June 29, 2020
RIPPEY LIBRARY
Website: www.rippey.lib.ia.us
Hours: Mon-Fri 2- 5 p.m.
E-mail: rippeyli@windstream.net
The library has been closed a long time. It is tearing me apart to be closed this long, but I think we are closer to opening. Hopefully a decision can be made soon.
During this time in the library alone, I have reflected on the time since I became the librarian. We have been fortunate to receive memorials from family and friends to purchase books for the library. Janet Fessler was one of the first memorials when I was appointed. Midge Vannatta’s family was very generous. I bought the Magic Tree House set of books and also a set of Mr. Lemoncello by Chris Grabenstein. Midge loved kids and I thought that was appropriate. Barb Parkison was also remembered. I bought several Christmas books with memorial money left in her name.
Marilyn Roberts, Joyce Macek and Larry Munson were also remembered with gifts to the library. Many books were bought during this time. The Dan Peters’ family and friends gave in his memory. The family said he was so proud that the building was dedicated to Jake Peters in 1992. Also, how proud Wilmuth Peters would have been to see the building housing the library. She was one of the first library board of trustees appointed when the ordinance was passed in 1944. She resigned in April, 1979, after serving 35 years as a trustee. We have been so fortunate over the years that people do remember the library with memorial gifts. Everyone needs to know how important memorials are to the library.
During this closure, I have taken advantage of the isolation and weeded many older books, both hard cover and paperback. Many were donated years ago and the paperbacks were printed with smaller font and were pretty rough.
We had someone give us a list of books from each age group on Amazon. We picked out books from all age groups and now there is a stack of new books on my counter, waiting to be processed. There are new children’s books, so I hope the children will come in and check out books when we open. There is nothing better than reading books to get you ready for school to start!
There are a lot of new young adult books, including a five-book series of the Maze Runner, a Star Wars book the Resistance Reborn; Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott; The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin; The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie; The Beginning of Everything (Everyone gets a Tragedy) by Robyn Schneider, and One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus.
For the adults and young adults we have the Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gains, the popular HGTV Fixer-Upper duo; The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins; Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Unknown Valor by Martha MacCallum, a story of Family, Courage, and Sacrifice from Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima. We have an InstaPot cookbook with easy recipes. Some of the new books I ordered were quickly checked out. I will still provide curbside delivery of books during this time.
I’m eager for the patrons to come back in. We will have mask for those who don’t have any. You have to keep and wear them when you come back. Hand sanitizer, and that terrible word “social distancing!” We can’t have toys or games out at this time, but there are books!
We had a donation of a carton of paper for the printer. Someone donated some books on CD. I also had a donation of Nancy Drew books. They are older, but I hear Nancy Drew is coming back.
We ordered some biographies also. One book is about four months in the life of Harry Truman. There is one about Churchill. You will just have to come in and look around. I am still ordering.
The trustee meeting was June 29 and was the last meeting for Jean Borgeson. She has been such a help to the library over many years! Starting in 1989 as assistant to Doris Tipton, she was appointed librarian when Doris retired in July, 1995, and she continued to serve as librarian until August 2000. She agreed to serve as a trustee in Dec. 2004, to fill a vacancy and has finished this trustee term that ended June 30, 2020. She has many memories and photos of the library’s activities over the years and I hope she will continue to help me, as we continue to go forward.
I hope you will feel safe enough to come into the library when we open. Even if you haven’t been in for a while, come see me. There is nothing better than a good book to curl up with rather than watching TV.
I feel it is time to open, but I have to feel safe, also. The uncertainty is hard for all. ~Phyllis Bardole, librarian
Burrows honored on for retirement
The Rippey United Methodist Church congregation said farewell to Rev. Paul Burrow and his wife Nancy with a drive-by parade at the church on Sunday, June 28. Pastor Paul served 10 years in the parish and has retired. Nancy was a great addition to the choir and was active in other activities and committees for the church. Her handiwork was often seen on the Time and Talent table.
When asked to complete a term on the library board, she willingly said yes, and completed that term and was appointed in 2019 to her own term. She was a wonderful volunteer at the different events and would substitute regularly when the librarians needed her. Both were active in Lions Club. Many well wishes have been shared with them these last few weeks. Their new address is 902 Angela Drive, Indianola, IA 50125. ~contributed by Jean Borgeson
