Monday, November 7, 2011

Ventress Voice - November 2011


VENTRESS VOICE
Newsletter of the Ventress Memorial Library

Marshfield, Massachusetts

NOVEMBER  2011         Volume 18, No. 2

NOVEMBER IS FAMILY LITERACY MONTH!
FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW STATE HAD DEVOTED WHOLE MONTH TO INITIATIVE
Governor Patrick has declared November “Family Literacy Month” in Massachusetts.
Family literacy has been defined as:
  • The way parents, children, and extended family members use literacy at home and in their community  (including libraries)  (International Reading Association’s Family Literacy Commission)
  • The passing of knowledge from one generation to another (National Center for Family Literacy);
According the Shelley Quezada, consultant to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, family literacy programs address the intergenerational nature of literacy. Libraries may offer a family story hour where parents either participate (such as Mother Goose on the Loose, Baby Story times) or special programs involving family members?  This may include programming such as family story, craft, puppet shows, book groups  and/or film programs. Ventress Library is committed to promoting family literacy year round, but is planning a few special programs geared to this focus. On November 12, storyteller Jackson Gillman is doing his Rudyard Kipling “Just So” performance here at the library for an inter-generational audience. Handouts are available to take including “Why Read Aloud to Children” and “Literacy Begins at Home.” The Circulation librarian will fill the stack end-caps with literacy related books, some from the parent collection and others integrated in the adult non-fiction collection. The VML Classic Book Group choice this month is the adventure tale “Kon-Tiki” suitable for reading with young people with the companion film available to take out through OCLN on a library card. Children under 18 can sign up for a library card when a parent is present with an ID; those over 18 are eligible for their own card. So, come on into the library. Make literacy a priority for your family!

Excerpts from literacy checklist for parentsFor toddlers. . .”I read with my child every day even if it is just for a few minutes.” For pre-schoolers. . .”I help my child hear words that rhyme like moose, goose and caboose.” For kindergarteners. . .”My child can sound out some letters.” For first-graders. . .”My child predicts what will happen next in the story.” For second-graders. . . “My child reads for specific purposes and questions and explores topics of interest on his/her own.” For third-graders. . .”My child is starting to use metaphors and other literary forms in his/her writing.” For complete checklists, visit the VML Children’s Room and explore links on the library web and Facebook pages.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Monthly Silent Auction Still Going Strong
The Friends group started “Treasures of the Ventress Vault” monthly silent book auction in 2009, the brainchild of Friend and Library Trustee Jean Christensen. It has proved to be very popular with patrons and a low-key fundraiser for the VML Friends. November has a very special offering – a large hardcover book, “The Earth From Above”, filled with stunning color aerial photos from around the globe. Would make a fine holiday gift under the tree. Place your bids at the Reference Desk today!

Friends Sponsor Program by Rita Parisi on November 5
Rita Parisi from Waterfall Productions will present "Gothic Victorian Tales by Candlelight" in the library Program Room on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 2 pm. This theatrical storytelling presentation will feature stories about curses, death and immortality from the 19th century New England writer Sarah Orne Jewett.  A native of South Berwick, Maine, her stories mirror the everyday lives of New Englanders, often reflecting the mysterious and supernatural. The program is free and open to the public. No tickets are required

CIRC STATS and CHAT
By Amy Boivin, Head of Circulation Services

Kindle E-Books!
The Old Colony Library Network Overdrive system now has e-books available for the Amazon Kindle. Just go to http://ebooks.ocln.org and click on the Kindle to search for e-books you can download to your computer and device.

Tech Updates
The library’s weekly blog will soon be featuring a Teen pick in addition to its regular dose of new books, reviews, and readalikes. The blog is written by the Head of Circulation Services Amy Boivin and can be found under What Do I Read Next? on the library’s homepage www.ventresslibrary.org. Suggestions are also always welcome and highly appreciated. Also become a fan of the library’s Facebook page and receive weekly updates on children’s and adult programs, new books, and other library tidbits.

CHILDREN’S CORNER
By Wendy Ward, Head of Children’s Services

There are lots of things going on in the children’s room this November in addition to our regular weekly story times and book clubs. We’re beginning the month with the always popular Music and Me program, presented by teachers from the South Shore Conservatory.  The program will take place on Friday, November 4th at 10:30 a.m. and is geared to children age 0-4 and their caregivers.  Space is limited and sign up will begin in the children’s room on Monday, October 24th in the children’s room. Every family can be a musical family! Come in with your little one and join in the fun.

On Saturday November 12th at 10 a.m. the library will host story teller Jackson Gillman who will perform The Magic of Rudyard Kipling: “Just So.”  This fantastic inter - generational program is for the young and the young at heart, and is appropriate for children age 5 and up and adults.  Come celebrate family literacy month and enjoy some timeless stories with your family.  Space is limited for this program.  Please pick up your free tickets beginning on Monday, October 31st in the children’s room. Last but not least, singer/guitarist, Mama Steph will be here on Saturday, November 26th at 10:30 to perform for pre-schoolers and their caregivers.  No registration is necessary to attend.

As always, check the white board in the children’s room and the children’s page on our website: www.ventresslibrary.org to see all of the events going on for kids at the library!

CD City
By Karen Jenks, Library Assistant

The library has a vast collection of music of all styles available for your listening pleasure. CDs check out for two weeks and may be renewed twice provided the item is not on hold. New CDs check out for two weeks also and may be renewed once as long as the item is not on hold. We have music for all tastes – Blues, Classical, Country, Folk, Instrumental, International, Jazz, New Age, Opera, Popular, Rock, Show Tunes, Soundtracks and Swing. Our Holiday CDs will be featured at the end of November just at the start of the Christmas season and festivities. Recently we’ve added some classics and oldies by artists: Ben E. King (Stand by Me – POP), Eurythmics (Ultimate Collection – POP), Boz Scaggs (Playlist – POP), Aerosmith (Young Lust – ROCK), Cream (Gold – ROCK), Doobie Brothers (Best of the Doobies – POP and Elvis Presley (30 #1 Hits – POP). Check out some new CDs by up-and-coming artists: Gretchen Parlato (The Lost and Found – JAZZ), Ellie Goulding (Lights – POP), Chris Young (Neon – CTRY), Justin Moore (Outlaws Like Me – CTRY), Bon Iver (Bon Iver – POP), Ashton Shepherd (Where Country Grows – CTRY) and Jackie Evancho (Dream With Me – POP)

REFERENCE NOTES
By Chris Woods, Head of Reference Services

Life Long Learning Program Off to a Good Start!
The Ventress Library has partnered with the Council on Aging and the Historic Winslow House to offer life long learning classes for adults. The program, called “Opportunities”, kicked off in Spring 2011 with a variety of classes including “History of WWII”, “Folk Art”, “Maritime History of the South Shore”, “Stress Relief”, “Walking a Labyrinth” and “Sketching on the North River.” Fall classes now in session include “Math Made Easy”, “Computer Boot Camp”, “History of Classical Music” and “Lighthouses.” Plans are underway to offer even more classes in Spring 2012. Watch in the library, on-line and in the newspapers for more information on upcoming programs and opportunities to sign up for classes. Life long learning is alive and well in Marshfield – catch the wave and take a class!

A Gentle Reminder
The library loves to receive your used book donations, but please, don’t leave your book boxes outside at the mercy of the elements. Bring your books in good condition into the library Circulation Desk and we will store them safely to sell. Books the library cannot use, such as old encyclopedias and cookbooks, videocassettes, textbooks and books in poor condition, can be placed inside the “Got Books” bin in the library parking lot.

NEW DVDs Added Recently
By Maureen Beaulieu, Director’s Assistant

Betty White Collection; Big C: Season 1; Black Death; Company Men; Conspirators; Desperate Housewives: Season 7; Grace Card; Hoodwinked Too! Hood Vs Evil; Hope Springs; Jesse Stone: Lost Innocents; Land Girls: Series 2; Last Godfather; Mars Needs Moms; Monk: Season 6; Music Never Stopped; Nature’s Treasures; Off the Map: Complete Series; Perfect Host; Secret Mysteries of America; The American Civil War;  Unanswered Prayers; Vietnam Combat; Wallander


 Mark Your Calendar for these FREE Events at the Library!

Ø      Sat., Nov. 5, 2:00, “Gothic Tales by Candlelight”, with Rita Parisi
Ø      Thurs., Nov. 10, 6:30, Historical Fiction Author Talk, J. Winfield Currie
Ø      Sat., Nov. 12, 10, “Magic of Rudyard Kipling” with Jackson Gillman
Ø      Sat., Nov. 12, 1:30, Veteran’s Day: Civil War Stories and Music, Bill Dunn/CelticKs
Ø      Tues., Nov. 22, 4:30-6, VML Classic Book Group discusses “Kon Tiki.”
Ø      Sat., Nov. 26, 10:30, Mama Steph program for pre-schoolers and caregivers


Ventress Memorial Library, 15 Library Plaza, Marshfield, MA 02050 
781-834-5535     www.ventresslibrary.org
Hours   Mon. –Thurs.   10 – 8, Fri. and Sat.  10 – 4,  Closed Sunday

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours   Nov. 23 10-4:30    Nov. 24/25 Closed
Newsletter staff:   Chris Woods, Editor; Jacklyn Robinson, Artist

“Ventress Voice” is now available to view online through a new blog at www.ventresslibrary.org – Click on “Ventress Voice” to enter. . .