Town Crier column January 2009

Library Statistic of the Month
In an average week, over six hundred people visit the Upton Town Library!

We Need your Input
The Board of Library Trustees is pursuing several opportunities to build a new library facility for the Town of Upton. We want to know what you would like to see included in a new library and what you think about library services. Please visit our construction project blog newlibrary4upton.blogspot.com, or send an email to mbachtol@cwmars.org, mail us a letter or just stop by for a chat!

Winter is time to curl up with a Good Book
The long gray of January is upon us, and if you need something to lift you out of the winter blues, stop by the library and pick out a great book to read. If you’re looking for a fresh author, browse the new book display just inside our front door, or take a look at our Staff Picks shelf, books read and enjoyed by library staff.
Our picks are always changing, but right now we’re recommending: “Whale Talk” by Chris Crutcher, a young adult book about sports, life and growing up; “Dark Tide” by Stephen Puleo, a non-fiction history of the 1919 molasses flood that covered Boston’s north end; “Fortune’s Rocks” by Anita Shreve, a moving drama about unwise love and the consequences of our choices;
“The Known World” by Edward Jones, a historical fiction novel set in antebellum Virgina; and “The Gift of the Magi” by O Henry, a beautifully illustrated version of the classic short story.

Library Book Discussion Group
The library supports a monthly book discussion group, which alternates between fiction and non-fiction titles. All titles are selected by the members, and copies of the book are available at the Library. Meetings are held at 7:00pm on the last Wednesday of each month in the media center at Memorial Elementary School. On January 28th, join us to discuss “The Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory, a fictional account of the life of Mary Boleyn, sister to the infamous Anne.

Senior Book Group
The Senior Book Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 12:45 in the Upton Senior Center. Donna Kempton from the library staff leads the casual, entertaining discussions. Titles chosen are usually gentle, character-driven novels. Copies of each month’s book are available at the library in both regular and large print. Please call the library directly at 529-6272 to request a copy of the Senior book group title.

Library Table at the Senior Center
Each Wednesday from 11:00-12:00, a librarian will be at the Upton Senior Center with a small selection of our materials available. If you have difficulty getting to the library and it would be more convenient for you to pick up books, movies, audiobooks or magazines at the Senior Center, call us at 529-6272 and we’ll bring a personalized package of suggested titles for you.
This program is free of charge, and is open to all Upton residents.

Children’s/Young Adult Programs:
For information about children’s programs, visit the following site: http://UptonStoryTime.blogspot.com or email Lisa at UptonStoryTime@yahoo.com.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Kaleidoscope Books, Cards & Gifts on December 17th for a special Gingerbread Friends storytime! Children’s Librarian Lisa Stratton read two Jan Brett books to the 14 children who attended, gingerbread cookies were donated by Fresco’s and Kaleidoscope owner Carrie Cilley donated 10% of the day’s sales to the Friends of Upton Town Library. It was a fun community event, and we look forward to planning more in the future.

Story & Craft Time for children ages 3-6 is held in the library on Thursdays at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Each week has a different theme. This month’s winter themes include snowmen, soup, mittens and Chinese New Year. Parents are asked to register for either the morning or afternoon session, on a monthly basis.

TinyTots LapSit StoryTime for children birth to age 3, with a caregiver, is held Friday mornings in the library, at 10:30. This 20-30 minute program is filled with songs, stories and board book exploration. Come join the fun, as we sing and stretch and read some books! It’s a great chance to meet some new friends, and discover all that the library has to offer.
This program has become extremely popular, and we are now asking that parents PLEASE register in advance, on a monthly basis, due to the lack of space in our Children’s Area.

Teens @ the Library
ULTRA (Upton Library’s Teen Readers’ Advisory) will hold their next monthly meeting on TeenTuesday (January 13th), beginning at 4pm. ULTRA membership is open to all 12-18 year olds who are interested in helping to make the Upton Town Library an “ULTRA-cool” place for teens, by planning and/or assisting at events, making suggestions for material purchases, and volunteering on an as-needed basis. For more info about ULTRA, visit http://uptonULTRA.blogspot.com/ or contact Lisa at UptonStoryTime@yahoo.com. Happy Reading!