Vol. 9; No. 43 November 29, 2007

OFF THE SHELF
A WEEKLY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
Vol. 9; No. 43 November 29, 2007


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Proofread carefully to see if you any words out."
Author Unknown


GINGERBREAD WORKSHOP
Children in Grades 3 to 5 are invited to register for our holiday Gingerbread Workshop. Bring your imagination and build a sweet creation! We'll provide the candies, cookies, royal icing and other building materials. The workshop will be held on Wednesday afternoon December 12th, from 2 to 3 pm. Registration for this popular event begins on Saturday, December 1st. Come in or call the Children's Room at 781 942-6705.


I'LL BE CALM FOR CHRISTMAS: TIPS FOR MANAGING HOLIDAY STRESS
Do holiday preparations leave your nerves frazzled and frayed? Find out how to slow down and take a deep breath when the holidays threaten! From difficult family relationships to leaving it all to the last minute, facilitator Roberta Taylor will discuss how to make it work and still come out sane on the other side. Roberta is a professional life coach and certified psychotherapist with many years of experience in helping people deal with stress. (Those of you who attended last year’s LiveWires events will remember Roberta. She facilitated discussions for the movies Nobody’s Fool and How to Make an American Quilt.)

So take a break from shopping, cooking, decorating, and stressing out! Join us on Tuesday December 11, at 10:00 a.m. for a fun program, and a chance to enjoy the company of new and old friends. If you are willing to bring some type of baked goods or other refreshments, please call Elizabeth Dickinson at 781-942-6711 or email me at dickinso@noblenet.org.

This is a not-to-be-missed workshop for anyone stressing out about the upcoming Holiday season! Adults of all ages are welcome. This event is brought to you by LiveWires, and is funded by the Friends of the Library and anonymous donations to the LiveWires program.


BIBLIOBABBLERS: THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS BY ARUNDHATI ROY
The monthly meeting of Bibliobabblers, the Reading Public Library’s adult book discussion group, will take place in the Library Conference Room on Tuesday evening, December 11. The title for discussion this month is The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. This dazzling first novel won the Booker Prize in 1997.

'' The God of Small Things'' begins as a sort of mystery story. What caused the boy named Estha to stop talking? What sent his twin sister, Rahel, into exile in the United States? What led to the death of their English cousin, Sophie Mol? And why has a ''whiff of scandal'' involving sex and death come to surround their bourgeois family?

A screenwriter who grew up in Kerala, India, Ms. Roy creates a story of familial betrayal and thwarted romantic passion by cutting back and forth between time present and time past. Set in southern India against a backdrop of traditional religious and caste taboos, her story depicts the tragic confluence of events -- both personal and political, private and public -- that bring about the murder of an innocent man and the dissolution of a family.

This is a richly layered story which will make possible a fascinating discussion of its many themes and lush writing style. Bob Montgomery will lead the discussion. New members are welcome! Discussion begins at 7:00 p.m


THE MEMORY TREE
Again this year, the Reading Garden Club is sponsoring the "Memory Tree" on the Library's front lawn. A lighting ceremony will take place on Sunday, December 2, at 4:00 p.m. at the Library. The names of the people honored with lights on the tree will be read out at the lighting ceremony. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For those not able to attend the lighting ceremony, a memory book, located near the Information Desk on the main floor, provides a record of all contributors and those they have honored.


THE GREAT BOOKS OF 2007. SAYS WHO? SAYS YOU!
What was the best book that you read this year? Please take a moment to think over all the great books that you read in the last twelve months. Which one really stands out? Ready? Now email me at Rplfeed@noblenet.org. I’ll compile a list of the “great books according to us” and print it in the year-end issue of Off the Shelf. The book does not need to be published in 2007. The only “rules” are that it must be an adult book, and one that you read in the last twelve months.


CHECK IT OUT! MAGAZINES UPDATE
Alert magazine readers will have already noticed that the newspaper/magazine area has been reorganized in order to improve access and accommodate a number of new titles. The newspapers have moved to the wall by the entrance to the Teen Spot. The magazines are arranged alphabetically by title starting by the window. As a result of last spring’s magazine survey, there are a number of great new titles on display. Here are just a few of the new choices:

Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel
Bookmarks Magazine
La Cucina Italiana
Culture and Travel
English Garden
Everyday Food (Martha Stewart)
Knit 1
Make: Technology on Your Time
Mothering
People, Places, Plants

If you need any assistance in finding your favorite magazines or newspaper, please ask the reference staff. And look for more new titles, coming soon! The Library wishes to thank all of the wonderful individuals, organizations and local businesses who participated in the “Adopt a Magazine” program. Your generous gifts provide entertainment, education, and enlightenment for all of our library users, and are deeply appreciated.


READING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INVITED TO BECOME NETGUIDES
Are you or do you know a high school student interested in learning more about the Internet and computer technology? Would you like to use your skills to assist other community members? The Reading Public Library welcomes you to fill out an application to become a Netguide. Netguides assist in introductory Internet and technology classes and/or provide one-on-one technology training to patrons of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.

How do you become a Netguide? Stop by the Reading Public Library Information Desk to obtain a Netguide application. The deadline to apply is January 4, 2008. Once the library receives and reviews the applications, staff members will schedule short interviews with each candidate. While technology skills are important to the Netguide position, customer service skills are even more necessary. We look for personable, patient, and positive candidates.

All successful applicants must complete a three-hour training session. The training, by Reading Public Library staff, will provide students with Internet, computer technology and customer service skills. Students who successfully complete the training will receive a Certified Technology Expert certificate qualifying them to be a Reading Public Library Netguide. Upon being certified, each Netguide agrees to provide technical assistance for at least four hours per month through June 2008.

Students participating in this program will gain invaluable computer and Internet experience. This is also a good way to get required service hours for the National Honor Society or any other church or community group. In addition, the Netguide program looks great on college and job applications!

If you need further information on the Netguide program, please contact the Information Desk at 781 942-6703 or rdgref@noblenet.org.


DOWNLOADABLE eAUDIO SERVICE CANCELED
Due to high fees and low usage, the Reading Public Library will end this service as of December 1, 2007. As an alternative, the Library now offers 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 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. Titles for both teens and adults are available now!

Still looking for downloadable books? The Boston Public Library offers a downloadable book service to anyone with a BPL eCard. Any individual who lives, works, attends school, or owns property in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is at least 13 years of age may register for an eCard. For more information about the Boston Public Library Online Registration and eCard FAQ, go to

http://www.bpl.org/general/circulation/ecards.htm


WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
Wouldn’t now be a GREAT time to join the Friends? It’s easy to do. Just go to their new updated Membership page

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


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


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
WORLD AIDS DAY 2007

http://www.avert.org/worldaid.htm


World AIDS Day was first celebrated on December 1, 1988. There are an estimated 33.2million people infected with HIV world-wide, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus.

What can you do to support World AIDS Day? You can educate yourself, raise awareness in others, fight prejudice, donate money for research, and show your care and support for the infected population. For the history of AIDS and more information, explore Frontline's The Age of AIDS:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/aids/.


And for up-to-date research and statistics, go to the CDC's HIV/AIDS webpage:

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/.


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.

Ongoing: Mother Goose Lapsit Signup for 2008. 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.

Saturday, December 1: Registration begins for Children’s Gingerbread House Workshop on December 12. For children in grades 3-5. Call 781-942-6705.

Monday, December 3: Monthly Book Delivery to Peter Sanborn Place. 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 6: Teen Holiday Crafts. Join us for an hour of fun and creativity. We will be making a variety of decorations / gifts to celebrate the holiday season. 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 6: Conversation Group. Is English your second language? Improve your English by conversing with other advanced English learners or practice your writing in a relaxed, welcoming, friendly atmosphere. 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Thursday, December 6: Teen Advisory Groups. Join and make a difference, not just at the library, but in our community! Fun, Food and Friends... see you there! For grades 6-12 at 7:30 p.m. (you may also attend on December 15 at 3:30 p.m.)

Friday, December 7: 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.

Tuesday, December 11: Live Wires: Coffee and More. Today’s topic is “Handling the Holidays” with speaker Roberta Taylor (Life Coach and Professional Psychotherapist). Open to adults of any age. 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, December 11: Bibliobabblers Book Discussion Group. Bob Montgomery will lead a discussion of The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. No registration is necessary. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 12: Gingerbread House Workshop. Build a sweet creation at our Gingerbread House Workshop. We'll provide the candies, cookies, royal icing and other building materials - you provide the imagination! For children in grades 3-5. Registration is necessary and begins on 12/1. Space is limited for this free program. Call 781-942-6705. 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 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.