Ann Zydek

By ANN M. ZYDEK
Library Director, Warsaw Community Public Library

As the view outside my window changes due to dropping temperatures and fallen leaves, I continue to explore the world’s phenomena from my armchair.

Soren Kierkegaard wrote, “Life must be understood backwards. But it must be lived forwards.”

I encourage you, as I am, to use Warsaw Community Public Library’s resources, programs and services to explore natural phenomena, news-breaking stories, and imaginative, innovative ideas from novels, non-fiction and special interest publications. You may be inspired to take action that can change your world.

Until I read Laline Pauli’s novel, “The Bees,” I enjoyed honey but never knew the details of a honeybee’s life. Worker bee Flora 717 accepted, obeyed and served her hive by cleaning. But when environmental circumstances threaten her hive’s existence Flora was granted access to the royal nursery and the Queen’s inner sanctum.

She bravely learned to forage for food, pollen and nectar and protect the hive. Her fierce maternal love put her into conflict with her hive and its social hierarchy yet offered future generations of bees hope.

With Ebola in the news, I wondered why I kept reading of Doctors Without Borders involvement. Then I opened the library’s copy of medical sociologist Renée C. Fox’s book, “Doctors Without Borders.”

It shed light on this international medical humanitarian organization created by a small group of French doctors and journalists in 1971. For twenty years Fox studied the group’s struggles to realize its “without borders” vision while providing for people in need when both the populations and the aid workers are in danger.

I learned the movement now has 27,000 multi-national personnel in over 60 countries facing “violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care or natural disaster.”

With most holiday magazines at least $10, I like checking out the library’s “Holiday Special Interest” publications display upstairs.

These include “Pillsbury’s Fall Baking,” Betty Crocker’s Fall Baking, and Campbell’s Fall Family Favorites and ever popular Better Homes and Gardens 2014 titles such as: “Christmas Ideas,” “Holiday Crafts,” “Christmas Cookies,” “Celebrate the Season” and “FoodGifts.”

Also enjoy “Craftideas;” “Taste of Home’s FoodGifts,” “Cookies & Candies” and “Best Holiday Recipes;” and “Just CrossStitch’s Christmas Ornaments.”

With these and more holiday publications coming soon, now is a great time to save money and prep for your holidays.