Vol. 9 No 25 July 5, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 25 July 5, 2007



QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"How should I know?" snapped Mary Poppins. "I'm not a Public Library!"
-From "Mary Poppins Opens the Door," by P.L. Travers



GOT A STORY TO TELL?
High school students, you can take the media into your own hands, starting on July 16th. Over four weeks this summer, high school students will have the opportunity to enter a journalism competition sponsored by NBC News, MIT, and the Reading Public Library. Students are invited to create a piece of journalism that relates a local Reading story to a larger, national story. Their stories will be judged by top NBC News personnel, possibly including Nightly News anchor Brian Williams or Meet the Press host Tim Russert. First prize is a trip to the set of NBC nightly news in New York City!

The competition will run from July 16th to August 13th and is open to high school students who either live in or go to school in Reading. Students and parents are encouraged to come to a kick-off/sign-up meeting in the Library Meeting Room on July 16th at 6:00 p.m. Those who are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to participate should inquire at the Information Desk, or call 781-942-6703.



EXPLORE THE WILD SIDE
Join us on Tuesday morning, July 10, for Coffee and More, the Library’s morning program for people age 55 and up. This month’s program features Ray Faucher, Atlantic District Manager of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Find out what to do and where to go in the Massachusetts State parks system!

Are you looking for outdoor adventure? Or a quiet retreat from the world? Explore the many campgrounds, beaches, swimming pools, public golf courses, hiking trails and historic sites. Or maybe you are looking for a place to hold a family reunion, company picnic or wedding? Massachusetts has 440 state parks and historic sites, with something for everyone. Mr. Faucher will present a slide show featuring the natural beauty of our parks, provide lots of information, and answer all your questions.

Did you know that the Library now has a pass which provides free parking at many state parks and historic sites? The pass is available to library card holders of all ages. So come to the program, find out what you need to know, reserve the free pass, and get out there!

Financial assistance for this program is made possible with Federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Livewires programs are designed for people age 55 and up, but are open to all library users. So, please join us! Coffee and refreshments will be served.



BEACH LISTENING
Do people really read at the beach? I have tried in the past, but have mostly given it up in favor of napping. Too much sand, sun and glare! Not to mention the damage caused by suntan lotion and dripping water! So here’s an idea: How about taking an audiobook to the beach? If you shop right now, you can take advantage of a special selection of books on tape in the Friends Book Sale Room. Audiobooks are $1.00 each, and all proceeds go to the Friends of the Library. So grab some new audiobooks to enjoy and support the Library at the same time. There are lots of bargains to be found; come take a look!



SLACKERS
The Slackers title for July will be Body Double by Tess Gerritsen.

Adapted from Tess Gerritsen’s official website:
“Dr. Maura Isles makes her living dealing with death. As a pathologist in a major metropolitan city, she has seen more then her share of corpses every day – many of them victims of violent murder. But never before has her blood run cold, and never has the grim expression “dead ringer” rung so terrifyingly true.

Despite their disbelief, there can be no denying the mind–reeling evidence before her shocked eyes and those of her colleague, Detective Jane Rizzoli: the woman found shot to death outside Maura’s home is the mirror image of Maura, down to the most intimate physical nuances. For the stunned Maura, an only child, there can be just one explanation -- and a DNA test confirms it. The mysterious dead woman is in fact Maura’s twin sister. Now an already bizarre murder investigation becomes a disturbing and dangerous excursion into a past full of dark secrets.

Searching for answers, Maura is drawn to a seaside town in Maine where other horrifying surprises await." Publisher’s Weekly calls this novel “bone-chilling,” Read it if you dare!



DRAGONS, WIZARDS, AND FAIRIES, OH MY!

"Think left and think right
and think low and think high.
Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"
Dr Seuss

Children in grades 2 -6 are reminded that Saturday, July 14 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for the Certainly Wood Writing Contest. Young authors are invited to write stories of magic and wonder, and encouraged to let their imaginations soar. Students should write their stories on their own and are encouraged to include illustrations, if they’d like.

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. Don’t forget to write your name, grade in the fall, and phone number on the back of your story!



BUSY AND BUSIER!
There are now over a thousand children registered for this year’s Children's Summer Reading Program. In addition to lots of great listening and reading, Children’s Summer Reading also provides lots of fun programs.

Coming up next week: On Tuesday evening, July 10, children ages four to seven and invited to drop in for Pajama Storytime. (Wear your pajamas, and bring teddy along.) The bedtime stories start at 7:00 p.m. Also on Tuesday, July 10, registration begins for the second Harry Potter Party, which will be held later in July. Wednesday’s events include the first Harry Potter Party (pre-registration required) and a Chess Workshop for children in grades 2 and up. Thursday features the Fantasy Clayworks Workshop (also requires pre--registration). On Friday, preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to drop in for some very short films based on picture books. Details on all of these programs are listed in the Calendar section below and also on our website at

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

Check it out for a summer filled with books and magic!


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
How to Build an Invisibility Cloak

http://discovermagazine.com/2006/nov/building-invisibility-cloak/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=

Can scientists duplicate Harry Potter's invisibility cloak? This Discover Magazine article describes the possibility of creating new materials that would mask objects from visible light. Learn the physics and potential uses of this disappearing technology.



CRAFTERNOONS ARE COMING SOON
This summer the young adult department will be offering a series of “crafternoons” featuring drop-in craft activities and snacks. Get creative!

July 12, Thursday (3:00 pm) Duct Tape Craft
July 19, Thursday (3:00 pm) Marble Magnets
July 26, Thursday (3:00 pm) Hemp & Bead Bracelets

Don't forget to sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Program!



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


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,

Friday, July 6: 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.

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.

Thursday, July 12: Fantasy Clayworks with Ann McCrea. Learn how to do sculpture and create some characters from “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in terra cotta clay! Children ages 6-12 are encouraged to sign up in the Children's Room starting June 28. Or call 781 942-6705. 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 12: Teen Crafternoon. Join us for an hour of creative crafts! This is a FREE drop-in event for students entering grades 6-12. Stop by, bring a friend! THIS WEEK: Duct Tape Totes 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 12: DDR for Teens. Drop-in DDR (Dance, Dance Revolution) for students entering grades 6-12. Stop by, bring a friend and have some fun! Refreshments will be served! 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, July 13: Preschool Films. Enjoy some great short films based on picture books! For preschoolers and caregivers. No registration necessary. 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, July 14: Cartoon Workshop for Reading Teens. In this 3 hour workshop, students will work on the development of a short story with their own character designs. This is a hands-on drawing workshop class. We will start with cartooning basics, outlining, and coloring. All students will receive a handout and other inspirational materials will be available for students to browse. REGISTRATION REQUIRED (Limit 18). Students must be entering grades 6-12 and be a Reading resident. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 14: Deadline for Children’s Writing Contest. Sponsored by Certainly Wood and the Reading Public Library Children’s Room. For children entering grades 2-6. 5:00 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.