Valentines Day at the Library

Earlier this week I was looking at another library's website and I saw that they are doing an event called "Blind Date with a Book." A few minutes later Kayla came up to me and told me about this thing called "Blind Date with a Book."  After a bit of research we discovered that many libraries across the country are doing this in celebration of Valentine's Day.  It sounded like fun, so we thought we'd try it, too.

So, we have pulled several books from our shelves representing a variety of genres.  We wrapped them in pink paper so that you can't see the title or author, and have set them on a table near the front entrance.  All you have to do is choose a book, take it to the desk and check it out.  When you get home, unwrap your "date," and start reading.  

It's a great way to read a book that you might never have selected .  Who knows, you may discover a new favorite author.  And if the book doesn't grab you, no worries, just bring it back.  We'll keep this display up through Valentine's Day, so you'll have an opportunity to have more than one date if necessary.

For children we have planned a special Valentine's Day event.  On Thursday, February 14 we will have a special Valentine's Day Storytime at 4:00 p.m.  There will be themed books and an opportunity to create some beautiful cards and crafts.  No registration is necessary for this program, which is for children ages 5-8.

And while not directly related to Valentine's Day, there is one event coming up next week that you won't want to miss.  On Thursday, February 8 at 6:30 Kayla and I will be repeating our "Journaling through Art and Words" workshop.  We will provide writing prompts, to help you get started writing your family story, and then Kayla will teach some special art techniques to make your journal special.  Please bring a blank journal of your choice; all other art supplies will be provided.  If you're interested in this program, please contact the library at 646-8181.

The Mother of My Invention

Tomorrow evening the Wells Public Library is pleased to present author Patricia Taub, who will be discussing her memoir entitled The Mother of My Invention.  Taub, a former journalist and family therapist, describes  the last two years of her mother's life, and along the way relates the difficult relationship the two shared during Pat's lifetime.

Taub is the story of a daughter who was finally able see her mother in a different light - as someone who faced many struggles and challenges, and coped as best as she could.

The Mother of My Invention is a book that can help all daughters to see their own mothers as real people with real problems, and that what we can learn about them might help us to live better lives.

The program starts at 6:30, and registration is not required.  For more information please call the library at 646-8181.  We look forward to seeing you for what should prove to be a most enlightening talk. 

Talking about Books

The book I'm reading right now is The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas.   I've been a fan of Dallas ever since her first novel, Buster Midnight's Cafe.  I read Persian Pickle Club when it was first published in 1995, but I'm re-reading it in preparation for next Tuesday's Book Discussion Group.  

Cheryl Mills facilitating a lively discussion

The Wells Public Library currently hosts two Book Discussion Groups; our evening group has been meeting for about 6 or 7 years, and last fall we launched our afternoon group.  I have to say that Book Discussion day is my favorite day of the week.  What could be better than spending a pleasant couple of hours in a library talking about books with a group of people who enjoy reading as much as I do?

We co-sponsor the groups with Wells-Ogunquit Adult Community Education, and the Director of that program, Cheryl Mills and I work together to plan the discussions.  We try to select books that will appeal to a number of people, taking in to consideration such practical matters as availibilty of titles and length of the book.  Most of the books are contemporary fiction, although we also try to include a classic and a non-fiction title.  from time to time. We try to ensure that enough copies are available in the MINERVA online catalog in a variety of formats - audio, regular print and large-print.

Cheryl and I also share the responsibity of facilitating each discussion, spending extra time preparing for the group by researching background information and preparing questions for discussion.  During the discussion the facilitator is not only there to ask questions, but to make sure that everyone has a chance to participate and that the discussion doesn't stray too far off topic.

Occasionally one of the members will let me know they aren't going to be there because "I just didn't like the book."  I always encourage them to come anyway, because it's interesting to get that different perspective.  Some of our best discussions have been when there are dissenting views on the book, and one of my favorite discussions was a couple of months ago when I immensely disliked a book that everyone loved.  It's great seeing people get passionate over stories and ideas, and I find myself re-energized after every discussion.

We invite all of you to join us and see for yourself how invigorating a Book Discussion can be.  For more information about dates and times as well as a list of the upcoming titles, please visit the Book Discussion page of our website.

 If you would like more information just  give me a call - 646-8181.

Hannah Hill's Sampler

In 1985 the library received a very special  donation from Leonard and Barbara (Hill) Berry of New Castle, New Hampshire.  Most of you are probably familiar with the large Grandfather clock that stands next to the Check-out Desk; if not by sight, then by sound as it chimes (mostly) on the hour.  

But very few people are aware of the framed sampler that hangs in the Director's office.  This sampler was made in 1827 by twelve-year-old Hannah Hill, who lived in Wells with her family.

From January 12 through March 2 you will be able to view this lovely sampler at the Saco Museum as part of its exhibit "I My Needle Ply With Skill": Maine Schoolgirl Needlework of the Federal Era.  Along with the exhibit, the Museum has planned several related programs, including a "Stitch In" by the Embroiders'  Guild of America, and "Stitching for Beginners and Beyond.  For more information about this exhibit, please visit sacomuseum.org.

IN March, after the sampler returns  to its permanent home here in the library, if I'm in my office, please feel free to stop by and take a look at this treasure from Wells history.

A Short List of the Wells Public Library's Most Popular Titles of 2012

As 2012 winds down we're taking a look back at some of the most popular books of the year. A few weeks ago I posted some of the "Best Of" lists that abound this time of year, but now I'm going to focus on the books that were popular here in Wells.

Probably the most popular book of the year was, and continues to be, Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn. Published last June, the last time I checked there are 354 people throughout the Minerva system still waiting to read it.  Fortunately, there are over 100 copies, so the wait shouldn't be too long if you haven't had a chance to read it yet.

Other fiction titles that were popular in 2012 include Mission to Paris by Alan Furst, Defending Jacob by William Landay, The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, A Wanted Man by Lee Child, The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny, Home Front by Kristin Hannah, Lone Wolf by Jodi Piccoult,and Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand.  The Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, and Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead were popular this summer. Janet Evanovich's two books,Notorious19 and Wicked Business were also popular, as were the several books published by James Patterson this year.  And we can't forget the enormous popularity of the 50 Shades of Grey series by E.L. James.  

Nonfiction titles that were popular this year include the memoirs When We Were the Kennedys by Maine author Monica Wood, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed, and Lots of Candles Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen. Other popular memoirs were Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling, and Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. Another non-fiction book,  Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain has been growing in popularity since it was published earlier this year.

These are only a few of the thousands of books checked out this year; we'd love to know what your favorites were in 2012.

Happy New Year, and here's hoping that 2013 brings you health, wealth, and a few more good books to read.

ebooks at the Library

A Nook Color ereader device.

This article came through on my Facebook page this morning, and I thought it was interesting because  it discusses what libraries are doing to prepare for the expected post-holiday flood of new ereader owners.  Here at the Wells Public Library we've been ready for  some time now to help you with your ereader and ebook questions.

First, a bit of explanation.  An ereader is the device on which you read your ebook. While you can download and read books on your PC or laptop, most people read them on smaller devices, such as  a Kindle, Nook, or  iPad.    By ebook, I'm referring to the actual content, or title of the book. 

You can get ebooks for your ereaders in a couple different ways.  You can either purchase them (via Amazon or Barnes and Noble), or you may borrow them through the Wells Public Library Overdrive subscription. There are a few places where you can access free ebooks, for example, Project Gutenberg.org

The process of setting up and loading books on to most ereaders can be a bit frustrating to first-time users.  That's why the staff here at the library is more than happy to help you get up to speed.  We do suggest that you give us a call and ask to set up an appointment, though.  That way we can make sure that we allow enough time to answer all your questions and make sure that you're comfortable with your device.  And, if you get home and realize you have more questions, we're also available for follow-up visits.

For those of you who haven't made the jump to ebooks yet, the library has some ebook readers available for check out.  We have one Kindle, and a Nook color that may be checked out with a valid Wells Public Library card for 2 weeks.  We've already loaded books on them, so all you have to do is check it out and start reading.    A list of what books are on each device is below.  And if you're not ready to borrow one, but just want to take a look and see what the fuss is about, stop by our ereader table near the Reference desk.  You can sit down and play with a Kindle or Nook while in the library.
 
Our aim is to assist readers to access books no matter the format.  So, if you are the new owner of a new ereader and need a bit of help getting started, or if you'd like to ask about checking out an ereader, just give us a call at 646-8181. 

These books are available for checkout on our Kindle device:
Austen - Emma
Flynn - Gone Girl
Hoffman - Lost in Translation
Patterson & Karp - NYPD Red
Skloot - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Taylor - Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Tolkien - The Hobbit 

These Books are available for checkout on our nook color device:
Betty Crocker - Betty Crocker Cookbook
Child -  A Wanted Man
Collins - The Hunger Games
Gabaldon - Outlander
Kipling - The Elephant's Child: How the Elephant Got His Trunk
Roberts - The Welcoming
Tolstoy - Anna Karenina  
 

End of the Year Lists

Well, the year is winding down, and in the library world that means that everyone, and I do mean everyone is coming out with its list of the year's best books.  

First up is The New York Times with a list of the 100 Notable books of 2012.  I was sorry to see that out of the nearly 70 books I've read this year, only 2 of them, The Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, and Canada by Richard Ford are on this list, although I am on the waiting list for Ian McEwan's Sweet Tooth.

If you need anymore lists, the blog Largeheartedboy has created a list of all the Best of lists for 2012.  This list will be updated every day as more lists are available.

So, if you're out of something to read and need  ideas, or if you're in the mood to be overwhelmed by all the books you haven't read yet, check out these pages to get more ideas.

Later this week I'll post a few of my favorites for the year, and during the month I'll post some of the staff favorites, as well as the most popular books among our patrons this year.