Holiday Hours

C.H. Booth Library will be open on Friday, December 23, from 9 am until noon (please note this is a change from the previously announced hours for December 23). It will then be closed from Saturday, December 24, through Monday, December 26.

The library will also be open only from 9 am until noon on Friday, December 30, and then remain closed through Monday, January 1. It will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, at 10 am.

Currently On View

*Al’s Trail and Beyond: Newtown artist Pat Barkman will have an exhibition of her recent watercolors on the main floor of the library until New Year’s Eve.

The main thrust of Mrs Barkman’s collection are her works depicting scenes along Al’s Trial, the ten-mile hiking trail in Newtown. The exhibition also includes recent watercolors of other natural scenes.

Children’s Programs

*Nutmeg Book Discussion: Students in grades 4-6 are invited to join our discussion of Esme Raji Codell’s Sahara Special on Wednesday, January 4. The one-hour program will begin at 6:30 pm.

Struggling with school and her feelings since her father left, Sahara gets a fresh start with a new and unique teacher who supports her writing talents and the individuality of each of her classmates. Tell us what you think about this story.

Young Adult Events

*Creative Writing: The library’s next writing course, “Creative Writing: Fiction,” will be led by teacher and author Wally Wood.

It will meet from 6 until 8 pm on five consecutive Monday evenings, January 9 to February 13 (no class on January 16). There is a limit of ten students in grades 6 and up.

There is no fee.  Participants are expected to attend all five sessions, and preference is given to Newtown residents.

Sign up at the Main Floor Circulation Desk or call the library. The course is full, but we are collecting names on a waiting list so come in or call if you are interested in this writing series.

*YA Theater: Young Adult Theater will present It’s a Mystery … @ the Library! for students in grades 6 and up.

Watch a live “inquest” as a jury decides who is or are the guilty party in the death of Ms Always B. Wright, head librarian. Watch the clues unfold on Sunday, January 8, at 3 pm (snow date will be Saturday, January 14).

Sign up at the main floor circulation desk or call the library.

*YA Book Talk: Let’s Talk About Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell.

Goblins are evil and cannot be controlled. Everybody knows that.

But good and evil are not always clearly defined, and friendship can cross all races.

Our next YA Book Discussion/Let’s Talk About will be held on Wednesday, January 11, from 4 to 5 pm, in the Story Room.

We will also be voting on the choices for the 2006 Battle of the Books.

These monthly book discussions for readers in grads 5-9 are co-sponsored by Reed Intermediate School and the library, and books are available at both libraries. Stop in or call Booth Library to register for the program.

Programs For Adults

*Book Discussions: All book discussion groups are ongoing – feel free to join any of the groups at any time; newcomers are always welcome.

If you need a copy of any of the books scheduled for discussion, call the library and we will reserve a copy for you.

Upcoming discussions will concern Newtown Slaves by Town Historian Dan Cruson on Tuesday, January 3, at 1 pm; Gilead by Marilynne Robinson on Monday, January 9, at 1 pm; and King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild on Thursday, January 19, at 7:30 pm.

*Independent Film Series: On Tuesday, January 10, at 7:30 pm, the independent film festival will kick off 2006 with a showing of Wilby Wonderful.

Wilby Island is just a few minutes by ferry from the mainland, but where a loyal islander is concerned it might as well be years away from the fast-lane living of the mainland. Recently a scandal has rocked the town and it is only days before the details are to be published in the local paper, bringing shame and scorn to all involved.

*Computer Classes: A computer class for beginners will be offered on Saturday, January 14, from 9 am until noon, and then a class for intermediate-level users will be given on Saturday, January 28, also 9 am until noon. The beginners’ class is free; there is a $10 supply fee for the intermediates’ class.

Register for these classes by calling the library.

*Book Nook News: Many brand new Steven Kellogg books are now at The Nook just in time for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

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