April 2014

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 15^th 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 55^th 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, entrées, 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

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Newsletter staff:   Chris Woods, Editor; Jaclyn Robinson, Artist