Musings of the Hampstead Public Library Staff

Nooks

2012-01-31T11:50:00.000-05:00

If you've been wanting to check out one of the library's nook e-readers, but didn't want to put your name on a long waiting, now is your chance. We have two nooks just waiting at the front desk to be checked out and a empty reserve list.

Thursday, 1/26 - Meet & Greet Reception

2012-01-25T15:57:00.000-05:00

All are cordially invited to the Hampstead Public Library to meet the new Library Director, Debra Hiett. Ms. Hiett is no stranger to Hampstead, having worked at the Library as the Children’s Librarian from January 2, 1997 to September 1, 2000. She is excited to meet community members and become reacquainted with Hampstead’s library patrons. Please join Ms. Hiett on Thursday, January 26 from 4-6 pm to chat and enjoy light refreshments.

Friends of the Hampstead Public Library Raffle

2011-12-27T14:02:00.001-05:00

The newest raffle basket offered by the Friends of the Hampstead Public Library features good things from Bean Towne in Hampstead. It contains two different kinds of Bean Towne’s very own coffee, English breakfast tea and two hand made pottery mugs in which to pour the coffee or tea once brewed. In addition there are yummy chocolate covered espresso beans and $25.00 worth of Bean Towne’s gift coins.

Tickets for this raffle basket are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. They are available at the front desk of the library.

The winning ticket will be drawn at the next Friends’ program on January 10^th.

Friends of the Hampstead Public Library

2011-11-02T18:51:00.000-04:00

RESCUE DOGS COMING TO THE LIBRARY

Nancy Lyon, well-known search and rescue team leader, will be at the Hampstead Public Library on Tuesday, Nov. 8^th, at 7PM with some of her rescue dogs to talk about the work of these wonderful animals. She has many years experience working with search and rescue dogs and trains them as well. Her slide show will interest anyone who cares about these dogs and their activities and training. Join the Friends for this free program that is open to the public.

Refreshments will follow the program and then members of the Friends are asked to stay for the regular monthly meeting of the group.

Inter-Library Loan - Save the Vans

2011-10-14T11:35:00.002-04:00

Have you ever used our Inter-Library Loan (ILL) service? This is how we request materials (books, DVDs, etc) from other libraries. The Hampstead Public Library’s collection of 55,000 items broadens to 2,000,000 volumes throughout the state with the help of the ILL van system. Continuation of the service is threatened by a recently passed amendment to the state budget. Without this service our ability to provide discussion groups with books, meet specific needs, and provide patrons with free access to a greater variety of materials is severely hampered.

The New Hampshire Libraries Trustee Association has made the "Save the Vans" campaign the center of its website http://nhlta.com/. The site urges library users to contact their lawmakers, sign petitions or write to state librarian Michael York about their personal use of the loan program. If you’d like to write a letter to Mr. York, you can drop it off at the library and we’ll forward it. Otherwise, you can show your support for the ILL van service by joining dozens of other patrons and signing the petition at our library’s front desk.

Local newspapers and news websites have been covering this issue. To read more about it, please go to the New Hampstead Trustee Association website linked above, or see the following articles:

Petitions push to keep interlibrary loan vans on the road in NH

Statewide Inter-Library Lending System in Jeopardy

Rep targets federal inter-library grant

Friends Annual Auction

2011-09-15T18:39:00.000-04:00

The Friends of the Library Annual Auction will be at Zorvino Vineyard's on Friday, November 18th.
Tickets have been on sale for only a week and we have sold half of available seating.

If you plan to attend this Auction, buy tickets soon! Price is $15

Tickets are available at the library and TD Bank on Main Street.

Hope to see you there!

HOLIDAY AUCTION TICKETS

2011-09-06T08:55:00.000-04:00

The Friends of the Hampstead Public Library are hosting their Holiday Auction at Zorvino Vineyards (Sandown) on Friday, November 18th from 6-10PM.

Tickets are now on sale at the Library and TD Bank! Price: $15 ($20 at the door) includes buffet dinner, wine tasting and auction.

Call the library for details.

Live Auction, Silent Auction, Sports Memorabilia, Balloon Pop, 50/50 Raffle, Bake Sale & More!

Summer Reading Program Photographs

2011-08-18T16:01:00.000-04:00

If you would like to see photographs from our 2011 Summer Reading Program, click here.

Friends March 8th Program

2011-03-01T17:18:00.000-05:00

Come to the Hampstead Public Library on Tuesday, March 8th, at 7PM to spend a delightful hour with New Hampshire’s very own storyteller, Rebecca Rule.

"Better Than a Poke in the Eye: New Hampshire Humor” is one of several humorous presentations in Rebecca Rule’s repetoire. She has been collecting, publishing, broadcasting and presenting funny stories from around the countryside for more than a decade in her personal crusade to illuminate the character and identity of our very special state through anecdotes told by residents..

The Friends of the Library’s March raffle will take place as scheduled on March 8th. This month's raffle includes a Hampstead Public Library book bag filled everything a book lover needs for a good winter’s read: a reading light, bookmarks, book plates and labels, a photo album, book and reading themed calendars, a book of literary crosswords, some chocolates to nibble while ensconced on the couch, and of course some books to read.

This wonderful book bag full of reading related goodies has been donated to the Friends by the Third Thursday Book Discussion Group who want the lucky winner to “Read and Relax”. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the front desk of the library at the very minimal cost of $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

The winner will be drawn before the program so be sure to get your name in the raffle jar soon.

Friends March 8th Program

2011-02-24T10:57:00.000-05:00

The program scheduled for Tuesday, March 8th has been cancelled.

The Friends of the Library’s March raffle will take place as scheduled on March 8th. The Hampstead Public Library book bag holds everything a book lover needs for a good winter’s read: a reading light, bookmarks, book plates and labels, a photo album, book and reading themed calendars, a book of literary crosswords, some chocolates to nibble while ensconced on the couch, and of course some books to read.

This wonderful book bag full of reading related goodies has been donated to the Friends by the Third Thursday Book Discussion Group who want the lucky winner to “Read and Relax”. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the front desk of the library at the very minimal cost of $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

The winner will be drawn before the business meeting still scheduled on March 8th so be sure to get your name in the jar soon.

Friends Program - Harmonium

2011-02-03T18:53:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, February 8th at 7PM, the Friends of the Hampstead Public Library will present Harmonium.

Harmonium, a Hampstead acapella singing group, will entertain us with theatrical songs from the past. Come and enjoy the new arrangements of some old, familiar songs.

Refreshments will be served.

Closing at 1:00pm today

2011-01-18T12:46:00.000-05:00

Due to the snowy weather, the library will be closing at 1pm today, Tuesday January 18th.

Thrift Shop Closed Today

2011-01-18T09:48:00.000-05:00

The Thrift Shop will be closed today due to weather. It will be opened again on Saturday, January 22nd from 9AM till Noon.

Storytime Cancelled

2011-01-18T09:44:00.000-05:00

Due to the weather conditions and school closing, the Tuesday morning (January 18th) Storytime - Mother Goose on the Loose has been cancelled.

Current Biography

2010-10-25T16:44:00.000-04:00

Current Biography can now be found in our magazine section and you may check out individual issues. For years we have had this publication, but have received it once a year, with all 11 issues combined. It was also shelved upstairs in the reference area. Clearly, that meant it didn’t get much use. So we’ve changed our subscription in order to make it a bit more user friendly.

Current Biography is published 11 times a year and provides readers with up to date biographies on people in the news and from a range of professions. During this past year Current Biography has featured such people as:

Tim Lincecum - of the World Series bound SF Giants (June 2010)
Quentin Bryce - Governor-general of Australia (February 2010)
Jane Lynch - comic actress currently starring in the TV show Glee (July 2010)
Kumi Naidoo – executive director of Greenpeace (September 2010)
Esperanza Spalding - jazz bassist, singer and composer (August 2010)
Don Lemon - television news anchor and journalist (May 2010)

Plus many more. Each issue has between 14-20 biographies. Just like our other magazines can be checked out for 2 weeks

HARVEST OF PLENTY RAFFLE

2010-09-30T13:55:00.000-04:00

Guest Blogger: Friends of the Hampstead Public Library

The Friends of the Library have a new raffle basket on display near the front desk of the library. The Harvest of Plenty basket contains lots of wonderful autumn items such as a pumpkin serving plate, a pumpkin candle holder and candle, dish towels, matching napkins and plates, a table runner and lots of other nice things. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. They are for sale at the front desk.

The winner of this wonderful basket will be drawn on October 12th at the Friends monthly program. Get your tickets now because October 12th is fast approaching. The funds raised by the raffles all benefit the Friends of the Hampstead Public Library which enables the Friends to provide lots of support and extras to the library.

Ongoing Book Sale Prices

2010-09-24T11:47:00.000-04:00

After many years we have changed the prices on some books in our ongoing book sale. Those are the books you see right in the front entrance. Some prices have increased, but some have decreased. Either way, the prices are still a bargain and we are always re-stocking those shelves as books sell, so you never know what you might find.

New prices as of September 24, 2010

Adult Hardcover $1.00
Adult Paperback 50¢

Kids Hardcover 50¢
Kids Paperback 25¢

DVD $1.00
VHS 50¢
Music CD $1.00
Books on CD 25¢ per CD
Books on Tape 25¢ per tape, max $1.00 per book

As always, magazines are free and patrons are encouraged, but not required, to take one and give one (gently used only please.)

New Travel Books

2010-09-16T19:45:00.001-04:00

Planning a longer trip than one locally to see the leaves? (see previous blog)

We recently added some new travel books to our collection. If you're going to any of the following locations, stop by and check out a book to help you plan your trip:

Coastal Carolinas
Coastal Maine
Denmark
Egypt
Germany
Greece
Napa and Sonoma Valley, California
Netherlands
Poland
The Southwest USA and Las Vegas

Leaf Peeping Season

2010-09-08T15:37:00.000-04:00

Autumn is just around the corner and that means Leaf Peeping Season. If you’ve thought about planning a short local day trip to view the beautiful leaves of NH and New England the library has some great books and website suggestions to help you plan your trip.

Like to hike and want to see the leaves from all around you?
50 More Hikes in New Hampshire
Best Hikes with Children in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine
Moon Outdoors: New England Hiking
Nature Walks in Southern New Hampshire
--for additional titles check our catalog or ask someone at the library

Rather be on a bike?
Moon Outdoors: New England Biking
Road biking northern New England: a guide to the greatest bicycle rides in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine
Mountain biking New Hampshire's state parks and forests

Not quite the outdoorsy type? All of these books provide a map, driving directions and information about the drive and area attractions you might want to stop for:
Country Roads of New Hampshire
The Plant Explorer’s Guide to New England
Scenic Driving New England

The Internet has some wonderful guides as well. A sampling:
Yankee Magazine Fall Foliage
New Hampshire’s Home page – Fall Foliage Guide
Visit New England

If you need assistance finding any of the books above in the library, just ask someone at the reference or front desk.

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month!

2010-09-02T17:46:00.000-04:00

You’re reading this, so the chances are good you are already a library supporter and have a library card. But maybe you know someone without a library card? Maybe you had one long ago, or moved to a new town and haven’t gotten a new one yet. Well, how about coming in today and signing up. Here at the Hampstead Library we’ll give a free card to anyone who lives, works, owns property or goes to school here. Just show us some ID that proves this and in just a few minutes you’ll have a brand new card all ready to use. You can check out books, DVDs, magazines, books on CD or music CDs. You can use your library card online to read thousands of magazines, journals, or newspapers. You can even use your card to check-out downloadable audio books and e-books. There is something for everyone.

For more information, go to our website.

Book Sale - Thank you!

2010-09-01T12:30:00.000-04:00

The annual book sale came to a close this past Saturday and once again it was a successful event for the library. If you helped us bring boxes of books upstairs from the basement, or helped unpack and organize the books, or worked during the sale, or came and bought a book or two (or more) the success is in part due to your participation.
So thank you to all.

Book Sale - Still lots to buy!

2010-08-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

The Book Sale is still going on and there are plenty of books to choose from. Plus, we’ve dropped our prices! Friday only, anything in the sale can be bought for only $0.25.

Library hours on Friday are 9am to 6pm.

**Rumor is that on Saturday you can buy a plastic bag or small tote bag full for just $1.00. Or grab a box from the hallway outside the meeting room and fill it for only $3.00. But to get the best selection you need to come on Friday. Don’t wait. That book that is calling your name might be gone by Saturday**

Volunteers needed for Booksale

2010-08-10T10:28:00.000-04:00

Our Booksale is coming up and we are looking for a few strong backs who could help us move more than 200 boxes of books from the basement to the second floor. Fortunately, we do have an elevator! Volunteers are needed on Wednesday, August 18 from 3PM to 5PM and Thursday, August 19 from 10:30AM to 1PM. If you can help us out, please contact Merrily Samuels at the Library (329-6411 or msamuels@hampstead.lib.nh.us).

Genealogy

2010-06-23T16:35:00.000-04:00

Searching for your ancestors?

Want to create a Family Tree?

Stop in at the library and learn what is available to help you. Two great databases to get you started are Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest, available for free. Handouts are offered in our Reference Section located on the 2nd floor.

Discover your “roots” today!

NH Museums Open for Season - Passes Available

2010-05-13T18:28:00.001-04:00

Spring is in the air and it’s a great time to get out and see more of New Hampshire. At the Hampstead Public Library, we’ve got just the ticket! There are a few area museums which open for the season on May 1st and we have passes available for them throughout the spring, summer & fall. Call the library or stop by to reserve your pass.
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, 603-456-2600 (www.indianmuseum.org), is located in Warner, NH. Open seven days a week, starting May 1st. The library pass is good for 2 FREE admissions. The museum is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and noon to 5:00 pm on Sundays. Visitors are invited to explore the grounds, which include Medicine Woods, a 2.5 mile nature trail; Anna’s Garden, a traditional Native American Garden; a wigwam frame, a tipi and more! See their website for calendar events, including the July 2010 powwow.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, 603-968-7194 (www.nhnature.org), trails opened on May 1st. It is located on Rt. 113 in Holderness, NH. The library pass is good for 2 FREE trail admissions, plus up to 4 additional discounted trail admissions of $7 each. Trails are open from 9:30am to 4:30 pm, last admission is at 3:30pm. The center has several trails including the ¾ mile Gephart Exhibit Trail, which offers close views of wildlife in woodland enclosures. The Science Center has wheelchairs and electric carts available, simply call in advance to reserve one.

Strawbery Banke Museum, in Portsmouth NH, 603-433-1100 (www.strawberybanke.org), opened daily as of May 1st. The library pass will give FREE admission for two (2) adults and up to four (4) children, plus free admission to special events, and a 10% discount in the museum store. Strawbery Banke is open daily, 10 am to 5 pm. Travel back in time and experience how people lived in a typical American neighborhood throughout four centuries of history. See their website for a complete calendar listing of special events.

Library museum passes are day specific; therefore, it is necessary for you to reserve them in advance. Simply call the library (329-6411) or stop in to make your museum pass reservations. For a complete list of all museum passes available for Hampstead Public Library patrons, go to our website http://www.hampsteadlibrary.org/museum-passes.asp.

New Non-Fiction Reads

2010-04-29T19:13:00.000-04:00

Wondering what new non-fiction books we’ve recently added to the collection? Here is a very small sampling:

You say tomato, I say shut up: a love story by Annabelle Gurwitch

Brace for Impact: the search for the meaning in near death and hope in new life – voices from flight 1549 by Dorothy Firman

Willie Mays: the life, the legend by James S. Hirsch

To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the epic chase to justice in the Old West by Mark L. Gardner

Make job loss work for you: get over it and get your career back on track by Richard S. Deems

Bluebird: women and the new psychology of happiness by Ariel Gore

Newsonomics: twelve new trends that will shape the news you get by Ken Doctor

The Whale: in search of the giants of the sea by Philip Hoare

Stand by Her: a breast cancer guide for men by John W. Anderson

I’m still standing: from captive U.S. soldier to free citizen – my journey home by Shoshana Johnson

Just listen: discover the secret to getting through to absolutely anyone by Mark Goulston

All of these and more can be found on the New Book Shelves across from the front desk.

Cozy Mystery Readers

2010-04-21T12:32:00.000-04:00

Attention cozy mystery readers.
We’ve added some new titles and series you might be interested in reading.

Maggie Barbieri is the author of the four titles so far in the Murder 101 series featuring Alison Bergeron, an English professor at St. Thomas College in NYC. The series begins with Murder 101 and is followed by Extracurricular Activities, Quick Study and Final Exam.

Spenser Quinn writes the Chet and Bernie mystery series. There are currently two books in this series that feature a canine narrator, Chet. Dog Gone It came out in 2009 and Thereby Hangs a Tail was just published in 2010. If you like dogs and mysteries, this series might be one you’ll enjoy.

Other new titles:

Wicked Craving is the latest Savannah Reid Mystery by author G.A. McKevett.

Dial H for Hitchcock by Susan Kandel is the 5th book in the Cece Caruso series, but the first we’ve added to our collection, so let us know what you think of it.

Double Black is the very first Ski Diva Mystery by Wendy Clinch. The book takes place on the slopes in neighboring Vermont. Again, if you like the series, let us know and we’ll keep an eye out for the next title in the series.

Census 2010

2010-04-02T10:09:00.000-04:00

The United States Constitution mandates that every 10 years a census is taken. Every person living in the United States is counted so as to appropriate the number of members sent to the US House of Representatives from each state, as well as distribute federal funding for social and economic programs. This has been done for the past 220 years!

By now most people have received a Census 2010 form in the mail and many have already sent it back. The website Census2010.gov has a fun map that lets you keep up to date on the percentage of households in each town that have returned their form.

How is Hampstead doing in comparison to neighboring towns?
Census 2010 Map

For other information on the Census, you can check out their website: Census 2010

Trash Disposal & Recycling Questions

2010-03-04T19:48:00.000-05:00

Trash disposal and recycling questions should be directed to Pat Bracken at HampsteadRecycles@gmail.com.

You can also access the Hampstead Solid Waste Committee’s Facebook group “Hampstead Recycles.” By joining this group you can stay up to date with the town’s recycling progress and committee updates.

2010 Olympic Winter Games

2010-02-17T12:20:00.000-05:00

Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combined , Short Track Speed Skating , Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, and Speed Skating.

• These are the 15 events of the Olympic Winter Games
• There are 82 countries represented – including a few not known for their winter climate, such as Mexico, Ghana and Bermuda
• There are over 2500 athletes
• This is only the 2nd time Canada has hosted the Winter Games – Calgary in 1988 was the other

Keep up to date with all the medal winners and events at:
Vancouver 2010
NBC Olympics
Olympic.org the Official Website of the Olympic Movement

Tax Time

2010-01-29T09:42:00.002-05:00

As in the past, the library has some tax forms available for the taking. The type of forms and publications is limited and the quantities vary. However, if you know the form number or name you are looking for, the IRS makes it very simple, you can print it out right from your own computer. Just head over to IRS.gov and use their Forms and Publications link. The site also include information about e-filing, checking on a refund, tax rules for charities, the list goes on and on.

Are you a NH resident who works in MA? The website for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue has the form you need as well.

Hoping you all get a big refund!

Animals & Rita Mae Brown

2010-01-20T15:21:00.002-05:00

Mystery author, novelist and poet Rita Mae Brown has just published an "autobiography by animal" that is a wonderful read for her fans and animal lovers alike. It's full of the many dogs, cats and horses that have informed her life and her books including Sneaky Pie, the feline co-author of the Mrs. Murphy mystery series. Readers of the Sister Jane Arnold books will recognize many of the horses and foxes from Brown's biography. Her rather telegraphic style infuses this book, too, and makes it a quick read but one with lots of food for thought as her life view is on display as well. "Animal Magnetism" is the title but the subtitle tells the truth about the book: "My Life with Creatures Great and Small". It's on the New Non-fiction shelves with the call number B BROWN RITA.

New Magazines

2010-01-13T11:12:00.002-05:00

We recently reviewed our magazine collection and decided it needed a bit of a change. So, we’ve purchased subscriptions to 7 new magazines. Some have started arriving and can be found on the shelves in the magazine area, others will be coming soon. The new titles are:

Beadwork
Body & Soul
Cooking Light
Entertainment Weekly
Interweave Knits
Organic Gardening
Self

As always, if you are looking for a certain magazine or article and don’t see that we subscribe, please ask us. We may have online access – get your new library card for easy access to online databases – or we might be able to acquire specific articles from another library that does subscribe or though the NH State Library.

-Merrily

Snowflake fun!

2009-12-08T12:08:00.002-05:00

SnowDays - It's Always Snowing Somewhere

The Holiday Shopping Season Has Arrived

2009-11-28T13:41:00.003-05:00

Our Autumn program theme was Recession Remedies. Now that the holiday shopping season is upon us, where do you go to save money?

We all have our favorite stores, whether they are online or brick and mortar. Either way, if you do a bit of searching on the Internet before hand, you might save yourself some money.

Sites like Retailmenot, Current Codes and Coupon Cabin (there are many others too) provide printable coupons for in store use, or promotional and discount codes you can enter when ordering online. Online codes don’t always work, for one thing you need to make sure you’re looking at an up to date site, but you usually know whether you’ll be getting the discount before you submit your order. So you have time to change your mind.

Do you have great money saving sites you go to first? Please share it with us.

Thanksgiving safety

2009-11-20T12:12:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving is coming up quickly, next week in fact. We all learned the history of Thanksgiving back in elementary school. About the discovery of the new land, about the Pilgrims rough journey across the Atlantic Ocean, their first few very hard years here in America and about the Native Americans who occupied this land beforehand.

Today, in addition to giving thanks, the 4th Thursday in November is about football, turkey trots, parades, and of course, turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings.

We want to make sure everyone has a safe holiday, and for Thanksgiving, that means food safety and making sure your turkey and stuffing is cooked properly. Whether this is your first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner, your 10th or 45th, brushing up on safety tips is always a good idea.

There are many websites where you can read and print fact sheets, recipes, shopping lists and storage labels, listen to podcasts, watch videos and follow online. Here are a few:

Food Safety, follow on Twitter

USDA Food Safety and Inspection , follow on Twitter or Facebook

Holiday Food Safety

As always, the Butterball Hotline is up and running, by phone and online to take your questions.

I can’t mention the Butterball Hotline without including one of my favorite scenes from The West Wing:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Veterans Day, November 11th

2009-11-09T14:58:00.004-05:00

Why do we honor and celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th?

Although World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the fighting ceased between the Allies and Germany during the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918. That day, November 11th, became known as Armistice Day.

Armistice Day was first observed in 1919 under President Woodrow Wilson and was made a legal holiday on May 13, 1938. 16 years later, in 1954, Armistice Day was officially changed to Veterans Day so as to recognize all U.S. Veterans.

Some links if you’re interested:

The Veterans History Project

United States Department of Veterans Affairs – National Veterans Day Ceremony

The History of Veterans Day from The History Channel

Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns (or Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)

We're All Consumers

2009-10-19T18:21:00.003-04:00

Do you need the correct web site to get your free annual credit report from all three credit reporting companies? It isn't the one advertised on TV with a guy singing a catchy jingle.

Is that toy you bought to give as a gift safe? Or has the meat you bought on sale and froze for a later time been recalled due to salmonella contamination?

Want to add your phone number to the Do Not Call Registry? Or get your name off mailing lists that are filling up your mailbox with junk and wasting paper?

Need to know more about identity theft and how to protect yourself? Or has your identity been stolen and you want to know what to do now?

Our Consumer Information section of the Research Resources page has the correct links to all of these and more. Check it out.

Book Talk

2009-10-03T11:38:00.001-04:00

What are your favorite series?

Welcome!

2009-10-03T11:36:00.001-04:00

Now that our blog can easily be found via Facebook, we’re hoping all of our library fans will post comments. It doesn’t matter how long ago the initial entry was written. We’d like to know YOUR opinions and ideas!

Visual Search

2009-10-03T11:33:00.001-04:00

Visual Search Buttons are fun for all ages. Recent additions to the children’s page are princesses, horses, and trucks. For example, even the youngest child can click on the picture of a princess and then see each of the picture books we have in our collection and whether they are checked IN or OUT. Most titles include a picture of the book cover, too. Find these and more under Visual Search in our online catalog.

Marcia S.

Television Series

2009-08-13T17:07:00.007-04:00

With no cable, no antenna, and no desire, I haven’t watched television in decades, so it’s been fun to check out a few of our new DVDs of long-ago or recent hit TV series. I’m now able to watch a quick commercial-free show at my own convenience, rather than at a scheduled time.

Some of our latest purchases include:

Boston Legal, CSI, Dead Like Me, 24, The Partridge Family, 30 Rock, Full House, Get Smart, Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, The Hardy Boys, Little House on the Prairie, Lost, MacGyver, Seinfeld, True Blood, The Waltons, and The X Files.

An easy way to see what we have in our library collection is to use the visual search option located in the menu on the left of our library catalog. Click on General Interests and then on TV Series.

Happy viewing!
Marcia S.

The ICA

2009-07-30T14:26:00.000-04:00

The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston is worth the trip just to see the building. Located on the Boston waterfront, the building takes advantage of the views both inside and out. I went particularly to see the Shepard Fairey exhibit which has been running since February and ends on August 16. Fairey became well known as a graffiti artist (many cities including Boston have not found this amusing) in the 90’s and then even more famous for the cover art he did of President Obama for Time Magazine. I can’t say that I really liked his exhibit, but I found it very interesting. A very prolific painter, the mixed media images take up 4 rooms in the museum. The art reminded me of Communist Russia or Nazi Germany, but the explanation of what he is trying to do makes sense.
The rest of the ICA collection is also interesting, but again I can’t say I liked a lot of it, but it is intriguing to see what is considered art. A cube made of common pins, and scotch tape in hills and valleys on the floor are unique if nothing else.
But again it’s the building that to me is the real art. There are many viewing areas inside that have floor to ceiling windows to look out to the water. The computer room slopes steeply towards the water and almost feels as if you’re walking into it. Outside there are steps to sit on and a cafeteria if you want to eat something at the same time.
If you haven’t been to the waterfront area of Boston in the last couple of years, that’s another reason to go. With the Big Dig finally over t the access is so much easier. There is a walking path that runs from the ICA along the waterfront for several miles. The Rose Kennedy greenway is finished and it is now so easy to get to Quincy Market. There are many places to eat, shop and many other things to do.
The library’s pass for the ICA allows 2 people admission for a cost of $5.00 each. Often we are able to give out more than the one pass.

Ann Myer

Baseball and the reading is easy

2009-07-15T15:51:00.006-04:00

It is finally starting to feel like summer outside. Major League Baseball is in full swing and the library has some of the latest baseball books just waiting to be read.

Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend by Larry Tye

Forever blue : the true story of Walter O'Malley, baseball's most controversial owner and the Dodgers of Brooklyn and Los Angeles by Michael D'Antonio

Red Sox rule : Terry Francona and Boston's rise to dominance by Michael Holley

A-Rod : the many lives of Alex Rodriguez by Selena Roberts

The rocket that fell to earth : Roger Clemens and the rage for baseball immortality by Jeff Pearlman

Book Review: The STORY SISTERS by Alice Hoffman

2009-07-13T16:43:00.003-04:00

THE STORY SISTERS – a new novel by Alice Hoffman (2009). I started reading Hoffman several years ago after seeing a woman in a library with a few of her books. I asked if Hoffman was a good author, and she said “Ooooh, yes.” She wasn’t kidding. At this point, I’ve read almost everything she has written and I really don’t know any other author who weaves a story quite like Alice Hoffman. You can almost feel the dreaminess at the tips of Hoffman’s storyteller fingers as she lures you along into another fabulous tale. There is always an element of magic to her novels and STORY SISTERS is no different. This novel is about 3 sisters (almost fairytale-like in their beauty and their relationship with one another) and how a secret “something bad” effects the course of their lives. It follows the sisters from early teen years to adulthood, through entrancing imagined worlds and painful realities, addiction and transformation, love and hate. At times tragic (tears ran down my cheeks for one section,) the story is a compelling and rich feast for your mind. I highly recommend the book. – Janet A.

Picture Books

2009-06-23T16:27:00.009-04:00

Anybody an overgrown fan of picture books? I am. When my kids were little (and even when they weren't so little), I’d borrow at least a dozen a week from the library, enjoying each turn of the page as much as they did.
Here are a few of my favorites:

There are so many good ones—

I could go on and on. OK, I'll stop.

What's your favorite picture book?

Marcia S.

Butterflies

2009-06-09T16:19:00.012-04:00

The Hampstead Public Library is fortunate to have so many generously donated museum passes. I recently visited The Butterfly Place in Westford, MA. Although smaller (and therefore less time consuming) than most of our offerings, it’s free with our pass and easy to locate. Directions and all that they have to offer can be found at http://butterflyplace-ma.com/

When you step into the heated atrium, you're soon surrounded by exotic birds, tropical plants, and hundreds of butterflies Bring your camera, but be prepared, these lovely flying creatures are fast. Here are a few I caught:

Just for fun, I added a Visual Search button into our catalog, so you can learn all about butterflies before you head out to Westford. First click on Search Library Catalog on our website homepage. Then select Visual Search from the left column. Choose General Interest. Click the Butterfly.

Marcia S.

Edited to note: The Butterfly Place is closed due to a tragic roof collapse; thankfully there were no injuries.

Light Reads

2009-06-09T15:21:00.004-04:00

If you don’t have time to plow through one of those lately-popular heavy tomes that would serve equally well as a doorstop, try something shorter. Here are two little books sporting long titles, numerous authors and multiple viewpoints:

THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG by Muriel Barbery and Alison Anderson (translator) takes place in a Parisian apartment building. One quote to get you in the mood: "I was the child of nothing. I had neither beauty nor charm, neither past nor ambition. I had not the slightest savoir-faire or sparkle. There was only one thing I wanted: to be left alone, without too many demands upon my person, so that for a few moments each day I might be allowed to assuage my hunger." (for books, art, music and speculative thought.)

THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows consists of fictional letters written during the mid 1940’s. Despite tragic stories of life under Nazi occupation, a charming tale.

You're sure to find plenty of gems packed in both of these short novels.

Marcia S.

2009-06-04T21:06:00.003-04:00

The post about Julie and Julia inspired me to add a note about Not Becoming My Mother by Ruth Reichl. People know Reichl as the former food critic for the august NY Times and from her 3 culinary autobiographies. Not Becoming My Mother is a very small, very personal footnote to her other books that reveals a very different side to Reichl the critic and culinary guru. It also leads the reader to reflect on the eternal mother/daughter relationship that has given us so much good literature over the years. Reichl's mother was in many ways a problem parent but, several years after her death, Reichl discovers a cache of notes, letters and journals that enlighten her about the true meaning of her mother's life in a whole new way. How many of us would discover hidden areas of our mothers' lives in their notes the way Reichl did? And how many of us would discover the secret motivation behind our mothers' actions as she did? A tiny book with much food for thought.

Janet E.

Julie & Julia

2009-06-03T16:24:00.004-04:00

My motivation for posting to this blog after a lapse of about a year was the book Julie & Julia by Julie Powell. This is the true story of an almost 30 year old woman who has the crazy idea to make every recipe (524) in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year. Not only does she write about her culinary disasters and triumphs, but also her relationship with her husband, her dissatisfaction with her government secretarial job, and the dating exploits of her friends. She also creates a blog about her experiences when blogging was a fairly novel concept.

What appealed to me most about this book (it certainly wasn't the descriptions of kidneys, liver, and brains she was preparing) was the author's brutal honesty and biting sense of humor. There is no pretense about her. She put her true self out there; the good, the bad, and the messy. And I got her. I liked her. I respected her.

I've never been great at analyzing literature. Dissecting characters, searching for themes, and making connections has always seemed very cold and sterile to me. I have a more emotional, visceral response to books. While reading Julie & Julia, I wanted to crawl inside the pages and become part of her life. I guess you could say I liked it.

P.S. The movie based on this book is being released in August and stars Meryl Streep as Julia and Amy Adams as Julie. Make sure you read the book first - it's always better than the movie.

What Should I Read?

2009-05-30T13:47:00.002-04:00

Nothing strikes fear in my heart more than when a library patron asks me, "What's a good book to read?" First of all patrons always assume as a librarian that I have read every book in the library and have all of them cataloged in my head. Contrary to popular belief, this is not true.

Secondly, each person has their own particular style and is naturally drawn to certain types of genres. Making a book choice can be a very personal and elusive process. I would compare it to choosing a mate but that's really going too far. Lastly, I believe mood plays a large part in deciding what to read when. Just as sometimes we crave junk food (sweet or salty?) and sometimes we desire a gourmet meal (scallops or filet mignon?) our book tastes can also vary widely. I consider it an awesome responsibility in helping patrons with their selections.

So you're probably thinking, "Calm down, it's just a question!" And you know what? That would be great advice. And the best part of borrowing a book from the library is that there is no commitment. If a certain book doesn't settle well with you, go back to the buffet and choose again.