What Kind of Services Can You Find at the Library? (You might be surprised.)

/ Mary / Leave a comment

Most people know that libraries provide books, magazines, movies, music, audiobooks and ebooks. What many may not realize are all the other ways libraries support their communities. Here’s a sample from the librarians of the Cheshire Public Library.

“An appreciative patron had these flowers delivered to me for helping her on the computer & with her gmail to locate and print some important personal documents. It made my day!”

“A woman came in this afternoon and wanted to print some coupons from her email. English was not her first language, she did not have computer skills, and she did not know her email provider or her password! Our technology coordinator saved the day and was able to help the woman print her coupons. The really nice thing: it was the woman’s birthday and the coupons were for free coffee and other things that she could enjoy on her special day.”

“A senior who wanted to learn how to add minutes to her flip phone came to tech help yesterday. When she left, she noted that this is the only place in town to get answers to these types of questions and that her kids yell at her when she asks for them for tech help. She said she’s going to tell all of her friends to start coming here because they also have grouchy kids/grandkids…”

“An older man approached me a few weeks ago to say how glad he was to have our library. He comes in most days to read the papers and to visit with other regulars. He said it makes him feel more connected with the community.”

Email from patron: I just saw the Positive Discipline class recently on the events calendar and am super excited about it. I’ve read some of the Positive Discipline books and would love to do a better job actually incorporating it into our lives. I’ve looked into workshops before, and it just wasn’t realistic for us financially. I already have it on my calendar to sign up when it opens.

“I had a patron come to the circ desk this week saying the last two books her book club (not associated with the library) read were duds. Since they buy their books, she wanted to be sure to pick a good book this time. I brought her over to the Reader’s Advisory bulletin board and let her peruse the content. She happily found four titles, and all were on the shelf for her to check out. She was so happy and commented that she wished she had come to the library sooner.”

“A patron whose husband recently passed away came to drop-in today. She wanted to know how to use email so she could email people in a support group she’s been attending. She never used her husband’s laptop before, and English is not her first language, so she was nervous about coming in today for help. I got her all set up, and she’s going to come back next week and report how it’s going. She was very appreciative that we’re providing this service.”

“A few weeks ago, a woman was looking for tutoring help for seven children from two families newly arrived from Saudi Arabia.  Our teen librarian had a contact in the high school for a teacher who arranges peer tutoring, so I got the teacher’s email and contacted her. She emailed to let us know that she has arranged peer tutoring for the 5 younger children (in the library!) and is arranging help for the older ones. It was great that the needed resources exist in our community. I was especially touched by the fact that the woman who made the initial contact thought of the library as a place to go for help. Yay us!”

Want to know more about the Cheshire Public library? Click here for our website.

Finding Wonders

/ Kaitlin / Leave a comment

Finding Wonders by Jeannine Harris is a fictional children’s book based on three real girls, Maria Sibylla Merian, Mary Anning, and Maria Mitchell, who made scientific contributions. Told with poems, each girl’s story begins with her childhood. Each girl learned to look beyond what other people took for granted or mistrusted. Each girl overcame the biases and challenges of her time for the sake of learning. These stories are an inspiration to anyone who has ever wanted to try something new despite the people around them. These girls were told they could not, should not, and would not, but they did anyway.

Genre: Children’s historical fiction

Setting: 1600s Germany, Amsterdam, and Suriname, 1800s England, 1800s Massachusetts

Number of pages: 195

Objectionable content? Several characters die, both adults and children, and religion is portrayed in a negative manner in some parts of the book.

Can children read this? Yes. This book is well-suited for elementary school children and up.

Themes: Learning, independent women, science, curiosity, restrictions

Rating: Five stars

A New Book by John Green (finally!)

/ Louise / 1 Comment

New York Times bestselling author,  vlogger, movie producer,  do-gooder. A man with many hats, but a pretty simple name: John Green.

If you read YA fiction, you already know this guy.  Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns,  and the meteorically popular The Fault in Our Stars – it can be hard to find these books on our shelves because they’re constantly checked out. And he hasn’t written a new book in five long years. Finally it was announced that a new John Green book, Turtles All the Way Down, would be released October 10,  2017.

Why the long drought since 2012’s The Fault in Our Stars? One reason is he was involved in the film adaptations of both TFIOS and his earlier book, Paper Towns. He’s also involved in multiple online projects. He’s the frontman for the Mental Floss  and  Crash Course YouTube channels, co-creator of VidCon, (an annual conference for the online video community in that takes place every year in the Los Angeles area), and heads the Project for Awesome, a project in which YouTubers dedicate two days to make videos promoting charities or non-profit organizations.

Not to mention the online project that started it all, a little something called Vlogbrothers. John and his brother, Hank, started the project as an experiment on YouTube back in 2007 with an experiment to only talk to each other via video blogs for a year. This lasted from January 1 until December 31, but they’ve continued posting to the vlog twice every week, and have over 3 MILLION subscribers.  The Vlogbrothers channel was the first in what would become a larger network of YouTube channels created and developed by the Green brothers, creating a flourishing community of fans known individually as Nerdfighters, with the motto DFTBA (Don’t Forget To Be Awesome).

Add in that he has two young childen, and one can see that it might have been challenging to find the time to write recently. About his new book, he’s said: “This is my first attempt to write directly about the kind of mental illness that has affected my life since childhood, so while the story is fictional, it is also quite personal”. Green has talked about dealing with OCD and anxiety in his own life, and in the new book , 16-year-old Aza Holmes grapples with mental illness as she investigates the disappearance of a billionaire.

Place your holds now – and DFTBA!

 

Resources:

http://www.johngreenbooks.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Green_(author)

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/09/the-teen-whisperer

Childhood Horrors

/ Susan O. / 1 Comment

Sometime ago in the mists of the last century, there were only three TV networks. On holidays, you usually had the choice of a football game, a different football game, or the longest movies the network could find – usually Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music.  Chitty, an overly technicolor musical, scared the daylights out of me. As soon as that Childcatcher came prowling, I was behind the sofa holding my breath. Today’s kids would just send his photo to Instagram and beat him up.

Children see things differently. Some are easily spooked, some are skeptical from birth. Kids misunderstand and misinterpret things, and that alone can create unfounded horror.

Obviously, most children’s films try to avoid horror, but what’s marketed to kids is not always Barney and Big Bird – few Grimm’s Fairy Tales end happily ever after. Poltergeist –  ghosts, demons, peeling faces, and evil clowns in child-swallowing glowing closets – was only rated PG. PG, because PG-13 hadn’t been invented yet.

Young Sherlock Holmes (the food nightmare) scarred one of my children; to this day she won’t eat cream puffs. Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! and its disembodied heads was another. Another didn’t trust Nazgûl (nor should you), and was terrified by Matilda. The 1971 Alastair Sim animated A Christmas Carol, with its writhing starving waifs and the faceless, voiceless Ghost of Christmas Future taints every incarnation I’ve seen since.

If your child likes spooky things and wants to be a part of the Addams family, here’s a list of kid’s films – honest! – that just might give your kid the shivers. If you have a child with a more sensitive nature, you might want to wait a few years on these:

Toy Story – Oh, doll-headed spider and hook-bodied Barbie, how we hate you! You may be Pixar, but you’re scary!

Coraline – Creepy button-eyed fake parents trying to steal a child?  Hmm….

Labyrinth – Sure, we adore Bowie, but these are Muppets who steal babies, chase girls with drill bits with intent to kill, and drop people into pits lined with talking disembodied hands. ‘Nuff said.

Something Wicked This Way Comes – Disney likes to whistle and pretend this isn’t theirs, but Ray Bradbury didn’t edit the scariness out of his novel of two boys and an evil carnival run by Mr. Dark, complete with electrocutions and freakshow.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit – But this is a comedy! you cry – and it is, until crying Toons get faced with The Dip. Be prepared for a talk on death.

Return to Oz – if the flying monkeys didn’t scare you, perhaps Dorothy’s electroshock treatments will.

Jumanji – sure, it’s a game, but a deadly one. Floors that swallow people are just some of the issues; the intensity and situations may be too much entirely for young viewers.

Harry Potter series – yes, the first one is a charming tale of an orphan boy who learns he’s a wizard, but the stories get darker, and major beloved characters start dying. By the third film, Voldemort is embodied evil and believably out to get Muggles. Like your child.

The Dark Crystal – Fraggle Rock it’s not. It’s a dark Muppet film with lots of dark themes. Preteens maybe, but there’s no Elmo to lighten it for the little kids.

Gremlins – another movie made before PG-13, so it was stuck with PG. Gremlins are cute little things until you feed them, and then they become psychopathic demons out to harm and kill.  If preteen horror films was a separate genre, this would be one of their cornerstones, along with perhaps The Witches, Watcher in the Woods, and Jaws (which is also only PG).

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – let’s face it, Roald Dahl is almost never nice to children. Here alone, he sucks them up pipes, dumps them down garbage chutes, and has them cornered by very scary men in dark alleys asking them to sell their souls for money. But the crowning touch cited by many critics is the boat ride  scene, all psychedelic and threatening – but that’s the way it is in the book, too – a disorienting journey where everyone believes Wonka’s looney.

Every parent knows their child best. Some kids like a scary movie, some kids will wind up sleeping in your bed for a week with all the lights on. If your kid shows interest in scary movies, these might be a gentler introduction over, say, The Exorcist. Just be aware that even a seemingly wholesome, kid-marketed movie can have some really scary moments when you least expect it.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in October

/ cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Science, History, and Technology all come alive with CPL programs this month! Here are some highlights:

Cheshire World War I Digitization Day

Tuesday Oct 3, 2017, 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Cheshire Public Library will be partnering with the Connecticut State Library to hold a World War I Digitization Day on Tuesday, October 3, 1:00 – 4:30 p.m., at the library, 104 Main Street.  Cheshire area residents and their family, friends, and neighbors are being asked to find their WWI related items and stories that might be tucked away in drawers or trunks so they can be included in this important archive.  Registration is not required – just drop in.

Town-Wide Instagram Scavenger Hunt

Saturday Oct 7, 2017, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Grab your friends, family, and phone for the third annual Town-Wide Instagram Scavenger Hunt! You’ll receive a set of clues in the morning, then travel all around Cheshire photographing your solutions and posting them to Instagram. Solve as many or as few clues as you like. All you need is a smartphone or network-enabled device, an Instagram account, a vehicle, and a sense of fun! After the hunt, come back to the Library for a celebratory snack, prizes, and a raffle drawing. Participants of all ages are encouraged to participate. For those unfamiliar with Instagram, technology help will be available when you pick up your clues on the morning of the hunt. Registration is required.

Donuts with Grownups and Coffee with the Candidates

Saturday Oct 7, 2017, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

We are inviting the candidates who are running for the Cheshire Town Council to attend this special session to give Cheshire families the opportunity to meet, ask questions and register to vote if you haven’t already! Donuts with Grownups Storytime is designed especially for working families with children ages 2 and up who can’t make it to our weekday storytimes. Enjoy crafts, activities, music, stories, and of course Donuts as a family!  Best suited for children age 2-6. Cheshire residents only, please. Registration is required.

Introduction to Microsoft Word

Part 1 – October 11, Part 2 – October 18, Part 3 – October 25, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

This class will provide an introduction to Microsoft Word and is divided into three sessions.

  • You will learn basic navigation skills to effectively use the Microsoft Word program.
  • Create a simple document.
  • Edit text and check spelling errors.
  • Format the document.
  • Insert a picture; change font formatting and much more.

Registration is required.

It Happened in Connecticut

Thursday Oct 12, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Witchcraft trials, a serial murderer who inspired a popular movie, and a bizarre vagabond who has fascinated people for 150 years are three amazing yet true stories from the state’s past. Author Diana Ross McCain draws the tales from her books It Happened in Connecticut: Twenty-five Events that Shaped the Nutmeg State and Mysteries and Legends of New England: True Stories of the Unsolved and Unexplained. Following the presentation, McCain will sell and autograph copies of her books. Registration is required.

Yale Jashan Bhangra

Saturday Oct 14, 2017, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Yale Jashan Bhangra, a dance team founded in 2005, performs a traditional folk dance from Punjab.  Learn about Punjabi and Sikh culture, watch a short bhangra performance and get a dance lesson from these talented dancers. No registration required.

Introduction to iPad

Thursday Oct 19, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Do you have an iPad or are you thinking of getting one?  Get the lowdown on apps, music, settings and more. Please bring your fully charged iPad (if you have one), Apple user name/password and your e-mail user name/password if applicable. Registration required as space is limited.

Friday Night @ the Library

Friday Oct 20, 2017, 5:30 PM

The library will be opening at 5:30 pm on Friday October 20 for another Friday Night @ the Library! Enjoy events for children, families & adults including a concert, mini-art lessons for adults and children with ArtsPlace artists and more!   The “Back In Time”’ concert at 6:00 pm will feature Liz McNicholl and Lindsey Ceitinn in a family-style singalong of old favorite songs and fiddle tunes.   Purchase pizza (from Cheshire Pizza and Ale) and drinks from our Friends of the Library. No registration required.

DNA Testing for Genealogy Research: Fact & Fiction

Saturday Oct 21, 2017, 2:30 –  4:00 PM
Thinking about doing a DNA test for your genealogy research or have done one already?  Genealogist Janeen Bjork will talk about the three major companies offering DNA testing, the costs, facts and misconceptions of what testing can do for you.  Registration is required.

Reviving Five Thousand Years of Chinese Civilization

Monday Oct 23, 2017, 6:00  –  7:30 PM
This presentation covers the essence of the traditional Chinese philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, how those core concepts influence medicine, literature, music, and arts, how the rich traditions are being interrupted, and how the authentic culture is returning to world stage through New York based Shen Yun Performing Arts. Registration is required.

Connecticut Rock ‘n Roll: A History

Tuesday Oct 24, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Join author Tony Renzoni as he shares tales from his book “Connecticut Rock ‘n Roll: A History.” Learn about some of the Nutmeg State’s musical highlights: the beautiful harmonies of New Haven’s Five Satins, Gene Pitney’s rise to fame, Stamford’s the Fifth Estate and notable rockers such as Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and Saturday Night Live Band’s Christine Ohlman. Book sale and signing immediately following the program, registration is required.

Connecticut Made

Thursday Oct 26, 2017, 6:30  –  7:30 PM
Join us as Cynthia Parzych discusses her book Connecticut Made.  She will explain interesting, fun business to visit in the state, from wine, beer, jewelry, art and much more.  Her book will also be available for purchase and signing after the presentation.  Registration is required.

Halloween Dance Party and Trick-or-Treating

Monday Oct 30, 2017, 6:00 PM

Come dressed in your Halloween costume for this special Halloween dance party followed by trick-or-treating around the library! For ages 2 and up. Registration required.  Open to Cheshire residents on September 15, all others on October 29th.

Anime Club Halloween Cosplay Extravaganza

Tuesday Oct 31, 2017, 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Dress up and act like your favorite character: anime or otherwise! Prizes will be awarded and Japanese refreshments will be provided—this is one event you won’t want to miss!!  For grades 7—12, no registration required.