Monday, September 16, 2013

September 2013




VENTRESS VOICE

Newsletter of the Ventress Memorial Library

Marshfield, Massachusetts

SEPTEMBER 2013         Volume 20, No. 9

SEPTEMBER AT THE VENTRESS LIBRARY
By Chris Woods, Acting Director

Since childhood, I always have loved September. The air is turning cooler at night, but days often are warmed by “Indian Summer” sun. New books and notebooks are cracked open and school assignments entice industry and imagination. All is well here at the Ventress Library this September. Students of all ages are back at school and using the Reference Department resources, including this month’s featured database “Testing and Education Reference Center.” Stop by the department for handouts about using this resource and request a demo from one of our librarians. The Ventress Library Cultural Series kicks off the 2013-2014 season with a local history lecture on September 10 about the glory days of Scituate’s Cliff Hotel and a free concert on September 14 featuring Quintessential Brass. Children’s story and craft times are ramping up for the season. You may notice some building improvements inside and out of the library. The exterior was recently pressure washed and looks so much brighter. Plans are in the works to paint, and to landscape the library grounds. Inside the library, you will see new area rugs that define service areas, cleaner bathrooms, a freshly painted lobby, new paperback book racks and neater signage throughout the building. The Trustees are looking to enact even more improvements in the coming months. So stay tuned. . . Yes, September is a good month indeed at your public library in Marshfield, Massachusetts!


Head of Circulation Back from Maternity Leave!

Amy Rosa, Head of Circulation Services, returned to work this month from maternity leave. She looks forward to getting back into the swing of things here at the Ventress Memorial Library.

Circ Stats: The library circulated 17,888 items in August!


JENKS JAZZ AND JIVE
By Karen Jenks, Library Assistant

CD of the Month – True Believers – Darius Rucker – Country


With his latest release, singer/songwriter/musician Darius Rucker has created a collection of songs that celebrate life’s joys and sorrows, family, love and good times.  The lead singer of the pop-rock group Hootie and the Blowfish broke into country music in 2008.  His first solo effort, Learn To Live, earned him the Country Music Association’s “New Artist of the Year” award, and last year Rucker was inducted into Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, an organization that includes country music’s finest artists past and present.  Rucker has carved a highly successful crossover career in country music, and True Believers adds to his accomplishments in this genre.

Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., Rucker always wanted to pursue his love of singing and music.  While attending college at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, he and classmates Mark Bryan, Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, and Dean Felber formed Hootie & the Blowfish in 1986 and began their musical journey playing gigs at clubs and bars in the local area.  Each member of the group made a pact to pursue a career in music, and their bond paid off when the group’s debut CD Cracked Rear View was the best selling album in 1995.  It has since sold over 16 million copies worldwide.

Several tracks on True Believers pair guest artists with Rucker to add depth and warmth to already fine compositions.  On the single “Wagon Wheel” Rucker is joined by the members of Lady Antebellum for some quality harmony.  The song, originally outlined by Bob Dylan and completed by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, has been on Billboard’s country music chart for the last eight months.  Sheryl Crow adds a heartfelt vocal performance on “Love Without You,” while country newcomer Mallary Hope joins Rucker for a dazzling duet on “I Will Love You Still.”

In August 2013 Rucker performed with his bandmates and other musical guests at their 11th annual “Homegrown Weekend” in Charleston.  The music and family festival benefits the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, a private non-profit organization that contributes funds to public education causes in South Carolina.  And for 19 years the group has participated in “Monday after the Masters,” a pro-am golf tournament they established to raise funds and provide grants for charitable organizations in their home state.

True Believers, filled with a myriad of musical emotions, may be Darius Rucker’s finest effort to date. His music and lyrics clearly reflect gratitude for the career he always envisioned and contentment with the constant support and love from family.

 
BACKROOM BAILIWICK
By Nancy Kelly, Head of Technical Services

DONATION FUNDS ACQUISITION OF NEW TITLES FOR ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM
The library would like to thank the Social Justice Committee of the First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist of Duxbury for their recent generous donation of $500 which has been used to purchase new titles for the library’s Adult Literacy collection.  A special thanks to Mr. Gene Anspach and Ms. Amy Hamilton for their assistance in providing a list of recommended titles.  Currently, the library offers an “English as A Second Language” program for adults.  At present, the program has 12 volunteer tutors.  The library provides training, meeting space and materials. The program is free to any adult in the community of Marshfield.  If you wish to participate in the literacy program either as a student or a tutor, please contact Acting Director Chris Woods for details.

VENTRESS VIDEOS
By Jed Phillips, Reference Associate

Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)
Directed by Roger Michell
Starring Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Olivia Williams

Hyde Park on Hudson is the story of the love affair of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his distant cousin, Margaret “Daisy” Suckley (Laura Linney) and the weekend in 1939 that King George VI (The same king portrayed in the King’s Speech) and the queen visit FDR in upstate New York.
Bill Murray is quite possibly my favorite actor of all time, and this film serves as a good example as to why.  His portrayal of FDR as a witty, brilliantly insightful yet flawed man results in a compelling and nuanced character that becomes the focus of every scene he is in.  Additionally, Laura Linney excels as cousin Daisy, star struck by a charming man and the big world he lives in.  Also, I must add a well earned honorable mention for Samuel West’s role as the frustrated, stuttering, yet charming King George VI, or as FDR calls him, Bertie.  While these three stand out, I was really impressed with the quality of performance from just about the entire cast.
But how can I sum this film up?  Well, it depends on one’s perspective, I suppose.  Maybe it is a comedy, a subtle, intelligent comedy where Bill Murray seems to get the joke long before we do.  Perhaps we can classify it as a docudrama of the meeting of two world leaders?  Or possibly it is a romance?  I suppose it is a blending of all three, one that is engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.  Give this film a chance; you will be glad you did.  It is located in our extensive DVD collection under HYD for Hyde Park!



CHILDREN’S CORNER
By “Miss Jen”, Jennifer Malaguti, Head of Children’s Services

Ø      September 16th Our Kids’ programs will begin the week of September 16th.

Ø      September 16th Tales for Tots will begin on September  16  @ 10:30 am on Mon, Tues, Wed until December 11th.

Ø      September 18th  Wiggles & Giggles Storytime for preschool age (3-4) will be held on Wednesdays beginning Sep 18th-Dec 11th @2pm.

Ø      September 19th Storycraft is back on Thursdays at 2pm for ages 5-7 until Dec 12th.

Ø      September 21st Our middle school book group will meet on September 21st  at 2:30, ages 12-14 – Monthly Until Dec 14th

Ø      September 26th Our grade school book group will meet on September 26th from 4:00-4:45 ages 8-11 - Until Dec 20

Ø      October 5th is Duct-Tape Palooza at the library for ages 8+. We will make simple duct-tape crafts! We will provide duct tape, but kids are welcome to bring their own as well!  Registration is required and will begin the week of September 16th.



SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, September 10, 6:00-7:30, “Memories of the Cliff Hotel” Book Signing/Lecture
Saturday, September 14, 2:00-3:00, Quintessential Brass Concert – Free!
Tuesday, September 17, 9:30-11:00 Lifelong Learning Kick-off/COA - Register for classes
Saturday, September 21, 10:00-12:00 Ventress Library Lifelong Learning Registration
Tuesday, September 24, 6:00-7:30, Ebooks Class at Library, Sign up through COA
Saturday, October 19, 2.:00-3:00, “Jazz at the Ventress” Concert – Free!
Tuesday, October 29, 6:00-7:30, “Genealogy for the Very Begineer” – Michael Brophy

_______________________________________________________________
Ventress Memorial Library, 15 Library Plaza, Marshfield, MA 02050 
781-834-5535     www.ventresslibrary.org   “Like” us on Facebook!
Hours Mon. – Thurs.   10 – 8, Fri. and Sat.  10 – 4, Closed Sundays
Newsletter staff:   Chris Woods, Editor; Jaclyn Robinson, Artist