It's Patron Appreciation Month, when we recognize the most important people to walk through our doors: our patrons! All month long, we'll be recognizing our Patrons of Distinction and doing fun things to celebrate our "extended family" -- our patrons. A key component of Patron Appreciation Month is our Amnesty program, where patrons can get up to 50% of their fines cleared! There are some restrictions to this, however:

1. Transactions must be handled in person.

2. Accounts turned over to collections or that have accrued $25 or

Author Jack Nisbit (author of "The Collector") is in town today, appearing at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library in downtown Milledgeville. He'll present a slide presentation, followed by a book signing. It starts at 5:00 and is FREE and open to the public. Come learn something!

More details about Mr. Nisbitt can be found at
http://andalusiafarm.org/news_events/Nisbet.htm

The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can be read on the agency's Web site at http://www.imls.gov/news/2010/032510.shtm

First-ever National Study: Millions of People Rely on Library Computers for Employment, Health, and Education

77 million people used library computers and Internet access in past year

The employee of the month for March 2010 is... Amy Riddle! Amy does an amazing job in our Reference department and we're pleased to recognize all that she adds to the Twin Lakes family. Please join me in congratulating Amy on this recognition!

As the economy continues to stumble, more and more people are making use of the Library's services. The American Library Association says that this is a nationwide phenomenon. Unfortunately, local funding agencies cry foul when it comes to increasing Library funding during an economic downturn -- despite the fact that people use us to find jobs, save money and look for ways to open new small businesses. The shortsightedness of funding agencies is sad -- when people need us most, we have to cut services and hours to make ends meet.

On Monday March 22, 2010, the Mary Vinson Memorial Library will be hosting a FREE showing of the movie "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" starring Christopher Eccleston, Sienna Miller and Dennis Quaid. Rated PG-13 for strong sequences of action violence and mayhem throughout. The movie starts at 6 pm.

Digital Bridges will be offering basic computer classes to the public from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library each Tuesday.

The Mary Vinson Memorial Library will be hosting the River of Words exhibit through Friday of this week. Come out to see poetry and art by students throughout Georgia! There's only one week left to enjoy this -- there's even a representative from Milledgeville in the exhibit!

The River of Words exhibit is currently available on the second floor of the Mary Vinson Memorial Library. We'll be hosting the exhibit through March 20. Please come out and take a look!

The Library Board of Trustees will be meeting on Wednesday March 10 at noon in the Mary Vinson Memorial Library Meeting Room. The public is welcome to attend but if you wish to address the Board, you must first request this in writing to the Board Chair.