LARNED — The Jordaan Memorial Library received a gift from the Ruth Eggleston Trust Fund at Christmas time. 
Eggleston worked in the Jordaan Library for a number of years beginning in 1968.  According to her son, she had many fond memories working in the library.  The gift will be used for the well-being of the library.
The following are new books being featured at the Jordaan Library.
‘Conversation about America’
“The Time of Our Lives: A Conversation About America,” by Tom Brokaw explores the challenges that face America in the new millennium.  Brokaw weaves together inspiring stories of Americans who are making a difference. 
Drawing on the values and lessons of past generations and his upbringing in South Dakota he engages the reader in a conversation about our country and offers ideas for how the American dream can be revitalized. The book is a welcome vision of hopefulness in an age of diminished expectations.
‘Deed of Murder’
Mara, Brehon of Burren notices three of her law students have disappeared from the celebration of her son’s christening.  The next morning one of the students, Eamon is found dead in  a mountain pass with suspicious wounds on his head and neck. 
An important legal document he was carrying is missing.  Mara is determined to find the answer to why Eamon had gone miles out of his way in the middle of the night. 
Two other students also left the celebration at the same time. 
It’s up to Mara to discover the truth in “Deed of Murder,” by Cora  Harrison.  The other books in the series set in sixteenth century Ireland are available at the library.
‘Good Poems for Hard Times’
“Good Poems for Hard Times,” selected by Garrison Keillor are just thing for a friend who has received bad news and needs to be cheered up. 
Forget what you learned about poetry in school.  It is the preserve of honest speech and the outspoken heart.  These poems are not about suffering but are bracing and written in bold clear writing that will appeal to everyone.
‘Transforming the Faith’
“Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith,” by Dian Butler Bass was donated to Jordaan Library by the Ministerial Association of Pawnee County in honor of Reverend Anthony Hill. 
For decades the accepted wisdom has been that America’s mainline Protestant churches are being replaced by the evangelical mega-churches. 
The author, a church and religion expert, conducted a three year study that reveals just the opposite.
She describes this phenomenon and offers a how-to approach for Protestants eager remain faithful to their tradition while becoming a vital spiritual community. The book includes a study guide for groups and individuals.