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August 30, 2007
Falling for Fall Books
It's time for our Fall Book Discussion Series! We're happy to announce that Professor Jordon Pecile will be returning to lead our lively discourse. The theme this fall is "Browsing the Bestsellers: Critical Hype and Reader's Expectations."
SUNDAYS, SEPTEMBER 16 - NOVEMBER 11 AT 2:30 P.M.
This is going to be a great series. All four of the books selected are recent novels that hit the bestseller list immediately upon (or even before) publication.
Professor Jordon Pecile
September 16
October 7
October 21
November 11
All of them also had lots of hype and word of mouth. Do the books live up to expectations? Come and join us for what are certain to be energetic discussions!
Refreshments will be served.
Posted by BarbaraT at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2007
Final Film of the Summer Series
Our Summer Film Series concludes this Friday, the 31st with Fracture. It's astonishing to me how quickly this tense gem left the theaters; it's really good and should have gotten more attention. Lucky for us, not only is it now out on dvd, it will be playing here on Friday night.
Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling star in this intense battle of wits and will. This film crackles; it frustrates; it shocks...our "last gasp of summer", so to speak.
Click on the image below to watch the trailer.
Join us on Friday!
Showtime is at 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 7.
Admission is free.
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2007
This Week at the Library 08/23/07 to 08/30/07
Final Summer Film
August 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Fracture
Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
COMING NEXT WEEK:
Books (release-date September 4):
Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World by Bill Clinton
Songs Without Words by Ann Packer
Brother, I’m Dying by Edwidge Danticat
Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters
Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda
The Dynamic Path: Access the Secrets of Champions to Achieve Greatness Through Mental Toughness Inspired Leadership and Personal Transformation by James M. Citrin
Heartsick by Chelsea Cain
Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson
DVDs (release-date: September 4):
Georgia Rule
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Madeleine Mueller Exhibits at Darien Library:
“Local Landscapes, Seascapes, and More,” paintings by Darien artist Madeleine Mueller on view at Darien Library from August 21 through September 24.
Mueller’s alla prima style, although realistic, is somewhat impressionistic. The subjects range from the tranquility of Long Island Sound, as viewed from Darien, to the drama of Maine’s rugged coastline. Her love of the New England coastline is evident in the plein air paintings she exhibits throughout Fairfield County.
Mueller has exhibited at the Soundwaters Center and the Landmark Building in Stamford, Babel in New Canaan, the Bistro du Soleil in Norwalk, and Sterling Glen in Darien. Her work has also been shown in the Spectrum Art Show, Post 53’s annual fundraiser, and the Junior League’s show at the Burr Homestead in Fairfield. She participates in the “Artists on Location” auctions in Garrison, New York, and has exhibited her work in art galleries in Darien and Westport.
Mueller, a member of the Rowayton Center, has studied with John Squadra, Charles Sovek, Pamela Du Long Williams, Frank Bruckmann, and Charles Ray.
Children’s Room:
Teen Reviewers Committee:
Middle School and High School students are invited to attend the Teen Reviewers Committee “Galley Party” at the Darien Library on Tuesday, September 11 from 6 to 7 p.m.
The students will start off by recommending a book to the group. Then, they will have the opportunity to choose galleys (advance copies of books not yet published) and write reviews to be published on the Darien Library's teen website. The students may keep the galleys they review.
Visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org/teen to view the galley reviews from our Fall 2006 and Winter 2007 meetings.
Please contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117 to register.
Technology Classes:
This fall, the Darien Library is offering technology classes for children in grades 3 through 5. Those who wish to participate are asked to register by calling the Children’s Room, 655-1234 x117, or in person. Classes are open to children whose parents are either a Darien resident, employed full-time in Darien, or a Friend of the Darien Library who contributes annually at the $300 level.
Library Detectives
Grades 3 and 4
Thursday, September 13 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, September 26 from 4 to 5 p.m.
School has begun! Learn about the Library’s online catalog with instruction on finding children’s books. The class meets in the Children’s Room. Register for one of the dates.
Online Adventures
Grades 4 and 5
Thursday, October 11 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Learn techniques to navigate some of the Library’s most interesting databases to aid in school assignments, and then use those skills in a technological scavenger hunt. This class meets in the Darien Technology Foundation Center at the Darien Library.
All Library children’s 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.
Creative Movement with Miss Mary:
This fall, the Darien Library will offer “Creative Movement with Miss Mary,” a program for walkers up to 3 ½ years.
Join Mary Squicciarino for songs, sing-alongs, and interactive movement with instruments and props on Fridays, September 28 to November 16 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Each child may register for two Friday sessions. Those who wish to participate are asked to register by calling the Children’s Room, 655-1234 x117, or in person.
Children, teens, and adult programs are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. Please contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org/children for more information.
Creative Corner:
This fall, the Darien Library is pleased to offer “Creative Corner,” a new book group for children ages 18 to 30 months and a caregiver.
This sensory program will explore crafts, nature, and books. The four-week sessions are Tuesdays, 10:15 to 10:45, from September 25 to October 16, or October 23 to November 13, and Fridays, 9:30 to 10 a.m. from September 28 to October 19, October 26 to November 16. Those who wish to participate are asked to register for one four-week session by calling the Children’s Room, 655-1234 x117, or in person.
Children, teens, and adult programs are funded by contributions to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library. Please contact the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117, or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org/children for more information.
Fall 2007 Storytimes:
Registration for Darien Library’s “Fall 2007 Storytimes” began August 1st and will continue through September 7th in the Library’s Children’s Room, where registration cards are available. Parents may also register online. Storytime is tailored for children ages birth to six years old. This fall’s eight-week session runs from Tuesday, September 25th through Friday, November 16th. Storytimes will be suspended on November 6th (Election Day).
“Giggles and Rhymes” is for pre-walking babies and their caregivers. Join us for fingerplays, songs, and rhymes.
“Born to Read,” for walkers up to 24 months and their caregivers, encourages participation in a routine sequence of activities that includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.
“Side By Side,” for children two years old and their caregivers, will include books, rhymes, and movement activities.
“Totally Preschool” is a program that gives three and four year olds a chance to grow in self-esteem and independence by engaging in stories, act-outs, and songs.
“Bookworms” is a more sophisticated storytime for five and six year olds and includes more complex stories – folk tales, humor, and adventure.
A lottery drawing for all registrations will occur by September 14th. Registered storytimes are for children whose parents are Darien residents, employed full-time in Darien, or contributors to the Darien Library Annual campaign at the $300 level. Parents will need a library card to register.
For specific information about the Library’s registered storytimes, call the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117 or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org/children.
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 12:09 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2007
A Rip-ROARING Movie Night
Our Summer Film Series continues with Wild Hogs, our film for tomorrow night.
As most of us are returning from vacations here and there, these guys are hitting the road. Click on either of the images below to watch the trailer from this popular comedy.
It's got an all-star cast: Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, and Marissa Tomei.
Running time is 100 minutes.
It's rated PG-13.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 7.
Admission is free.
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2007
A Toast to Summer Reading
A WINE & CHEESE PARTY AT THE LIBRARY
Darien Library wraps up an extremely successful Adult Summer Reading Program with a Grand Finale Wine & Cheese Party on Wednesday, August 22 at 7 p.m. Award-winning journalist Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell will be our special guest. Maxwell’s 13 years of research have yielded a fabulous and fun book, Consummate Connecticut: Day Trips with Panache, which features 48 different Connecticut cities, towns, and villages, and all there is to do and see in the Nutmeg State.
The Adult Summer Reading Program, which concludes after 10 weeks, had nearly 400 participants. More than 600 entries (each one representing a book read) for raffle prizes were submitted. Each week of the program, the Library held a drawing for a bag of books. The bags of books included autographed books, advanced readers copies of future bestsellers, and/or newly published titles.
Three Grand Prizes (two L.L. Bean duffle bags and a Vera Bradley travel kit) will be announced and awarded at the Grand Finale event, and all who attend will receive a gift of a copy of Maxwell’s book.
Participation in the Adult Summer Reading Program is not necessary to attend the Wine & Cheese Party.
Posted by BarbaraT at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)
August 12, 2007
A "cheeky" comedy
...says RollingStone about our next Summer Film Series feature.
We shall see.
The movie stars James McAvoy, who first came to my attention in Rory O'Shea Was Here, a deeply moving film I would dare anyone to forget. He's since emerged into the spotlight in other unforgettable roles, including holding his own against Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland. Also, he shines brilliantly in Becoming Jane, which just opened locally.
All evidence points to Starter for 10 certainly being worth a look.
Friday, August 17th...7:30 p.m. Join us!
Posted by BarbaraT at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2007
Classic Friday Coming Up
Our Summer Film Series continues with a classic film next Friday, August 10th. We'll be showing Ace in the Hole, a must-see from 1951.
Directed by Billy Wilder and starring Kirk Douglas, this social satire looks at the grim and nasty business of journalism and fame.
Showtime is at 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 7.
Admission is free.
Posted by BarbaraT at 11:44 AM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2007
'Everything's Gone Green' Goes Aground
Due to technical difficulties, we've had to make a substitution for tonight's movie. Instead of showing Everything's Gone Green, we'll be showing Peaceful Warrior. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Click on either of the images below to learn more and to watch the trailer for this uplifting film.
This is a movie worth seeing. Hope you can make it!
Posted by BarbaraT at 04:49 PM | Comments (0)
This Week at the Library 8/3/07 to 8/10/07
Summer Film Series – NEW! – Friday nights at Darien Library
July 13 – August 31 at 7:30 p.m.
August 10 – Ace in the Hole
August 17 – Starter for Ten
August 24 – Wild Hogs
August 31 – Fracture
Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
COMING NEXT WEEK:
Books (release-date August 14):
Play Dirty by Sandra Brown
Hard Call: Great Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them by John McCain
Rake by William F. Buckley
Force of Nature by Suzanne Brockmann
DVDs (release-date: August 14):
Fracture
God Grew Tired of Us
The Lookout
Wild Hogs
FACES OF LIGHT ™ AT DARIEN LIBRARY
Faces of Light ™ ~ Stories from Breast Cancer Survivors’ opened July 17th and will be on display until August 20th in the Library’s Main Reading Room. The exhibit features 22 images and stories from breast cancer survivors, all Darien residents. Photography is by renowned Darien photographer Ben Larrabee. The images and stories of these women are presented as a 22" by 28" montage with three components – a photograph, medical history, and lesson learned.
Sharing survivor wisdom is the purpose of Faces of Light ™. Its goals are to raise awareness that early detection saves lives and to provide hope for those who have to make the journey with breast cancer.
For more information, contact the Foundation of Light at foundationoflight@yahoo.com.
Photographer Ben Larrabee recently met with Library staff members Janet Davis and Barbara Thomas for an interview about the exhibit.
Adult Summer Reading:
“Book A Trip!” at the Library
The Darien Library Adult Summer Reading Program will continue until Friday, August 17th. “Book a Trip!” is the theme for this year’s program, which will focus on travel. For your convenience, the Library staff has compiled a list of their favorite books about travel near and far, in both space and time; however, readers are not restricted to the titles on the list. The Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program, now in its second year, will give readers the opportunity to join their children in summer reading enjoyment and/or just read for the pleasure and the prizes. Raffles, prizes, author talks, and a wine and cheese party are some of the events planned.
Register at the front desk, and receive a “Passport to Reading,” a brochure describing the program, the bibliography, raffle tickets, and a pen. For every book read (audio books included), a raffle ticket may be submitted. For every five books read, the prize is a very unique luggage tag. Each week, there will be a drawing for a bag of books. The bags of books will include autographed books, advanced reader copies of future bestsellers, and/or newly published titles. Three Grand Prizes (two L.L. Bean duffle bags and a Vera Bradley travel kit) will be announced and awarded at the Grand Finale Wine and Cheese Party, which will be held on Wednesday, August 22nd from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Library’s Magazine Room.
Connecticut author Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell, who wrote “Consummate Connecticut: Day Trips with Panache,” will be the guest speaker at the Grand Finale.
The Darien Library Summer Reading Programs for children, teens, and adults are funded by The Marion Moore Foundation and contributions made to the Annual Campaign for the Darien Library.
Display Case:
Adult Summer Reading is here and the prizes you can win just by reading a book and filling out a raffle ticket are now showcased in the Display Case. The grand prizes awarded at the end of the program (Vera Bradley travel bags and one of the L.L. Bean duffle bags) can be viewed all summer. In addition, each week a new bag of books signed by popular authors will be available for examination before the Friday drawing. Each bag is different, so come in and check them out every week!
Children’s Room:
Nutmeg Books Group:
The “Nutmeg Books Group” (for children in grades 4 to 6) continues with a discussion of “White Star: A Dog on the Titanic” by Marty Crisp on Thursday, August 9th from 6 to 7 p.m. Registration will begin on the first of August. Enjoy a light dinner and then participate in a book discussion.
The Darien Library Summer Reading Programs for children, teens, and adults 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.
Beat the Heat Movies:
The Darien Library is offering “Beat the Heat Movies” for children and teens throughout the muggy month of August. The program is part of “Jump into a New Hobby,” the Darien Library’s 2007 Summer Reading Program for pre-readers and elementary students and “Get into Focus,” the Library’s 2007 Teen Summer Reading Program.
“Summertime with Max and Ruby” will be shown Thursday, August 9th at 10 a.m. for ages 3 and up. The film is roughly one hour in length and rated G. Based on the picture books by Rosemary Wells, Max and Ruby enjoy the summer and all it offers!
“How to Eat Fried Worms” will be shown Tuesday, August 14th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for ages 5 and up. The film is 98 minutes in length and rated PG for mild bullying and crude humor. Based on the novel by Thomas Rockwell, find out if Billy can eat 10 worms in one day.
“Eragon” will be shown on Wednesday, August 15th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for ages 8 and up. The film is 104 minutes in length and rated PG for fantasy violence, intense battle sequences, and some frightening images. Fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a blue stone that eventually hatches a dragon. Will they be able to defend themselves against the cruel king? Based on the 2004 book by Christopher Paolini.
Free tickets will be distributed in the Children’s Room prior to each movie. Caregivers are to remain in the building.
The Darien Library Summer Reading Programs for children, teens, and adults are funded by The Marion Moore Foundation and contributions made 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.
Fall 2007 Storytimes:
Registration for Darien Library’s “Fall 2007 Storytimes” began August 1st and will continue through September 7th in the Library’s Children’s Room, where registration cards are available. Parents may also register online. Storytime is tailored for children ages birth to six years old. This fall’s eight-week session runs from Tuesday, September 25th through Friday, November 16th. Storytimes will be suspended on November 6th (Election Day).
“Giggles and Rhymes” is for pre-walking babies and their caregivers. Join us for fingerplays, songs, and rhymes.
“Born to Read,” for walkers up to 24 months and their caregivers, encourages participation in a routine sequence of activities that includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.
“Side By Side,” for children two years old and their caregivers, will include books, rhymes, and movement activities.
“Totally Preschool” is a program that gives three and four year olds a chance to grow in self-esteem and independence by engaging in stories, act-outs, and songs.
“Bookworms” is a more sophisticated storytime for five and six year olds and includes more complex stories – folk tales, humor, and adventure.
A lottery drawing for all registrations will occur by September 14th. Registered storytimes are for children whose parents are Darien residents, employed full-time in Darien, or contributors to the Darien Library Annual campaign at the $300 level. Parents will need a Library card to register.
For specific information about the Library’s registered storytimes, call the Children’s Room at 655-1234 x117 or visit the Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org/children.
Summer Reading:
The Darien Library offers two summer reading programs for children, the Summer Reading Club for independent readers in elementary school, and the Read-to-Me Club for pre-readers. This year’s theme is “Jump into a New Hobby.” The Library also offers Teen Summer Reading for students entering grades 6 through 12. The theme for teen readers, also hobby-oriented, is “Get Into Focus.” All programs began on Monday, June 18th and end on Friday, August 24th.
Upon signing up, Read-to-Me Club children will receive a reading record to keep track of books read during the summer, to receive prizes. Summer Reading Club members will register and keep track of books online at www.darienlibrary.org/children. Summer Reading Club participants will need to have a Library card to register. Librarians will demonstrate to participants how to log books on the Library’s webpage. Prizes are awarded at various levels and will be distributed in the Children’s Room. Members of both clubs will be given certificates when they have completed the programs.
When 10 books have been read, Summer Reading Club members will also receive an invitation to the Grand Finale Event on Sunday, August 26th at 6 p.m., “An Evening with Author Dan Greenburg.” Dan is the author of over 50 chapter books for elementary students about humor, fantasy, and adventure. His most popular series are Maximum Boy, Secrets of Dripping Fang, Weird Planet, and The Zack Files.
Participation in the Teen Summer Reading program is accessed entirely online. Middle school and high school students will use their Library cards to register online and keep track of books read at www.darienlibrary.org/teens. Members who have read five books to complete the program by Friday, August 24th will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a $200 American Express Gift Card. Weekly prizes will also be distributed. Each week, when teens have entered their books onto our website, their names will be entered to win a $25 gift card. Two gift card prizes will be announced each week and will include Amazon.com, Apple, and local stores.
The Darien Library Summer Reading Programs for children, teens, and adults are funded by The Marion Moore Foundation and contributions made 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.
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 10:18 AM | Comments (0)