Holiday Closing, Summer Hours

C.H. Booth Library will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Residents should also note that this weekend will be the final one that the library is open on Sunday until the fall. During July and August we will be open Monday through Saturday; we will return to Sunday hours in September, after Labor Day.

For Children

*Summer Reading: The official start of the Booth Library’s Summer Reading program was June 25. This independent reading program is open to children ages 4 through grade 5.  Sign up is ongoing throughout the eight week program that offers children an opportunity to discuss what they are reading with a young adult volunteer and  earn rewards  donated by local businesses.

A variety of programs will be offered for all ages. Marie Walker will conduct craft programs on Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 for ages 6 and up. Registration is required and a $3 material fee is due upon registration.

On Tuesday, July 8, at 3:30, karate Master Leif Becker will give a martial arts demonstration for children ages 4 and up.  Mr Becker is the fastest board breaker in the world.

PJ Story Time will take place on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm beginning July 9 with the puppet play The Three Little Pigs.  Recommended for children ages 3-7, no registration is required.

Jim Knox will bring surprise animal guests to the library on Thursday, July 10, at 3:30 pm. Mr Knox is the writer and host of the new PBS series “Wild Zoofari,” an informative look at some of the best zoos in the country and the world.

Other programs include Club Zoom, a hands-on science workshop with Elise Silkowski for ages 8-10, and special art workshops with artist Pat Martin for rising third through fifth graders.

Sign up for registered programs needs to be done at the Children’s Circulation desk. No phone registrations please.

Young Adult Programs

*Cool Drinks and Cool Stories: Relax and beat the heat with a delicious fruit smoothie, then settle back and listen to timeless stories proving that adolescents have been the same for hundreds of years.

Connecticut’s nationally known storyteller Tom Lee will present worldwide folktales for students entering sixth grade through senior year of high school on Monday, June 30, from 3:30 to 5 pm. The program will also kick off ’Tweens & Teens Summer Reading 2008.

We urge young people to sign up for this popular event quickly at the Main Circulation Desk or by calling us.

*Creative Writing Summer Camp 2008: Creative Writing Summer Camp signups are open for young people in Newtown entering grades 6-9.

Kathleen Kudlinski, master teaching artist of the State of Connecticut and author of three dozen books for young adults and children, is returning to lead the summer sessions for young people.  She will have many new activities this season.

Camp will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 pm for rising grades 6 and 7, and from 6 to 8 pm for rising grades 8 and 9, on Mondays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and August 11. There is no class scheduled for August 4, and a makeup session will run August 18 if needed.

Participants are expected to attend all five sessions. Each session will allow time for writing and sharing stories as well as creative activities and one-on-one communication between adults and young people.  Sharing is an important part of all writing groups.

Space is limited to ten students in each class, with preference given to Newtown residents and students.  Sign up at the library’s Main Floor Circulation Desk or call the library’s main number. Speak to Margaret Brown, Young Adult Librarian, for more information.

*Duct Tape Crafts Ready To Roll: The Booth Library will host another popular Duct Tape Projects workshop with Katie Stevenson next month. She’ll be leading the group in a variety of projects including trapezoidal bags, roses, wristbands and iPod Nano/cellphone holders. Participants can also get creative making frames, belts, sun visors, and accessories.

The program will be on Monday, July 14, from 1 to 3 pm. It is limited to 15 students age 10 and up (those entering grades 5-12), with preference given to Newtown students and residents. There is a $6 supply fee, payable at signup.

To sign up for the program, call the library or visit the Main Floor Circulation Desk.

Programs For Adults

*Booth Library Summer Film Series: Join us for free screenings of movies every other Wednesday afternoon at 1:30. The Summer Films series will feature the following:

July 9, Lars and the Real Girl: A lonely guy (Ryan Gosling) finally meets the girl of his dreams. The only problem? She’s a life-size doll he bought on the Internet. Rated PG-13, this film has a running time of 106 minutes.

July 23, Juno:  Juno (played by the Oscar-nominated Ellen Page) is a smart teenager facing a tough decision: what to do after she gets pregnant by a friend and classmate (Michael Cera). Deciding to give the baby up for adoption to a rich couple she has full support of both of her parents. But is giving the child away what she really wants to do? Rated PG-13, this film has a running time of 92 minutes

August 6, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Based on a true story, Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric) was the editor of Elle France. After a major stroke in 1995, he was left completely paralyzed except for his left eye. With just that one eye, however, he was able to blink out his memoir and describe what it was like not being able to move. He also very vividly described wild fantasy worlds he could visit only in his mind.

This Oscar nominated film (Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Achievement in Editing, and Best Writing) and winner of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 112 minutes. Note it is in French with subtitles.

August 20, Once: This Irish romance may be a musical, but it is miles away from the traditional Hollywood idea of people bursting into song. Glen Hansard plays the male lead, known simply as Guy, a street musician who is playing for change when he meets Girl (Marketa Irglova), an immigrant from the Czech Republic.

The pair immediately bond over their shared love for music and the film chronicles their tentative relationship. The song at the center of the film, called “Falling Slowly,” won the Oscar Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song. The film is rated R, and has a running time of 85 minutes.

C.H. Booth Library is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 8 pm; Friday from 11 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm; and Sunday from noon to 5 pm (closed Sundays in July and August).