Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Happy Birthday

I picked out a picture book to take home for my son called "The Firehouse Light" by Janet Nolan. (You can't go wrong with firetrucks!) It relates the story of the early days of firefighting in a small town and how the equipment was kept in a small shed. The townspeople would have to light gas lanterns in order to find the equipment so finally a local businessman donated "a wire burning inside a ball of glass" or as we might say a light bulb. The story goes through the next 100 years, and the changes to the town and fire station. The one constant is the light bulb which has never burnt out--true story. There is even a web cam on the lightbulb (kind of like watching paint dry but still kind of cool). The bulb will be celebrating its 110th birthday on June 18th!

Friday, May 27, 2011

A Happy Poet

When the library held its Ninth Annual Evening of Poetry, the winner for category K-2, Miss Kennedy, was sick and unable to attend. She was so upset that she wasn't able to get all dressed up and read her poem for an audience that we asked her if she would like to come in for a "private" reading. So, here she is (with her pretend microphone) reading her poem to the librarians in our staff room. Great job, Kennedy!

Writers on a New England Stage

The Portsmouth Music Hall has some interesting authors on tap for the summer as part of their "Writers on a New England Stage" series--Ann Patchett, Neil Gaiman, David McCullough.... Follow this link to see the full line up--some good ones in the fall as well!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

New eBook Purchases This Week

The newest update to the OverDrive Media Console app for iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch) Blackberry, and Android will let you return eBooks early! No more workarounds with the Bluefire Reader app or having to remember to redownload the eBook to Adobe Digital Editions on a computer.

The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde
Absolute Power byDavid Baldacci
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Bad Dog by Martin Kihn
The Butcher's Boy by Thomas Perry, Michael Connelly
The Charmer by Madeline Hunter
Dangerous in Diamonds by Madeline Hunter
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Doc by Mary Doria Russell
Embassytown by China Mieville
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
The Final Storm by Jeff Shaara
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz
The Informant by Thomas Perry
Last Man Standing by David Baldacci
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
No Less Than Victory by Jeff Shaara
The Other Side of Dark by Joan Lowery Nixon
The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson
The Rising Tide by Jeff Shaara
Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich
Rusty Nail by  J. A. Konrath
Saving Faith by David Baldacci
Shadow of Betrayal by Brett Battles
The Simple Truth by David Baldacci
The Sinner by Madeline Hunter
Sleeping Dogs by Thomas Perry
The Snowman by Jo Nesbo, Don Bartlett
The Steel Wave by Jeff Shaara
Strip by Thomas Perry
The Heart and the Fist by Eric Greitens
Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave
When You Dare by Lori Foster
You Believers by Jane Bradley

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Partners in Literacy



Just read a great blog post,"Publishers as Partners in Literacy", about First Book Marketplace, a nonprofit that sells new books, at very reduced prices, to schools and reading programs serving low income kids. Many readers were outraged because they felt the program was competing with libraries. I don't agree, but read the article and tell me what you think. This is my favorite quote from the blog: "There is nothing about reducing the price of books that competes with promoting the use of libraries; these efforts are not mutually exclusive; they are complementary."

Monday, May 23, 2011

Gloomy Sunday

The weather yesterday reminded me of a song my college professor told me about long ago. It was called Gloomy Sunday, and she said it had been banned from being played on the radio because it was so depressing that people were killing themselves after hearing it. I borrowed the Library's CD, 16 Most Requested Songs by Billie Holliday, which had the song on it. It is a beautiful CD, with some wonderful songs, but Gloomy Sunday certainly didn't make me feel like offing myself, even in conjunction with the horrible weather we are enduring. I did a little research, (what else would a Librarian do?) and found out that that the evidence linking the song to suicides is inconclusive. Snopes.com's Urban Legends page does have some very interesting things to say about Gloomy Sunday. If you're curious, this you tube video has the lyrics as well as Billie Holliday singing the song.

Friday, May 20, 2011

To a Library Vandal

Dear Library Vandal,

If you don't have the ten cents it would take to make a photocopy of the information you wanted in the latest issue of DownEast magazine, please pick up a pencil and paper which are scattered conveniently all through out the library.  That way you will not have defaced City of Dover property and stolen information from all the people who looked at the magazine after you.

I simply can't fathom the self-centered, uncaring perspective of someone who does things like this.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

And One More Award Winner...

The winner of the Cochecho Readers' Award for 2010-11 is P. J. Petersen for...
Wild River, the story of twelve-year-old Ryan, considered lazy and unathletic, who discovers a heroic side of himself when a kayak trip with his older brother goes horribly awry, received the most votes from Dover children in grades 3 & 4 who voted for their favorite book from the list of 20 nominees.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Isinglass & Flume Teen Read Award Winners Announced!



The winner of the 2011 Isinglass Teen Read Award is:


The Maze Runner by James Dashner


The winner of the 2011 Flume: NH Teen Reader's Choice Award is:


Paper Towns by John Green

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Great Stone Face Award Winner

The Great Stone Face Book Award is sponsored by the Children's Librarians of New Hampshire and is given each year to an author whose book receives the most votes from fourth through sixth graders throughout the state. Each year a committee chooses 25 recently published titles, which children then use as a guide for voting. The vote takes place every April during National Library Week, and the winner is announced in May. The purpose of the award is to promote reading enjoyment, to increase awareness of contemporary writing, and to allow children to honor their favorite author.

And the winner for 2010-11 is...




Murder at Midnight by Avi



The list of the Great Stone Face Nominees 2011-12 is now available in the Children's Room and on our website (click here to view).

Monday, May 16, 2011

Library Job Opening! Librarian II--Systems & Technology

LIBRARIAN II -- Systems & Technology
(40 hrs/week; $20.68--$29.28 per hour)

The Dover Public Library is accepting applications for a “Systems and Technology Librarian”. We are seeking an innovative, enthusiastic, results-oriented professional with a background in both automation and technical services to provide vision, leadership and expertise related to library technology. This person will oversee all aspects of the library's current automation system (SirsiDynix Horizon), and lead developments to enhance the library’s web-related activities. The successful candidate will be able to identify, evaluate, implement, and teach the use of new technologies which facilitate information access and community-driven services.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Systems/Technology Coordinator:
· Manage, plan and administer all aspects of the library's ILS.
· Plan and execute all system hardware and software upgrades, purchases, and replacements.
· Lead the library in exploring, evaluating, and adopting emergent technology products and solutions.
· Redesign, expand and maintain the library’s website and content management systems.
· Manage and support the library's population of staff and public computers.
· Supervise the library’s Technical Services Office workflow (Acquisitions & Cataloging).
· Run regular reports and create customized reports using SQL.
· Maintain library's databases (online catalog and patron database).
· Train staff and patrons in the use of new technologies that facilitate library use and information access.
· Liaise with the City’s IT Department and serve as library representative on the City’s IT Committee.
· Lead and collaborate with five Dovernet public school libraries in troubleshooting ILS issues.
· Track and supervise the Acquisitions budget.
· Work regular assigned shifts at public service desks.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability Requirements

· Demonstrated experience managing an integrated library system.
· Experience working in a public library service setting.
· Broad knowledge of technical services (including AACRII and MARC tagging).
· Ability to develop, configure, and run reports using SQL.
· Ability to test, install, and evaluate hardware and software.
· Experience working with, and supporting, various types of clients with all ranges of technical expertise.
· Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and oral.
· Demonstrated ability to think critically, analyze problems, and develop and implement creative solutions.
· Evidence of a high degree of initiative and versatility, and customer-service focus.
· Working knowledge of HTML, XML, PHP/MySQL and Java Script. C, C+, C++ programming helpful.
· Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to deal with service problems courteously.

Education Requirements

Master's Degree in Library or Information Science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college or university; minimum of 3-5 years professional library experience with a concentration in technology required. Experience with ILS administration critical. Interest/experience with open source library software desirable.

If you are committed to collaboration and wish to join a library that believes in continual improvement and exemplary customer service, your next job may be at the Dover Public Library. To see the complete job description and download the job application, go to:
http://www.dover.nh.gov/employment.htm. Responses received by June 30, 2011 will receive priority consideration; open until filled.

"Vintage Voices" Concert Tuesday evening!



The Friends of the Library will host a musical concert by the trio Vintage Voices on Tuesday evening, May 17 at 7pm. In period evening dress, the three classically trained singers of Vintage Voices and their accompanist will perform music you might have found on your great-great-grandmother’s piano circa 1890. From the sparkling gaiety of “Vive La Compagnie” to the martial gravity of “Star of Liberty” ; from Stephen Foster’s simple melodies to the urbane satires of Gilbert and Sullivan, Vintage Voices transports audiences to a late Victorian parlor for a highly enjoyable, creatively staged concert.

Marya Danilhel is the alto and artistic director of the group Victorian popular song combines the performance genres Marya likes best: operetta-style singing, storytelling, and comedy. After many years of exploring this delightful repertoire and giving solo concerts, she founded Vintage Voices in 2006. Marya has entertained at many New England sites, including the Longfellow National Historic Site, Old Sturbridge Village, Historic Deerfield, Strawbery Banke Museum, and the Museum of Our National Heritage. On the theatrical stage, she has performed with the American Repertory Theatre, the Boston Summer Opera Theatre, the Cambridge Christmas Revels, and the New England Light Opera.

John Stromgren, baritone and music director, plays a smattering of instruments, but turns much of his musical energy toward choral singing, especially the unaccompanied kind. In addition to providing music direction to Vintage Voices, John participates in music and liturgy at St. John's Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Anne Corriveau, soprano and stage director, has worked with world-renowned musical coaches including Martin Isepp, distinguished pianist/conductor and head of music at Glyndebourne Opera (England). In recent months she has performed on Maine stages in the role of Anna in The King and I (Waterville Opera House) and Diana Devereaux in Gershwin’s Of Thee I Sing (Gaslight Theatre).

This performance concert in the Library’s Lecture Hall is free and refreshments will follow.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Evening of Poetry

The Ninth Annual Evening Poetry, the culmination of the annual Poetry Contest, was held last night. It is always so much fun to watch the young poets read their poems. We will be putting some videos of the Evening of Poetry on the blog for those of you who weren't able to attend.
This poem is entitled 7:30 and is the winner of  category 3 & 4.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Take a Memorable Day Trip This Summer

Canterbury Shaker Village opens this Saturday for the season. It is a lovely place to explore and learn the fascinating history of the Shakers. The Library has a discount pass that will admit 2 adults with a $6.00 service charge. There is a $3.00 service charge for children.

Canterbury Shaker Village is an internationally-known, non-profit museum and historic site with 25 original Shaker buildings, four reconstructed Shaker buildings and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement. Canterbury Shaker Village "is dedicated to preserving the 200-year legacy of the Canterbury Shakers and to providing a place for learning, reflection and renewal of the human spirit."

Visitors learn about the life, ideals, values and legacy of the Canterbury Shakers through tours, programs, exhibits, research and publications. Its renowned restaurant, The Shaker Table, serves traditional Shaker lunches and dinners spring, summer and fall. It is a wonderful day trip, you will feel like you have gotten away from it all. Reserve your pass today!


Click here to see what other museum passes the Library offers.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Come to The Evening of Poetry This Tuesday

Don't miss the Evening of Poetry tomorrow night at 6:30. Students who participated in the 9th Annual Dover Public Library's Poetry Contest are invited to share their poetry at our "Evening of Poetry". The general public is encouraged to come and enjoy the readings.




Thursday, May 05, 2011

Time Travel

I am reading an interesting historical novel, Trades of the Flesh by Faye L. Booth. It is about a girl forced into prostitution in 18th century London. The main character mentioned "matchgirls whose faces had been made monstrous by phossy jaw". It peaked my curiosity so I had to find out what phossy jaw was. It turns out that exposure to the yellow phosphorous that made matches light caused a painful deterioration of the jaw bone,including swelling, loss of teeth, exposed bone, abscesses, which resulted in disfigurement and sometimes death. White phosphorus was cheaper than the red phosphorus so manufacturers of matches didn't want to switch to the less dangerous chemical. Laws had to be enacted to save countless lives from phosphorous poisoning.

I also just finished Made in Dagenham, a film about the struggle by women machinists in England to force Ford to pay them the same as the male machinists for doing the same job.  I loved seeing the colorful clothes and hair of the the 1960s, as well as hearing the music, even the architecture was very reflective of the time. The film has the same director as The Calendar Girls; both share a feel good sensibility with strong, likable female characters who work together for a common cause.

Both of these offer intriguing looks at another time period. Take your pick and time travel to 1968 or to 1888.

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

This Day in Dover History

May 4, 1779- One of the most violent thunder storms which was ever known in the maritime parts of New Hampshire, occurred this day, at noon. A cloud rose in the N.W. and another in the S.W. at the same time: they crossed each other, and the former passed very near the earth; a very black darkness came on, the lighting was an incessant glare, and the thunder a continual peal for about an hour. Many trees, several barns, mills and dwelling houses were struck; cattle and sheep were killed in the pastures in several towns; and a valuable new house built for religious worship, at Somersworth, was set on fire and consumed. Its steeple had a metallic vane and spindle, but no conductor to the earth. The bell was melted and fell while in a state of fusion, and no piece of it larger than a musket ball could be found.

From  Notable Events in the History Of Dover, N.H. by George Wadleigh.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Coming Soon! Books into Films!



Here's a short list of movies you may see this spring/summer that were derived from books:



"Invisible Sign" (Jessica Alba) --- based on An Invisible Sign of My Own by Aimee Bender


"Something Borrowed" (Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, John Krasinski) --- based on the book of the same title by Emily Giffen


"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (Johnny Depp, of course)--- based on On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers


"Too Big to Fail" (William Hurt, Ed Asner, Paul Giamatti) --- based on the book of the same title by Andrew Ross Sorkin


"Mr. Popper's Penguins" (Jim Carrey, Angela Lansbury) --- based on the classic 1938 children's story by Richard Atwater


"Project Nim" --- based on Nim Chimpsky by Elizabeth Hess


"One Day" (Anne Hathaway) --- based on the book of the same title by David Nicholls


"Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part II" --- based on the 2nd half of the last book by J.K. Rowling


"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" (Hugh Jackman) --- based on the book of the same title by Lisa See


"Winnie the Pooh" (voices of Craig Ferguson, John Cleese) --- based on the original stories of A.A. Milne


"Sarah's Key" (Kristin Scott Thomas, Aidan Quinn) --- based on the book of the same title by Tatiana de Rosnay


"Zen" --- in July on PBS Masterpiece Theatre --- based on the 10 Aurelio Zen mysteries by Michael Dibdin


"The Help" (Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Sissy Spacek) --- perhaps the most-awaited film of the summer, based on the book of the same title by Kathryn Stockett


But remember, the movie is NEVER as good as the book!











Monday, May 02, 2011

New eBooks Are Available at NH Downloadable Books

More new ebooks have been added to NH Downloadable Books.

44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel
The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde
Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
The Cleaner by Brett Battles
Clouds without Rain by P. L. Gaus
Crimes by Moonlight by Charlaine Harris
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs by Donald J. Sobol
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee
Frozen Assets by Quentin Bates
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
The Jungle by Clive Cussler, Jack Du Brul
A Lady's Guide to Rakes by Kathryn Caskie
The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
Live Wire by Harlan Coben
Love You More by Lisa Gardner
Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward
Mortal Kiss by Alice Moss
Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer
Nobody's Darling by Teresa Medeiros
Oil and Ice by Peter Nichols
Only the Good Spy Young, Volume 4 by Ally Carter
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin
Quicksilver by Amanda Quick
Red on Red by Edward Conlon
Rules of Attack by Christopher Reich
Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich
Rules of Vengeance by Christopher Reich
Runaway Hit by Lara Bergen
Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh
A Terrifying Taste of Short & Shivery by Robert D. San Souci, Katherine Coville
Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
Tinker Bell Junior Novel by Disney Book Group
The Tragedy of Arthur by Arthur Phillips
The Uncoupling  by Meg Wolitzer
Unlimited by Jillian Michaels
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
When Blood Calls by  J.K. Beck
Wild Surprise by Helena Mayer
Wonderland by Joanna Nadin
World War Z by Max Brooks

I recommend the Peach Keeper and World War Z. Happy reading!