There was an exciting visitor at the Dobbs Ferry Public Library last week — and he read stories to the children.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the McDonald’s “Check It Out” Reading Program, Ronald McDonald visited the Dobbs Ferry library for a “Ronald and Me” reading tour. He read to group of more than 20 children and their parents. Dobbs Ferry served as the first stop of the 2008 “Ronald and Me” reading tour but so far the only one in our lower Hudson Valley region.

Five is the magic number
The McDonald’s “Check It Out”reading program encourages children in grades K-4 find to discover the enjoyment of reading. The program rewards children with a free Happy Meal for reading five books during the summer months. More than 1 million children in the New York tri-state area have participated in the program since its inception in 1998. This year the booklets are available in Spanish, as well.

The library, like all our libraries in the region, are sponsoring lots of reading programs for children including the “Catch the Reading Bug” through the New York State Library.

The Board of Trustees at the Ossining Public Library has announced  a change in its executive leadership. Its new board president will be Peter Capek, previously the vice president. The new v.p. will be Thomas Staudter, formerly the secretary. Mirla Morrison has been appointed the new secretary and Linda Carpenter, treasurer.

Bob Minzescheimer, the former board president, is stepping down after a second term, the library reports. Minzesheimer is a writer for USA Today, published by Gannett, which also puts out The Journal News/LoHud.com. The library credits Minzescheimer with being instrumental in organizing many of its programs, including author talks. His most recent program was the Festival of Writers and Readers with authors including Frank McCourt and George Vecsey. He will stay on as a board member.

Additionally, the library voted to select a new trustee Samantha Brail to replace Joyce Lannert who is resigning after 12 yeras. Brail, manager of financial planning and analysis for Spraylat Corporation, is a graduate of Siena College and holds and M.B.A. from Union College.

Wimbledon finalist Serena Williams is coming to Mamaroneck tomorrow to play for the World TeamTennis Washington Kastles in a match against the New York Sportimes. And there is a book involved in the bit of celebrity -sports news since the heads-up comes from the publicist for “American Doubles” by Marcia Frost (Mansion Grove House ). The book features the tennis pro (and others) and will also get its moment in center court at the Sound Shore tennis extravaganza.

Serena, and several players at that match, are highlighted in the new publication whose full title is “American Doubles …the Trials …the Triumphs …the Domination.” It is by Long Island native Marcia Frost. The book will be sold at that match in Harbor Island Park and the author will do a signing event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. One chapter does highlight sibling pairings.

Here’s what publicist Liza Horan says about the book: ”(It) showcases Americans’ prowess on the doubles court, from the successes of Billie Jean King and Stan Smith to today’s top doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan—both of whom made the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles final round and who are featured on the book cover.”

It seems that the Williams match is at 7:30 p.m. For information check out the Sportime site.

If you won’t come to the library, then the library will just have to come to you. A book mobile is heading to Westchester libraries bringing books and services to many communities in a fun, eye-catching way.

The Westchester Library System book mobile is on the road, according to a press release from WLS.

The book mobile, supported by an $85,000 grant from the Westchester County Board of Legislators, will open its doors to welcome residents with library services at community programs and facilities throughout the county. Visitors can browse through a select collection of books and other materials, borrow items and return them to the book mobile or any of the county’s libraries, sign up for library cards, gather pamphlets on county and area services, and search WLS cyber databases and resources.

Following its debut yesterday morning, the book mobile will make regular stops to libraries in New Rochelle, Tarrytown, Peekskill, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Mount Kisco, Mount Vernon and Shrub Oak.

So do keep an eye out (and your camera phone handy) for the book mobile. It is also scheduled to appear at a variety of upcoming community events.

(Photo from WLS Director’s Blog by Siobhan Reardon)

Libraries are places for cats. Really, I thought.  Where and how many?

I just learned (from a blog reader, actually) that in its listing of libraries by community, the New York State Library indicates about 30 New York libraries that have or once had a resident cat. She had read an earlier posting  on this site about dogs invited to the front yard event at the Montrose library.

OK, back to cats.

When at the state library’s site just click on the dancing cat icon (example to the left, courtesy of the New York State Library) beside the library name to see photos or descriptions of the cats as well as to learn the cats’ names. It appears that this information was originally compiled by Iron Frog Productions.

It’s less scrolling and a lot faster to access the information on the Iron Frog page than on the New York State Library site.

According to the list, the New York Public Library has two cats, statues Patience and Fortitude, at its front entrance while other libraries have real live cats indeed. Dewey seems to be a popular name for a library feline. But other clever names are Catalog and Paige. None currently reside in our readership area as far as this list is concerned, though it does note that the Putnam Valley Free Library had a resident cat, Muffin, from 1982-1988.

Here’s a photo of Syd the Biblio Cat who lives at the Frank J. Basloe Library in Herkimer, N.Y. He even has his own blog . He seems to be confined to the office area where he is admittedly spoiled by the staff.

Speaking as someone who is highly allergic to cats, I am not sure how enthusiastic I am about inviting felines into public libraries and allowing them to call the bookshelves home, but it sure sounds sweet …. until I start sneezing and wheezing that is. I was pleased to learn that Fluffy at the Sullivan Free Library is in the office at the Chittenango Library and I am sure that is the case in most cat-friendly libraries.

Iron Frog folks have posted information about libraries that have resident cats in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. To complete their research, they’re requesting that viewers send them information about libraries with residents cats that are located in South America and the Middle East. Give it a try if have any good information.

This same reader, Jean, tells me that there’s a library near the Catskills, Phoenicia Library, that allows dogs inside, well-behaved, leashed or carried ones, that is. The library sells greeting cards (as a fundraiser) with dogs in library/reading settings. She says she was an enthusiastic customer and “totally smitten.” That’s for a future post….

I knew right off that I had a lot in common with Chaim O’Brien-Blumenthal, 16, of Brewster when I read his T-shirt promoting the great Strand Bookstore in lower Manhattan.

“Oh, I see you are a Strand fan,” I said, remarking that it is nearly 60 miles away and more than an hour’s ride from his hometown.

His face lit up letting me know this teenager was a real booklover. We both agreed that pouring through the tables of used books looking for treasures was pure fun. And you always find something really neat.

“It really is the biggest used bookstore,” he said. “There isn’t anything like it.” He said he has stood on line to sell some of his unwanted books — the store is known for replenishing its voluminous stock daily buying from some volumes from its customers — and he said he has also bought many books there.

Actually, for many years the teenager has been a collector of various items — buttons, bookmarks, stamps and coins for years and was featured in a 2005 article in The Journal News.

The Strand Bookstore celebrated its 80th anniversary last year. In addition to used books, the store sells new titles are 50 percent off the cover price, some at 20 percent off. They also have art books, first editions and rare books, and book accessories.

Store staff will even build a library or help with a film or theatre set that needs books. Victorian-Era books at $250 per foot, new leather classics at $300 per foot or contemporary fiction for $30 per foot. “We’ve put together libraries for hundreds of clients, including the Plaza hotel, Steven Spielberg, and Polo Ralph Lauren,” according to its Web site.

I didn’t notice at the time that Chaim’s shirt said 8 miles of books. The store now boasts of 18 miles of books, which refers to the main store and the many other Strand outlets throughout the city. Maybe his shirt is an older model or a clever version referring to the George Wills’ 1970s comment about all the books at the Strand. The newer versions in many different styles are available at the store and on its Web site.

The Strand is at 828 Broadway (at 12th St.)

It is not just books that I love, it’s the accessories related to bibliomania, too.

To wit, here is a photograph of a bookend that I just purchased at what might seem as an unlikely retailer for a book-related item.  But nonetheless, while browsing through merchandise at Consider the Cook in Bedford, I found this adorable monkey bookend and decided I had to have it.

If you look closely you will see the monkey is flipping the pages of the book with his (or her) right hand. I particularly like that it is also scratching its head. I think this is a special bookend and one that did not need to be bought as a set — which is good because it was $40 all on its own.  As you can see I didn’t feel it was up to the task of actually holding a line-up of books in place.  Rather, I  think it is better suited to just adorn a  reader’s shelf. Now to find the right books to sit near it….

Consider the Cook at 26 Village Green has lots of items for cooks and foodies, of course, but as you can see it also has an array of home accessories. One less monkey bookend, though. There were at least four different bookend sets, which is more than you can find at many bookstores.

Everything you wanted to know about dogs and canine care will be highlighted later this month at the Hendrick Hudson Free Library in Montrose, actually on the library’s lawn. Learn about dogs, meet some new barking friends and bring your own pooch to the library.

“Patrons and their dogs are invited to attend this unique event on the library front lawn. Both human and canine ambassadors will be present from the Elmsford Animal Shelter, Greyhound Rescue and Rehab, the K-9 Unit of the New York State Troopers, and others. Learn about canine care and how you can help these worthwhile organizations,” reads the library’s announcement.

“Dog Days at the Library” is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

Registration began on June 27th. All those attending with their pets must be registered. Call the Hendrick Hudson Free Library at 914-739-5654.

Dogs and libraries are a great combination, I can attest to that as a mom and former dog owner. Also, I wrote about a dog therapy program at an elementary school which totally engaged some special students.

Many libraries, such as the Mahopac Public Library, have invited dogs inside for special storytimes.

Check out a Web site called librarydogs.com devoted to canines and libraries. This adorable photo (above) is from the site.

I would love to hear some dog-and-book stories, see some photos? Any cat tales out there? Comment here or send to my e-mail at bnackman@LoHud.com

The White Plains Farmers Market is set to host, what I think, is a truly inspired melange of treats for all of our senses.

On Wednesday, July 9, from 11:00a.m.- 2:00p.m., shoppers buying farm-fresh corn and tree-sweet peaches at the White Plains Farmers Market will also be confronted with creative literary fare. Inkwell, the award-winning journal published by Manhattanville College’s Master of Arts in Writing program in Purchase, will host a booth across from the Barnes & Noble store, where volunteers will be giving away free copies of Inkwell—and free drinks and snacks!

Visitors will be treated to brief readings of poems or stories every 15-minutes—a sample of the work of writers who have published in Inkwell. There will also be a raffle for subscriptions to Inkwell, which comes out semi-annually.

The White Plains Farmers Market is at 255 Main Street & Hamilton Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605 and is open from 8:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. on Wednesdays.

Also on hand for aspiring writers, will be submission guidelines for the journal’s upcoming Fiction and Poetry Competitions, with $1,500 awarded for the best short story and $1,000 for the best poem. This year, novelist Brian Morton will judge the fiction competition and poet Major Jackson will judge the poetry competition.

(Cover of Inkwell’s current edition) 

The Chappaqua Library is thrilled to announce that it has some new art and architecture books.

“Thanks to a generous endowment from the Reader’s Digest,” reads its July newsletter, “we have been able to refurbish the library’s collection of art and architecture books.

Reference librarian Daphne Jackson, along with gallery curator Larry D’Amico, have been busy selecting some new additions to this collection at the Chappaqua Library, which the library describes as “stunning.”

Some  highlights with the librarians annotations:
• “Calder Jewelry”  by Mark Rosenthal (contributor) and others—   Exquisitely photographed metal ornaments from the inventive modern artist
•”In the Realm of Gods and Kings: Arts of India” edited by Andrew Topfield—  The wealth and diversity of courtly and religious arts from 1000 B.C. to the twentieth century
• “New Classicism: The Rebirth of Traditional Architecture”by Elizabeth Meredith Dowling —  Examines the burgeoning new vogue for the many varieties of traditional classical design
• “Richard Haas: The City is My Canvas” by Richard Haas and Beth Dunlop—   A retrospective of the artist’s trompe l’oeil architectural murals
• “The Secret Language of Art” —   A fascinating guide to the key figures, themes, events, symbols and emblems that form the subject matter of Western painting.

I say, check these out….and don’t forget that on these hot, hot days, the library can be an especially  cool place.