Vol. 9; No. 33 September 20, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9; No. 33 September 20, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
Madeleine L’Engle
American writer


Madeleine L'Engle, whose novel A Wrinkle in Time has captivated generations of children and adults since the 1960s, died earlier this month. She was 88 years old. The Newbery Medal winner wrote more than sixty books, including fantasies, poetry and memoirs, often highlighting spiritual themes and her Christian faith.

Her most famous book, A Wrinkle in Time, was rejected by 26 publishers before it was accepted by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in 1962. The next year, it won the Newbery Medal, the most prestigious award in children’s literature. In the years since, A Wrinkle in Time has sold over eight million copies, and is now in its 69th printing. Wrinkle is part of Ms. L’Engle’s “Time Quartet” which includes A Wind in the Door (1973), A Swiftly Tilting Planet, (1978) and Many Waters (1986)

Author Laurel Snyder wrote this tribute to the art of Madeleine L’Engle which was published in the online magazine Salon following Ms. L’Engle’s death:

“Nothing was enough for Madeleine L'Engle. As an author, she danced with demanding philosophical questions and toyed with quantum physics. She wrote about faith with devotion, dabbled in ethics, psychology, myth, art, politics and nature. And she blended everything into stories that describe the crushing complexity of a child's life in this century. Her books are timeless, but at the same time contemporary. She made art for children, real art. ”


LAST CALL FOR LIVEWIRES
LiveWires, the Library’s program for people age 55 and up will present its final program of the year on Tuesday evening, September 25. Please join us for a bird walk with Dave Williams followed by a potluck dinner.

We will meet at the Library at 5:30 and then carpool to the walk destination. Please bring your contribution to the potluck dinner to the upstairs Meeting Room. A library staff member will stay at the Library to get things ready for the potluck, and make sure that hot dishes stay warm!

We would like everyone who is planning to attend the dinner to let us know ahead of time what they are planning to bring. There are “potluck sign up” sheets on the LiveWires book display (near the stairs on the first floor) or you can email Elizabeth (dickinso@noblenet.org) or Nancy(aberman@noblenet.org). Monday, September 24, at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for people to sign up.

If you would like to attend the potluck, but are not able to attend the bird walk, just come to the Library at 6:45 p.m. Over dinner, there will be an opportunity to discuss the future of LiveWires. So join us for an interesting program, a great dinner, good friends, and lots of lively conversation!

LiveWires is the Library’s program for people age 55 and up, but you don’t have to be a “boomer or beyond” to attend. This event, like all library programs, is free and open to all.
The LiveWires program is federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.


BIBLIOBABBLERS SIT DOWN IN THE CLOTHES THEY STOOD UP IN
By Kathy Miksis, Promotional Services Librarian

The monthly meeting of Bibliobabblers, the Reading Public Library Adult Book Discussion Group, will take place in the Library Conference Room, on Tuesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.
The title for discussion will be The Clothes they Stood Up In by Alan Bennett.

This swiftly-moving comic fable will surprise you with its concealed depths. When the sedate Ransomes return from the opera to find their Notting Hill flat stripped absolutely bare- down to the toilet paper off the roll ( a hard to find shade of forget-me –not blue) –they face a dilemma: Who are they without the things they have spent their lifetimes accumulating?

The Ransomes’ bafflement is the reader’s delight. Alan Bennett’s gentle, but scathing, wit, unerring ear for dialogue, and sense of the absurd makes The Clothes they Stood Up In a memorable exploration of where in life true riches lie.

Sheila Young will lead the discussion. No registration is necessary, and all are welcome. Copies of this title are available for loan at the Library. Just ask at the Circulation Desk.

For those of you who like to plan ahead: please mark your calendars now for the following upcoming book discussions:

November 13: Peggy White will lead a discussion of the book, The Hurricane of 1938 by Aram Goudsouzian.

December 11: Bob Montgomery will be our leader. Title to be announced.

January 8: Karen Burke will lead the discussion of Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations-- One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver

February 12: The title to be discussed will be My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. The discussion leader will be Betty Vanasse.

The Library is happy to announce that most of the slots for discussion leaders have been filled. The only remaining opening is for the month of April. If you would be willing to lead the April discussion, please contact Librarian Kathy Miksis at the Information Desk., or email her at miksis@noblenet.org. Kathy would be happy to assist you with choosing a title and/or formulating discussion questions.


THE FOCUS IS ON YOU
We are seeking participants for a Reading Public Library website focus group. The Reading Public Library is developing a new website and we need your input! What is most important to you in a library website? What types of information do we need to highlight? How do you use our website? Do you use our website?

We are looking for a variety of opinions, so people of various ages and abilities are welcome.
If you are interested in sharing your opinions, please email Lorraine Barry at barry@noblenet.org or sign up on the library calendar

http://www.libraryinsight.com/calendar.asp?jx=rdLight

The focus group will be held on Wednesday, September 26 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served


HERE COME PLAYAWAYS
Ever been on your walk or run and your audiobook CD runs out? Wish you didn't have to change a disc while zooming along Route 128 at 65 miles per hour? Would you like to take an audiobook on vacation but don't want the hassle of lugging around and keeping track of multiple discs? Then you may be interested in our newest audio collection - Playaways!

Playaways are audio books in a digital format (think your iPod or MP3 player). The size of a deck of cards, each Playaway title contains an entire audiobook in its small case. All you need is an AAA battery and your earbuds and hours of great listening are at your fingertips. If you have an adapter, you can listen to the book through your home or car audio system.

The Library will be selling earbuds and battery packs for $2.00 at the Check-out Desk. Titles for both teens and adults are available now!

Here are some of the great titles available in the new Playaway audio format:

Cruise Control by Terry Trueman
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Innocent Traitor by Allison Weir
Marker by Robin Cook
Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini
Rules of Prey by John Sanford
Ten Days in the Hills by Jane Smiley
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson.
Marley and Me by John Grogan

To find a complete list of titles in the online catalog, just type the word “playaway” in the keyword field.

The Playaways are located on the display table across from the Circulation Desk. Check one out! It couldn’t be easier… all you have to do to listen is press “play!”


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
REMEMBER THE MILK

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Remember The Milk is a free on-line to-do list management service. It has all the features you need to get organized: multiple lists, priorities, due-dates, repeating tasks, etc. Then it adds the cool stuff. My favorite feature is the built-in nagging system that reminds you to get the job done. You can request reminders by E-Mail, IM or via a text message on your mobile phone. In addition, you can share and publish your to-do lists and create new tasks by e-mail. Check it out, and get organized!


AND HERE’S A REMINDER FOR YOU!
Don’t forget tonight’s very special program: Former Director of the American Anti-Slavery Group, Liora Kasten, will speak at the Reading Public Library tonight at 7:00 P.M. Ms. Kasten co-edited the critically acclaimed book, Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery. Enslaved contains the accounts of seven former slaves and one former slaveholder. Their shocking, amazing, and true stories come from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the United States. The book’s final chapter explains how readers can help wipe out slavery around the world.

Ms. Kasten has designed and implemented advocacy and aid campaigns aimed at eradicating modern day slavery. In 2005, she traveled to India to work with former child slaves. In 2006, Ms. Kasten traveled to Southern Sudan and Darfur, meeting with Southern Sudanese President Salva Kiir, refugees, and rescued slaves. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Nivasa Foundation, a non-profit organization providing aid to survivors of human trafficking in Sri Lanka.

This program is free and open to the public. Ms. Kasten’s visit is provided as part of the Reading Public Library grant, LINKS Online @ the Library. Head of Information Services, Lorraine Barry, will be on hand to share tips for locating more information on this important topic via Reading Public Library free online resources. This program is federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.



DID YOU KNOW?
The record for the world’s largest pumpkin is 1,502 pounds. It was grown by Ron Wallace of Greene, Rhode Island. It was weighed in on October 7, 2006. (The Massachusetts record is held by Joe Goetze of Pittsfield who grew a pumpkin weighing 1,283 pounds) Will these records be broken this year? Stay tuned!


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.

Just fill out the form and mail it with your donation to “Friends of the Reading Public Library,” 64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, MA 01867. Proceeds go to fund the many programs and services provided by the Friends of the Library.


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, September 20: Evening Storytime Registration for 4 – 6 Year Olds. Register for a six-week series of storytimes.Programs are on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. in October/November. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Children's Room or call 781 942-6705.

Thursday, September 20: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Group for Seniors meets to discuss The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant. Led by Ron O’Keefe. 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, September 20: An Evening with Liora Kasten. Liora will share her experiences as Director of the American Anti-Slavery Group and co-editor of Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery. This event is sponsored by the LINKS: Online @ the Library Grant. 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 20: Conversation Group. 7:00-8:45 p.m. in the Conference Room.

Friday, September 21: 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.

Monday, September 24: Drop-In Storytime for 2's and 3's and their caregivers. No registration necessary 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday, September 24: Drop-in Storytime for ages 4 - 6. No registration necessary. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, September 25: Word of Mouth. Informal monthly discussion of what people have been reading lately 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 25: LiveWires Presents. Join avid birder Dave Williams on a guided bird walk from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. and then come back to the library for a Pot Luck Supper to end the first year of our LiveWires series. Bring a dish to share! We’ll talk about the next phase for LiveWires. This event is free and open to all. 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 26: Mother Goose Lapsit. Storytime for children under 2 and their caretakers! Register for a 4 week session at the Children's Room Desk. Call 781 942-6705 for information. Sessions at 9:30 or 10:15 a.m.

Thursday, September 27: Conversation Group. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 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.