End the Summer Slide

We need your help!  Have you heard of something called the summer slide?  Unfortunately this not a fun slide found at the playground, it is what happens when "young minds sit idle for three months".  Here is what RIF: Reading is Fundamental says about it:  

Experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not often slide backward. According to the authors of a report from the National Summer Learning Association: "A conservative estimate of lost instructional time is approximately two months or roughly 22 percent of the school year.... It's common for teachers to spend at least a month re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer. That month of re-teaching eliminates a month that could have been spent on teaching new information and skills." 

We have Summer Reading Programs for kids of all ages, as do most Public Libraries, that can help stop the slide.  This is where you can help--if you have kids bring them in to sign up, tell your neighbors, friends and acquaintances with kids to go to their Public Library and sign up.  These are free programs available to anyone with a card!  The programs are easy and fun! Sign-up begins this Monday--we hope to see you all here in droves.

Dover Public Library Book Group

Calling all readers!  Spread the news the Library is starting a new book group.  The group will meet the 3rd Monday evening of each month starting in September.  If you are interested in joining the book group pencil in Monday, September 16th in your calendar and feel free to help us with the details.  What should the first book selection be?  Is 6:30 or 7:00 a better time to meet?  Comments and suggestions are welcome.  Looking forward to meeting new friends in the fall.

Journey Into a Book

July 1st is coming soon and that is the day kids can sign-up for our Summer Reading Programs. The Teen Program is "Journey Into a Book", and has some really great prizes up for grabs. Teens will get a booklet to keep track of how many hours they have read and for every 2 hours they will receive a ticket to submit to one of the following raffles:

**5 Day Passes to the Works (includes the pool) & a $15 Gift Certificate to La Festa Pizzeria
**5 Free Games of Mini-Golf & a $15 Gift Certificate to Strafford Farms
**5 Free Passes to Watercountry
**2 Free Introductory Lessons at Indoor Ascent Climbing Gym & $20 Gift Certificate to Dos Amigos
**$25 Gift Certificate to Regal Cinemas
**$25 Gift Certificate to Target

As an added bonus the first 50 kids to enter will get to pick a free book--so be sure to sign up!

The new list of nominees for the Cochecho Readers' Award is ready-- just in time for summer reading!

The Cochecho Readers' Award is sponsored by the Children's Librarians of Dover, New Hampshire. This award, named after the Cochecho River which runs through the heart of Dover, is given each year in the spring to an author whose book receives the most votes from Dover's third and fourth graders.

Click here for the new 2013-14 nominees list and start reading!

Changing Your Due Dates on NH Downloadable Books

You may have noticed that it is possible to customize the default eBook and audiobook loan periods on NH Downloadable Books.

This leads you to your account settings where you can select the default loan period for audiobooks and eBooks. By default, we've kept the eBook loan period at 14 days and the audiobooks at 7 days. It is possible to set the default of either format to another time period. 

Please keep in mind that the faster the items are returned to the collection, the less money the public libraries will spend on expensive duplicate copies and the faster other patrons will get the books they are waiting for! 

This post is courtesy of  Bobbi and the NH Downloadable Books Blog.

Great Books for Your Beach Bag

I have had a string of great books to read lately. Many of them would be perfect for a day at the beach.

First up is The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro.
The letter turns Grace Munroe’s life upside down: ‘Our firm is handling the estate of the Mrs Eva D’Orsey and it is our duty to inform you that you are named as the chief beneficiary in her will. There is only one problem. Grace has never heard of her. The mystery leads Grace to an abandoned perfume shop on the Left Bank that helps her unravel the heartbreaking story of her mysterious benefactor, an extraordinary woman who bewitched high society in 1920s New York and Paris.

Ten Trees and a Truffle Dog by Jamie Ivey will delight fans of Peter Mayle's A Year In Provence.
 This is the true story of an English couple who move to Provence and build a house on land that also has a truffle grove. Add a baby and a puppy and chaos ensues. All the funny goings on kept me up much too late.

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn

The daughter of a scandalous mother, Delilah Drummond is already notorious, even among Paris society. But her latest scandal is big enough to make even her oft-married mother blanch. Delilah is exiled to Kenya and her favorite stepfather's savanna manor house until gossip subsides.

Fairlight is the crumbling, sun-bleached skeleton of a faded African dream, a world where dissolute expats are bolstered by gin and jazz records, cigarettes and safaris. As mistress of this wasted estate, Delilah falls into the decadent pleasures of society.

Against the frivolity of her peers, Ryder White stands in sharp contrast. As foreign to Delilah as Africa, Ryder becomes her guide to the complex beauty of this unknown world. Giraffes, buffalo, lions and elephants roam the shores of Lake Wanyama amid swirls of red dust. Here, life is lush and teeming—yet fleeting and often cheap.

Amidst the wonders—and dangers—of Africa, Delilah awakes to a land out of all proportion: extremes of heat, darkness, beauty and joy that cut to her very heart. Only when this sacred place is profaned by bloodshed does Delilah discover what is truly worth fighting for—and what she can no longer live without.

Now if we could only get some sunny days worthy of a trip to the beach...

Author Marian Sleeman Gerrish Craig, Kittery historian, visits the library June 11

      The Friends of the Library are delighted to host Kittery resident Marian Sleeman Gerrish Craig on Tuesday, June 11 at 7pm in the Library’s Lecture Hall. Ms. Craig is the author of “Two If By Sea—The Prodigy of the Piscataqua River—The Folletts of Kittery Point” which was published in 2011 when she was 93 years old. The introduction to Marian’s book starts out, “This is an account of a family named Follett who lived by the sea on the Piscataqua River in Kittery Point, Maine. Someone in that family has lived in the same location on Follett Lane for over 200 continuous years.”

  Indeed, Marian is a descendant of Capt. John Follett who, along with 42 other local men, signed the Dover Combination in 1640. By 1703, the Folletts, shipbuilders and traders, had settled at Kittery Point and her current home on the northerly side of the mouth of the harbor was purchased by Capt. Robert Follett Sr. in 1767. She has lived there since the age of 12, fondly recalling times with her beloved grandfather, Follett Gerrish, and knows many stories about the surrounding area.

 Craig’s book covers much local and maritime history including her family’s opposition to the Embargo Act of 1807 and their shipping struggles during the War of 1812. She also inherited the journals of Hannah Gerrish, recorded in the late 19^th century and did much genealogical research on her own. After a 50-year career in music and raising three sons with her husband Bob Craig (a Portsmouth boy she married 73 years ago), Marian is thrilled to share her knowledge of the Piscataqua region with audiences.

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.  

The Friends of the Library Cookbook Sale Starts Today!

Are you tired of cooking the same old things? Come on in and take a look at the Friends of the Library Cookbook sale. We have 2 tables jam packed with beautiful cookbooks, and a cart of large, "like new" cookbooks. There are some very tempting selections! The books are located by the Adult Circulation Desk.

Is Your Library Valuable to You?

We have agreed to participate in a Granite State students research project. She is researching library patrons perceived value of libraries in relation to the physical space of their libraries. She is hoping to have as many people as possible fill out the following survey so if you could take a few minutes to fill it out she would very much appreciate it!

Job opening: Librarian II---Adult Services Librarian (40 hrs/week)

LIBRARIAN II – Adult Services Librarian

(40 hrs/week; $20.68--$29.28 per hour)

The Dover (NH) Public Library (http://library.dover.nh.gov) is accepting applications for an “Adult Services Librarian”. We are seeking an innovative, enthusiastic, customer-oriented professional to provide vision, leadership and expertise related to collections and services for adults.  This person will possess an exemplary knowledge of literature, popular media and culture, will oversee all aspects of the library's main circulation department, will supervise a part-time staff of seven, and will lead developments to enhance the library’s programming and outreach services.  Position requires a multi-faceted self-starter, capable of handling multiple competing priorities while working in an often fast-paced, public service desk environment. This staff member is part of the Library's administrative team and reports to the Library Director.

Dover is the fastest growing city in New Hampshire and its 5^th largest with a population of just over 30,000. Just 10 miles from the NH seacoast, Dover is about one hour away from Manchester NH, Portland ME and Boston MA. The library circulates nearly 300,000 items annually and its budget is just over $1 million.  Over 90% of Dover residents have library cards and we share an automated library system with the City’s five public school libraries.  The Dovernet Libraries have will be migrating in mid-August to a Koha-based open source ILS. We are enthusiastic proponents of social media outreach tools and currently have 1.050 followers on Facebook plus 444 on Pinterest and 488 on Twitter. Our website received over 2 million hits in 2012 and is currently undergoing a major CMS redesign. 

Responsibilities

• Position requires a multi-faceted self-starter with strong customer service skills, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Capably handles multiple competing priorities while working in an often fast-paced, public service desk environment.
• Performs circulation desk duties and handles and resolves patron concerns and complaints.
• Possesses exemplary knowledge of authors, titles, genre literature, plus popular media and culture.
• Has proficiency with automated library systems, social media and content creation tools.
• Has strong verbal and written communication skills in order to interpret library policy & procedures effectively to all users; establishes strong, friendly rapport with patrons.
• Provides Readers Advisory assistance to patrons.
• Acquires all adult DVDs and music CDs and participates in other print acquisitions for adult collections.
• Schedules, trains, supervises, coaches, communicates with, and evaluates assigned library assistants at adult circulation desk plus library pages.
• Teaches patrons how to use various library technologies such as the OPAC, subscription databases, eServices, downloadable books, Internet and PCs.
• Contributes regularly to library social media platforms & website content.
• Develops monthly newsletter, library displays, and creates signage.
• Looks for ways to further promote customer-focused services; develops novel ways of packaging, sharing, and promoting library services to the general public.
• Coordinates monthly art exhibits and takes the lead in developing adult programming schedule.
• Recommends policy and procedure changes.
• Familiar with Microsoft Publisher plus other Office products and common computer applications.
• Selects and evaluates materials for weeding, replacement, repair, or withdrawal through periodic analysis of collection management reports. Tracks missing or lost materials.
• Supervises public shelving areas, maintains “extra copies” collection and storage of basement materials.
• Analyzes space needs; maintains diverse, fresh, and attractive collections in all adult areas through creative marketing.
• Monitors various library statistics and maintains records.
• Handles all patrons' suggestions for purchase.
• Collaborates with other staff members to create a positive, welcoming environment and help maintain building discipline.
• Troubleshoots and resolves minor computer and printer issues.
• Manages Meeting Rooms' bookings and schedules, and manages museum pass bookings, schedules and renewals.
• Participates in hiring of new circulation desk staff & pages.
• Recruits and trains all circulation volunteers.
• Conducts bi-monthly circulation meetings.
• Conducts occasional library tours.
• Proctors exams for patrons.
• Leads library bookclub(s).
• Orders needed supplies.
• Attends Friends of the Library meetings in the absence of the Library Director.
• Maintains current knowledge of relevant new technologies and library trends.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability Requirements

• Committed experience working with the public in a library setting.
• Experience working with an automated library system.
• Knowledge of print, database, and online information sources.
• 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.
• Experience working with, and instructing, customers with all ranges of technical expertise.
• Evidence of a high degree of initiative and versatility, a committed customer-service focus, and a desire to master new technologies.
• Working knowledge of  social media and community engagement tools including Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, and other content creation systems.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with department heads, employees, and the public and to deal with service problems courteously and tactfully.

Education Requirements:

Master's Degree in Library or Information Science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college or university; at least 1 year of professional library experience with a concentration in public services is preferred, but graduate students in an accredited MLS program in their final semester are also eligible to apply. Experience with an automated integrated library system (ILS) is essential.

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 must be received by June 20, 2013.

Learn How to Attract Wildlife to Your Backyard!

     On Tuesday, May 21 at 7pm, naturalist Jean Eno will present “‘A Garden for Wildlife: Natural

Landscaping for a Better Backyard” at the Dover Public Library.

    Jean’s presentation will explore ideas for landscaping your yard as a habitat for wildlife and

birds, explaining what wildlife are looking for when feeding or looking for a home. Or maybe you have problems with wildlife around your home and want to know what to do.  All of these questions can be answered as you learn to alter your landscaping and gardening practices. Plant choices, gardening techniques, wildlife and habitats, use of native plants, and issues such as invasive plants will also be discussed. You’ll learn techniques for attracting songbirds, mammals, hawks and owls, and even mysterious amphibians such as red-backed salamanders to your backyard.  The slide presentation will include helpful handouts and lists of suggested plantings.

          Jean Eno is a naturalist for the Great Bay Discovery Center, the education headquarters for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (a partnership program between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the NH Fish and Game Department).  She is the director of a watershed conservation initiative for the NH Rivers Council, working to improve water quality, land use, and wildlife habitat in North Hampton, Stratham and Greenland. Jean holds a degree in Environmental Studies from UNH, and is an active board member at York’s Center for Wildlife, the Great Bay Stewards, and the historic Weeks Brick House & Gardens.  She is an active volunteer for the NH Coverts Project and “Speaking for Wildlife” programs, and enjoys birding, organic gardening, and down time with her husband and pets.

    The presentation, sponsored by the Friends of the Dover Public Library, is part of a Speaking

for Wildlife program and is free and open to the public. The Speaking for Wildlife program is a volunteer effort of UNH Cooperative Extension.  Support for the program comes from the NH Charitable Foundation, the Davis Environmental Foundation, the NH Fish and Game Department, and the NH Natural Heritage Bureau. 

Poetry Contest Winners

2013 Poetry Contest winners announced! Please follow the link for a complete listing of winners. Congratulations to all, and don't forget our Evening of Poetry is next Monday, May 20 at 6:30pm in the Library Lecture Hall.  It is always so wonderful to hear the poems read by the young poets.

Did you know the Library has a database of legal forms for you to use here at the Library, or at home, available 24 hours a day?

The Legal Forms Library provides a wide selection of legal forms specific to New Hampshire, as well as multi-state forms across the most popular legal areas. It includes real estate contracts, wills, pre-marital agreements, bankruptcy, divorce, landlord tenant and many others. You will also find an attorney directory and a dictionary of legal definitions explained in laymen's language. If you have ever triedto find a legal form on the Internet you know what a great resource this is. Forms are easy to find and free!Make sure to ask for the secret password the next time you are at the library.
 

If you want to try these databases out at the library, simply go to any catalog computer and click on ONLINE NOW tab. To use them from home, go to our webpage and click on ONLINE RESOURCES or simply bookmark this link.

A Monster in Paris

We have had to change the movie for this Saturday--we will now be showing A Monster in Paris--rated PG. It is an animated movie set in Paris in the year 1910, and centered on a monster who lives in a garden and his love for a beautiful, young singer, Paris. Please join us for this free screening at 2:00 pm in the Lecture Hall.