Friends of the Newark Free Library of t… · on Valentine’s Day 1999. From the Co-President :...

Friends of the Newark Free Library February 2015

Editor – Catriona Binder-Macleod

By Karie Simmons courtesy of The Newark Post

Continued page 3

By Josh Shannon [email protected]

For 40 years, The Student has stood as a silent sentinel, watching over people entering the Newark Free Library and warming the hearts of three generations of bookworms.

Last week, a group of library patrons decided the beloved statue could use some warmth of its own. After their weekly meeting Jan. 6, the Newark Free Library Yarnivores climbed atop the statue and adorned it with a hand-made, multicolored hat and scarf.

A form of street art, such a display is known as “yarn bombing” and has been gaining popularity across the country. Internet searches turn up hundreds of yarn bombing photos, mostly of trees, signs and park benches, as well as larger targets, such as the Rocky statue in Philadelphia and the bull statue in the New York City financial district.

“It’s a popular activity going on all over the place, and we decided we’d do it locally,” Yarnivores member Deborah Ryszka said. “One member had some extra yarn, and said, ‘Let’s yarn bomb the statue.’” Seventy-five members strong, the knitting group has met every Tuesday evening at the library for several years. Members work on their own projects and sometimes unite for charity efforts. Continued p 2

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

2 Letter from the President

5 What’s New in the Library?

6 Tutor Stories

12 Music Programs

13 Library Calendar

17 Have you Seen?

18 I’ve Been Reading

Websites: Friends of the Newark Free Library www.friendsofthenewarkfreelibrary.webs.com/ Newark Free Library main page http://www.nccde.org/Newark New Castle County Happenings library page http://www.nccdecs.org and click on libraries and then Happenings Guide Friends of the Newark Free Library

‘Yarn bombing’ turns heads at Newark Free Library

Friends of the Newark Free Library 1

http://www.friendsofthenewarkfreelibrary.webs.com/

http://www.nccde.org/Newark

http://www.nccdecs.org/

‘Yarn bombing’ turns heads at Newark Free Library continued from page 1

Over a period of a week, more than 20 members knitted and crocheted sections of the extra-large hat and scarf and then combined them together before hanging them on the statue under the cover of darkness.

The following morning, the yarn bombing created a buzz around the library and on social media.

Library officials did not return a call seeking comment but appeared to take the yarn bombing in the good-natured way it was intended, writing in a Facebook post that The Student “does appreciate it on this cold day.”

“Now, he looks like he’s warm,” Ryszka remarked, adding that the Yarnivores have more yarn bombing projects in the works.

Crafted by well-known Delaware sculptor Charles Parks, The Student was installed in front of the library in 1975. Parks used his nephew, Newark native Floyd Kemske, as a model for the statue, which depicts a barefooted boy reclining with a book resting on his thigh.

After two decades, the statue fell victim to rust, and Parks used the original as a mold to recast the sculpture. Local schoolchildren helped unveil the second version of The Student during a ceremony on Valentine’s Day 1999.

From the Co-President

Peg Saenger

Warm greetings to all and Warm wishes for a wonderful

2015

As I write this note, we are getting our first real snowfall of the winter. This is often a time when people like to “cabin in” and curl up by the fire with a good book or watch a movie at home. We all know that our Newark Library is the place to find those things as well as offering us activities when we want to venture out. We are so grateful to the dedicated and creative staff members at the library, the Friends Board members who take on so many varied jobs, and also to you. Each and every one of you has done your part in supporting the Newark Library and the FNFL. Our annual appeal drive was a great success in raising funds to support many activities. Perhaps the verb should be “is a great success” as donations continue to come into the Friends’ mailbox. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So what are some of the projects that the Friends support? I will highlight a few that have already occurred and a few that will be happening in the next few months. In September, the Friends staffed our booth at Community Day. As usual, we distributed many children’s books to eager readers. We also had a trivia quiz box for children and their parents to test their knowledge of books and characters. On October 19th we had a dedication reception for the new meeting space that is named The Bookends Room. We were fortunate to have Mae Carter, an original Bookend, speak to the group. We also welcomed children of two other Bookends, Marge Purcell and Miriam Willis. The room is decorated, the plaque is hung, and the space is well used and appreciated.


On December 4th, we hosted a kick-off event for the Young Writers Workshop. We welcomed participants and coordinators from each of the eight sites as well as staff members from the Dept. of Community Services.

Friends Board member Noreen Campbell is the site liaison for the Newark library. This program will allow teams of children to write, illustrate, and publish a book. We look forward to seeing and reading the end products. I am sure they will be great.

(Look for more on this in another spot of the newsletter) Of course, the Friends supported the library in some usual holiday events including music, story hours with Santa, cupcake decorating, and movies.

By the time you are reading this, we will have completed a Membership Campaign. We hope to enlarge our roles and communicate with our library users about what they enjoy at the library and welcome any suggestions they might offer. Just because the campaign drive is completed, that is not to say that new members are turned away. So if you have a colleague, friend, or neighbor who might like to join the Friends, please encourage them to pick up a membership brochure or give them the form included in this newsletter. There are also several events you will want to get on your calendar. There are numerous musical events (see story in newsletter), lectures, and activities (see calendar in newsletter). Our Annual Friends Meeting and Brunch will take place on March 22nd at the library. This is always a good time with good friends. It is also the time when we introduce new Friends Board members. If you have a nominee you would like the Nominating Committee to consider, please be in touch. (You can even nominate yourself.)

Enthusiastic participants and supporters of the Young Writers Workshop Kick-Off on December 4that the Newark Free Library.

Story and craft time with Santa.

Left to right, Bob Carter, Mae Carter (one of original bookends). Back row, daughters of original

bookends Leslie Purcell (daughter of Marge Purcell), Cathy Carter (daughter of Mae Carter) and Alexine (Alex) Cloonan (daughter of Miriam

Willis).


The New Castle County Reads selection this year is The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley and the lecture is scheduled for April 16th.

We appreciate your support and would love to hear your input and suggestions. Better yet, consider joining the Friends Board. We are a great group! Hope to see many of you soon. Peg

The Friends have joined forces with the New Castle County Department of Community Services to sponsor a new writing initiative for youth, called the Young Writers Workshop. Eight sites around the county are hosting groups of young students in grades K – 8 who will work together to develop, write, and illustrate a book. Each book will be entered into the national Kids Are Authors contest, presented annually by Scholastic Books. If one of the books wins the national contest, it will be published by Scholastic, and a monetary award will be given to the site sponsoring team. Every book submitted will be published by New Castle County, and a copy will be available at each of the county’s libraries. The students will introduce their books to the public through a book tour at all New Castle County libraries, as well. Funding for the program includes a $5,000 grant from M&T Bank, a $500 grant from Colonial Parking, and additional funds from other donors.

Youngsters peek between books that have been written and illustrated by kids.

Mark your calendar for author talk by Walter Mosley

Thursday, April 16th

7 pm

Chase Center on the Riverfront

815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801


The programs are taking place at several locations: • Absalom Jones Community Center • Appoquinimink Library • Edgemoor Revitalization Cooperative • Newark Free Library • North Market Street Library • Rose Hill Community Center • Sparrow Run Resource Center • West End Neighborhood House

A kickoff event was held at the library on Dec. 1, hosted by the Friends and Community Services General Manager Sophia Hanson.

The Newark Library’s team of young writers began on Jan. 13, with eight eager students who were led by Stephanie Rizzo from the Department of Community Services. They will be meeting weekly through February to create their book, learn new writing, editing, and illustration skills, and hopefully have lots of fun while exercising their creativity with their team members. Stay tuned for more information! ________________________________________________________________________________________________ From the Library Manager Pat Birchenall Thank you one and all for helping to create our new Bookends Room, named after the four people who started the Friends group many years ago – Mae Carter, Miriam Willis, Carmen Nelson, and Marge Purcell. Since this multi-purpose space opened in

May, it has seen steady use by a wide variety of organizations, as well as for library-related programs. Patrons may reserve the room for a non-profit group meeting, and it can also be used as a study room on a walk-in basis. During any given week, you might attend a library computer class, the chess club, a book group, an Affordable Care Act information session, a study group session, or a non-profit organization’s meeting. Having this space available has greatly increased our ability to serve our patrons. The wall-mounted TV display helps room users in offering more high-quality presentations. Many people who see the room for the first time comment on the attractive, cozy feel of the space. The Friends group is planning to purchase new tables and an AV cart for use in the space in the near future, and we hope to begin offering video-conferenced workshops from the Delaware Job Centers in the coming months. Your generosity and interest made this expanded space possible. Thank you again! ________________________________________________________________________________________________

What’s New in the Library? eVideos added to the eOfferings from Delaware’s Digital Library Sherri McCarthy – Reference Librarian

To access eBooks, eAudio, and eVideo, go directly to the Delaware Digital Library at www.delaware.lib.overdrive.com

Community Service General Manager Sophia Hanson welcomes everyone to the

Young Writers Workshop kickoff event.


Overdrive is the vendor that supplies our eOfferings. (Tip: add this website to your Favorites).

• This opening page shows “New” (meaning newly-added) material and also has many ways of searching from the links at the top (such as Featured Collections, eBook Fiction, Kids & Teens, etc.)

• A library patron may have up to SEVEN eTitles checked out, whether eBooks, eAudio, or eVideo.

• eBooks and eAudio may be checked out for 7, 14, or 21 days; eVideo for 3, 5, or 7 days. (Go to your Account then Settings to set your preference.)

• Titles already in use may be placed on hold; holds can be automatically checked out to you when available.

• Holds may be suspended, such as when you are on vacation. You may renew items (providing there is no one else waiting for them), within three days of the due date.

To find eVideos:

• Scroll to middle of the page to see “New Streaming Videos” or look under Featured Collections at the top and click on “New Streaming Videos.”

• eVideos work on mobile devices and computers with modern browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer.

• There is an app from Overdrive that can be used instead of viewing in a browser, but the app is not necessary.

• You are not downloading the video title to your device; you are streaming it live online. Therefore, viewing the video may consume a lot of data. If you are on a mobile plan with a data cap, we recommend using a WiFi connection instead to avoid data overages.

We have just added 400 new streaming eVideo titles from Warner Bros. Studios to our catalog. We will have access to the entire Warner

Bros. catalog, but will pay for titles only if used. All of these titles have unlimited simultaneous uses, which means no holds. We have established a maximum cost per month to the library system -- and a maximum of 15 uses per patron per month of Warner Bros films. When these thresholds are reached, patrons will be prompted to place holds on titles, which will be filled the first of the next month. These titles are also subject to the seven title maximum per patron rule. The Newark library has instructional pamphlets on eBooks, eAudio, and eVideo for many devices. We also have a Computer Aide who will work one-on-one with patrons requiring assistance with eOfferings. Apps are recommended for most devices. Overdrive provides these apps. There is also an option to “Read in your Browser” for many eBooks. Clicking “Help” at the top of any Overdrive screen leads to a useful collection of instructions to help with any questions. eVideo Facts: There are currently about 1200 eVideo titles. You will not find the latest blockbusters here, but there are some quality feature films, foreign films, many documentaries, and a large collection of children’s features. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Two Newark couples doing their small part to spread literacy

By Alexandra Duszak, Special to the Post

Gerry McVey looked out his window one summer day to see his 11-year-old neighbor biking down the street. The boy stopped at a metal container behind McVey’s mailbox, removed a book, tucked it under his arm, and kept riding – a sight that McVey said warmed his heart.

The “non-required summer reading,” as McVey jokingly referred to the boy’s book, is just one of the reasons he and his wife, Sandy, are stewards of a Little Free Library.


Little Free Libraries, as the name suggests, are tiny “give a book, take a book” libraries popping up in front yards and building lobbies in Newark and all over the world. There are many Little Free Library models and many others built from scratch, but most generally resemble the one in front of the McVeys’ Scottfield Drive home: they are small, charmingly decorated, waterproof boxes that contain a selection of books curated by the library’s steward and the surrounding community.

“‘Take a book, leave a book’ is one simple idea with incredible impact,” said Kris Huson, marketing and communications director for Little Free Libraries.

The organization has been around since 2009, when Todd Bol of Hudson, Wis., constructed a miniature one-room schoolhouse library as a tribute to his late mother, an avid reader and former teacher. After seeing how popular the library was with his neighbors, Bol partnered with Rick Brooks, who at the time was an instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison specializing in youth and community development. Bol and Brooks grew the organization primarily through word of mouth, surpassing their goal number of libraries years ahead of time.

“It’s an endearing idea that really resonated with book lovers who believed in the free exchange and sharing of books,” Huson said.

There are at least 18 Little Free Libraries in Delaware and at least two registered in the greater Newark area, Huson said. The McVeys signed up with the national organization and built their library about three years ago after seeing an article about Little Free Libraries in the newspaper.

“We said, ‘There are none in Delaware. We need a Little Free Library in Delaware,’” Sandy McVey recalled.

The McVeys are avid readers and keep their library stocked with a combination of their own books and those they pick up from 2nd & Charles, a used book and electronics store off of Churchmans Road. Although they see more turnover with children’s books, “sometimes you’ll see a mom take a book and a kid take one, too,” Sandy McVey said.

In Fairfield Crest, Jamie Sutherland and his wife, Stephanie Kerschbaum, have a Little Free Library of their own. They ordered their library from the national organization after learning about Little Free Libraries in an alumni magazine from the University of Wisconsin, where both attended graduate school.

“We thought, ‘Hey, that’s something we could do with that corner of the yard,’” Sutherland joked.

Sutherland and Kerschbaum are also avid readers and have a large collection of books, so they originally stocked their library with a few volumes they didn’t mind sharing. Sutherland said he and his wife don’t see much foot traffic to their box, in part because of its positioning in their Fremont Road yard, but people tend to stop by in cars to take a look and perhaps borrow a book. He notices the most traffic after neighborhood yard sales.

“We think of it as a community thing,” he said.

With more than 20,000 libraries worldwide, according to Huson, the Little Free Libraries

Gerry and Sandy McVey maintain a Little Free Library outside their Scottfield home, inviting

neighbors to borrow books from the box attached to the their mailbox.


http://m.newarkpostonline.com/news/article_369091e3-4c70-52fe-9843-f711159aafcb.html?mode=jqm_gal

community has grown exponentially in its short history. The organization’s initial goal was to build 2,510 libraries – as many libraries as Andrew Carnegie supported around the turn of the 20th century – but it surpassed that goal in August 2012. There are Little Free Libraries all over the world, including Turkey, Denmark, South Korea, and many other countries.

At its heart, the Little Free Libraries idea is a simple one: it gives people the opportunity to connect with each other and share great, even historic, books.

The coolest book that’s ever appeared the McVeys’ library? An original copy of Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy.

To find a Little Free Library near you, visit www.littlefreelibrary.org.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Remember Flipster?

In the last issue of the newsletter, we introduced a new service called Flipster for eMagazines. With Flipster, library patrons can read digital copies of magazines on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Choose from many popular titles for adults, teens, and kids — with no holds and no limits. Read magazines from your computer, smartphone, or tablet via your browser as long as you have an Internet connection or 3G/4G connection. Go to

www.lib.de.us/flipster. Click on “Try Flipster Now” to access the sign-in screen. Read the FAQs on that page for further information. Click on the link in FAQs to learn more about the mobile apps (available for iPad / iPad mini, Android, and Kindle Fire) that allow magazines to be downloaded for offline viewing. eMagazine / Flipster Facts: Currently there are about 60 titles available; more will be added over time. Popular titles include Clean Eating, Cooking Light, Cosmopolitan, Food Network magazine, Good Housekeeping, HGTV magazine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance & Retirement Report, Men’s Health, Shape, ShopSmart, Time magazine, Vegetarian Times, and Women’s Health. Yes — even Consumer Reports, People, and US Weekly! Titles for kids and teens range from Babybug and Cobblestone to Girls’ Life and Seventeen. Library patrons logged nearly 21,000 views of magazines in the first six months Flipster was available – averaging 3500 per month! ________________________________________________________________________________________________ New Magazine Titles Coming in 2015

In spite of the immediate popularity of the Flipster eMagazines introduced a few months ago, statistics show that our library patrons still enjoy print magazines. In calendar year 2014, nearly 8000 periodicals checked out at the Newark Free Library. Bear in mind that many magazines are read in the library without ever being checked out, so total usage is high! You might be surprised to learn which magazine title circulated more than any other: Disney Princess Magazine. We have three subscriptions to that title, which racked up almost 300 checkouts in a single year! American Girl and Babybug are close behind with almost 250 checkouts each.

In adult magazines, first place is a tie between People Weekly and US Weekly, about 285 checkouts each. Third place goes to House


http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/

http://www.lib.de.us/flipster

Beautiful with 130 check outs. Circulation statistics reveal that our patrons enjoy magazines about cooking, health, gardening, decorating, DIY, and crafts … although The Economist, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Forbes rank high, as well. With that in mind, we have added the following new titles, which will begin in 2015: Better Investing Do It Yourself Garden Gate Home Power McCall’s Quilting Piecework There are only a few new titles for 2015, because in 2014 – with our patrons’ preferences in mind -- Newark added over 30 new titles in the adult, teen, and juvenile magazine collections. Some magazines added last year were immediately popular and ranked among our highest circulating titles, such as All You, Allure, Bride’s Magazine, HGTV Magazine, Mother Earth Living, Self, and Traditional Home. Popular new titles in the teen magazines included J-14 (celebrity news) and Supergirl. In children’s, BYOU (Be Your Own You), Discovery Girls, and Disney Junior Magazine caught on quickly. And Don’t Forget eBooks and eAudio:

We offer about 14,200 eBook titles and 3000 eAudio titles. eBook circulation in December 2014 was nearly 23,000. eAudio circulation the same month was about 5000. Combined circulation of eBooks/eAudio since their introduction in January 2012 is nearly 630,000, with 57% of that coming from New Castle County libraries. There are about

31,000 registered users, with 59% coming from NCC libraries.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Study Room Stories: Tutors and

Students Many life-changing moments occur in our library each day, some so quietly that even regular library visitors are unaware of them. One important example of these quiet, behind-the-scenes activities is the meeting of tutors and students in the library’s study rooms. One of the most common uses of the study rooms at Newark Free Library is for tutors to meet with their students. Some are school students receiving extra help with their subjects. Others may be ESL learners – striving to learn English – or adult learners who need help with improving their literacy and job skills. Newark Free Library recently installed large white boards in the study rooms and provides kits of markers and erasers; many tutors have found these to be valuable in presenting information to their students. The following “study room stories” introduce a few of the tutors and students who meet regularly at the Newark Free Library. They provide a glimpse of this important volunteer activity that occurs a few times a day, every day of the week, at our libraries in New Castle County. At the end of the article, there is more information for those interested in becoming tutors for adult learners.

From tutor Doris Walton

and her student

Asheroff:


Twice weekly, I meet with a young man from Yemen who studies the English language. His name is Asheroff, and he has been in America almost two years. He is married and is the father of a 3-1/2 year old daughter. Asheroff attends Delaware Community College, preparing for a career here as a dental technician, which he practiced full time in Yemen. Something inspiring occurs during the hours we share in the study room. While Asheroff enthusiastically applies himself to mastery of English, he also enlightens me about many customs and practices in Yemen during our verbal exchanges. This is very gratifying to me, knowing that as an 80-year old woman I can continue to learn and enrich my own mind, even as I happily help another to learn. Newark Free Library makes all this possible! Thank you. [Doris is a tutor through New Start; see more information below.] From tutor Ron Martin: Tutoring adults in Basic English literacy – that’s what is often happening in the library’s study rooms. I’ve been doing it for more than ten years now, and as a retired English professor, I’m over-educated for it … at least in respect to my native language. All you really need to be a tutor is the ability to read, write, and speak English and the capacity to enjoy getting to know and help some specific person with his or her everyday life. I’ve recently worked with immigrants – one from Taiwan, then one from Brazil, and now two brothers from Yemen – each fascinating in his or her cultural background and approaches to coping in a foreign-language environment. I must admit: although their English is functional and has been markedly successful for them, Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic are still Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic to me. The Reference Desk staff at Newark Free Library are very helpful with scheduling and -- for my students and myself -- with library and resource guidance. The tutoring program is called The New

Start Adult Learning Program, and it offers training, matching with clients, and ongoing help and advice. [See more information at end of article.]

From tutor Susan Case and her students

Nelsy and Alis :

My name is Susan Case, and I’m a volunteer tutor with Literacy Volunteers Serving Adults. I have two students - Nelsy and Alis - who are learning English, and we meet at the Newark Free Library once a week. Both of my students are from Columbia, South America. They work full time, have families, and are dedicated to learning English. In Nelsy’s words, this is why she would like to learn English: “I want to learn English because it is the language number one of the world. It is very necessary to speak with the people in my work and many different places. It will also help me obtain better work. And more important because I like English very much.” Alis has these reasons for learning English: “I want to learn English because I feel that it is very important. I need to communicate to be able to live here.” Our class meets each week in a study room, which I feel is a wonderful asset to the public. The addition of white boards in each room is very useful for teaching. I was very excited when they were added along with markers and erasers. Thank you to the Newark Free Library staff for providing this quiet space for classes and studying.


From tutor

Holly Novak

For the past couple of years, I have worked with two different students through New Start Adult Learning Program. With my remedial reading background and over 30 years of teaching experience, I find working with these willing students to be extremely rewarding. Their progress is my joy. The increased confidence level I see is very fulfilling to me. It is a great way to make a difference. I cannot be more positive and happy to be doing this. Consider volunteering by contacting New Start [see contact information in box]. Tutors are always needed. People wanting to learn are more plentiful than tutors. Adult students who wish to increase their literacy level, or learn English, may contact the office for information. Someone will meet with the potential student and give placement tests to determine the student’s needs, and then place him or her with a tutor. Tutors volunteer their time to come to the library to work with students and both work together to increase literacy skills. Supplies are provided as needed by New Start. Students are tested periodically for progress, and tutors report hours taught. Careful monitoring is done by the program; tutors are supported, and tutorees learn! What a wonderful way to fight illiteracy in this country! I have been tutoring at the Newark Free Library for a few years and have found the support to be wonderful. Thanks to Newark Free Library for supporting this program!

If you are interested in becoming a tutor: New Start Adult Learning Program http://newstartde.org/ Contact: Susan Menei Phone: 302-378-3444 Email: [email protected] Opportunities for tutors and for other volunteers Literacy Volunteers Serving Adults http://www.litvolunteers.org Cynthia E. Shermeyer Executive Director Phone: 302-658-5624 Email: [email protected] Alyssa Almond Program Coordinator Phone: 302-658-5624 Email: [email protected] Opportunities for tutors and for other volunteers

11th Annual Delcastle Cooks and Bakers Gingerbread House Tour

This is the 11th year that Newark Free Library and the Newark Free Library Friends have

hosted the annual Delcastle Cooks and Bakers Gingerbread House Tour. Two teachers and 19

students ran the program


http://newstartde.org/

http://www.litvolunteers.org/

________________________________________________________________________________________________ Music Programs for the New Year

Pam Nelson Reference Librarian

As 2015 begins, the Library is fortunate to be able to offer several music programs, providing a variety of musical styles and artists. The first program of the year, in January, featured the Copeland String Quartet performing music of Haydn and Brahms and was made possible by the support of the Friends of the Newark Free Library. Sunday, March 1st at 2:00pm, The Deltones from the University of Delaware will perform a concert

of a cappella music featuring popular and old favorites. The members of the vocal group use their own voices to create not only the words and music, but also the rhythmic effects. The audience may be hearing a variety of selections from Peter, Paul and Mary; Bonnie Raitt and Christina Aguelera, to James Morrison and Michael Bublé. According to the website, the Deltones was started with five friends singing in the stairwell of the Perkins Student Center in 1991, “Hey, let’s form an a cappella group,” and it continues to this day. Please join us for an enthusiastic and energy-filled afternoon.

In April, we look forward to having another ensemble from the University of Delaware. On Sunday, April 12th at 2:00pm, Nota Bene Winds, a Woodwind Quintet comprised of music majors, will present a concert of music from the quintet repertoire.

The musical selections at this concert will include Astor Piazzolla’s dynamic “Libertango” and David

At the party children made mini gingerbread houses out of graham crackers, small clean milk cartons, frosting, and candy. They also

decorated gingerbread men, made marshmallow snowmen, and designed their

h f h

Nota Bene Winds

Deltones Sing Off


Maslanka’s compelling “Quintet no. 3 for Winds.” The members of the quintet are Stefanie Proulx, flute; Laura Yawney, oboe; Kourtney Bastianelli, clarinet; Kathryn Marks, horn; and Shari Paltrowitz, bassoon. Nota Bene Winds is coached by Assistant Professor of Flute, Eileen Grycky. As the University of Delaware semester comes to a close, we were able to schedule Blue and Gold Brass for Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00pm. Selections for the brass quintet will be performed by Casey Hesse & Charlene Bottjer, trumpets; Mike Fries, horn; Andrew Roberts, trombone; and Manny Colburn, tuba, and will include works by John Cheetham and Collier Jones, as well as Canadian Brass arrangements that will have the audience tapping their toes. Judging from last year’s concert, there is even a possibility of a lively march. Welcome back, Blue and Gold Brass.

Please join us for this season of musical events, many of which are sponsored by the Friends of the Newark Free Library. For their continued support, we are most grateful. All ages are welcome, and young listeners are particularly invited to experience a live concert in a familiar library setting. Please come and bring the family.

Library Calendar

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 2 p.m.

A Visit with Ernest Hemingway

Come spend an afternoon hearing about one of the most influential American writers in the 20th century. The program will be presented by University of Delaware’s Dr. Richard Davison. Hear about the life and work of this iconic author who wrote many classic American novels. Registration required.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 @ 2p.m. & 6:30p.m.

Friday Films..............Get on up: The James Brown Story

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 7 p.m.

Teen Scholarship Workshop

Learn the basics about how to find a scholarship, the etiquette in filling out an application and going for an interview, and tips on writing a scholarship essay. For students ages 15 and up and/or parents. Registration required..

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 2 p.m.

Teen Art Workshop: Manga!

What makes Japanese comics so powerful? Upgrade your storytelling skills and start your own manga! Registration required.

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 2 p.m.

Deltones (Music Program)

The Deltones are an a cappella vocal ensemble from the University of Delaware. They will present

Blue and Gold Brass


a program of current popular songs and old favorites.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 @ 2pm & 6:30pm

Friday Films..............Gone Girl

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 2 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Cupcake Decorating

Come get in the Irish mood by decorating some St. Patrick’s-themed cupcakes. Registration required. Ages 12+

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Barrel of Makers: Blinkie-Making Workshop

Join us for this Teen Soldering event. Not only will you learn the basics of soldering, you will also be putting together your own fun pin with blinking eyes. Registration required. Ages 12+. 2 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27 7:30 p.m.

Eclipses: Solar and Lunar

Calling all stargazers! If you have an interest in stars and space, this program is for you. UD Assistant Professor Dr. Hank Bouchelle will discuss both Solar and Lunar Eclipses. Make sure to bring your coat and a love of the stars. Registration required. Ages 12+.

MONDAY, MARCH 30 7 p.m.

Teen Volunteer Presentation

Teens learn about volunteer opportunities that match their interests and about the requirements of the Delaware Volunteer Credit. Registration required. Ages 12+

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 @ 2pm & 6:30pm

Friday Films..............Foxcatcher

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 2 p.m.

Nota Bene Winds: UD Woodwind Quintet

University of Delaware student quintet presents a recital of “Libertango” by Astor Piazzolla. The Quintet consists of Stefanie Proulx (flute), Laura Yawney (oboe), Kourtney Bastianelli (clarinet), Kathryn Marks (horn), and Shari Paltrowitz (bassoon).

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 2 p.m.

Barrel of Makers: Wobble-Bots

Teens will build a Wiggling, Squiggling Robot. Build your first robot that will be run on a very simple circuit. Registration required. Ages 12+.


FRIDAY, MAY 1 @ 2pm & 6:30pm

Friday Films..............The Imitation Game

SATURDAY, MAY 2 2:30 p.m. Mother’s Day Card making

Teens not sure what to get Mom for Mother’s Day? Come learn the art of card making. Registration required. Ages 12+.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Up Close and Personal Interviews with Library Staff

Doug Tong In a series of three interviews with employees of the Newark Free Library, I met recently with Lisa Marie Beamer, Bryan Gollicker, and Sam Santiago. A common denominator I found was that all three enjoy what they are doing and really like working with people. Up Close & Personal with Lisa Marie Beamer Q: Would you describe your journey to the Newark Free Library? A: I was born in Brooklyn, New York; raised in Massachusetts; and graduated high school in Frederick County, Virginia. I attended Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois and Lutheran Bible College in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Graduate school was at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I received my degree in library sciences. Then I went to Blue Earth, Minnesota, a small town of 4,000.

Q: What is your current role and what duties do you have? A: I’m in charge of children’s services, including several duties: ordering children’s books and materials while utilizing a budget, and planning children’s programs, for example,

• Toddler Time (17 months to three years old): years ago, I started the Toddler Time program. Claire O’Neal, Sue Lipsy, and Sue Menz now plan and operate the Toddler Times.

• Story Time (for three- to five-year-olds)

• Family Fun Night: recently, we invited

DelCastle Cooks and Bakers, and we held three different gingerbread house classes, which was part of the annual event (see separate story).

• PAWS: children read aloud to a trained dog or cat to improve their communication skills (ask the children’s librarian for the selected Wednesday at 7 PM and when you must register by to participate),

• On Friday, January 9th at 7 PM, Jungle John will be holding an interactive evening. He was recently on America’s Got Talent.

Q: What do you like about your role? A: I’ve been at the Newark Free Library for 29 years. I really like people and enjoy working with the children and their parents who visit the Newark Free Library.


Up Close & Personal with Bryan Gollicker Q: Bryan, many of the librarians are women. Are there any differences between perspectives? A: Most men learn visually versus women, in general.

Q: Many of your responsibilities involve providing customer service while working at the reference desk. I noticed that you are extremely helpful sorting out queries at the reference desk regarding movies. How do you provide services? A: I help people who come to the reference desk for help. Whether they are students or community patrons, I like to better understand what they need. If there is an angle to play, I like to delve into the task by interviewing what they need and setting up a scenario on how their presentation may be a little unique. For example, someone was seeking information on Charles Dickens. I knew that Charles Dickens was a serial novelist who started his career in the newspaper business. Dickens ultimately wrote a chapter that was featured in each issue of the British newspaper. This was before he started writing books. I also put together the list of new films on DVD each month. I love stories that are told through movies or told verbally. An old film professor advised that we use movie reviews as a guide but not as “gospel.” Some of the best movies follow the adage, “Show it, don’t sell it.” If a patron is seeking a certain genre of film, I can recommend movies. One of the tools I use is the “Best 100 Movies” compiled by the AFI (American Film Institute). I really enjoy my role in working with patrons who have a specific query. I also schedule bookings, and we reserve rooms at the library for a multitude of groups.

Up Close & Personal with Sam Santiago Q: Sam, we recently met in the children’s section. I noticed that you have a passion for LEGO®Land and you enjoy it; did I get this right?

A: Yes, I truly enjoy coordinating LEGO®Land on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM. The best thing about it is that you can see the families getting together to build a LEGO structure, and they are talking and having fun, and once it is done, they take photos. It is great watching the kids strategizing, even between the grandparents and the kids or the parents and their kids. The family encourages one another to build. Q. When did the club start, and how is the club’s progress? A: We started in 2013 with about 20 members and this year we’ve grown to nearly 60 members over the past six months. There is no need for registration, and it is not limited to children. There is a lot of creativity when grandparents and children participate, as they encourage each other. It is rewarding to see parents taking photos with their kids. A lot of things are happening during LEGO®Land club: coaching, learning, talking, laughing, sharing, creativity, and respect. One family created a LEGO DVD, and others in the club loved watching it. The biggest reward is knowing that these precious times of family time will never be forgotten. There are a lot of people supporting the club and our volunteer, Barb, does a great job interacting and assisting folks.


Have you Seen? By Dorothy Sharkey

We have had so many wonderful exhibits in the library over the past several months. We hope that you have enjoyed seeing each and every of them. We would like to thank our exhibitors who have shared their artwork, interests and collections with us. If you have an exhibit proposal, please see a reference desk librarian for an application form.

Jayme Fields with her students’ Thanksgiving display

Polly Carter’s

collection of pop-up books

David Kopesser Wilmington Trail Club

Barbara Seningen

Daughters of the American

Revolution


I’ve Been Reading

The Goldfinch

By Donna Tartt

Reviewed by Catriona Binder-Macleod

I am bereft. I have just finished the doorstopper of a book, The Goldfinch by Donna Tart. Weighing in at 700 pages or 32-and-a-half listening hours on Audible.com, I have just lost the characters that populated my dreams for the last three weeks. The cast is of Dickensian proportions, beginning with the motherless Theo Decker, who instead of ending up in the poorhouse finds brief refuge with an Upper West Side pedigreed family, the Barbours. His stay there is short as his absent father, a Fagin-type character, a gambler, drunk, and erstwhile actor, re-emerges to whisk him off to a soulless Las Vegas. Theo is left alone for days on end, while his father and girlfriend Xandra work and gamble on the strip. He falls in with Boris, a modern day Artful Dodger, an eminently charming Ukrainian émigré, and the two of them live as feral children in a vast wasteland of suburbia, full of abandoned houses and so far out that even Pizza Hut would not make deliveries. But Theo is racked with guilt about his mother’s death, a result of a terrorist bombing in the Museum of Art, and carries a secret with him. While in the maelstrom of the aftermath of the bombing, he holds the hand of a dying man who bequeaths to him a ring and a painting, The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius, a student of Vermeer’s. This is a beautifully crafted book that begins with the story of the interior life of a young

adolescent boy dealing with grief and ends up as a tumultuous and messy international thriller. I will not spoil it too much except to say that drugs, art theft, and chicanery are involved. You will not be sorry that you devoted three weeks of your life to this book, either. As one reviewer said, “Just don’t drop it on your toe." ________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Lesson Before Dying; 1993; 256 pages By Ernest J. Gaines

Reviewed by Vicky Kleinman Wow! A tear-jerker – which I intend to recommend to my Book Group. Jefferson, a young, uneducated black man in Louisiana, is a bystander in a liquor store robbery which goes wrong. Three men are killed; Jefferson is convicted and sentenced to death. This, despite his appointed attorney’s plea to the jury that Jefferson should not get the death sentence because he is nothing but a hog, with no mind of his own. Grant Wiggins, who escaped from this town, went to college and has returned as the "quarter’s" teacher of all grades, is persuaded by his Aunt Emma and Emma’s friend, who is Jefferson’s godmother, to visit Jefferson in his cell. They want Jefferson to die at least knowing he is a man, not a hog. This is the tale of that town; of that condition; of hopelessness; of the use of belief in God; hopefully, of a time gone by. It is a thought-provoking quick read.


Longbourn By Jo Baker Vintage Books, 2014 332 pp. Reviewed by Marianne Green

More than fifty authors have demonstrated that it is a truth universally acknowledged that a book of great popularity, such as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, must be in want of a refresh. Rising to the challenge, Jo Baker uses Pride and Prejudice as a springboard for her own fascinating novel, Longbourn. Baker was born and raised in Lancashire in Great Britain, the granddaughter and grandniece of women who had been in service. She was educated at Oxford and completed her Ph.D. in Anglo-Irish literature at Queens University in Belfast. From a young age, Baker read Pride and Prejudice and the other Austen novels, delighting in the drama of the upper class; however, she often wondered about the lives of the servants who appeared briefly, said little, but had everything to do with making the genteel lives of their masters and mistresses possible. Borrowing from the few brief references to the servants in Pride and Prejudice, Baker imagines the “below-stairs” world where housekeeper, Mrs. Hill, her ineffectual husband, housemaids Sarah and Polly, and new footman James, reveal their secrets, hopes, loves, ambitions, and dramas despite having to work eighteen-hour days to meet the Bennet family’s every need. We see the world of the servants primarily through the eyes of plucky Sarah, an orphan who has spent ten years under the tutelage of Mrs. Hill. While doing her duty as a housemaid – sweeping, cleaning, collecting the slops, boiling the laundry, day after day - Sarah is rankled by the inequities between master and servant. She is sensitive to her masters’ lack of consideration for their servants,

and in turn, sensitizes the reader to this disparity. For example, in Pride and Prejudice, the reader is meant to applaud Elizabeth Bennet’s disregard for convention when she takes a muddy walk to Netherfield, but in Longbourn, it is Sarah who gains our sympathy when we see her spending hours soaking, dipping, and scrubbing Elizabeth’s filthy petticoats in lye and water to get them white and clean again. Baker also offers a corrective to the aura of glamour that the Militia emanates in Pride and Prejudice. Through the experiences of James Smith, the young man who mysteriously arrives at Longbourn House, exciting Sarah’s interest, we see the hardships, abuse, and exploitative conditions he and his fellow infantrymen experience as British soldiers fighting in Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. The sobering topic of slave trade during the 1800s is introduced when James tells Sarah about Triangular Trade: the boats bring “shackles and chains, pots, knives” from England to Africa where “you can trade all that, and guns, for people; you load them up in your hold and you ship them off to the West Indies and you trade them for sugar, and then you ship the sugar back home to England.” James even speculates that the some of the “best” families from the county may be involved in this shameful enterprise. If you read Longbourn hoping for more lighthearted news about Elizabeth and Darcy, you will be disappointed. The characters from Pride and Prejudice have only bit parts and the mood is far from lighthearted. Though it is interesting to see where the two novels overlap, Longbourn can be read and enjoyed on its own merits as a well-researched, well-plotted, and captivating historical novel that puts Jane Austen’s world into its historical context.


Dare to Love By Alleigh Burrows Reviewed by Beth Chajes

Fans of romance novels will be happy to know that a new author with local Newark ties has swept onto the romance scene, much the way her characters sweep into the ballrooms of Regency England — with style, wit, simmering sex appeal, and subtle subterfuge. Alleigh Burrows is none other than Alison Burris, who lives and works in Newark, and who finally found the time to finish her first novel after her two children entered college. Her hero is Adair Landis, a handsome rake whose heartless treatment of women is part of a façade designed to hide a heartbreaking childhood. But Dare meets his match in Nivea Horsham, the younger sister of his best friend, who knows there’s more to Dare than he reveals to the world. Nivea has loved Dare from afar for years, but a fateful trip to the Horsham’s country estate for a family wedding will bring them into close proximity. How will Nivea even get Dare to notice her, much less trust her? Burrow’s characters are appealing. Nivea is a sweet and compassionate heroine without becoming a doormat for Dare to trample on. She maintains a healthy self-esteem despite her looming status as a spinster. She has some spunk. Dare also has an inner integrity even when he is at his most haughty and rude. You will forgive him and pull for the couple to overcome the requisite hurdles to their relationship. I confess to starting Dare to Love because I know the author. I finished it because I truly enjoyed reading it, and I will be looking forward to Burrow’s next book.

The Book of Unknown Americans By Christina Henriquez Reviewed by Betty Pfeufer

This is an unusual novel because the story is told by so many narrators. But the author holds it all together by following the story of one family throughout the novel, the Riveras. Alma and Arturo Rivera travel to Delaware after a Mexican doctor tells them of a special school in Delaware that might help their brain-damaged teenage daughter regain the happy bright personality she had before her accident. They come with a job for Arturo at a mushroom farm in a nearby Pennsylvania town, but that does not prepare them for the difficulties they encountered in adjusting to a new culture without knowing the language. It is easy for the reader to get caught up in the confusion and helplessness of Alma as she tries to shop for food, to learn English, and to protect Maribel from a bully. Alma does find welcome and even friendship in the Latino community at their apartment complex. The Riveras are from Mexico as are Micho Alvarez, a journalist; others that we meet have come from Panama, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Puerto Rico. However, this is not just a story of immigrants and their struggles. It is also a story that centers on the love between Alma and Arturo, between parents and their child, and between the two teenagers, Maribel and Mayor Toro. Mayor fails to live up to father’s expectations that he will do well in soccer, but is afraid to admit it to his father; he also lets his schoolwork slide. In Maribel, he finds a beautiful girl who inspires him to stand up to the local bully. He is grounded by his father, not because he got into a fight defending Maribel, but because he lied about being on the


soccer team. To make matters worse for the teenage pair, a nosy neighbor has seen them sitting in Toro’s car kissing. That leads to the Riveras forbidding Mayor to have any contact with Maribel. How the teenagers overcome the obstacles to be together turns into a funny and exciting adventure. Unfortunately, Major and Maribel’s adventure leads to a tragic event that has repercussions for the pair and the Rivera family as well. The main characters are fully developed in this novel, and the writing is so good that the story kept me interested throughout. Despite the many narrators, because the setting (Delaware) is a common experience for them, the author successfully weaves it all together in a very satisfying way. I felt that I learned a bit of what it must be like to be an immigrant here in my own state. My only wish is that the author had translated more of the Spanish terms. ________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl By Arthur Allen Reviewed by Laura Classen

Arthur Allen’s well-researched and readable book is about the fight against typhus during World War II, focusing on the efforts of two men, Dr. Rudolf Weigl, a Christian, and his protégé and assistant, Dr. Ludwik Fleck, a Jew. Although typhus is now rare in America, for much of history it was the scourge of those who lived close together and were unable to wash, for example, armies and those suffering from the

privations of war. Dr. Weigl developed the first effective vaccine against typhus during the 1920s, but his manufacturing method necessitated human participation as lice feeders. The Nazis were desperate to obtain as much of the vaccine as possible for the Wehrmacht. To increase production, they permitted Dr Weigl to hire around 1000 people to work in his laboratory, thus allowing him to protect academics and Jews in Lviv (now in the Ukraine, but then in Poland). Dr. Weigl also sabotaged the Nazis by smuggling effective vaccines into ghettos in Lviv and Warsaw and by providing a sanctuary for the Lviv resistance. Eventually, however, Dr. Fleck was deported, first to Auschwitz and then to Buchenwald, where he was forced to produce Dr. Weigl’s vaccine. Dr Fleck managed to produce fake vaccines for use by the Nazis, while surreptitiously making effective vaccines for inmates. Dr. Weigl was recognized by Israel In 2003 as a Righteous among the Nations of the World for his work. Dr. Fleck went on to receive numerous awards for his work and is now known primarily for the idea of a “thought collective” in science, beginning the field of the sociology of science. Allen’s telling of the story of typhus is rich, detailed, and horrifying. I was fascinated by the process used to create the vaccine, beginning with matchbox-sized cages of lice strapped to humans so that the lice could feed on human blood and the typhus germs could grow. I was once again appalled by the Nazis’ group-think conflation of filth, lice, and Jews as a “cover” for the creation and isolation of Jewish ghettos and by the overall barbarity of the Nazi regime. I recommend this tale of a little-known aspect of World War II.


Please join us in helping our neighbors.

Delaware Does More is a collaboration among local nonprofits, businnesses, schools, faith-based organizations, and others in the community to help Delawareans with three basic needs: food, shelter, and utilities. The Friends of the Newark Library has collected over 6000 pounds of food for the Delaware Food Bank. There is a barrel for donations at the library checkout desk. We thank you in advance for your contributions. Items that are acceptable: Canned meats: tuna, chicken, ham, etc. Peanut butter Pork and beans Canned soups and stews Fruit juice Beverages: coffee, tea, hot cocoa mix, Instant breakfasts, soft drinks Canned vegetables: green beans, corn, carrots, peas, mixed vegetables Canned beans: pinto, kidney, lima, etc. Canned fruits: peaches, pears, mixed fruit (cocktail), pineapple, apricots, applesauce Rice and rice mixes Pasta and pasta mixes Powdered milk, evaporated milk, Powdered creamer Pancake/waffle mix Baking mixes: biscuits, muffins, cakes Cooking oil Condiments: jams, jellies, spreads, ketchup, mustard, relish, bbq sauce, pickles, syrup Powdered or liquid baby formula

Non-Food items are also important to the people we serve: · Diapers · Toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss · Shampoo, conditioner · Deodorant · Bar soap, liquid hand soap · Paper products: tissue, towels, toilet paper, paper plates, napkins, utensils Sorry but we cannot accept: Baby food - the immune systems of infants are too delicate to take a chance on baby food. Homemade foods - since we cannot guarantee they are safe foods, we cannot distribute homemade foods.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Donate your Gently Used Children’s Books

Please donate your gently used children’s books to be given to children’s programs in the area. There is a crate for donations on the FNFL table to the left of the checkout area.


http://elissafield.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/living-with-books-07-reading-nooks-for-children/

THE HONOR AND MEMORIAL BOOK

PROGRAM

Consider a book or books to honor a loved one on a special occasion---birthday, holiday or a special thank you. A book can also be a lasting tribute to the memory of a loved one. A bookplate on the inside cover of the book will note your name and the name of a person in whose memory it was given. An acknowledgement will be sent to the family. Look for details in the Honor and Memorial Book Program brochure on the Friends display near the library checkout desk or on the Friends’ website or go to https://www.dropbox.com/s/xm40xtjb8knqn7n/Friends%20Wish%20List%20Books%20%281%29.doc for suggested titles. ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Become a Friend of the Newark Free Library

Who we are: FNFL is a non-profit volunteer organization of people who believe in the importance of libraries as a community resource, who support the growth of services at the Newark Free Library, and who encourage library use. What we do:

• Provide significant financial aid to purchase books, DVDs, ebooks and CDs.

• Provide prizes for children enrolled in the Summer Reading Program.

• Provide and maintain copiers for use by library patrons.

• Sponsor music programs and maintain the piano.

• Provide and maintain artwork throughout the library.

• Formally recognize and thank library volunteers and supporters.

• Distribute gently used children’s books at Community Day and to day care centers and schools.

• Maintain a Web Page listing library events. http://www.friendsofthenewarkfreelibrary.webs.com

Membership: January 1 – December 31 Life Member $500 or more Benefactor $250 to $499 Sponsor $100 to $249 Supporter $50 to $99 Donor $15 to $49 I want to be a FRIEND OF THE NEWARK FREE LIBRARY. Mail or drop off your tax deductible donation to: The Newark Free Library, 750 Library Avenue Newark, DE 19711 Name: Address: Email: Thank you! Questions? Email the Friends at: [email protected] www.friendsofthenewarkfreelibrary.webs.com/


https://www.dropbox.com/s/xm40xtjb8knqn7n/Friends%20Wish%20List%20Books%20%281%29.doc





mailto:[email protected]


Friends of the Newark Free Library of t… · on Valentine’s Day 1999. From the Co-President :...

Documents

Transcript of Friends of the Newark Free Library of t… · on Valentine’s Day 1999. From the Co-President :...