Library Exhibits

*The Scrapbag Quilters are once again presenting a show of their beautiful quilts at the library. “Journal Pages” is on view during regular library hours through April 16.

Quilted wall hangings by eight members of the Newtown-based group were created in response to the group’s interest in a national project called The Journal Quilt Project. Each 8½ by 11-inch panel on view, hand created by a Scrapbag Quilter, represents one month of a quilt artist’s life during 2003. The panels are humorous, poignant, sentimental, insightful and beautiful. Come see for yourself.

Children’s Events

*Pinocchio Puppet Play: Junior Girl Scout Troop 809 will perform Pinocchio, a puppet show for children ages 4 to 10, on two Saturdays in April, as part of the first annual C.H. Booth Library Cultural Program.

The performances will be on April 3 and 17 at 1:30 pm in the main conference room in the children’s section of the library. Each show will be followed by fun sing-along songs and a hands-on activity, such as a craft or a simple Italian snack.

(Please note a performance was originally planned for April 10, but the library will be closed during Easter weekend.)

Each full program will run from 1:30 to 2 pm and is limited to 75 children. Tickets will be available at the door. Registration is required for the craft activities, as space is limited. Sign up in the children’s department.

Young Adults

*Get On Board & Read: Win a meeting with skateboarder Tony Hawk in the 2004 Get on Board and Read! contest.

Students ages 12 to 18 can enter this national contest with an essay, poem, painting or video about how a favorite book is meaningful to you.

Entry forms are available in the Young Adult area and must be postmarked by April 23. Stop in the library for more information.

Adult Programs

*Tax Help: Free tax help is available at the library from each Saturday until April 10 between 10 am and 2 pm. No appointment is necessary. Just bring any related papers and drop in.

*Why Is She Smiling? On Tuesday, April 6, at 7:30 pm, art historian Joy Pepe will give a lecture and slide show on Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” The program is free but seating is limited so call the library to reserve a place.

*Book Groups: There are lots of ongoing book clubs that meet at the library each month. Classics, mysteries, history, plays, popular fiction, great literature… what do you like to read? Newcomers are always welcome.

The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by H.W. Brands will be discussed on Tuesday, April 6, at 1 pm; Reeds in the Wind by Grazia Deledda will be discussed on Monday, April 12, at 7:30 pm; Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev will be discussed on Thursday, April 15, at 7:30 pm; and As Like It by William Shakespeare will be discussed on Thursday, April 22, at 7:30 pm.

*Can Great Literature Be Funny? Gordon Williams and Liz Arneth will conclude their book discussion series on plays by great playwrights that see the lighter side of life on Thursday, April 22. As You Like It by William Shakespeare will be discussed in the Special Collections Room beginning at 7:30 pm.

Multiple copies are available at the circulation desk. Registration is requested; call the library.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached at 426-4533. Winter hours are 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, noon to 5 pm on Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and 1 to 5 pm on Sunday.