Hand-crafted pottery is in the display case at the Beach library
Weekly Activities
-Preschool Story Hour for children on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 10:30 a.m.
-Knitting class meets Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m.
-Monthly Writer’s Group meets on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 10:30 a.m.
-Dog Day on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
-Writing Class meets Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 1:30 p.m.
Activity Details
Knitters join together on Nov. 18 to share ideas and conversation. Those just starting to knit are always welcome.
Dog Day is available on Nov. 19. We have two dogs and handlers visiting this day so there are plenty opportunities for children to enjoy reading. Pre-registration is needed. If you’re unfamiliar with this positive literacy program, check for details at the front desk.
Writing class facilitated by Corinne Thwing meets Nov. 24. Class size is small so feel free to share current project.
Reading
The National Endowment for the Arts has been studying the reading habits of adult Americans as evidenced by reports such as “Reading at Risk” (July, 2004) and “Reading on the Rise (January, 2009). It is clear that something important and fundamental is happening to reading and books.
You’ll notice that we carry many titles in regular print and oftentimes the same titles also in large print and in audios. Feel free to experiment in reading.
I suspect that reports of the death of reading are premature. Readers are resilient and inventive. We spend a lot of time developing our collection as we aim to aid you improve and maximize your reading experience.
Energizing Story
Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard it all: the bad stuff about Hurricane Katrina and the troubles in New Orleans. Though you cannot imagine that there’s anything left to tell, there is. Pick up “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers (976.335 EGG) and brace yourself for a riveting read. A master storyteller, Eggers writes with both the compassion and the impartiality of an accomplished journalist. He simply tells the story of Abdulrahman Zeitoun and his wife Kathy. They own and run a thriving contracting business in New Orleans. They are both Muslim. Kathy had converted before she met her husband, a Syrian-born American citizen. Hard-working, generous, family-values oriented, trusting and trusted, they are engulfed by Hurricane Katrina’s equal-opportunity devastation.
Eggers focuses our eyes on resourceful Zeitoun, who stays in the beleaguered city, though he sends his wife and children away to safety. He paddles his old garage-sale aluminum canoe along the silent rivers that were once streets. He rescues stranded residents; he feeds frightened dogs; he teams up with other Good Samaritans. You, the reader, enter this story-an invisible passenger in Zeitoun’s canoe and in a life that develops a routine you come to accept as “normal.”
But it is at your peril, reader. Once you are with him, you are in it for the whole voyage. As the suspense creeps in, then expands like yeast dough, you will likely be drawn into the momentum of this energizing story.
Pottery
The display case at the top of the stairs on the second floor features hand crafted pottery by Sandy Lawson. You’ll notice she has a knack for texture and the deep colors make the work appealing.
Vermeer
Is there anyone who cares for painting and does not love Johannes Vermeer (1632-75)? Only thirty-two canvases are attributed to him and have survived but their rarity seems to make them all the more appealing.
We have a wealth of titles to explore Vermeer’s art. In enjoying his art, one comes to also learn what other Dutch artists he learned from, emulated, and surpassed. What current artistic themes did he adopt and reinterpret? See “The Essential Johannes Vermeer” (759.949 SWE) and “Vermeer, 1632-1675” (759.949 SCH). To explore influences on Vermeer and he on others, look at “Vermeer” (759.949 GOW and 759.949 BAI) and “Vermeer’s Camera” (759.949 STE). Finally close out with “The World of Vermeer” (709.2 VER).
Vermeer’s thirty-two canvases are marvelously reproduced and discussed in Walter Liedtke’s “Vermeer: The Complete Paintings.” If you are able to consider a gift to the library for $75 we can add this masterpiece.
Patience
Thank you for your patience when you come to the library and we are busy. Our budget has seen no increase but usage of the library is up dramatically. Staff work hard and appreciate your willingness to wait a little if the user flow is active.
Number of items checked out was up 16% in October and while we are handling the flow well, we feel the need more than ever for expansion.
Volunteer
If you’re able to spend a few hours returning items to the shelves each week, consider filling out a Volunteer Application. Also if you’re available to assist in Internet sign-ups for four hours each week during January, February and March, please fill out the same Volunteer Application and we’ll contact you to arrange a time in the schedule.
Library Hours
Don’t remember library hours? Call for information. When we are closed, a recorder gives the hours of operation, either on 765-8162, or on 765-8163. Except for holidays, which would be mentioned on the recorder, we are open Monday and Wednesday from 9-8, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-1. We look forward to seeing you.