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Patrons share what they geek

Walking into the Dimmick Memorial Library, it's obvious there's a program in place.

Signs asking "What do you geek?" sit beside posters, bumper stickers and book markers. But perhaps the most important part of the "Geek the Library" display is a pile of postcards, asking patrons to share how they explore their passions at the library."We want people to come in and share their story. Tell us what you are passionate about," said Mariann Kmetz, the library's director."I'll geek pretty much anything," wrote Jennifer Weiss, a high school senior from White Haven, who noted that she hopes to become a psychologist and often uses the library to explore psychology topics."Please protect my library. It's practically my home," she said.Others professed their geek for cookbooks, novels, the computers, the children's room at Dimmick, and the friendly staff and their book recommendations.Even the youngest patrons have favorites. Kristopher Andrew Rodgers Jr., 4, enjoys playing with the library's train table in the children's room. He also likes to check out books about superheroes and sharks."Kids are the best part," said Kmetz, who said the library has story time each Tuesday for preschoolers. The library is also home to older students doing research or using computers.For adults, the library offers computer classes as well as concerts, book signings, author readings, a book club, and regular knitting and meditation groups."We're trying to offer something every month, a speaker or performer for adults," said Kmetz. "We have a lot of ideas and a lot of great things going on."Most of the postcard comments were related to the library's physical assets, but Dimmick (and all local public libraries) also has a strong online and technological presence.In addition to lending books, magazines, and their electronic counterparts, patrons also have access to free online homework help and free resources like Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and NewsBank.Local library patrons can share what they geek from now through the end of the month. Remote users can also leave a comment on the library's Facebook page.One patron who completes a postcard will win a free "Geek the Library" T-shirt.For more information, go to

www.dimmicklibrary.org.

STACEY SOLT/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS Kristopher Andrew Rodgers Jr., 4, reads a book with mother Megan Rodgers in the Dimmick Memorial Library's children room. When asked what they "geek" or love about Dimmick, many younger patrons say they love the children's room and books.