Vol. 9 No 24 June 28, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 24 June 28, 2007



QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Is there a greater miracle than to see through another's eyes, even for an instant?"

Henry David Thoreau



FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY
Reading's 4th Annual Friends and Family Day will be held on Saturday, June 30, from noon to 4:00 p.m. Although the event was held on the Town Common in recent years, this year it has a new home at the Birch Meadow complex on Birch Meadow Drive. Activities and entertainment are scheduled for all age groups throughout the afternoon. Over 50 local organizations will be represented. There will be music, crafts, activities for kids, health checks, sidewalk sales, community information and more. Friends and Family Day is organized by the Reading Lions Club.

Stop by the Library's table to sign up for the Children's Summer Reading Program and get information about our upcoming activities!



CELEBRATE FREEDOM!
The Library will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, in honor of Independence Day. Even though the library will be closed, the library’s web site is available twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week at www.readingpl.org. Using your pin, you may renew and request booksthrough the website. We also want to remind you that the library's research databases are available for home use. Just go to our website and click on "Online Services." Then click on the database you want, and enter your library card number. Regular library hours will resume Thursday, July 5 at 1:00 p.m.


FIVE BOOKS FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY!
1776 by David McCullough (2005) 973.3 MCC
In this stirring book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence. This book is also available in large print, on cassette, CD, and as a Downloadable Audiobook.

Faiths of the Founding Fathers by David L. Holmes. (2006)
In this enlightening book, David L. Holmes offers a clear, concise and illuminating look at the spiritual beliefs of our founding fathers. On Order. Available at other NOBLE libraries.

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis (2000)
973.4 ELL
The author presents a look at the intertwined lives of John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History, 2001. This book is also available in large print and on cassette.

The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution by David O. Stewart (2007)
NEW 973.3 STE
The Summer of 1787 takes us into the sweltering room in which delegates struggled for four months to produce the flawed but enduring document that would define our nation — then and now. Filled with suspense, conflict, and passion… this history reads like a novel.

Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer (2004) 973.332 FIS
The tale is told in the style of a master thriller writer who keeps us reading even though we know--or think we know--how it all turns out...Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History, 2005. Also available on CD and as a Downloadable Audiobook.



HOT! HOT! HOT!
This week marks the beginning of summer: the season of baseball, ice cream, lemonade, sandals, sunburn, fireworks, and most importantly, vacation! I wish you all lots of warm, sunny days, and time to enjoy them!

But when the days get really hot, remember that your Library is cool. The air conditioning is working just fine, so come on in, relax, enjoy the cool air, and pick up some great titles for summer reading!



LIVEWIRES: COFFEE & MORE
Which state parks have swimming areas?
Is RV camping allowed?
Can you take your dog when you visit?
Which parks are accessible to someone who uses a wheelchair?

On Tuesday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m. Ray Faucher , Atlantic District Manager for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, will be at the Library to present a slide show and answer all your questions regarding Massachusetts State Parks.

Learn about all the great recreational opportunities available : there are facilities for swimming, camping, hiking, walking and bike riding at DCR's Parks — but they also offer fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, sailing, wind surfing, rock climbing, skiing, golfing, and other recreational activities. There are opportunities for picnics, outdoor performances, areas to rent for company or family gatherings, historic sites, skating rinks, playgrounds, athletic fields, interpretive programs and much more.

Find out all about it by attending our free program, and also check out the Library’s free parks pass. The program begins at 10:00 a.m., and we hope to see you there! As always, coffee and refreshments will be served.



SUMMER READING TAKES OFF
The Children's Summer Reading Program began this past Monday, June 18. To date, the Children's Department has signed up 897 summer readers! It's going to be an amazing summer!



STORIES THAT FLY
Calling all authors to enter our annual writing contest! Certainly Wood and the Reading Public Library invite all students entering Grades 2-6 to create their own magical story. Is there a dragon hiding in your backyard? Elves under the apple tree? Our genuinely imaginative children are sure to come up with some magical tales!

Students should write their stories on their own and are encouraged to include illustrations, if they’d like. The deadline for entries is Saturday, July 14, at 5:00 p.m. Stories should be turned in at the Children’s Room desk. Students should write their name, the grade they will be entering in the fall, and their phone number on the back of their entry.

All authors and their families are invited to an Ice Cream Party on Thursday, July 26, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Stories will be on display and the contest winners will be announced. Certainly Wood is generously donating a desk, bookcase, and a cube for prizes at each grade level. Good luck to all of our young authors!



CHESS MAKES YOU SMART!
Chess has long been considered a way for children to increase their mental prowess, concentration, memory, and analytical skills. Research has proven these intellectual benefits, but chess also teaches sportsmanship, cooperation, improves self-esteem, and builds confidence. On Wednesday evening, July 11, students in grade 2 and up are invited to an informal chess tournament. An experienced high school chess player will be on hand to answer questions and suggest strategies. No registration necessary. Play begins at 7:00 p.m. Children are asked to bring their own chess set.



ADOPT A MAGAZINE
Are you interested in a simple, easy, and inexpensive way to support the library, or to make a gift to honor someone special? The library currently subscribes to over one hundred magazines on a variety of topics. Individuals, families, and local Reading businesses sponsor many of these subscriptions.

As we renew the current list, and add a few new titles of interest, we’re looking for people like you to sponsor one or several subscriptions for the coming year. A list of titles guaranteed to suit all interests and budgets is available for you to choose from. Just ask at the Information or Children's Room desk.

The library sends special thanks to the patrons and organizations who have already a magazine and annually renew their participation in the program. Look for their names on the magazine display racks next to the title of the sponsored magazine.

You can be a part of this simple, effective way to give to a good cause. It’s a great way to make lots of local readers of all ages and interests happy. You can also donate the subscription in honor of, or in memory of, someone important to you.

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring a magazine subscription, please visit the library or call Nancy Smethurst, Administrative Secretary at 781-942-6709 for more information. Thank you from all of us at the Library!



WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

http://www.stumbleupon.com/

StumbleUpon describes itself as an “intelligent browsing tool for sharing and discovering great websites.” Which is really what it is – in a nutshell. And it’s even simpler to install and use. Install!? Yeah, I know, I know. Calm down. It’s a simple (and free) toolbar that will download and install itself to your browser and have you Stumbling within 60 seconds.

By merging the concepts of “internet browsing” and “personal recommendations”, StumbleUpon has perfected the act of searching for interesting websites by creating a nearly fool-proof browsing system. Once signed-up and toolbar installed, a user selects topics of interest, such as music, sports, health, books, libraries, etc. – with over 500 more detailed topics ranging from comic books to crochet. And that’s it. You’re ready to Stumble.

And Stumbling is fun. It’s a bit like sticking your hand in a big barrel of prizes and seeing what you pull out. Except, if you’ve set up your profile correctly, nearly everything you pull out will be of interest to you! (StumbleUpon works with both Firefox and Internet Explorer, but not as far as I could tell, with Netscape.)

Thanks go to Sam for suggesting this week’s “Website of the Week!”



BE A FRIEND!
The FRIENDS welcome new members and need your support. Won't you join the Friends today? It's only $15 for an individual membership and $25 for a family. And you can also support the FRIENDS by buying a book bag for $15.00-it makes a great gift! For information about how to join the FRIENDS, go to

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


DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!
Just a reminder: Please bring your library card when you visit the Library. Your Library card will speed up the checking out process considerably, keep the stress level down for the people who work the front desk, and prevent errors.

For those of you who may have lost your library card, we will be offering free library card replacement throughout the summer. Just be sure to bring identification showing your current correct address, and you will have a new card in no time!

So help out your hard-working Library staff members, and save time too! Bring your Library Card with you to the Library, and while you're at it, have it in hand and ready to go when you get to the desk! Thanks!



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.

LIBRARY SURVEYS ARE DUE JUNE 30! IF YOU HAVE MISPLACED YOURS, YOU MAY PICK UP A REPLACEMENT AT THE CIRCULATION DESK.

Thursday, June 28: Conversation Group for English Learners. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m

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

Wednesday, July 4: Library Closed for Independence Day Holiday

Friday, July 6: 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, July 10: Registration begins for Harry Potter Party #2.

Tuesday, July 10: LiveWires: Coffee & More. Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk! Featured speaker is Ray Faucher, Atlantic District Manager of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, who will speak about the Massachusetts State Parks system, and the free Parks pass. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, July 10: Pajama Storytime. Wear your PJs to the Library! Bring your teddy too and enjoy `some great stories! For ages 4 - 7. No registration necessary. 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 11: Harry Potter Party #1. Join in the Harry Potter hoopla! Celebrate the movie and last book at our party. Quidditch, Honeydukes snacks, predictions and more! Kids entering grades 3 - 6 are invited to sign up in the Children's Room or by calling 781-942-6705 starting June 27. 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 11: 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. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 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.