Now On View

*Special Photography Exhibit: “Diamonds in the Rough,” a multi media exhibition by Ray Shaw, is on view in the library’s lower meeting room and also in the first floor display cases through the end of the month.

“Diamonds in the Rough” is a special photographic journey through the dusty back roads of rural America featuring pictures of our national pastime played the way it was meant to be played, by people who truly love base ball in its earliest form.Mr Shaw’s collection is a tribute to those people and their enduring love for this uniquely American game. This labor of love covers a two-year period when Ray Shaw traveled hundreds of miles to capture the essence of vintage base ball played by its ancient rules.

Children’s Programs

*Summer Reading: The kick-off for our annual summer reading program returns to the library meeting room on Tuesday, June 27, with a fun-filled open house from 10 am to 3 pm.

The Young Adult Council will sponsor a variety of activities for children including crafts, stories and a special live performance featuring Strawberry Shortcake, Gernoimo Stilton, Spot and Curious George. At 3 pm there will be a special musical performance by Geoff Kaufman.

*Nutmeg Book Discussion: Students entering grades 4-6 are invited to join our informal Nutmeg Book Discussion on Wednesday, June 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, when we will talk about Brainboy and the Deathmaster by Tor Seidler.

Darryl is an orphan who happens to be a whiz at computer games. But when Darryl plays a new version of his favorite game, StarMaster, strange things begin to happen.

Call 426-3851 to register.

Programs For Young Adults

Tweens & Teens: “Awesome Anime” is the featured program at the ‘Tweens & Teens Summer Reading Kick-Off on Monday, June 26, from 4 to 6 pm,. at the library.

The program is for rising sixth graders and up. Steve Long will present a selection of old and new stories from Japan to give people an idea of where their favorite anime stories might have come from. Then he will show a selection of short anime features and TV shows.

Summer reading information for young adults will be available. Sign up at the Booth Main Floor Circulation Desk or by call 426-4533.

*New Date! Let’s Talk About … Under the Same Sky by Cynthia DeFelice, a 2007 YA Nutmeg nominee and a book about a very timely subject: Mexican migrant farmers.

Our book discussion will be held on Wednesday, June 14, from 4 to 5, in the Story Room.

Joe wants a new motorbike, but his father insists he earn the money for it. Suddenly he finds himself working alongside Mexican migrant laborers. Can he keep up with the grueling work? What will he do when the farm is raided?

These monthly book discussions for grades 5-9 and up, or any young person who has read the book, are co-sponsored by Reed Intermediate School, and books are available at both libraries. Sign up at the Booth Main Floor Circulation Desk or call 426-4533.

*Creative Writing Summer Camp: Only a few spots remain for this year’s program.

Tom McMorran, an English teacher and Newtown resident, will lead the summer sessions for young people. Camp will meet from 4 to 6 pm on Tuesdays for rising grades 6 and 7, July 11-August 8.

Camp will meet from 4 to 6 pm on Thursdays for rising grades 8 and up, July 6-August 3.

Participants are expected to attend all five sessions. Space is limited to ten writers in each class, with preference given to Newtown residents.

Adult Programs

*Book Discussions at the Library: Upcoming programs include Monday, June 13, at 1 pm, Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver; and Thursday, June 15, at 7:30 pm, Bel Canto by Anne Patchett; and Monday, July 10, at 1 pm, The Devil in The White City by Erik Larsen.

*Literature for a Lifetime: Patricia Barkman has launched discussions on fiction books that deal with “Literature Around Catastrophic Events.”

Our generation has been witness to many natural and terrorist driven catastrophic events, from 9/11 and the tsunami of 2004 to Hurricane Katrina and others. Through the discussion of books in this series, participants will have an opportunity to examine some of the emotional, psychological, economic and political impacts events these have on people.

The next program will concern Speak Memory on June 28, and then the series will conclude with Reading Lolita in Tehran for July 5.

*Book Nook Notes: Baskets of children’s books are on display at The Nook this week. Get some great new titles for summer reading.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street in Newtown, can be reached by calling 426-4533.