Vol. 9 No 5 February 1, 2007

OFF THE SHELF A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 5 February 1, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The sun is setting –Can’t you hear
A something in the distance Howl!!?
I wonder if it is –Yes!! it is
That horrid Google On the prowl!!!”
From the Google Book by Vincent Cartwright Vickers, published in 1913 byJ & E Bumpus, Ltd., London. Now how fun is that?


COFFEE AND MORE: THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW!
How do I get a Health Care Proxy? What about wills and estate planning? Do I need a living trust? How do I protect my income? What can I do if I can't pay my debts? As we get older, we may have to face these or manyother legal questions. Often these questions are confusing, and many of us don’t know how to find the best information.

Well, here’s a great place to start…. Your Library! In addition toproviding books on consumer law and access to many helpful Internet sites, the Library is also providing an opportunity for you to attend a program on legal issues for people age 55 and up. On Tuesday, February 13, LiveWires presents our next installment of Coffee and More, featuring local attorney Brian Snell. Mr. Snell will provide an overview of the issues and prepare you with information that will help you make the most of your attorney visits.

Coffee and More begins at 10:00 a.m. with coffee and light refreshments. I hope that you will join us for this interesting and informative look at the law. Grab a cub of coffee and let’s talk!


CONFEDERATES IN THE ATTIC
It has been almost 150 years since General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant squared off against each other in the Virginia Wilderness. Yet for thousands of Americans, it might as well be yesterday, for each year they have poured into the small Virginia towns of Brandy Station and Spotsylvania Court House to recreate the bloody, vicious campaigns of May, 1864. In Confederates in the Attic, author Tony Horowitz explores the world of “Civil War re-enactors.”

In order to fully experience this world, the author spent time in the field with a group of re-enactors. Arriving at the re-enactment site, he quickly got a taste of things to come: he was told to abandon his sleeping bag and all the clothes he wore. In return, he was outfitted with a period uniform, haversack, and bedroll, and was informed that hewould be sleeping outside in the bitter cold. In the world of these re-enactors, there is apparently no room for casual play actors. These men routinely dieted to achieve the gaunt, haunting look of Confederate soldiers and tolerated no substitute for authenticity.

Intrigued by the zeal of the re-enactors, Horwitz undertook a year-long odyssey to see why this war is still an obsession for so many people today. He did not discover a single prevailing reason. What he did discover is that the reasons are as varied and complex and interesting as the fellow pilgrims he met along the way.

Bibliobabblers will meet on Tuesday evening, February 13, to discuss this fascinating look at the Civil War and its continuing influence. How do we reconcile our romantic fantasies toward a war that claimed more thanone million casualties? How can we venerate a culture that enslaved millions of African Americans? What does the fervor and intensity of the re-enactors tell us about ourselves and our society? You are invited to join the discussion! The program begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be led byPeggy White. Books are available at the Library. Just ask at the Circulation Desk.


IT'S TIME FOR VALENTINES
Just a reminder that the Valentines Making Center is available in the Children's Room every day until February 13. Drop in and create! Children are invited to make Valentine's Day a special day for our elderly neighbors by making a valentine for them. Staff of the Children's Department will provide materials-- and deliver the Valentines. Children can make a card to take home, too!


BUY YOUR VALENTINES AT THE LIBRARY!
Children who attend REAP (Reading Extended -Day Activities Program) have created some lovely hand-made valentines which are for sale at the Library. Valentines are $1.00 for a packet of two valentines. Proceeds from the valentine sale go to support the Library's programs and services. So…look for the valentine display at the Circulation Desk!


MAGAZINE GIVEAWAY
Saturday, February 17 is the date for the Library’s annual Great Magazine Giveaway. In order to make room for new issues, older magazines which are no longer needed will be given away to the public. This is a great opportunity to pick up magazines for school or scout projects, crafts, or just for enjoyable reading. All magazines are available on a first come, first serve basis. The Giveaway will begin when the Library opens at 9:00 a.m. Come early, and bring a bag!


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
This week’s website of the week was suggested by Off the Shelf reader Christine Hylan Environmental Working Group: EWG Report "Skin Deep” (2005)www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2

>From the site:
Skin Deep is a personal care product safety guide with in-depthinformation on 14,841 products - 1,052 brands of lotion, lip balm, deodorant, sunscreen and other popular products - and the 7,093 ingredients that form them. With its core of 37 toxicity and regulatory databases, Skin Deep provides safety ratings and brand-by-brand comparisons that can help consumers choose safer products.

Christine writes:“This report exposes the dangers that exist is many of the every-day products that we have on our shelves, and that are readily available in the stores we shop. Many dangerous products call themselves "natural,“gentle,” “safe for children.” This report is a real eye-opener, as is the whole website. I urge others to check it 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 MiddlesexAvenue, Reading, unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, February 1 through Tuesday, February 13: Drop-In Valentines inthe Children’s Room! Make a valentine for our elderly Reading neighborsand we'll deliver them. Create a valentine for your own special someone too. We'll supply the materials, you supply the imagination.

Thursday, February 1: Storytime Registration for 4 and 5 Year Olds. Storytimes will run for 6 Wednesdays from March 7 to April 11 at 10 a.m. or for 6 Thursdays from March 8 to April 12 at 1:30 p.m. (choose one). Children must be appropriate age as of first session. Program is free and Reading residents are given space preference. No Storytime on No School/Snow Days. Questions? Call 781-942-6705. Begins at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 1: Storytime Registration for 4 to 6 Year Olds Evening Program. Storytimes will run 6 Thursday evenings from March 8 to April 12 at 7:00 p.m. Children must be appropriate age as of first session.Program is free and Reading residents are given space preference. No Storytime on No School/Snow Days. Questions? Call 781-942-6705. Begins at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 1: Conversation Group for English Learners. Is English your second language? Come converse with other advanced English learners and discuss current events, verb usage, and more or practice your writing in a relaxed, welcoming, friendly atmosphere. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Friday, February 2: Infant Toddler Sing-Along. with Peter Sheridan. No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Monday, February 5: Drop-in Storytime for 2 year olds and their caregivers. No registration necessary. No Storytime if school is cancelled for inclement weather. 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday, February 5: Drop-in Storytime for 3 year olds and their caregivers. No registration necessary. No Storytime if school is cancelled for inclement weather. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Monday, February 5: Monthly Book Delivery to Peter Sanborn Place. 2:30p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 8: Conversation Group for English Learners. (see February 1 event for details) 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, February 10: Chess for Kids. Bring a chess set. An experienced high school chess player will be on hand to answer questions and suggest strategies. No registration necessary. For grades 2 and up. 2:00 p.m. –3:00 p.m.

Monday, February 12: Drop-in Storytime for 2 year olds and their caregivers. No registration necessary. No Storytime if school is cancelled for inclement weather. 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday, February 12: Drop-in Storytime for 3 year olds and their caregivers. No registration necessary. No Storytime if school is cancelled for inclement weather. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, February 13: LiveWires: Coffee and More. Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk! Today's featured speaker is Brian Snell, a local attorney, who will discuss legal issues for 'boomers and beyond.' Please join us for a casual cup of coffee and some great conversation. 10:00a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, February 13: Bibliobabblers (Adult Book Discussion Group) meets to discuss Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz. Led by Peggy White. Copies of this book are available at the Circulation Desk. All are welcome and no registration is necessary 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 15: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Club for Seniors meets to discuss Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. 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 p.m. at the Senior Center Lounge

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 http://www.readingpl.org/