Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
Reviewed by:Jeanette Forsberg
Finally! I thought when I learned Ms. Karon had come up with another book...Not about Mitford and
the syrupy sweetness of all the characters there; but now just Father Tim.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Mitford series very much. I think we as fans are ready to move on.
Father Tim is summoned back to his home town of Holly Springs, Mississippi, by a terse unsigned note,
"Come Home" was all it said.
So here we go. A 70 year old, balding, paunchy, retired minister, in, of all things, a red convertible, with
his dog, during a heat wave driving a 600 mile road trip to solve the mystery of the letter and bring heal-
ing to life-long wounds.
This isn't a Mitford book. While Cynthia and Dooley make appearances, this book is really about Father
Tim becoming reconciled to his past. Many mysteries are cleared up, but many more opportunities for
storylines are opened.
Coincidences run heavy. A lot of questions seemed to come together in the very short time Father Tim
was in Holly Springs. His dysfunctional childhood and the people from his past seemed to `show up' way
too easily.
I enjoyed the book. I was expecting another entertaining story by Jan Karon and that's what
I got. Don't expect Mitford when you read it. You still get lovable Father Tim and Barnabus
plus loads of interesting people. That's enough for me.
New Books
Amazing Grace- Danielle Steel
Book of the Dead- Patricia Cornwell
Bungalow 2- Danielle Steel
The Choice- Nicholas Sparks
The Dangerous Book for Boys- Conn
Iggulden
The Daring Book for Girls- Andrea J.
Buchanan
The Darkest Evening of the Year-
Dean Koontz
Double Cross- James Patterson
Family Acts- Louise Shaffer
The Gift- Richard Paul Evans
The Heir- Barbara Taylor Bradford
Home to Holly Springs- Jan Karon
In an Instant- Lee & Bob Woodruff
Playing for Pizza- John Grisham
The Quickie- James Patterson
Things I Overheard While Talking to
Myslef- Alan Alda
Three Cups of Tea- Greg Mortenson
New DVDs
Are We Done Yet?
Jungle Book
Meet the Robinsons
Miss Potter
The Santa Clause 3
Shrek the Third
Spider-Man 3
Surf's Up
Yours, Mine & Ours
Gifts and Memorials
Ed and Laura Evans
In Memory of Beverly L. Lane
In Memory of Karen Getz
Monday Morning Coffee Group
Julie Wilson
Losing is Beautiful Club
Judge James G. Conway, Jr.
What my Library Means to Me
byWayne McCombs
Andrew Carnegie, the famous industrialist and philanthropist, understood the need for community
libraries. During his later years he funded some 3,000 libraries in 47 states and many more across the
world. He would build and equip the libraries only if the local community would agree to provide the
land and maintenance. Some of his libraries were designed to serve both as a public library and a com-
munity center. Downtown Moline, Aledo and Macomb all have Carnegie libraries.
Our library had its beginning much later. A group of community leaders as members of the Sherrard
Women's Club saw the need for a community library in the 1980's and started the Sherrard Library in the
old bank building on Main Street. Through this group's leadership and perseverance the library grew into
the Sherrard Public Library District, a tax supported entity. Today, the District serves some 7,200 resi-
dents in Mercer and Rock Island counties.
The library means much to me, as its president, and a patron. It means opportunity to access informa-
tion. Andrew Carnegie understood the need for public libraries to provide a valuable service to its com-
munity. He had separate reading rooms for men and women, children's areas, reference materials and lots
of books. Our library strives to provide a service to the community. By community, I refer to the entire
library district. The library is supported by tax dollars, donations and volunteers. There is no charge to
use the library. The library card is "free". The library has been called the "great equalizer" because ac-
cess is free to all. Many patrons, as we are called in library jargon, do not have internet at home or even a
computer. Both are available at the library.
The library means opportunity to gather, to interact, and even socialize. Yes, we permit talking at our library. In fact, the Monday morning Cof-
fee Klutch, as they are called, spend their mornings doing volunteer work for the library or just visiting. Many of the members are Seniors and en-
joy this time together. Everyone is welcome. As the word spreads, so does the attendance from all around the District. Youth night has grown in
numbers. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H all use the community room. With the schools in lock down, organized groups need a place to meet. The
library has stepped forward to offer its space.
The library faces a challenge to provide "inclusion" to the patrons. By this I mean, how do we take the services to the community? The library
district had branches at one time, but they were closed because of low usage. When I was a youngster growing up in rural Iowa our small town
had no library. There were libraries in the big cities but no easy way to get there. The school had a library for reference and free reading, but that
was limited. The Bookmobile came every two weeks and gave me an opportunity to check out good reading materials. I never wondered where
the Bookmobile came from. Later, I learned it was part of a county-wide library service. When we moved to the country, the Bookmobile did not
follow. My only exposure was the school library. In college, I learned to appreciate what the library could provide, both in reference materials
and in group studying. This was long before computers, internet, September 11 or our mobile society. Times have changed, but the fundamental
needs of information, reading pleasure and socialization have not changed.
We will continue to provide the best public library we can, given the current restraints, and we will strive to provide excellent service to you, our
patrons. In the foreseeable future, we trust that circumstances will change to allow us to expand our current offerings. Your library staff and board
of directors are open to your suggestions. We encourage you to volunteer your services to help our "Dreams Grow at the Library". With your help
our library will meet its opportunities and challenges. Andrew Carnegie understood that the library was the backbone of the community. Help us
strengthen ours.
