Vol. 9 No 8 February 22, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 8 February 22, 2007


LIVEWIRES PRESENTS: NIGHT GARDENING BY E.L. SWANN

"Deep within each of us lies a garden. An intensely personal place. Throughout most of our lives, this garden remains hidden from view save for brief glimpses during moments spent daydreaming or in quiet contemplation. But many of us long to make this imaginative garden real."

Inward Garden
Julie Moir Meservy


Night Gardening by E.L. Swann is a heart-warming yet bittersweet novel about gardening and finding love in later life. Widowed Maggie struggles to recover from a stroke, and with the help of a landscape architect begins to restore her beloved garden during the night, away from the prying eyes of caregivers and her demanding, alcoholic children. Swann beautifully develops the parallels of friendship growing into love, a body healing itself, and a garden coming back to life---all signs of the restorative powers of love.

The cold and wintry month of February is the perfect time to read this novel which is not only about gardening, but also about faith, second chances, and finding love in later life. Although it is a book that will totally delight gardeners, it is not necessary to be a gardener to enjoy and relate to the story. Night Gardening also explores such themes as dealing with disabilities, problems with adult children, alcoholism, and Maggie's doubts about being a failure as a mother. There's LOTS to talk about so it's sure to be a lively discussion!

The discussion will be led by Town of Reading Social Worker, Marie Ammer, and will be held at the Library on Tuesday evening, February 27 at 7:00p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This program is sponsored by LiveWires, and is funded by an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant, through the Library Services and Technology Act and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Are you a LiveWire? You are if you are age 55 or older! Please join us for a great book discussion and the opportunity to find out what LiveWires is all about!


OUR READERS WRITE
In last week's issue, I invited readers to write in with their suggestions for how to celebrate "I Love to Read Month." Thanks to Karyn and Anna for taking the time to write!

From Karyn:
"In honor of "I Love to Read" month, I recommend An Open Book byMichael Dirda. This is a charming memoir about growing up in a working-class family in Ohio, how Michael came to love reading, and his ensuing and enduring love affair with books. Michael went on to become a book critic for the Washington Post and won the Pulitzer for criticism. I think all readers will cherish this book."

From Anna:
Thanks to Anna for sending in this wonderful article that describes so well the author's love for reading. I have edited it for length.

Winter Is a Good Time To Cozy Up with a Book by Margie Herberger
2/18/2007 Reprinted from The Buffalo News

"I spent the weekend with Gary Paulsen. You know, the author of the Hatchet series that so many middle-schoolers read - --No, I didn't really spend the weekend with him. But I did pick up Winterdance, his book about running the Iditarod, the frantic dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome - the Alaskan version of March madness, I guess. Paulsen, whose love for the outdoors has been lifelong, detailed adventures so dangerous and potentially fatal that fingers and toes lost to frostbite seemed the least of it. And I went right along with him.

There we were, "mushing" our way through 21 days of insanity. We were both sleep-deprived - --he from the sled dogs' manic inability to rest during the frenzy of running those first three days; and I from my own reluctance to stop reading. I read late into the nights, buried under quilts, and early in the mornings, his book side-by-side with my coffee.

My part of the adventure was gloriously cinematic, in full color and surround sound. I heard the grating whisper of the runners, and the crazed wildness of the dogs' barking, even the rasp of the musher's breath while running alongside the sled in an effort, often futile, to keep warm at 50 below.

My mind's eye stared in awe at the rosy peak of Mount Denali- McKinley echoing the splash of dawn. I was frozen to my chair as Paulsen knocked the ice from his runners and his clothing. The muffled bark of a neighborhood dog became the throaty snarling of the lead dog, Cookie, warning other dogs away from her slab of meat.

And even when the book ended, I was still so involved that I rose from my chair, shucked off the sadness of journey's end and jumped online,traveling to the official Iditarod site. I just had to be there; had to see the reality beyond my own mind. Sated with information, finally, I laid the book to rest. My experience was complete. I'd never forget it.

This is what reading does for me, all the time. Still thirsty for adventure, this week I'm summiting Mount Everest with Jon Krakauer in Into Thin Air. Whew - I never realized the effects of oxygen deprivation at 26,000 feet elevation! "


FIVE MORE BOOKS FOR VICARIOUS MUSHERS
Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers: Reflections on Being Raised by a Pack of Sled Dogs by Gary Paulsen. (1996)
B PAULSEN

Murder on the Iditarod Trail by Sue Henry. (1991)
PAPERBACK MYSTERY

Iditarod: The Great Race to Nome. Photography by Jeff Schultz; text byBill Sherwon. (1991)
798.8 SCH

Running North: A Yukon Adventure by Ann Mariah Cook. (1998)
B COOK

The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic by Gay Salisbury & Laney Salisbury. (2003)
614.5123 SAL


FEELING THE HEAT
The Reading Advisory Committee for Cities for Climate Protection (ACCCP) is sponsoring a four week seminar entitled "Global Warming: Changing theCO2URSE". This course was developed by the Northwest Earth Institute(NWEI) in Portland Oregon. (http://www.nwei.org/NWEI/Home.html) The course will begin on Tuesday, February 27th and run for four consecutive Tuesday evenings culminating with a celebration on Tuesday, April 3rd.

At each session, participants will discuss readings, share their own experiences, and explore ways to live a sustainable lifestyle. Joining in the discussion will help those attending to understand the history and science of global climate change and talk about ways that personal choices can have an impact.

The group will meet in the upstairs lounge at the Reading Senior Center,49 Pleasant Street at 7:00 p.m. The cost of the course is $15.00, which covers the informative reading material provided by the NWEI.

If you would like to join the group, please telephone Ron D'Addario at 781-439-9146. If you use the answering machine, please leave your name and number, and someone will return your call.


GEEK OUT, DON'T FREAK OUT! - MP3/AUDIO PLAYERS
Geek Out--- Don't Freak Out! is a series of classes which the Library provides to give our patrons hands-on help and experience with everyday technologies. The next class in this series will be held on Wednesday, February 28, and will spotlight how to use MP3/Audio players.

What's an MP3 player, you say? MP3 is a digital audio format that compresses sound into a small file while preserving sound quality. These files can then be played on devices such as Ipods, MP3 players or cell phones.

The class will show you the basics of choosing and using an MP3 player,and will also present you with an overview of the Library's new program, ListenUp Reading! Find out how to check out and use library MP3 players, as well as how to download and listen to eAudio books at home on a computer or portable digital audio player.

The Library now offers over 1700 titles which can be downloaded onto your own or one of the library's MP3 players. People who own an MP3 player should bring their device and user's manual. If you are already an expert, come share your expertise with others! The class will be taught by Reference and Technology Librarian Andrea Mercado. To register, stop by the Information Desk or call 781-942-6703. Come to the Library and find out what it's all about!


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.

Stop by the Children's Room Desk or call 781-942-6705 to register for the Storytime Programs (ages 2-6) or the Mother Goose Lapsit Program for children under 2 and their caretakers.

Thursday, February 22: Conversation Group for English Learners. 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Friday, February 23: Celebrate Chinese New Year with storyteller Li Min Mo. Join in the celebration of the Year of the Pig with storyteller Li Min Mo! After sharing some traditional Chinese tales and treats, she will help children try their hand at Chinese calligraphy. For children in grades K-5. 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, February 27: Word of Mouth. Informal monthly discussion of what people have been reading 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 27: LiveWires Presents. A monthly series of programs for active, older adults featuring books, movies, and special guests. Discover new options for the next chapter of life! Tonight's program features a discussion of the book, Night Gardening, by E.L. Swann. This moving novel is a story of love in later life. The discussion will be facilitated by Marie Ammer, Social Worker for the Town of Reading. Light refreshments will be served. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.


Wednesday, February 28: Computer Class - "Geek Out, Don't Freak Out! -MP3/Audio players." A hands-on, how-to workshop that will give you the basics about choosing and using MP3 players, and also introduce you to the ListenUp Reading! eAudiobook program. Pre-register at the Information Desk, via e-mail, orcall 781-942-6703. 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 28: Announcement of the new title for Slackers Book Club-the book club for people who don't want to be committed!

Thursday, March 1: Conversation Group for English Learners. Is English your second language? Come converse with other advanced English learners. 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Friday, March 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, March 5: Monthly Book Delivery to Peter Sanborn Place. 2:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Monday, March 5: Reading Group Round Table. Author Mary-Ann Tirone Smith will be here to discuss her riveting memoir, Girls of Tender Age. Free tickets (limit of 2 per person) are available at the Circulation Desk. 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 7: Computer Class - "Basic Computing." This class will cover the basics of how to get around a Windows XP computer, including folders, file management, and more, with one-on-one assistance from our Netguides. Patrons must know how to use a mouse. Pre-register at the Information Desk, via e-mail, or call781-942-6703. 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.


That's all for now,

Elizabeth Dickinson
Assistant Director


LIBRARY HOURS
Mondays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursdays 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fridays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.