To all:
Please open the link below to find information about Taking the Bus to Boston for Library Legislative day. This year it will be held on Thursday, April 2. It will leave from WMRLS at 6:45, travel to Table & Vine (formerly Town & Country) in West Springfield, on to the Palmer Public Library and the CMRLS Headquarters in Shrewsbury. Our final stop will be the state house where we will have the opportunity to visit with our legislators personally to convey to them the importance of library service in our communities.
I'm told that the start of the day is held up until our bus gets there! So be a part of this important group and travel to Boston to make your voices heard. Hope to see you on the bus!
http://friends.wmrls.org/2009-bus.pdf
Lynn
Friday, January 30, 2009
Arms Library Event - Western Mass. Writer Brings War Home
At the Arms Library in Shelburne Falls on February 6 at 7 p.m.Tyler Boudreau's powerfully written Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine is the subject of a reading on February 6, 2009 at 7 p.m. at The Arms Library, Shelburne Falls, Mass.
There is no charge for this event, which will be held in the downstairs Langford Meeting Room. Information: 413-625-0306; or, email armslibrary@gmail.com .
Boudreau will be speaking at a number of local public libraries through the months of February and March, as well in Los Angeles with Scott Ritter and Nadia McCaffrey. Information on those readings: www.tylerboudreau.com
Writes David Bowne Wood, National Security Correspondent, The Baltimore Sun and author of A Sense of Values: American Marines in an Uncertain World.
With twelve and a half years spent serving the country's Marine Corps on active duty, Captain Tyler E. Boudreau was on March 1, 2004 deployed to Iraq as the Assistant Operations Officer for 2d Battalion, 2d Marines (2/2) based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon his return from Iraq in the fall of 2004, Boudreau assumed command of a rifle company (Fox 2/2), and prepared to deploy again to Iraq. But by April 2005, his concerns about the war combined with his deep affection for his Marines, made him unable to remain in uniform any longer. He relinquished his command and resigned his commission.
He spent his final days in the Marine Corps calling parents and wives to let them know their Marines had been wounded in war.
Boudreau has been published in Progressive, in The New York Times Op/Ed, Huffington Post, The Daily Hampshire Gazette, and, The Seattle Times, and, has made a number of media appearances.
The Stockbridge Library News and Events
The Stockbridge Library News and EventsRoy Blount to appear in the Stockbridge Library's Winter Reads Series
For Immediate Release: Contact: 413-298-5501 STOCKBRIDGE, MASS.
Roy Blount, a local Western Massachusetts author, will speak at the Stockbridge Library on Sunday February 22 at 4pm. The discussion is part of the Winter Reads Series held on Sundays throughout the fall and winter. The author of 21 books, Roy Blount seems to have written in just about every form about most things, including the first woman president of the United States, football, and what barnyard animals are thinking. The most recent, Alphabet Juice, is the topic of this Stockbridge discussion. A contributing editor of The Atlantic Monthly, he writes a regular column ("Gone Off Up North") for The Oxford American, and has done so in the past for Esquire , The New York Times, Atlanta Magazine , Inside Sports , The Soho News , Men's Journal, Conde Nast Traveller, The San Francisco Examiner, Spy, and The Atlanta Journal. His work has appeared in 174 books and many magazines and journals. His first book, about hanging out with the Pittsburgh Steelers, About Three Bricks Shy...And the Load Filled Up , was named one of the 10 best sports books ever, by Jonathan Yardley of The Washington Post, and called, by Adam Gopnik in The New Yorker , "the best of all books about pro football." Norman Mailer said of his second book, Crackers, "Page for page, Roy Blount is as funny as anyone I've read in a long time," and Time placed Blount "in the tradition of the great curmudgeons like H.L. Mencken and W.C. Fields." Blount is also featured regularly as a panelist on the NPR news/comedy quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me . Winter Reads includes writers from the region, in the warm and friendly atmosphere of a casual literary salon. This year, Chauncey Loomis, Jim Shepard, and others have been part of the series. Each writer comes to talk about a specific book, play or story, and leads a discussion as well. Members of the public are invited to read the book and join the discussion, or simply come to listen and to enjoy refreshments and literary companionship. The series is free and open to the public, but space limited. For further information, or to confirm date and book titles, please call the Stockbridge Library at=20 413-298-5501.
Remaining Winter Reads Schedule:
(Discussions are scheduled for the third Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
March 15: Michelle Gillett, poet & Berkshire Eagle columnist, will discuss The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.
Roy Blount, a local Western Massachusetts author, will speak at the Stockbridge Library on Sunday February 22 at 4pm. The discussion is part of the Winter Reads Series held on Sundays throughout the fall and winter. The author of 21 books, Roy Blount seems to have written in just about every form about most things, including the first woman president of the United States, football, and what barnyard animals are thinking. The most recent, Alphabet Juice, is the topic of this Stockbridge discussion. A contributing editor of The Atlantic Monthly, he writes a regular column ("Gone Off Up North") for The Oxford American, and has done so in the past for Esquire , The New York Times, Atlanta Magazine , Inside Sports , The Soho News , Men's Journal, Conde Nast Traveller, The San Francisco Examiner, Spy, and The Atlanta Journal. His work has appeared in 174 books and many magazines and journals. His first book, about hanging out with the Pittsburgh Steelers, About Three Bricks Shy...And the Load Filled Up , was named one of the 10 best sports books ever, by Jonathan Yardley of The Washington Post, and called, by Adam Gopnik in The New Yorker , "the best of all books about pro football." Norman Mailer said of his second book, Crackers, "Page for page, Roy Blount is as funny as anyone I've read in a long time," and Time placed Blount "in the tradition of the great curmudgeons like H.L. Mencken and W.C. Fields." Blount is also featured regularly as a panelist on the NPR news/comedy quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me . Winter Reads includes writers from the region, in the warm and friendly atmosphere of a casual literary salon. This year, Chauncey Loomis, Jim Shepard, and others have been part of the series. Each writer comes to talk about a specific book, play or story, and leads a discussion as well. Members of the public are invited to read the book and join the discussion, or simply come to listen and to enjoy refreshments and literary companionship. The series is free and open to the public, but space limited. For further information, or to confirm date and book titles, please call the Stockbridge Library at=20 413-298-5501.
Remaining Winter Reads Schedule:
(Discussions are scheduled for the third Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
March 15: Michelle Gillett, poet & Berkshire Eagle columnist, will discuss The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.
April 19: Peter Bergman, Executive Director of The Edna St. Vincent Millay Society, will discuss Millay poetry book to be announced.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
WMRLS Night at the MassMutual Center A Grand Success!
Thank you to all of our member libraries that participated in our WMRLS Night at the MassMutual Center fundraiser on Saturday, January 24. According to the Republican newspaper, there were 6,789 people in attendance at the sold out game, the most since November 16, 2001.
The Falcons were very pleased by the turnout, and they hope to offer another fundraising opportunity for WMRLS next year, with more advance notice so more libraries can join in the fun. ~ Sincerely, John Ramsay, Administrator, WMRLS
Friday, January 23, 2009
Coming Soon ~ GBLibraries Blog
Janet gave a great class today on blogging. Look for a GBLibraries blog soon on our children's mural dedication.
~ Anne Just, Director, Great Barrington Libraries
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Take the (Legislative) Bus!
Hold the date! Library Legislative Day at the State House is Thursday, April 2, 2009. The Friends of WMRLS will again sponsor a bus to take us all there. More information will be forthcoming as we get a little nearer to the time.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
ALA's Tools to Help Libraries in a Bad Economy
From YouTube: "ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels discusses the economy, its effect on libraries, and what ALA offers to help libraries survive in tough times. This video also serves as an introduction to a special issue of AL Direct to be sent January 20 on the economy. To subscribe to AL Direct, visit www.ala.org/ala/alonline/aldirect/aldire ct.cfm."
See Also: ALA's Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
Friday, January 16, 2009
Enhancing Children's Programs with Crafts
WMRLS/North Adams Public Library Collaborative Continuing Education Workshop
Enhancing Children's Programs with Crafts
On Thursday, January 15, North Adams Public Library’s Youth Services Librarian, Marion Grillon, generously showcased a selection of her unique collection of theme related story program kits. Each kit includes a cover sheet listing the theme, recommended book titles, a sample craft with instructions, and relevant craft supplies. Our program featured the opportunity for workshop participants to make and discuss a sampling of Marion's inspiring crafts as well as a tour of the library's beautiful new Green Building.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
CBS Notebook: Libraries
From YouTube:
"Americans are saving money, and keeping the looming recession at bay, by going to their local libraries to rent books, CD's, and DVD's. Katie Couric reports" [December 2008]
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Workshops at the Berkshire Athenaeum
Schedule of Computer Classes
January & February 2009
Unless otherwise indicated, all classes held at 10 am in the Computer Lab
and last for one hour.
***PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: SIGN UP AT THE REFERENCE DESK***
Berkshire Funding Resource Center
Introduction to the Foundation Center website and its resources; using the Foundation Center databases to locate foundation grant funding sources; orientation to Athenaeum resources to support grant research. (Taught by Madeline) January 13; January 28 (6 pm); February 10; February 25 (6 pm)
Email
Setting up a free web-based email account. (Taught by Dick) January 8; January 22;
February 5; February 19
Evaluating websites
What to look for when you are taking information from the Internet. How to determine if a website contains authoritative information. (Taught by Mary Ann) January 21; February 18
Finding Business Resources Online
A review of useful business and finance oriented websites available on the internet. (Taught by Dick) January 15; February 12
Free Websites Useful to Small Businesses
A review of websites with free business tools of value and application to the small business owner and/or prospective entrepreneur. (Taught by Dick) January 29; February 26
Library Catalog Series
Part 1: Using the library’s online catalog to locate known items; items on a specific topic; items in a specific format (Taught by Mary Ann) January 7; February 4
Part 2: Placing reserves; making renewals of checked out items; changing your PIN; using My Reading History (Taught by Mary Ann) January 14; February 11
Part 3: Now that you understand how to utilize the library catalog, go behind the scenes with the Athenaeum’s cataloger to discover how the records are made and learn a bit about the philosophy of cataloging (Taught by Jeremy) January 28; February 25
An Introduction to LibraryThing
For many booklovers, LibraryThing is the greatest site online. In this workshop you will set up a free account, learn how you can interact with fellow bibliophiles, and see how you can contribute to the Athenaeum's catalog as a result. (Taught by Jeremy) February 17
New York Times Online
Using the library’s Proquest subscription to retrieve items from the Historical New York Times Online. (Taught by Madeline) January 6; February 3
Why Does the Library Owns a Wii?
Video games have become a dominant force in entertainment, and one of the only industries shown to be recession proof. Come and learn what's hot in gaming, why it matters, and why the Athenaeum now runs bi-weekly video game nights. (Taught by Jeremy) January 27
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Pioneer Valley Legislative Breakfasts
The schedule for the Pioneer Valley Legislative Breakfasts has been added to the Friends of WMRLS website. For details on your own area's breakfast click here.
Hope to see you at one of the events.
Lynn Coakley
Friends of WMRLS Board
Hope to see you at one of the events.
Lynn Coakley
Friends of WMRLS Board
