See You at the Library
201 South Main Street

New online catalog: The Lampasas Public Library has a new computer system, consisting of an online catalog. Library patrons can access their account, place reserves, and renew materials online at www.cityoflampasas.com/library. Navigate to the Online Catalog. To log in to your account, enter library card number and phone number. Phone the library for assistance.

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Those with overdue library books can take advantage of an amnesty period through March 15. When bringing in an overdue library item, present it along with a donation for the Support Our Troops program, and overdue fines will be waived. One item for the troops covers one fine. Overdue materials must be returned to the front desk, in good condition. The amnesty program does not apply to charges for lost or damaged materials. A list of items needed for the troops is available at the library or on the city's website.

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Attention teens: Come check out the growing selection of books for young adults. It includes series such as "Bluford High," "Fear Street," "W.I.T.C.H.," "Summer Share" and "First Kisses," as well as other fiction. Non-fiction topics range from drunk driving to forensics, ESP to global warming, and students' rights to UFOs. Please feel free to make suggestions for purchase.

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Come check out the book sale. The library is constantly restocking. Stop by and check out the selection of children's books, adult fiction, nonfiction and audiobooks. Hardcovers are $1; softcovers are $.50; and children's books are $.25. Audiobooks are $5 each.

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The library offers its thanks to everyone who has helped with the "Support Our Troops" program through donations of needed items or money to defray postage for care packages. To date, 45 boxes have been shipped to troops overseas, made possible by donations. There are still many troops that could benefit, and the library continues to ask for help. Please drop off donations or money at the library during regular business hours.

Some needed items include: Chapstick, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, batteries and ready-to-eat foods. Shampoo, lotions, soaps, etc. should be unscented. A more extensive list of requested items is available at the library or on the city's website.

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Preschoolers are welcome to storytimes March 12 and 26. Themes for the month are "Eency Weency, Teeny Weeny, Itty Bitty" stories and "Signs of Spring." Story times begin at 10 a.m. and last 35 to 45 minutes. Along with stories is music with Miss Julia. Phone the library at 556-3251 for more information.

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The library has received two checks from ShopForTheLibrary. net, but more are needed. Visit the site and select the Lampasas Public Library as the library to support. Download "AutoTrack", and begin to shop online and earn money for the library.

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Memorial donations have been given in memory of Dick Procter, Elmer Littrell and Alvis Cox. The library also received donations from the Pierian Club and Town & Country Study Club.

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Reusable ink cartridges are still being accepted for recycling. Drop them off at the library.

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Author read-alikes:

If you like Tom Clancy, you might also like Stephen Coonts, Dale Brown, Clive Cussler or Vince Flynn.

If you like Patricia Cornwell, you might also like Linda Fairstein, Sue Grafton or Tess Gerritsen.

If you like Janet Evanovich, you might also like Jennifer Crusie, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, Sue Grafton, Sandra Brown, Joan Hess or Diane Mott Davidson.

If you like Jan Karon, you might also like Miss Read, Ann B. Ross, Richard Paul Evans, Jennifer Chiaverini, Philip Gulley, Joan Medlicott or Nicholas Sparks.

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New books at the library:

"The Appeal," by John Grisham. Politics has always been a dirty game. Now justice is, too. In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town's water supply, causing the worst "cancer cluster" in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it. Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?

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"Someday," by Karen Kingsbury. Pressures of the celebrity lifestyle weigh heavily on Dayne and Katy Matthews as they take on separate movie projects. Tabloid rumors talk of trouble and unfaithfulness between the two, but finally something drastic catches Dayne's attention and makes him realize the destruction they're playing with. But will it be too late?

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"Blessings," by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Trina Muller has always had a passion for healing abandoned and injured animals. Her parents encourage this tenderness until Trina confesses her dream of going to veterinary college. Why can't she accept that God's will is for her to be a wife and mother? Graham Ortmann loves Trina, but how can he possibly marry someone who is determined to go against the dictates of the Old Order Mennonite fellowship? Trina can never be happy if she is outside of God's will for her life. But which life will she choose -- one with Graham or one in pursuit of her heart's calling?

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"Stranger in Paradise," by Robert Parker. The last time Jesse Stone, police chief of Paradise, Mass., saw Wilson "Crow" Cromartie, the Apache hitman was racing away in a speedboat after executing one of the most lucrative and deadly heists in the town's history. Crow managed to escape with a boatload of cash, never to be seen again. Until now. When Crow shows up in Jesse's office some 10 years after the crime, it's not to turn himself in. Crow is on another job, and this time he's asking for Jesse's help -- by asking him to stay out of the way. Crow's mission is simple: find young Amber Francisco and bring her back to her father Louis, in Florida. It should be an easy payday for a pro like Crow, but there are complications.

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"Seventh Heaven," by James Patterson. California's "Boy with a Broken Heart," the teenage son of a recent governor, has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Michael Campion, born with an incurable heart defect, has grown up under the watchful eye of an adoring public. The pressure on Det. Lindsay Boxer to learn what happened to Michael is overwhelming. When she finally does get a lead, it's devastating -- and for Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, it leads to the biggest trial of her life.

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Other new books:

"Death of a Gentle Lady," by M.C. Beaton.

"Dakota," by Martha Grimes.

"The Accident Man," by Tom Cain.

"Killing Ground," by Jack Higgins.

"Bleeding Kansas," by Sara Paretsky.