See You at the Library
The Lampasas Public Library will be closed Feb. 15 in observance of President’s Day.
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Though the library lost its meeting room several years ago in order to expand its collection, there is still some meeting space available. The semi-private space will accommodate about 25 people for a small fee. After-hours access is available. Stop by or call to see if the space meets a group or organization’s needs.
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February is National Library Lovers’ Month. When you make a donation to the library this month, a red heart with the donor’s name will be added to the “I Love My Library” display, and the donor will receive a small token of appreciation.
A bake sale will be held this month, and a reading contest is scheduled for the following age groups: 5-8; 9-12; 13-17; and adults 18 and older. Top readers in each age category will receive a gift card. Winners will be notified by phone in March. Stop by for details.
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The library is collecting used eyeglasses for the Lions Club.
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Preschool story times are Feb. 10 with “Happy Hearts” and Feb. 24 with “Money, Money, Money.” Storytimes are 10-10:30 a.m.
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Patrons can be automatically placed on the reserve list when a new book comes out. Just log into your account, scroll down to “Have some favorite authors?” and click on the link. Choose from more than 35 of the most popular authors. You can choose to be notified when one of your favorites publishes a new book.
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Recent donations have been given in memory of Fred Gist and Billie Streit.
A donation also was given in honor of Jeananne Elkins.
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New books at the library:
“Swan Thieves,” by Elizabeth Kostova. Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe, devoted to his profession and the painting hobby he loves, has a solitary but ordered life. When renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient, Marlowe finds that order destroyed.
Desperate to understand the secret that torments the genius, he embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.
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“Not My Daughter,” by Barbara Delinsky. When Susan Tate’s 17- year-old daughter Lily announces she is pregnant, Susan is stunned. A single mother, she has struggled to do everything right. She sees the pregnancy as an unimaginable tragedy for both Lily and herself.
Then comes word of two or more pregnancies among high school juniors who happen to be Lily’s best friends -- and the town turns to talk of a pact.
As fingers start pointing, the most ardent criticism is directed at Susan. As principal of the high school, she has always been held up as a role model of hard work and core values. Now her detractors accuse her of being a lax mother, perhaps not worthy of the job of shepherding impressionable students.
As Susan struggles with the implications of her daughter’s pregnancy, her job, financial independence and long-fought-for dreams are all at risk.
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“Unclutter Your Life in One Week,” by Erin Rooney-Doland. Simple living isn’t about depriving, it’s about enriching. There is no one-size-fits-all answer for your organization.
Erin’s down-to-earth approach will help you part with sentimental clutter, organize your closet based on how you process information, build an effective and personalized filing system, avoid the procrastination that often hinders the process, and much more.
Once you cure the clutter, she shares practical advice for maintaining your harmonious home and work environments with minimal daily effort.
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“I, Sniper,” by Stephen Hunter. Four famed ’60s radicals are gunned down by a sniper. Under enormous media scrutiny, the FBI quickly concluded that Marine war hero Carl Hitchcock was the shooter. But as the bureau, led by Special Agent Nick Memphis, bears down, Hitchcock commits suicide.
In closing out the investigation, Nick discovers a case made in heaven, but maybe it’s a little too perfect. Nick asks his friend, retired Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger, to examine the data. Using a skill set no other man on earth possesses, Swagger soon discovers unseen anomalies and gradually begins to unravel a sophisticated conspiracy -- one that would require the highest level of warcraft by the most superb special operations professionals.
Swagger soon closes in, and those responsible will stop at nothing to take him out. But these heavily armed men make the mistake of thinking they are hunting Bob, when he is, in fact, hunting them.
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“Death of a Valentine,” by M.C. Beaton. Amazing news has spread across the Scottish countryside. The most famous of Highland bachelors, Police Sgt. Hamish Macbeth, may actually marry at last. The entire village of Lochdubh adores Macbeth’s brideto be.
Josie McSween is Hamish’s new constable, and the local folks think she is quite a catch. But Hamish couldn’t be more miserable.
The wedding wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for the murder of a beautiful woman in a nearby village. After the woman receives a deadly Valentine’s Day gift, Hamish and Josie take on the case. However, they soon discover that the list of the victim’s admirers is endless.
The case confirms Hamish’s belief that love is extremely dangerous, but he still can’t avoid the events that lead up to his celebrated engagement.
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Other new books at the library:
“Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage,” by Elizabeth Gilbert.
“Deeper Than the Dead,” by Tami Hoag.
“Noah’s Compass,” by Anne Tyler.
“Treasure Hunt,” by John Lescroart.
“Merry Wives of Maggody,” by Joan Hess.










