Holiday Hours

C.H. Booth Library will be closed July 1-4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday weekend. The library will reopen on Wednesday, July 5, for regular hours of 10 am to 8 pm.

The Friends of the Library’s annual book sale will be held that weekend at Reed Intermediate School; see details later in this week’s column.

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.

*Creative Writing Summer Camp: There are just two spots left 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

*Annual Library Book Sale: Don’t forget to celebrate the 4th of July at the Friends of the Library’s Book Sale starting Sat, July 1, and continuing through Wed, July 5, at its new location: Reed Intermediate School.

*Sounds Of Summer: Join us at The Pleasance, at the corner of Main Street and Sugar St, for three free concerts this summer.

Picnic under the stars with friends and neighbors. Bring you own blankets or low lawn chairs for seating. Concerts begin at 7 pm.

This year’s series will open with a performance by In Harmony on Saturday, July 15. The music continues on Friday, August 18, with Goldrush, and then concludes on Friday, September 8, with The Golden Angel Jazz Band.

In the event of rain on any of the concert dates, the shows will move into the lower meeting room at the library.

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