The Brookfield Library Newsletter
March 2008
 
The Kerry BoysThe Kerry Boys - March 30
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day and spring! Please join us on Sunday, March 30 at 3:00 p.m. for a rousing concert of Celtic music presented by The Kerry Boys.
 
Pierce Campbell, one of the founding members of the group, is the Connecticut State Troubadour for 2008.
 
Refreshments will follow the concert.
CalendarTownwide Events Calendar
If your non-profit organization has an event that's open to the public, you may list it on our Townwide Events Calendar at no cost. 
 
Send information about your event to calendar@brookfieldlibrary.org.  Please include your organization's name, the date, time and location of the event, and cost (if any).  If your organization has a website that includes information about the event, we can include a link to that data.
 
Book shedBook Sale Donations
As of March 3, The Friends of The Brookfield Library are once again accepting donations of gently-used books for the annual Fall Book Sale.
 
Please leave your donations in the gray cart in the storage bin to the right of the library door.  Note that the lid slides BACK (toward the building) -- it doesn't lift up.  The doors of the bin open outward toward the parking lot. 
 
Please, please, please don't leave books outside, even against the building near the doors.  If they get even slightly damp, we have to throw them out.  Thanks!  And thanks for your donations.
 
 
LasagnaBig Guy, Little Guy Pasta Night
We have rescheduled our Big Guy, Little
Guy Pasta Night for Friday, March 28 at 6:00 p.m.  There are currently 15 tickets available for this snow date. 
 
 
 
Storytime graphicStory Time Registration 
Registration for the spring session begins with walk-in registration on Monday, March 10.  Phone-in registration begins Monday, March 17.  Spring Story Times run from Monday, March 24 through Friday, May 9. 
 
Knitting needlesKnit Happens

Knit Happens! -- A Two-Session Knitting Workshop  For Adult Beginners will be held on

Monday, April 7 and Monday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. in The Brookfield Library Community Room.  Our instructor will be Cyndie McGuire.

 

Did you know that knitting is at least 3,000 years old and evolved from sewing? Learn about the history of knitting, knitting tools and yarn, how to get stitches on the needles (casting on) and the two basic stitches (knit and purl) and how to end your work (binding off), and much more.

 

The total cost of the two session class is $10, to be paid at the time of registration.  Class size is limited to twelve participants.  You will need to bring one pair of size 6, 7 or 8 knitting needles, one skein of 100% acrylic worsted weight 4 ply yarn (light color), scissors, and needle protectors, which can be purchased at craft or yarn stores.

 

To register, visit the library's Checkout or Reference Desk.

 
Teen Tech Week Movie Fest 
Celebrate Teen Tech Week by joining us for these awesome technology-inspired movies: 
  • Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker on Monday, March 3 @ 4 p.m.
  •  I, Robot on Wednesday, March 5 @ 4 p.m.
As always, we'll have free popcorn, and no sign-up is required.  Ages 11-18; no parents, please!
 
Book Discussions
The next meeting of The Brookfield Library's mystery book discussion group, Book 'Em!, will feature The Woods by Harlan Coben, bestselling author and winner of the Edgar, Shamus and Anthony awards.  Publisher's Weekly calls this an "action-packed, well-crafted suspense novel with a startling final twist."  Please join us on Monday, March 24, at 12:00 p.m. in The Brookfield Library Community Room.  Copies of the book and a signup sheet are available at the front desk.
 
In a change of pace, our other regular book group will move from fiction to nonfiction with Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

Chris McCandless walked into the deep woods of Alaska in April 1992 and was never again seen alive. Through diaries, interviews with family and acquaintances, and accounts of witnesses, John Krakauer traces the young man's fatal adventure and the life journey that led him to his death in an abandoned bus. Into the Wild, a bestselling nonfiction book, is also a major motion picture directed by Sean Penn.  Copies of the book  are available at the check-out desk for patrons signing up for one of the two book discussions, which are scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. 

 
black labBow-Wow Pow-Wow Readers
The library's ongoing reading group with our certified therapy dog, Gabriella, continues on Thursdays on March 6 and March 20.  Currently we have the following appointments open on those dates: 5:45 - 6:00 p.m., 6:00 - 6:15 p.m., and 6:15 - 6:30 p.m. 
 
Reluctant readers often find it easier to read to dog than to a person.  Children who are unfamiliar with dogs, or who are afraid of them, can discover how unthreatening a dog can be.  Gabriella loves everyone, and she's very low-key.  If you'd like to set up an appointment for your child to read with Gabriella, please call the Checkout Desk (203-775-6241) to register.
 
baseballFantasy Baseball for Teens
Don't miss our first-ever fantasy baseball league for teens!  Join us on Monday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. when you'll have the chance to draft your fantasy team live.  From then on, keep track of your progress online. 
 
We'll gather again in the fall to celebrate the end of the season and see everyone's progress.  Space is limited to 12 teams total (1 teen per team), so register as soon as possible by stopping by the Checkout Desk or calling 203-775-6241.  Ages 11-18.
 
TiaraPrincess Tea
Save the date!  Our Princess Tea for Girls (ages 4-7) will be held on April 26 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.  Watch for more information in the April E-Newsletter.
 
Bee MovieKids Afternoon @ the Movies
Our next Kids Afternoon @ the Movies will be held on Friday, March 14 at 5:00 p.m.   We will be showing Bee Movie.  
 

Barry B. Benson, a bee who just graduated from college, is disillusioned with his only job prospect, making honey.  When he ventures outside of the hive, he breaks a cardinal rule and talks to a human, a florist named Vanessa.  In this animated comedy, Barry is shocked to find out that humans have been stealing bees' honey for centuries, and he decides to sue them.

 

This movie is rated PG for mild suggestive humor and a brief depiction of smoking.  For kids ages 5 and older. Free popcorn!  Feel free to bring drinks and a blanket.  

 

 
T-shirt pillowT-Shirt Pillow for Teens
Join us Wednesday, March 26 at 4 p.m. to make your own t-shirt pillow - perfect for decorating your room or giving as a gift!  There will be no fee for this program, but you must bring a t-shirt that will be made into your pillow.  Registration by March 25 required; stop by the Checkout Desk or call 203-775-6241.
 
Ancestry Library photoDoing Genealogy Research?
If you're doing genealogy research, you probably know about Ancestry.com, an invaluable resource for researchers.
 
You'll find census, birth, death, and marriage records; newspaper and historical stories; historical photos, maps and much more.  This source can only be used in the library, not from home, but it's worth the trip.
 
NetLibrary logoDownload a book (or two) to your MP3
Have you recently bought or received an MP3 player?  You know that you can download endless amounts of music, but did you know that you can download books, too? 
 
If you have a Windows Media Player-compatible MP3 player (not an iPod) and a library card, you can download any of more than 2,000 books.  You'll find fiction, mysteries, romance, self-help, biographies, business books, history, and lots more. 
 
Go to the library's web site and click on Downloadable Audiobooks.  The link includes directions and a list of titles.  If you need help with the process, stop in at the library.  Happy listening!
 
I am LegendTeen Movie Night
This month we will be watching I Am Legend on Saturday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m.  Will Smith plays a brilliant scientist trying to stop an incurable virus.  Somehow immune, he is now the last known human survivor.  But he is not alone - mutant victims of the plague lurk in the shadows.  He knows he is outnumbered... and quickly running out of time.  As always, free popcorn and soda will be served.  Ages 11-18; no parents, please!
 
Avoiding Internet Scams and Frauds
Have you ever received an email asking you to update your bank account information, or telling you you've won the lottery?  You do know (don't you?) that those are all ways to steal your money or identity.
 
The Brookfield Library and the Senior Center will present Consumer University Part I:  Avoiding Internet Scams and Frauds.  The program will be held in the library's Community Room on Wednesday, March 5, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Our presenter will be Stephen Hennessey, an investigator for the State Attorney General's Office.
 
This program is free, but we do ask that you register by calling the library at 203-775-6241 or signing up at the Checkout Desk.
 
toolboxConsumer University Part 2
The second program in our series with the Senior Center will cover home improvement contractor scams and abuse, as well as the potential pitfalls of prepaid funerals.  This program will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., in the Community Room of the library.  The speaker will again be Stephen Hennessey of the Attorney General's Office.  Please register at the library, or call 203-775-6241.
 
The Brookfield Library | 182 Whisconier Road | Brookfield | CT | 06804