Happy New Year everyone! We have moved into our new building and are open for business. This new building is quite a sight to see; you can never imagine the transformation that has been made. The old has become new and the new is beyond our imagination. On the outside we may not have changed much, but the inside will surprise everyone. If you've been curious and wished that you could see inside the new library building, now is your chance. On Jan. 5, we returned to our regular hours Monday 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Come on by and take a tour of our new facility that we are so proud of!

This past Monday members of Angelina County Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon cutting here at the library to celebrate us returning to our regular hours. We so appreciate the chamber and everyone who came to help us celebrate.

Remember, though, that at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, we hope you will join us for our official grand opening celebration. This library turns 45 years old on that date. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison will be our guest speaker. Join us for another great day in our library's history.

Another reminder - our library parking lot is only accessible from Hines Street. Park Street dead ends at the library. The front entrance is part of the old street and faces west. There is parking to the right and left in the parking lot. The small parking lot in the back of the building is for library staff only.

There are so many people that we owe a debt of gratitude to for the many kindnesses they have shown to us this past year during our move and the holidays. We would like to say a big "Thank You" to Kathy Sample, Glenda Shepherd, Fran McClain, Sally Macher, Linda Maxey, and Pete and Donna Smart for providing us with sandwiches, chips, cookies, snacks and drinks during our big move to the new library building. This was such a blessing while we were working so hard, and it really helped us to keep our strength up. We also couldn't have made it without our many volunteers that helped us in so many ways. A special "Thank You" goes to these volunteers: Ben Bencivenga, Kathy Sample, Kathy Rodgers, Judy Eldridge, Becky Donahoe, Karen Brewer, and the high school athletic department: Coach Shane Adair, Jordan Hernandez, James Cole, Gus Martinez, Darius Browning, Melvin Linton III, Coach Tom Sheppard, Raphael Villanueva, Adrain Vasquez, Jamie Palacio, Victor Compean, Rafel Sepulveda, Jonathan Coleman, Coach Bolden, Colin Lowther, Nelson Roman, Wesley Johnson, Kelvin Holman, Eric Phipps, Isaac Carillo, Coach Terry Johnson, Sergio Pena, Hunter Burrous, Robert Wallace, Justin Neyland, Kalob Hadnot, Kendal Jackson, Nick Cortines.

We are so thankful for our patrons and our community, and we would like to thank all of you for thinking of us during the holiday season. A special "Thank You" goes to Fran McClain for the delicious cheese ball she made us; to Debbie and Dwayne Durham for the Fuji's snack pack; to Susan Schinke for the tin of nuts; Chad Morgan at State Farm for the tin of chocolate chip cookies; Ben Bencivenga for the wonderful homemade brownies, and Kathy Sample for the delicious chocolate chip cookies. Last, but not least, "Thank You" to Esther Barger and Kathy Sample for the beautiful poinsettia plants that were sent to make our holidays brighter.

Library closing: The library will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, for Martin Luther King Day.

Library hours: Monday 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Have a good week!