"Dover Reads" Kick-off Celebration

It's that time of year again when Dover reads its way into Spring! All are welcome to join us for the seventh annual "Dover Reads" kick-off celebration on Thursday, February 19th at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire from 4:30-5:30pm. There will be free admission to the museum for the celebration, face painting and materials to make your own bookmark!

"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, the committee has chosen books based on the life of Marley, the Grogan family's dog.

Titles to choose from are:

Marley & Me: life and love with the world's worst dog by John Grogan (adult)
Marley: a dog like no other by John Grogan(grades 3 & up)
Marley & Me: Meet Marley by Natalie Engle(grades 1 & 2)
Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan(Picture Book)

Special activities and events, such as the annual essay contest, the "Pennies for Pets" collection drive, a vacation week craft at the "Make-it, Take-it" craft table in the library's Children's Room, and the final celebration and awards ceremony, will be announced.

The Best Deal in Town!

An article entitled “Something for Nothing” in February 10th’s Boston Globe, claims that, in this economy, it’s now cool to be frugal. “Whereas we used to hide our thriftiness for fear of being ridiculed as a cheapskate, now we flaunt it like a badge of honor” says writer Johnny Diaz. One of the examples from the article cites a woman who now borrows all her movies from the public library and picks up museum passes there as well. Well, duh!!

If you’re one of those people trying to stretch every dollar, here’s a passel of excellent reasons to use your public library, the best bargain in town:

1.) Paperbacks now cost about $8 on average. Borrow them for free at the library instead; or, if you really want to own them, shop our booksale where you can purchase recent, like-new paperbacks for just $1 every day!

2.) Had to drop or cut back on your Internet service? Bring your laptop in and use the library’s free Wi-Fi. Or use our PC workstations for 90-minutes of free web access per day (for cardholders; non-cardholders get 20 minutes per day).

3.) Looking for a job? Beef up your test-taking skills by using our free Practice Test database which covers dozens of professions and careers.

4.) Give up Netflix and borrow our DVDs with your free library card. We get all the most popular films for adults and children as soon as they’re released on disk. We also have loads of TV series on DVD too. (In the interest of full disclosure, yes, we do charge fines if they’re late!)

5.) Cutting down on iTunes downloads? Borrow our music CDs instead. We have all the latest Grammy winners (and need I mention it's free?)

6.) An audiobook can cost $40 or more. Borrow our books on CD or download free books to your MP3 player through our website.

7.) Tackling those home repair jobs yourself now? We have all the fix-it books for do-it-yourself plumbers, electricians, gardeners, and remodelers.

8.) Confused about your investments and where to put your hard-earned money these days? We have all the latest financial advice books from Suze Orman to Harry Dent. All free for borrowing.

9.) We don’t have the book you need? We can search out and borrow most any volume you need through our extensive Interlibrary Loan service.

10.) Can’t afford to take your kids to expensive concerts and movies anymore? Our children’s story time programs and weekly film showings are always free. Bring your own popcorn!

11.) Buy softcover books for $2 and hardcovers for just $3 at the Friends’ continuous booksale. Even the bargain carts at Barnes & Noble can’t beat these prices. And you’ll be helping the Friends of the Library at the same time.

12.) Through April 15, get your taxes done for free at the library through the AARP’s Tax Assistance Program. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning from 9am to 12Noon. The library also has all the tax forms you’ll need.

The operative word here is FREE! Use the library frequently and we promise you’ll save hundreds of dollars annually! Or use our Library Worth Calculator http://www.dover.lib.nh.us/calculator/DPLcalculator.htm and figure out the savings for yourself!

The Library Will Be Closed Monday

The Library will be closed Monday, February 16, in honor of Presidents' Day.

Mean Librarian Tricks

You come in innocently going straight to your favorite section of the Library, the knitting books, the music books, the art books, the sports books, only to find them all GONE! What could have possibly happened to all those wonderful books leaving only empty shelves? Fear not, we Librarians have moved things on you once again. The books in the 700s have all moved down to the main floor, which is actually much nicer for you. No more dragging yourself up the stairs and hauling armloads of big books downstairs. It will be nicer for our teen readers too, who will finally have a bit more space for their favorite spot in the Library, which has been heavily used and very crowded. Watch this space; more mean Librarian tricks to come.... what will move next?

Happy 200th Birthday, Abe!

How many books have been published about Abraham Lincoln? I tried to find out, but the answers varied widely. The New Yorker mentioned "over 15,000 since his death"; the Library of Congress's catalog gave me over 7,300 books with keyword "Lincoln", and our own library has well over 100 Lincoln titles for all ages.

And it seems there's been at least one new book a week recently in honor of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth on February 12, 1809. The subject of our 16th president never seems to grow old and Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 history, Team of Rivals, has seen a huge resurgence in popularity after President Obama was observed reading it. Also popular has been Manhunt: the 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson.

Here's some our most recent Lincoln purchases:

Lincoln: the Biography of a Writer by Fred Kaplan

Lincoln, President-elect: Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861 by Harold Holzer

President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman by William Lee Miller

Mrs. Lincoln: A Life by Catherine Clinton

Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as commander in chief by James M. McPherson

Lincoln and Douglas: the Debates that Defined America by Allen C. Guelzo

Big Enough to be Inconsistent: Abraham Lincoln Confronts Slavery and Race by George M. Fredrickson

Lincoln and His Admirals: Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Navy, and the Civil War by Craig L. Symonds

PLUS... on Tuesday evening February 17, the Library will host a special appearance by Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln at 7pm. "The Long and the Short of It" by Lincoln presenters Steve and Sharon Wood will re-enact scenes from the 1861 White House and, as the president and First Lady, will reminiscence about their long political journey begun in Springfield, IL. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, this exciting and timely program is free and refreshments will follow. Please join us!

Chris Benedetto as a Union soldier, Steve Wood as Abe Lincoln, and Sharon Wood as Mary Todd Lincoln, ca. 1861.

Library Hero

Pilot Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger, of Hudson River fame, is now not only a hero to the passengers and crew he saved, but he is a hero in the library world. Apparently Mr. Sullenberger had checked out a book from his local library, and the book was on the plane with him, and might still be floating down the Hudson. Mr. Sullenberger called his library to explain the situation and ask for an extension and a waiver of overdue fines. Wow--now that is a sense of responsibility. I am thinking that he probably had a few things on his mind, besides his library book, like all the requests for interviews and requests for his presence at little things like the inauguration of the President. The book was on the topic of ethics, which Mr. Sullenberger seems to know a few things about. It is nice to see that Mr. Sullenberger not only uses his local library, but respects his privileges. The library not only waived his fines, but they will be replacing the book in his honor.

P.S. I Loathe You

Did that grab your attention? That is #10 in the Clique series of young adult books by Lisi Harrison, and it is being released today. This is my favorite series of books that I have never read. I have no desire to read them, but the snarky book titles always make me chuckle. Here is the complete list for your reading pleasure:

1. The Clique (boring!)
2. Best Friends for Never
3. Revenge of the Wannabes
4. Invasion of the Boy Snatchers
5. The Pretty Committee Strikes Back
6. Dial L for Loser
7. It's Not Easy Being Mean
8. Sealed with a Diss (my personal favorite)
9. Bratfest at Tiffany's
10. P.S. I Loathe You (look for this one on our shelves soon)
11. Boys "R" Us (coming out in July)

If You Have Nothing Nice To Say...

Stephen King recently created a buzz by bad-talking the very popular Twilight series author Stephenie Meyer. He was being interviewed by Lorrie Lynch for a story which will appear in USA Weekend on March 6-8, but for now you can see her blog post . She asked him if his mainstream success over the past 35 years paved the way for the massive careers of Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling and Twilight author Stephenie Meyer. In the course of his answer he said "The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn," he said. "She's not very good."

Now I will preface my comments by saying I am not a fan of either King or Meyers. Having said that who does Stephen King think he is? I think his comments were just mean spirited, and he should take a second look at some of his own writing. What did he gain with his trash talking except many angry Meyer's fans who will be trash talking him for quite some time. The wrath of millions of teenage girls is upon you Mr. King--beware.

Antique Valentine Cards

Come see the special display in the glass cases in the Reference Room and Addition featuring antique Valentine cards from the 1920s and 1930s. Thanks to Cindy Comeau for sharing them with us all.

Gone To The Dogs

We have been getting an influx of terrific new books on dogs. If you are thinking of getting a puppy this spring, or looking for good training training techniques, try these books.

Not sure what kind of dog to get? Take a look at The Howell Book of Dogs. It covers 300 breeds, offering photos, descriptions, energy and grooming needs, as well as health concerns.

Once you figure out what breed you want, read Puppy's First Steps by renowned animal behavior expert Dr. Nicholas Dodman before you go to pick one out. It discusses how to temperament test puppies, what to look for in a breeder, and equipment you will want to have on hand before puppy comes home.

Now that you have your pup, or are working with an older dog, read The Well Adjusted Dog by Dr. Dodman which covers many facets of dog behavior. Did you know that dogs can suffer from obsessive compulsive behavior just like people? He also offers advice and opinions on different training techniques and equipment like choke collars.

If you already have a dog and are looking for positive techniques to train with, try respected dog trainer Pat Miller's Positive Perspectives 2: Know Your Dog, Train Your Dog. Just a few of the issues she discusses are what your dog's body language means, how to use fun games to train your dog, how your dog learns from other dogs, what to do if your dog digs or barks too much, and how to deal with dog fights. This volume is packed with good advice and insights.

Watercolors by Jesse Comeau

Come in and see the beautiful architectural watercolors by Jesse Comeau currently being shown in the Reference Room. Dover has a wealth of architecturally interesting buildings and Mr. Comeau has done them full justice with his intricate paintings. Wednesday, February 18th, you can come and meet the artist from 6 to 7:30.

What Kind Of Question Is That?

This week the Librarians are counting up all the reference questions we get, and separating them out into categories. Librarians love statistics; this count will help us find out which days and times are busiest, and what kinds of questions we get, as well as what sort of assistance our patrons need. We started discussing some of our more memorable questions. Amazingly we are frequently asked “do the stairs go down?” and “does the elevator go up?” One patron asked a Librarian for a recommendation of a historical novel. When she asked him what period he liked to read about he responded “night time”.
We just never know what we will be asked next.

We Just Couldn’t Wait

Fans of the Simon Serrallier series by Susan Hill and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson will know just what we mean. They were so good we could not wait for the next installments to be published next summer in the US, so we ordered them from the UK where they were scheduled to be released this past fall and winter. Turns out the economic downturn is good for one thing, it helps with the exchange rate! So, why wait? Read them now. You can find The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson and the next two in the Serrailler series, The Risk of Darkness and The Vows of Silence in our catalog now.

Youth Literacy Awards Announced

These 2009 literary award winners were announced today in Denver at the American Library Association Conference-Youth Media Awards.

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
The Newbery Medal winner for 2009 is:

Neil Gaiman, author of The Graveyard Book.

The honor books in this category are:
Savvy by Ingrid Law
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle (on order)
Underneath by Kathi Appelt .

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
The Caldecott Medal winner for 2009 is:

Beth Krommes, illustrator of The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson.

The honor books in this category are:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever written and illustrated by Marie Frazee
How I Learned Geography written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet (on order)

The Michael L. Printz Award is an award given for a book that exemplifies excellence in young adult literature.
The Printz award for 2009 goes to:

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.

The honor books in this category are:
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Vol II: The Kingdom of the Waves by M.T. Anderson
Nation by Terry Prachett
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

Happy Australia Day!

Today is the day that Australians celebrate their country, much like our Independence Day. January 26 marks the day that the First fleet arrived in Sydney beginning the British colonization of Australia. Why not celebrate by enjoying some fascinating books and a memorable DVD exploring Australia's history.

The Secret River by Kate Grenville
William Thornhill was raised as a waterman in London. He spent his days ferrying wealthy people across the Thames. He falls in love with his employer’s saucy young daughter, Sal, and life is good until her parents die . Creditors come after the family’s belongings, and take the boat William uses to earn a living. When William resorts to thievery to support his wife and child, he is caught and sent to Australia. Sal and her son are allowed to go with him. While Sal constantly yearns after Home, her idealized memory of London, William comes to love the harsh land of Australia. At first life is a daily struggle against an alien environment but soon William finds that it is possible to better yourself quickly in this new country. He earns his pardon through hard work, Sal makes money easily by running a tiny pub. Sydney becomes their happy home until William falls for a lush stretch of river on his shipping runs. He convinces Sal to try homesteading there, they will make their fortune within five years and return to London and live a comfortable life. Sal agrees ; they settle in on the isolated stretch of land. While they assume the land is theirs for the taking, the aborigines that have used the land for eons are dismayed by the clearing of the land that destroys all their native food sources. Hostilities grow between the natives and the ever encroaching settlers. The English army is mustered and tries the same tactics that didn’t work well with American colonials. Sal and William must decide; do they run to safety, or fight for the land they have come to love.

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Another extremely enjoyable travel adventure from Bryson. This time he ventures off to Australia, covering large areas of the huge island continent. He has a talent for spotting the bizarre, as well as uncovering the true character of a nation. He comments on among other things; A-bombs that go off unnoticed, aggressive seashells, giant earthworms, and of course Australia’s truly wonderful place names. Delightful and humorous, this tape will make you nostalgic if you have ever visited Australia.

The Australian government seized thousands of Aboriginal and mixed race children from their families from the 1880s through the 1960s. These children, known as the “stolen generations,” were forbidden to speak their native language or practice Aboriginal customs in a misguided effort to provide a better life through forced assimilation. The Rabbit Proof Fence is brilliant film depicting this historical event. It tells of three little girls who were forcibly taken from their mothers to be trained as domestic servants. They escape from the “settlement school” and begin the 1,500 mile walk through the Australian Outback with only a fence designed to keep rabbits from overrunning the country to guide them home. It is based on a true story but feels like a novel; a daring escape, a torturous trek through brutal desert pursued by an unwavering enemy. This is one of the best films I have ever seen; it is unforgettable.

Want more? Come in and pick up our "If You Like Books About Australia"bookmark.

Tropical Depression

I think the cold temperatures are finally starting to get to the Library patrons. Many travel guides to warm places are being checked out. Yesterday someone took out a stack of Hawaiian music and Jimmy Buffet CDs. I am longing for the day when all the gardening books start flying off the shelves, a sign of spring's immanent approach.

Graceling

I recently finished the young adult novel Graceling by Kristin Cashore. This is a fantasy novel featuring Katsa, who has one green eye and the other blue, which marks her as "graced." Those who are graced have a special skill, and Katsa's is survival. This of course makes her a "tough chick" to say the least (see Saturdays post). I loved the novel and was completely caught up in Ms. Cashore's fantasy world, and I am eagerly awaiting the prequel and the sequel which are both in the works. Now after reading an article on Kristin Cashore I believe that she is "graced". Graceling was the first novel that Ms. Cashore attempted to get published. A friend knew of an agent, but her website clearly stated "no fantasy". Ms. Cashore contacted her anyhow and was allowed to send 50 pages of her manuscript (by the way, this was the only agent that she contacted!). That is all it took for the agent to be on board, and within a few weeks they had an offer from a publisher. The book was published and has already gone back to press twice, rights have been sold in 12 languages--you get the picture. I believe her "grace" is that people can't say no to her or maybe only good things are allowed to happen to her. Not a bad problem to have. I suppose she could just be a very talented writer. No matter give the book a read--it is definitely worth it.

What The Librarians Are Talking About

One of the Library volunteers is raving about Blaize Clement's Cat Sitter series, describing it as fast and fun. The Library's mystery maven has been recommending Jeffrey Deaver's Bodies Left Behind to anyone who will listen. She says this story about a resourceful woman deputy really wowed her with its many unexpected twists and turns. And I am feeling downright gleeful that Suzanne Arruda is back with another Jade del Cameron mystery; it offers high adventure in 1920's Africa, not to be missed!

Tough Chicks

The Library Office Manager is a connoisseur of mysteries. If you are looking for the author who writes a particular character, or in a certain setting, she can steer you to the right books. She has been reading a string of mysteries featuring strong women characters and really enjoying them. We are sharing her terrific finds in the "Tough Chicks" bookmark. You can pick one up at the Library across from the Circulation Desk. Here are a few of her favorites:

Robert Eversz - Nina Zero series
Robert Fate - Baby Shark series
Thomas Perry - Jane Whitefield novels
Barbara Seranella - Munch Mancini series

The Sisterhood Grows

We have just received Ann Brashares new book 3 Willows: the Sisterhood Grows. Ann Brashares fame came from her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series for teens (teen girls really), and the series has led to two movies. The new book is not part of the Traveling Pants series but has some tie-ins. From Ann Brashares blog: "The main characters are new, but the book takes place in the same world as the Sisterhood. In fact, there are certain secondary characters you will recognize. (Effie!)"

According to Ann's blog she is planning to write another one in the Traveling Pants series because she has been thinking about the characters a lot lately. That is something I find fascinating about writers--they spend so much time with their characters that the characters can live on after a book or series is finished. I would think it would be hard to let them go. Anyhow, I have not yet read 3 Willows but so far reviews have been very positive.

****Interesting side note: Ann Brashares grew up in Washington DC, and attended the Sidwell Friends School. Sidwell has been in the news of late because the President-elects daughters are currently enrolled. Other notable alumni include Bill Nye (yeah the Science Guy) and Charlie Gibson.