Have you ever met someone for the first time and instantly felt at ease with that person, like you've known him or her forever?

That is exactly what happened during a visit by poet and author Patricia Oplinger, a former Northampton resident who now resides in Arkansas.

Oplinger was visiting relatives and friends and brought in autographed copies of her poetry, which are read by her on CD, and her second chapbook, "On the tip of my tongue," collected poems published in 2013.

The items will be cataloged and available to check out. The titles of the books on CD are "Scattered Rainbows," "In the Playhouse of My Mind" and "Life on a Seesaw."

The three titles comprise her Circle of Life Trilogy.

Oplinger's poetry and prose have won more than 150 awards and appears in literary magazines and anthologies. She became a freelance writer of prose and poetry following a teaching career that ran the gamut from elementary schools to college campuses. She is the founder and consultant of the Storybook Project Literacy Program in Arkansas State Prisons.

You can find the poetry readings in the books on CD section. The chapbook can be found in the poetry section of our stacks. If you are not sure, ask one of our staff members who will be glad to assist you.

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In our continuing theme of Always Something New, the library will hold a family Christmas Craft program, by Children's Director Cheryl DiGiacomo, Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 3:30 p.m.

Registration is required and is filled on a first come, first served basis.

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Youth ages 12-18 are invited to come in and grab our new survey giving you a voice on what kind of programs they would like to see in the library.

Or, take the survey online on our website at www.northamptonapl.org. This is your chance to be heard. Don't pass it up!

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To find out more library news, check out our website at www.northamptonapl.org or visit our Facebook page. There's always something new at the Northampton Area Public Library.