HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Heloise: I hope your readers are aware of all the services that are available to them at their local public library. Not only can they check out a current best seller, they can download it as an electronic book, or check it out in an audiocassette, a videocassette or DVD format.

If your readers' friends or family members cannot read, they can take an adult literacy program at their public library. If they can't read in English, they can take an English as a second language class. These courses are generally free, with a possible minimal charge for materials.

If they don't have a computer at home, they can use computers at their library for e-mail, to surf the Web or to write a paper or letter using word-processing software. Again, these are usually free of charge. There might be a small fee for the paper for printing.

Another wonderful nationwide program available at the library is the Born to Read program, which provides reading materials for at-risk families. This includes family members who are in the hospital and who have children in day-care centers.

All these services are there for the asking and are usually free to the public. I hope your readers will take advantage of all these benefits, since all of us taxpayers are paying for them. Thanks for listening. -- Neil P. Campbell, Houston

I met Neil through a mutual friend, and when he started telling me about the fabulous services available at our libraries, I said, "Write me a letter!" Take advantage of these services. -- Heloise

HOME SAFE CAUTION

Dear Heloise: I would like to add to your recent article about home safes. I had one for a number of years and learned something the hard way. Do not put watches or gems such as opals or turquoise in it at any time, even though you have a desiccant packet in it. Moisture can still get into them, especially the mechanism of valuable watches. -- Sue Barber, Cave Creek, Ariz.

MOVING HINT

Dear Heloise: When my adult children move, they save the china and glassware for me to wrap. Before wrapping things in newspaper for protection, I wrap each item in a clean paper towel.

Some glassware or small items that need to be kept together I might then slip into a plastic newspaper bag. By wrapping in a paper towel, it can then be put away without first washing. Smooth out the paper towels, and then they're ready to be used for their original purpose. -- Elisa, Via E-mail