And that's the way it is

We recently received a copy of  A Reporter's Life by Walter Cronkite which led to my discovery that no one under age 50 knows who Walter Cronkite was. For 46 years the "most trusted man in America" delivered the news. Just the news. Facts, not his opinion.  No sensationalism, no drama, no focus on the negative. A far cry from what passes for news today. Social media, clickbait, podcasts, as well as traditional news media all compete for your attention and your money. "If it bleeds, it leads" is a news-business adage.  It's no surprise that all this negative media overload is harmful to our mental health; according to the Osher Center for Integrative Health (University of Wisconsin) overexposure to bad news raises our cortisol levels, increases feelings of depression, hopelessness, and PTSD.  So how much news is too much?  Some researchers say as little as 14 minutes is enough to send us doomscrolling down a rabbit hole of despair.  If you find yourself overwhelmed, here are a few ideas to try even if you are addicted to the news; balance out the negative with the positive.  News sources such as GoodGoodGood News, Good News Network, and KLOVE Radio offer positive stories that uplift. Try a media fast.  Choose to step away from social media and news sources for a specified amount of time; 24 hours, 3 days or even a week. Fill that time with activities you enjoy or have never tried before. Visit your local library to borrow craft books, games and get new activity ideas that can help nurture those good vibes!    

 

September is National Library Card Signup Month. Mountain View Public Library offers membership cards to adults who reside in the region and are in good standing with previous libraries of membership. Proof of address is required. Sign up with us this month to choose a gift from our grab bag and receive a ticket for our "Readers Delight" basket which will be drawn on October 1st.  

 

Beginning September 14 at 10:00 we will host a new I Survived Reading Project led by our children's librarian, Karena Tripp. Homeschool students ages 1st grade and up will listen to I Survived the Revolutionary War and complete a display project book report. Stop in and see us for report ideas, we love book reports!  

 

Our fall reading challenge this year is The Crayons series by Drew Daywalt. Monica will be making a quilt with drawings made by children who attended the challenge kickoff on August 1st. The quilt will be given away in a drawing of completed reading records on November 2nd. Stop by the library for your reading record and to borrow the books.  

 

We continue to collect post cards from all 50 states throughout the rest of the year in celebration of America's 250th birthday. We encourage area school alumni to send us cards from where they are currently living.  Those have been so much fun to receive!

 

Children ages 9 and under are invited to our Storytime hour every Wednesday at 10:00.

 

Before you purchase a new homeschool curriculum, be sure to check out our curriculum exchange area. It's a great way to try new programs and pass along curriculums you no longer need.   

 

I'll close with Walter Cronkite's famous sign-off line, "And that's the way it is, Tuesday, September 1, 2026".

 

 

by Sabrina Cornman

Mtn. View Public Library, Director