300th blog post! Garden Club plant sale this Saturday!

Back in March (on the first day of Spring this year, in fact) Ruidoso Public Library's blog celebrated it's fourth blogoversary (or anniversary of the first blog post).  Thank you for reading with us or joining us, sending us to friends, or subscribing by email.

I hope this blog connects with you.  I am so happy when a blog reader, during a visit, mentions reading about a library service or event here.

If you have any suggestions to help the library reach more (non-)readers in Lincoln County, please comment below, email, or call us.

This Saturday, June 1, join the Lincoln County Garden Club from 9 am to noon in front of Ruidoso Public Library.  They are selling small herbs and flowers to get your garden growing.  This is a fundraiser to support the xeriscaped gardens maintained by the Lincoln County Garden Club at the library and the hospital.

Visit early for the best selection.  Stay to chat with local gardening experts about your Lincoln County gardening questions.

P.S. Ruidoso Public Library is closed today to observe Memorial Day.  We will open Tuesday at 9 am.  The website and our online services, Gale, Overdrive, Mango, Universal Class, and Heritage Quest for Genealogy, are still available.  Why not visit them on our e-branch tab?

Preserving family heirlooms

Bookmark by ALA

Public libraries are occasionally confused with archives.  The first serves today's public, their needs and some wants.  An archive preserves artifacts of history with a specific topical, regional, or chronological focus.  You can be your family's archives.  April saw the American Library Association's Preservation Week, which collected a variety of programs (recorded for you to catch up on now or later) and resources to answer your questions on how best to ensure today's objects are available for future generations of your family.  These are some basic tips (check out the Preservation Week webpage for details).

Preserving Your Treasures

Quick Preservation Tips

Here are a variety of simple, practical actions to preserve your personal and family collections:

•          Handle with a clean, gentle touch

Protect your treasures from dust, dirt, oil, food, and other hazards by handling items carefully, with clean hands.

•          Store safely in stable conditions

Protect your treasures from light, harsh temperatures, and humidity.   Learn what storage options are right for your collections.

•          Foresee and avoid risks

Assess storage and display surroundings for potential problems like water, pests, mold, and breakage.  Relocate your treasures or take other measures (for example, put items in protective containers) to reduce risks.

•          Make a copy

Copy treasures like photographs, newspapers, and letters when possible and appropriate. Store the original safely and use the copy.  Digital copies allow treasures to be easily shared, but remember digital items need preservation, too.

•          Ask a professional

Seek professional advice before trying at-home repairs or cleaning treasures yourself.

•          Visit a museum or archives

Consult an archivist for great resources and additional tips on how to preserve your treasures.

•          Pass it on!

Share your treasures with your family and community. Your heritage is their heritage

Energy, Taxes, & Groups that meet @ the library

Busy week and weekend ahead!

Tonight is the deadline to file your taxes, or request an extension.

Friday visit the Ruidoso Convention Center for the Lincoln County Renewable Energy Conference and Trade Show.  That's April 22, 8am to 5pm, and it's free!  Learn about job opportunities, green building, and energy efficiency.

Saturday is the Lincoln County Solar & Sustainability Tour, 10am-4pm.  Visit businesses, houses, and gardens to see many sustainable activities, buildings, and appliances.  Visit with locals and learn what has worked here!

Ruidoso Public Library has a conference room available for meetings of non-profit groups.  Book clubs, condo associations, the Daughters of the American Revolution, & a mountain biking interest group have read our policy and filed requests to use our conference room.  The room is available during regular hours.  If you have an interested group, please ask a librarian during your next visit.