New Online Catalog Is Coming Soon!

The library will open at 11 am on Monday, May 23, to Friday, May 28

Our new catalog and circulation system, called BiblioOak, will be in place starting June 1. Patron services will be limited starting on Friday, May 27, and the Library will be closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, the 29th through 31st, to complete the transition. More details of the changes and improvements will be coming soon. Regular library hours resume on Wednesday, June 1, 9:30 am

Children’s Programs

Imagination Library Open House: Register your child for free books at the launch of the Imagination Library in Newtown, Sunday, May 15, from 1 to 3 pm in the library meeting room. This early literacy program is a partnership between the United Way of Western Connecticut and the Dolly Parton Foundation. All children who live in Newtown age 4 and under can register to have a book sent to their home every month absolutely free of charge. The goal of the foundation is to put age appropriate books in the hands of children. Join us for stories, face painting, balloon animals by Sparkles the Clown and an appearance by Clifford the Big Red Dog.

RSVP: 203-792-5330 ext 229 or e-mail: roleary@uwwesternct.org.

African Music and Movement with Ultra Violet Puppets: Dance, stomp, and move to the rhythms of Africa, Tuesday, May 17, at 10 am in the library meeting room. A music and movement program for ages 3–5. Limited space. Sign up online at www.chboothlibrary.org.

Young Adult

 Simply Shakespeare and Reception for Marty Bishop: Mask & Wig Players, the library’s teen drama group, presents Simply Shakespeare on Sunday, May 22, at 3:00. The theme of the play is that while language may change, people don’t. Martha Bishop is the director. The cast members will also perform a selection of short plays they have created, using Shakespeare’s language in a modern context. There will be a special reception after the performance to honor Mrs Bishop, who is retiring this spring. She has led the group since 2007. Everyone who has ever been part of any of her plays or audiences is invited to attend!

Get Clued In

 A lecture series for writers of all ages and abilities

Tuesday, May 17 — Roberta Isleib, clinical psychologist and author of three mystery series, will give an overview of plotting a mystery and discuss the importance of the first chapter/The Hook. A Q&A period and book signing will follow the presentation.

Tuesday, May 24 — Dr Elaine Pagliaro, forensic scientist at the Henry Lee Institute of Forensic Science, will discuss the importance of forensic science in criminal investigations, as well as evidence collection and documentation. A Q&A period will follow the presentation.

Tuesday, June 7 — An officer from the Newtown Police Department will talk about police procedure both for crimes handled by local police and crimes that require collaboration between local and state police. A Q&A period will follow the presentation.

Networking Strategies for a Successful Job Search: Cheryl Schwartz, LCSW/CRC, has a practice as a career coach in Newtown and volunteers her time and expertise at the library to teach networking strategies to first-time job seekers as well as the underemployed, unemployed, and those contemplating a career change. Technology has changed the way in which jobs are filled. Come learn the best ways to navigate your search. The program will take place on Thursday, June 16, at 3 pm. Please register online or by calling the library at 203-426-4533. Refreshments will be served.

Summer Reading

Join us for Escapes and Intrigues: Some Classic Thrillers for Summer Reading:

Julie Stern, a retired teacher of English and philosophy, will be back at the library this summer to lead a discussion on some classic mysteries, so whether you love a good mystery or just like attending Julie’s discussions, you’ll love this series. Copies of all of the books are available at the second floor circulation desk. Below is a schedule of the meeting times and titles.

Tuesday, June 14, at 7:30 pm: The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: This is one of those leisurely Victorian novels that also happens to be the first procedural police detective story, featuring Sergeant Cuff, who grows roses in his spare time. This story has a missing jewel, Indian fakirs, quicksand, sleepwalking, and more…

Tuesday, June 28, at 7:30 pm: The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchanan: Written in 1915, this tale of espionage features a quick-thinking hero, who flees across Scotland, running from both the police and a sinister spy, whose goal is to help Germany win World War I.

Tuesday, July 12, at 7:30 pm: The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad. Based on a true incident, this highly serious novel is a tangled mix of Czarist agents, anarchists, and would-be terrorists in London, before the Russian Revolution, reflecting Conrad’s pessimistic insights into human nature and the failure of political ideals.

Tuesday, July 26, at 7:30 pm: Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household. When his fiancée is tortured and killed by the Gestapo, the hero, an English big game hunter, stalks Adolph Hitler, and is pursued back to Dorset, where he must rely on all his skill and luck to stay alive. Written in the 1930s, this taut adventure story foresees the coming war…

Tuesday, August 9, at 7:30 pm: Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene. Set in pre-Castro Cuba, a timid expatriate English vacuum cleaner salesman is recruited as a spy. In order to earn money for his daughter’s school bills, he weaves some phony stories and is caught up in a murderous power struggle…

Book Groups

Evening Book Discussion will discuss The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck on Thursday, May 19, at 7:30 pm in the Old Board Room

Nonfiction Book Discussion will discuss Twilight at Monticello by Allen Pell Crawford on June 7 at 1 pm in the Antiques Room

Daytime Book Discussion will discuss The Cloud of Unknowing by Thomas H. Cook on Monday, June 13, at 1 pm in the Antiques Room

Exhibits

Hop on up to the third floor reference department display case to see the wonderful collection of Ukrainian Easter eggs made by Anastazia Perun Cooper, some of which date to the 1980s. Meticulous artistry and patience were used to create these geometric designs featuring wheat stalks and flowers reflecting the four seasons and life in Newtown. The collection will be on display until the beginning of May.

Special Selection of Needlework and Craft Books at the Little Book Store

A wonderful collection of beautiful needlework books have been donated to the Little Book Store and are available for purchase. You will find selections of sampler art, stump work, crewel, embroidery as well as other needlework art and instruction books. You will find several other crafts represented such as glass painting, drawing instruction, quilting, beading, and crafts for children. These bookcase top displays are in addition to our normal selection of craft books. Stop in and stock up for your summer crafting.

C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street in Newtown. Call 203-426-4533 or visit CHBoothLibrary.org to register for any of the above listings, and for information on additional programs and offerings.