Screening of the Independent Film "Storm"

Screening - Tuesday, May 11, 6 p.m.

Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army who is accused of the deportation and later killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, it looks like the case will unravel, however Hannah refuses to give in.

Hoping to uncover new findings, she travels to the witness' burial in Sarajevo and meets his sister Mira who she senses has much more to say than she is willing to admit. Despite threats of violence, Mira reluctantly agrees to testify at The Hague. However, she and Hannah must both risk life and limb to make it to the court, only to discover that there are traitors among their own ranks.

Author Jonas Beiler to Speak at the Library

Jonas Beiler, author of “Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting” will speak at the Ephrata Public Library on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. In his book, Beiler offers his first-person account of the events, as well as accounts of those who were closest to the scene: the surviving children; a volunteer fireman; the local counseling center director; and a first responder. Beiler poignantly describes the Amish famiies’ responses to this horrific violence as they reached out to the shocked family members of the killer, offering unconditional forgiveness.

Beiler grew up in a traditional Old Order Amish family in the 1950s. He is the cofounder and chairman of the Angela Foundation and is a licensed minister, certified family counselor and founder of the Family Resource and Counseling Center and The Family Center of Gap. Jonas is married to Anne Beiler, founder and creator of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, an acclaimed international pretzel franchise.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. To register, call the library during business hours at 717-738-9291 or register online at www.ephratapubliclibrary.org.

Coming March 15th!

Join us on March 15th at 6 p.m. for a special concert by folk singer Adam Miller. Adam is one of the premier autoharpists in the world and a natural-born American folksinger and storyteller. He is renowned for his extensive repertoire of over 5,000 traditional and contemporary folksongs. His highly entertaining performances at festivals and concert halls across the United States have won him fans of all ages. A masterful entertainer who never fails to get his audience singing along, he has distinguished himself as one of the great interpreters of American folktales and folksongs.

A nationally recognized presenter of folklore and folk music programs, Adam has been a featured performer, master of ceremonies and workshop leader at many American folk festivals. He is a captivating storyteller and gifted instrumentalist, and is renowned for his ability to interpret traditional American folksongs with warmth, humor and remarkable scholarship.

Join us for 23 Things Ephrata!

Beginning Wednesday, February 3
This online course will introduce participants to Web 2.0 technologies and give participants the opportunity to play with and learn from the internet in new ways. Learn about podcasts, RSS feeds, wikis, blogs and more! The class is online with optional instructional time in the library each week. Participants should have access to an internet connection (at home or in the library), have basic knowledge of the internet and their computer's operating system.) This is not a class for beginning computer users, but rather for intermediate users. All participants who complete the program will receive a USB flash drive. A drawing will be held at the end of the program from all participant names for a Kindle. The program runs through Wednesday, April 6. To register for the class, email ptalbert@ephratapubliclibrary.org.

The Big Read Ephrata

The Big Read Ephrata has officially launched! To find out what is happening, visit our website at www.thebigreadephrata.org. Other library events not related to the Big Read Ephrata can be found on the library's website at www.ephratapubliclibrary.org.

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New Hours Begin September 1st!

Mondays: Library open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Passport office is closed

Tuesdays: Library open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Passport office open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Wednesdays: Library open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Passport office is closed

Thursdays: Library open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Passport office open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fridays: Library is closed; Passport office is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Meeting and program rooms are open; WIFI is off)

Saturdays: Library open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Passport office is closed

Sundays: Library is closed; Passport office is closed (Meeting and program rooms are closed; WIFI is off)

Make Libraries a Priority!

As the state budget debate heats up, we need you - our patrons - to contact your local legislators and tell them to MAKE LIBRARIES A PRIORITY as they move to pass a state budget.

Here is how you can take part in the Pennsylvania Library Association Call-In:

Please call your State Representative (alphabetical list of State Reps: http://tinyurl.com/nyzlbv AND your State Senator (list of Senators: http://tinyurl.com/2bmjpk).

You may not have a chance to speak directly with him or her, but leaving a message with an aide is very effective.

Deliver this KEY MESSAGE: Libraries are more important than ever in this recession. They provide an economic safety net for the people in our state who are most vulnerable. Please make libraries one of your priorities in the next state budget. (For talking points: http://tinyurl.com/l5evt5.) Add a PERSONAL MESSAGE if you'd like, but keep it brief. Tell why the library is important to you, your family or your business.

The BOTTOM LINE is this: PLEASE SUPPORT LEVEL FUNDING FOR LIBRARIES.