Vol. 8 No. 47 Dec 7, 2006

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 8 No. 47 Dec 7, 2006


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The three most important documents a free society gives are a birth certificate, a passport, and a library card."
-E.L. Doctorow


eAUDIO
If you haven't tried this new resource, visit the link on our home page: http://www.readingpl.org/listenup.html to download a popular novel, biography, or instructions for learning a foreign language. It’s a new, fun way to listen to a book. All you need is your library card! So ListenUp Reading!


USHER IN THE RETURNING LIGHT
Winter Solstice marks the beginning of winter. On this day, the sun sets earlier and the night is longer than any other time of the year. The good news is that Winter Solstice is also a turning point, which ushers in brighter days with ever increasing daylight hours.

The Reading Public Library will celebrate the returning light with Spinning Yarns, a new story program in the oral tradition for adult listeners. Reference Librarian Eileen Barrett will tell “The Light Keeper’s Box”, a wonderful folktale from the Warao people of the equatorial Orinoca River delta in Venezuela.

Join us Wednesday morning, December 20 at 10:00 AM in the Library Meeting Room. The program is free, so please drop in, listen, and enjoy. Cider and cookies will be served.

For more information call the Reading Public Library at 781-944-0840.


LIVEWIRES
Are you a LiveWire? LiveWires is the Library’s new program for adults age 55 and up. The program is funded by a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Our LiveWires grant includes funding for the acquisition of books, movies and other items of particular interest to active, older adults. In order to showcase these new materials, we have set aside a space near the fiction area on the first floor. Stop by and take a look…there are books on retirement, recareering, dealing with elderly parents, dating after 50, creativity and aging, computer instruction for adults and lots more! Check it out!

Our LiveWires grant also provides funding for morning and evening programs.


MORNING: COFFEE AND MORE
The morning track is "Coffee and More" a monthly program which provides an opportunity for people to get together, chat, and enjoy coffee and refreshments. Each month Coffee and More will also feature a speaker who will lead an informal conversation on a topic of interest. Upcoming topics include dealing with unexpected adversity, elder law, researching your family tree, and travel options for active, older adults. Please let us know if you have a topic or a speaker that you would like to suggest! You can contact LiveWires by sending a message to rplfeed@noblenet.org


EVENING: LIVEWIRES PRESENTS
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
“LiveWires Presents” provides evening programs. Coming up soon will be our first evening event, a showing and discussion of the film “Nobody’s Fool” starring Paul Newman, Melanie Griffith, and Bruce Willis. In the movie, Paul Newman gives an unforgettable performance as Sully, a cantankerous aging man living in a small, snowbound town in New York. At a much younger age, Sully walked out on his family, and he is now trying to make up for it by reconnecting with his son and grandson. Sully is a man who has put his truly important issues on hold for a very long time. The film is about regrets and about choices made; about families broken apart, and parent/child relationships mended. Although it may sound heavy, the story is told with intelligence, charm and humor. It has been described by one reviewer as “Quiet and enchanting in its simplicity, "Nobody's Fool" is a joy.”

Following the movie, there will be a discussion which will use the movie to explore issues of family relationships, commitment, and life’s regrets, complications and consequences. Leading the discussion will be Roberta Taylor, a life coach who is experienced in working with people at mid-life and beyond. Ms. Taylor has a private practice, Pathmaking for Life, and also teaches a course entitled “Reinventing Retirement” at Newton Community Education.

This LiveWires Presents program will take place on Tuesday evening, January 16. A light dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. followed by screening of the movie and discussion. No registration is necessary, and the event is free. It’s sure to be interesting, provocative and LIVELY. So are you a LiveWire? If you are, I hope to see you there!


THE NOT TOO STUFFY BOOK CLUB
AT HOME IN MITFORD BY JAN KARON
The Not Too Stuffy Book Club will meet at the Senior Center on Thursday, December 21 at 1:00 p.m. This month’s selection is "At Home in Mitford" by Jan Karon. The discussion will be led by Deidre Reilly, local columnist and radio show host.

"At Home in Mitford" is the first book in the famous "Mitford" series. It introduces Episcopal rector Tim Kavanagh and the eccentric members of his parish. Father Tim, in late middle-age, bumbles his way through several small crises, succeeding by the sheer power of his good intentions. But however naive and clumsy Father Tim is, he's also a wise counselor and a steadfast friend. A lonely, enormously sympathetic figure, he almost inadvertently begins a romance with his neighbor, Cynthia, and readers are delighted.

Karon's little town of Mitford is quaint, nostalgic, and recognizably American--- reflecting life as it used to be. This book is a gentle read, perfect for this time of year, and sure to be one that will stay with you long after the last page.

Copies of "At Home in Mitford" are available at the Library and also in the Book Nook at the Senior Center. All are welcome!


AND DON'T FORGET!
Bibliobabblers, the Adult Book Discussion Group, will meet on Tuesday evening December 14 to discuss "April Morning" by Howard Fast. This is a classic tale of one boy’s coming of age during the American Revolution. Discussion will be led by Jody Avtges.


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
IRAQ STUDY GROUP REPORT
http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/
“The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating. There is no path that can guarantee success, but the prospects can be improved.”

What’s next for our country and Iraq? You can download the entire report from this site. The report contains the Group’s findings and proposals for improving security, strengthening the new government, rebuilding the economy and infrastructure, and maintaining stability in the region. The site also includes:

* biographies of the members of the study group,
* information on participating organizations and the expert working groups
* a timeline and fact sheet.
* a transcript of the President’s December 6 press conference.

The Library also has a print copy of the report which is available for check out.


NEW BOOKS, MOVIES, AND MORE
To see the list of library materials purchased this month, follow this link: http://www.readingpl.org/lists.html

WHAT’S HAPPENING @ YOUR LIBRARY!
All events listed take place at the Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, December 9: Chess for Kids. Bring a chess set and get partnered up with some new people! An experienced high school chess player will be on hand to answer questions. No registration necessary. For children entering grades 2 and up. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 9: Dance Dance Revolution. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for this “Open Play” DDR event. Bring and friend and have some fun Refreshments will be served, no registration is required. 2:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.

Tuesday, December 12: Holiday Pajama Storytime. Throw a coat over your PJs and come hear some fabulous stories of the season! Watch out, there might be a special surprise. No registration is necessary. For children ages 4-8. 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 12: Bibliobabblers (the Adult Book Discussion Group)meets to discuss April Morning by Howard Fast. Led by Jody Avtges. Copies of this book are available at the Circulation Desk. All are welcome and no registration is necessary. 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13: Gingerbread House Workshop. Kids in grades 3-5 can register starting 11/29 to build a delicious fantasy gingerbread house! Bring your imagination, and we'll supply the candy, cookies and frosting. Free. Register online or by phoning the Children's Room at 781-942-6705. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 14: Teen Craft Night: Holiday Decorations. Teens are invited to join us for an evening of crafts and fun. We will be using our creative caps to make some terrific holiday crafts. Take a break and bring a friend! No registration is required for this FREE event. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, December 15: Infant/Toddler Sing-a-long with Peter Sheridan. No registration is necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday, December 19: Monthly Book Delivery to Longwood Place. 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, December 20: Spinning Yarns (new oral story program for adults) – “The Light Keeper’s Box.” Reference Librarian Eileen Barrett will tell a folktale from the Warao people, of the equatorial Orinoca River delta in Venezuela, about the coming of light. It is a wonderful tale to mark the Winter Solstice (December 21), the shortest day and longest night of the year. Please drop-in (no registration required). Cider & cookies served. 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 21: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Club for Seniors meets to discuss At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. Led by Deirdre Reilly, local columnist and radio show host. This casual, down-to-earth conversational group is always looking for new members. Copies of the book will be available at the Senior Center Book Nook or at the Library. 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center


That’s all for now,
Elizabeth


LIBRARY HOURS

Mondays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursdays 1 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Fridays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.


Please drop us a line at rplfeed@noblenet.org to let us know what you think.

Visit the RPL website at www.readingpl.org