Vol. 9 No 22 June 14, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 22 June 14, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“What do I want to take home from my summer vacation? Time. The wonderful luxury of being at rest. The days when you shut down the mental machinery that keeps life on track and let life simply wander. The days when you stop planning, analyzing, thinking and just are. Summer is my period of grace.”

Ellen Goodman
Source: Washington Post

I just returned from a most wonderful vacation, and I hope that all of you will get to experience a similar “period of grace” this summer. Thanks to Lorraine Barry for letting you know about library events while I was gone!



WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We want to know how to serve you better, gauge your satisfaction with the Library services you receive, and plan for the future. To do that, we need your help. Recently a “library usage” survey was mailed out to every household in Reading. If you have already filled out and returned this survey, THANK YOU! Your input is necessary and important!

If you haven’t yet filled out your survey, won’t you please take a few minutes and do it now? The Library is in the process of developing a strategic plan for the future. This survey is a key step in that process. Please do your part to help us become an even better library by providing information about how you use the library, and sharing your opinions and ideas. All answers are confidential; you are not required to identify yourself by name. We appreciate your participation very much!

PLEASE MAIL YOUR COMPLETED SURVEY TO RESEARCH IN MARKETING (RIM) USING THE POSTAGE PAID RETURN ENVELOPE ENCLOSED IN YOUR SURVEY FORM.



FIVE BOOKS FOR FATHER’S DAY

The Father’s Day Mystery by Leslie Meier (2004)

The Dangerous Book for Boys by brothers Conn and Hal Iggulden (2007)

Twenty Days with Julian and Little Bunny by Papa / Nathaniel Hawthorne (2003)

Heart in the Right Place: a Memoir by Carolyn Jourdan (2007)

Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season by Jonathan Eig (2007)



HERE COMES SUMMER READING!
Can you believe it's already June? The year is almost half over, summer is almost here, and that means Summer Reading Clubs! This year the Library will again be offering Summer Reading Programs for Children, Teens, and Adults.


JOIN THE M.A.G.I. C.!
The theme for this year's Children's Summer Reading Program is “Join the M.A.G.I.C!” We invite all children to spend their summer in the magical world of books. This summer’s program will be filled with wizardry and enchantment! Special events will include Reader’s Theater, the Certainly Wood Writing Contest, Harry Potter parties (of course!), a tea party in a castle, the World of Owls, music, sculpture, chess and much, much more. Official registration for the Children's Summer Reading Program begins on Monday, June 18, at 9:00 a.m.

As in past years, children participating in the Summer Reading Program will track their hours of reading and listening. For each hour of “book time” the Friends of the Library will make a donation to the Make a Wish Foundation. The more children read, the more dreams come true! In addition to helping others, children participating will also have an opportunity to participate in weekly raffles and win great prizes for themselves.

Kick Off Event: Alexander the Jester
The opening program for the Children’s Summer Reading Program will be Alexander the Jester. Alexander's mime, magic, and feats of balance will thrill the audience as he speaks the gibberish language of "Grammelot" and plays three flutes at once!!! Tickets are needed for the show since space in the meeting room is limited. Club members may pick up a free ticket for the show as long as the supply lasts. There will be two performances on Tuesday June 26 one at 3:00 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. You may pickup free tickets for one of the two shows, beginning on Monday, June 18.

For more information about this outrageous and intriguing performer, go to

http://www.alexthejester.com/


GET GRAPHIC
This year’s Summer Reading Program for Teens is “Get Graphic!” Students entering 6th grade through 12th grade are also invited to join in the fun! For every book read, participating teens will write a brief book review and will have the opportunity to earn a prize. The more books read, the more prizes they earn! Participating teens will also have the chance to win a weekly raffle prize, including great items such as sports tickets, Reading Rockets gear, and more.

Plus! There will also be lots of great events like cartoon workshops, and a “Create your Own Character” contest. Registration for the Teen Summer Reading Program, GET GRAPHIC, begins on Saturday, June 23.

Kick off Event: Dance Dance Revolution
Drop in, Saturday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. Show off your moves! Hang out, watch the competitors and play games while you wait for your turn to show off your DDR skills. Drinks and snacks will be provided.


FLIP OUT!
And for the rest of us (let's just say… past high school), there's the Adult Summer Reading Program. Every time you complete a book or audiobook, fill out an author and title slip and deposit it at the (Flip) Flop House which will be located next to the Information Desk. Each entry gives you the opportunity to participate in our grand prize drawing. FLIP OUT begins on Monday, June 25.

The Summer Reading Programs are generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library.



LIVEWIRES PRESENTS: CALENDAR GIRLS

“The last stage of the flower is the most glorious.”

That line is the impetus for the mature women of the Rylstone Women’s Institute – a social and educational group made up of middle aged British ladies – to drop everything for a good cause. The sentiment refers to the aging beauty of a woman and was written by Annie’s (Julie Walters) dying husband, John.

In honor of John, a few roguish members of the Institute decide to create a calendar that will sell enough copies to allow a generous donation to the hospital where John died. Inspired by the girlie magazines she finds hidden under her son’s bed, one of the women suggests posing for a “nude” calendar. Each of the women is 40 or older, but their initial reaction of astonishment and outrage soon turns to curiosity and intrigue, and creativity soon takes over as they find artful (and modest) ways to pose.

The resulting calendar becomes an international success and the ladies are thrust into the spotlight, but the bright lights are warm and welcome for some and glaringly intrusive for others. Instant fame threatens life-long friendships, marriages and individual morals. Like the sunflower used to represent them, it’s up to the ladies to work through the darkness and find the sun once again.

Julie Walters provides a beautiful and moving performance as the resolute widow determined to make a small difference in her husband’s name, but the star of this show is Helen Mirren who steals the movie. She’s unapologetically naughty and you love her for it. Her beauty, charm, sharp wit and unflinching confidence make her a strong and desirable lady that both men and women will admire.

The movie’s marvelous cast and humor work to create a delightful comedy that’s both sexy and touching. The film has much to say about friendship, making a difference, loyalty, and resilience. On Tuesday evening, June 19, LiveWires Presents will be screening Calendar Girls. Following the film, a discussion will be led by Marion Freiberg, a life coach specializing in transitions.

Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library, a light dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. followed by the showing of the movie at 6:30. This event is free and open to all.


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
To read about and see pictures of the real life “calendar girls,” go to the Leukemia Research homepage:

http://www.lrf.org.uk/en/1/calbkg.html

To date, the "Girls" have raised more than £1 million for Leukemia
Research in Great Britain.


ONLY 36 DAYS TO GO!
The Friends of the Reading Public Library have ordered a limited number of the newest Harry Potter title, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for people to purchase through the Library. Library patrons may order and pre-pay for their books at the Circulation Desk, while the supply lasts. The discounted price for library users is $22.00. Proceeds from the sale of these books will help the Friends to provide special programs and services for the Library.

On Friday evening, July 20, the Library will close at 5:00 p.m. and then reopen at 11:45 p.m. Pre-purchased books will be available for pickup at the stroke of midnight (barring an act of Voldemort). Also, the Library will contact the first group of customers who have "holds" on library copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, so that they can check out their books at midnight. (You will be called by the circulation staff or notified by email if you are a member of this lucky group)

So take a nap and spend midnight on July 20th at the Reading Public Library. Join us for "Late Night with Harry Potter."



BE A FRIEND!
Wouldn't now be a great time to join the Friends? For information about how to join the Friends, go to

http://www.readingpl.org/membership.html


REMINDER!
Part two of the AARP Safe Driving course will be offered this Saturday, June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This program is sponsored by LiveWires, the Library’s program for people age 55 and older. You must be pre-registered to attend.



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, June 16: LiveWires AARP Driving Program Part I1. Free classroom safety course for those previously registered. 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Monday, June 18: First day of the Children's Summer Reading Program: M.A.G.I.C. (Magical Academy for Genuinely Imaginative Children)! Readers and listeners are encouraged to sign-up and participate in a magical and fantasy-filled summer of events. Pick up free tickets for the summer reading kick-off program, Alexander the Jester! on June 26 with performances at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 19: Monthly Book Delivery to Longwood Place. 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, June 19: LiveWires Presents. LivesWires is a monthly series of programs for active, older adults featuring book, movies, and special guests. Tonight's program features the film Calendar Girls, the true story of a group of middle-aged English women who became international celebrities when they designed and posed for a nude fundraising calendar that sold millions of copies worldwide. The discussion following the film will be led by Marion Freiberg, a Life Coach specializing in Transitions. This event is free and open to all. Dinner at 6:00 p.m.; Film at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 21: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Group for Seniors meets to discuss A Painted House by John Grisham. 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

Thursday, June 21: Conversation Group for English Learners. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, June 23: “Get Graphic,” the Teen Summer Reading Program begins for students entering grades 6 through 12. Come join us, win prizes, and have fun exploring the world of comics! Kick-off Event: DDR (Dance Dance Revolution). 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Monday, June 25: Flip Out for Summer Reading, the Adult Summer Reading Program, begins. Participants may read a book or listen to an unabridged book and fill out a raffle ticket to be entered for a grand prize drawing.

Tuesday, June 26: Word of Mouth. Informal monthly discussion of what people have been reading lately 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 26: Children’s Summer Reading Kick-off Program with Alexander the Jester! Pick up free tickets beginning June 18. Performances at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.


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.