Newsletter of the Ventress
Memorial Library
Marshfield, Massachusetts
APRIL 2014 Volume 21, No. 4
Lives Change @ Your Library
Celebrate National Library Week
From the
Director. . .
Did you know that April 13 – 19 is
National Library Week? This is a good time to show your support for your
library. Libraries across the country will use this week to remind the public
about the valuable contributions of our libraries, librarians, and library
workers and how important they are to the community. Every day across the
country, libraries open their doors to everyone; students, parents, seniors,
teachers, writers, artists, job seekers, readers, and movie lovers.
Libraries
have long been seen as priceless pillars of the community, providing
educational, recreational, and useful materials to all free of charge. In these challenging economic times,
libraries are busier than ever.
Newspapers are teeming with stories about the dramatic increase in
library usage throughout the country.
Things are no different here; in the town of Marshfield we have seen an increase in use. Patrons are utilizing free internet access
for a number of purposes, while also borrowing the latest books, DVD’s, music
CD’s and magazines. In addition, we
continue to offer early literacy programs and story times to toddlers and
preschoolers, lifelong learning and educational opportunities to adults of all
ages!
Tuesday,
April 15th is National Library Workers Day. I would like to take this opportunity to
recognize and thank the wonderful staff.
Thank you Chris, Maureen, Jaclyn, Karen B., Karen D., Carol, Karen J.,
Nancy, Eileen, Jen, Elisha, Bethany, Carrie, Janet, Karen F., Sallie, Jeanne,
Teresa, Rosalind, Linda, Jeanne, Gayle, Helen, Mary Pat, Karen P. and Barbara
for all you do to make my job easier and our patrons’ visits to the library pleasant
oneS! This group of employees is
dedicated to providing our patrons with excellent service, always with a smile
and a kind word. I encourage everyone to take a moment on this day to thank
library workers for their services.
Would
you like to help make your library a valuable community asset? One way to do this is by joining the Friends
of the Ventress Memorial Library. This
hardworking group
is seeking new members. The Friends meet
the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the local history room. Please
consider joining this hardworking group.
Another
way to make your voice heard is by speaking with neighbors and local officials
about how the library benefits you, or by writing or emailing your state
representatives and senators and ask them to support the library.
We’d like to invite each and every one of you
to help us celebrate the valuable contribution libraries make to communities
every day. If you haven’t met me yet or
would like to speak to me about ideas you may have for the library, please stop
in on Thursday, April 17 between 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.; light refreshments will be
provided.
While
you’re here you might want to check out our new materials, sign up for upcoming
events or just relax in a welcoming atmosphere while reading the newspaper or a
magazine. Head to your library during National Library Week to see what’s new
and take part in the celebration. Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring a relative,
and whether you’re a regular patron or a first time visitor, you’re sure to
rediscover the magic that only a public library has to offer.
Yours
Truly,
Cyndee
J Marcoux
CIRCULATION
STATS AND CHAT
By Elisha
Chandler, Head of Circulation Services
SCI-FI/FANTASY PICK OF THE MONTH
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
If you’re as much of a die-hard fantasy
fan as I am -- if you love amazing world-building, fully fleshed out
characters, and a the most unique systems of magic ever -- and you haven’t read
anything by Brandon Sanderson (Warbreaker,
Elantris, Mistborn trilogy), then
you, my friend, are missing out!
Brandon Sanderson's The
Stormlight Archive began began in 2010 with the New York Times bestseller The
Way of Kings. Now, the eagerly anticipated Words of Radiance (which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and held the spot for most of March)
continues the epic story.
Six years ago, the
Assassin in White, a hireling of the inscrutable Parshendi, assassinated the
Alethi king on the very night a treaty between men and
Parshendi was being
celebrated. So began the Vengeance Pact among the highprinces of Alethkar and
the War of Reckoning against the Parshendi.
Now the Assassin is
active again, murdering rulers all over the world of Roshar, using his baffling
powers to thwart every bodyguard and elude all pursuers. Among his prime
targets is Highprince Dalinar, widely considered the power behind the Alethi
throne. His leading role in the war would seem reason enough, but the Assassin’s
master has much deeper motives.
Expected by his enemies
to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given
command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a low-status
"darkeyes." Now he must protect the king and Dalinar from every
common peril as well as the distinctly uncommon threat of the Assassin, all
while secretly struggling to master remarkable new powers that are somehow
linked to his honorspren, Syl.
Brilliant but troubled
Shallan strives along a parallel path. Despite being broken in ways she refuses
to acknowledge, she bears a terrible burden: to somehow prevent the return of
the legendary Voidbringers and the civilization-ending Desolation that will
follow. The secrets she needs can be found at the Shattered Plains, but just
arriving there proves more difficult than she could have imagined.
Meanwhile, at the heart
of the Shattered Plains, the Parshendi are making an epochal decision. Hard
pressed by years of Alethi attacks, their numbers ever shrinking, they are
convinced by their war leader, Eshonai, to risk everything on a desperate
gamble with the very supernatural forces they once fled. The possible
consequences for Parshendi and humans alike, indeed, for Roshar itself, are as
dangerous as they are incalculable.
I cannot recommend
Brandon Sanderson enough! Are you a veteran of the series? We’ve added Words of Radiance to our collection. New
to Sanderson and the Stormlight Archive? We’ve also added the The Way of Kings, the first in the
series. Come on in and check them out!
ON THE SHELVES
Are you interested to
see what titles we’ve added to our collection this month? Follow the Ventress
Memorial Library on Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/ventresslibrary/)! We
have boards featuring all of our newest and hottest children’s, young adult,
speculative fiction (sci-fi/fantasy) and fiction titles, with pins that link
directly to our online catalog so you can place anything that catches your
attention on hold. We even have some boards for fun, which showcase interesting
articles and reading suggestion lists, as well as a special Teen Corner for all
young adult-related content.
CIRC STATS
The library circulated
14,712 items in February!
UPCOMING LIBRARY PROGRAMS
By Chris Woods, Assistant
Director
“The
Outermost House” Multimedia Presentation
Tuesday,
April 22, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
LEARN ALL ABOUT HENRY BESTON'S CAPE
COD CLASSIC, “THE OUTERMOST HOUSE,” AND ITS INFLUENCE
ON THE CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE
The Henry
Beston Society, a nonprofit organization based on Cape Cod, will present Don Wilding's
multimedia presentation, Henry Beston's Cape
Cod: How The Outermost House Inspired a National Seashore, at Marshfield's
Ventress Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 from
6-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are
required. For more information please contact librarian Chris Woods at 781-834-5535 or cwoods@ocln.org or visit www.ventresslibrary.org
Don
Wilding, co-founder of the non-profit Henry Beston Society on Cape Cod and
author of the book, Henry
Beston’s Cape Cod, has presented this program on Cape Cod and across New England extensively since 2001.
Beston’s
book, The Outermost House,
was written in 1927 after he spent a solitary year in a 20x16 cottage on
Eastham’s outer beach.
The Outermost House, now considered an American
classic on the level of the works of Thoreau, Muir and other noted nature
writers, was cited as a major influence on the establishment of the Cape Cod
National Seashore in 1961. Noted author Rachel Carson (Silent Spring)
said that The Outermost House was
the only book to ever influence her writing.
Wilding’s
multi-media presentation, including over 175 photographs of Beston’s famous
cottage and recently produced documentary film footage, chronicles the Quincy, Mass.
native’s search for peace of mind after his experiences as an ambulance driver
in World War I. Shaken by his experience, Beston first wrote fairy tales. On
Eastham’s outer beach he found his true voice as a writer, producing The
Outermost House. The prose from
this literary classic was quoted heavily in the National Park Service’s reports
on Cape Cod, sealing the Seashore’s
establishment as a national treasure.
The Henry
Beston Society, an all-volunteer organization, has partnered with several other
Cape Cod organizations for lectures, performances
and exhibits. A documentary film is in production and the Society has
long-range plans to open a museum, complete with a replica of Beston’s
“Fo’castle,” and has a large archival collection of material related to Henry
Beston and The Outermost House.
“Broadway Meets Opera” Choral
Concert Preview
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 p.m.
The
Ventress Library Cultural Series welcomes the Choral Art Society of
the South Shore
to sing at the library on Saturday, April 26, at 2:00 pm. This free concert is a preview of the full concert to
be performed by the group at House of Prayer Lutheran
Church in Hingham on Sunday, May 4, at 4:00 p.m. The Choral Art Society of the South Shore, now in its 55th season, will perform selections from "Broadway Meets Opera" at the library concert. On the program are songs, arias, duets, and choruses from Broadway hits and operas such as: Wicked; Promises, Promises; Oklahoma!; Anything Goes; The Pirates of Penzance; La Traviata; Carmen, and more. They range from sublime to ridiculous, from silly to sentimental. You will be entertained! Danica A. Buckley is the Artistic Director and Conductor; Sarah Haera Tocco is the accompanist.
The Marshfield concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
The program room is handicapped accessible. Refreshments will be served at a post-concert social hour. Tickets to the May 4 concert will be available for purchase that day. For more information contact librarian Chris Woods at 781-834-5535 or
cwoods@ocln.org or visit www.ventresslibrary.org and www.choralartsociety.org
Church in Hingham on Sunday, May 4, at 4:00 p.m. The Choral Art Society of the South Shore, now in its 55th season, will perform selections from "Broadway Meets Opera" at the library concert. On the program are songs, arias, duets, and choruses from Broadway hits and operas such as: Wicked; Promises, Promises; Oklahoma!; Anything Goes; The Pirates of Penzance; La Traviata; Carmen, and more. They range from sublime to ridiculous, from silly to sentimental. You will be entertained! Danica A. Buckley is the Artistic Director and Conductor; Sarah Haera Tocco is the accompanist.
The Marshfield concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
The program room is handicapped accessible. Refreshments will be served at a post-concert social hour. Tickets to the May 4 concert will be available for purchase that day. For more information contact librarian Chris Woods at 781-834-5535 or
cwoods@ocln.org or visit www.ventresslibrary.org and www.choralartsociety.org
NEW ADULT BOOK CLUB
AT VML!
By Cyndee
Marcoux, Library Director
The Ventress Memorial Library
is launching a new book club that will meet on the first Monday of each month,
beginning May 5. Meetings will be at 7 p.m. at the library, located at 15 Library
Plaza. If you are a book lover who enjoys reading and discussing books with
like-minded people, this book club is for you!
The May book discussion will
be on The Dinner by Amsterdam author Herman Koch. This book has
been described as “sneakily disturbing”, riveting, compelling, and deliciously
unpleasant. According to Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, “The Dinner begins
with drinks and dark satire, and goes stealthily and hauntingly from there.
It’s chilling, nasty, smart, shocking, and un-put-downable. Read the novel in
one big gulp and then make plans with friends—you’ll be desperate to debate
this book over cocktails, appetizers, entrĂ©es, dessert…and then you still won’t
be done talking about it.” Copies of the book are available at the library. If
you need a large print book or would prefer a book on CD please call the
library and we will be happy to order it for you. If you don’t have time to
finish the book, come to book club anyway. We’ll be picking future titles and
want to know what you think!
Book clubs are a great way to
make new friends. So please join us on Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m. in the library’s
meeting room. Light refreshments will be served. For more information about
this program contact Library Director, Cyndee Marcoux 781-834-5535 or cmarcoux@ocln.org.
VENTRESS VIGNETTES
By Belle Bibliotheque
Oh la la!
Is it true that printemps has arrived? We here at the library are certainly
hoping that it is true...at long last! We hope that you have been noticing the
changing lobby display. For far too long we were faced with a sled and skis and
ice skates, and a tree full of icicles. About a month ago, some tete-a-tete
daffodils began to poke up through the winter greenery. The icicles melted
away, and we had hope. Then the snow swirled again, and we were plunged into
despair. But, alas, we should never give up hope that the beauty of spring will
come again. Now, some old watering cans have arrived, bursting forth with pussy
willows and some little birds who have very industriously built their nests.
The
display of bright and cheery children's books will catch your eye, and we
have some similar books to check out, in a basket in the Children's
Library. Look for the bouquet of pussy willows! And even more pussy willows
have appeared in the Y'ise Gardener's barrels out in front of the library.
Belle must admit, it took a long time and it was tres difficile to remove the
bedraggled winter greens. Those barrels were a frozen block of ice until
just last week! Someday soon some spring flowering bulbs will be poking their
noses up through the bed of moss. Who will be the first to notice them?
Inside
the library, we have handsome new curtains at the Circulation Desk, providing a
tidier look. The monthly book display table featuring books about the
environment is especially pretty, there is a lovely two person show of artists
Dana Barunas and Bruce Nickerson in the gallery, and as always, our lobby
table, with fresh weekly arrangements by the Seaside Gardeners, is a beautiful
welcoming spot as you arrive.
Coming up on
Saturday April 19th from 10-3 will be our 13th annual Books in Bloom. Please
plan to attend and enjoy 20 book and floral displays created by the Y'ise
Gardeners and the Library Staff. This is always a fun event with raffles and
refeshments and a used gardening book sale. Another "ahhh!" breath of
spring!
Yours, en
beaute!
Belle
CHILDRENS’ CORNER
By Jen Struzziero, “Miss Jen”
National Library Week Children’s
Events:
4/14-4/19 Jellybean Guess Contest!
Kids can
come to the library and guess the amount of jellybeans in a jar. The closest
guess can keep the candy! Winner announced Sat, April 19th!
Mon, 4/14 2:00 P.M.
Make a bookmark craft, decorate
owl paper tubes, and/or color.
Parents required. Ages 3+
Thurs, 4/17 5:00 P.M.
Watch the Disney movie, Frozen,
and enjoy a free snack!
All ages; please register in the
children’s department.
School Vacation Week:
VENTRESS LIBRARY – STORYTIME
WHO? Boys and Girls,
Toddlers/Pre-school
WHEN? Tuesday - Friday, April 21 - 24, 2014
VENTRESS LIBRARY - LOCAL AUTHOR
Heidi Martin reads from her new
children's book, The Treasure Hunt.
WHEN? Wed, 4/23 at 1:00 p.m. Come
meet Heidi and enjoy her new story!
AGES? Family (No registration)
VENTRESS LIBRARY – PIZZA &
MOVIE
Have fun Skating all week at the Rec Center
Come to the library for pizza and
a movie on 4/24!
WHO? Co-ed, Ages 5+
WHEN? Thursday, April 24, 2014
11:30 a.m.
WHAT? Disney's Ultimate X Sports
Skateboarding movie! Rated Pg
Register at the library or call 781-834-5535
VENTRESS LIBRARY — CREATURE
TEACHERS:
Check out live animals from around
the world!
WHO? Family; all ages
WHEN? Friday, April 25, 2014 11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
LEGO CLUB NEWS!
We need donations - base plates,
Lego minis and regular Legos!!
Lego Club Ages 5+ (younger siblings with parent
supervision)
THIS MONTH MEETS TWICE – APRIL 21
AND APRIL 28 @ 4:30
CALL OR COME INTO THE CHILDREN’S
ROOM TO REGISTER!!
JENKS JAZZ AND JIVE
By Karen Jenks, Library Assistant
Put a spring in your step this
season as you listen to some of the library’s latest CD additions to our
collection!
Classical
Classical 2013 – Various artists
Country
The Outsiders – Eric Church
12 Stories – Brandy Clark
That Girl – Jennifer Nettles
It Goes Like This – Thomas Rhett
Jazz
Massive Threads – Kris Davis
Prism – Dave Holland
Saturday Morning – Ahmad Jamal
Divine Travels – James Brandon
Lewis
Pop
Bad Blood – Bastille
Sound the Alarm – Booker T
In a Tidal Wave of Mystery –
Capital Cities
The River & the Thread –
Rosanne Cash
Rock
Morning Phase – Beck
Icon – J. Geils Band
High Hopes – Bruce Springsteen
Classic Yes – Yes
Soundtrack
Divergent – Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack
MARSHFIELD “OPPORTUNITIES” LIFELONG LEARNING
REGISTRATION EVENT IS AT THE VENTRESS LIBRARY ON SATURDAY, APRIL 19, FROM 10-12 - COME FIND OUT ABOUT ALL THE GREAT
CLASSES OFFERED FOR SPRING AND SUMMER 2014!
781-834-5535 www.ventresslibrary.org “Like” us on Facebook!
Hours Mon. – Thurs. 9 – 8, Fri. and Sat. 9 – 4:30 , Closed Sundays and April 21
__________________________________________________________________
Newsletter
staff: Chris Woods, Editor; Jaclyn
Robinson, Artist