Richard Merrill, SALS’ and Crandall Public Library Trustee, is author of the newly released Log Marks on the Hudson.

His book is the result of eight years of research into this remarkable aspect of our region’s local history.  The peak of logging drives was in 1872, but the drives continued until 1950.  Logging companies used the Hudson River every spring to get their logs to market, identifying their logs with a distinctive mark to identify which company harvested the timber.  The book shows full-sized replicas of branding marks and includes biographies of the people behind the marks.

For more informaiton about the book, see the March 31 Post Star article

The Connecticut State Library has had sample library card applications translated into 15 languages and is sharing them with libraries everywhere.   

Consider using these applications to enhance your services to new immigrants and seasonal workers in your communities.

So much to See, So Much to Do @ Your Library is an easy promotion for you to use.   Check out the toolkit  and  Bill Harley’s song!

The 2008-2009 Community Mini-Grant Program has been developed to assist communities and schools in the Hudson and Champlain Valleys with their plans for the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson, and Lake Champlain by Samuel de Champlain and the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s first steamship voyage on the Hudson River.

Two hundred grants of up to $1,000 each, will be awarded to communities for projects, events and programs that embody the theme of “Explore 400 years of Progress in the Environment, Energy, Innovation and Education.”

Deadline for Application: April 30, 2008
http://exploreny400.com/programs/2008MiniGrantApplication.pdf