Coming Soon – Bookstore Near You - Thomas Crane Public Library

HAPPENINGSNewsletter of the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library • Quincy, MA • Fall 2011Civil War 150: October – DecemberIn recognition of the 150th anniversary of the start ofthe Civil War, the TCPL presents Civil War 150, aseries of programs about this critical chapter in ourcountry‘s history. Funding has been provided by theAmerican Library Association through a grant fromthe National Endowment for the Humanities.Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the Civil WarThis five-part reading and discussion series probesmeanings of the Civil War that are ―hidden in plainsight‖ behind the key questions and main characters sofamiliar to us. The series kicks off on October 18 at 7p.m. with discussion leader Prof. Dan Breen and continueson every other Tuesday evening through December13. Registration is required.: 617-376-1316.The Providence Brigade Band, Thursday, October 20at 7:30 p.m. The band presents a concert of Civil Warera music, with songs of the New England home front.Film Feature: Glory (1989, R), Thursday, October 27at 6:45 p.m. This critically acclaimed historical dramais an account of the Civil War‘s first all-black regiment,led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.Lives of Civil War Soldiers and Civilians, Sat, Nov, 5at 10 a.m. Ages 10+ and adults. Southcoast HistoricalAssociates give a hands-on presentation with replicafirearms and original artifacts showing what it was liketo be a soldier or ordinary civilian at the time.The Lincoln Assassination, Thursday, November 10 at7:00 p.m. Historian and teacher Christopher Daleypresents a program with photographs and video.Film Feature: The Conspirator (2011, PG-13), Thursday,November 17 at 6:45 p.m. This ―unusually literate‖historical drama depicts the conspiracy to killLincoln and the legal and social aftermath.We Didn’t Suffer, Thanks to those Quilts the FolksSent Us, Thursday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. Textilehistorian Lynne Zacek Bassett gives an illustrated talk,relating Civil War stories through quilts of the period.Kudos to the TCPL! The Massachusetts LibraryAssociation presented the 2011 public relations awards atits April conference. The TCPL received second place inthe Coordinated Advocacy Campaign category for its LifeIs an Open Book literacy campaign and third place in theNews Coverage category for a Patriot Ledger feature articleabout the literacy program.Important Friends’ Events in OctoberBenefit Concert 10/7 and General Meeting 10/19The St. Chrysostom‘s church concert series presentsthe Ed Broms Jazz Quartet in a concert of classic andcontemporary jazz on Friday, October 7 at 8 p.m. atthe church located at 1 Linden Street and the corner ofHancock Street, North Quincy.The admission is free and donations will be acceptedfor the Friends of the TCPL. The Friends would like tothank Prof. Delvyn Case, music director at the church,for proposing and organizing the benefit concert.The Friends‘ fall general meeting will beheld on Wednesday, October 19 at 7p.m. with the program to follow at 7:30p.m. Author Stephen Puleo returns tospeak about his most recent book, ACity So Grand, the Rise of an AmericanMetropolis, Boston 1850-1900.Puleo‘s chronicle of how Bostonevolved from an insulated New England town toa great city that is nationally and internationallyprominent on many fronts promises to make for a fascinatingtalk by the well-received speaker, author, andhistorian. Copies of the book will be available for sale.Coming Soon – Bookstore Near YouA New Undertaking by the FriendsWatch for the opening of the Crane Library Bookstorelate this fall. The store is located in a beautifully restoredarea of the Richardson Building. It was madepossible through aQuincy CommunityPreservation Grantand hard work bylibrary staff andFriends.Sponsored and staffed by volunteers of the Friends, thestore will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.and is entered via a separate door from Spear Street.A drive for gently used books, CDs, and DVDs is beinginitiated in anticipation of the bookstore opening.See the enclosed flyer for details about donations tothis new venture. There will be no Friends‘ fall booksale, so be sure to spend some time on Saturdaysbrowsing and buying at the Crane Library Bookstore.Check out the Friends on the TCPL website at www.thomascranelibrary.org; click “Friends of the Library.”

Fall Events to Add to Your CalendarA wide variety of special and ongoing programs foradults is offered this fall. You can check the TCPLwebsite and/or sign up for the monthly library e-newsletter for program details and additions to thecalendar.Civil War 150: October – DecemberLet’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the Civil WarJoin in marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil Warby participating in the series. See the article on page 1for details.Movie ScreeningsCheck the online calendar for periodic Thursday nightscreenings of foreign films and new movies.Book Discussions (no registration required)Join one of the regular monthly book discussions facilitatedby librarians and open to all.First Thursdays: Read and discuss nonfiction books onlocal and regional topics.Second Fridays: Read and discuss contemporary literaryfiction from around the world, in translation.Third Wednesdays: Read and discuss classic novels inthe Western literary tradition, from the 19th and 20thcenturies.Quincy UnpluggedFourth Mondays: Release your inner performer andparticipate in a monthly open mike night for all amateurmusicians, singers, writers, and other performers.Main Library Orientation ToursEven longtime library users and Friends may discoversomething new during this tour of the main librarybuildings and collections, conducted on the first Mondayof each month.Fall Programs Children Will EnjoyTake advantage of the wonderful programs offered bythe TCPL children‘s department, including the everpopularMad Science (ages 4-8), Saturday Storytimeswith Cheryl (ages 2-5), Rock-a-Bye Baby Storytime(ages 4-12 months), Mother Goose on the Loose storiesand activities (ages 12-24 months), Just for Twos,Just for Threes, Toddler Time (ages 2-3), PreschoolStorytime (ages 3-5), Afternoon Explorers Jr at Wollaston(ages 4 and 5), Night Owls Book Group (grades3-4), and Phoenix Book Club (grades 5-8). SaturdayFun for Little Ones will feature Big Ryan in Oct, SusieMagoozy in Nov, and Jeff Jam in Dec.Other happenings to look forward to are the annualGreat Pumpkin Decorating Contest and a special Halloweenevent. Some programs require prior registration.Check online for details and program updates atwww.thomascranelibrary.org; look under ―UpcomingEvents‖ and click on the ―kids‖ tab.The Friends Made It Happen!The Friends sponsored many programs that enrichedthe offerings of the TCPL. Below are those presentedbetween October 2010 and August 2011.Programs in Series• The Sixties film and discussion with Prof. Dan Breen(four)• Listen Up music appreciation with Prof. Delvyn Case(two)• Go Places travel programs (three)• Uncovering the Past genealogy talks (four)• Let’s Talk About It: Not For Children Only readingand discussion (four)Slide Presentations• From Minimalism to Miniskirts• From Lunch Cart to Mega-Restaurant: The Evolutionof the American Diner• History of Route 128Musical Performances• Concerts at the Crane (five)• Concerts on the Lawn (four)• Ragging the Scale: The History & Music of RagtimeEven More• Your Family Archives: Understanding Family Photos• What’s Cooking: New Taste Traditions for Thanksgiving• Movies (17 for adults/teens)Children’s• Mad Science (nine programs)• Saturday Storytimes (nine programs)• Monthly Saturday Fun for Little Ones• Concerts by D. Polansky, L. Buchanan, & E. Kessler• Music Time with Sylvia (four programs)• Zumba (six programs)• Pajama Storytimes with Diane Kane• Halloween Magic Show with Tommy James• Steve Rudolph Magic (two programs)• Galapagos Puppets• Rainforest Reptiles• Didgeridoo• Art-to-Go (eight weeks) and other summer crafts• Movie Programs (throughout the year)Honor/Remember Loved OnesDonations to the Friends of the TCPL have been madeby members to honor Ann McLaughlin and Harry WilliamsIII and in memory of Peter Antonellis, JoanneBellini Daley, Gloria Fox, Louise Joyce, Mr. and Mrs.Munroe McLean, Joseph Ricca, Kenneth Rickson, andEthel O. (McMillan) Williamson.Use the enclosed form for your donation to honor or inmemory of a loved one. A form is also availablethrough the Friends‘ page on the TCPL website.

From the Director, Harry Williams IIISix months already? Seems like I just got here, until Ithink about how much has been accomplished, andhow many people I have to thank. Quincy PublicSchools donated a used van for daily deliveries amongour four locations!As we completed renovations to the lower level of theRichardson Building, including the new Friends‘bookstore (more on that below), the same fundingagency, Quincy Community Preservation Committee,awarded a new grant to restore the historic doors onthe Richardson and Coletti Buildings.After two years of cuts, our budget for the coming yearwas level funded. As a result of retirements, we wereable to rehire the last of the employees laid off due tothe previous two years‘ reductions of about 20%.During my first week, my wife and I enjoyed an operain the atrium, one of many events funded by theFriends of the Thomas Crane Public Library. In additionto numerous concerts and a summer full of programsand events for children, the Friends‘ social wasfun with Gypsy Kitchen‘s Lisa Lamme, and the annualmeeting was enlivened with ragtime piano.I worked with other library directors to improve statesupport via legislative committees of the Old ColonyLibrary Network and the Massachusetts Library Association.But ―all politics is local,‖ and your grassrootssupport is ―where the rubber meets the road.‖We participated in two statewide events this spring, a―Common Threads‖ poetry reading and ―SnapshotDay.‖ I was on the planning committee for the latter,and spoke at the Massachusetts Library AssociationAnnual Conference about this fun way to document―One Day in the Life of Massachusetts Libraries.‖While there I had the chance to hear Friends‘ boardmember Susie Wilkening present the results of a surveyof 1366 people in five libraries: ―An AmazingTreasury of Adventure and Whimsy.‖ We learned whocomes to the library, what they are looking for, whatthey like most, and how they remember early libraryexperiences for the rest of their lives.Much of my time is ―meet and greet,‖ in the libraryand in the community. I welcomed Quincy Arts attheir awards ceremony in Richardson, and LiteracyVolunteers at several events. I spoke to the Rotary andLions Clubs and Montclair Wollaston NeighborhoodCenter, and mingled at events by Quincy CommunityAction Programs, Quincy Asian Resources, GermantownNeighborhood Center, and the Quincy Chamberof Commerce. Many of you are involved in other communitygroups in addition to the Friends. I would loveto hear your suggestions for other opportunities to talkabout the library. My direct line is 617-376-1317. →TCPL Jazzes Up the YA ExperiencePopular New Spaced Created for TeensPurple lamps. Orange rugs. Comfy seating and pillows.These accessories and seating now enliven theyoung adult section of the main library, sending a messageto teens that not only are they welcome at thelibrary, but they are welcome to hang out there withfriends, as pictured below.As a public library, TCPL has an obligation to serveteens just as well as adults and younger children, yetteen programming is notoriously difficult, falling preyto over-packed academic and extracurricular schedules,as well as teen preferences that change quickly.Instead ofi n v e s t i n gheavily inp r o g r a m swith teens,l i b r a r i a nJ e s s i eThuma andS u s i eWilkening,Friends ofthe TCPL board member, met with a group of teens tolearn more about how the library could be more welcomingto them.Enlivening the young adult section was key, and theteens created collages of rooms, accessories, colors,and other objects that appealed to them. These collagesserved as design guides on a trip to Ikea to buy itemsthat would make the young adult section hipper.Today, teens are using the space to study, lounge, read,and be with friends, signaling that the library is notonly a useful place for teens, but a place that welcomesteens and encourages them to linger.I was bowled over by the sheer volume of work performedby the Friends for the three-day book sale (notincluding the members‘ preview and the days of settingup). Now I am in awe of the hours invested by thebookstore committee working toward opening theFriends bookstore in the Richardson Building. I amalso bowled over by the imagination and energy of ourlibrary staff, presenting programs from Mother Goosefor the youngest (and their parents) to multiple seriesof book discussions to computer ―boot camps‖ –something for everyone!I am grateful for the support of QATV, that covers somany of our programs, and QPD that works closelywith the library staff to assure the safest and mostpleasant environment for all library users. Most of all Iam grateful to you, our Friends, who empower us tooffer so much more than just the basics.

A Hearty Welcome to All the NewMembers of the Friends for 2011!The 616 paid-up members of the Friends of the TCPL(as of 8/23/2011) include our newest members:Michael AmsaldiMichelle AndrewsCorinne BlockEdward BordasKatherine CaseyAl DeveraDiane DoppPaul DunphyPeter GlebaRuth & Richard GriffinShirley HarronJohn HayesLarry & Kathleen HefnerRoger & Rachel HucekNancy KearnsKathy KenneyEileen KerwinThuvung LaCarol LewisReno LitterioThanks, Friends’ Business Members!The roster of business members of the Friends continuesto grow. Thank you to the companies, listed below,that support the Friends and the TCPL.Bank of CantonCitizens BankColonial Federal SavingsFlavin & FlavinGranite City ElectricDora MacDonaldVincent McCaffreyBetty McLeanPaul MullenPatricia NewmanSusanne O’NeilKathleen & Robert PaolucciEbony ReedJennie & Matthew RicherRyan RoybalJonathan & Jasmine SahadySarah SawyerKathy SedarDianna & Sean SmithMark StolleTrudy SullivanJacky Lee TitusLois TomilsonTryambak WayePaula WellsHancock Court AssociatesMarchionne InsuranceQuincy Credit UnionRoche BrothersRogers Jewelry StoreSaturday hours at the main library have resumedafter a summer hiatus. Visit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.TCPL Friends – Officers & Board MembersPresident — Betty MolloyVice President — Geraldine StorellaSecretary — Ann YeomansTreasurer — Alicia ColettiMembers at Large —Bonnie Ashworth, Eunice Charles, Harold Crowley,Peggy Doyle, Marguerite Flavin, Bill Mackey,Kathleen McCormick, Elizabeth Solomon,Susie WilkeningLibrary Director (ex officio) — Harry WilliamsFriends...make it happen. The Friends of theThomas Crane Public Library is a nonprofitvolunteer organization dedicated to raisingmoney for special programs and raising publicawareness of the library‘s vital role in theeducational and cultural life of Quincy.Friends’ Board Meeting HighlightsSince the spring 2011 newsletter, the board of directorsof the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Librarymet at the annual meeting on May 10, and at boardmeetings on June 7 and August 23. In addition to theregular agenda items, the board accomplished the following.Director Harry Williams reported there were no furthercuts in the library budget. The budget will probablyincrease 1/2%. The library will be closed on weekendsduring the summer. Megan Allen reported on the newwebsite for the library, which will be launched shortly.The Quincy school department donated a much neededused van to the library.Elizabeth Solomon was elected to serve on theFriends‘ board of directors. She has worked on boththe book sale and mailing committees. Several currentboard members (Bonnie Ashworth, Marguerite Flavin,Kathleen McCormick, and Susie Wilkening) wereelected for new two-year terms ending in 2013.The library has become more ‗teen friendly,‘ with anarea dedicated to their use on the second floor. SusieWilkening was very helpful in the selection of newfunky furniture. Grant money and an allocation fromthe funds of the Friends made this purchase possible.Geraldine Storella, chair of the membership committee,reported that the Friends‘ membership is over 600strong. Flavin & Flavin has joined the roster of businessmembers, whose names are listed in the glasscase at the top of the stairs on the second floor.Thanks to the hard work of Eunice Charles, BillMackey, and their committee, $3200 was raised duringthe spring book sale. Books not sold were donated to abook drive organized by Holly Rendle, a teacher atAtlantic Middle School, and subsequently sent toZambia. Mini book sales, held for the second summerat the Quincy Farmers‘ Market, were managed by AnnYeomans and her committee.Members of the board toured a renovated area on thelower level of the Richardson Building. This will bethe location of the new Crane Library Bookstore,scheduled to open in the late fall. To address the anticipatedcreation of a library bookstore, a committeewas formed and is working diligently to ensure asmooth opening.The next board meeting is on the calendar for Tuesday,September 20 at 7 p.m.Many, many thanks to Karl Schwendenmanand Quincy Prints! He does a quality printingjob on this newsletter, with a rapid turnaroundtime, for a nominal charge!