F/OSS NOTES

I went to a workshop called “Open Source Roundtable” at the Manchester City Library last month to share information on open sources for computers, often referred to as F/OSS for free/open source software. Even though the tables were rectangular, I was dazzled by the wealth of applications, so much so that I wrote a verse that can be sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things”:

WordPress, Ubuntu,

Pandora and Meebo,

Google and Zoomla,

Skype, Drupal and Portals,

Twitter and Flickr,

Wii, Tagclouds, and Feeds –

These are a few of my Web 2.0 things!

My apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein! In any event, if you’re interested in learning more about software that costs nada and adapts to nearly every operating platform, go to http://manchesterlibrary.org/read/405 where you’ll find helpful descriptions of useful products for work or home.

BIG NEWS: NEW HOURS!

Although town budget presentations aren’t scheduled until November, we tend to calculate our costs year round. As fuel prices began their spectacular rise last spring and the library’s heating bill looked as if it might double for 2008-09, the Trustees and I began to look for areas where we could conserve energy dollars. One solution is to be open five days a week (rather than heat the building for the current six days) and keep the same number of hours, but arrange those hours to be more convenient for you, our dear patrons. Starting Tuesday, September 2^nd, the library will have a new schedule:

MONDAY – CLOSED

TUESDAY – 10 TO 8

WEDNESDAY – 1 TO 8

THURSDAY – 10 TO 6

FRIDAY – 10 TO 5

SATURDAY – 9 TO 1

We hope that this change will make a positive difference in the pocketbook, and provide you with hours that better suit your needs!

ANNUAL BOOK SALE

Our Library Book Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 20^th from 9 to 1, and we would love to have some volunteers to help organize and arrange our ample store of books, videos, games, puzzles, etc. Please call 926-3682 or stop by the library and let us know when you are available to lend a hand! I want to thank Historical Society for so graciously allowing us to store books in the old East School house, and let you know that the East School will be open for tours the day of the book sale.

PROGRAMS FOR GROWN-UPS

Even though our hours have changed, we still have a fine line-up of activities.

For our crafters, there will be a two-part “Knitted Rag Rug” workshop on Friday, September 12^th and Friday, September 19^th from 10:30 to 11:30. There is a cost of $5.00 per person. Please bring a skein of worsted weight yarn and size 6 or 7 knitting needles. Cotton fabric for the rug will be supplied, but feel free to bring your own. A sample will be on display at the library. (Note: our regular weekly knitting session with Pat Sweeney will now take place on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00. Newcomers are always welcome.)

XOXO

Carol will offer a “Hugs and Kisses” bracelet workshop on Wednesday, September 24^th from 6:30 to 7:30. Sign-up is limited to the first five people; please see Carol for a list of supplies. She will also offer this class to mothers and daughters on Wednesday, October 24^th from 6:30 to 7:30. We can guarantee that you’ll go home with something very pretty!

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CAKE

Looking for something unique to bring to the next shower you attend? On Tuesday, October 14^th from 6:30 to 8:00, Margie O’Donnell will show us how to make the perfect “Diaper Cake”, an ideal gift for a mother-to-be, or a “Towel Cake” just the thing for a bridal shower. Stop by the library for a list of supplies and check out Margie’s non-edible sample!

READY OR NOT

The Library and the Fire Department are teaming up for an Emergency Preparedness program on Saturday, October 18^th from 10 to 12. This will be a great opportunity to assemble a household supply kit to have on hand in case of emergency. More information will be available closer to the date.

BOOK DISCUSSION FOR GROWN-UPS

We have changed our Library Book Discussion Group meeting time to the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Our selection for September 30^th is “While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within” by Bruce Bawer. One reviewer writes: “Bruce Bawer has produced a book that is at once riveting, disturbing, fascinating, chilling, and shocking. It is required reading for anyone who wants to understand how militant Islam has insinuated itself into the heart of the West.” We plan to follow with something a bit lighter on October 28^th when we’ll discuss “Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression” by Mildred Armstrong Kalish. New members are always welcome, so stop by, pick up a copy of what we’re reading and join us.

BOOKING THE MEETING ROOM

The only downside to being closed on Mondays is that the meeting room will not be available for programs then. If your non-profit community group wants to schedule a time to use the meeting room, please be aware that the “pickings” are slimmer now and plan accordingly. Thanks for your understanding!

As we get ready to pick a new president in November, here is a quote from a former White House occupant Harry Truman:

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”

May those leaders remember that all roads lead to the Library!

Be well,

Judy Haskell

LIBRARY YOUTH SERVICES-

CHECK IT OUT!

The “G’Day for Reading” Summer Reading Program was a great success!

Congratulations to all who participated and thank you for an enjoyable summer.  Also, thanks to the all who volunteered their time and to the different organizations and businesses for financial or other donations.

What’s on tap for the fall?

The 5^th – 8^th Grade Book Discussion

Group, Novel Ideas, meets the third Wednesday of the month.  The dates for the up-coming meetings are September 17^th and October 15^th.  New members are always welcome and copies of the book are available at the library.

Story Times!

Sign up for all Story Times begin Tuesday, September 2^nd.  You can sign up by coming into the Library or giving us a call.

The Baby-Toddler Story Time is for newborns through age 2.  It is held on Tuesdays from 10:30 – 11 AM.  It will begin on September 9^th and run through October 28^th.  A new session will begin on November 18^th.  Siblings are welcome to attend!

Story Times will be held on Thursdays

with two different sessions.  The 10:30 – 11 AM is structured primarily for children ages 2 – 4 and the 1:30 – 2:15 PM is primarily for children ages 4 – 6.  They begin on September 11^th and run through December 11^th.

The After School Story Time for 1^st – 4^th graders will be held on Thursdays.  The program will run from 3 – 4 PM (note the time change from last year!).  The program will begin on September 11^th and run through December 11^th.  Space is limited to 12 participants.

New! Tween Time!  This after school program is for 5^th and 6^th graders.  They will listen to books while making creations with simple craft supplies.  The program will run from 3 – 4 PM on Tuesdays.  The first session will run from September 16^th through October 28^th.  Space is limited to 10 participants and we need a minimum of five participants to have it “a go!”

Special Programs

Bead Club for 5^th – 8^th graders We will meet the 2^nd Wednesday of the month from 3:30 – 4:30 PM.  Upcoming dates are September 10^th and October 8^th.  Each month we’ll create something new.  There is a $2 fee per person each month to help with the cost of the beads and supplies.  Please sign up as space is limited.

Reading to Therapy Dogs will be the third Wednesday of the month.  Three 15 minute time slots will be available between 3:30 and 4:30 PM.  The dates are September 17^th and October 15^th.  Please sign up for the WONDERFUL opportunity to read to either Violet the mastiff or Puddin’ the French Bull Dog.

Guitar Hero for 5^th grade on up is the 4^th Wednesday of the month from 3:30 – 4:30 PM.  Dates are September 24^th and October 22^nd.  Please sign up in advance.  It’s worth coming just to see Mrs. Sanborn and Mrs. Haskell challenge each other!

The Artists in Flight annual Art Show- During the month of October I will be collecting art work from the children in pre-school through High School to display in the Library from the end of October through November.  Please drop off your masterpieces with a sticky note on back with your name, age and phone number.   The Opening Reception will be Wednesday, October 29^th from 4 – 6 PM.

Mother-Daughter “Hugs and Kisses” Bracelet Workshop Wednesday, October 22^nd, 6:30 – 7:30 PM. This workshop is for Mothers and 3^rd graders on up.  Please sign up in advance as space is limited and see Carol for a list of supplies you need to purchase before the workshop.

Donations!  We always welcome donations for the many crafts we do at the library.  These include construction paper, glue sticks, tacky glue, glitter glue, paper plates, water colors, poster paints, finger paints, tube socks (new….for sock puppets), clay, pom poms, craft sticks, colored tissue paper, scrap booking supplies, quality beads, fabric markers, etc.  If there is something you don’t see on the list that you would like to donate, please ask!  Thank you!

Happy reading!

Carol Sanborn

Youth Services Librarian

Return to Home Page