Vol. 9 No 2 January 11, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 2 January 11, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Reading Public Library will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
NewsBank Special Reports: People in the News
This week’s website is in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

To access the special report on Dr. King, go to our Library website: http://www.readingpl.org, Click on Online Resources, click on Newspapers in the table, and then click on NewsBank. The special report on Dr. King is on the left side of the screen and includes information on his life, the civil rights movement, his assassination and its investigation, and a section on his legacy. There are also images, links to other sites, and background information. This is a great site for students, teachers, or anyone who wants to contemplate the real meaning of the holiday.


SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES!
On Tuesday evening, January 16, “LiveWires Presents” will be screening the movie Nobody's Fool starring Paul Newman, Melanie Griffith, Bruce Willis, and Jessica Tandy. Newman plays Sully, a 60 year old construction worker, who still has plenty of charm, but has run out of love, luck, and money. After mangling his knee in a construction accident, he has trouble finding work. Stubbornly set in his ways, Sully keeps his emotions closely guarded. But a reunion with his estranged son, Peter, and his young grandson makes him begin to rethink his priorities.

Peter, an out-of-work professor with a troubled marriage, still resents his father for deserting their family when he was a child. Sully is still haunted by memories of his own loveless and brutal upbringing. The film is very funny, but at the same time, it explores serious issues which will resonate with those of us who have lived long enough to make some mistakes and have some regrets.

A light dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. followed by the presentation of the film. Discussion of the film will begin at approximately 8:15. The discussion will be led by Roberta Taylor, a certified life coach who specializes in mid-life issues. If you are a boomer or beyond, this program is for you! Paul Newman exemplifies the concept of “aging gracefully” and it is a real pleasure to watch this film legend in one of his most appealing performances.


STORIES ON THE GO
If you have a two or three year old at home, you can drop in to the Library on Monday mornings for a story time program that is perfect for families on the go. No registration is necessary. Storytime for two year olds is at 9:30 a.m. Three year old storytime starts at 10:15 a.m. Each session is approximately 30 minutes.

Drop in storytimes is a pilot program which will run throughout January and February.


WELCOME TO YOUR CRISIS
Who among us has not been surprised by what life has thrown our way?Unexpected illness, job loss, financial setbacks…we’ve all had our share of obstacles and adversity. In her new book Bald as a Bean, local author Nancy Parsons describes how her world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with the disease, alopecia areata totalis universalis(total hair loss over the entire body).

From the initial shock of finding large clumps of hair on the shower floor, to the overwhelming realization that she was slowly becoming completely bald, Nancy chronicles the medical and holistic treatments she endured, and her emotional struggle to accept this new reality. On Tuesday morning, January 23, Nancy will be the featured speaker for “Coffee and More.” Please join us as Nancy tells how she learned to cope with the unexpected adversity in her life, and gives us a few clues that might help us to do the same. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room.

Copies of Bald as a Bean are available on the LiveWires Book Display which has recently moved to the book case at the bottom of the stairwell. I have read this book myself, and can tell you it is a story of courage and calm determination, told with good humor. Bald as a Bean is not just a book for those suffering from alopecia or hair loss due to chemotherapy. It is for anyone who enjoys reading true stories about the triumph of the human spirit.

Look for other great books on the LiveWires display. These books have been purchased especially for Boomers and Beyond (age 55 and up) You will find titles on caring for aging parents, sharing a home with your adult children, retirement, menopause, Social Security and Medicare, computer instruction, fitness, and lots more! Look for the thunderbolt symbol which means that this book is especially for Livewires!


BRINGING THE WORLD TO YOU
The Friends of the Library invite you to the inauguration of Travel Talk, a new program which has been initiated by the Friends in memory of Bill McLaughlin. Bill was very active in the Friends of the Library during his life, and also hosted the Library’s Coffee Hour program for many years.

This special event will take place on Wednesday evening, January 24, and will feature the Koppel family. In 2003 Steve and Paula Koppel took their two children on the adventure of a lifetime. For a year they traveled the world --- from Western Europe to Asia, Africa, and South America. They returned to Reading with fascinating stories to tell and amazing photographs to see!

Winter is the time to daydream about exotic locations and faraway places, so join us for an outstanding armchair adventure! The program begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the large Meeting Room. Light refreshments will be served.


BOOKS FOR WINTER WEATHER
No snow outside? Are the new skates and sleds still waiting to be used? So far this has been the winter of no snow. Here are a few titles for those of you who miss the ice and cold:

FICTION:
Snow by Orhan Pamuk (2004)
After years of lonely political exile, Turkish poet Ka returns to Istanbul to attend his mother's funeral and learns about a series of suicides among pious girls forbidden to wear headscarves. The author was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 12, 2006

The Body in the Snowdrift: a Faith Fairchild Mystery by Katherine Hall Page. (2006)
Traveling to Vermont to attend a birthday party, Faith Fairchild discovers the dead body of a local lawyer, in a case complicated by the disappearance of a ski resort's chef.

The Center of Winter by Marya Hornbacher (2005)
In the aftermath of her husband's suicide, Claire moves with two young children into the home of her in-laws during a Minnesota winter and shares unexpected moments of comfort, healing, and humor.

Snowed In by Christina Bartolomeo. (2004)
Struggling with the freezing conditions of her Portland, Maine, home, her husband's roving eye, and a problematic mother-in-law, Sophie finds her life turning around due to an unexpected new relationship.

NONFICTION
Wonders of the Winter Landscape: Shrubs and Trees to Brighten the Cold-Weather Garden by Vincent A. Simeone; photography by Bruce Curtis (2005)


POSTCARDS: PICTURES FROM READING'S PAST
Did you know that the Reading Public Library was bequeathed a wonderful collection of postcards of Reading, printed from the late 1800's to the present? Last year the Library was awarded a grant from the Reading 350th Celebration Trust to "digitize" the Henry (Spud) Murphy Postcard Collection as well as some other photographs in the Local History collection. Digitizing involves making these images available on the Library's computers as well as on home, school, and office computers across the world by means of the Internet.

On Tuesday evening, January 23, Local History Librarian Rachel Baumgartner and Library Director Ruth Urell will present a special program on the Library’s digitization project. They will share with you some of the highlights of our photo collection, as well as give you tips on how you can search this collection from your home, school, or office computer. The program begins at 7:00 p.m.


LOST BEAVER
Are you missing a stuffed animal? The Lost and Found Department has a very loved looking stuffed beaver which almost surely is someone’s security blanket. If this animal belongs to you or someone you love, you can pick it up at the Circulation Desk.


UPDATE ON WORLD CAT
www.worldcat.org

In last week’s newsletter, I told you about World Cat, a website that provides access to the holdings of over 10,000 libraries worldwide. There are actually a couple of different ways to get to the World Cat site. I should also have mentioned that you can get to World Cat directly from the Reading Public Library site. Just go to the RPL Online Resources page. (www.readingpl.org/onlineresources.html)
Then click on the "More Library Catalogs" button in the table. Happy browsing!


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, January 13: Chess for Kids. Bring a chess set. An experienced high school chess player will be on hand to answer questions. No registration necessary. For grades 2 and up. 2:00– 3:00 p.m.

Monday, January 15: Library Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 16: Monthly Book Delivery to Longwood Place. 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, January 16: LiveWires Presents. LivesWires is a monthly series of programs for active, older adults featuring book, movies, and special guests. Discover new options for the next chapter of life! Tonight's program features the film, Nobody's Fool, starring Paul Newman. Following the showing of the film, Roberta Taylor, who is a certified life coach, will lead the discussion. A light dinner will be served. 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 17: DDR for Kids. Kids in grades 1-5, join in the Dance Dance Revolution! Teen teachers will be on hand to help everyone learn the finer points of this hot new activity! No registration necessary. 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 18: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Club for Seniors meets to discuss The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Led by Deirdre Reilly, local columnist and radio show host. Copies of the book will be available at the Senior Center Book Nook or at the Library. 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Senior Center Lounge

Friday, January 19: 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.

Monday, January 22: Drop-in Storytime for 2 year olds and their caregivers. No registration necessary. No storytime if school is cancelled due to weather. 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday, January 22: Drop-in Storytime for 3 year olds and their caregivers. No registration necessary. No storytime if school is cancelled due to weather. 10:15a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, January 23: LiveWires: Coffee and More, Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk! Today's featured speaker is Nancy Parsons, author of Bald as a Bean, a book that chronicles her experience with alopecia. Nancy will discuss how to handle the challenges that life presents us. Please join us for a casual cup of coffee, some great conversation, and the opportunity to learn about new books and other resources that the Library has purchased especially for active older adults. 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.


That’s all for now,
Elizabeth

LIBRARY HOURS
Mondays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday 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