News

A pond in her backyard inspired Mindy McGinnis’ debut novel “Not a Drop to Drink”, which has been optioned for movie development. McGinnis will read experts from her books, discuss her creative process and answer questions on Tues., March 15, 7:00 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial, Marysville.

McGinnis’ presentation is part of the 2016 Author Series presented by the Friends of the Library.

McGinnis is an assistant Young Adult librarian who lives in Ohio and graduated from Otterbein University magna cum laude with a BA in English Literature and Religion.  She has written a number of short stories and several Young Adult novels. 

The companion to her debut novel, In A Handful Of Dust, was released in 2014 and her Gothic historical thriller, A Madness So Discreet, came out in the fall of 2015.

In its eleventh year, the author series will continue with retired basketball coach Dr. Jim Burson, Tues., April 12; and teen and adult fiction writer Laura Bickle on Tues. May 3.

Tickets for individual presentations are $5.00, or series tickets are available for $10.00. Students attend for free. All events start at 7:00 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial, 233 W 6th St., Marysville. For more information, visit www.marysvillelib.org or contact Bethany Anderson, banderson@marysvillelib.org; 937-642-1876.

 Kelly Lytle, author of "To Dad, Love Kelly" spoke Tuesday evening about his father Rob Lytle and his career in college and national football. 

Kelly Lytle to speak on football, grief and family

After a football career with the Denver Broncos, Rob Lytle died at age 56. His son Kelly wrote “To Dad, From Kelly” about the man he considered his best friend.  Kelly Lytle will be reading excerpts and sharing his experiences Tues., Feb. 23, 7:00 p.m., at Veteran’s Memorial, Marysville.

Lytle’s talk is part of the 2016 Author Series presented by the Friends of the Library.

Although football provides a backdrop, Lytle will speak to what the book is really about: family, zeal, and character.

Lytle was born on opening day of the 1982 NFL season in Denver, where his father Rob was a running back for the Broncos. Before turning to writing, he had worked on Wall Street for three years and spent time as a salary cap analyst in the NFL.

"The process of writing my first book showed me that many of the seemingly small decisions I've made combined to cause profound, positive changes in my life and help me overcome the grief of losing my dad," Lytle said.

In its eleventh year, the series will also include young adult fiction writer Mindy McGinnis, Tues., March 15; motivational speaker and retired basketball coach Dr. Jim Burson, Tues., April 12; and teen and adult fiction writer Laura Bickle on Tues. May 3.

Tickets for individual presentations are $5.00, or series tickets are available for $10.00. All events start at 7:00 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial, 233 W 6th St., Marysville. For more information, visit www.marysvillelib.orgor contact Bethany Anderson, banderson@marysvillelib.org; 937-642-1876.

 Each year the Friends make a contribution to the Library in the amount of 4.5% of the year end total of the Endowment Fund.  This year an endowment fund distribution check of $8,980.00 was presented to Library Director, Nieca Nowles by Friends Board President, Jan Dick and Friends Board Member, Kay Olson.  Endowment fund distribution monies are utilized by the library to fulfill material memorials  and equipment or programming needs that lie beyond the library budget. 

The Friends annual winter Scholastic Book Fair was held December 10-12 and coincided with the Library Christmas Party on December 12th. All proceeds from the sale benefit the library through the Scholastic Dollars program.  The book fair sales this year earned the library over $1,645 in Scholastic Dollars which are used to purchase new library materials through Scholastic.  Special thanks to Friends board president Jan Dick for coordinating the event and all the volunteers and library staff who helped. 

 The Friends celebrated their Annual Member Luncheon at Lucasey's Italian Bistro on September 27.

 President Jan Dick reviewed our accomplishments from the past year and gave updates on our current projects.  A vote was held to nominate Susan Ehlers and Ann Whitmer for 3 year terms as board members. 

Nieca Nowels introduced herself as the new Marysville Public Library Director. She talked about her background and what she is looking forward to being able to do at Marysville. She also introduced Bethany Anderson, the new Community Engagement Manager.

Founding Friends member, long time board member and past Friends President David Irish was honored for his years of service to the Friends of the Library.  Ryan McDonnell spoke to the group about Dave’s commitment to the library over the years.  His willingness to do hard tasks, be a leader and advocate of the Friends has benefited the community over the years.  He has been instrumental in the creation and growth of the endowment fund and been the face of the Friends since its formation in 1998.  He was presented with a Friends baseball hat and a wooden Phoenix Bat imprinted with many thanks for his years of service.

Entertainment this year was provided by Bo Johnstone with the Union County Historical Society. Bo presented a historical perspective on baseball over the years.  His costume and props provided for an interesting and entertaining presentation.

Many thanks to the Events Committee for another enjoyable annual meeting celebration!

The Friends participated for the second year at the Festifair in Marysville, OH on September 12th from 9am - 4pm.  The booth offered used books, videos and CD's and volunteers collected donations for these items.  The weather was beautiful and the patrons were generous.  The Friends were able to collect over $300 in donations! We're looking forward to another great day next year! 

 The Friends Scholastic Book Fair was held June 1 - 5 and helped kicked off a fun filled Summer Reading Program. All proceeds from the sale benefit the library through the Scholastic Dollars program.  The book fair sales in June earned the library over $1,100 in Scholastic Dollars which are used to purchase new library materials through Scholastic.  Special thanks to Friends board president Jan Dick for coordinating the event and all the volunteers and library staff who helped. 

“Had a plan”.  That is the phrase Russ Walkup used often during his hour and a half presentation at this year’s second edition of the Friends of the Marysville    Library Author Series. Russ who spent seventeen years teaching and coaching in Marysville in the 60’s and 70’s, discussed his book, “An Appalachian Odyssey” before over 80 appreciative people Tuesday evening.

His plan took him from his birthplace in West Virginia, to Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota and many locations in between. After high school Russ wanted to work in the coal mining industry to make money to buy a truck, a gun, and a fishing pole. This plan was short lived because of the risks involved in the industry. From that experience he went to Berea College in Kentucky. After graduating in 1959 he entered the teaching profession. His book humorously follows that path.

Many in the audience knew Russ from his time in Marysville. There were teaching colleagues and students, including eight people from Marysville High School’s class of 1969. While at Marysville he also acted as the Recreation Director at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, which provided many interesting stories. The audience was very well entertained by Mr. Walkup’s presentation as evidenced by the abundant laughter in the auditorium.

The next author in the series will be Alan St. Jean, a children’s author from Ohio, on April 21, at the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium. Ticket will be available at the door.  

The tenth year of the Author Series sponsored by the Friends of the Marysville Library was kicked off by native Kentuckian, Mary Hamilton.  Mary received the Circle of Excellence ORACLE Award from the National Storytelling Network in 2009. This is one of many awards she has received. Mary discussed her book Kentucky Folktales: Revealing Stories, Truths, and Outright Lies, and entertained questions after her presentation.

The crowd of approximately 40 was totally enthralled by Mary’s storytelling technique. She called her father a kitchen table storyteller, and it was he who started her on her own route to storytelling. Mary realized that her father told two or three stories, but changed them each time he told them so they always seemed new.

Mary explained that storytelling is an interactive art with three essential elements- story, teller, and audience. It is all about the process. She entertained the audience with her story about “Some Dog”, and how the story changes with each telling. The changes are triggered by the reaction of the listeners. She details this process in her book.

The next author will be Russ Walkup who lived and worked in Marysville in the 1970’s. The date is March 24 and will be at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium at 7 PM.  Tickets can be purchased at the door.