When Peeps Visit The Library

We have had many strange visitors to the library; ghosts, bats, starfish, an owl, a drug sniffing dog, and someone who was sure he was the reincarnation of King Arthur, but I don’t think we have had any quite like these mischievous peeps who spend a very busy, naughty day at their local library.

Challenged Titles: yes, we have them all!

The American Library Association has just released its Top Ten "Most Challenged Books of 2006". I'll list them below, but first I want to correct a mistaken impression. Some in the public think it's libraries and librarians who ban certain books. In fact, in the great majority of cases, it's libraries and librarians who defend these books and convincingly argue why they should stay on our shelves. This year's list of most challenged books is not atypical, although we are happy to see that "Catcher in the Rye", "Huckleberry Finn" and the "Harry Potter" books, perpetual banned favorites, didn't make the top ten for 2006. It is sad to see two Toni Morrison novels there, however.

• "And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
• The "Gossip Girls" series by Cecily Von Ziegesar
• The "Alice" series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
• "The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things" by Carolyn Mackler
• "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
• "Scary Stories" by Alvin Schwartz
• "Athletic Shorts" by Chris Crutcher
• "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
• "Beloved" by Toni Morrison
• "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

The Dover Public Library has all these books. An important thing to remember is that a good library has something to offend almost everyone. Parents should watch what their children read, read together with them and make appropriate decisions for their family. As an adult, your reading choices are yours alone. No one individual should make judgments about what's "proper" for the entire populace which a library serves.

Poetry in Bloom at the Library

The Dover Public Library is pleased to announce the 5th Annual Dover Public Library Poetry contest for grades K-12. Deadline for entry is April 17th and winners will be announced on May 11th. Students may pick up information about the contest at the Dover Public Library, any Dover school library, or at our website at www.dover.lib.nh.us. All participants are invited to attend an “Evening of Poetry” on Tuesday, May 15th at 6:30pm; refreshments will be served. Students are invited to read their poetry at this event, but this will be purely voluntary. For more information about the contest please contact Denise LaFrance at 516-6082.

In preparing for this years poetry contest I reread last years winning poems. I was suprised to find a poem written by a 2nd grader titled "Mushing a Dog Sled" which relates to our March 7th post about the Iditarod. It is a wonderful poem and I would like to share it here:

Fifteen dogs run across
a snow covered lake

Gargantuan mountains loom
over the sled

The mountains watch
as the team moves
across the lake.

The ice gurles
as the team scampers
across the ice.

A breeze comes by
and the snow dances in the wind

Light blue sky brightens
the dogs hearts.

They are setting off from Rohn
and heading to Nickolai.

You Had Me At Hello

I usually know within the first chapter whether I am going to enjoy a book or not. A few memorable books have lines that will hook you with the very first sentence. Below are a few that have stayed with me.

"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." The Gunslinger by Stephen King

"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines." Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
1984 by George Orwell

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again."
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

"Call me Ishmael." Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Share your favorite first lines with us by clicking on the “comments” link.

A Recipe for Success

I heard on the news that Ernest Gallo, the winemaker, had passed away. What caught my attention was the fact that one of the world’s largest wineries was started with a recipe from the public library. It got me thinking of all the possible products and services that could be started with books from the library and a dream. You could create your own homemade soaps, perfumes, candles, beer, quilts, or offer cake decorating, photography, dog grooming. The possibilities are endless. Why, The Entrepreneur’s Ultimate Start-up Directory alone lists over 1300 opportunities.

The secret to your success may be waiting for you right here at your local library.

Author Web Sites

I enjoyed Silent in the Grave so much that I wanted to know if author Deanna Raybourn had written any sequels. Amazon.com had plenty of reviews but did not indicate if the author had any other books. I tried typing http://www.deannaraybourn.com into my browser and, sure enough, found a web site packed with information on the author, by the author. There were book tour dates, interviews, a blog with delightful Victorian headings, a biography, and even better, an answer to my question! There is indeed a sequel in the works, titled Silent in the Sanctuary.

I actually have bookmarked Dean Koontz’s author web site. Not only do I like his books, I also enjoy his devotion to his Golden retriever Trixie, who has written two books, and who occasionally writes a blog post. Trixie and Dean both have a great sense of humor. My favorite part is “Ten Questions with Dean Koontz”. Readers get to send questions to Dean. His answers are often enlightening, and usually seriously funny.

Dean and Trixie

Do you have a favorite author you want to learn more about, or maybe even have the chance to interact with? Many authors do have their own web sites. Why not try a search and find out what they’re up to? As Deanna Raybourne says, “To those of you who have taken the time to write, I thank you, most sincerely. As you have doubtless heard many times, writing is a solitary and often thankless occupation. I, for example, write in a tiny pink study that measures six and a half feet by eight with only my dog and a boxing nun for companionship. Neither of them are remotely interested in what I do. But readers are! And it is incredibly generous of you to take the time to let me know that.”

It Is Even Colder Than New Hampshire

The Iditarod began this weekend and has gotten off to a rough start with ten mushers dropping out already. Wind chills have reached -37 and conditions are brutal as windblown snow obscures the trail. New Hampshire weather is starting to look a little better! Why not enjoy the rigors of sled dog racing from the comfort of your armchair with the following books.

Running North by Ann Mariah Cook
This New Hampshire native and her husband packed up their 32 Huskies and moved to Alaska in order to run the Yukon Quest, a race even more grueling than the Iditarod. She chronicles the ordeals as well as rewards of a musher’s life. The sub freezing temperatures, peculiar Alaskan citizens, primitive living conditions, long nights sewing dog booties, loneliness and brushes wild animals are all challenges overcome before the race is even begun. This is a truly exciting adventure story that reads like a novel.

Winterdance by Gary Paulsen
A fascinating account of a man so obsessed by the Iditarod that he had to run it twice. His tales of maniacal dogs, blinding snowstorms, and moose attacks are alternately gripping and hysterically funny. A typical event is a training session in which Paulsen lost control of his dogs. They dragged him across his snow-free yard, creating such friction that a book of matches in his pants pocket ignited. And then there was the time his lead dog caught a skunk, and without thinking the author grabbed it out of her mouth…

The Weather Outside is Frightful

It is dangerously cold outside so why not stay inside and read? It’s easy to catch up on the latest magazine and newspaper articles by logging on to the Library’s website and choosing the Online Resources section. Choose EbscoHost and you will have access to thousands of full text articles. You can do a key word search on any particular topic you are interested in; cars, health issues, news, travel, and find current information. You can also read through a magazine online. If you love to read Time Magazine, for example, but haven’t had a chance to buy the latest issue you can read it on EbscoHost. While you are on the Choose Databases page click on Title List, then type in the name of the magazine you want to read in the Browse Publications search box. If that magazine shows up on the search results list with the comment "Full Text" you will be able to read it online. Click on the title of the magazine, then choose which issue you want. The whole magazine will be there in numerical page order!

Search Tips for Downloadble Audio Books

Did you know that you can browse the downloadable audio book titles by the date they were added to the collection? It’s very easy to see what's new!

You can also check off a box by the main search box so your search results will be limited to only titles that are currently available.

Want to find out more about downloading audio books? Go to the Library's web site and click on Download Audio Books.tsdsffff

Ttooddd

tttre about the whole process of download

No arrests imminent!

In Anchorage, Alaska recently, a 21-year old man was arrested while sitting in his car outside the library. The library was closed and he was on his computer, using the library's wireless Internet connection. He was found to be playing a game online (similar to the board game "Risk") and charged with "theft of services". His laptop was confiscated and the DA's office is still determining whether criminal charges are warranted. The library normally turns off their wireless connection when they're closed but the timer wasn't set.

Here at the Dover Public Library, we shook our heads about this story. We never shut off our wireless network and we welcome all car, parking lot, and lawn users at any time. We're happy to continue this service 24/7/365. But just to be sure, I did send an email and link to this story to Dover's Interim Police Chief Tony Colarusso. "Please don't ever arrest anyone in Dover for this non-crime", I wrote. "We're happy to provide this customer service even when we're closed." The Chief agreed, so we want to assure our after-hours users that you're clear to connect at the DPL!

And the AWARD goes to....

...many of the DVDs we have right here in the library! If you missed them at the movies but now your interest is piqued since the Academy Awards show the other night,
we have some of the major Oscar nominees and winners for you. We will be getting more as soon as they are out on DVD. "Babel", "Devil Wears Prada", "Little Miss Sunshine", "An Inconvenient Truth" are among at least 12 movies we have in stock right now from the Academy Awards list. To view a complete list of our available award winners including past years click on one of the links on our "Readers' Choices" page.

This Film is Not Yet Rated

I picked up a DVD called This Film is Not Yet Rated and almost put it back as the jacket was rather uninspiring. Then I noticed it featured interviews with Kevin Smith, John Waters, and Matt Stone of South Park fame. Well, I thought, this could be funny. Instead, it turned out to be a fascinating expose of how movies in America get rated; a process so secretive that the CIA might want to get some tips from the MPAA. The raters have no professional expertise, receive no training, and have no qualifications other than being a parent. It took surveillance by a private detective to determine who these people were: some were parents of grown children, while another had no kids at all. Filmmakers must submit their movies to these unknown raters, who often return inconsistent results and refuse to point out what the offensive scenes were. It was mind-boggling watching clips from different movies played side by side; one received an NC 17 rating while the other got rated R for almost identical scenes. As more details are revealed about how closely the movie industry is involved with the rating system, it becomes very clear what an unfair, skewed system it is. Kevin Smith was particularly interesting to listen to; who knew Silent Bob was so articulate and intelligent? This DVD is what documentaries strive to be: informative, amusing, outrageous, and perception-changing. One word of warning: this film is not rated, and you might want to make sure the kiddies are out of the room before you watch it!

A Special Invitation

I had an occasion recently to give a talk to some members of the Dover Senior Center now located right next to us in the McConnell Center. Since there were just a handful of people, it turned out to be more of a "give and take" discussion. I discovered that although the group were library users there were a lot of things they were missing at the library. After learning more about each one's tastes, preferences, and needs I was able to leave them with some valuable information that is sure to enhance not only their library experience, but also their living experience. Eyesight going bad? We have popular titles both on audiotape and cd as well as large print. Running out of reading choices? Our staff picks as well as our many bookmarks listing fiction in different genres are not only available inhouse but through our catalog online as well.

However, more valuable than just talking and pointing out things was my invitation to them to see me when they come to the library and I would personally show them areas I know might meet their needs. Those who came went away very happy.

I extend that invitation to any senior (and you can decide what age you wish that to be, whether it's 55 or 75!). Although our circulation staff graciously tries to point out all things from the front desk, they do not necessarily have the time to give in-depth individual service. So simply ask to see Sandy when you come to the front desk, and I will be happy to assess your needs, take you on a tour, answer questions you thought you'd never be able to ask, or simply make some suggestions. If I am tied up at the time I may ask you to revisit, or I may set you up with someone else, so don't be put off. I really would like to get to know who you are and your areas of interest.
Hope to see you soon!

Ladbybug Picture Book Award Nominees for 2007

The Ladybug Picture Book Award is designed to promote early literacy and honor the best in recent children's picture books. A committee of children's librarians from around New Hampshire selects 10 picture book titles early in the year. Then, during Children's Book Week in November, New Hampshire children from preschoolers to those in third grade vote to select the award winner. The award is a project of the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library.

Nominees for 2007 are:
Red Fox at McCloskey's Farm by Brian Heinz
Duck & Goose by Tad Hills
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer
I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track by Joshua Prince
Pip & Squeak by Mian Schoenherr
The Secret Science Project that Almost Ate the School by Judy Sierra
The Trouble with Cauliflower by Jane Sutton
The Remarkable Friendship of Mr. Cat and Mr. Rat by Rick Walton
Moose Tracks by Karma Wilson

Let us know which one is your favorite, we'd love to hear from you!

The New Book Drops have Arrived

The new book drops are here and have been installed in their permanent position. Let us know how you like them.

Recommended New Cookbooks

Many of the librarians here at the DPL love to cook, however we do vary in what we like to make. For instance, I don't like to bake sweets, but I do enjoy eating them. Luckily we have several staff members that don't mind sharing their creations, and I oblige by eating (in the interest of staff harmony). Our love of cooking and baking keeps our cookbook section current. I have a few new favorites that I would like to share.

• 150 Best American Recipes: Indispensable Dishes from Legendary Chefs and Undiscovered Cooks edited by Fran McCullough. This one is so good that I just had to buy my own copy. I highly recommend the glazed carrots & chipotle pork. Actually everything that I have made from this book has been great.


• Arabesque: A taste of Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon. Has many great eggplant recipes which are always lacking in other cookbooks.


• The Joy of Cooking now has a 75th anniversary edition, even this old staple has done some updating, but still has many of the old favorites.

If you have a new favorite we would love to hear about it.

What We Are Reading Now

The Water Devil by Judith Merkle Riley (fascinating historical novel about feisty medieval midwife Margaret of Ashbury)

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (what if Alice's adventures in Wonderland were true?)

A Country Affair by Rebecca Shaw (the whole Barleybridge series of books is addictive!)

The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield (this suspenseful gothic tale is strongly recommended by two librarians; read it, you won't regret it)

All-New Complete Cooking Light Cookbook by Anne C. Cain (sumptuous photographs and fabulous recipes)

How Do You Like to Read a Book?

Do you skip to the end of the book to find out how it all comes out? I have to admit I am a peeker, if it’s a very suspenseful book. Some novels are just so intriguing I have to find out what happened, right NOW. I just try to get little glimpses of what happens. I don’t want to know how everything turns out. I have found one other librarian who does this, two others replied emphatically they would never do this.

I have heard of people who begin all their books at the end. If they don’t like the ending they won't bother to read the book.

One of the Librarians says she always reads three books at a time. She also never uses bookmarks, choosing instead to memorize the page number. She says it keeps her brain sharp.

One patron will only put his book down when he reaches the end of a chapter. It doesn’t matter if he is falling asleep; he can’t stop reading mid-chapter. (Another patron hearing us discuss this says she does the same. Her husband gets annoyed when its 4am and she is still reading!)

How do you like to read a book? Let us know.

Free February Vacation Events

The Dover Public Library is offering a number of different events to entertain the kids during February vacation. All the below mentioned items are FREE so be sure to take advantage of them.

• Saturday Matinee, February 17th at 2:00pm: Open Season an animated adventure comedy, rated PG.

• Tues., Feb. 20th @ 1:00pm Rock Right 101. This free session is for kids in grades 6 and up who have thought about starting their own band. You will learn about the essentials like playing shows, booking your band, practice, image, band names. This session will be taught by two experienced musicians, Gary Leighton and Seamus Burke.

• Saturday Matinee, February 24th at 2:00pm: Flushed Away an animated adventure comedy featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet, rated PG.

• The Children’s Room invites all children to make a free “Rabbit Stick Puppet” at our “Make-It, Take-It” table during the week of Feb. 18-24. The rabbit puppet is planned to celebrate the character in the Dover Reads book choice this year, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

• The Children’s Room invites all children to make a “postcard” of places you would like to go with the Edward Tulane character during the week of Feb. 19-23. Draw a picture of the place you would visit on one side, and write a message on the back to people you know. Postcards will be displayed in the Children’s Room.

Call the library at 603-516-6050 for more information.

Dover Reads 2007 Kick-Off

Dover Reads is a citywide reading project, sponsored by the Dover School District Community Involvement Committee, which encourages everyone to read the same book to promote a sense of community and the joy of reading. This year, Dover will be reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Several copies are available for borrowing at the Dover Public Library.

All are welcome to join us for the kick-off celebration February 15th in the
City Hall Auditorium @ 4:00pm.

For more information (and a schedule of events), click here.