At the Library

When we think of the month of March, we think of basketball games, St. Patrick?s Day, and the first day of spring. Actually the whole month has been designated as Women?s History and Awareness month. The library offers many biographies on women of achievement. Some of those women come to mind quickly for many, while others are less known. During a yearly weeding process, we have found that many of our biographies have little circulation statistics. We have had to make some hard decisions to weed them from our collection. We have replaced several with newer editions, in an effort to get readers interested in knowing more about the courageous, daring, and passionate people, who have shaped our lives today.

Locally, we have had many women throughout time, who have made their own important contributions. As you enter the library you will see a wonderful display arranged by former Washington resident, Jeff Boshart, now of Charleston, Ill. The display honors his mother Martha Boshart, and the Women Airforce Service Pilots, better known as the acronym WASP. During World War II, the WASPs were the first women ever to pilot American military aircraft. They logged more than 60 million miles, flying almost every type of warplane in the process. The pilots? chores also included testing aircraft, towing airborne targets for male pilots to shoot, and flying bombers during bombardier training. The work of these women is what freed up the men pilots to serve in the South Pacific during World War II. Jeff has included his mother?s Congressional Medal of Honor in the display.

Jeff will present a program on the WASPs, and his mother, at the library on March 31 at 12:15 p.m.

There is also an art exhibit presented by Anne Pisarik?s high school students, in the Helen Wilson gallery. We always enjoy displaying the work of our local teens.

The following new materials are available.

Adult Fiction

A Faith of Her Own by Kathleen Fuller, What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson, A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling, Daughter of the Regiment by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Large Print Fiction

Twisted Innocence by Terri Blackstock, Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule by Jennifer Chiaverini