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The number and variety of books available for teens to read today is dizzying. According to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, nearly 5,000 titles are published each year for children and teens. When I was a teenager, there were only about 1,000 titles published a year for young people, and not many of those were for teens.
Parents tell me it has been a challenge for them to find books for their teenagers that are both interesting to teens as well as suited to their age and to their family’s values. That is partly because bookstores only carry a small segment of what is actually in print for teens. While it is true that there are a few books out there for teens that have stirred up controversy, there are also thousands that are interesting, well written and age appropriate. How do you find them? Ask your local librarian! Teen Services Librarians at public libraries are experts at recommending books for teens and they have access to a wider range of books than what is usually at bookstores. If you haven’t stopped by your library in a while, it is definitely worth the trip.
Take a moment on April 19, which is Support Teen Literature Day, and explore all there is to offer in the world of books for teens. Here at the Wright Memorial Public Library, in addition to great books, we also have manga and graphic novels that may interest your teen. To learn more about what the library has to offer teens, contact the Teen Scene librarians in the Children’s Department at 294-7171. You may also want to visit www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists for lists of recommended reading created by the Young Adult Library Services Association. With so many books out there for teens today there is no reason for them to be reading something that is not the perfect fit for them and their families.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Sommer
Coordinator of Children’s Services
Wright Memorial Public Library
Dear Citizens of Oakwood,
I am writing as a life long resident of Oakwood to urge you to vote YES for the replacement levy of Wright Memorial Library on May 8. Wright Library has always been and continues to be a vital part of my life.
You may wonder what services Wright Library provides for its adults and older citizens. I will mention just a few of these benefits.
First, I use the financial and investment resources as I would never subscribe to Value Line, The Outlook, or the Kiplinger Report myself. It’s too expensive to subscribe for my personal needs or for a report for my investment club. I can locate the data I need to research and even make copies of the report while I am in the building. Thanks Wright Library!
Next, the reference department is much more skilled than I am in locating the most current information on a perplexing personal situation. I was diagnosed with glaucoma in my right eye several years ago. The first thing I did was to call the reference department and ask them to locate all data they could on this condition. When I arrived at the reference desk, the reference librarian had printed out for me sheets of the most recent studies on glaucoma. I sat down in one of the comfortable leather-backed chairs in the front room, read the studies, and felt relieved that I at least understood my challenge. Thanks Wright Library!
I still take out books even if I do buy soft cover “cheapies” on the Internet. I have been reading art books which have superb pictures and are very expensive to buy. These are helpful to me in understanding my weekly watercolor class. Thanks Wright Library!
I use the audiovisual department to prepare myself for new experiences. Before I went to Alaska with my friend Ethel last September, I viewed every video and DVD in the collection on the areas we would be seeing. I wanted to be prepared – and I was. Also, I did not know the story of the Threepenny Opera which was being performed at Wright State University Theatre so I viewed it before I attended the performance itself. Again, thanks Wright Library for making my life more understandable.
I have participated in library classes on using the computer and have been entertained with my grandchildren by stimulating summer programs. I have not only used the library as an individual, but I also attended functions (Oakwood Historical Society) Friday Afternoon Club, and art classes) in the meeting room. Thanks Wright Library!
How fortunate we are to have this outstanding facility in our community. Thanks Wright Library! You have my vote for the replacement levy on May 8.
Joey Theile
A lifetime learner
The City of Oakwood 2006 Annual Report will be included as an insert in next Tuesday’s Oakwood Register. Please keep an eye out for it. The report has 32 pages packed full of interesting information about our wonderful city. We prepare and distribute the report as one of many ways that we strive to keep our citizens and businesses informed of city government activities and actions.
The report format includes an introduction of each operating department followed by a series of questions and answers. The data and narrative will give you a good understanding of the services provided by your city staff. Producing an annual report gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past year and to present some thoughts on current issues and opportunities. The report is published in newsprint form and distributed with the Oakwood Register. We do this for two reasons.
First, the newsprint format is an inexpensive method of assembling and printing the report. We pay approximately $1700 to print and distribute over 4,000 copies of this report to Oakwood citizens, businesses and property owners. Other types of printing methods would easily cost two or three times this much, possibly more.
Second, we know from community surveys that most Oakwood citizens read the Oakwood Register. In fact, based on a survey conducted in the winter of 2004, we found that our citizens use the Oakwood Register as their pri
mary source of information about the City.
Although many good things took place in 2006, four highlights are:
1) Old River Fields: We purchased the 28-acre athletic/recreation fields from the NCR Corporation and now have total control over the facility that has become very important to our community.
New Public Safety Director: We hired Alexander P. Bebris to be our Public Safety Director. Alex, joined by his wife, Carrie, and children, Katherine and James, joined the staff on July 14, 2006. He came to us from Wisconsin and fills the department head vacancy created when Chief Glen Beddies retired.
Property Tax Levy Renewal: By a 73.4 percent Yes vote, our citizens approved the renewal of a 2.72 mill property tax levy. This reflects a statement of support for the work of city council and staff and a desire that our city continue to provide comprehensive services.
Retirements: We bid farewell to Captain Walt Conroy after 26 years of service to Oakwood and Lieutenant Tom Gallimore after 29 years of service to Oakwood. Both men served with distinction holding significant leadership positions within our public safety department.
Article IV of our City Charter addresses various issues relating to the position of city manager. Section 4.02 outlines 10 specific duties of the manager. Four of these
duties relate to city finances. In essence, this says that management of our public funds is one of my primary responsibilities – arguably, my number one responsibility. As such, I spend a significant amount of time working on finance-related issues. Six pages in the report are dedicated specifically to finance issues and many other pages include finance-related data and commentary.
I hope you find time to look through the report as I think it is very important that our citizens understand how our city operates and are aware of the challenges we face. We most certainly can be very proud to live and work in this beautiful community. Our excellent schools, beautiful housing stock, unmatched community character and ambiance, and neighborly environment are second to none in southwest Ohio.
Although you can point to many features or attributes that make our City special, I believe that our most valuable resource is the fine citizens who have chosen Oakwood for the place to live, raise families and retire.
If you have any questions about the report or have any issues that you wish to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to call (298-0600) or e-mail (klopsch@oakwood.oh.us). On behalf of City Council and Staff, I hope 2006 was a good year for you and wish you all the very best this year and in the years ahead.
Norbert S. Klopsch
Oakwood City Manager
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