Vol. 9 No. 16 April 20, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
a weekly library newsletter
Vol. 9 No. 16 April 20, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center.”

Kurt Vonnegut
American novelist
1922-2007


OPEN HOUSE! THE JOINT IS JUMPING!
The staff at the Library have been hard at work planning wonderful programs for our sixth annual Open House on Saturday, April 28th. There will be music, refreshments, door prizes, LOTS OF FROGS, and guaranteed fun for everyone! Bring the whole family, and join us! Here’s the schedule of events:

10:00 a.m. CREATIVE ARTS PRESENTS STONE SLOP (children of all ages)
“Once upon a time there was a monster….
One time he was very hungry…..
He looked around his cave, but could find no food…
There was nothing but a single, round stone…”

What happens next? What IS stone slop? Guess you’ll have to join us to find out!

10:30 a.m. FAMILY CONCERT: LAUGHTER IN THE LIBRARY (all ages)
Award winning composer, David Polansky presents a fabulous rainbow of original songs. The audience is encouraged to ask questions, sing, dance, and have fun! David improvises songs on the spot…we’ve heard that there might even be some frog songs!

11:00-1:00 a.m. DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION
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.

1:00 p.m. FROG AND ELEPHANT GO COURTING (all ages)
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 a harp and flute concert

1:30 p.m. WE CELEBRATE BEN NICHOLS' 99th BIRTHDAY
Join us for some birthday cake! We will be presenting Ben with a GIANT birthday card and singing “Happy Birthday.” (Please stop by the Library this week to add your best wishes to Ben’s card).

2:00-3:00 p.m. The HARRY POTTER PARTY (Grades 3-5)
Celebrate the upcoming publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: 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! Don’t forget to register!

PLUS! Surprises, performances by musicians from the Coolidge Middle School, student art exhibits, raffles, annual $5.00 -A- Bag Book Sale, and fun for all ages. Tickets for "An Evening with Nathaniel Philbrick" will be on sale at the RPL Foundation table. As always, at the Library there is something for everyone! The 6th annual Reading Public Library Open House is being sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Join us from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday April 28th. Hop on down!!



OLDER, BUT WISER?
Do you have trouble driving at night?
Do you ever find it difficult to decide when to join traffic on a busy interstate highway?
Do you take medications that may affect your driving ability?
Have you recently received a warning or ticket? Have you had an accident or a “close call”?

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, you may need to think about becoming an "activated driver.” An activated driver is someone who takes responsibility for safe driving, and is motivated to sharpen their driving skills.

The AARP Driver Safety Program has offered safety refresher courses since 1979 to more than 11 million graduates. The aim is for older drivers to better understand the updated technologies in new vehicles, provide a refresher on the rules of the road, and learn strategies to compensate for age-related changes in vision, hearing, or response time. For more information, go to:
http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/

The course consists of two classroom sessions which will be offered at the Library on June 9 and June 16. The instructor for the class will be Reading resident, Nancy Doherty. Each session is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided, or participants may bring their own snack to eat during the break.

This special program is presented by LiveWires, the Library’s program for people age 55 and up, and is funded by a federal grant administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Although the usual cost for this program is $10.00 per person, the program is offered by the Library at no cost to the participants as a service provided by the LiveWires grant.

Participants must pre-register and should plan to attend both sessions. The deadline for registration is May 11, and space is limited. So call today to reserve your spot! To register, please stop by the Information Desk, register online, or call 781-942-6703.



MITALI MEANS “FRIENDLY”
Don't miss a chance to meet award winning young adult author Mitali Perkins! After visiting the Reading Middle Schools, Ms. Perkins will be giving an evening discussion at the Reading Public Library on Thursday, April 26, from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Born in Kolkata, India, Ms. Perkins immigrated to America with her family and is devoted to the use of literature to help young people navigate a multicultural background. Ms. Perkins will speak on "Life Between Two Cultures.” Through slides, personal anecdotes and Q&A with the audience, Ms. Perkins will offer insight on balancing two worlds, focusing on her experiences as an immigrant from India, a reader and eventually, a writer.

Mitali Perkins’ award-winning books include Monsoon Summer and The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen. Rickshaw Girl, which was published in February, 2007, is her newest novel. . The Visiting Author Program is funded through a cooperative effort of the Friends of the Reading Public Library and the Parker and Coolidge Parent-Teacher Associations.



OUR COMMUNITY HOME
What makes a house a home? This is the question that is driving this year’s Annual Friends’ House Tour. Although most people would agree that the most important ingredient in making a house a home is the love that connects and sustains the family living in it, it is also true that physical characteristics and décor contribute to a feeling of warmth and comfort that speaks of “home.”

This year’s House Tour features seven beautiful houses, each unique in what makes each one a home. A warm and inviting kitchen? A comfy nook for reading or studying? A family room that invites friends in for great food and conversation? A bright and airy sun room? Children’s art work on the walls? According to one of the owners on this year’s tour: “We are surrounded by the things we love, not the things the style magazines tell us to love. Have fun with your house; it’s one of the few places where we have free reign to show what we like and what we’re like.” So join us, and get inspired!

Tickets are on sale now at the Library's Circulation Desk. Members of the Friends may purchase tickets for $20 (cash or check). The price for non-members is $25. All checks should be made out to the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Proceeds go to fund the many programs and services provided by the Friends of the Library. Join your friends and neighbors in participating in this beloved annual event. It's a wonderful way to celebrate spring, and support your library!



FRIENDS RAFFLE
This year, people attending the Friends House Tour will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle. Stop by the historic Quannapowitt Playhouse at 55 Hopkins Street to purchase your raffle tickets and enjoy some delicious refreshments. Tickets can be purchased any time during the tour, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win... Take a chance at winning one of the generously donated prizes from the following local businesses!

CaLi Lilly
Chocolate Truffle
Clippings Landscaping and New England Wall and Patio
Fitness Together
Gregory’s Florist
Harmonious Homes
I Dream of Jeanne Cakes
Karen Bunch Designs
Laschi
Silk Floral Arrangement from Ruth of the Vinery
Vitality Spa

Raffle Tickets are $2 each or three for $5 ● Cash and Checks Accepted.



FRIENDS CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS A DYNAMIC DUO
People attending the next Friends of the Library Concert will get a double treat: not just one, but two beautiful and talented young pianists. Stanislava Varshavski and Diana Shapiro are both immigrants from the former Soviet Union and have been playing together as a duo since 1998. In 2004 they won The Grand Prize at the 15th Piano Competition in Rome for duo piano and 1st prize for piano four hands. They have appeared with a number of well-known orchestras such as the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. A number of their performances have been broadcast on live radio throughout the world.

Their performance at the Reading Public Library on Saturday, May 5, promises to be a wonderful evening of classical music. Varshavski and Shapiro will perform selections from the music of Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, and Stravinsky. The concert is free and open to the public. It begins at 8:00 p.m. in the Library’s Main Meeting Room.



BE A FRIEND!
Wouldn't now be a great time to join the Friends? In addition to supporting the Library, you can take advantage of the special House Tour ticket price for Friends members. For information about how to join the Friends, go to http://www.readingpl.org/membership.html



WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

“As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing”
John Muir, American naturalist

This week’s website was suggested by Technology and Reference Librarian, Andrea Mercado. Thanks, Andrea!


The Green Hour
http://www.greenhour.org/
Did you know that recent research shows that the average child now spends some 44 hours per week (roughly six hours a day) staring at electronic screens -- whether TV, video games, computers or cell phones. As a result, we see our children getting heavier, more passive, and becoming increasingly disconnected from the world of nature.

The National Wildlife Federation has set up this website to help parents and children reconnect to nature and the outdoors. Their goal is to convince parents to give their kids a "Green Hour" every day, a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. This can take place in a garden, a backyard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible green spaces where children can learn and play. The website provides all sorts of suggestions for activities and an opportunity to share ideas by communicating with other families.

National Wildlife Week is April 21-29. So get outside and celebrate!



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.


Friday, April 20: 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.

Tuesday, April 24: Word of Mouth. Informal monthly discussion of what people have been reading lately 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 26: Author Visit: Mitali Perkins. Mitali Perkins writes and reads fiction for young adults. Born in Kolkata, India, she immigrated to America when she was a child and knows what it's like to straddle the border between cultures. Join us for lively evening discussion with Ms. Perkins as she shares her perspectives and her experiences in living and writing. Light refreshments will be served. 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 26: Conversation Group for English Learners. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, April 28: 6th Annual Library Open House. There will be a full schedule of activities for all ages, plus door prizes, and refreshments. Special programs for kids will include David Polansky’s “Laughter in the Library” Family Concert and the Harry Potter Party. We will also have a performance of “Stone Slop” by the Traveling Theater Troupe and Suzuki Violin Students from Creative Arts. Look for a complete schedule of activities at the Library. Enjoy the special art exhibits and musical selections provided by students in Reading's schools. Have FUN at your library! 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 28: Dance Dance Revolution for Teens at the 6th Annual Library Open House. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 28: Library Open House- Performance of “Stone Slop” by the Traveling Theater Troupe and Suzuki Violin Students from Creative Arts. 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 28: Library Open House- Family Concert with David Polansky. Family favorite, David Polansky presents his 'Laughter in the Library' concert! All ages, 45 minutes. Free. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Saturday, April 28: Harry Potter Party. Come in your Hogwarts gear, discover your House assignment, play a little library Quidditch---and make some predictions about the final Harry Potter book coming out in July! For grades 3-5. Sign up at the Children's Room Desk or by calling 781-942-6705 starting April 7. 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p


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 http://www.readingpl.org