Currently On View

*Tools of The Trade: Newtown Historical Society has installed the second of its Tercentennial exhibitions at the library, entitled “Tools of the Trade.” Using the word “trade” broadly, the exhibition offers a number of occupational tools as well as utensils that were used in non-occupational pursuits.

From cooking utensils and a bullet mold to carpentry tools and even a ceramic mold, the display illustrates those useful objects that make the lifestyle possible from the 18th through the early 20th Century.

As a unique interactive component, one display case contains 14 objects that are not  identified. Each one is numbered, and a corresponding numbered sheet allows viewers to offer suggestions as to the identity of each object, its purpose and a rough date.  The contest will close and the answers will be posted with the tools on July 25. Successful participants will receive a Reward of Merit designed after the manner of a nineteenth century school award.

The exhibition will remain on view until the end of July.

*History of The Horse Guard: In a separate case on the first floor, the Second Connecticut Governor’s Horse Guard has installed an exhibit showing the nearly 200-year history of the unit and some the weapons, equipment and memorabilia the Guard has accumulated during its long history.

Still a component of Connecticut’s National Guard, the troop remains one of the oldest continuously serving cavalry units in the nation. The exhibit will serve to introduce the Guard to the community, and hand-outs detailing its history are available.

*Sandi Randall Exhibit: An art exhibit featuring the paintings of Woodbury artist Sandi Randall will open on Friday, July 1, and run through Thursday, July 28, during regular library hours in the Olga Knoepke Memorial Meeting Room.

Ms Randall, a landscape artist, loves to work outside close to nature. Her art has been defined as abstract realism.

She has won many juried awards and is represented in both corporate and private collections.

 

Children’s Programs

*Summer Reading 2005: Our summer reading program was launched in June and is now ongoing through August 20.

Children ages 4 through grade 5 may sign up to participate in our independent reading program anytime during the eight-week period. Incentives will be given for every five books or every 50 pages read.

Young adult volunteers are available during all library open hours to listen to the children’s reading reports.

*Make and Take Craft Workshops: Marie Walker will conduct seven special craft workshops on Monday afternoons, each to run from 4 to 5 pm.  The workshops are limited to ages 6 and up and you must register at the children’s desk.

There is no fee thanks to a grant given to Mrs Walker earmarked for children’s crafts.

The first workshop will take place on Monday, July 11, at 4 pm. Participants will make and decorate their own sun visor.

*“We Dig Reading” Story Times: Dinosaurs, Pirates, Egypt and The Beach are the topics for a story time and craft for 4-6 year olds.

The story time conducted by Mimi Morin will take place on July 12, July 19, July 26 and August 2, from 10:30 to 11:15 am.

A separate registration is required for each individual program. Sign up sheets will be available the week before each program.

*PJ Story Time: PJ Story Time is an evening program of stories, songs and a puppet show for children ages 3-7. The program begins at 6:30 pm in the library’s main meeting room on the following dates: July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10 and August 17.

No registration is required, but PJs and blankets are encouraged.

*“We Dig Reading and Science”: Three special science programs will be offered on Tuesdays during the summer in the library’s main meeting room. The programs will begin at 4 pm and are for children ages 5-10.

On July 12, Paulette Morin will present “Having Fun with Fossils and Dinosaurs.” Paulette will tell the story of prehistoric life with the aid of a giant picture book. More than 100 fossils will be on display for children to view and touch. No registration is required, but seating for 75 is on a first come, first served basis.

Future programs: July 26: Walter Heinz, The Fossil Hunter; and August 9: Connecticut Science Center program, “Weird Science.”

*Nutmeg Book Discussions: Our series of Nutmeg book discussions will continue in the summer for children entering grades 4-6 in the fall.

On Wednesday, July 13, at 4 pm, we will discuss Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris, and on Wednesday, July 27, the title will be Trial by Journal by Kate Klise.

We invite any and all newcomers to join these informal lively book discussions.

*Thank You!

A very special thank you to the Friends of the Library for another very successful children’s book sale.

The proceeds from last week’s special one-day sale will benefit the children’s department.

Don’t forget to come to the Labor Day Book Sale for more great children’s books at great prices.

Young Adults

*Visit the Young Adult Area under the bicycle all summer for fliers and new information on all our programs!

*Wait List For Midnight Madness: The Harry Potter Midnight Madness Party has a long Waiting List. If you’re signed up on the main list and find you cannot attend, please call the library at 426-4533 or stop by the Main Floor Circulation Desk to let us

Know as soon as possible.

We will call people on the Waiting List as spaces become available up to July 15.

Books may be pre-ordered through July 13 by anyone on the main list. The midnight release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on July 15 is only for those who pre-order the book ($20) at the library and attend the party.

*Let’s Talk About: The next YA book discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, at 1 pm. The one-hour program – which will take place at Reed Intermediate School — will concern The House of the Scorpion, a science-fiction adventure by Nancy Farmer.

Matteo Alacran knows he is a clone; no one lets him forget it for even a moment. Escape is the only chance Matt has to survive.

The book is a 2006 YA Nutmeg nominee and is available at Booth Library. The discussion is for readers entering grade 6 and up. Registration can be done in person or over the phone.

*Roll Out More Fun: Due to the popularity of last year’s workshop, we will be hosting another duct tape workshop this summer.

“Duct Tape II” will be presented on Wednesday, July 20, from 2 to 4 pm, and Katie Stevenson will be returning with new projects.

Readers ages 10 and up (rising grades 5-12) are invited to make a tool belt, cell phone or iPod holder, purse, sandals and other accessories.

Cost for the workshop is $5 (payable at sign-up), and space limits us to 15 participants.

*Make Your Own Comic Book: On Monday, August 1, from 1 to 3 pm, join Vince Giarrano as he shows us how to take our ideas and turn them into a original comic book including artwork, story line and lettering.

There is no charge for this workshop, but space is limited to 15 participants. The program is for ages 10 and up (rising grades 5-12). Sign up in person or just give the library a call.

Adult Programs

*Summer Book Group: On Monday, July 11, at 1 pm, the Daytime Book Group will meet to discuss Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres.

Extra copies of the book are available at the library, and newcomers are always welcome.

*Summer Concert Series: The next concert in the library’s annual outdoor concert series will be on Saturday, July 16.

The band entertaining us will be Northern Bound, a bluegrass band. The concert will begin at 7 pm at The Pleasance; please park at the library and walk to help alleviate parking problems near the park.

In the event of rain the concert will move to the meeting room of the library.

*Friends of the Library Book Nook News: The Book Nook, the Friends of the Library’s year round sale, is located near the main circulation desk on the library’s second floor. It is continually stocked with new and like-new books for all ages, both fiction and non-fiction, at very affordable prices.

*A Passport to Newtown’s Past: On Saturday, July 30, from 10 am to 2 pm, the public is invited to a kick-off reception for the photographic exhibit, “Passport to Newtown’s Past.”

The collection will be presented during August in the library’s lower meeting room.

The exhibit, which features images from the Newtown Historical Images Archive of daily life in Newtown during the late 1800s through the mid 1900s, is sponsored by The Friends of the Library. The archive is a project of Newtown Historical Society.

*Historical Dance & Music: Patricia Campbell and The Reel Thing will present a participatory social dance repertoire, “Historical Dance and Music in Newtown,” featuring dance and music selections of New England from the early 18th through early 19th centuries.

The free program will be in the meeting room from 2:30 until 3:30 on Saturday July 30, immediately following the reception for “Passport to Newtown’s Past.”

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