“Each book a person buys at the Friends Annual Book Sale helps us put a book in the hands of each child enrolled in our summer reading program,” Linda Hayse, Friends board president, said. “It is a wonderful opportunity to advocate for the library by becoming a Friend.”

The sale is a three-day event where customers can come and browse tables filled with nearly 100,000 books, tapes, records, CDs and DVDs. They can buy items for a fraction of their value, getting hardback books for only a few dollars.

A special feature is the “premium collection” with books priced from $3-$20 that are special edition, signed by author or like-new. For traditional genres, like biography and arts to romance and mystery, books are priced at $1 or $2.

For more information, contact Mary Campbell at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library: 785-580-4445.

The book sale is supported by: Kaw Valley Bank, Berberich Trahan & Co, Briman’s Jewelers, Community National Bank, Educational Credit Union, HTK Architects, Dillons Stores and Hy-Vee Food Stores.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique, meeting rooms, and free computer and Internet access and training.

Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.

The library recommends reading as little as 12 hours – or two hours a week – which makes an impact on a kid’s reading skills. Summerfest reading isn’t limited to library books, either. Listening to audiobooks, reading magazines or other reading-related activities can count toward winning a reward for their effort. Use your library card to sign up at summerfest.tscpl.org.

“Last year 4,600 children logged 46,000 hours of reading during the summer, so we have a ways to go to surpass that goal. It starts with adults, who model the way and get kids excited about the rewards of reading – both tangible and not,” said Marie Pyko, Public Services Manager.

National studies and a 2010 local pilot project conducted by the library and the Auburn-Washburn school district show that participation in a public library reading program helps students maintain or improve reading levels. Area schools are also recognized for their students’ summer reading accomplishments. Indian Hills Elementary School earned the Summer Reading Championship trophy last year. Students there read more than 2,100 hours during June and July 2010.

Summerfest reading is organized to suit the needs of an individual, family and groups with minimum hours or books needed to be eligible for prizes. Just for signing up, kids and teens receive a free book. A complete list of prizes and sign up at summerfest.tscpl.org.

• Youth: birth to middle school kids read to 12 hours
• Teen: middle school to 18-year-olds read 12 hours
• Group: a perfect option for daycares and camps
• Adult: The 18 and older crowd will read 8 books

As of this June 20, 4,424 children, 588 teens and 1,085 adults have signed up.

The library also offers free programs and activities that are enjoyable for all ages. To see a complete list, pick up a copy of the library schedule connectnow or visit the library’s digital branch www.tscpl.org.

The library’s bookmobiles travel to 16 locations across Shawnee County each week. The Adventuremobile, the mobile library for kids has 12 stops Monday-Friday, and will be at Top City Thursdays in Downtown Topeka on the third Thursday of every month. The Bookmobiles schedules can be found in any issue of connectnow, and is also at www.tscpl.org.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique, meeting rooms, and free computer and Internet access and training.

Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.

The story of Nancy Watkins’ career as Chief Financial Officer for the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library cannot be told without referencing the grand re-opening of the library building in 2002.

Following her hire in 1994, Nancy worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting a $23 million bond initiative, which was passed by Shawnee County voters in 1996. She later served on a team that collaborated with internationally known architect Michael Graves and the local firm that retained him.

“We were all very surprised when they brought Michael Graves in,” she said.

When the notes for the bond were purchased, it boosted the library’s revenue – temporarily – to $35 million; it was the most money Nancy has ever had to account for, she said.

The library began adding onto the building, transforming it to the world-class library that the community knows and loves today. Community support opened the door for the construction of public meeting spaces, a café, a bookstore, a gallery and much more room for books, movies and games.

Among the many challenges of that time, safety was always front and center in Nancy’s mind, she said.

“One of the happiest days was at the end of phase 2 of the move. We moved everything from the old building to the new building, and there wasn’t one single worker’s comp claim,” she said.

Her many years of service to the library and to other organizations for which she volunteers earned Nancy recognition as a Woman of Excellence in 2010 at the YWCA’s Annual Leadership Luncheon.

Among her mentors and those who influenced her career were Eudocia Stratton, Bruce Kauffman and David Leamon, all of whom served as director of the Jackson District Library where she worked from 1970 to 1994. Leamon actually persuaded Nancy to leave her hometown library and her family for Topeka after he assumed the role of director of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in 1992.

“I thank all of them just pushing me to do more than I thought I could do.”

Now, Nancy is ready to push onto another phase in her life.

“When this year’s audit came around, it was my 41^st. At the point I reached 40, I said ‘I’ve done this enough,’” Nancy said.

So, she told Gina Millsap, current executive director, she would stay around to wrap up 2010. In April, she received her “final report card” when the audit was accepted by the library Board of Trustees.

Nancy plans to return to Jackson, Mich., after retirement. She purchased a condo there in February and will spend much time unpacking and getting reacquainted, she said. She plans to volunteer and perhaps take a part-time “fun” job. She also looks forward to rejoining her church, she said.

The bonds will be paid off in 2019. Nancy says she knows that her successor, Sheryl Weller, will continue the legacy of accountability at the library.

“It’s been a very good transition. Sheryl is excellent, and she’s doing an excellent job.”

Sheryl will face challenges of her own, Nancy said, including a downward trend in property values, which means a decrease in tax dollars going into the library coffers.

“The budget has become a challenge. We look for ways to continue to offer good service to customers,” Nancy said. “But, the library will continue to serve a role in this community. The staff and boards have always risen to any challenge. That’s one thing I’ve always observed.”

Nancy received her bachelor’s in business administration in 1993 from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Mich. She also holds an associate’s of arts in accounting.

Library hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.

Monical retired from an administrative position at Washburn University in 2010 and Martin is a commercial financial consultant. Woolington is Shawnee County’s Financial Administrator. She fills former Trustee Michele Henry’s term, representing Shawnee County.

The 2011-2012 officers were elected at the April meeting as follows:  Chairman Dan Guenther, Vice Chairman Duane Johnson, Treasurer Bob Harder and Secretary Melissa Masoner.

Completing the governing board are Terry Kimes, Elizabeth Ross, and Kerry Onstott Storey. The 10-member library board is comprised of seven representatives appointed by the mayor of Topeka, and three representatives are appointed by the Shawnee County Commission.Trustees are appointed to a four-year term, and are responsible for setting library policy and setting the annual budget.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is a 21st-century library, which also features an art gallery, café, gift shop, meeting rooms and free computer and Internet access.

More information on board of trustee meetings and meeting agendas can be found at www.tscpl.org. Click on the About Us tab.

Library hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and
Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.