN FREE LIBRARY

The program "Reintroducing Wolves to Yellowstone National Park", by Ray Rathmell was presented Thursday January 22, 2009 at the Gmeiner Culture Center in Wellsboro, PA. Mr. Rathmell is a professional photographer and retired science teacher who has been a volunteer of the Wolf Restoration Project for five years. His slide program examines "The Effect of the Return of the Wolf on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

This program was sponsored by the Friends of the Green Free Library. It was free and open to the public of all ages. Check back for additional information on programs sponsored by the Friends of The Green Free Library.

Note: The reintroduction of the American gray wolf into Yellowstone National Park, and other locations of the US began in 1995. The first wolves were considered "experimental, non-essential" populations as per article 10 (j) of the Endangered Species Act. This classification gave the government greater leeway in dealing with problem wolves. This was in response to a compromise made with concerned local ranchers.

Efforts to begin the reintroduction of the gray wolf actually began in 1966. The last indigenous gray wolves in the area were killed off in 1926.The loss of the wolf and its part in the Eco-system led to an overpopulous of elk and other large prey animals as well as damage to new growth vegetation. Overgrazing of the out of control elk population caused the crash of deciduous woody species like the upland aspen and riparian cottonwood.This affected the habitat of several other species. The coyote population increased drastically but they could not control the growing populations of elk, deer and other animals. Their large numbers did however lead to a decline in the numbers of red fox in the area.

When studies supported the need for reintroduction of the gray wolf into the Eco-system, three areas were chosen including: the Greater Yellowstone Area, an area in Idaho, and one in Montana. The Montana recovery zone was eliminated from the plan after it was discovered that a small, but breeding wolf population had already moved into the northwestern part of the state on their own accord.

STORY HOUR CANCELLED TODAY

Story Hour has been cancelled today, and the library is operating on a delayed opening schedule due to current and forecasted bad weather. Hopefully the doors will open at 12:00 PM, but be sure to call the library at 570-724-4876, check our blog at : http://www.greenfeelibrary.blogspot.com/ or listen to the local radio stations for verification before venturing out onto snowy roads.

All library fines are forgiven on days that the library is closed due to weather. We operate on the premise that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Normal library hours are:

Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM

Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Local radio stations in the Wellsboro broadcasting area are:

KC 101.5 FM

WNBT 1490 Am 104.5 FM

UNEXPECTED REPAIRS NECESSARY

The Assistant Director of The Green Free Library had an unpleasant surprise shortly after opening yesterday. Upon starting down the steps to a basement storage area she found several inches of water flooding the room. Further investigation led to the discovery of a broken hot water heater and a rather large mess. Fortunately none of the circulating basement collection of books, magazines and newspapers belonging to the library were damaged, but several boxes of books donated for the annual Friends of The Green Free Library book sale and some janitorial supplies were lost.





Repairs of several hundred dollars were necessary, and clean up is still in progress. The budget for The Green Free and other libraries across the state is already stretched tight for the upcoming year. Donations to cover unexpected expenses such as this, as well as day to day expenditures is greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a donation to the library, please send a check to: The Green Free Library, 134 Main ST , Wellsboro, PA 16901, or drop it off in person. Remember that the GFL is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday! It was 92 years ago today that The Green Free Library opened in its present location. Since that time it has grown from having a collection of 3,000 books, to having over 50,000 items which include: books, reference material, VHS tapes, DVDs, Playaways, audio cassettes, books on CD, magazines and newspapers. There are four public access Internet computers and Wi-Fi is available for those with their own laptops. Copier and Fax services are available for a nominal fee and various programs are presented throughout the year. Whether you are an old friend, or a new acquaintance, stop by soon to partake in what this grand old establishment has to offer.


Hours


Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM


Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM


Please listen to local radio stations for weather related closings, or call 570-724-4876