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February 28, 2007
Our Spring Book Discussion Series Begins!
Jordon's back in town! ...and aren't we lucky to have him here? Our Spring Book Discussion Series begins on Sunday, March 4th. Professor Jordon Pecile will lead the discussions.
Endings and Endurings: Reading About Ourselves in Our Time is the theme.
I'll confess that I wasn't personally familiar with Jordon (though I did know of his reputation as a popular and much sought-after speaker and discussion leader)...that is until I had the (extreme) pleasure of meeting him when Janet and I interviewed him for a podcast about the Spring series. He is intelligent, interesting, funny, and quite charming.
After the interview, we had a lovely dinner down the street at The Melting Pot. If only we'd brought the recorder with us! The food was great, and the company, better! Certainly, books were the major topic of conversation, including discussion of the self-censoring of language in Mailer's The Naked and the Dead.
An absolute charmer (this was the best date I've had in a long time(!)), not only is Jordon a great conversationalist, his personal stories about having dated Betty Grable, and his recollections of hanging out on the beach with Marlon Brando and Wally Cox were fun and fascinating! (Now do you understand why we wish that we'd taken the recorder with us to dinner?!)
This calls for a podcast encore and he's agreed!
In the meantime, here's the news you're waiting for -- the books for the Spring Book Discussion are...
March 4
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
March 25
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
April 15
After This by Alice McDermott
May 6
Everyman by Philip Roth
Discussions are at 2:30. Please join us!
Posted by BarbaraT at 01:52 PM
February 24, 2007
Movie for Monday Matinee, February 26th
Our movie for this Monday's Matinee Movie will be Half Nelson.
Come and watch Ryan Gosling in his Oscar-nominated role! If Forest Whitaker stumbles in his (well-deserved!) awards tour tomorrow night at the Oscars, it will be because of this man. Whether Gosling wins or not, this is a picture and a performance worthy of lots of attention. We gladly pay them some. Click on the picture below to watch the trailer for the film.
Show time is at 11:30 a.m.
Doors open at 11.
Admission is free!
Posted by BarbaraT at 11:07 PM
February 23, 2007
Here are the choices for 2007's first Friday Film VOTE!
It's time to vote for the film that will be shown on Friday, March 16th.
Click on the pictures to view the trailers.
BABEL
Babel (2006) Three intertwining and tragic stories are set in Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan. A series of unintended consequences leads to the shooting of an American wife and an ill-fated trip to Tijuana in this film that explores terrorism, immigration and American entitlement. This film is rated R.
THE HISTORY BOYS
The History Boys (2006) is the story of an unruly class of bright, funny
history students in pursuit of an undergraduate place at Oxford or Cambridge. Their journey becomes as much about how education works, as it is about where education leads. Starring the original cast from the Tony Award-winning play. This film is rated R.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
Night at the Museum (2006) is an action-adventure-comedy that comes to life by night. Good-hearted dreamer Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), despite being perpetually down on his luck, thinks he’s destined for something big. But even he could never have imagined how “big,” when he accepts what appears to be a menial job as a graveyard-shift security guard at a museum of natural history. During Larry’s watch, extraordinary things begin to occur. This film is rated PG.
Once you've made your selection, click on the comments link below and type in the title of the movie you'd like to see that night!
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:38 PM | Comments (15)
February 22, 2007
Let's talk about Oscar!
The plans are for a no-decaf-Sunday-night! We're talking caffeine-buzz coupled with lots of Oscar-buzz.
We'll be hosting an online chat this Sunday, the 25th during the Oscars. From the red carpet treatment to the final award, whenever-that-may-be, we'll be using instant messaging to talk about movies-movies-MOVIES.
We'll be chatting using AIM. If you don't have an AIM screen name, click here to get one. It's free!
We'll begin at 7 p.m. Visit our home page at www.darienlibrary.org and follow the instructions to our chat.
See you then!
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:33 AM
February 16, 2007
This Week at the Library 2/15/07 to 2/22/07
Photography Exhibit at Darien Library:
Alison Blake Shaw will exhibit “Reflections,” a collection of photographs, in the Main Reading Room at Darien Library. Ms. Shaw, a Darien native, studied sculpture in Europe and attended Franklin College in Lugano, Switzerland. Her exhibit will be on display from February 13 through March 26.
Spring Book Discussion Series Begins at Darien Library:
“Endings and Endurings: Reading About Ourselves in Our Time,” the spring book
discussion series at Darien Library, will be led by Jordon Pecile, Professor Emeritus at the United States Coast Guard Academy, and will be held in four sessions, starting March 4 at 2:30 p.m.
“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail.” – William Faulkner’s famous words from his 1950 Nobel Prize acceptance speech will be the theme for the discussion series.
Four new and significant novels that have circulated widely will be discussed this season. The series consists of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini on March 4, The Road by Cormac McCarthy on March 25, After This by Alice McDermott on April 15, and Everyman by Philip Roth on May 6.
To listen to a podcast of an interview with Professor Pecile about the spring discussion series, visit http://www.darienlibrary.org/connections/events/archives/pecile-interview0107.mp3.
Professor Pecile served as literary advisor for the PBS series “The American Short Story” and for the television program on the life of Eugene O’Neill, “Journey to Genius.” He also wrote the critical portrait of Katherine Anne Porter, “The Eye of Memory,” for the American Masters series aired on public television and has published several short stories. Professor Pecile is a graduate of Cornell University and the Writing Seminars of the University of Iowa.
The book discussion series is funded by contributions to the Darien Library’s annual campaign, and cosponsored by the Darien Community Association Book Group, the Senior Men’s Association, and the American Association of University Women, Stamford-Darien branch.
The Library has copies of the books available for patrons to borrow, but prior reading of the books is not necessary to attend the discussions.
Monday Movie Matinees at Darien Library:
As a way to address the community’s increasing interest in films at the Library, and in an effort to help beat the mid-winter blues, Darien Library will be offering a new film series. The Monday Matinee Film Series began on February 12 in the Library’s Program Room. “We plan to offer only the most recent movies,” said Barbara Thomas, the Library’s Film Series Coordinator. “We expect that this series, like our Foreign Film Series and our current Friday Film Series, will be very popular. Brown bag lunches will be permitted in the Library’s Program Room for the matinees, and we will be serving coffee and cookies,” she added. For more information, visit http://www.darienlibrary.org/connections/events/.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission is free. The Monday Matinee Series is funded solely by contributions made to the Annual Campaign.
Friday Film Series:
Darien Library presents its Friday Film Series, from February 9 through April 27. There are 12 films in the series: 10 pre-selected films, as well as two opportunities in which the audience will select the film to be shown by casting votes. All films will be shown in the Library’s Program Room at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. and refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
February 23 – Hollywoodland
March 2 – The Boynton Beach Club
March 9 – The Prestige
March 16 – Friday Film Vote! Audience Selection
March 23 – A Good Year
March 30 – Stranger Than Fiction
April 6 – Casino Royale
April 13 – Marie Antoinette
April 20 – The Holiday
April 27 – Friday Film Vote! Audience Selection
For more information, visit www.darienlibrary.org. The Friday Film Series is funded solely by contributions to the Annual Campaign.
Display Case:
Find out breaking Library news, the latest book recommendations, and our staff’s Word of the Day just by stepping in the front door! Our display case blackboard is refreshed daily (sometimes even more often!) with notes and new words. We’ll also place alerts so that you don’t miss out on book sales, movies, or other events taking place here. Stop by the display case and see what’s happening!
Annual Campaign:
Darien Library asks, “Are You the Missing Piece?”
The Friends of the Library Annual Campaign has begun and Darien Library is eager to meet its goal of $450,000.00. Contribution totals will be recorded on the heron puzzle in the lobby of the Library. So far, $326,000 has been donated, resulting in the placement of 16 puzzle pieces on the heron.
The money raised will be used to purchase all the books, movies, and music for the Library in the upcoming year. All programs and services are also funded entirely by the Annual Campaign.
Last year, Darien Library welcomed 432,267 visitors and circulated more than 750,000 items.
To make a contribution, visit www.darienlibrary.org.
Children’s Room:
Sleepytime Stories:
The Darien Library welcomes children ages three to five to join us for “Sleepytime Stories” on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7 p.m., from February 6 through April 3. Enjoy stories, songs, and activities all while wearing your pajamas! Registration is not required.
Children, teens, and adult programs are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. Contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org for more information.
BookMANIA!:
This spring, the Darien Library is pleased to offer BookMANIA!, a book discussion group for children ages 7 to 9.
BookMANIA! meets from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on Thursdays, February 15, March 1, March 15, March 29, April 12, and April 26. A more advanced story is shared, followed by a group discussion, activity, or craft reflecting the theme of the book. Snacks will be provided. Registration is not required.
Children, teens, and adult programs are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. Contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org for more information.
COMING NEXT WEEK:
Books (release-date: February 27):
Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey – Alison Weir
Puss n’ Cahoots (A Mrs. Murphy Mystery) – Rita Mae Brown
Shopaholic and Baby – Sophie Kinsella
Storm Runners – T. Jefferson Parker
The Watchman – Robert Crais
DVDs (release-date: February 27):
A Good Year
The Heart of the Game
Stranger Than Fiction
HOURS:
Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
World Wide Web: darienlibrary.org
Posted by Cathy at 03:39 PM
February 15, 2007
Vienna Waits for You
Our Friday Film Series continues tomorrow night with The Illusionist
When this film, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna opened last year, it started slow and built quite a momentum, competing with and inviting comparisons to the later-released The Prestige. Both great films (and both part of this film series), I have my favorite (by a nose)...come and watch, and let us know yours.
You can click on the photo below for a preview of this Friday's movie.
Show time is at 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 7:00
Admission is free!
Posted by BarbaraT at 06:22 PM
February 12, 2007
This Week at the Library 02/08/07 to 02/15/07
New Photography Exhibit Opens at Darien Library:
Alison Blake Shaw will exhibit “Reflections,” a collection of photographs, in the Main Reading Room at Darien Library. Ms. Shaw, a Darien native, studied sculpture in Europe and attended Franklin College in Lugano, Switzerland. Her exhibit will be on display from February 13 through March 26. There will be an opening reception at the Library on Friday, February 16 at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Monday Movie Matinees at Darien Library:
As a way to address the community’s increasing interest in films at the Library, and in an effort to help beat the mid-winter blues, Darien Library will be offering a new film series. The Monday Matinee Film Series begins on February 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the Library’s Program Room. “We plan to offer only the most recent movies,” said Barbara Thomas, the Library’s Film Series Coordinator. “We expect that this series, like our Foreign Film Series and our current Friday Film Series, will be very popular. Brown bag lunches will be permitted in the Library’s Program Room for the matinees, and we will be serving coffee and cookies,” she added. For more information, visit http://www.darienlibrary.org/connections/events/.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission is free. The Monday Matinee Series is funded solely by contributions made to the Annual Campaign.
Friday Film Series to Begin:
Darien Library presents its Friday Film Series, from February 9 through April 27. There will be 12 films in the series: 10 pre-selected films, as well as two opportunities in which the audience will select the film to be shown by casting votes. All films will be shown in the Library’s Program Room at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. and refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
February 9 – The Devil Wears Prada
February 16 – The Illusionist
February 23 – Hollywoodland
March 2 – The Boynton Beach Club
March 9 – The Prestige
March 16 – Friday Film Vote! Audience Selection
March 23 – A Good Year
March 30 – Stranger Than Fiction
April 6 – Casino Royale
April 13 – Marie Antoinette
April 20 – The Holiday
April 27 – Friday Film Vote! Audience Selection
For more information, visit www.darienlibrary.org
The Friday Film Series is funded solely by contributions to the Annual Campaign.
Display Case:
We’re calling it a “blogboard” -- a new, quick way for you to find out what’s happening at the Darien Library as you step through the front door. Posted in our display case now is a blackboard, which gives us a chance to alert you to Library events or recommend books, movies, or music. Messages can be changed at a moment’s notice, and we welcome your input, too. Come by and share some chalk-talk with us!
Annual Campaign:
Darien Library asks, “Are You the Missing Piece?”
The Friends of the Library Annual Campaign has begun and the Darien Library is eager to meet its goal of $450,000.00. Contribution totals will be recorded on the heron puzzle in the lobby of the Library. So far, $326,000 has been donated, resulting in the placement of 16 puzzle pieces on the heron.
The money raised will be used to purchase all the books, movies, and music for the Library in the upcoming year. All programs and services are also funded entirely by the Annual Campaign.
Last year, Darien Library welcomed 432,267 visitors and circulated more than 750,000 items.
To make a contribution, visit www.darienlibrary.org.
Children’s Room:
Sleepytime Stories:
The Darien Library welcomes children ages three to five to join us for “Sleepytime Stories” on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7 p.m., from February 6 through April 3. Enjoy stories, songs, and activities all while wearing your pajamas! Registration is not required.
Children, teens, and adult programs are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. Contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org for more information.
BookMANIA!
This spring, the Darien Library is pleased to offer BookMANIA!, a book discussion group for children ages 7 to 9.
BookMANIA! meets from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on Thursdays, February 15, March 1, March 15, March 29, April 12, and April 26. A more advanced story is shared, followed by a group discussion, activity, or craft reflecting the theme of the book. Snacks will be provided. Registration is not required.
Children, teens, and adult programs are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. Contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org for more information.
COMING NEXT WEEK:
Books (release-date: February 20):
The Edge of Winter – Luanne Rice
The Fifth Vial – Michael Palmer
Final Analysis: The Untold Story of the Susan Polk Murder Case – Catherine Crier
Innocent in Death – J. D. Robb
DVDs (release-date: February 20):
Babel
C.R.A.Z.Y.
Flushed Away
For Your Consideration
Keeping Mum
Man of the Year
The Prestige
Shut Up & Sing
HOURS:
Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
World Wide Web: darienlibrary.org
Posted by Cathy at 10:42 AM
February 11, 2007
!!! Monday Matinee Movies !!!
Here's your chance to see the-little-movie-that-could before Oscar night!
We begin our new Monday Matinee Movies tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. with Little Miss Sunshine, which is one of the nominees for Best Picture.
Will their journey end onstage on Oscar night?
Click on the picture below to watch the movie trailer.
I'll bake cookies and Jim will put on the coffee. Bring your lunch and join us!
Doors will open at 11.
Admission is free.
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:01 AM
February 06, 2007
This Week at the Library 02/01/07 to 02/08/07
Art Exhibit:
The Darien Schools Art Faculty will exhibit some of its latest artwork at Darien Library until February 12. The dynamic group exhibition will spotlight the diverse mix of techniques and approaches used by the Darien Visual Arts Department.
Participating artists include, from Darien High School: Dorine E. Bosler, Michelle Currier, Dana Larsen, Robert Sorensen, and Katherine Josselyn Stuart-Funke, from Middlesex Middle School: Rosemary M. Cellini, Jeanne Kaye-Eleck, Dorothy McClure, and Carol Warner; from Hindley School: Sally Knowlton-Keen; from Holmes School: Shelley Kawai; from Ox Ridge School: Sonia Almonte; from Royle School: Jill Morton; from Tokeneke School: Linda Yoffe.
Monday Movie Matinees at Darien Library:
As a way to address the community’s increasing interest in films at the Library, and in an effort to help beat the mid-winter blues, Darien Library will be offering a new film series. The Monday Matinee Film Series begins on February 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the Library’s Program Room. “We plan to offer only the most recent movies,” said Barbara Thomas, the Library’s Film Series Coordinator. “We expect that this series, like our Foreign Film Series and our current Friday Film Series, will be very popular. Brown bag lunches will be permitted in the Library’s Program Room for the matinees, and we will be serving coffee and cookies,” she added. For more information, visit http://www.darienlibrary.org/connections/events/.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission is free. The Monday Matinee Series is funded solely by contributions made to the Annual Campaign.
Friday Film Series to Begin:
Darien Library presents its Friday Film Series, from February 9 through April 27. There will be 12 films in the series: 10 pre-selected films, as well as two opportunities in which the audience will select the film to be shown by casting votes. All films will be shown in the Library’s Program Room at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. and refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
February 9 – The Devil Wears Prada
February 16 – The Illusionist
February 23 – Hollywoodland
March 2 – The Boynton Beach Club
March 9 – The Prestige
March 16 – Friday Film Vote! Audience Selection
March 23 – A Good Year
March 30 – Stranger Than Fiction
April 6 – Casino Royale
April 13 – Marie Antoinette
April 20 – The Holiday
April 27 – Friday Film Vote! Audience Selection
For more information, visit www.darienlibrary.org
The Friday Film Series is funded solely by contributions to the Annual Campaign.
Display Case:
We’re calling it a “blogboard” -- a new, quick way for you to find out what’s happening at the Darien Library as you step through the front door. Posted in our display case now is a blackboard, which gives us a chance to alert you to Library events or recommend books, movies, or music. Messages can be changed at a moment’s notice, and we welcome your input, too. Come by and share some chalk-talk with us!
Annual Campaign:
Darien Library asks, “Are You the Missing Piece?”
The Friends of the Library Annual Campaign has begun and the Darien Library is eager to meet its goal of $450,000.00. Contribution totals will be recorded on the heron puzzle in the lobby of the Library. So far, $326,000 has been donated, resulting in the placement of 16 puzzle pieces on the heron.
The money raised will be used to purchase all the books, movies, and music for the Library in the upcoming year. All programs and services are also funded entirely by the Annual Campaign.
Last year, Darien Library welcomed 432,267 visitors and circulated more than 750,000 items.
To make a contribution, visit www.darienlibrary.org.
Children’s Room:
Sleepytime Stories:
The Darien Library welcomes children ages three to five to join us for
“Sleepytime Stories” on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7 p.m., from February 6th through April 3rd. Enjoy stories, songs, and activities all while wearing your pajamas! Registration is not required.
Children, teens, and adult programs are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. Contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org for more information.
Cookie Taste-Off:
A program for middle and high school students, will be at the Darien Library on Thursday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Perform a taste-off and vote on your favorite parts of different chocolate chip cookies. Space is limited. Registration is required.
Programs for children, teens, and adults are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. To register, contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org for more information.
COMING NEXT WEEK:
Books (release date February 12):
Double Bind – Chris Bohjalian
Past Perfect: a Novel – Susan Isaacs
Sisters – Danielle Steel
Ten Days in the Hills – Jane Smiley
DVDs (release date February 12)
The Departed
Half Nelson
Infamous
Marie Antoinette
…So Goes the Nation
The U.S. vs. John Lennon
HOURS:
Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
World Wide Web: darienlibrary.org
Posted by Cathy at 10:24 AM