Choose Privacy Week- May 1-May 7 2012

In celebration of Choose Privacy Week, Ellen Alderman, co-author (with Caroline Kennedy) of The Right to Privacy and In Our Defense (The Bill of Rights in Action) will be a guest speaker at the Falmouth Memorial Library on Thursday May 3rd at noon.  Ms. Alderman is an attorney who has written extensively about civil rights.    Feel free to bring a bagged lunch, coffee and tea will be available.  This event is free and open to the public.

April Book Sale

Don't miss our April Book Sale, now in a

 new location! 

You'll find us at the Plummer School,

192 Middle Road, Falmouth

(at the corner of Middle and Lunt Roads).

Friday, April 27, 4:00-6:00 pm:   Preview sponsored by the Friends of the Falmouth Memorial Library. Free admission for current Friends of the Library; $5.00 for others. 

Saturday, April 28, 9 am-5 pm

Sunday, April 29, 1-4 pm. 

Prices

mass market paperbacks:  $.50 ea. or 3 for $1

trade paperbacks and hardcovers:  $1.00 ea.

special prices may apply to certain marked items 

Sunday:

fill a bag and pay $5!

bring your own bags

Please excuse us while we....

We are working on a brand new website!  Until that website is unveiled (May 1, 2012) please excuse us using this blog to keep you up to date on all the great events happening here at the Falmouth Memorial Library.

Coming next week, our first of hopefully many, Money Smart Week @ Your Library!  Money Smart Week (MSW) is a series of free classes and other activities designed to help consumers better manager their personal finances.  This year, the American Library Association is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for Money Smart Week @ Your Library during the week of April 21 through April 28, 2012. 

We have four events happening next week during Money Smart Week @ Your Library.  Three of the events are co-hosted by Gorham Savings Bank and the Friends of the Falmouth Memorial Library:

Tuesday, April 24th 12-1 pm:  Healthy Skepticism:  Tips for Keeping Your Identity Safe. Presented by Kate Carney, Gorham Savings Bank Security Officer

Wednesday, April 25th 6-8 pm:  Your Money in the Media:  Keeping up with the right news at the right time.  A talk by Stefan Willimann, founder of Maine News Simply.

Thursday, April 26th 6-8 pm:  It's Not About the Money!  Change your thinking, change your life.  A presentation by Jane Honeck, a local Falmouth money coach and published author. 

In addition on Wednesday, April 25th, noon to 2:30 pm Elizabeth Schoch will be presenting Getting Back to Work.  This workshop is designed for women and men who wish to re-enter the workforce after time spent out of the job market.  Schoch will offer tips on writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing, searching for work online, networking online and in person, and developing confidence to land your dream job. 

All of these events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at all four MSW events.  Please join us!

A One Time Book Group!

We've heard from several of our library patrons that you'd like an evening book group.  Well here is your chance!  There is a soon to be released (June 26, 2012) book, "The Age of Miracles" by Karen Thompson Walker that has been getting a lot of buzz in the book world. 

A coming of age story, this apocalyptic novel is told from the point of view of an eleven year girl as the earth's rotation begins to slow. The story is described as both literary fiction and sci-fi/fantasy.

Publishers Weekly, in the first pre-pub review, says,

A triumph of vision, language, and terrifying momentum, the story also feels eerily plausible, as if the problems weve been worrying about all along pale in comparison to what might actually bring our end.

We were given twenty-five (25) copies of the advanced readers copy of the title.  If you would like to read the book before it's released AND want participate in the book discussion group on Tuesday, May 22nd 6pm to 7:30pm please let us know.  You may contact Andi at 781-2351 or @ library@falmouth.lib.me.us to join the group.  We do ask that you take a copy only if you are willing to participate in the group discussion.  Since the book has not been released yet, we are unable to obtain additional copies.

Another fun fact.  We will be chatting with the author, Karen Thompson Walker @ 6:30pm during our discussion.  Karen will be chatting with us via Skype. More information to follow.....

A New Book and a Great Quote

One of the new titles on our shelves is "Among Others" by Jo Walton, (a World Fantasy Award winner)  a  story about libraries and magic told  in the form of  a young girl's diary.

Ellen brought the following quote from this book to our attention this morning.  We wanted to share it with others who just love our interlibrary loan service!

Young Morwenna Phelps states in one diary entry:  "Interlibrary loans are a wonder of the world and a glory of civilization. Libraries really are wonderful.  They're better than bookshops, even.  I mean bookshops make a profit on selling you books, but libraries just sit there lending you books quietly out of the goodness of their hearts."  from "Among Others" by Jo Walton (page 59). 

It's Spring! Read Something Paranormal!

Snarky  The unofficial mascot of the Paranormal Book Group

It's spring in Maine.  The sun is out, the birds are singing and your library is busying cleaning up!  We've spruced up the Children's Room and the Adult Collection is not far behind.  So if you joined us in our Resolve to Read New Year's Resolution, really push the envelope and pick a genre you don't usually read!  Get in the mix with some new young adult/paranormal fiction.  Check out yesterday's posting for young adult titles or adult books that young adults are reading.  This is a great way to connect with another generation by providing books to talk about with your kids or grandchildren. 

Our Administrative Librarian, Jeannie Madden, has started a Paranormal Book Group that meets the first Saturday of every month.  Join Jeannie at the library on Saturday, April 7th at 10am to discuss "The Hunger Games: movie which will be released March 23.  This book group is for anyone--adults and kids--who has read the book AND seen the movie so they can compare the two without spoiling it for those who have not.  Refreshments will be available.

Where Have You Been?

The library staff has just been hopping these past few months!  We are working hard to find authors and illustrators to present to our community.  Please let us know who you would like to see/hear talk about their books, art work and/or work process.  We've had several delightful presentations by authors Kate Shaffer of Black Dinah Chocolatiers and Jane Honeck of Falmouth.  We are currently working on bringing several more Maine authors to you!  If you'd like to keep up to date with our new programming, please check our website and/or sign up for our new programming newsletter. All we need from you is a current email address. Please either call us at 781-2351 or drop us a note @ library@falmouth.lib.me.us.  We also have copies of the newsletter available here in the library.  Our newsletter is now published monthly and provides information on new and ongoing programming here in our library community.  In the meantime, what books are you reading?  Let's chat!

Resolve to Read

Amazing how small ideas grow, isn't it?  A little play on words on our front sign and we now have a Resolve to Read tree in the library.  Help us add to it.  Right now it's empty!  Starting today staff will be hanging Best of....lists for 2011 as well as award winning books for you to stop by and pluck from the tree.  Resolve to Read at least one book from the list and then come in and tell us about it. Or, take a moment to note your thoughts here on our blog to share with others!  Everyone loves ideas for the next great read.  Share your reads!

In the New Year.....Resolve to Read!

There is still time to add "read more" to your annual New Year's resolution list.  The staff of the Falmouth Memorial Library is here to help you Resolve to Read!  Let us know how we can help.  That's what we are here for.  Ask for read-a-likes for your favorite author, genre or subject.  We are working behind the scenes on creating more lists for you to choose from, so let us know what you like to read.

Meanwhile, check back for lists, websites and other suggestions to help you as you Resolve to Read in 2012!

And Now for Something a Little Different...

Looking for a book group that is a little different?  The Falmouth Memorial Library's Paranormal Book Group is for every book lover who stalks the library looking for the next paranormal book to read.  We will read and talk about a lot of YA (young adult) and some adult novels with vampires, zombies, weres, evil pixies and other supernatural creatures that roam the paranormal world. 

This new book group will be led by Jeannie Madden. The first meeting will be Saturday, December 3rd @ 10am and plans to meet every first Saturday of the month.

Looking for the why?  Because Jeannie knows she is not alone in enjoying a good zombie novel  Be at our first meeting to discuss Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Mayberry; or be prepared to talk about your favorite zombie book. 

For additional information, please contact Jeannie @ 781-2351.

Book Groups at the Falmouth Memorial Library

Book groups are a great way to connect with new people and discuss books.  The Falmouth Memorial Library currently sponsors two book groups. 

The Great Books book group meets approximately twice a month on Mondays 10am to noon.  There is a specific reading list and we do request you contact the group leader to get up to speed on the group's reading list.  New members are encouraged.  This book group reads selections from the Great Books Foundation.  Founded in 1947, the Great Books Foundation follows a  text-based Socratic method of learning. Further information may be found here about the Great Books Foundation.  Contact Andi , the library's reference librarian @781-2351 for more information.  The next meeting of this group is Monday, November 28th @ 10am

The Falmouth Memorial Library Book Group meets  on the 2nd Wednesday of each month @ 1pm.  The selections for this group are chosen by the current members and for the past few years has had a geographic theme.  This group is also looking for new members!  The current reading list is located here and was chosen to look at different aspects of the State of California by reading nonfiction and fiction books about California, as well as several well known Californian authors.  Please follow this book group's blog here. Their next meeting is Wednesday, December 14th @ 1pm.

Ariana Franklin 1933-2011

If you've been following along since the last posting here; just an update.  I chose the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin.  This is not an Agatha Christie read a like.  So why did I chose it?  Well, to be honest, I was in the mood for a little change. This is a "page-turner"with some detailed violence and much less detailed romance.  The unlikely heroine is a female medical examiner, Adelia Aguilar.  Adelia relocates under interesting circumstances to medieval Cambridge during the reign of Henry II.  While certainly not a British "cozy", the violence is not gratitious and Adelia is a complicated character.   The Franklin series is only four mysteries in length and  begins with "The Mistress of the Art of Death". 

Ariana Franklin is the pseudonym for Diana Norman who also wrote historical fiction and historical romances under her own name.

What are You Reading?

Today I was met at work by a fellow librarian.  She had a grocery bag full of books.  For me.  To Read.  She's discovered I am a fan of British mysteries.  I fell in love with Agatha Christie when I was in sixth grade and decided I was going to be a writer (ok, and a teacher and an archaeologist). 

What's my point?  Well, even we librarians need help.  Yes, librarians get in reading ruts.  It doesn't matter what form the story is in book, e-books or audio. Who can read it all?  Are you in a rut?  Drop by and chat with us. The staff at the Falmouth Memorial Library enjoy talking about, and sharing what we're reading.  Doesn't matter if it's fiction, non-fiction, ask us to help you redirect your reading.  We can show you some of the tools we use.

So, what was in the bag of books...  "Aftermath" by Peter Robinson,  "Where Memories Lie" by Deborah Crombie, "Blackout" by John Lawton and "Grave Goods" by Ariana Franklin.  It appears these are all from series, but none the titles in my bag are firsts, but they give me a start.  Are these "readalikes" for Agatha Christie?  No and not all the authors are actually British.  Stay tuned and I'll let you know what I've picked to read and why.

Happy Reading!

Andi JD

It's Good to Be Back

The library reopened for business on Monday, October 24th. We're still waiting for some paint and tiles, but other than that we are back!  Thank you once again to everyone who volunteered their time, best wishes and donuts to the staff.  We thank you all!

LIbrary Update

The library is closed through Friday and we are hoping to reopen on Saturday, October 22nd.  But please check back for updates. 

Library Is Closed

The Falmouth Memorial Library is closed today due to water damage.  Please check back for additional information.

If You Love to Read Books...

then you need to stop by the Falmouth Memorial Library this weekend!  We are having our annual Fall Book Sale this Saturday, October 15, 9:30 am to 5 pm & Sunday, October 16, 1 to 5 pm.  Everything from biographies to cookbooks to bestsellers.

But wait, there's more!  The Friends of the Falmouth Memorial Library hold a Sneak Preview event on Friday, October 14, 4-6pm.  This special event is a fundraiser for the Friends.  Current dues paying Friends get in for free, but others pay a nominal fee of $5.00 to get the first chance at some great titles!

And Sunday, don't forget, is a great money saving event.  Bring your own bags 1 to 5 pm and pay only $3.00 per bag you fill!

We are still looking for volunteers to help us box up any leftovers on Sunday, October 16, 5 pm to approx 6:30 pm.  Please contact the library @ 781-2351.

Phillip Levine is the New United States Poet Laureate

The Library of Congress appointed Philip Levine as its 18th Poet Laureate.  Levine will begin his duties in the fall.  He succeeds W. S. Merwin.

Wesley McNair is Maine's poet laureate. 

Just what does a poet laureate do?  The Librarian of Congress appoints the United States Poet Laureate after consulting former appointees.  The Library actually assigns very few specific duties to the poet laureate, giving the appointee freedom to work on their own projects.  The appointee is expected to help foster a greater appreciation of both the reading and writing of poetry. Some past projects include Ted Kooser's weekly newspaper column and Charles Simic taught a master class for poets at the Library of Congress.

Although April is National Poetry Month, take time to celebrate the art of poetry every month.  Your library has several books to help you create your own poetry.  Or come in and check out a published poets writing, just browse through the stacks in the 811s.  One of my favorite books is "Committed to memory; 100 best poems to memorize" (808.81 Com).  Take the challenge and commit a poem to memory today.

Today is Book Lover's Day Celebrate @ Your Library!

Today is Book Lover's Day.  What better way to celebrate than to head to your library, check out some books and read! 

And did you know that books can also serve as art?  Beyond the lovely covers and illustrations, older books heading for recycling can be repurposed.  Yes, this librarian does practice the book arts! 

We have a beautiful new book " The Repurposed Library" by Lisa Occhipinti (call # 745.54 Occ, but currently on our new book display when it's not checked out).  The author demonstrates 33 (thirty-three) craft/art projects to give old books a new life. 

Not crafty yourself?  Well, check out our Beauty and the Books silent auction in March 2012.  There will be at least one repurposed book available for bidding.

Another Author to add to Maine Crime Writers blog

Sarah Graves has been added to the Maine Crime Writers blog.  I enjoy her Jacobia Tiptree series immensely.  The series takes place in Eastport, Maine, the easternmost town in the United States.  Sarah's publisher, Random House, "houses" her official website.  Check out the Eastport map on their website to follow where all the bodies are buried in Sarah's books!