The board of the Fairfield Library Association has scheduled four long range planning meetings for December, January, February and March. Attended by members of the board and community representatives, the planning will be facilitated by Jennifer Patterson, a skilled and experienced representative of the Central Texas Library System in Austin.

Goal of the meetings is to determine the library activities that the Fairfield Library patrons will need in the future. Meeting those needs will be one basis for plans for construction of the proposed new library building. Board president Wally Bishop, board member Barbara Crossno, library director John Stevens, Freestone County Judge Linda Grant, Fairfield elementary school principal Libby Harris, Warren Davis of the Fairfield Industrial Development Corporation, and Fairfield attorney Reed Jackson make up the long range planning committee.

In the first meeting, information was gathered about Fairfield. Population, businesses, tax base, local government, financial opportunities, employment, demographics and both positive and negative environments were discussed. With a prepared program, Mrs. Patterson gathered input from the committee. The January meeting will review th e information gathered and press on to a clearer view of the objectives.

The library was excited to learn that it would receive a Workforce programmed computer from the Central Texas Library System sometime in January. With no Workforce office in Fairfield, the library was allowed to request the computer to be able to give more help to job searchers. In addition to being connected to all Workforce resources, there are programs for application and resume writing.

The Fairfield Library will observe the holidays, closing on Thursday, Dec. 24 until Tuesday, Jan.5. Books will not be due during this time, but may be dropped into the book return.

In the board meeting on Dec. 10, Gina Robinson volunteered and was approved to take the office of treasurer for the library. The spirit of volunteerism is so very important for the continued operation of the library. Thanks to all.

New for your reading enjoyment are: “Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks, “Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown, “Once in a Blue Moon” by Eileen Goudge, “Nine Dragons” by Michael Connelly, “Professional” by Robert B. Parker, “Razor Sharp” by Fern Michaels, “Rough Country” by John Sanford, “Scarpetta Factor” by Patricia D. Cromwell, “Southern Lights” by Danielle Steel, “Spartan God” by Clive Cussler, “Traffickers” by W.E.B. Griffith, “True Blue” by David Baldacci, “True Compass—-A Memoir” by Edward M. Kennedy, and “Dance for the Dead” by Thomas Perry.

The board and staff at the library wish you and yours the happiest and safest of holidays.