Vol. 9 No 27 July 26, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9 No 27 July 26, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead."

Gene Fowler, 1890-1960
American journalist, author and dramatist



READER’S THEATER
What is reader’s theater? Reader's theater is often defined by what it is not -- no memorizing, no props, no costumes, no sets. Like storytelling, reader's theater can create images by suggestion that could never be realistically portrayed on stage. Space and time can be shrunk or stretched, fantastic worlds can be created, marvelous journeys can be enacted. Reader's theater frees the performers and the audience from the physical limitations of conventional theater, letting their imagination soar.

Reader’s Theater involves children in understanding their world, creating scripts, reading aloud, performing with a purpose, and bringing others into the joyful "imagination space" they create. On Wednesday, August 1, children entering grades 3 through 6 are invited to participate in this fun and simple form of theater. The Reader’s Theater workshop begins at 10:00 a.m. and will be led by Head of Children’s Services, Corinne Fisher. Pre-register now by calling the Children’s Services Desk at 781-942-6705.

A second workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m.



WILMORE THE WIZARD
On Thursday, August 2, meet Wilmore the Wizard as he looks to spruce up his resume in order to be able to teach at Hogwarts next year. Wilmore will present a most musical and magical production! Learn some mystifying magic tricks you can perform with everyday objects. With exciting original music by the Grammy award-winning Wilmore, this high quality production will be enjoyed by children K-5 and their caregivers alike! This program begins at 2:00 p.m. No registration or tickets necessary. Just come and have fun!



ISN'T OTAKU A KIND OF SUSHI? COMICS, MANGA AND MORE
Did you know that reading comic books can be good for kids? Who has been the most popular superhero of the 20th century? What are the newest hot manga titles coming from Japan? Learn the answers to these questions and more when the Teen Summer Reading Program presents graphic novel guru, Robin Brenner.

Robin Brenner is a young adult librarian from Brookline, MA. In addition to the great honor of being a judge for the 2007 Eisner Awards (the Oscars of the graphic novel world), she is also the creator and editor-in-chief of 'No Flying No Tights,' a website reviewing graphic novels for teens and those who work with them. To check out her website, go to

http://www.noflyingnotights.com/

To check out Robin Brenner in person, plan to attend this special program on Saturday, August 4, from 2:00-4:30 in the Meeting Room!



OFF THE SHELF ON SABBATICAL
Next week Senior Services Librarian Nancy Aberman and I will be attending the Lifelong Access Libraries Institute in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Lifelong Access Libraries is a multi-year, national initiative that aims to transform libraries into centers of lifelong learning and civic engagement for active older adults. It is a project of the Americans for Libraries Council, who have generously provided the funding for Nancy and me to attend.

We are very excited about this wonderful opportunity. We hope that we will bring home lots of great ideas and resources to share with our LiveWires group here in Reading, as well as with other libraries throughout Massachusetts. Reading Public Library is honored to be the only public library in Massachusetts to be represented at the Institute.

While I am away, Off the Shelf will be on sabbatical, but we’ll be back on Thursday, August 9. For information about all of the Library’s programs and services, be sure to call the Library at 781-944-0840, or check our website.



COFFEE AND MORE: SCAM ALERT!
Get inside information from those in the know on how to protect your money, your rights, and your health. On Tuesday morning, August 7, Lieutenant Richard Robbins, Detective with Reading's Police Department will present a program on identity theft, scams and rip-offs. Protect yourself from pyramid schemes, chain letters, telemarketing rip-offs, advance-fee loans, foreign lotteries and other cons and frauds. Find out who to contact, and how to complain if you suspect shady dealings. Librarian Lorraine Barry will also discuss consumer protection resources which can be found on the Library's databases.

LiveWires programs are designed for people age 55 and up, but are open to all library users. So, please join us! The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and coffee and refreshments will be served.



SO WHAT DO WE READ NOW?
On Friday evening, July 20, over 200 people attended our “Late Night with Harry Potter ” party! Everyone enjoyed refreshments, games, readings, and of course receiving their copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! For those of you who have already finished the new book, and are sad that the series is over, here are a few suggestions for life after Harry Potter.

I have adapted this list from an article in the Novelist database, The Wide Appeal of Harry Potter by Katherine Bradley Johnson.

Beagle, Peter S. The Last Unicorn. 1968.
Though this story doesn't feature wizards, it's a fantasy world with an atmosphere that Harry's -- and especially Hagrid's -- fans will enjoy. In her quest for her own kind, the unicorn, finding herself alone in the world, enlists the aid of the intrinsically good humans against the wicked, who may have made the unicorns disappear.

Ende, Michael. The Neverending Story. 1983.
A boy finds himself thrust into a magical world, but through a series of events that are quite different from Harry Potter's circumstances. After stealing a book irresistibly titled "The Neverending Story,” Bastian Balthazar Bux hides in the attic of his schoolhouse and becomes engrossed in the book, then, eventually, he finds himself inside the story!

Gilman, Dorothy. The Clairvoyant Countess. (1975).
This story is told on a much lighter note than some of the other adult books here, and besides that, it's a mystery. However, there is still serious magic and the Countess must overcome some significant challenges. This book is likely to appeal to those who enjoy the mystery story element of Harry Potter, but are not looking for a philosophical challenge.

White, T. H. The Once and Future King. (1958).
This is White's version of the Arthurian legend, and is worth reading in its entirety. The first section, The Sword in the Stone, is well-known for its account of King Arthur's boyhood under the tutelage of Merlin, and that portion of the epic most closely resembles the Harry Potter experience. There is plenty of magic in the rest of Arthur's story, along with more mature themes of politics, conscience, and the complexity of evil.



LIBRARY TAKEOUT: DRIVERS NEEDED
The Library is still looking for people who would be willing to serve as volunteer drivers for the senior delivery program. Volunteer drivers deliver books and other library materials once a week to homebound library patrons and return their materials to the library. The time commitment is only about an hour each week. If you are interested, please contact me at dickinso@noblenet.org, and please also fill out a volunteer application form the next time you are in the Library. (These are available at the Information Desk.)

This program makes Library materials available to those who might find coming to the Library difficult, or even impossible. Being a volunteer driver is easy, rewarding, and a great way to give back to your community!



WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
HOLLYWOOD LIBRARIAN

http://www.hollywoodlibrarian.com/

Hollywood Librarian is a movie by Ann Seidl all about librarians, real librarians, and what we do. It’s also about stereotyping, censorship, the realities of public funding, pay equity, children, and the value of reading. Hollywood Librarian is scheduled for nationwide release this fall.

For a teaser, check out the trailer on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8kd4fC1bwo


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! 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,

Thursday, July 26: DDR for Teens. Drop-in DDR (Dance, Dance Revolution) for students in entering grades 6-12. Stop by, bring a friend and have some fun! Refreshments will be served! 6:30p.m. – 8:00p.m.

Thursday, July 26: Ice Cream Party for all Writing Contest participants and their families. 7:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.

Friday, July 27: 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.

Tuesday, July 31: Word of Mouth. Informal monthly discussion of what people have been reading lately 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m



That's all for now! I’ll be back in two weeks!
Elizabeth



LIBRARY HOURS
Mondays 9 a.m. - 9p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 9p.m.
Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 9p.m.
Thursdays 1 p.m. - 9p.m.
Fridays 9 a.m. - 5p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5p.m.