Vol. 11, No 3. January 31, 2008

OFF THE SHELF
A bi-weekly library newsletter
Vol. 11, No 3. January 31, 2008

Hello everyone! My name is Susan L. Beauregard and I am a Reference and
Young Adult Librarian here in Reading. For the next month or so, I will
be editing this fine newsletter. We’ll keep you posted on all the Library’s happenings.


QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you
may kick it about all day, like a football, and it will be round and full at evening.”

~Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer & Lecture. 1835-1910)


GO PATRIOTS!



ENJOY A LITTLE SHIRLEY VALENTINE BEFORE VALENTINE'S DAY

Join us for LiveWires Coffee & More on Tuesday, February 12 at 10:00 a.m. for a screening of the film SHIRLEY VALENTINE, starring Pauline Collins.

Shirley is having a mid-life crisis. She expects more from life than her boring existence as a Liverpool housewife. When a friend wins an all-expenses-paid vacation to Greece and asks Shirley to come along, her journey to self-discovery begins. SHIRLEY VALENTINE is a film for anyone who has ever wondered if he or she made the right choices in life--and if it's too late to take some of them back!

Following the screening of the film, Diane Young will facilitate a discussion. Bring a brown bag lunch; beverages will be provided. Join your friends and make new friends at LiveWires--Lifelong Learning in the Library. This program is supported with funding from the Friends of the Reading Public Library and an anonymous donor.

And....be sure to put February 26 on your calendar. Jay Atkinson, author of CITY IN AMBER, will speak at the Library at 7:30 p.m. as part of our LiveWires Presents series.


CIRC SECRET #2 by Patty O’Donnell

This edition of Circ Secrets takes you to the reading/listening/viewing world (or should I say worlds?) of our staff. Near the library’s Information Desk is a bookcase dedicated to the “favorite picks” of our staff, very cleverly titled “Staff Picks." There you will find an exciting variety of books and mixed media that is continuously changing. Some items are new and some old but all are considered to be worthy of your consideration. On a recent day the following items were displayed as “picks” and I pass them on to you. Take a look here next time you come in. You may find a whole new world to explore.

Fiction
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
Hindi Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan

Non-fiction
Sweet and Low by Rich Cohen (a memoir)
101 Ways to Use Your First Sewing Machine by Elizabeth Dubicki

Science fiction
Midshipman’s Hope by David Feintuch

Romance
Nora’s Innocents by Barbara Szold

Audiobooks
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons

Video/DVD
Cold Comfort Farm

Graphic Novel
Age of Bronze – A Thousand Ships by Eric Shanower

Don’t forget to share your favorites with us! If you have loved a book, jot down the title and author and leave it at the circulation or information desk, or just tell us. We will be glad to share your pick with our readers in a future edition of "Off the Shelf."


SAVE THE DATES!

The place to be is the Reading Public Library. This is always true, but especially now with a big day coming up that you won't want to miss! Everyone is invited to our 7th annual "Open House." Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library, this day is guaranteed to be fun for all ages.

On Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the library will be filled with interesting things to see and do. There will be art exhibits, musical performances and "Books in Bloom" - a special exhibit created by the library staff! In case that’s not enough, there will also be free library card replacements, door prizes, $5 a Bag Book Sale, refreshments and much, much more. Stay tuned for more information about Open House but mark your calendars now so you won't miss this day of unlimited entertainment!


UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE CHILDREN’S ROOM

Feeling Creative? Come in and Make a Valentine! It’s time again for this popular annual event. From Wednesday, January 30th through Wednesday, February 13th, drop in at the Children’s Room to create a Valentine for one of our senior neighbors. We’ll supply the materials; you supply the creativity and fun! We’ll make sure it gets delivered to a local senior. Feel free to make another one to take home to give to your own Valentine.

Special Winter Vacation Week Program: “Eggbert ‘n’ Ice”
Mad Science of Greater Boston will present a high energy demonstration that will dazzle, entertain, and leave the audience with memories that will last long beyond the performance. The show will include foggy dry ice and demonstrations of how science is used to float beach balls in the air. The audience will suggest ways to unlock the mystery of how to get "Eggbert" back in his house. Ever see scissors sizzle and shiver? Ever take a bubble shower? Come to the Library and join in the excitement! Friday, February 22, 2:30-3:15pm in the Meeting Room. For ages 5 to 10. No registration necessary.

Spring Storytimes – Registration Now in Progress!
Registration has officially begun for our Spring Storytime Series.
Please see our website:

http://www.readingpl.org/kidsstorytime.html for more information.


POPCORN PICKS by Jamie Penney

Hello movie buffs! We've noticed that there are a lot of you at the Reading Public Library, so we thought you might be interested in some background about the library’s movie collection. So this is the first in an occasional column about how I feel about movies. (And I’ve been buying them for the past 5 years.)

I have been a movie buff myself since my college days. I’ve taken several film classes, and bought many books about film. I read hundreds of reviews and lists of the greatest XYZ, name-your-category movies of all time and I see several movies per week. Now, obviously, the library buys all of the big new releases each month, and most of the independent and foreign films. But after that, I get out my lists and go to town. And of course I am delighted to get your suggestions, especially if they’re cool.

You may have noticed some of my obsessions over the past 5 years. One of my first acts as movie selector was to make sure we had every possible movie on the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest movies ever on DVD. If it was available, we bought it. This past year the AFI put out an updated 10th anniversary version of the list so I added a few more to our collection. Interestingly, there are a couple of movies on that list that are not currently available on DVD. I still can’t get my hands on Duck Soup, the Marx Brothers film, or Sunrise, the F. W. Murnau film from 1927, starring Janet Gaynor. And why can’t someone put out Wuthering Heights?! (the one with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, of course). Someday soon, I hope!

That’s all for now. In future columns, hear about my favorite cult films, comedies and zombie movies, as well as the mysterious Chlotrudis Society!


WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Chinese New Year
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/chinesenewyear1.html



NEW BOOKS, MOVIES, AND MORE!

To see the list of library materials purchased this month, follow this link:

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



NOTARY SERVICE

For only a $1.00, the Library offers notary services at the Information Desk.
If you have any questions, please call 781-944-0840.



WHAT'S HAPPENING @ YOUR LIBRARY!

All events listed take place at the Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, unless otherwise noted.

February 1 - 13: Drop-in Valentines! Stop by the Children’s Room and create a Valentine for our elderly neighbors (and make one to take home too!). Bring your ideas; materials provided. The Valentine station will continue through February 13.

Friday, February 1: Infant Toddler Sing-along. with Peter Sheridan. No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. 10:15 a.m. – 10:40a.m.

Saturday, February 2: Teens - Write Now! workshop deadline.

Monday, February 4: Drop-In Storytime for 2's and 3's and their caregivers. No registration necessary. 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

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

Monday, February 4: Monthly Book Delivery to Peter Sanborn Place. 2:30 p.m.–3:15 p.m.

Thursday, February 7: Sing, Move, Create and Groove. Join Michele DeMartinis of Michele's Music School for a fun-filled movement and musical program! No registration is necessary for this free program for ages 4-8. Sponsored by the Reading Co-operative Bank. 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Thursday, February 7: 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.

Monday, February 11: Drop-In Storytime for 2's and 3's and their caregivers. No registration necessary 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday, February 11: Drop-in Storytime for ages 4 - 6. No registration necessary. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, February 12: LiveWires: Coffee & More – Film Series. Today’s event is a screening of the film, Shirley Valentine, starring Pauline Collins. A discussion will follow, led by Diane Young. Bring a brown bag lunch; the library will provide beverages. LiveWires is the library’s Lifelong Learning Program and is open to adults of any age. 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 12: Bibliobabblers Book Discussion Group. Betty Vanasse will lead a discussion of Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. . No registration is necessary. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 13: Spinning Yarns (oral story program for adults). The spring sea-ice breakup is a reason for celebration in the villages that line the rivers and sea in the land of snow and ice, but what happens when a rude visitor disrupts one Inuit village and challenges the great shaman? Join Librarian Eileen Barrett as she tells the tale of “Why the Rude Visitor was Flung by Walrus.” Please drop-in (no registration required). 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, February 14: Teen Crafternoon--Scrapbooking, Cards, Altered Books & More. Do you like to cut, punch, stamp, fold, frame, crop, emboss, tint, journal, quill, set, or sticker stuff? Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the library to explore the creative world of paper crafts. Drop in and work on a new project OR bring your own scrapbook, photos, or altered book. The Library will supply a variety of papers, glues, inks, stamps, punches, markers, scissors, trimmers and MORE. Free event, no registration required. Supplies are provided with funds from the Friends of the Reading Public Library and with federal LSTA grant funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 14: Conversation Group. (see February 7 event for details). 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Friday, February 15: Infant Toddler Sing-along. with Peter Sheridan. No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. 10:15 a.m. – 10:45a.m.

Monday, February 18: Library is Closed for President’s Day Holiday

Thursday, February 21: The Not-Too-Stuffy Book Group for Seniors meets to discuss Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Led by Deirdre Reilly, local columnist and radio show host. 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, February 21: Conversation Group. (see February 7 event for details). 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Thursday, February 21: Teen Gaming Night - Open Wii & DDR. Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to drop in and check out some Wii games and DDR on our PS2 console. This is an open play event and games include: DDR Max, DDR 2, Mario & Sonic @ Olympic Games, Boogie, Wii Playground, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2. Teens are welcome to bring additional games for group play! As usual, junk food and drinks will be available! Equipment, games and refreshments are funded by the Friends of the Reading Public Library and by a federal LSTA grant through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Friday, February 22: Mad Science presents “Eggbert 'n' Ice.” Kids! Have fun during Vacation Week with Mad Science of Greater Boston. Their high energy show promises to dazzle and entertain with foggy dry ice, egg 'magic' and demonstrations of how science is used to float beach balls in the air. Ever see scissors sizzle and shiver? Ever take a bubble shower? Come have fun with science at the Library! For ages 5-10. Free. No registration necessary. 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

ONGOING:
Mother Goose Lapsit Signup. 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.

Curl Up (first annual Adult Winter Reading Program) continues! This program is a self-service reading club. Complete a book or audiobook, fill out a slip (either in person or online) and enter the drawing for our end of winter prize. Get ready to spend cozy winter times with a soft blanket, warm mug and a good book…or in other words…Curl Up!



Signing off,

Susan L. Beauregard
Reference/Young Adult Librarian


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.