Vol. 9; No. 29; August 16, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9; No. 29; August 16, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I think that I still have it in my heart someday to paint a bookshop with the front yellow and pink in the evening...like a light in the midst of darkness."

-VINCENT VAN GOGH



VEHICLE DAY!
The BIG WHEELS are coming! From fire trucks and construction equipment to police cars and Herbie the Love Bug, there’s something for everyone. Children have a great time visiting each vehicle, discovering, touching, and, of course, sitting in the driver’s seat. This much anticipated annual event will happen on Tuesday morning, August 21 in the Library’s parking lot. (Rain or shine!) Come early and bring the whole family! The fun starts at 7:30 A.M. Kids, be sure to bring an adult! Adults, be sure to bring a camera!

If it has wheels and a motor, it might be at the library for this fabulous family program! See you there!



LIVEWIRES PRESENTS DINNER AND A MOVIE:
HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT
There's more to a quilt than fabric and thread -- each patchwork design has its own unique story (or stories) to tell. In How to Make an American Quilt, we come to understand how the tales of the seven quilt makers imbue their creation with passion and vitality. All the sorrows, joys, longings, sufferings, and loves of these women are sewn into their quilt as their bittersweet memories are given expression, and one young woman applies these lessons of the past to her own uncertain future.

The "quilting bee" consists of seven members: sisters Gladys (Ann Bancroft) and Hy (Ellen Burstyn); Sophia (Lois Smith), Emma (Jean Simmons), Constance (Kate Nelligan), Anna (Maya Angelou), the leader of the group; and Marianna (Alfre Woodard), Anna's daughter. The project they're busy with is a wedding quilt for Hy's granddaughter, Finn (Winona Ryder), who has just become engaged. Finn is feeling confused and is spending the summer with Hy and Gladys, to decide whether a lifelong commitment is really what she wants, and whether it's better to marry a friend or a lover.

How to Make an American Quilt is basically a tale of love across the generations, a story of faith in relationships, and the importance of friendship. It also asks important questions, such as how do we reconcile our desire to be both joined and separate? Are there important differences in the way different generations view love, marriage, and infidelity? How can older adults share their wisdom and accumulated life experience in ways that are relevant to a younger generation?

This is an entertaining and thought-provoking film and we hope that you will join us! The program takes places this Tuesday evening, August 21. A light dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. followed by the screening of the film, and then a discussion facilitated by Roberta Taylor. Ms. Taylor is a psychotherapist and certified life coach who previously facilitated a discussion of the film, Nobody’s Fool.

This event is brought to you by LiveWires, the Library’s program for people age 55 and up. LiveWires is funded through a federal LSTA grant administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.



NBC--MIT JOURNALISM CONTEST
Eating disorders and obesity, global warming, and suburban sprawl were among the stories created by high school students who entered this summer’s MIT-NBC News Journalism Contest. In all, there were seven projects submitted, and ten students participated. All seven projects were reviewed by NBC producers, and after much positive feedback and constructive criticism delivered via iChat by Kathy Abbott, the NBC producer who has worked with the kids throughout the competition), the winner was chosen! We are pleased to announce that the prize goes to the Habitat for Humanity video submitted as a group project by Marie Broadway, Sean Hathaway, Dan Finlayson, and Brianne Cordima. All four students will be going to 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City to visit the NBC studios, get a very special tour, and chat with Kathy in her work habitat.

The Library is proud to have been chosen to work with MIT and NBC NEWS on this special project. Many thanks go to Reference and Techie Librarian, Andrea Mercado, and Young Adult Librarian, Susan Beauregard, for all of their work in facilitating the project. And congratulations to ALL of the student journalists who participated! Here is a list of the participants and their projects:

Suburban Sprawl (Podcast) by Nick Russo
Sports Rage (Article) by Jim Ricker
Swim Team (Article) by Alicia Bhardwaj
They Can't Stand the Heat (Article) by Nicholas Werth
Smoking Ban (Article) by Jackie Rozett
Eating Disorders and Childhood Obesity (Video) by Michelle Scali
Habitat for Humanity (Video) by Marie Broadway, Brianne Cordima, Sean Hathaway, & Dan Finlayson

We hope to make all of the projects available for viewing on the Internet soon! Stay tuned for details.



ELEVATOR UPDATE
Unfortunately, there is no good news to report. The elevator is still out of order, and we are still waiting for the part to be manufactured and shipped. In the meantime, thanks for your patience!

Having the elevator out of order is not only an inconvenience for our patrons, it also makes life much more difficult for the staff. When you place books in the outside book drop, they accumulate in a very large bin in the basement. Because we have no elevator, all of these books have to be hand carried upstairs to be checked in and then returned to the shelves. That’s a lot of trips up and down stairs with big armloads of books! We would appreciate it enormously if you would help us by bringing your returned books into the library, rather than putting them in the book drop. (And please, no donations of books until the elevator has been repaired.) Thanks! And thanks also to Ben and Kevin, on loan from the DPW, for helping us out!

Please ask our librarians if you need help obtaining materials from the basement or second floor. They will be happy to get whatever you need for you!



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



NEW TITLES FROM DOWNLOADABLE eAUDIO
With eAudiobooks you can listen to the latest best-sellers, book club favorites, award-winning authors, and more—anywhere, anytime. There are currently more than 1,200 titles in our eAudiobook collection, and it’s growing. Each month new titles are added. Here are a few of the most recent additions:

FICTION
Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson.
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith.
Invisible Prey by John Sandford.
Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter: The First Dixie Hemingway Mystery by Blaize Clement.
Lady in Blue: A Novel by Javier Sierra.
Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Case by Chuck Palahniuk
Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash by Dixie Cash.
Summer of Light: A Novel by W. Dale Cramer.
Miss Julia Strikes Back by Ann B. Ross.
Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz.

NON-FICTION
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
Dear Mr. Jefferson Letters from a Nantucket Gardener by Laura Simon.
Go Put Your Strengths to Work: 6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance by Marcus Buckingham.
Living an Empowered Life! Techniques for Creating Clarity, Confidence, Optimism, and Wealth! by Denise Lynch.

Hundreds of children’s books and young adult titles are also available. This great new service brings you the audiobooks you want with no waiting! And it’s easy. You just need an MP3 player, and you can quickly and easily download an entire book from your own or the Library’s computer. It’s like having our entire books on tape collection available to you whenever you want!

For everything you need to know, go to

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

Or make an appointment with one of our netguides who would be happy to guide you through the process. (to schedule an appointment, call the Information Desk at 781-942-6703). One important thing to note: because of complex licensing issues involving Apple Computers, you can not download books from this site to an Ipod. We have tried to ease this issue by making compatible MP3 players available for you to check out. Just ask at the information desk! And Listen UP Reading!



WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
ALL ABOUT ICE CREAM

http://www.loc.gov:80/rr/scitech/selected-internet/icecream.html

The Library of Congress Science Reference Section has selected a number of great Internet resources on Ice Cream. Do you know who invented the ice cream cone? What IS a hokey-pokey? What does ice cream look like under a microscope? These sites will provide you with everything you ever wanted to know (and more!). Plus how to make homemade ice cream, Thomas Jefferson’s vanilla ice cream recipe, and food safety tips!



FLIP OUT SUMMER
Don't forget to submit your entries for our Adult Summer Reading Club, “Flip Out!” All you need to do to participate is to fill out an entry form with your name and telephone number and the name of the book you read and its author. Drop your entry form in the “(Flip) Flop House” booth near the Information Desk, or submit your entry online from our Readers' Advisory webpage:

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

Every entry in Flip Out! gives you a chance to win a fabulous, fun prize. The Adult Summer Reading Program will end on Friday, August 24, so get those entries in soon!

What’s the best book you’ve read this summer? Email me at rplfeed@noblenet.org and I’ll publish your suggestions in the next issue of Off the Shelf.



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.

Thursday, August 16: Teen Ice Cream Party, Awards & Raffles. 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Friday, August 17: 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, August 21: Vehicle Day. Vehicle Day! Children of all ages, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, are invited to visit a collection of really big working vehicles, old and new, in the Library parking lot! 7:30 – 9:30 A.M.

Tuesday, August 21: Monthly Book Delivery to Longwood Place. 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, August 21: LiveWires Presents. Screening of the film, How to Make an American Quilt, followed by a discussion facilitated by Roberta Taylor, professional psychotherapist and Life Coach. A light meal will be served at 6:00 p.m.; film will begin at 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to all. 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 22: Reader's Theater #2. Develop your acting/reading skills in this fun and simple form of theater! No memorization necessary. For children in grades 3 to 6. Register at the Children's Room desk or by calling 781-942-6705 starting July 18. 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, August 23: 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.

Friday, August 24: Storytime at the Parker Tavern. Pack a lunch and join us on the lawn of the Parker Tavern for a magical storytime, weather permitting. Sorry, no rain date! For children ages 4 to 7 and their caregivers. 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., then lunch

Saturday, August 25: Last Day for the M.A.G.I.C. Summer Reading Program. Make sure you log in all your reading and listening time by 5:00 p.m. Congratulations, Readers and Listeners! 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday, August 27: Last Drawing for the Children’s Summer Reading Weekly Raffle. 9:00 a.m. Winners will be posted.

Tuesday, August 28: Sing, Move, Create & Groove! Enjoy a visit with Michele DeMartinis, director of Michele's Music School For ages 4 to 8 with adult! Free, no registration necessary. 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, August 28: 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,
Elizabeth Dickinson
Assistant Director


LIBRARY HOURS
Mondays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday 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