The Librarian

The basics of Robert’s Rules of Order presented gratis: The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and the Maumee Valley Unit (National Association of Parliamentarians/Ohio Association of Parliamentarians) are presenting a free, one-day workshop titled “The Art of Effective Meetings: The Basics of Parliamentary Procedure.”  This workshop is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Avenue, Toledo.

The workshop emphasizes effective meeting skills through practical application of basic parliamentary procedure, including rules of debate, how to deal with motions, and committee reports are discussed.

Meeting topics, based on Robert’s Rules of Order, will include basic rules and principles, duties of officers, conduct of business, rights of members, election procedures, and question and answer forum.

Information materials from the National Association of Parliamentarians will be available for purchase.  This free workshop requires registration. The deadline is Wednesday, March 21, 2007. To register or for more details, call 419.259.5266.

_“How Tall Is Your Tale?”: The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library has announced the 2007 Ruth Blank Venner Essay Contest.  This year’s theme is “How Tall Is Your Tale?” The essay contest is open to grades K through 12.  Grade level essay categories are as follows: K-2^nd grade, 3^rd -5^th, 6^th -8^th, and 9^th –12^th.  Prizes will be awarded to winning essay entrants: 1^st place $200, 2^nd place $100, 3^rd place $50 and 6 honorable mentions at $25 each.

Contest essay forms are available at all Toledo-Lucas County Public Library branch locations, at Main Library, and on the Library’s Bookmobile (Outreach Services).  Essays must be turned in by Monday, May 14.

The late Ruth Blank Venner was a past president of the Friends of the Library and an active member.  Mrs. Venner, who died in 1996, was married 44 years to the well-known television news anchor Frank Venner.  Mrs. Venner’s brother Leon W. Blank, as a way to honor his sister’s memory and to promote reading among youth, established the Ruth Blank Venner Memorial Project of the Friends of the Library beginning in 1996. For more details, please call 419.259.5207.