November 2006

The Friends of the Library Newsletter

The Librarian’s Notebook

This has been a wonderful first year for me at Friend Memorial. I have enjoyed getting to know Brooklin residents, neighbors and visitors. The summer was very busy with the extended Brooklin community, a well-attended summer reading program for younger kids, and lots of older kids in search of good summer reading.

Since early July our library has offered a high-speed wireless Internet connection, as well as a new public-access computer. During the nice weather, laptop users could be seen at all hours not only in the library but outside in the garden and on the library steps.

It feels good now to settle into the quieter, cozy, fall and winter seasons. Our library is the perfect place for good reads and conversations. Knitting needles are out and the kettle is on every Thursday afternoon.

~ Stephanie Atwater, Librarian

Winding Down in the Garden

With ample spring rain and good growing conditions, the library garden had an excellent summer. Now as the hours of daylight rapidly diminish, the garden continues to hold its own. Red and gold fall foliage of Euonymus (Burning Bush), Hamamelis (Witch Hazel), and Viburnum provide spots of color even in shady corners. As of early November, with no frost in sight, the planters full of begonias, pansies and lantana are still going strong!

Of course it won’t last, but thanks to the money raised by the Friends and a generous grant from the Brooklin Garden Club, we were able to purchase a large, handmade urn from the potters at Lunaform Studios in Sullivan. It will provide sculptural interest in the garden during the winter months. Come summer, we will most likely plant it with a colorful array of shade loving plants.

Our thanks to all who helped make its purchase possible. We will officially present this gift to the library at the annual Holiday Open House on Dec. 9th.

~ Peggy Hopkins, Chairman, Garden Committee

“Adventure Quest” for All Ages

Learn a little about the library, its contents and resources, and earn a chance to win a prize! A winner every month!

Each month, the Friends will prepare a mystery question or questions for “Quantum Quest.” You can pick up your entry form at the front desk. All the information you will need to correctly answer the questions will be at your fingertips right in the library.

Participants can be an individual, a family unit, a group of friends—no restrictions. Each person involved in searching for answers is eligible to fill out a form. Adults or older siblings may help young children with the form completion.

Once you have answered the question(s), turn your entry form in to a member of the library staff. Those with correct answers will be eligible to win a $15 gift certificate from Blue Hill Books when we draw the big winner on the first Tuesday of the following month.

~ Brenda Means, Chair, Friends Board

Tuesday Lunch

On the first Tuesday of each month, all Friends of the Library (that’s you!) are invited to gather for lunch, socializing, and conversation at noon, and then proceed to the library at 1pm to help with various small projects for an hour or less. Open to anyone interested. On December 5, lunch will be at the Morning Moon at noon. Please come, and bring a friend!

Watch for flyers in the library or postings on our Web site announcing lunch/ projects for 2007.

Books for Babies

Ten library tote bags full of books, suggested readings, and activities have been delivered to the families of Brooklin newborns so far this year. The Books for Babies program is a wonderful way to introduce babies and their parents to the library and to the joys of reading. Anyone with knowledge of new babies in the community is encouraged to call the library at 359-2276 or Nancy Randall at 359-8587.

New Holiday Note Cards

New note cards (with envelopes), featuring a festive photo of our library’s winter façade, are at the library. Great holiday greeting cards! Ask at the desk.

Friends Recycle

Your help is needed in our efforts to recycle. If you are on your way to the transfer station, please stop at the library and pick up cardboard or paper for the recycle bins. And please don’t forget that if you bring returnable bottles to the Sedgwick Redemption Center, you can designate “Friend Memorial Library in Brooklin” as the beneficiary of your bottle deposit refunds. We thank you!

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