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BOOKENDS
March ~ April 2014
The Mystic & Noank Library Newsletter
KEEPING OUR LIBRARY
JOHN CASEY, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
s a patron and the Co-President of our wonderful
Library, no one needs to convince me that libraries are important. But often I have to articulate the reasons why our Library, and libraries in general, are still
important and why they continue to deserve the support of our community. To that end, I keep my eyes
open for new research, stories, and commentaries about
libraries. Here is what I have learned from some of the
recent articles I have read.
First, you might expect that the introduction of
e-readers will eventually lead to the extinction of traditional books, just as iPods were the end of music CDs,
cassettes and albums. However, a recent study released
by the Pew Research Center found that, while the proportion of Americans who read e-books is growing, few
have completely replaced print books with electronic
versions. The study covers many topics, but to me, the
fact that people are not abandoning traditional books
means that the core service we provide is not going
away any time soon. Moreover, the fact that more
Americans have e-readers than ever (and this number is
surely going to rise) providing e-books (one of our
more recent services) gives us another opportunity to
serve our patrons.
Second, adding services like e-books is one example of how libraries like ours have evolved to meet
the modern needs of our patrons and shows that, rather
than be replaced by technology, libraries today need to
embrace technology while continuing to provide the
social interaction that is otherwise absent in reading
alone. Indeed, a New Republic article, “The Revolution
at Your Community Library: New Media, New Community Centers,” notes how community libraries are
often “heavily used, not-for-profit communal spaces
that facilitate many and various kinds of informal social
interactions and private uses.” This describes our Library perfectly, as our meeting rooms are nearly always
filled with local community groups.
Lastly, there were three pieces about the importance of libraries that I found very inspiring. I will not
attempt to summarize their eloquent words here, but
will instead leave you with the following passage by author Neil Gaiman, which serves as a reminder to me
why we must be ever vigilant advocates of our Library,
and of all libraries:
A
4th Annual
Indoor Tag Sale
March 28 & 29
We have an obligation to support libraries. To use
libraries, to encourage others to use libraries, to protest the closure
of libraries. If you do not value libraries then you do not value
information or culture or wisdom. You are silencing the voices of
the past and you are damaging the future.
Thank you for all you do to support our Library.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _
Here are the URLs for the pages John mentions:
http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/16/e-reading-rises-asdevice-ownership-jumps/
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/112443/revolution-yourcommunity-library
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/dec/11/susan-cooperyouth-libraries-group-speech-dark-rising
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaimanfuture-libraries-reading-daydreaming
http://www.salon.com/2014/02/19/
why_libraries_deserve_to_be_hip/
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
LOIS HILLER
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
F
or the first time, the Mystic & Noank Library will
be represented in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Our
Library Book-Cart Drill Team will bravely and decorously step out to represent the Library and engage in
few “cart-pushing routines.” The parade is Sunday
March 23 at 1 p.m. It is a large and entertaining parade,
and a terrific community event. Come and cheer us on!
May love and laughter light Divine Fury: A History of Genius by
your days, and warm your
Darrin M. McMahon discusses
heart and home.
the evolution of society’s attitude
May good and faithful
toward those extraordinary indifriends be yours, wherever
viduals thought to possess the
you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless transcendent power of genius. In
your world with joy that long different times the concept of
endures.
genius has been described as beMay all life's passing seaing possessed by demons or
sons bring the best to you
gods, miraculous creativity, and
and yours!
– old Irish Blessing scoring high on tests.
Daniel Hannon, in Inventing Freedom, provides an historical account of the origin and
spread of the principles of freedom, including the rule
of law, personal freedom, a representative government,
and an independent judiciary. English common law
gave us a language and a tradition that led us to civilization. How can we keep and protect our freedom?
FRIENDS REPORT
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE NEWS
SALLY SALANCY, PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS
SALLY HALSEY
pring is here and there’s a lot happening at Mystic
& Noank Library! First up is the Friends’ Fourth
Annual Indoor Tag Sale, on March 28 and 29. The
Cellar-Dwellers are still accepting donations during
regular Library hours, so bring in the wedding gift you
never used or the abandoned stuffed animals in need
of a new home. Then, be sure to shop at the Tag Sale
from 10 to 5 on Friday, and 10 to 2 on Saturday.
You’ll find treasures you can’t live without!
But wait! Sunday, March 30, is the Eighth
Annual Edible Book Festival in Groton! Held at
Groton Public Library, this delicious event is sponsored by the Friends of all three Groton libraries, i.e.,
Mystic & Noank, Groton Public, and Bill Memorial.
But the Edible Book Festival isn’t just local. It’s celebrated internationally on the Sunday nearest April
Fool’s Day. Entries must refer to a book, be edible, in
good taste and, most important, taste good! It’s especially fun when the whole family joins in. Think Olive or
Twist, The Grapes of Math, and Life of Pie. (See Books2Eat.com.) Join in! Get an entry form at the Library,
fill it in, and submit it by 5:00 on Thursday, March 20!
On Sunday, March 30, . The doors open for set-up by
1:15, and the fun begins at 1:30! Walk around the
room, enjoy all the other entries and try to guess the
title behind each. Also, be sure to buy raffle tickets for
a chance to win a bag of books donated by one of the
libraries. Don’t want to participate? Then, just come
for the fun. But don’t be late, because after we admire
all the entries, we eat them! If you still have questions,
please call the Library, at 860-536-7721.
April is another busy month, with Honor
Book Days, on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April
12 and National Library Week, April 13 through 19.
Elsewhere in this issue you’ll see the list of special National Library Week programs at Mystic & Noank.
The Library Fair’s Silent Auction opens on
May 6. Look for binders with gift certificates and others with bidding sheets. You’ll have the rest of May to
outbid other people, so bid early and often.
Spring is always busy at our Library, so join us
any way you can. Attend a meeting, shop at the Tag
Sale, try out the Edible Books Festival, buy books on
Honor Book Days, put in your bids at the Silent Auction, and, most importantly, mark your calendar for the
Library Fair, on Saturday, June 7.
am very appreciative of the support that the Board
Development Committee, led by Suzie Canning,
gives to the Development Office. We meet regularly to
discuss and strategize on how we can do better - for
the community and for the Library. How can we meet
or surpass our Annual Fund goal? How can we look to
the future by building our endowment? How can we
get the word out beyond our regular patrons about all
the things we have to offer? How can we have a fundraiser that tops the past two years’ events? If you have
any ideas and are interested in helping us, please give
me a call 860-572-8191 or email
([email protected]).
S
See you at the Mystic & Noank Library!
I
Since our last issue we have received:
Gifts in Memory of:
Betty Wheeler
Charles Hevenor
Gifts in Honor of:
Barry Boodman
Jim Hands
Gifts in Kind:
Jane and David Hoddinott
Michael Marciano
Sponsorships and Grants:
Chelsea Groton Bank (Shred-It Day)
GREAT PROGRAMS COMING UP!
Saturday, March 22 ~ 1 to 4 p.m.
Fifty Wonders of Korea and Korea Today
uests will view a documentary on Korean art and
industrial achievements. There will also be a reenactment of a traditional Korean wedding with costumes and a traditional Korean meal will be served.
The program and meal are free and suitable for all
ages, but space is limited. Registration is required by
calling (860) 536-7721, emailing
[email protected], or in person at the Library’s Circulation Desk.
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Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. ~ April 5 to May 3
International Film Series
April 5 ~ Nine Queens (Argentina, 2000)
April 12 ~ Children of Heaven (Iran, 1997)
April 19 ~ Poetry (South Korea, 2010)
April 26 ~ Lemon Tree (Israel, 2008)
May 5 ~ Strawberry and Chocolate (Cuba, 1993)
NEW SPRING CONCERT SERIES
All concerts take place in the beautiful second floor of
the Library from 6 to 7:30 p.m.. They are free, with a
suggested donation of $10 per person. Space is limited;
pre-register by calling 860-536-7721 or email
[email protected].
March 14 ~ Musical Conversations
at the Harpsichord
Elena Zamalodchikova and Aymeric Dupré la Tour will
perform harpsichord solos and duets from the Renaissance and Baroque keyboard repertoire on magnificent
instruments handmade by Zuckermann Harpsichords
International in Stonington, CT.
April 17 ~ The Amaryllis Ensemble
Christine Coyle (cello), Diane Orson (violin) and Jill Levine (viola) will play works from Mozart, Hummel, Telemann and Schubert as well as a collection of songs from
Gershwin to Edith Piaf.
May 9 ~ Classical Guitarist Neil Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, a graduate of the Hartt School of Music and
Yale School of Music, will play pieces by Villa-Lobos,
Tarrega, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Mertz, and his own
compositions.
Honor Book Days at Bank Square Books
Friday, April 11 & Saturday, April 12
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bank Square Books in historic downtown Mystic, is
hosting the 13th Annual Honor Book Days to support
the Mystic & Noank Library. Through the generosity of
the Mystic community and the owners of Bank Square
Books, these two days have become a popular way to
donate directly to the Library. Books for all tastes will be
available for purchase, including children’s books, cookbooks, travel books, novels and non-fiction. Patrons are
invited to browse through the selected titles and purchase one or more in honor of a friend or loved one. A
custom bookplate will be put in the chosen book, leaving a permanent record of the donation.
Monday, April 14 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16 – 7:00 p.m.
Geoff Kaufman presents: So Long From Home: A
Connecticut War of 1812 Tale in Prose and Song
Using Benjamin Franklin Palmer’s own prose, Kaufman
presents a fascinating piece of Connecticut history in
song and commentary. Palmer left Stonington in 1813
to privateer against the British, but was promptly captured and held as prisoner. He kept a journal with detailed descriptions of the conditions he endured. Kaufman is lead chanteyman at Mystic Seaport and Director
of the Sea Music Festival.
Tuesday, April 22 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
AARP Safe Driver Class
The course fee is $12 for AARP members, $14 for nonmembers and is payable by check or cash at the first
class. Participants will receive a certificate upon completing the class, which may reduce automobile insurance premiums. Space is limited, so registration is required by calling 860-536-7721 or at the Circulation
Desk.
Tuesday, April 29 – 7 p.m.
How to Pay “Wholesale” for College
Andy Lockwood, author, attorney and college finance
consultant, leads a workshop giving little-known college
finance “loopholes” that families can employ to easily
and comfortably send their children to top colleges.
Learn how to triple eligibility for grants and scholarships, how to avoid mistakes in the financial aid process,
the truth about athletic scholarships, and more. The discussion is free and open to the public but preregistration is required since space is limited. For more
information or to register, call 860-536-7721 or visit
www.mysticnoanklibrary.org.
Saturday, May 10 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shred-It Day
Chelsea Groton Bank is once again sponsoring a free
shredding event at the Mystic & Noank Library. A
Shred-It truck will be in the Library parking lot and will
accept any papers for safe and convenient disposal, with
a limit of 3 bags or boxes of papers. Staples may remain
on papers. The Library cannot accept papers for shredding before the date of the event, and participants must
Battlefields of the Pequot War
Join Kevin McBride, Battlefields of the Pequot War project dispose of plastic bags and boxes. This event is free and
open to the community. We will accept donations of
director and associate professor of anthropology at
UConn, for a free public program which will present the canned goods for the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center
results of recent archaeological excavations at the site of and Groton Social Services.
May 15 ~ 6 p.m. ~ Spicer Society Reception
Mistick Fort and the English withdrawal route through
Named after the Library's first and most generous doMystic and Groton. This program is supported by the
nor, Elihu Spicer, the Society recognizes those who have
National Park Service American Battlefield Protection
given $2,500 or more in lifetime giving to the Mystic &
Program, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, Noank Library Annual Fund. To learn more, call 860and UConn. Space is limited. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 572-8191 or email [email protected] .This
event is by invitation only.
CHILDREN’S ROOM CHAT
ROBERTA DONAHUE
pring Preschool Story Times begin the week of
March 24 and run for 8 weeks through May
16. Class sizes are limited and class registration is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration may be done in person in the Children's Room or
by telephone at 860-536-7721. The following descriptions explain the programs currently offered:
Lapsit Storytime: Each class is filled with stories,
songs, crafts, finger plays and other book-related activities.
Ages: 6 - 23 Months
Session One Fridays at 10:00 a.m.
Session Two Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
S
Toddler - Just 2's to Just 3's: Toddlers and a caregiver will spend 30 minutes listening to stories, singing
songs, doing crafts and participating in play time.
Ages: 2 - 3 Years
Session One Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.
Session Two Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Three Year Olds: The first of the storytime programs
in which children participate independently from their
caregivers. This program lasts for 45 minutes and promotes the joy of books, book related activities and
crafts.
Ages: 3 Years
Session One Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
Four and Fives: A full program of books, activities,
crafts and fun, this 45 minute class is designed for the
reading interests of four and five year old preschoolers.
Ages: 4 - 5 Years
Session One Tuesdays at 1:15 p.m.
Preschool Drop-In: Theme based Drop-In Story
Times for preschoolers.
Ages: 2 - 6 Years Fridays at 11:00 a.m.
Ages: 3 - 6 Years Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.
National Library Week Children's Program with
the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Saturday,
April 19 at 11:00 a.m.
Reading Contest March 31 to May 3
The Children’s Room is hosting a Library Reading
Contest. To enter, stop by the Children’s Room anytime starting at the end of March to pick up your reading log (and pick up some library books to read too!).
Keep track of how much time you read between March
31 and noon on May 3. Be sure to hand in your reading
logs by noon on May 3. We have prize baskets and we
will be announcing our winners soon after!
Fizz, Boom, Read!
We are getting ready for this year's Summer Reading
Program, "Fizz, Boom, Read," and we are planning
some great events and activities. The program runs
from June 23 to August 2. We will follow the same format as last year and will have Monday afternoon Teen
Programs, Tuesday afternoon Performers, Tuesday
Night Movies, Drop-In StoryTimes, Thursday Afternoon Science Programs, Friday Lego Clubs, Friday Afternoon Movies and Saturday Chess Club. And stay
tuned for details on our new Summer Reading Program
for Adults!
FRONT & CENTER
KATE NELSON
ately the most frequent subject of conversation at
the Circulation Desk has been the weather. Since I
grew up in the Midwest, I’ve always had trouble understanding why people don’t seem to like the small
storms we have here in Southeastern Connecticut.
Why, when I was a kid I don’t remember school being
cancelled very often, and certainly not for a snowfall of
less than 10 inches. I do remember having to walk
home in a blizzard because the city buses stopped running. I guess all that gave me an appreciation for the
white stuff. We’ve had to close the Library due to the
weather more than we would like, but the safety of patrons and staff is our biggest concern. Please don’t
worry about returning your materials if conditions are
hazardous. If you can let us know that you won’t be
able to get them back on time, we will be happy to renew them for you.
The past couple of weeks were challenging for
the Connecticar statewide book delivery system, too.
Between snowstorms and holidays, we missed deliveries for over a week. We had so many books to be returned to other libraries that some of us made deliveries ourselves. It made me realize how much we depend
on the state van service. This service is part of the
State Library budget to which each library contributes.
Cuts are often threatened due to budget reductions. I
hope that it won’t come to that, because Connecticar
allows public libraries in this state to share their resources, and that is what libraries are all about.
L
Art in the Ames Room
During regular Library hours when the room is not in use.
March ~ Historic Photos of Mystic
Courtesy of the Mystic River Historical Society
and the Mystic Art Center
April ~ Mystic Calligraphers
Open House ~ Wednesday April 9 ~ 6 p.m.
Library Bridge Shifts Into High Gear
here has been a significant amount of game activity
in the Library Bridge League over the last couple of
months. Missy Evans and Prudy Hignett have moved
into first place in the high game competition with a
score of 4,040. In second place are Marge Conway and
Judy Hicks with a score of 3,350. The former leaders,
Julie Doering and Rowlie Stebbins, have slipped to third
place with a score of 3,200. Marge and Judy bid and
made a small slam to join this exclusive group.
We have lost a couple of teams in Flight B so it
has now been re-scheduled as a six-team Flight with
some round-robin bridge required to attain a seven
game season. May is just around the corner, so schedule
those remaining bridge games now.
T
AARP Tax-Aide Income Tax Help
ertified volunteers from AARP will be available to
do your federal and state income tax returns with
you from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the following Tuesday evenings: 3/25, 4/1, and 4/8. It is expected that
three counselors will be available each evening. A signup sheet is available at the Circulation Desk. Please
bring positive picture identification, all of your tax paperwork and last year’s tax return to the appointment.
There is no charge for this service.
C
Indoor Volunteer Day a Huge Success
Spring Grounds Volunteer Day
Is Just Around the Corner
he Indoor Volunteer Day was held on February 8.
A large group of volunteers made quick work of
the list of things to do. Stacks were dusted, woodwork
was wiped down, many light bulbs were replaced, bathroom repairs were made, and the large rolling magazine
rack on the second floor was modified so that now it
actually rolls. An enthusiastic group from ARC of New
London joined us for the morning. Our other volunteers included: Lou Allyn, Barry & Linda Boodman,
Todd Brady, Gail Cleere, Marlene Estabrooks, Alan
Greener, Mike Hewitt, Mike Johnson, Madeline Little,
Chuck McDonnell, John McHugh, Alex Apshal, John
Porter, Roger Richards, Patricia Tucchio, and Ian & Paul
Weigle.
The Spring Grounds Cleanup will be held from
9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 5. Mark your calendars now. A signup sheet is available at the Circulation Desk. Although drop-ins are always welcome, prior
signups allow for better work planning.
T
BOOK CLUB CORNER
MARILYN BARR
f there is a silver lining to be found in this cold and
snowy winter, it has been the numerous ‘snow days’ –
that unplanned-for time that one spends reading while
the snow piles up outside. I put it to good use and read
some wonderful novels I highly recommend to you:
Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri; Signature of All Things by
Elizabeth Gilbert; Someone by Alice McDermott; Bring Up
the Bodies by Hilary Mantel and TransAtlantic by Colum
McCann. All are available as Audiobooks on CD also.
Our Book Clubs missed their February meeting
but should be ready for their Spring schedule. Meetings
are free and open to all. Books are available in advance
at the Circulation Desk.
I
Afternoon Book Club (First Wednesday at 1 p.m)
April 2 ~ Boo, Katherine ~ Behind the Beautiful Forevers
May 7 ~ Strout, Elizabeth ~The Burgess Boys
June 4 ~ Shapiro, Barbara A. ~The Art Forger
Evening Book Club (First Wednesday at 7 p.m)
April 2 ~ Johnson, Denis ~ Angels
May 7 ~ Erdrich, Louise ~ The Painted Drum
June 4 ~ Gorman, Jacquelin ~The Viewing Room
Civil War Book Club (Third Wednesday at 6 p.m)
March 19 ~ A Stillness at Appomattox ~ Bruce Catton
April 16 ~ Lincoln ~ David Herbert Dona
Book Club Forum and Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday April 16 ~Noon to 2 p.m.
Please check our website for further information.
One-Day First Aid, CPR and AED Class
Saturday, May 17 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Presented by the Mystic River Ambulance Association,
this 6-hour class will earn you an American Red Cross
Heartsaver First Aid CRP AED certificate. Space is limited to 12 participants; pre-register by calling the Library
at (860) 536-7721 or at the Circulation Desk. $10 per
person, checks payable to the Mystic River Ambulance.
Participants must be 13 or older. There will be brief
breaks but please bring a bagged lunch.
A SPECIAL OFFER FROM NORWICH OPHTHALMOLOGY GROUP 10%
of the fee paid for Laser Vision Correction by any patron of The Mystic &
Noank Library will be donated to the Library.
Anish Shah, MD 79 Wawecus Street, Suite 105, Norwich CT 06360
860-889-5980 (Ask for Courtney)
4 Shaws Cove, New London CT 06320
188 Norwich Avenue, Colchester CT 06415
email: [email protected]
www.norwichlasik.com
WHAT’S HAPPENING @ YOUR LIBRARY
Local Writers ~ Mondays at 4 p.m.
HIGHLIGHTS
Chess Club for Kids ~ Saturdays at 10 a.m.
There’s so much going on! Be sure to read about
everything inside this issue!
The Mystic & Noank Library
Friday & Saturday March 28 & 29
Indoor Tag Sale
40 Library Street ~ Mystic CT 06355
Phone ~ 860 - 536 - 7721
NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
Friday April 11 & Saturday April 12 ~
Fax ~ 860 - 536 - 2350
Honor Book Days at Bank Square Books
Email ~ [email protected]
Monday April 14 ~7:00 p.m.
Battlefields of the Pequot War
Visit us on the web at
Wednesday April 16 ~ 12 to 2 p.m.
www.mysticnoanklibrary.com
Book Club Forum and Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday April 16 ~7:00 p.m.
Geoff Kaufman
Find us on Facebook!
Thursday April 17 ~ 6:00 p.m.
The Amaryllis Ensemble in concert
We are open
Friday April 18 ~ Closed for Good Friday
Monday ~ Tuesday ~ Wednesday 10 to 9
Saturday April 19 ~ 11:00 a.m.
Thursday ~ Friday ~ Saturday 10 to 5
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
Summer Saturdays 9 to 1
program for kids
Saturday April 19 ~ 2:00 p.m.
International Film Series
4th Annual
Indoor Tag Sale
March 28 & 29
The Mystic & Noank Library
40 Library Street
Mystic CT 06355
Non Profit Organization
Presorted standard
U. S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 65
Mystic CT 06355