A big crew of Main Street volunteers beautified the plantings around the Library this past Saturday. It looks amazing! Make sure to come admire their work. Thank you volunteers and sponsors!

NoveList

I love to read reviews of books I am thinking about reading, or even ones I've already read.  Many times reviews give comparisons of books that are similar to the one being reviewed--especially helpful when you loved the book.  I previously used Amazon for my review fix because they had reviews from several sources, but these days there are fewer.  Luckily there is NoveList, and I love NoveList!  NoveList is a reader's advisory database, and for individual book records there can be several reviews from publications such as Library Journal, School Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus.  Many times they also provide read-a-like suggestions--an added bonus.  NoveList is a subscription database that is provided to NH libraries through our State Library.  So contact your local library or if you are DPL cardholder click here.  Enjoy!

Family Fun Magazine's May issue has a wonderful article "Great Little Beach Towns:  Along the Lobster Coast".  The article, written by Amy Bartlett Bevan, is an insider's guide to great nature escapes and kid-friendly excursions from Portsmouth, NH to Kennebunkport, Maine.  One of the places that the author visited was Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth.  The library has passes that you can check out that will give you FREE admission to Strawbery Banke for 2 adults and up to 4 children--can't beat that.  Even though I have lived in the Seacoast of NH for many years there are a few gems that I didn't know about that I can't wait to visit.  Top of the list is the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME which is the oldest and largest electric railway museum in the country!  I know a 4 year old who is going to love that.  You can read the article in the Children's Room so stop on by.

Dover origins of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, creators of the cartoon superheroes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, were living in Dover, NH in November 1983 when the idea of the fearless martial arts foursome came to them as they were joking around one evening. With some seed money from Eastman's uncle, the pair printed 3,000 copies of the TMNTs first adventure and it premiered at a Portsmouth comic book convention on May 5, 1984.

The first full drawing of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will go up for auction this May. According to Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The drawing is being consigned by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, and is expected to bring more than $50,000.

Over the next 30 years and to this very day, the TMNTs have been a worldwide phenomenon, entertaining  millions and generating close to a billion dollars in revenues,” said Barry Sandoval, Director of Operations for the Comics Department at Heritage. “There have been numerous movies, cartoons, live action shows, toys, you name it. There’s a CGI-animated show being made right now and there’s a major motion picture planned for next year. I can’t think of the last time the first artistic rendition of a major franchise has been offered for public sale."

Peter Laird used to visit the Dover Public Library several times a week and our staff got to know him quite well in the early '80s. "A struggling artist" we thought, "but a great reader!" In fact, I got a note from him last spring when he was back in Dover for a visit. He came by his old haunt, the DPL, and although I wasn't here that day, he left this kind greeting:

Just thought our readers and patrons would get a kick out of knowing that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were invented right here in Dover! Good luck with the auction, guys!

Track Your Series...

One of the most frequent questions we get asked at the circulation desk is "Do you keep record of the books that I've read?" Sadly, the answer is no because I'd like that feature myself.  I can never remember all the titles that I've gone through in the past years, let alone last week. The other day I ran across a web site that won't keep track of all the books that you have read ( there are other sites that do this...) but it will show you all the books in a series, allow you to mark what you have read, follow the series, and let you know what the next book you are due to read in the series.  Even better it will alert you when a new book in the series is about to be published. It is called Fictfact http://www.fictfact.com/ and it is awesome. Another plus-you don't have to type in every book in a series. Most series are already listed.All you have to do is browse their huge collection. Have Fun!

The Great Curse

On this date in Dover history, April 21, 1893, there was a movement to suppress that scourge of the city known as the saloon.  Citizens were invited to a meeting to discuss "the best methods of suppressing that evil which is generally regarded as the greatest curse of our city."  I guess things have changed a bit in over a100 years! 

Aren't eBooks Real Books?

One of the librarians was off on a rant yesterday about how eBooks are not going to be the end of books.She said, and I agree, people are reading more than ever now. Most people I know read eBooks and paper books. It did make me think about a trend I had noticed recently. Many cases for iPads and eReaders are made to look just like a book. Is it because we can't give up on the feeling of a book in our hands, even when the book is digital? Just take a look at these.

The Dodo book case

Field Folio case

Portenzo Wingtip case

BookBook case

Super Duck!

Miss Amy read Super Duck by Jez Alborough to the children at yesterday's drop in story time.

Story time registration continues all this week for all groups.
For 3-6 year-olds:
Monday @ 1:30p.m., Monday Bedtime (7:00p.m.) or
Tuesday @ 9:30a.m.
For toddler groups (ages 21-36 months):
Thursday or Friday @ 9:30a.m.

In addition to our "registered groups", we offer a "drop-in" story time (for all ages). This story time is open to all (visitors and non-resident card holders included)! Children and their caregivers are welcome to drop-in for any or all of these story times on Wednesdays @ 9:30 a.m.

This is the last story time sign-up until September! For more information, pick up one of our 2011-2012 story time brochures, visit our website @ http://library.dover.nh.gov/, or call the Children's Room (516-6052).

Visit Dover's newest library!

The Woodman Institute Museum (182 Central Avenue, Dover NH) has just announced that their Keefe House Library (around the corner from the main buildings at 15 Summer St.) will be now open by appointment for family research and study of the area's history. Admission is free for members and available at a minimal cost for non-members.

Collections (some not yet catalogued) include Dover, state, and Civil War history, family genealogies and town and other local histories. There is some duplication with the collections in the Dover Public Library's Historical Room, but the museum houses many unique items as well. Thousands of early Dover town and city documents can also be discovered, as well as school records up to about 1950. Wi-Fi is available on site so personal computers may be used. The museum does not provide its own computer access at this time.

Persons interested in library use at the Keefe House are asked to contact the museum (603-742-1038)to make an appointment. At this time, volunteers are usually available if needed on Thursdays from 12Noon to 3pm. Appointments for other days may be made in advance.

The Woodman Institute Museum is now open for the season, Wed--Sun 12:30--4:30pm and a family membership is just $35! http://www.woodmaninstitutemuseum.org/

School Vacation Week

Join us on School Vacation Week, April 21-28.
for the following FREE events:

Saturday Matinee, April 21 @ 2:00pm: Happy Feet Two, Rated PG.

Raptors & Reptiles on Tuesday, April 24 @ 2:00pm in the Library Lecture Hall. The Center for Wildlife will present Raptors & Reptiles--we will learn from live raptors and reptiles about how they use special "tools" for survival.

Make-it-Take-it Craft Table: Children of all ages are invited to make “Tommy Turtle ” (a paper plate turtle with a moveable head) anytime during the week.

Drop-in Story Time:Wednesday, April 25, at 9:30 a.m.

Saturday Matinee, April 28 @ 2:00pm: Adventures of Tin Tin, rated PG.

Spend your time, but not your money at these wonderful events!

We Bought a Zoo

Don't miss our free showing of We Bought a Zoo this Saturday at 2:00pm in the Library Lecture Hall. This family comedy is rated PG.

Matt Damon gives a heartfelt performance in this film that's based on a true story. When his teenage son gets into trouble, Benjamin Mee gives up a lucrative newspaper job to move his family to the most unlikely of places: a zoo! With help from an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, Benjamin embarks on a fresh beginning to restore the dilapidated zoo to its former glory, while uniting his family.

Saturday Matinees

Our Saturday Matinees, shown in the Library Lecture Hall at 2:00pm, will run through May 19th. Our movies are free and open to the public. Here is the line up:

*Saturday, April 14: We Bought a Zoo, rated PG.
*Saturday, April 21: Happy Feet Two, rated PG.
*Saturday, April 28: Adventures of Tintin, rated PG.
*Saturday, May 5: Born to be Wild, rated G.
*Saturday, May 12: Lady & the Tramp, rated G.
*Saturday, May 19: War Horse, rated PG.

Drop in Story Time with Miss Kimberly

Miss Kimberly led a rousing drop in story time filled with bears and parachutes. If the giggles and shrieks are any indication, a good time was had by all.

The Friends of the Library Presents:
The Roosevelt Funeral Train with Carl Lindblade
on Tues., April 17, 2012
@ 7:00pm in the Library Lecture Hall

The Roosevelt Funeral Train, probably the greatest train event in American History (along with the Lincoln Train 80 years earlier). Deception, Cover up, Betrayal, A Russian Spy, the A Bomb, A Nation Mourns. A White Cadillac Convertible, A Russian Portrait Painter, all in 4 Days of History!

Carl Lindblade began his hotel career at the Balsams Resort in Dixville Notch and for the past 40+ years has operated 3 and 4 diamond hotels and resorts. In addition to years of hands on experience he brings a commitment to community and industry service. Among his assignments he was a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, Interim Director of the NH office of Travel and Tourism Development, Innkeeper of the Year, Travel Person of the Year, Past President of the NH Lodging and Restaurant Association and American Hotel and Lodging Association Volunteer of the Year. He is currently a lecturer in the hospitality management department at the University of New Hampshire where he enjoys teaching as it affords him the opportunity to share experiences with students.

And the Winners Are...

Here are the results of the Fourth Annual Peeps Show Contest:

 

Kids Division: Goodnight Moon by Hannah and Meghan Fitzgerald

Youth Division: Charlie and the Peeper Factory by Rebekkah Trojan

Teen Division: The Penderwicks by Alison Fairbairn

Adult Division: The Help by Susan Hoag

Congratulations to the winners, and a heartfelt thank you to all the artists who participated. You bring smiles to many faces. Special thanks to the Friends of the Dover Public Library who generously donated the prizes.

Are You Hungry for More?

We love the Hunger Games books and those staff members who have seen the Hunger Games movie have given it the thumbs up. In honor of this thrilling teen series we give you a collection of interesting Hunger games links.

If you're not really sure what the Hunger Games are all about, you may want to read A Novice's Guide To The Hunger Games first.

My favorite site is this mashup of the Hunger Games and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in which misbehaving kids are not simply removed by Oompa Loompas.

If you decide to throw a Hunger Games party be sure to try these food and cocktail recipes.

If you are going to throw a Hunger Games themed party you might just be into the series enough to get a tattoo like these.....

Maybe a Hunger Games wedding is more your style. 

After all those Hunger Games drinks and recipes you might want to visit the gym and take a fitness class where you can Train like a Tribute.

And finally, Twilight fans may want to look away, you won't like this list of reasons why Katniss is better than Bella.

City Opera House

"The Unloved Wife" was presented at the City Hall & Opera House on April 7--there is no year indicated but the City Hall & Opera House was in existence between 1891 and 1933. I love the line "Offering clean and wholesome amusement of the highest character and type." Sorry I missed it!

Invisible Patrons

We not only have 650 people per day that walk through the doors at the Dover Public Library but we also have many virtual users. There were 805 ebook and audiobook downloads from Overdrive last month, and 781 people received our eNewsletters. 2,669 people accessed the online catalog from their homes and placed 1236 holds on our books. Our web site was accessed by 22,649 visitors, and we have 681 Facebook fans, 424 Twitter followers, and our Pinterest followers are increasing every day!

Peeps!

Once again we are astonished by the creativity and talent of our Peeps artists.If you can't make it in to admire their works of art, you can enjoy them in this slide show.

Access for All

It is amazing how much information is only available online these days. Didn't get those tax forms in the mail? Go online. Want to apply for a job? Applications only available via the company's web site. For many this is very handy and convenient, but for others, that don't have computers, it is a hardship. With 99% of libraries offering public Internet access we are a vital community link. "Public libraries play a vital role in bridging the digital divide, the gap between “haves” and “have nots” in the digital age. Public libraries provide free access to workstations and Internet services to those who could not otherwise access these resources." (From the Information Policy & Access Center and their analysis of Digital Literacy & Public Libraries). In February alone almost 2,000 community members used the Dover Public Library's public Internet computers, and this does not include those that used our wireless access. We don't have an exact number for wireless users but trust me it is a lot! Just something for you to think about on this beautiful Tuesday morning.

If these books are Geek-ish then count me in!

Wired.com compiled a list of "67 Books Every Geek Should Read to Their Kids Before Age 10". Find it here: http://m.wired.com/geekdad/2012/03/67-books-for-kids?pid=1185&viewall=true

It's an exceptional list so please check it out! It includes some of my favorites: Half-Magic, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (the best "Dover Reads" book ever!), The Borrowers, Stuart Little, The Railway Children, and A Wrinkle in Time.

What's missing? My all-timefavorite (but little known) "The City Under the Back Steps" by Evelyn Sibley Lampman! Does anyone else remember this one? This book is out-of-print but I'd love to own a copy someday! Which books would you add to this list?