National Nude Day – July 14, 2015

July 13, 2015June 19, 2015 / Linda / Leave a comment

While doing some research for future blog posts, I came across National Nude Day. Now, I know what some of you are thinking, but I immediately thought about……. Art. The human body has always been a fascinating subject for artists. A recent example was featured on CBS This Morning here. The Cheshire Library has a wonderful collection of books, DVDs, and magazines on a variety of art subjects, including some of the world’s best known artists famous for their nudes.

A Few Famous Artists

Michelangelo: a life in six masterpieces

Francisco de Goya

Vincent Van Gogh: life and work

The Unknown Matisse

A Life of Picasso

Magazines

American Art Review Magazine

Art In America Magazine

DVDs

Drawing the line: a portrait of Keith Haring

Getting Started With Bob Ross

Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke of Genius

Vincent – A Dutchman

Andy Warhol

A Model for Matisse

The Great Masters of the Italian Renaissance

Alex Katz: Five Hours

Books – Adult

Lives of the Great 20th Century Artists

How to Paint Abstracts

Art: over 2,500 works from cave to contemporary

Art: a new history

The Collins Big Book of Art: from cave art to pop art

Introduction to Drawing the Human Body

Books – Children

A History of Art for Young People

Paul Cezanne

100 Artists Who Changed the World

History of Art for Young People

The Children’s Librarians and Reference Librarians will be happy to guide you in finding the perfect title for you.

Now – for those interested in the actual National Nude Day -” National Nude Day is a way to keep cool on a hot , sticky summer day. Nudist groups around the world celebrate this holiday and take it quite seriously! Nudist’s are not perverts…even though their desire to go “au natural” might be offensive to the conservative population! Nudist’s are individuals who believe the human body is most beautiful in their natural state. Whether or not you agree with them, nudist’s encourage people to strut their stuff. ” (source: National Day Calendar) And, yes, there are a few ‘clothing optional’ resorts in Connecticut.

July 13 is Barbershop Music Appreciation Day

July 10, 2015June 19, 2015 / Louise / 1 Comment

Once in a while, the librarians at CPL get a special treat, we get serenaded! My husband belongs to the Barbershop Harmony Society, and on special occasions like Valentines Day, his Barbershop Quartet will often stop by the library and sing.

Barbershop music is a uniquely American art form. While its songs can seem old fashioned and simplistic, the arrangements are actually quite technical and precise. While all Barbershop music is A Capella music, not all A Capella music is Barbershop music.

The defining characteristic of the barbershop style is the “ringing chord”. This is an acoustic effect achieved by blending specific notes. In Barbershop harmony, four singers combine their voices in such a way as to produce a “fifth voice”. This is also sometimes referred to as “expanded sound”.

How did the Barbershop style come about? In the late 19th century, barbershops often served as gathering places for men. What we now think of as barbershop quartets actually started with African American men socializing in barbershops; they would harmonize while waiting their turn, vocalizing all different types of songs. Later on, white minstrel singers adopted this new style of unaccompanied, four-part, close-harmony singing. It became quite popular, and in the early days of the recording industry their performances were recorded and sold.

There is now an organization devoted to preserving this truly American art form. The Barbershop Harmony Society (otherwise known as Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America), has hundreds chapters all over the US, encouraging most anyone with the desire to learn to sing Barbershop. In Connecticut alone there are 9 chapters: Danbury, Enfield, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Haven, New London, Norwich, and Waterbury/Derby. Check out the Barbershop Harmony website if you are interested in learning more about Barbershop music.

Torchwood Comes to CPL

July 8, 2015June 19, 2015 / Susan O. / 4 Comments

Back in 1987, when I started watching a strange little British science-fiction children’s TV show called Dr. Who, it was barely known in the U.S. I actually had to pull it in from Canada, which meant a tipsy Rube Goldberg contraption of raising my TV up high, attaching tinfoil to the antenna, wires to the tin foil, a coat hanger, and all this thrown out the third-story window, because my dorm room was on the opposite side from all the TV signals. Merchandising was rare, usually imported, and extremely expensive.

Fast forward to 2005. After several years of spotty specials, Dr. Who is brought back to life with actor Christopher Eccleston in the lead role (you might know him from Gone in 60 Seconds, or Thor: The Dark World). This time the BBC has actually put money into it, and it is by far some of the best produced, best-written television out there. Period. And among the recurring companions was the role of Captain Jack Harkness, a mysterious immortal figure from the future, played by actor John Barrowman. Jack Harkness was such a strong character the BBC gave Jack Harkness his own spin-off in 2006, Torchwood (which, by the way, is an anagram for Doctor Who). In American, think X-Files.

The Torchwood Institute is set up as a present-day agency hunting present-day aliens that threaten (mostly) London and Wales. It is based in Cardiff, Wales, and headed by Captain Jack Harkness, a former Time Agent who operates above the law, with powerful technology at his hands. When police officer Gwen Cooper (Eve Miles) stumbles onto the secret lair of Torchwood, she won’t stop investigating, until finally Harkness allows her to join them. It takes Gwen quite a bit to get used to everything going on around her, sworn to secrecy, which puts her at odds with her fiance Rhys, who thinks she’s going batty. She’s never quite sure if Jack is on the side of Earth or not, and it takes her a long time to trust him (partly because at the beginning he keeps trying to slip her drugs to make her forget). Sometimes Jack does seem to have an evil side, but really he’s more of a devout neutral, weighing the balance of what’s right and what’s wrong in each situation. Sometimes you love him, and, after the Children of Earth storyline, you understand his reasoning but you truly want to hate him.

Torchwood is NOT a children’s show, and was never meant to be. It was meant as an adult show. It is at times tough and gritty, and it deals with some very adult themes and morals, including nudity and violence, besides some episodes being as creepy as the best horror films. Although Jack Harkness would make guest appearances on Dr. Who, Dr. Who never appears in Torchwood (beyond the sound of his ship in the background for one episode), specifically to emphasize that they did not want children crossing over to the other show.

I urge you to give the series a try. It is unlike anything on American TV. Especially check out the episodes Countrycide, Captain Jack Harkness, and Dead Man Walking. If you have a high tolerance for anger and horror, watch the Children of Earth storyline.

Torchwood is a wonderful series, less science-fiction than horror, with a lot of drama thrown in. I’ve met both Eve Miles and John Barrowman; they are a delight in person and their on-screen charisma is authentic. Barrowman, a die-hard joker and pain in the neck, had no problem with the nudity on the show, and often used it to shock his castmates; if they look horrified on screen, it just might be an authentic look from something Barrowman had done just as the cameras started to roll. Barrowman is well-known in England, a decent singer of his own with several albums, and was one of the judges of the British version of America’s Got Talent. He can currently be seen on Arrow. Burn Gorman (Owen) has also become a familiar face, in everything from The Dark Knight Rises to Game of Thrones, Pacific Rim, Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, to a current run on the AMC series Turn: Washington’s Spies.

CPL has the entire run of Torchwood on both DVD and Blu-ray. Check it out, and its wonderful cast of talented stars!

Behind the Scenes at CPL- Children’s Cataloging

July 3, 2015June 25, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / 1 Comment

CPL staffer Louise shared in a recent blog post some of the effort that our staff puts into choosing materials for our collection. some of the effort that our staff puts into choosing materials for our collection. It is an important and challenging task, using our limited funding in the most efficient and useful manner to serve our patrons. However, once those materials are ordered our work has only just begun. It is after the books are ordered that the next round of tasks begin. My focus will be on the cataloging of children’s and young adult print materials, because that is how I (and one other staff member) spend any hours not at a public service desk.

You might think that the tasks for cataloging would only start once the physical books arrive, however we have some preparations to make first. We need to print out all orders and get the catalog records in the computer so that holds can be placed on the material.

When the books do come in we need to check the packing slips and orders against the titles and details of the books in all the boxes. Sometimes Baker & Taylor or other suppliers do make mistakes or materials are damaged or flawed in some way. It is important to catch any of these problems long before labeling and cataloging actually begin.

After we have the books unpacked, checked, and in hand the real fun begins. In the children’s department there are several different categories of books, each of which need different labeling. There are board books, picturebooks, easy readers, easy non fiction, non fiction, graphic novels, juvenile fiction, and young adult materials. Each of these types have several sub categories and a variety of necessary labels, just to keep things interesting.

We sort all the books by type, and decide on the call number, genre, and more will be for each book. Every book will need a spine label with the call number, a barcode, and a RFID tag. They also need to be stamped with the Cheshire Children’s room address stamp and have the call number and barcode written on the interior of the book. Each type of book gets a different set of stickers. Some will need colored stickers over the call number to indicate subject matter, a sticker designating its reading level, awards won or nominated for, or its genre. Rather than giving you a long list of all the stickers, I will just give you a look at a few of the ones I use daily.

Yes, there are many more. This is about half of the regularly used stickers and labels. After all the stickering fun is done there is still more to do. Paperbacks will need to be taped or covered to extend its life in circulation. Some hardcovers will need a cover on its dust jacket as well. Now we need to check the RFID tags in each book and either program them or make sure the correct barcode number is programed onto it.

Now it is time to enter the material into the computer. This can be the quickest part of the job, but also the most important. Small mistakes at this point could make materials nearly impossible to find on the shelf. We need to make sure the call number, barcode, location, and other vital information is all correct in the catalog. If a book is newly published, this is also when it gets a New sticker added to the previous collection of stickers. Then we check in the item and make it available for the first hold, or put it on the shelf for you to check out.

aterials in the children’s and young adult collection keep the new designation for six months. After that they are collected and pass through staff hands again so that the sticker can be removed and the information updated in the computer. You might see me doing this while working at the Children’s Desk. When material are damaged or are sadly in need of removal from the collection we then need to discard the book from our collection. This means more stamping and computer work. If you visit the third floor of the library, you can browse the discarded children’s and young adult materials that are still in good condition. You are welcome to take these home and keep. We hate having to let go of books, even though we have to in order to make room for more, and knowing that someone will use and enjoy them makes it a little easier.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in July

July 1, 2015July 22, 2015 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

A Summer of Learning, that’s what’s happening! Most of our summertime programs are geared towards kids, promoting reading and learning over the summer. There’s still time to sign up for our Summer Reading club, and we’ve got plenty of activities to keep you busy during the summer months. Here’s just a taste:

Puppet Making with Artsplace

Tuesdays Jul 7 & 14 2015, 10:00 AM

Learn to make puppets using unique and everyday items. Robin McCahill, local artist at Artsplace, will be our artist in residence leading this workshop on puppet making. For grades K-2, Register online starting June 15.

Teen Read to Tots

Wednesdays (Jul 8 – Aug 12), 9:30 AM

Teens entering grades 7 and up will be paired with preschoolers (ages 3-5) for stories and a craft. All participants must attend at least 5 sessions. Register online beginning June 1st.

Going for the Stars

Thursday Jul 9, 2015, 6:00 PM

Lift-off to learning with this hands-on multimedia presentation. Meet Robo the friendly robot who talks, moves and interacts with the audience. Learn about orbits, microgravity, rockets, living in space and much more. Volunteers from the audience, dressed in astronaut flight suits, perform live demonstrations and experiments. Along with the use of computer aided technology and numerous props, this presentation creates a fun learning experience.Grades K-8, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Summer Fab Film : The Spongebob Movie – Sponge Out of Water

Wednesday Jul 15, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

When a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his nemesis Plankton must team up in order to get it back! Running Time 1 hour, 32 minutes. Rated PG. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Feel free to bring your own snacks!

Wild Around the World

Thursday Jul 16, 2015, 4:00 PM

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center will be bringing animals from all over the world to visit at the Library. This program will be both educational and fun! For ages 4 and up.Register online starting July 1.

‘Who Was’ Book Club: GEORGE LUCAS

Thursday Jul 23, 2015, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

If you love reading books from the ‘Who Was’ series, than this is the book club for you! July 2015 book: Who Is George Lucas? In honor of the upcoming new Star Wars flick, we’ll talk about the original Star Wars creator himself and have a little surprise fun with some of the library’s new technology. Copies of the book are available in the Children’s Room. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED, all ages are welcome!

Creating Musical Readers: Manuelo the Playing Mantis

Tuesday Jul 28, 2015, 10:00 & 10:45 AM

Literacy and music combine in Creating Musical Readers, designed for kids ages 4-7. A cellist from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra will bring his cello and read Manuelo, the Playing Mantis by Don Freeman. Come see the story come to life through music, a great way to learn about the instruments of the orchestra! This program is best for ages 4-7. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Space is limited, please register online beginning July 1.

Storytime at Cheshire Park

Wednesday Jul 29, 2015, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Meet us at the Cheshire Park this summer for a special program in the park! Bring your lunch and we will read stories and have fun with our parachute. Look for our Cheshire Public Library banner. If it’s raining, we will see you on the next sunny Wednesday! All ages welcomed, but stories will be best for kids ages 3 and up. Drop-in, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures

Thursday Jul 30, 2015, 4:00 PM

Let Nature Nick introduce you to the true heroes of the animal kingdom. Learn about falcons used in World War II and even a kangaroo that saved a boy in Australia! For ages 4 and up. Register online starting July 1.

All NEW! Teen Games

Friday Jul 31, 2015, 2:30 – 4:30 PM

We just got a Nintendo WiiU with Super Mario 3D World, NintendoLand, Mario Kart 8, Super Smashbrothers, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, and The Wonderful 101! We’ve got all-new card and board games too- like Channel A, Killer Bunnies, SuperFight! and Munchkin- so come play games and nibble snacks, FTW! For grades 6—12, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.