Vol. 9; No. 40 November 8, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9; No. 40 November 8, 2007



QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep I wrote in the dark."

Henry David Thoreau



CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR TO VISIT RPL
Scott Magoon likes clam chowder, playing video games, and reading. He also like to draw, and he makes his living as an art director. He recently moved to Reading where he lives with his wife and two young sons. He is a published children’s author and illustrator, and most important of all, he will be visiting our library on Wednesday, November 14, to share his new book, The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster.

Mr. Magoon will read from his books, and will also answer your questions about being an author and illustrator. Books will also be available for sale and autographing. This free program is especially appropriate for children in Grades K-3. Come share this fun tale and meet your new neighbor—author and illustrator extraordinaire- Scott Magoon! The program starts at 2:00 p.m.



NATURE THROUGH THE EYE OF A LENS

“What I love about photography is that the world is your hobby.”

Nature photographer Jake Mosser

On Wednesday evening, November 14, the Friends of the Reading Public Library will present acclaimed nature photographer, Jake Mosser. Mr.Mosser will present“Nature’s Images,” a slide program featuring stunning photographs from the world of nature.

As an international exhibitor, Mr. Mosser has a received many awards and honors for his nature photography. He has twice been the recipient of the prestigious Eastman Kodak, Charles A. Kinsley Memorial Trophy. He has judged and lectured on photography throughout the Northeast and for various photographic organizations in the United States and Canada.Although his work is primarily non-commercial, his photographs have
appeared in many publications and calendars.

For a glimpse of Jake Mosser’s work go to
http://www.psaphoto.org/gallery/mosser.htm

Mr. Mosser is known as an excellent presenter, and you can expect to be entertained as well as informed. He will explain the what, where and how involved with each photograph, will give tips, and answer questions. This program is free and open to all photographers and nature lovers. Please join us. Light refreshments will be served.

“Nature’s Images” is the second installment of this year’s new series of travel and photography programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library, in memory of Bill McLaughlin.



RISE UP READING
CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK: NOVEMBER 12-18
Next week, children, parents, teachers, booksellers, and librarians all across the United States will be celebrating Children’s Book Week. First celebrated in 1919, this noble cause is as important now as ever. During Children's Book Week, and indeed every week, parents have the opportunity to share with their kids the joy and wonder of reading.

How will you celebrate Children’s Book Week? Here are a few ideas:

**Spend time at home reading with your child during this special week.

**Go to the library or a bookstore as a family and help each other pick out new books to bring home.

**Donate books to a local family shelter, food pantry or children's hospital. Children might want to earn money to purchase new books or donate books that they own but have outgrown.

**Have a Week of NO TV! During Children’s Book Week, reading only, please.

**Attend the Library’s special program featuring local children’s author and illustrator Scott Magoon! (Wednesday, November 14, at 2:00 p.m.)

**Visit the Library’s new webpage "Children’s Room Staff Picks" On this page, you will find reviews of great books, music and media by the staff of the Children’s Room. Just go to http://rplkidsstaffpicks.wordpress.com/

If you have other ways to celebrate books with your children, please let me know. I would love to publish more ideas for family activities, in an upcoming Off the Shelf. Send your suggestions to Rplfeed@noblenet.org.

I hope that all of you will find some way to participate in Children’s Book Week. Share the magic of books with your children! Everyone who's ever cried with Wilbur the Pig, laughed with Snoopy, run with Tom and Huck, or just spent an afternoon with Harry Potter, knows how a book can change lives in great and small ways.



MORE LIVEWIRES NEWS!
We are happy to announce that the Library has received another very generous donation, in support of the LiveWires program. This time the donation came from a community member who has enjoyed participating in the LiveWires programs. We are grateful for both the financial support and for the evidence of the positive impact that LiveWires has had.

We are looking forward to a new season of LiveWires programs starting soon. Adults of all ages are welcome! Coffee and More will resume on December 11, and LiveWires Presents will return in January. Stay tuned for more
information on upcoming programs!

Don’t forget that LiveWires focus groups will be happening 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. It is not too late to sign up for either group. Just email me at dickinso@noblenet.org or contact Nancy at aberman@noblenet.org. These focus groups are open to all adult library users, and we would love to have YOU join us!



WOULDN’T NOW BE A GREAT TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE FRIENDS?
The Friends membership year is starting now. Join today. It’s easy to do. Just go to their new updated Membership page at http://www.readingpl.org/membership.html

It’s now possible to pay your membership fee online (or you can use the traditional mail-in method.) Say thanks for all the Friends do for the community, the Library, and for you!



BIBLIOBABBLERS
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 by Aram Goudsouzian. Join the discussion, and share your own memories of the actual event, or your reactions to Goudsouzian’s re-telling. Copies of this book are available for loan at the Library. The discussion will be led by Peggy White.




WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
25 SECRETS OF THE MONA LISA

http://www.livescience.com/history/071018-mona-lisa.html

Did the Mona Lisa have eyebrows? What did daVinci's masterpiece look like before centuries of pollution, varnish and other alterations? Pascal Cotte of Lumiere Technology scanned the famous painting with a multi-spectral imaging camera. The digitization found numerous details that had been unseen for many years. You can further explore these findings at "True Colors of the Mona Lisa Revealed" at
http://www.lumiere-technology.com/Pages/News/news3.htm.



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.

Monday, November 12: Library Closed for Veterans Day Holiday

Tuesday, November 13: Lifelong Learning Opportunities Focus Group.
Reading residents, please join us to discuss future programming ideas for adults. Sign up in person at the Information Desk, by e-mail or call 781-942-6703. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, November 13: Bibliobabblers Discussion Group. Peggy White will lead a discussion of The Hurricane of 1938 by Aram Goudsouzian. No registration necessary. 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 14: Meet Children's Book Author/Illustrator Scott Magoon! Celebrate Children's Book Week and meet a real author/illustrator. This new Reading resident will share with you his new book, The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating! Books will be available for sale and autographing. For ages 5-8 especially. 2:00. – 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, November 14: Friends of the Library Travel Talk in Honor of Bill McLaughlin. Tonight’s feature is “Natures Images” with accomplished photographer Jacob Mosser III of North Reading. This diverse selection of photographs is suitable for anyone with an interest in nature, and ideally suited for those inclined to record nature’s beauty with a camera. Questions and comments from the audience are encouraged. 7:00 -9:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 15: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Group for Seniors meets to discuss A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. 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, November 15: Conversation Group. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Friday, November 16: 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.

Wednesday, November 21: Library closes at 5:00 p.m. today

Thursday, November 22: Library Closed for Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 27: Word of Mouth. Informal monthly discussion of what people have been reading lately 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 27: Lifelong Learning Opportunities Focus Group.
Reading residents, please join us to discuss future programming ideas for adults. Sign up in person at the Information Desk, or call 781-942-6703. 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 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.