Holiday celebration at Rumford Library

RUMFORD -- For the first time, the Rumford Public Library will host a holiday celebration, culminating with a visit from Mrs. Claus.

Luke Sorensen, who became the library's new director in August, said "This will give the opportunity to display the new things we have. We also want to give the community a chance to show support for the library. Hopefully, we get more patrons signed up."

Among the new items are DVDs and books, including Manga, which are Japanese graphic novels.

To get those people into the library, they are offering the opportunity to win some nice prizes. From now through Dec. 21, anyone who checks out a book or other library item may enter a free raffle for one of three or four gift baskets (one entry per check out). Sorensen has asked many community businesses to donate to the raffle baskets and has gathered a variety of gift items and gift certificates.

There will also be separate containers with pieces of candy in them, one for children age 7 and under and the other for ages 8 to 14. The one from each age group who comes the closest with their guess without going over will win a prize, including the candy, movies and books. The Santa jar, created by Susan Marshall, assistant children's librarian, is not available as a prize.

Also during this time, anyone who has lost their library card may get a replacement at no cost. Usually, replacements cost $5.

Then, at 2 p.m. on Dec. 22, Mrs. Claus will make an appearance to read stories and to listen to children's gift requests. She will be there with a couple of Santa's elves.

Following this, Mrs. Claus will draw the winning raffle names and the winners of the candy guessing jars will be announced. You don't need to be present to win.

Holiday celebration at Rumford Library Photo:

Rumford Public Library staffers Claudia Reynolds (left) and Susan Marshall are preparing their first annual holiday celebration, which is going on through Dec. 21. Marshall is holding a Santa jar she created, which is filled with candy for youngsters to guess how many pieces it contains for a prize. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)