Thanks to Sarah D., another one of our great work study students, for doing a display of her favorite books. You may find the display in the REC Reading area.

Here are Sarah’s favorites:

The poisonwood Bible : a novel / Barbara Kingsolver

The five people you meet in heaven / Mitch Albom

The tenth circle / Jodi Picoult

My sister’s keeper : a novel / Jodi Picoult

Keeping faith : a novel / Jodi Picoult

As part of our contest on St. Francis Day, October 5, we asked students and staff to write a little bit about their pets. Here are some of the responses:

Gayle K: “George is part Pomeranian, part Maltese. George is an excitable fella. Loves little kids–probably because they are his size.”

Janine E.: “We have two ‘pet’ steers, two horses, five cats, two dogs, two guinea pigs, and one mourning dove at our place.”

Amanda M.: “I have two dogs, Siberian Huskies. Mine is a great dog — he listens well and is full of love and energy. I’m so glad I’ve found a friend in him .”

Lienna O.: “Two parakeets, Ralphy & Glady. They fly free in the house.”

Courtney L.: “I’ve had Fluffy for three years, and she’s the best! I take her to the mall so she can get those striped dog sweaters she loves. Pink is her fav color!”

Gabby H.: “My two dogs do everything with us. One is lazy and slow, the other is energetic and ready to go @ all times. They balance each other well.”

Kasie V.: “My dog is a 12 year old Black Labrador. I’ve had him since he was a puppy, and since I was in first grade. He’s the best dog in the world: he listens, does tricks, and stays in the yard. We can even walk him without a leash. We’ve been through a lot together–snowstorms, tornadoes, tears, and laughs. He’s a great companion and I miss him dearly .”

Rose T.: “I have a Basset Hound. We rescued her from a family that paid no attention to her. We’ve had her for seven years now and she follows me everywhere when I get home.”

Jackie D.: “I rescued one of my cats just before Christmas of 2008. She weighed four lbs. and was sick, starving, and frostbitten. She’s since filled out and she’s healthy and happy. She and Samantha love to chase and pounce on each other and run around my apartment. I call it ‘Kitty Nascar’.”

Sarah D.: “I had six chinchillas at one point. Favorite one was called Chico the Chinchilla. We would let them jump all over, on the walls and around the house! Very cute animals!!!”

Susan C.: “I have a five year old Labrador. She’s always in a good mood, always so happy to welcome me home; just being greeted by her is a mood lifter. “

Emily Z.: “I grew up on a farm, so I have had horses, cats, chickens, a goat, a guinea pig, and real pigs.”

Karen S.: “Hank & Keisha. Cute!”

Congrats to our four winners of the “We Love Animals!” contest. Monday, October 5, was Founder’s Day, and to honor St. Francis we asked students and staff to tell us about their pets. These four names were drawn and the lucky pet lovers won these prizes:

• JACKIE D. — Prize One: The Clever Cat Trick Kit, The Cat Lover’s Treasury (book) and True or False Pets (children’s book)
• KAYLIE V.G. — Prize Two: Find, Fetch, Rollover: Dog Tricks Kit, The Dog Lover’s Treasury (book), and True or False Pets (children’s book)
• SARAH D. — Prize Three: All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (book)
• SUSAN C.R. — Prize Four: All Things Bright and Beautiful by  James Herriot (book)

Check back for their pet stories!

Try a Pura Vida refillable mug today. They’re only $4.99 (plus tax), and your  first coffee is free. After that, you’ll receive a discount on every refill. Pura Vida coffee is fair trade and organic. Once you add your refillable mug to the mix, you’ll feel great each time you fill up at Franny’s.

This fall, Franny’s is serving coffee and food until 6:00 pm Mondays through Thursdays. This change will be a boost to anyone needing a caffeine fix in the late afternoon.

Franny’s food and beverage hours:

M-Th 7:30 am-6:00 pm, Fri 7:30 am-2:30 pm

Have you ever wondered how Franny’s got its name? Three years ago, we held a student contest. For all the history, visit Franny’s on Founder’s Day, October 5. Look for some coffee specials, too!

On display in the REC Reading area is yet another great list of library books selected by a work study student. Stop by to see what Lucy has picked as her favorites:

• She’s come undone / Wally Lamb.

True believer / Nicholas Sparks.

The smoke jumper / Nicholas Evans.

The lovely bones : a novel / Alice Sebold.

Wicked : the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West : a novel / Gregory Maguire

Megan and Julia, our summer Main Desk work study students, picked these awesome titles as their summer favorites. Look for these displays near the REC Reading area:

Megan’s Picks:

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

House of Sand and Fog, by Andre Dubus III

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss

Drowning Ruth, by Christina Schwarz

Bee Season, by Myla Goldberg

The Piano Tuner, by Daniel Mason

Good in Bed, by Jennifer Weiner

Garden Spells, by Sarah Addison Allen

A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski

Julia’s Picks:

Everything is Illuminated : a novel, by Jonathan Safran Foer

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling

I am America (and So Can You!), by Stephen Colbert

What Can You Co with a Major in Biology? : Real People, Real Jobs, Real Rewards, by Bart Astor

America (the Book) : a Citizen’s Guide to Dmocracy Inaction, by Jon Stewart

Watchmen, by Alan Moore

Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi

A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein

Thanks for the picks, Julia and Megan!

Now on display in the library’s art gallery: VU student Sarah Bina’s exhibit, X-Rays. Please visit today!

This exhibit will run throughout the summer.

Read up on recent library news and events in our spring 2009 newsletter, Dare to be Wise (PDF).

Articles: NiH Research; Meet Polly Forsell; Database Closeup: Communication & Mass Media Complete; Database Closeup: Criminal Justice Periodicals; Art: Sarah Bina Exhibit “X-Rays”; Book Review: My Sister’s Keeper

Yes, the library is open for the entire summer. For a complete listing, please visit our hours page. Franny’s remains open as a computer lab and study space, but food and beverage services will not return until next fall.