ATHENAEUM NEWSLETTER

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK:

Good News!! We have opened a public entrance from our parking lot behind the library directly into the Children’s Department. We realize that it has been inconvenient but security issues prevented us from being able to use the door. A new security gate and camera have been installed – feel free to come up the ramp and into the library!

On Wednesday, April 10, 2002 librarians throughout the Commonwealth will come together in Boston to advocate for libraries. We will visit our legislators to keep them informed about the issues, and they have been invited attend a program and luncheon sponsored by the Massachusetts Library Association Legislative Committee. During these difficult times we have all experienced cuts in state aid. The next fiscal year we expect to take cuts in state aid, telecommunications (C/WMARS), and tremendous losses in our Regional Library Service. Western Mass Regional Library System provides workshops, delivers materials to each library in our region and provides bookmobile service to the smaller libraries. Now, more than ever, we need our patrons to let their state senator and representative know how important library service is to them.

8 NEW COMPUTERS IN REFERENCE DEPARTMENT. Thanks to the continuing generosity of the Westfield Academy, the Reference Department has 8 new computers for public use. They are connected to the internet through the Athenaeum’s dedicated T-1 line, and can access multiple proprietary databases, as well as the World Wide Web. Microsoft Word is available for word processing.

The sleek new Dell machines have 1.0 gigabyte Pentium processors, 256 megabytes of SDRAM, and 20 gigabyte hard drives. These additional machines bring the total internet-access-computers for the public to 20.

ANNUAL BOOK SALE SPONSORED BY FRIENDS OF THE ATHENAEUM – April 4-5-6. There are always some great bargains to be had so come and support this fund raiser for the Athenaeum. It will be held in the Lang Auditorium. There is a $2.00 early bird charge on Thursday and no charge on Friday and Saturday.

JASPER RAND ART MUSEUM will feature artwork by students in the local public and parochial schools for the month of April. As always, it’s a very interesting exhibit and showcases the talents of Westfield’s youth.

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LSTA Grant: The Athenaeum recently received a Library Services and Technology Act Grant and with some of this money has purchased several Described Videos. Since 1986 Descriptive Video Service has been applying the art of describing visual images for people who are blind or visually impaired. Through an innovative Emmy Award winning technique, narrated descriptions of visual elements – actions, costumes, gestures and scene changes – are woven into the pauses of a program or film’s soundtrack. To watch these videos you only need a regular VHS videocassette recorder and a television. No special feature or device is needed. DVS is brought to you by public broadcaster WGBH, Boston. Major funding for this service is provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Some of the titles we have acquired are: The Sound of Music, Gone with the Wind, Pretty Woman, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Gladiator

and several more.

MAY 4 BOOK DISCUSSION: On May 4 at 1:00 and 7:00 PM in the Elizabeth Reed Room, the book, A Journey North: One Woman’s Story of Hiking the Appalachian Trail by Adrienne Hall, will be discussed. Dust off your hiking boots and head for the woods! Join our book discussion as we focus on one young woman’s experience traversing the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail is 2,100 miles long from Georgia to Maine and is one of America’s most ambitious and impressive wilderness-preserving achievements.

HOW TO BOOKS: If the recent home show has inspired you to be creative, the

April, 2002

Athenaeum has a wide selection of picture and how to books that will

transform your backyard. Yard & Garden Structures gives 42 easy to build designs for gazebos, sheds, pool houses, play sets, bridges and playhouses. Time Life’s Outdoor Structures also offers plans for gazebos, fences, walls (wood or block), a small seedling greenhouse and much more. The multitude of pictures and step-by-step basics are very helpful for those of us with little building experience. David and Jeanie Stiles’ book Garden Projects You Can Build provides smaller backyard accessories such as cedar planters, bentwood trellis, birdhouses, garden benches and even a toolbox. Although it lacks Time Life’s plethora of pictures, each project gives a list of materials and directions. The library also has a couple of books solely on tree or play houses for those with young people. On the other hand if you want to create a spot for peace and tranquility, you might check out Japanese Gardens or Japanese-Inspired Gardens which help you select trees, flowers, and shrubs as well as place walkways and water. Speaking of water, Helen Nash’s The Living Pond: Water Gardens with Fish and Other Creatures has extensive information on the formation, filtration, and water quality of Goldfish, Koi, fish, turtle or bird ponds. For the more energetic, Creative Homeowner Press offers Spas & Hot Tubs Saunas & Home Gyms with step-by-step instructions. So if the snow is melting, mud thickening, and the dull brown color has given you an urge to create, peruse the 600 section of the library whether you are looking for something durable (In the Company of Stone: The Art of the Stone Wall) or something whimsical (Garden Whimsy by Tovah Martin).

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APRIL PROGRAMS AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS LIBRARY.

Two’s Too: A program for 2 year olds and their grownup! Advance registration is required. Registration begins March 27. Each series is limited to 8 children with an adult. Tuesday at 9:30 and 11:00 AM on April 3, 10 and 24.

Preschool Craft Time: A program for preschoolers, ages 2-5 (no kindergartners, please). Advance registration begins April 2. Children may register for one class and must be accompanies by an adult. Only the child who is registered may participate. Classes will be held: 11:15 AM on Tuesday, April 9 and 11:15 AM on Tuesday, April 23.

CELEBRATE POETRY MONTH!!

Poetry Writing Contest for kindergartners through Grade 12. Guidelines for the contest are available in the Boys and Girls Library. Only entries which follow the guidelines will be judged. All entries must be received by April 30. This will include entries that are mailed. Poems should not

be placed in the bookdrop. There will be six categories: Grades K & 1, Grades 2 & 3, Grades 4 & 5, Grades 6, 7 & 8, Grades 9 & 10, Grades 11 & 12. First and Second Prizes and Honorable Mention will be awarded for each category. First and Second Place winners will be invited to a reading of their poetry at a Poetry Reception in May.

SCHOOL VACATION WEEK:

Jigsaw Puzzle All Week! Help us put together our giant jigsaw puzzle whenever you are in the library!

Craft Table Day – Wednesday, April 17

A special craft project will be available for children to create all day!

April, 2002

Hansel & Gretel Puppet Show – Thursday, April 18 at 10 AM. Registration begins April 11.

Poetry Read-A-Thon – Friday, April 19 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Adults, teens, and children are invited to sign-up now to read poetry aloud in ten minute increments throughout the day. All poetry read must be appropriate for children. Readers may read selections of their own choice, original poetry, or poetry provided by the library. Join in the Fun by celebrating poetry with us at the Boys and Girls Library.

Organizational Meeting: Are you a storyteller, or would you like to try it? Then this meeting is for you! For adults and teens. Join us on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 PM.

LIBRARY HOURS:

Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-8:00 PM

Friday & Saturday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

LIBRARY TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Adult Library 568-7833

Reference Dept. 562-0716

Boys & Girls Library 562-6158

CONTRIBUTING TO THIS NEWSLETTER WERE: Susan Kingra, Editor, Kate Deviny, Joyce Peregrin, Don Buckley and Mary Ann Tourjee.

Volume 2, Issue 4 April, 2002

The Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085