Vol. 9; No. 38 October 25, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9; No. 38 October 25, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.”
Willa Cather
American author


THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY PRESENTS GIRL’S NIGHT OUT
Too many clothes – and nothing to wear? Lots of great pieces, but don’t know how to put them together? Do you even know what looks good on you? Here’s a chance to get some great fashion advice! On Friday evening, November 2, Emily Neill, author of Closet Smarts, will present a very special program which will help YOU learn all you need to know to dress your best. You’ll find out how to choose the colors and cuts that flatter you most, find the clothes that will look great on you--- as well as learning what not to wear!

Emily was on her way to getting a doctorate in theology at Harvard when friends and friends of friends, who admired Emily’s own standout style, began asking her for advice and guidance on how to dress. Thirteen years later, she is still giving advice, and has turned her fashion expertise into a successful consulting business. To see what some of her clients have had to say about Emily’s closet smarts, go to

http://www.closetsmarts.com/comments/guestbook.html

This program is for all ages, sizes and shapes! Give yourself a treat and get “Emilyied!” Tickets are on sale at the Library: $15.00 each at the Circulation Desk. Space is limited, so stop by and get your ticket soon! Bring your Mom, your sister, your co-worker, your friend! It’s going to be a good time!


OOPS!
Please note that the Library’s phone number was printed incorrectly on the Friends newsletter which was recently mailed out to families in Reading. The correct number is 781-944-0840.


WE NEED YOU TO FOCUS!!!
Would you be willing to help the Library plan its lifelong learning program? Now that our grant year is over, LiveWires is going into a new phase and we need your input! We will be having focus groups on Tuesday morning, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. and also on Tuesday evening, November 27 at 7:00 p.m. Each focus group will last about an hour.

If you would be willing to participate in one of the focus groups, please email me at dickinso@nobelnet.org or Nancy Aberman at aberman@noblenet.org. If you participated in last year's focus groups, we would be more than delighted to have you participate again.

We also hope that some people who have never attended a LiveWires program will be willing to come and share their thoughts with us. The purpose of the groups is to discuss programming for adults of all ages. Hopefully we will get a good mix of people and ideas! Let your voice be heard. You do not need to prepare for the discussion… just bring an open mind and a willingness to brainstorm!


BIBLIOBABBLERS TO DISCUSS THE HURRICANE OF 1938
BY ARAM GOUDSOUZIAN
Listening to today’s news reports about the wild fires in California, you can almost hear the crackle and roar of the fires, and feel the heat and ferocity of the flames. By now we have all seen pictures of charred, smoldering debris where family homes once stood, and heard interviews with some of the people who used to live in those homes, people stunned by fear and crushed by loss.

And while our hearts go out to our countrymen in California, we are glad for our own relative safety… glad that such devastating forest fires don’t happen here, that tornados are almost unheard of, and that our rare earthquakes are so small that they are often mistaken for the rumble of a passing vehicle.

Many New Englanders, of course, remember the Blizzard of ’78 as a disaster of epic proportions, but as bad as it was, the Blizzard of ’78 doesn’t come close to being the storm of the century. New England’s true storm of the century was the Hurricane of 1938. During that storm, about 20,000 miles of power and telephone lines were knocked down, thousands of houses were destroyed, 63,000 people were left homeless, and almost 700 people died.

There are still many people alive today who can remember the devastation of this storm. For those born since 1938, it can be experienced vicariously through the writing of Adam Goudsouzian. On Tuesday evening, November 13, Bibliobabblers, the Library’s adult book discussion group, will meet at 7:00 p.m. to discuss The Hurricane of 1938. Join the discussion, and share your own memories of the actual event, or your reactions to Goudsouzian’s re-telling. Either way, it is a story that you won’t soon forget! All are welcome! Copies of this book are available for loan at the Library. The discussion will be led by Peggy White.


FRIENDS PRESENT THE BILL MCLAUGHLIN TRAVEL AND PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES: NATURE’S ART WITH JACOB MOSSER
On Wednesday evening, November 14, the Friends of the Reading Public Library will present “Nature’s Art,” a very special program featuring highly acclaimed nature photographer Jacob Mosser III. Mr. Mosser is well known for presenting absolutely stunning slide shows of his work --- shows that are as educational as they are impressive. In this program, Mr. Mosser will feature a cross section of nature with an eye to seeing the art and beauty all around us --- from exquisite birds and exciting animals to the small and easily overlooked miracles of nature found in our own backyards.

Mr. Mosser, a North Reading resident, has earned top photographic honors from the Photographic Society of America, the New England Camera Club Council and the Greater Lynn Photographic Association. In addition to presenting gorgeous examples of his own work, Mr. Mosser will explain the what, where and how involved with each photograph. The program will be informal with an opportunity for those interested in learning more about the techniques of nature photography to ask questions.

This fascinating program will take place on Wednesday evening, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the Library’s large Meeting Room. This is a program for anyone who enjoys photography, and for everyone who is interested in the beauty and wonder of nature. “Nature’s Art” is the second installment of this year’s exciting new series of travel and photography programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library, in memory of long-time Friend Bill McLaughlin. This program is free, and all are welcome!


LIONS AND TIGERS AND MONKEYS! OH MY!
CHECK OUT ZOO NEW ENGLAND
Get close to awesome animals, exhilarating exhibits, and exciting events that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Reading Public Library, we now have a pass to Zoo New England!

Franklin Park, located in Boston, is long considered the "crown jewel" of Frederick Law Olmsted's Emerald Necklace Park System. More than 200 species roam within Butterfly Landing, Franklin Farm, Giraffe Savannah, Kalahari Kingdom, Serengeti Crossing, Tropical Forest, and on the Australian Outback Trail. Check out the gorillas, lions, giraffes, zebras, and hundreds of other exotic animals who live right in the middle of Boston! Don’t forget to take a peek at the baby bongo (a member of the antelope family). She was just born (on September 28) and weighed 42 pounds at birth.

The Stone Zoo is located on a 26-acre site near the Spot Pond reservoir in Stoneham, MA. Some of the highlights of the Stone Zoo’s collection include the snow leopards of Himalayan Highlands, bald eagles of Yukon Creek, hornbills and emperor tamarins of Windows to the Wild, and jaguars and cougars of Treasures of the Sierra Madre. Guests visiting the Stone Zoo may want to spend a few extra minutes lingering in front of the flamingo exhibit. Eleven Caribbean flamingo chicks were successfully hatched at the Stone Zoo this season, and four of the chicks are being parent-reared on exhibit. (The other seven chicks are being hand-reared by Zoo staff.)

The Library’s pass will admit two adults and up to four children to either of these two great animal parks. You can reserve the pass online or by calling the Library at 781-944-0840. Want to find out all about it? Go to

http://www.zoonewengland.org/


LAST CALL TO WIN A BARNES AND NOBLE GIFT CARD!
Joining the Friends of the Reading Public Library is only a few clicks away! Check out our updated Membership page (http://www.readingpl.org/membership.html) for our NEW automated payment feature. The Friends of the RPL are pleased to offer this easy and fast on-line payment option in addition to the traditional mail-in method. If you join as a new Friends member by October 31, 2007, your name will be entered into a drawing for a Barnes and Noble gift card! Your donation helps to support the many wonderful programs that our Library has to offer. Please consider becoming a member of the Friends today!


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
WORLD SERIES!
http://baseball-almanac.com/ws/wsmenu.shtml

Catch the excitement as the World Series begins this week. This website contains history, statistics, rules, biographies of ball players, info on the ballparks, and loads of fun stuff like songs, jokes and puzzles.

And for creative baseball heckles go to Heckle Depot at:

http://www.heckledepot.com/.

GO SOX!


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, October 25: Conversation Group. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Monday, October 29: Drop-In Storytime for 2's and 3's and their caregivers. No registration necessary 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday, October 29: Drop-in Storytime for ages 4 - 6. No registration necessary. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, October 30: 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 HOURSMondays 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.