Library News and Events February 2010

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! MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOST VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STARTING FEBRUARY 1 Meriden Public Library will host the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program beginning Monday, February 1. The library is located at 105 Miller Street. V.I.T.A., which is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, provides free help to taxpayers who cannot afford professional assistance or who have tax questions. Assistance in preparing Connecticut state tax forms will also be available. The sessions will all take place in Meriden Public Library’s Friends Room, located at the side of the building. The schedule is as follows: MONDAYS from 5:30 TO 8:00 PM on February 1, 8, 22; March 1 and 8. (The Library is closed on Monday, February 15 to observe President’s Day.) Call 203-630-6331 for an appointment between 5:30 and 7:30 pm. WEDNESDAYS from 5:30 TO 8:00 PM on February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7 and 14. Call 203-630-6331 for an appointment between 5:30 and 7:30 pm. SATURDAYS from 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM on February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3 and 10. Call 203-630-6331 for an appointment between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. V.I.T.A. volunteers alert taxpayers to special credits and deductions for which they may be eligible. People interested in attending the V.I.T.A. program can stop in the library and pick up a list of the necessary documents you will need to bring. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about the tax assistance program. FEBRUARY MOVIES AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library continues its free movie schedule in February by showing two popular and recently released movies. On Wednesday, February 3 at 6:30 pm in the Griffin Room, the movie featuring a specially trained squad of guinea pigs who are sent to stop a diabolical billionaire from taking over the world will be shown. On Saturday, February 27 at 1:00 pm in the Griffin Room, the latest Michael Jackson movie will be featured. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the free movies. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about any library program. RESUME WORKSHOP ON MONDAYS AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library has a drop-in resume program to assist those who are out of work, need help using the internet for job searching and creating resumes. A skilled resume writer and job placement professional will meet with people on a first come, first serve basis each Monday in February from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Seminar Room. Stop at the Information Desk to sign up. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about the library programs. THURSDAY LUNCH TIME BOOK CLUB AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library’s lunch time book club continues on Thursday, February 11 at noon in the Seminar Room. Bring your bag lunch and enjoy some great discussions. All are welcome. The book that will be discussed in February is Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Copies are available at the Meriden Library. The schedule for the next few months will be as follows: March 11 – Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez April 15 – The Sari Shop Widow by Shobhan Bantwal May 13 – The Reader by Bernard Schlink June 10 – Lit: a memoir by Mary Karr Contact the Community Services at (203) 630-6349 or email comsvc@hotmail.com to join the book club. TEEN ANIME CLUB MEETS FEBRUARY 12 AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY The Teen Anime Club at the Meriden Public Library will meet on Friday, February 12 at 3:00 pm in the Griffin Room. We will be watching an action adventure movie that involves a secret government agency stopping an evil plot to destroy the human race through classical music. This program is for teens ages 13-18. Snacks will be provided. Sign up through our website at www.meridenlibrary.org or at the Information Desk. If you have any questions, contact Melissa at (203) 238-2346. LEGO CLUB BEGINS FEBRUARY 16 AT MERIDEN LIBRARY On Tuesday, February 16 th at 4:00 pm in the Griffin Room, the Meriden Public Library will have its first Lego Club event. Children ages 6 through 12 are invited to bring their imagination and build on this month’s theme – “Skyscrapers”. Completed projects will be put on display in the library. Legos will be provided for all children who attend, thanks to the generosity of the community. Sign up in the Children’s Library or on-line at www.meridenlibrary.org. If you have any questions please call Melissa at (203) 630-6347. “SNAPSHOT DAY” FEBRUARY 18 AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY On Thursday, February 18, 2010, visit Meriden Public Library and take part in “Snapshot Day..” Libraries all over Connecticut will be participating in this special day, collecting information to capture the impact that Connecticut libraries have on their communities. Snapshot Day is a joint project of the Connecticut Library Association, the Connecticut State Library and the Connecticut Library Consortium. It is based on a project of the same name created by the New Jersey State Library and the New Jersey Library Association. The aim is to encourage libraries all over Connecticut to collect basic data – how many people use the library on a given day, how many people use computers, attend programs, etc. Connecticut’s libraries are busier than ever these days, with people coming not only to check out books, but use computers, look for a job or attend the many programs our libraries offer. All across the state, libraries are the cornerstones of their communities, places were people come together to visit, learn and share ideas. On February 18, we hope to capture a slice of life of Connecticut’s libraries. There will be a chance for patrons to comment on what their library means to them, and pictures from libraries all over the state will be available on the Snapshot Flickr page. Contact the Meriden Public Library Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about this special day. BLACKJACK WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 20 AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Richard Harvey, one of the top authorities on blackjack, will be holding a BlackJack workshop at Meriden Library on Saturday, February 20 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Griffin Room. Mr. Harvey will give a mini seminar, complete with card demonstrations, practice games and a multi-media PowerPoint show. Copies of his books will be available for purchase after the program. Mr. Harvey, who has been called “a blackjack guru” and “a blackjack wizard, a genius!” was university-trained in theoretical math, statistics, computer science and scientific research procedures.. This has uniquely prepared him for his years of blackjack research which led to the publication of two bestselling books “Cutting Edge Blackjack” and “Blackjack the Smart Way.” This program is free and all are invited. The seating is limited so come early. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about any library programs. BOOKTALK AND SIGNING BY DR. MARIANNE MURRAY URBANSKI FEBRUARY 22 AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Dr. Marianne Murray Urbanski, a specialist in Periodontology and implant dentistry, will discuss her book “Mind and Medicine: in Harmony for Healing!” at the Meriden Public Library on Monday, February 22 at 1:00 pm in the Griffin Room. Dr. Urbanski holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine and a Masters in Dental Science. She has spent years studying the connections between the mind and the body. Her book will show you by using your mind you can: strengthen your immunity, rid your body of chronic pain, become more energetic, become a happier person at home and at work, and gives you special techniques to support a loved one through a disease or medical condition. Copies of her book will be available after the program. This program is free and all are invited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or visit the library’s webpage at www.meridenlibrary.org to reserve a seat. ONCE BANNED, NOW CLASSIC BOOK DISCUSSION SERIES AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Meriden Public Library and the Connecticut Humanities Council’s discussion series “Once banned, now classic” continues this month. Join moderator Marsha Bansavage on Tuesday, February 23 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Griffin Room to discuss this month’s selection “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. The other books to be discussed are: March 23, 2010 – “Native Son” by Richard Wright April 27, 2010 – “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin Copies of the books are available at the Library. The program is free and all are welcome. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 or email comsvc@hotmail.com to sign up for participation in the book discussion series. SECRETS OF GETTING PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 24 AT MERIDEN LIBRARY Jan Kardys, president of Black Hawk Enterprises, will be presenting “Secrets of Getting Published” at the Meriden Public Library, Griffin Room, on Wednesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Kardys has 30 years of diversified publishing experience for nine major publishing corporations, including Contracts Director at Warner Books/Little, Brown & Company, Macmillan Publishing Company, Charles Scribner’s Sons, and Prentice Hall/Simon & Schuster. Beginning a career in editorial, Ms. Kardys also worked in art and production in School publishing. She held various executive positions in subsidiary rights, licensing, database design, imaging, royalty conversions, contracts, copyrights and permissions departments. The program is free and all are invited. Contact the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349 if you have questions about any library programs. 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! MERIDEN LIBRARY BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY The Meriden Public Library Bookmobile will be visiting the following locations in February: Monday, Feb. 1 – 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.; Tuesday, Feb. 2 – Catholic Charities 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.; Kinder Garden Learning Center 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 3 – Head Start (Liberty St.) 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 4 - Connecticut Baptist Home (box drop off) 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 5 – Carriage House Day Care 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.; Meriden Child Care Center 10:15 to 11:30 a.m.; Monday, Feb. 8 – Midstate Christian Academy - 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; St. John’s Lutheran Preschool 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 9 -– St. John’s Lutheran Preschool 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 10 – Easter Seals (Broad St.) 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.; Bradley Home 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.; Thursday, Feb. 11 - Kindercare 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.; The Right Place 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.; Friday, Feb. 12 – St. Stan’s 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 16– Lil Rascals Day Care Center 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.; Sunshine Daycare 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.; Thursday, Feb. 18 – Meriden Center 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.; Friday, Feb. 19 – Stork Club 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Miller Memorial 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.; Monday, Feb. 22 – 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.; Tuesday, Feb. 23 – Catholic Charities 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.; Kinder Garden Learning Center 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 24 – First Congregational Nursery School 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 25 – First Congregational Nursery School 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.; Y Kid’s Campus 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 26– Carriage House Day Care 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.; Curtis Home 10:15 to 10:30 a.m.; Meriden Child Care Center 10:30 to 11:30 a.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! _________________________________________________________________________ Wallingford Public Library 203-284-6436 Dental Hygiene for Children with Erica Zauner and Patty Hendrick, registered dental hygienists Tuesday, February 9 1:30p.m. - Come find out how to keep those pearly whites healthy and clean. Join us as we welcome registered dental hygienists Erica Zauner and Patty Hendrick from Family & Esthetic Dentistry of Hamden who will teach kids, ages 3-8, about dental hygiene through games, stories and more. Participating families will receive a dental goody bag to take home to practice good brushing habits. This program is for children ages 3-8 but younger siblings are welcome. Registration for Wallingford residents is underway. Non-residents are welcome to register the day before the program if space is available. For further information, or to register for this program, stop by or call the Children's Library at 284-6436 James and the Giant Peach Wednesday, February 17 2:00p.m. - Come join us as we welcome a student production group from Choate Rosemary Hall who will perform one of Roald Dahl's best stories. James and the Giant Peach tells the story of James who sets off on a magical adventure in a flying, giant peach and the interesting creatures he meets along the way. Free tickets will be available beginning Monday, February 1. Adventures in Art Time to Clay Thursday, February 18 10:30a.m. - Like to work with your hands? Tap in to your creative side in this hands-on workshop. Children ages 7, 8 and 9 are invited to learn about clay, make a pinch or coil pot, and paint ceramic boxes. Registration for Wallingford residents is underway. Non-residents are welcome to register the day before the program if space is available. Contact the Children’s Library at: 203-284-6436 to register or for more information. Flow-Circus Thursday, February 18 7:00p.m. - Join us as we welcome back Flow Circus, who will perform their outrageously funny program “Read Yourself Silly”. This one man show highlights how books can be fun and lead you to new discoveries. Come on down and join the fun! No tickets or registration required. Winter children’s programs at the Wallingford Public Library Children’s Library Winter is here at and we have a great line up of programs for children birth to age 5 to help keep the winter blues away. Patrons can check out what’s happening at the library by going online at www.wallingford.lioininc.org or by stopping by and picking up a flyer. Winter storytimes are back in full swing with a whole line-up of options. Looking for an evening storytime with ones and two’s? Want to do something fun with your preschooler on a Wednesday afternoon? We’ve got what you’re looking for! ITTY BITTY BABIES STORYTIME FOR CHILDREN 12 Months and Under: Thursdays, January 14-March 4 at 1:30p.m. - This drop-in program introduces babies and their grown-ups to the library and each other in a program filled with songs, rhymes and books. Stories and songs are for children 12 months and under but older siblings are welcome to attend. There is no registration required for this program but seating is limited and Wallingford residents are given priority. Please bring your Wallingford library card to the Information Desk and pick-up a nametag. For further information stop by, or call, the Children's Library at 284-6436. MOTHER GOOSE STORY TIME FOR ONES AND TWOS: Drop-in: Tuesdays, January 12-March 2 at 6:30p.m., Wednesdays, January 13-March 3 at 10:00a.m. Join us for a toe-tapping good time in this drop-in program. Songs, rhymes, books and more will be shared. Stories are geared for children ages one and two but older siblings are welcome to attend. There is no registration required for this program but seating is limited and Wallingford residents are given priority. Please bring your Wallingford library card to the Information Desk and pick-up a nametag. For further information stop by, or call, the Children's Library at 284-6436. STORY TIME FOR PRESCHOOLERS AGES THREE TO FIVE: Tuesdays, January 12-March 2 at 10:00a.m. Wednesdays, January 13-March 3 at 1:30p.m. Thursdays, January 14-March 4 at 6:30p.m. Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more in this lively storytime for preschoolers ages three to five and their grown-ups. Younger interested siblings may attend. There is no registration required for this program but seating is limited and Wallingford residents are given priority. Please bring your Wallingford library card to the information desk and pick up a nametag. For further information stop by or call the Children's Library at: 284-6436. ________________________________________________________________________________ SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS AT WALLINGORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: All of our programs are free, all of the time! Book Discussion: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Part 4 of the Range of Realism: The Novel in the 19th and 20th Centuries Wednesday, February 10 3:30 p.m. Collins Room In 1816 Mary Shelley decided to create a story that in her own words, “would speak to the mysterious fear of our nature and awaken thrilling horror – one to make the reader dread to look round, to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart.” Judging from the multiple film adaptations, books in print, and permanent place in popular culture, she succeeded! The discussion will be led by Marsha Bansavage, discussion facilitator for the Connecticut Humanities Council. All are welcome and copies of the book are available from the library’s Information Desk. This discussion of the novel Frankenstein concludes our four-part discussion series on the “Range of Realism.” co-sponsored by the Connecticut Humanities Council and made possible by the Faustman Fund. Saturday Mornings with Poetry Saturday, February 13: LOVE POEMS 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 27: African-American Poets and Poetry Board Room The poetry group meets twice a month. All are welcome to read published poems as well as original poems in keeping with these themes. Lunch and Learn: Late-Life Depression - Tuesday, February 16 11:30 a.m. Community Room Join us for a complementary lunch and learn more about this common illness that often goes undiagnosed in up to half of older adults. Dr. Rehan Aziz, M.D. and Director of Behavior Health at Masonicare will give a talk about symptoms and treatment for late-life depression. All are welcome to this free program however, advance registration is required. Please call the library or sign up online to make your reservation. This program is co-sponsored by Masonicare. SNAPSHOT DAY - Thursday, February 18 - All Day at the Library Libraries all over Connecticut will be taking a “snapshot”- collecting information to capture the impact that Connecticut libraries have on their communities on a typical day. Tell us what you love about your library and why it’s important. We’ll take your comments and let you know what other people all around the state think of their libraries and how they use them. Results and pictures will be posted online at http://snapshotctlib.wordpress.com after March 10. Pick up a survey form from the display or ask at the Information Desk. We want to hear from you! Thursday Night Book Club: Case Histories by Kate Atkinson February 18 7:00 p.m. Collins Room Case Histories introduces us to Jackson Brodie, former police inspector turned private detective. Brodie is confronted by three interconnected cases that immerse him in his clients’ lives: their grief, joy, desires, and their unshakeable need for resolution that is vey much like his own. All are welcome to this informal book discussion and copies of the book are available through the library catalog. This page-turner won the UK’s Saltire Book of the Year Award. (The Saltire Society is an organization dedicated to Scottish culture and heritage.) Kate Atkinson’s first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum was the 1995 Whitbread Book of the Year. AUTHOR EVENT and book signing: Wah-say-len by James H. Smith Wednesday, February 24 7:00 p.m. Community Room Wah-say-len is an historical novel about the Revolutionary War told from the experiences and perspective of slaves and Native Americans. The novel features a character based on a real slave from Wallingford, CT who joined the Continental Army to gain his freedom. The author, James H. Smith, is executive editor of the New Britain Herald and the Bristol Press and former executive editor of the Record-Journal. Mr. Smith will read from his book and sign copies for purchase at the conclusion of his talk. Please call the library to reserve your seat! FEBRUARY COMPUTER CLASSES Introduction to Word 2007 Wednesday, February 24 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Board Room Join us and learn basic word processing skills in this hands-on class. Topics will include the differences between previous versions of Word and Word 2007 as well as essential tasks like saving, printing, and modifying document formatting. Class size is limited. Please register in advance by calling 203-265-6754 or online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org Introduction to Excel 2007 Thursday, February 25 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This introduction to Excel will include how to make a simple spreadsheet in an attractive format. Class size is limited. Please register in advance by calling 203-265-6754 or online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org COMPUTER TUTORING SESSIONS Tuesday and Thursday afternoons: 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursday evenings: 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Computer novices are encouraged to sign up to learn keyboard or mouse skills, word processing, Internet searching, online job applications, or e-mail at these 1-on-1 sessions. Please contact the library to register or for more information. WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY FREE MOVIE EVENTS Friday Night Flicks: The Informant Friday, February 26 6:30 p.m. Community RoomAccording to the New York Times, “It is (director) Soderbergh’s insistence on seeing the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) scandal as a collective tragedy rather than as another white-collar crime that gives the movie force, resonance,, feeling.” Starring Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre, this film is Rated R. NEWS FROM WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY: 200 North Main Street 203-265-6754 WINTER HOURS: Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: February 14, 15 Yalesville Branch 400 Church Street 203-269-3688 Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. VISIT OUR BOOK SHOP: The Book Seller The Book Seller at the Wallingford Public Library, 200 North Main Street, Wallingford offers gently used books, CDs, DVDs, videos and other materials for children, teens and adults. The expanded space is located in back of the library with plenty of room to browse. Look for the green awning. Store hours as follows: 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. NEW HELP FOR JOB SEEKERS JOB NOW: Live Job Assistance Wallingford Public Library has 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. 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. 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!