VOL. 9 N0.17 APRIL 27, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
VOL. 9 N0.17 APRIL 27, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Ten times a day something happens to me like this---some strengthening throb of amazement---some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest, and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness."

Mary Oliver


WHAT IS COMMUNITY SPIRIT?
If you visit the Library this Saturday, you will see people of all ages chatting, having fun, attending special programs, enjoying great refreshments, and most of all enjoying being a part of the Reading community. Join us for our ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE which will happen this Saturday, April 28, from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.

It takes many things to make a great Library: a great collection, caring and creative staff, an inviting and welcoming atmosphere... But most of all, a great library is great because it is supported and loved by its community. Show your support and join us this Saturday!Here's a sampling of some of the fun events we have planned:

CREATIVE ARTS PRESENTS STONE SLOP (children of all ages)
Children from Creative Arts Theater program present this delightful play at 10:00 a.m. What IS stone slop? Guess you'll have to join us to find out!

FAMILY CONCERT: LAUGHTER IN THE LIBRARY (all ages)
At 10:30, award winning composer, David Polansky presents a fabulous rainbow of original songs. The audience is encouraged to ask questions,sing, dance, and have fun! This wonderful program is for the whole family.

DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION
Kick off your shoes and show us what you can do! Drop-in for grades 6 and up.
11:00-1:00 a.m.

FREE ONE ON ONE COMPUTER HELP
NetGuides will be available to answer all your computer-related questions.
11:00-1:00

FROG AND ELEPHANT GO COURTING (all ages)
What is more wonderful than listening to a storyteller weave a magical tale? Listen to an African folk tale, told by Reference Librarian Eileen Barrett.
1:00 p.m.

"HEAVENLY MUSIC" BY GRETA AND CHERIE ASGEIRSSON.
Enjoy the beautiful music of the Asgeirssons' harp and flute concert 1:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.

WE CELEBRATE BEN NICHOLS' 99th BIRTHDAY
Join us for some birthday cake! We will be presenting Ben with a GIANTbirthday card and singing "Happy Birthday."
1:30 p.m.

The HARRY POTTER PARTY (Grades 3-5)
Celebrate the upcoming publication of Harry Potter and the DeathlyHallows: Sorting hat, Library Quiddich, Trivia, Predictions. Program is free, but requires pre-registration. Please call 781-942-6703.2:00 p.m.

DOOR PRIZE DRAWING
You could be our lucky winner! It's a great prize! Don't forget to register!
2:00 p.m.

PLUS! Surprises, performances by musicians from the Coolidge MiddleSchool, student art exhibits, raffles, annual $5.00-A-Bag Book Sale,and fun for all ages. As always, the Library is "hoppin"! The 6th annual Reading Public Library Open House is being sponsored by the Friends ofthe Reading Public Library. Hop on down!!


GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!
Mark your calendars for two very special events:

On Sunday, May 6, celebrate spring with the Friends Annual House Tour. Stop by the Friends table at the Library's Open House to purchase your tickets and get all the details.

The Friends will also be celebrating Open House with a special raffle.Stop by their table and purchase a chance to win a "special delivery"copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The lucky raffle winner will have their copy of the newest Harry Potter novel delivered to their home at midnight on the official publication date (July 21) Tickets are$1.00 each or 5 for $6.00.
What fun!

Members of the Reading Public Library Foundation will also be at Open House. Stop by their table to find out more about the Foundation and to purchase tickets to "An Evening with Nathaniel Philbrick." Mr. Philbrick will be appearing at the Parker Middle School on Friday evening, May 18,at 7:30 p.m. He will discuss his bestselling book, The Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. If you think you already know all about the Pilgrims and the Mayflower, think again! This program will give you the REAL story!

Philbrick, who lives on Nantucket Island, has written often about the sea and those who sail it -- he won the National Book Award for nonfiction in 2000 for In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex. In 2004, he published Sea of Glory: America's Voyage of Discovery, the U.S.Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. Like David McCullough, to whom he is sometimes compared, Nathaniel Philbrick is a master of popular history, a genre much treasured by readers.

This outstanding event is the third program in the annual Helen Nigro Speaker Series. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.Stop by the Foundation table to get yours!


BACKBACK EXPRESS!
Announcing a brand new service for busy Moms and Dads: the Backpack Express! Pick up one of our very special backpacks in the Children'sRoom. They are stuffed with hot picture books on cool themes. Never have enough time to find those popular books on Trucks, Princesses and Dinosaurs? You can find backpacks on those themes (along with 9 others) all set and ready to check out. The backpacks can also be reserved. Thanks to the Reading Cooperative Bank for their support in making this service possible.


TECH TIP: NETGUIDES ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!
by Andrea Mercado, Reference & Techie Librarian

Ever feel like technology is a mystery to you? Do you wish someone could just sit down with you and explain it in plain English? The Reading Public Library has just the service for you. Netguides is a new program at the Library that provides patrons with one-on-one technology help. Tech-savvy high school students have been trained to teach patrons everything from how to use a mouse and the basics of using a computer, to how to search the web or use MicrosoftWord.

These technology tutors provide assistance in the library's computer classes as well as working regular on-call shifts on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons, when patrons can just stop by and ask questions. If you'd like a customized lesson on a technology topic, you can also make an appointment request to meet with a Netguide at a time that works for you. To request an appointment, stop by the Information Desk at the library and pick up a blue Netguide bookmark, or visit the Netguides webpage and fill out the online form.

For more information about the Netguides program, view a full list oftraining topics offered,or to make an appointment, visit the Netguides information page on the library web site at:http://www.readingpl.org/netguides.html

You can also meet the Netguides at the Library Open House on Saturday,April 28, from 11am - 1pm.


SPRING CONCERT AT THE LIBRARY
The Friends of the Reading Public Library concert series will come to a close on Saturday evening, May 5. The final concert will be presented by pianists Stanislava Varshavski and Diana Shapiro. They will beperforming music of Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, and Stravinsky.The concert, which is free and open to the public, begins at 8:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Please join us for an evening of wonderful music.


ANNUAL FRIENDS HOUSE TOUR: MAY 6 FROM 1:00-5:00 P.M.
Tickets are now on sale at the Circulation Desk for the Annual Friends of the Library House Tour. This year, the tour will feature seven beautiful homes, and the historic Quannapowitt Playhouse. The houses chosen reflect a variety of styles, and range from the 17th century tocontemporary construction. The House Tour is fun, educational, and has become a spring tradition in Reading! So come bring a friend, yoursister, your mother in law, a group of friends, your co-workers. You'll have a great time, and support the Library, too!

Ticket price is at $25 each, cash or check. Discounted tickets are available for Friends of the Library members ($20). All checks should be made out to the Friends of the Reading Public Library. The proceeds from this event go to fund the programs and services provided by the Friends of the Library, such as the Children and Teen Summer Reading Programs, the Children's Room Sing-a longs, the Concert Series, Museum passes, and much more!

The Friends are grateful for the corporate sponsorship of Advancian Realty who have provided funding to offset the costs of the tour. The Friends also appreciate the generosity of the Atlantic Food Mart for their continued support and wish to thank Calareso's Farm Stand for donating a beautiful floral arrangement for each of the featured homes.Thanks to Intertwine Media, Sue Berman, and all of the advertisers who took space in the tour brochure. Most of all, the Friends wish to thank the generous homeowners who make the tour possible by opening their homes!


ADULT BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: THE GLASS CASTLE
The monthly meeting of Bibliobabblers, the Reading Public Library Adult Book Discussion Group, will take place in the Library Conference Room onTuesday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. The title for discussion will be The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls.

Thanks to librarian Kathy Miksis for this summary of the novel:
"In The Glass Castle, Walls chronicles her upbringing at the hands of eccentric, nomadic parents. The title, which refers to her father's dream house, serves as an apt metaphor for the Walls' fragility. Yet Walls sheds no tears nor succumbs to self-pity. Instead of condemning her parents' foibles, she unblinkingly examines how they transformed hardship into family romance and adventure. Sharing incredible, painful experiences in no-nonsense prose, Walls has,as The New York Times Book Review notes, "succeeded in doing what mostwriters set out to do-to write the kind of book they themselves most want to read."

Karyn Storti will lead the discussion. All are welcome. No registration is necessary.The group meets in the Library's Conference Room. Copies of this title are available for loan at the circulation desk.

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.

Tuesday, May 1: Volunteen Applications Available. Students going into Grade 6 through grade 12 may pick up an application at either the Children's Desk or the Information Desk beginning April 30. Applications will also be available online at www.readingpl.org. Applicant for this program must be available for a total of 10 hours ofservice in either the Children's OR Teen Department. All applications must be returned by May 12 at 5:00 p.m. Enrollment is limited.

Thursday, May 3: Conversation Group for English Learners. Is English your second language? Improve your English by conversing with other advancedEnglish learners or practice your writing in a relaxed, welcoming,friendly atmosphere. 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Friday, May 4: Infant Toddler Sing-along. with Peter Sheridan. Noregistration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, May 5: Friends of the Reading Public Library Concert Series. Join us for an evening of piano music with duo Diana Shapiro andStanislava Varshavsky performing music of Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, andStravinsky. Concerts are free of charge and open to the public. 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 6: Friends House Tour. This year, the Friends House Tour will feature seven beautiful homes, and the historic Quannapowitt Playhouse.Tickets are on sale at the Circulation Desk at $25 each, cash or check. Discounted tickets are available for Friends of the Library members($20). All checks should be made out to the Friends of the Reading Public Library. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday, May 7: Monthly Book Delivery to Peter Sanborn Place. 2:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 8: Bibliobabblers (Adult Book Discussion Group) meets to discuss The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeanette Walls. Led by Karyn Storti. Copies of this book are available at the Circulation Desk. All are welcome. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 9: Computer Spring Cleaning Part 1. In this first of two sessions, we'll cover basic computer cleanup maintenance, as well as ways to keep things like viruses and malware from mucking things up. Pre-register at the Information Desk, via e-mail, or call 781-942-6703.7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 10: Conversation Group for English Learners. (See May 3event for details) 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Friday, May 11: Registration Deadline for LiveWires AARP DrivingRefresher Course. This free CLASSROOM safety course will be held in the meeting room and is designed for people aged 50+. (The usual $10 perperson fee will be paid by the LiveWires grant.) Part I will be held on June 9 and Part II on June 16, each from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Please register in person, online from the library calendar, or call781-942-6703.


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.