As everyone knows, Santa visits all parts of the globe. But Santa can also be viewed in a range of personas at the Butler Public Library.

Donning sports jerseys, medical bags — even a Scottish kilt, dozens of hand-carved Santas adorn the library's second-floor showcase.

The wooden Santas were carved by Alex Thomson, a library volunteer.

"I love his work, and when I realized that I needed something for the display case in December, I asked him if it would be possible to use his Santas," explained Ginny Besterman, public relations director at the library.

"Everyone who sees the Santas and then looks at Alex will quickly notice the resemblance," she noted.

Since the Santas are also for sale, Thomson is donating 50 percent of proceeds to the library fund.

Although Thomson's carvings have increased in retirement, the Butler man started carving 55 years ago to get his Boy Scout woodcarving merit badge.

"I have been carving Santas almost as long as I have been woodcarving. It is just a standard subject among woodcarvers," he said. Thomson also creates stylized American eagles, Uncle Sams, tavern signs and Americana.

"Carving is good old Psychology 101," he said. "I spent most of my life working with my brain and mouth. To relieve the tension I would come home and work with my hands. It does work," he stated.

Although the carved Santas originate in Butler, they can be found in all corners of the globe — just like their North Pole counterpart. "They are just about everywhere in the world. I have a dentist Santa I sold to a dentist in Israel. Several are in Africa, Australia — all over Europe and South America," Thomson explained.

"After stamp collecting the most popular item to collect is Santas," offered Thomson, who has used the Internet to reach collectors.

Thomson said woodcarving is the one craft in which artists will share their secrets with other carvers because they know even if copied, the end product will still be different. "I cannot even copy myself. This is why collectors like hand-carved objects. No two are ever alike," he explained.

Thomson's biggest fan is his wife Anne. "I came home from work 15 years ago and told my wife I was sick and tired of my job and I was going to do carving full time. She said the kids are raised and educated so go for it. That is a heck of a wife," said Thomson."I love his work and have my own little collection. I told him I wanted a collection of one of everything he has created," she said. "My favorite is probably the Irish Santa, but I like the Old World ones also," she added. "Each year our children get to pick the Santa they want and Alex makes it for them."While some ideas just pop into Thomson's head, others take some pondering and hashing out."I had several requests for a lawyer but I couldn't think of a single aspect to craft that would make it exclusively a lawyer," Thomson explained. "I was having dinner with our son and the subject of a barrister came up and that was it. The black robe and white wig were a perfect way to convey a lawyer," he said.One of his Santas turned out to be a special Christmas present the day before Christmas. "One of my collectors from Maryland had just become a grandmother for the first time and she wanted a Santa with a baby," said Thomson."When the idea for the baby and bottle came, I carved it and sent it out to here immediately. The day before Christmas she called in tears so thankful for the Santa which became part of our lineup," said Thomson.Thomson primarily uses Northern white pine but also enjoys working with basswood for the carvings, which range in height from 6 to 8 inches. "Some of the pieces take three or four hours, depending on the design. Some just pop in my head and work. Others I have worked on for weeks before they are right," he said."I started out doing the Old World type Santas and then did the Coke style. That is what we call the standard American red and white Santa," he explained. "I did a Scottish Santa for my mother, who was very proud of her heritage, and from there I went to nationality Santas, sports Santas, occupation Santas and so on."The collection now includes more than 130 designs, many of which can be seen at the library through the first week in January.Cost for the Santas ranges between $30 and $50. For more information, contact Thomson at isanta@zoominternet.net or 724 283 5013 or visit his Web page at users.zoominternet.net/~athomson.