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July 8, 2004    Lola Davis Retires from Allegany County Library System

July 10, 2004    Libraries Holding Open-Mic Tribute to Mattie J. Stepanek

July 28, 2004    Shuman Returns to LaVale Library with "Clearing Your Clutter" Program

July 8, 2004

Lola Davis Retires from Allegany County Library System

PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact:  Linda Burkey

                   South Cumberland Library

                   100 Seymour  Street

                   Cumberland, MD 21502

The Allegany County Library System recently celebrated the retirement of Lola Davis with a party given in her honor at the LaVale Library.  Davis worked for the library system for 42 years, since 1962. 

"Lola's dedication and hard work will be missed. Her warm smile at greeting library users over the last 42 years was a major contributor to making people want to use the library,” commented Library Director, John Taube.

Davis attended Catherman’s Business School in Cumberland after high school. “Mr. Catherman always helped find jobs for his students,” commented Davis .  “When I told him I needed a job, by the next day he had found what he thought was only a part time job as secretary to Miss Mary Walsh. It actually was a full-time position, which she worked until one of the librarians wanted to be off on a Saturday, and Miss Walsh asked Lola if she would like to work that job.  Replying that she didn’t even know how to check out books; Walsh showed her how, and the rest is history.  Her starting pay was fifty cents an hour.

Davis has worked for six different Library Directors: Miss Mary Walsh, Mr. Marquis, Mr. Blank, Mr. Robert Neal, Ms. Jane Perlunger, and Mr. John Taube.  Most of her service was at the Main Branch where for many years you would see her processing books; or, you might have caught her doing interlibrary loan requests, first on a noisy teletype machine, then later on the first computer the library system ever owned.  “She actually had to build the computer she used,” says a co-worker who witnessed this. “We had never seen the outside of a computer, let alone the insides of one. With some instructions by phone from someone in Hagerstown that worked with computers, she got each memory card, etc. in place, and it worked!”

In the last few years, Lola also worked at the LaVale Branch, then at the Frostburg Branch, and most recently the George Creek Branch.  She says she “worked for a lot of nice people, worked with a lot of nice people, and met a lot of good patrons, many who are still my best friends.”

July 10, 2004

Libraries Holding Open-Mic Tribute to Mattie J. Stepanek

PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact:  Linda Burkey

                   South Cumberland Library

                   100 Seymour  Street

                   Cumberland, MD 21502

The public is invited to participate in an Open Mic being held in honor of teen poet Mattie J.T. Stepanek on Thursday, July 15  at the South Cumberland Branch from 3-4PM, and on Monday, July 19 at the Westernport Branch of the Allegany County Library System at 6:30pm. The 13 year old, who recently died, was an inspiration and hero to many in our community.

Participants may read their own poems, favorite poems that someone else has written; or, may just listen to the readings.  Following the reading of some of Mattie’s works, in the spirit that Mattie and his mom, the group will have a chance to try something new –percussion poetry.

July 28, 2004

Shuman Returns to LaVale Library with "Clearing Your Clutter" Program

PRESS RELEASE - Allegany County Library System

Contact:  Linda Burkey

                   South Cumberland Library

                   100 Seymour  Street

                   Cumberland, MD 21502

John Shuman will present his very popular “Clearing Your Clutter” program at the LaVale Branch Library on Wednesday, July 28 starting at 7PM. 

In this program, he tells fun stories about how his family got rid of their material possessions in various ways, how they sorted out what was important to them, and how it has changed their lives substantially. Although their aim was clearing “physical” clutter, they found their emotional and spiritual lives have changed as well.

Detailed “how-tos” are given, so participants can go home and begin the process, however it fits their lifestyle.