New At The Library

*Self Check-Out in the Children’s Department: Thanks to a grant from the Friends of the Library, Booth Library’s Children’s Department now has a self check-out machine.

Just remember, you’ll need your library card in hand to use this wonderful time-saving device. The new machine is located on the counter next to the dollhouse.

 

Children’s Programs

*Mother Goose on the Loose: Mother Goose resumed its regular schedule this week of Wednesday morning programs in the library meeting room. This program of rhymes, songs and movement is for children age birth to 2 and their caregiver, and starts at 10 am.

No registration is necessary, but please note the program is open to Newtown residents only.

*Mother Goose II also resumed its regular schedule this week, meeting Thursday mornings at 10 in the library meeting room.

This program of rhymes, songs, simple books and movement is open to children 24 to 36 months and their caregiver.

No registration is necessary, but this is also open only to Newtown residents.

*Sign Up For Story Hours: Register for story times January 19-27.

Forty-five minute classes for children ages 3-5 will be offered on Monday and Tuesday beginning at 10, and Wednesday and Thursday starting at 1.

Participants must reside in Newtown and registration needs to be done at the Children’s Desk (no phone registrations, please). Classes will begin the week of February 1.

 

Young Adult Programs

*Creative Writing — Fiction signups are open for Newtown students and residents in grades 6-8 who love to write and want to share their work with their peers.

Five group sessions will meet Mondays from 6 to 8 pm on February 1, 8 and 22, and March 1 and 8; there is no class February 15; makeup session will be March 22 if needed).

Students who sign up are expected to attend all five sessions.

The class will be taught by Wally Wood, assisted by Donna Renzulli. Sign up online.

 

Programs For Adults

*Help Put Newtown on The Map: Resident Scot Wilson, the owner of the production company Contagious Media and its on-site installation arm YippieIO, is leading a team called The Blue Moon Modelers in an international competition being run by Google.

The Google Model Your Town Competition is a challenge for residents around the world to create 3D models of their town using SketchUp software. Getting started is easy, and the software tools that are needed are provided by Google free of charge.

One benefit to the competition is that more cities and towns will be included in Google Earth by the time the competition closes on March 1. The biggest benefit for the winning team, however, is that in addition to prizes, Google will donate $10,000 to the town’s public school district.

Scot will be hosting a workshop this weekend at the library. Meet him and his team (which includes son Niles, a member of the library’s YAC who may be presenting a similar workshop for his peers in upcoming weeks) on Saturday, January 9, from 2 to 4 pm.

Bring a laptop and camera if you can, and plan to meet Scot and learn all about this project. He will show participants how to use SketchUp software and hopes to take photos of the library building and begin modeling that during the course of Saturday’s free workshop.

*Poetry Reading: Former longtime Newtown resident Polly Brody will visit the library on Sunday, January 10, at 2 pm (snow date January 17), for a reading and book signing of her latest collection of poetry, called Stirring Shadows. Refreshments will be served.

*Book Discussions: The next Daytime Book Discussion will be on Monday, January 11, at 1 pm, and we will discuss The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

The next Evening Book Discussion will be meet on Thursday, January 17, at 7:30 pm, to discuss China Road by Rob Gifford.

New members are always welcome, and multiple copies of the discussion books are available at the second floor circulation desk.

*Reality Maps (….or Not Your Usual Memoir): Julie Stern is back to lead another great book discussion. This time she’ll focus on four American memoirs.

From Rory Stewart’s adventure narrative set in Afghanistan to Mary-Ann Tirone Smith’s  description of blue collar Hartford in the 1940s and 50s, the four books selected by Julie offer insightful portraits of places and experiences different form our own, yet universal in their humanity.

Discussions will be Wednesday nights starting at 7:30 and will cover the following: January 13, Places in Between by Rory Stewart; January 27, Girls of Tender Age  by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith; February 10, The Colored People by Henry Louis Gates Jr; and February 24, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.

*Ask the Organizer: Are you tired of living under all that clutter? It’s a new year and a great time to get organized!

Organizing expert Bonnie Dewkett (a/k/a The Joyful Organizer) will inspire you to make positive changes in your life with her high-energy one hour event. Learn the basics of how to make calm from chaos at your home and work. Join here on Thursday, January 14, at 7p m, with questions and photos of your organizing challenges.

Sign up online or by calling the library at 203-426-4533. Snow date, if needed, will be  Tuesday, January 19, at 7 pm.

*Protecting Your Family Jewels: Learn everything you need to know about fine jewelry from Joe Brandt, whose family has been in the jewelry business since 1928.

Mr Brandt will be at the library on Tuesday, January 26, at 7 pm, to speak about home security measures, proper care, general options for selling, what to look for (and what to look out for) when buying, insurance guidelines, and intelligent estate planning.  There is a great deal of practical information in this session.

Please sign up online or by calling the library. Snow date would be Tuesday, February 2, at the same time.

C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street in Newtown. Call 426-4533 or visit CHBoothLibrary.org to register for any of the above listings, and for information on additional programs and offerings..