Library News and Events November 2009

To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine! Wallingford Public Library Children’s Library Annual Chess Master Simultaneous Exhibition to take place at The Wallingford Public Library The Wallingford Chess Club, directed by Wayne Aguiar, and co-sponsored by the Wallingford Public Library and Wallingford Youth Services, will offer an Annual Chess Master Simultaneous Exhibition on Saturday, November 14th from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Wallingford Public Library. Students in grades K through 12 are invited to participate in this event. Those who sign up will have an opportunity to play in a simultaneous match against Nelson Castaneda, a FIDE Chess Master from the New Britain Chess Club. Mr. Castaneda is a Professor of Mathematics at Central Connecticut State University and a long time chess enthusiast. He will be playing 25 chess games simultaneously and continuously for two hours. This is a must see event for chess-lovers and a wonderful opportunity for kids who play chess. To register for this event contact the Children’s Library at 203-284-6436. Wallingford Public Library Children’s Library Wool and Jewelry: A Spinning Demonstration and Craft Program Kids age 5 and up, and their grown-ups, are invited to attend this free program on Saturday, November 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Wallingford Public Library. Kate LaPlante will spin wool, and demonstrate how it is processed, in this special interactive program. Kids will learn about wool, and at the same time, make their own unique piece of jewelry with pure wool and decorative beads. Walllingford residents may register for this program by contacting the Children’s Library at 203-284-6436. Non-residents may sign up for any available spaces the day before the program. To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine! ______________________________________________________________ NEWS FROM WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: FALL LIBRARY HOURS Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 9:30 to 5:00 p.m. Holiday Closings Veterans Day: November 11 closed Thanksgiving: November 25 closing at 6:00 p.m., November 26 and 27 closed JOANNIE’S FOOD DRIVE In honor of “Joannie from Pringle,” Joan Lewis, former WPL staff member, Wallingford Public Library employees have organized a food drive to benefit Master’s Manna. You may bring your donations of non-perishable food items to the library through December. Please place them on the table at the top of the back stairway. CAN YOU HELP US? The library is in need of two high school yearbooks for our collection. We are looking for the Mark T. Sheehan High School 2007 and the Lyman Hall 1949 yearbooks. The nostalgic resources are great fun to browse through, as well as to mine for reunion information. The library keeps the yearbooks in our Connecticut Collection and may be used in the library. If should discover one of these volumes in your attic or closet, pleae bring it in to the library’s Information Desk. Thanks! NEW HELP FOR JOB SEEKERS JOB NOW: Live Job Assistance Wallingford Public Library announces an exciting new service for job seekers and career changers: JobNow. This unique online service gives job seekers on-demand access to trained career coaches and job resources. JobNow’s free professional services are available on any of our public Internet computers; ask for more information at the Information Desk. Wallingford Library cardholders can also access JobNow from home by linking to http://main.wallingford.clc.jobnow.brainfuse.com. Job seekers should register for an account after using their Wallingford Library card to enter the site. JobNow is the first service of its kind to provide live career coaching from any computer with Internet access. Services available are live interview coaching, with interview tips and resources; a resume lab with sample templates, along with resume analysis within 24 hours by a JobNow expert; assistance with writing cover letters; and a career resource library that includes links to current job openings locally and nationally, as well as career and personality assessment instruments. ON DISPLAY! You may have noticed that there are several new book display units near the Information Desk. We are delighted that now we can create pleasing displays of material we hope you will enjoy browsing through and checking out. One of those displays is devoted to “Staff Picks”. Here you will find books of all kinds that various staff members have enjoyed and recommend. Take a look next time you are looking for something to read and are feeling adventurous! NEW BOOK SELLER The Library’s used bookstore, the Book Seller has moved to a new, much larger, location. Look for the green striped awning behind the Library and stop by to browse the shelves full of hundreds of bargains: children’s books, videos, cds, fiction, nonfiction, and books for teens. Pick up a gift for a friend or a popular paperback for your next vacation read! Book Seller Fall Hours are: Monday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ADAPTIVE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY The Library now offers adaptive technology for our patrons with vision impairment. If you are interested in learning more, ask about the trackball mouse, large print keyboard, and iZoom screen magnifier/reader. They are available in the Adult Computer area. We also have an Optelec video magnifier for anyone wishing to manipulate the size of print while reading books, magazines, and newspapers. It is located by the Periodicals Area of the adult section. CELL PHONE RECYCLING AND DON’T FORGET THE EYEGLASSES! Remember that you can bring in your old cell phones for recycling. Drop them in the box near the copier across from the Circulation Desk. The Library receives a percentage for each phone. Thanks! Eyeglasses can be recycled too. The Lions Club collects all the eyeglasses collected at the library. Just Fax It! In response to popular demand, we have installed a self-service public fax machine next to the photocopier by the Circulation Desk. It transmits faxes for $1.50 per page with a credit or debit card, but does not receive faxes. Librarians at the Information Desk can help you get started. YOUR AMAZON.COM PURCHASES CAN BENEFIT THE LIBRARY The holiday season is rapidly approaching. By entering Amazon.com through the Library’s website: www.wallingford.lioninc.org, the Library will receive a percentage of your total purchase. Your support is greatly appreciated. Happy Shopping! COMPUTER TUTORING SESSIONS Wednesdays Mornings @ 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Tuesday and Thursdays Afternoons @ 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursday Evenings @ 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Free one-on-one sessions for computer novices cover basic keyboarding and mouse skills, word processing, Internet searching, email, online job searching, etc. Call the library to sign up and specify your area of interest. NOVEMBER COMPUTER CLASS: Mail Merge with Word 2007 Friday, November 13 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Board Room Simplify your holiday greetings using Mail Merge with Word 2007. You will learn how to create a mailing list and make labels for envelopes. Seating is limited to 6 so please sign up early for this hands-on class. Register in advance by calling 203-265-6754 or online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY FREE MOVIE EVENTS CINEMA CLUB: The History boys (Rated R) Tuesday, November 3 6:30 p.m. Community Room Discussion to follow movie and refreshments will be served. FRIDAY NIGHT FLICS: STAR TREK Friday, NOVEMBER 20 6:30 p.m. Community Room Rated PG-13 SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS AT WALLINGORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: All of our programs free, all of the time! Join the Discussion! Read the Book! Meet the Author! The months of November and December are chock-full of book-related events at WPL. If you enjoy reading and exchanging ideas, please join us for any or all of our Fall Book Discussion Programs. And remember, a book signed by the author makes a perfect holiday gift. Meet the Author: Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room: You Want to Go Where? How to Get Someone to Pay for the Trip of Your Dreams by Jeff Blumenfeld Join us for a fascinating evening; and get advice on how to arrange and fund your own dream trip! Jeff Blumenfeld will share his tales of adventure and travel. He has spent over 35 years in the adventure-marketing business and is founder of Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc., a public relations and special events firm based in Darien, CT. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the conclusion of the program. All are welcome to this free event. Advance registration is appreciated. Meet the Author: Thursday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room: A Ship in the Harbor by Julian Padowicz The story continues. Julian Padowicz is back with his new book: A Ship in the Harbor, sequel to his memoir, Mother and Me: Escape from Warsaw 1939. The story picks up where Mother and Me ends, as Yulian and his mother Barbara, dressed as peasants, limp into Budapest’s posh Bristol Hotel, thinking themselves safe. What they had not figured on was that Hungary was a Nazi-sympathizing country, and the exhausted Barbara has allowed herself to brag to a Hungarian border security officer that, when they arrived in America, she would write a book exposing Nazi and Soviet brutalities. What ensues is a game of hide-and-seek, as Barbara and Yulian try to stay one step ahead of the authorities. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the conclusion of the talk. Book Discussions: The Range of Realism: The Novel in the 19th and 20th Centuries All are welcome to this four-part book discussion series co-sponsored by the Connecticut Humanities Council. Beginning in the 19th Century, the novel emerged as the pre-eminent literary form for portraying the wide range of human possibilities to which we give the name realism. Using four different novels from the 19th and 20th Centuries, we will explore how realism is defined and treated within the different context of each story. Discussions will be led by Marsha Bonsavage, a discussion facilitator for the Connecticut Humanities Council. Books are available from the Library’s Information Desk. All discussions begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Collins Room. Select books will be discussed on the following dates: December 9 A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving January 13 The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton February 10 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley This program is made possible by the Faustman Fund. Book Discussion: The Worst Hard Times: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan. Thursday, November 19 7:00 p.m. Collins Room This month the Thursday Night Book Club will be discussing what scientists have called the worst national disaster of the 20th century: the “black blizzards.” The dust storms that terrorized America’s High Plains in the darkest years of the Great Depression were like nothing ever seen before. Unlike John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, this nonfiction account tells the story of those who stayed and survived the “dirty thirties.” Reserve your copy of the book through the library catalog, and plan on joining us for conversation and refreshment. No registration required. SATURDAY MORNINGS WITH POETRY Saturday, November 7 and 21 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Board Room Fans of poetry are welcome to read original poems and share their writing experiences with fellow poets. All are welcome. OPEN MIC NIGHT Thursday, November 12 7:00 p.m. Collins Room Open to all who like to share their poetry and prose! Sign-up the evening of the event; participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Program will be moderated and participants will be limited to 7 minutes. All ages are welcome. WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: TEEN ZONE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast on Wednesday, December 2 7:30 p.m. Board Room The Mother-Daughter Book Club is a great way to meet new people, read the hottest new books, and spend some quality time together. The Wallingford group is the state’s oldest; it has been in existence for almost 20 years! All teen girls in grades 6 – 12 are invited to bring their mother or other adult female friend to read and discuss the book. Refreshments are served and a great time is had by all. Sign up today! ANIME NIGHT: The Cat Returns Monday, November 9 6:30 p.m. Community Room The next meeting of the Wallingford Library Anime Club will be feature the film The Cat Returns. All teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join us as we watch and discuss film. This anime is from the creators of Spirited Away. Haru, a schoolgirl bored by her ordinary routine, saves the life of an unusual cat, and suddenly her world is transformed beyond anything she ever imagined. Join us for an evening of all things Japanese as we explore food, artwork, music, and more! Visit the Library’s Information Desk or our web site for more information. To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine! NOVEMBER EVENTS AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY WEEKLY JOB SEEKER PROGRAM AT MERIDEN LIBRARY MERIDEN – Meriden Public Library has a drop-in program to assist those who are out of work and need help using the internet for job searching and creating resumes. A skilled volunteer will assist library patrons on a first come, first serve basis each Tuesday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm in the Seminar Room. A sign-up sheet will be provided on Tuesdays – no pre-registration required. Depending on the need, a computer will be available for use by the volunteer and patron. Knowledge of a computer is required. The library offers separate computer classes to take prior to the job seeker program. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about the library programs. HELP FOR FAMILIES WITH ELDER ADULTS NOVEMBER 4 AT MERIDEN LIBRARY MERIDEN – Lisa Krauss, Geriatric Care Manager for Growing Options and Bonnie Pollard-Johnson, Executive Director for the Village at Kensington Place will be presenting the program “Help for families with elder adults” on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00 pm in the Griffin Room of the Meriden Public Library. Ms. Krauss and Ms. Pollard-Johnson will speak on how to talk about driving, moving to another facility, and other topics that relate to caring for an elder adult. The program is free and all are invited. Contact the Community Services department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about any library program. SCRABBLE AT MERIDEN LIBRARY The Meriden Public Library will be holding Scrabble sessions on the following Mondays at 2:00 pm in the Friends Room: November 23 December 14 December 28 Come to practice or learn the game. Everyone is invited. If you have any questions about this or other programs at the library, contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349, email us at comsvc@hotmail.com or stop by at any session. WRITERS NETWORK MEETS IN NOVEMBER AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library will host a Writers Network group on Tuesday, November 10 and November 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Friends Room. We invite anyone who is serious about writing fiction or nonfiction, wants to learn the process of getting published, or needs support for writing a book proposal or query letter to attend. The Writers Network is for anyone who is looking for a support network to keep the motivation going, is interested in sharing their writing with others and is longing for the camaraderie of others who share a passion for writing. The group will be run by Roberta Dolan, a Meriden resident who is trained in group facilitation and is in the process of writing her first book. The Writers Network group will meet twice a month and will occasionally invite editors, published authors and people versed in the publishing process to speak to the group. If you are interested in joining the Writers Network, contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or email us comsvc@hotmail.com. FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 10 AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Meriden Public Library will be hosting a “Financial Aid Workshop” presented by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 pm in the Griffin Room. This workshop will cover the basics of applying for financial aid, important dates and terminology, how financial need is determined, and the difference between various award types. The program is free but registration is required. Sign up at www.kaptest.com, put in your zip code and locate the workshop you wish to attend. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about this program. MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES VETERANS DAY CLOSING Meriden Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 to celebrate Veterans Day. The library will reopen for business on Thursday, November 12 from 9:30 a.m.. to 5:00p.m. The library's regular hours are: Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed Sunday. NOVEMBER LUNCH TIME BOOK CLUB AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library will be holding a Thursday lunch time book club at noon on Thursday, November 12 in the Friends Room. Bring your lunch and join in to share insights or comments about the book of the month: November 12 – The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Society by Mary Ann Schaeffer No registration is required. Just stop in and enjoy our literary feast of great novels. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or email comsvc@hotmail.com for more information. HOLIDAY HARVEST SEMINAR NOVEMBER 14 AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Join the Klassic Kreations Gourmet Team at Meriden Public Library on Saturday, November 14 at 1:00 pm in the Griffin Room as they explore the bounty of the Harvest table. Learn how to pair fine chocolates, fruits, cheeses and wine to enhance your holiday. They will also highlight the history of Thanksgiving, conduct a fun trivia quiz and read some fun poetry. There will be samples including chocolate harvest bark with pumpkin seeds, chocolate cranberry bark, chocolate dipped apricots, artisan bread, and even “Mayflower” chocolates. The program is free but seating is limited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or email comsvc@hotmail.com to reserve a seat. FREE SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP CONTINUES AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Meriden Public Library will host part 3 of the free scrapbooking workshop series on Monday, November 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Friends Room and part 4 on Monday, December 14 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Griffin Room. Come have fun and learn about an exclusive page demo, organizing your photos, digital, and work on creating an album to share with your family and friends. Preserve your photos and get them out of the attic, out of boxes, display them and ENJOY them. They make great gifts for any occasion and Christmas will be here soon. There will be free handouts and demonstrations. Gather your supplies and come use some of ours. Please call or email to reserve your table at 203 630-6349 or comsvc@hotmail.com. “AFGHANS FOR THE SHELTER” RECEPTION NOVEMBER 21 AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Meriden Public Library and the Silver City Knitting Club will be holding a reception on Saturday, November 21 at 1:00 pm in the Griffin Room to display the completed afghans for the shelter. Approximately 2000 knitted sections were donated by residents of Meriden and surrounding communities. These sections have been assembled into over a dozen afghans. The Library invites anyone who has contributed in some way to the afghan project or if you would just like to view the beautiful work of many gifted hands to join us in celebrating the generosity of our community. Light refreshments will be served. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about any library programs. MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND HOURS Meriden Public Library will be closing at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 and closed all day on Thursday, November 26 to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The library will reopen for business on Friday, November 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00p.m. The library's business hours are: Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed Sunday. FREE COMPUTER CLASSES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER AT MERIDEN LIBRARY The following free computer classes will be held in November and December at Meriden Public Library. Internet Class on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – November 21 and December 19 Email Class on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – November 28 and December 12 Learn Microsoft Word on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – December 5 Class size is limited. Contact the library at (203) 238-2346 or (203) 630-6349 to register for any class. Meriden BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE The Bookmobile, or Library on Wheels, will be visiting the following facilities in November: Mon. Nov. 9 - Center Congregational Nursery School 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.; Women and Families Center 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.; Village at Kensington Place 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.; Tue. Nov. 10 – Catholic Charities 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.; Kinder Garden Learning Center 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.; Thu. Nov. 12 - Y Kid’s Campus 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a..m. and 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Fri. Nov. 13 – St. Stan’s 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.; Mon. Nov. 16 - First Congregational Nursery School 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.; St. John’s 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; First Congregational Nursery School 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.; Tue. Nov. 17 – First Congregational Nursery School 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.; St. John’s Preschool 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.; Wed. Nov. 18 – Easter Seals (Broad St.) 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.; Bradley Home 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.; Thu. Nov. 19– Kindercare 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.; The Right Place 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.; Fri. Nov. 20 – Stork Club 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Miller Memorial 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.; Mon. Nov. 23– Midstate Christian Academy 10:15 to 11:30 a.m.; Tue. Nov. 24 - Lil Rascals Day Care 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.; Sunshine Daycare 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.; Fri. Nov. 27 – Curtis Home 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.; Meriden Center 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Mon. Nov. 30 - Center Congregational Nursery School 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.; Women and Families Center 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.; Village at Kensington Place 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.; To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine! Wii HOME RUN DERBY TOURNAMENT Wednesday, November 18 6:00 p.m. Collins Room Baseball season may be over, but at the Library we are extending it for two more weeks. All Teens in grades 6-12 are welcome to try their shot at slugging towards victory in a Wii Home Run Derby Tournament. Registration is required. STAR2 (Science, Space, Technology, Telescopes, Astronomy, Aviation, Robotics, Rocketry) November 14 December 12 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Community Room The Wallingford STAR² Club, directed by Wayne Aguiar, is a community-based and family-oriented organization open to the youth of Wallingford. The purpose of STAR² is to excite students about science, mathematics, and technology. The club is divided into age appropriate groups and themed stations. The special interest areas are: Robotics & Technology, Rockets & Aviation, and Space & Astronomy. Students in grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12 work at each station for one hour. STAR² meets on the second Saturday of each month in the Library’s Community Room from 1:00-4:00. Registration for each meeting is encouraged in order to assure that there are enough materials. This free program is offered with the support of the Wallingford Department of Youth and Social Services. A full schedule and description of the club’s activities are available on our web site. You may sign up in person, by phone, or online. Please contact the Information Desk for more details. CALLING ALL wwe fANS: WrestleMania Reading Challenge Now through January 19, 2010 Contest gives Teens a Chance to Win a Trip to Wrestlemania XXVI in Phoenix, Arizona! “Reading prepares you for being a successful adult in the real world. I wouldn’t be here today had it not been for reading.” That’s what ECW champion Matt Hardy, MVP, said when asked why World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is co-sponsoring the WrestleMania Reading Challenge. Here’s how the Challenge works: · Teens in grades 5-12 sign up for the program at the library and receive a WWE mini poster. · Read 10 items, whether they’re books, graphic novels, or manga. · Turn in a completed reading log. · Then design a bookmark which includes a slogan that promotes reading. Wallingford Public Library staff will choose the best bookmark submitted from each age group: grades 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Winners will receive a WWE DVD. A panel of national judges will choose 21 finalists to go to Phoenix. Once at WrestleMania the finalists will compete for the grand championship by answering questions from Will Weaver (guest judge) and Jerri Spinelli books. Sign up now at the library’s Information Desk. For more information please visit the library’s web site at www.wallingford.lioninc.org or come in for a visit.