It is 107 degrees outside. It is too hot for a field trip to the zoo or for a play date at the park. So if your kids are driving you bonkers with their mantra, “I’m bored,” or if you all just have a serious case of cabin fever, I have a great idea. Head to the local library, where the thermostat is set at a cool, comfortable 73.

Yesterday I visited the Kaufman County Library in Kaufman, TX, and talked with Mellisa Day. She is the Children’s Program Coordinator. I met her last summer when I brought my 2nd grade summer school class to the Library’s Summer Reading Program. She has an energetic personality, a big smile, and a love for kids and books.

Ms. Mellisa, as the kids call her, gave me lots of information on what her library has to offer the whole family.

Meet Mellisa

Mellisa Day
Children’s Program Coordinator
Kaufman County Library
mday@kaufmancountylibrary.net.

The interview

Q: How long have you worked as a librarian?
A: Well, I’m not actually a librarian. I am the Children’s Program Coordinator. A librarian has to have an Masters of Library Science degree. You get a Masters degree after your Bachelors degree. We do have a librarian. That is Yasma Holland; she has the degree and the education.

Q: So what made you want to work at the library?
A: Back in 2004 I was a stay-at-home mom bringing my kids to the library every Wednesday for storytime. The lady who was reading the stories at the time was retiring. No other moms wanted to take her place, so I volunteered to come in and read to the kids each week. That eventually turned into a full-time job.

Q: What kind of books do you offer in your library to check out?
A: We offer Fiction and Non-fiction titles, Large Print, Westerns, and Sci-fi Fantasy titles. We have an area for Easy Fiction (picture books). We have a Juvenile Fiction and Young Adult area (chapter books). We also have a Juvenile Non-fiction and Juvenile Biography section. Mellisa also told me that their whole catalog of book titles can be browsed online. Find the link titled “Renew Books & Search for Books” on their website.

Q: Explain the book checkout process and rules.
A: The first thing you need is a FREE Library Card. This will require you to show proof of residence in Kaufman County. The first time you use your card you can take out 1 item. After returning your first item, then you can check out a total of 10 items per card. Books are checked out for 2 weeks and DVDs are checked out for 2 days. There are fines if you return your items after the due date. Details about proof of residency and fines can be found on the website in the links “Library Cards” and “Fines and Fees”.

Q: Who is the library for?
A: The library is for everyone! We have resources for Readers, Watchers, Listeners, Job Seekers, Researchers, and DIYers.

Q: Besides books, what else does your library offer for check out?
A: For our Readers we also have magazines and newspapers. For our Watchers we offer DVDs. Listeners can check out our audio books. Researchers can peruse our genealogy section. DIYers can use our Texshare Databases. We also provide 6 public computers for those needing to use the internet, check email, fill out applications, or print off documents.

Q: What kind of programs and activities go on at the Library? While I was there, the community room was filled with people taking a certification class. A sign on the front door advertised a Frozen Sing-a-Long happening on Monday night, and Mellisa told me they had a Karaoke Picnic this past Saturday. This is much more than a place to come get books.
A: We offer programs for preschoolers all the way up to adults!

• Read-To-Me Club for preschoolers meets every Wednesday at 11:00 am, September through April.
• Summer Reading Program for kids ages 0-13 meets for 6 weeks in June and July. This year we had an average of 125 kids each week! The Summer Reading Program just had their end of year celebration last week. You missed it for 2018, but you will be able to find out details and dates for 2019 at the library next summer.
• Kids of Appetite teen book club meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm. They discuss books they are reading and have refreshments.
• Adult Coloring Club meets the 4th Tuesday of the month from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
• Adult Book Club meets the 4th Tuesday of the month from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
• Legal Aid of Northwest Texas offers free legal help to Kaufman County residents on the 1st Wednesday of the month, starting at 12:30 pm. You must call the Waxahachie office and make an appointment first 972-923-3344.
• Library patrons can use Texshare Databases for homework help, health or business information, academic journals, popular magazines, genealogy, or job and career development. www.libraryoftexas.com          login: kaufman       password: library
• The Interlibrary Loan Program allows us to borrow a book from another library. If you are looking for it, and we don’t have it, we can get it for you.
• We have information on GED, ESL, and Citizenship classes that are offered by Navarro Community College, and are taught here in Kaufman. Or you can call the college at 903-875-7464.

Q: What are you currently reading?
A: I have just finished a fabulous book called “What She Left Behind” by Ellen Marie Wiseman.

Q: What is your favorite book to read to kids?
A: I enjoy reading many books to the kids. I think the books with rhyming or repeating text are my favorites. With these type of books the children catch on to the story and can help read it with me. I do have one book that I think every mother should read to their child. It is called “Love You, Forever” by Robert Munsch. (Caution you might get a little teary eyed and need a few tissues, I know I still do!)

And now a few questions from the world of Facebook  (Mellisa says she doesn’t have a Facebook!)

Q: Can I play Oregon Trail?
Mellisa got a confused look on her face before she carefully answered.
A: You cannot download any games onto the computers, but you can play any games that are already on them.
She then remembered faintly that Oregon Trail was a game her kids played a long time ago when computers were first coming around.

Q: How do you choose what books to get?
A: We take recommendations! We also use review catalogs that are written for libraries, like “Library Journal Magazine.” We use the New York Times bestsellers list, and get recommendations from other librarians.

Q: Do you have Bible clarification and help books?
A: Yes! We have a whole religious section. There is a Bible Concordance, an Illustrated Bible, a Bible Dictionary… You can browse the card catalog to see everything we have. “Renew Books & Search for Books” Mellisa was browsing the catalog as we were talking, and noticed someone was actually checking out the Concordance right then.

Q: Can you bottle up that “library” smell and make it into a Freshie or a Scentsy melt?
A: Mellisa evidently doesn’t share our fondness for library smells. She made a face when she answered. No it’s not possible. She also told me a little library secret about how they get the smell out of a book that has been in a smoking home. If you want to know that secret, call Mellisa.

Q: Who was Dewey?
A: I did not know Dewey. He came up with a system of cataloging books and putting like books together. Interesting fact is that some libraries are doing away with the Dewey Decimal System, and going to a system that looks more like a bookstore.

Q: How about the Kaufman County Library? Which system do you use?
A: We use a combination. Our non-fiction books are still under the Dewey Decimal System. Our fiction books are shown in the bookstore style.

Q: Hard cover vs. paperback vs. e books?
A: My personal preference is hardback. The library offers all three. We actually offer digital downloads of ebooks, audio books, and videos free for checkout on any device if you have a library card. You can download the app “Libby” and log in with your library card number and your last name. Or you can use the program “Overdive”. There is also a link on our website. If you can’t figure it out, come in and we will be happy to help you set it up.

Thank you Mellisa, for your time and your information. I hope you get lots of new visitors! I’ll see you in 2 weeks when I bring my books back!

For more information

Kaufman County Library
3790 S. Houston St.
Kaufman, TX 75142
972-932-6222
www.kaufmancountylibrary.net

Library Hours (Closed most holidays)

• Monday 10-6
• Tuesday 10-6
• Wednesday 10-5
• Thursday 10-6
• Friday 10-4
• Saturday 9-1

Si necesita ayuda en español, porfavor pregunta por Rosalinda los miercoles, jueves, y sabados.

Fun Stuff to Do Now

Head over to the library where the temperature is comfortable and there is plenty to do!

Click here for a
Library Scavenger Hunt

Click on this video to read along with me.