Winter in the Teen Room

This February in the Teen Room we will be welcoming the return of many programs that took a hiatus over the winter! Learn to Draw Manga classes resumed on January 31st and will run every other Friday through April 11th from 3-4pm. Crafternoons will be returning on Fridays, and we will be trying out a new program, Edible Art! Teens can come make edible creations on the last Friday of every month, starting on February 28th.

We will also be welcoming middle grade author Anna Staniszewski to our Spilled Ink writing club on February 26th from 6-7:30. Anna will run a writing workshop for aspiring teen writers, talk about her latest book, and answer questions about pursuing writing as a career! Our chess club, which meets on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30, will welcome instructor Donna Alarie to our meeting on February 20th. Donna will do an in-depth workshop on strategy, catering to all ability levels.

And don’t forget about our teen magazine: Turtle Soup! This magazine features articles, poetry, stories, photography and artwork by Worcester teens. If you are a teenager who would like to get involved or submit a work to the magazine, contact Teen Librarian Samantha at sbodine@worcpublib.org.

---

In 2014, make your New Years' resolution to read more! We have brand new copies of all of the best series including The Hunger Games, Divergent, Beautiful Creatures, Skip Beat!, One Piece and an expanding manga section!

We had lots of fun programs in December, including a gingerbread house workshop that yielded many amazing gingerbread fortresses! Make sure to check out our calendar of events for January, as we continue to have a great series of teen programs!

Don't forget about our Spilled Ink writers group for teens which meets on the last Wednesday of every month. Our January meeting will be held on the 29th at 6pm and we will have poet Alex Charalambides come in to conduct a poetry writing workshop! This program is free and no registration is required.

January 31st will be the first class in the new session of Learn to Draw Manga classes taught by artists Andy Fish and Jamie Buckmaster. These teen drawing classes take place every other Friday from 3-4pm and are free and open to all teens.

February Fun in the Children's Room

 
.
It may be cold out, but school is clearly heating up! Are you working on your science fair project? Researching a famous individual? We’re here to help! Of course, we have books (beat out the competition and besure to place a hold) but also consider using our online databases. All you need is your library card to access reliable resources. Need help? Ask a friendly librarian at the desk or call 508-799-1671.

For your scientific needs, we recommend Science Online, which has a section dedicated to Science Experiments. Browse this database for project ideas. They’re organized by area, from Biology to Weather and Climate, and each suggestion includes the procedure, materials, and background information.

Try Biography in Context to get the facts about historical figures, athletes, and celebrities -- the famous and the infamous. Find articles, videos, and photographs from encyclopedias, journals, and other excellent sources.

We want you to take full advantage of our online resources, but we’d also love to see you in the children’s room! We’ve had a blast in January, with storytimes, story-acting, legos, videogames, valentine-making, and more. In February we’ll be celebrating the Chinese New Year, watching the Winter Olympics, learning to draw manga, playing board games, and staying warm. Keep an eye on the calendar and on Facebook for up-to-date information. Also, come by and meet our new Youth Services Coordinator, Chantell McDowell! She will be joining us in early February. Hailing from North Carolina, she’ll need a warm welcome! We hope to see you soon!

January 2014 Staff Book Recommendations

January 27, 2014

Rivington Was Ours: Lady Gaga, the Lower East Side, and the Prime of Our Lives
By Brendan Jay Sullivan

Rivington Was Ours is available both as an ebook, downloadable through Overdrive on the Worcester Public Library’s web site and in print format through CWMARS. Just for the record, Lady Gaga’s real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Sullivan, a dee-jay, known as Vh-1, playing clubs on the Lower East Side in New York in the mid- 2000s, became a close friend of Lady Gaga and his book covers the chaotic night club and relationship scene of those days. Sullivan’s book is a detailed chronicle of the daily life (mostly night life), of Lady Gaga, her boyfriend, and Sullivan and his female friend and a shifting montage of clubs, musical performances spreading word of mouth, late night dramatics, and emerging collaborations that eventually put Lady Gaga into the national spotlight and fame.

Sullivan’s description of Lady Gaga’s family is an interesting part of the book. Her flamboyancy certainly did not spring from her family. They are portrayed in contrasting normalcy to Gaga’s early striptease and nearly nude musical performances. The club scene in the Lower East Side is depicted as a relentless, drug and alcohol-fueled scene that could provide a temporary thrill for straight people and a potentially dangerous environment for those who perpetually live in it. Sullivan’s book details the nuances of romantic relationships that he developed and also those of Lady Gaga’s boyfriend. These relationships are far from idealistic and Sullivan portrays them honestly.

The story culminates in a music video shoot and then a TV shoot…the rise to fame for Gaga is suddenly underway and Sullivan has done a great job in portraying the bittersweet year and a chaotic New York scene that served as a training ground for a now iconic pop star.

--Bill

---

January 21, 2014

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
By Jesse Andrews

Loss and death are important themes for younger readers. It can be difficult, though, to find a young adult novel which handles these issues without feeling maudlin or insincere. John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars is a wildly popular example of a young adult novel which speaks about death and loss without condescending to its readers or being insincere. Jesse Andrews’s debut novel stands beside Green’s as a book ringing with truth, humor, and grief. Like TFIOS, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl deals with juvenile cancer while maintaining a sense of humor. Just as Green perfectly embodies the mindset of a teenage girl in his narrator, Hazel Grace, Andrews similarly channels the teenage boy in Greg S. Gaines, amateur filmmaker and navigator of the social jungle of high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Here’s the deal: Greg’s mom finds out that his classmate, Rachel (who sort of used to be Greg’s fake girlfriend back in middle school), has aggressive leukemia. Never passing up an opportunity to guide her children in Doing the Right Thing, she forces Greg to reconnect with Rachel. This leads to the crumbling of Greg’s carefully developed non-identity at school. He’s spent years never getting too close to anyone lest he succumb to the horror of high school social politics. Now, seen with a girlfriend dying of cancer, it’s impossible to lie low. Greg struggles with his emotions of resentment and anger over Rachel’s sickness. He feels guilty that he doesn’t care in the way he thinks he should. Does this make him a bad person?

This is no sappy love story—Andrews describes grief, guilt and human emotion with a refreshing lack of anything coming close to “sappy.” In fact, after finishing this novel, I’d say that the laughter to tears ratio is about 10:1. The raunchy comedy of Greg’s best friend, Earl, will appeal to male readers in particular. Andrews frequently shifts between prose and screenplay format, making this a quick read and ideal for reluctant readers.

--Chelsea

---

January 6, 2014

Stella Bain
By Anita Shreve

The popular Massachusetts author Anita Shreve's latest novel, Stella Bain, is sure to be read by many book clubs and might as surely appear on the silver screen at some point. Stella Bain is a somewhat complicated novel set primarily during the World War One era in New England, France, and England. The novel, although historical to a degree, explores many contemporary themes, including marriage, abuse, war, psychology, post traumatic stress disorder, amnesia, homosexuality, parenting, love, and woman's place in society. Shreve deftly maneuvers her characters through these themes to the novel's conclusion.

This novel is difficult to discuss without giving away important story elements since so many things are intimately connected. Shreve's prose is clear and concise and keeps the reader moving along and wanting to know what will unfold next. The combat and recovery descriptions are written well and link up logically with the amnesia that Stella suffers while on the front lines in France. Her amnesia is a major plot element in the novel and the subsequent court hearing that follows. The novel is very entertaining and to continue discussing it is to risk unraveling the tightly connected plot. However, one quote from the book, hopefully, will intrigue a potential reader: "The solemnity and horror of the war has, perhaps for the first time, entered the chill courtroom."

--Bill

---

Chinese New Year Celebration

Everyone is welcome to attend our free Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 2:30 pm in the Saxe Room!

Come celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse with performances by the Mulan Performing Arts Group. Chinese music with special Chinese musical instruments, traditional dances and songs will be presented. Light special Chinese New Year treats will be provided. 

We thank the Worcester Public Library Foundation and Friends of Worcester Public Library for sponsoring this program. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

http://www.worcestermass.org/arts-culture-entertainment/worcester-arts-council

http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/

New Music Recommendations

Looking to discover some new music? Whatever your taste, the library has it. In addition to CDs, our music database Freegal has popular new releases along with classical, alternative, jazz and more. Here are some recommendations from one of our librarians. Click the link to download tracks from Freegal - you can keep these mp3s forever!


If you like: Danceable pop with a rock edge, 2013's HAIM - Days are Gone is a great listen. Featured track: "The Wire."

If you like: Indie rock and electronica, 2012's Passion Pit - Gossamer. 

If you like: Funk/soul, or R& B, 2013's Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - Give the People What They Want. 

If you like: Folk or alternative country, 2010 compilation Folk Music for What Lies Ahead. Featured track: Sharon van Etten's "Say So What"

If you like: Hip hop or rap, 2013's Childish Gambino - Camp.

Also, Freegal now has music videos available. If you're looking for a visual to go along with a song you enjoy, search for the song or artist title in the box on top. You will get results for both songs and videos to download.


To get to the main Freegal page, visit our website www.worcpublib.org and click Digital Downloads on the left, then scroll down and click Freegal. You can also download the Freegal app on your tablet or smartphone. To use Freegal, you will need a valid library card number and your password.

New Year's Resolutions at the Library

Whatever your New Year's resolutions were this year, the library would like to give you a leg up on making them happen! In addition to our classes and programs we created a book display on the first floor of books related to some common resolutions. You can also click here to view a list of similar titles, and place a hold on one from home if it's checked out. The resolutions include: learning to use your computer or tablet, learning a new language, exercising, eating better, and finding a new job. If you'd like help finding books related to other resolutions, you can, as always, ask a librarian.

Happy 2014!

December 2013 Book Recommendations by Staff

December 30, 2013

Attempting Normal
By Marc Maron

Being a newly-minted 30-something who is mystified and disappointed by the realities of adulthood, Marc Maron’s new memoir Attempting Normal really struck me to the core. Maron, a comedian known for his radio show and podcast WTF, uses hilarious anecdotes to show us what it’s like to grow up with an attention-hungry bipolar father, how he navigated two painful divorces, and his undying love for his cats (not yours). Maron speaks to a generation (or two) of people who were told adulthood would be simple, but who are single, in debt, and left wanting more.

This book made me feel uncomfortable, but only in the best way. Maron taps into the parts of being human that most people ignore but know in their heart to be true. His frank and unapologetic descriptions of drug use, infidelity and failed attempts at remaining calm make for a great read. And he makes you laugh the whole time.

--Liz

---

December 23, 2013

Painters and the American West, Volume 2
By Joan Carpenter Troccoli

This book is a real treat to browse, read, and study at your own pace. It is a large format, high quality publication with wonderful reproductions focusing on a very important part of American art history, Western art. Dr. Joan Troccoli is currently Deputy Director of the Denver Art Museum and has extensive experience in both art publishing and painters of Western art. The term “Western art” is used in a broad sense here and not to be confused with “regionalism”. Troccoli’s “Western art” began to attract serious critical attention after World War I, when prominent artists began looking at American art and Western art instead of being so closely focused on European artists, particularly French impressionism. Santa Fe, New Mexico became a focal point for artists and intellectuals, who migrated from the east. This title, Volume 2, covers a time span from about the 1820s through the mid 20th century. Many of the artists are from the East, moved back and forth, and maintained strong ties to the Eastern art establishment. The book is a reflection of the Anschutz Collection in Denver, Colorado, at the American Museum of Western Art.

“The artwork on view at the American Museum of Western Art represents a cross section of paintings that survey the art of the American West from the early 19th century through the age of industrialization. During the relatively short period of history illustrated by this collection, the West was transformed from Indian territory unknown to most inhabitants of the eastern United States into a settled region. Within only 90 years after the Louisiana Purchase, the “Old West” of Indian buffalo hunters, mountain men, pioneers, gold-seekers, and open-range cowboys had passed into history.”

This quote is from the museum web site and also defines the boundaries of the book. A great many painters are represented here with informative text to place each within the historical context of the American West art movement. The book is a tremendously educational and aesthetically rewarding read; to wit, the art of Bierstadt, Moran, Hassam, Remington, Loomis, Ufer, Leutze, Kaufman, Davis, Fechin, Benton, Henri, Wyeth, Dodge, Deas, Marin, Blumenschein, Sloan, Kent, O’Keeffe, Hartley, and so many others that are famous and not so famous. All had a vision of the American West, and all contribute to the beauty and enjoyment of reading this book.

--Bill

---

December 16, 2013

Northanger Abbey
By Jane Austen

Cold weather and shorter days make December the ideal month for curling up on the couch and re-reading an old favorite. For me that usually means one of Jane Austen’s novels. Every year around this time I find myself watching my favorite films, indulging in favorite foods and revisiting one of Austen’s six novels. This December I chose Northanger Abbey, an often overlooked piece of Austen’s work.

Northanger Abbey was written while Austen was still establishing herself as an author and illuminates her own history as a reader. It is a satire of the Gothic novel, a popular genre of fiction in Austen’s day which featured such tropes as secret passageways concealed by tapestry, heroines abducted by highwaymen, and characters polarized as angels and devils. Catherine Morland, the book’s unlikely heroine, reads so many of these fantastical stories that her imagination thrives on horror and suspense. When she finds herself invited to stay in the family home of her love interest, Henry Tilney (so handsome), she begins to make wild suppositions about Northanger Abbey’s history, including the mysterious death of Henry’s mother. As you can no doubt imagine, Catherine’s robust imagination eventually leads to her distress and humbling.

While Austen gently satirizes the Gothic genre, she fiercely defends novels and their writers, putting forth one of her most quotable lines, “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” Another theme of this novel is the naiveté of youth, specifically Catherine’s. Catherine is adorably clueless and it is this innocence which first attracts Mr. Tilney, a teasing, charming gentleman who finds himself falling in love with Catherine once he realizes she is in love with him. Catherine’s guileless nature prevents her from perceiving the moral faults of those close to her. While Mr. Tilney easily perceives that Catherine’s friend, Isabella, is less than constant in her affections, it takes time for Catherine to be led to this discovery. This innocence also makes the slight against her, and her troubles later in the book, more poignant for the reader.

Some other items you might want to check out:

Masterpiece Classic’s film adaptation featuring J.J. Field and Felicity Jones

Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin

Miss Austen Regrets, a fantastic docudrama about Jane Austen at the end of her life that is featured on the DVD for BBC’s Sense and Sensibility

--Chelsea

---

December 9, 2013

Vietnam: The Real War
By the Associated Press; Introduction by Pete Hamill

This is a new book on, by now, an old story, the Vietnam War. However, the story receives more depth to its context, even if necessarily tinged with a grim sadness, in Pete Hamill’s introduction to the chronology of the war, the relationship of photographers to the war and each other, and to the Associated Press’s coverage of the war. Hamill introduces the reader to the context of the war and its complexities as it grows rather quickly from a small clandestine conflict into the sudden huge numbers of American and Viet Cong dead in the I Drang Valley battle of 1965.

This is a photographic record of the Vietnam War. Nearly all the photographs are in black and white and were shot in Vietnam. There are some photographs of political peace talks and of the more memorable moments in the anti-war movement such as large peace marches, Kent State, and Jane Fonda in North Vietnam. The vast majority of pictures were shot in South Vietnam and include a great deal of combat photography, which means that there are pictures of dead and dying soldiers from both sides, and also many civilians. All the pictures have credits. Many of the photographs in this book will be known to readers about Vietnam and persons interested in combat photography from that era. The photographers will also be known: Horst Faas, Henri Huet, Larry Burrows, Eddie Adams, and many others. And many of the pictures will be familiar since they won professional awards. Hamill’s book will probably take its place alongside another well received combat photography book, Requiem : by the photographers who died in Vietnam and Indochina, and provide another important volume to the media coverage of the war.

--Bill

---

December 2, 2013

Bleeding Edge
By Thomas Pynchon

Thomas Pynchon is an American author whose epic, postmodern novels have lent him a cult status. His most recent novel, Bleeding Edge, takes place in New York City in 2001. While the attack on the World Trade Center looms in the mind of the reader through the first half of the novel, it is not the focus. This national tragedy is seen through the eyes of our protagonist, recently divorced private eye Maxine Tarnow, and her investigation of billionaire dot com owner Gabriel Ice.

What started with a tip that something was fishy in Ice's taxes ends up taking over Maxine's life; everywhere she turns there are connections. For example, the Beanie-Baby obsessed mother of one of her son's elementary school friends just happens to be dating the creator of a virtual reality experience (don't call it a game) that Ice has expressed interest in buying. The investigation leads her from upscale health clubs in Manhattan and divey bagel shops in Queens, to a strange underground compound in Montauk. Then there are the videos from anonymous sources which continually show up on her upper-east side doorstep, including one of which alludes to a 9/11 conspiracy.

Bleeding Edge could be called a page turner, but is also a slow read because of its dense, playful language. It is a snapshot of a moment in culture when Americans were first beginning to live online, and a statement about the global implications of America's "1%." Maxine's witty banter with the eclectic cast of characters, and the pop culture references sprinkled throughout lighten the subject matter. Recommended for fans of detective novels and post-modern authors such as Don Delillo and J. G. Ballard.

--Kate

---

From Our Branches

With the opening of the Tatnuck Branch Library last month, One City One Library branches have hit the ground running. Tatnuck hosted a story time and fire safety lesson with Lt. Pickett, a local Worcester firefighter. Second graders and parents became book connaisseurs at the Tatnuck Book Tasting event, which showcased several popular grade level reads. Roosevelt held Library Yoga, where kids and parents alike learned to harness their energy and stretch out those winter blues. Over 40 4th, 5th and 6th graders delved into the M.C.B.A. Book Club book this month, complete with successful discussions!

The month ahead is even more jam-packed with activities. Come move and groove at Roosevelt with our Retro Dance Party and a Sing-a-long! Both branches are planning a PJ Story time, so don your jammies, grab your stuffed animal friends and come read a bed time story with us. Worcester Family Partnerships will be visiting Tatnuck for a Toddler Story time, and Miss LaPan's Make-and-Take Mondays beckon kids and their adults into the library every other Monday for some seasonal crafty, creative fun. Finally, grab your loved ones, break out the ribbons and lace, and skip over to either branch for a Valentine making workshop with the Worcester Historical Museum.

So come visit your friendly new librarians at the One City One Library branches and visit our event calendar for dates and times! Happy New Year!

Winter in the Children's Room

Between holidays and vacations, December is always a busy time in the children's room. At the main library, we had a gingerbread workshop, a royal tea party, African story-acting, the always amazing Tanglewood Marionettes, and a host of other programs. We also had many visits from local preschools, which reminded us how much we love to introduce children to the wonders of the library. If you're an educator or group leader, please consider a field trip here. We ask for at least two weeks' notice; schedule by calling 508-799-1667 or emailing dkarlin@worcpublib.org. 

In preparation for 2014, we've also been doing some rearranging in the children's room. Looking for DVDS, graphic novels, folktales, our parenting collection, EZ readers, or oversize juvenile fiction? They have all moved! Ask a librarian if you need help finding something.

January is a time of fresh starts, and we invite you to start afresh with us. Borrow a book, sign up for a storytime, learn to draw manga, join a book club, act out African folktales, or learn some baby massage techniques. We'd love to be your New Year's resolution!

Keep an eye on the calendar and on Facebook for more information about upcoming events, or call the children's room at 508-799-1671 with any questions.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Today is the last "unlucky" Friday the 13th of 2013. Read about why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky  here.

In honor of this date, we have put together a book list of spooky fiction by Stephen King, Chuck Palahniuk and others. Check one out this weekend for your snowed-in reading pleasure! Click here to view the list in our catalog, and place a hold if you'd like.

JAWS Workshop by Talking Book Library

The Worcester Talking Book Library is conducting a free workshop on Jaws, a screen reading program for users with visual impairment. The session will be held on Saturday, December 14 from 10 AM – 12 PM in the computer lab at the Worcester Public Library.

This workshop will cover basic and intermediate text editing; spelling and grammar check; document formatting quick keys; techniques for quickly skimming long documents; setting typing echo; and using JAWS “Research It” as a dictionary.

Participants should have basic typing skills (a minimum of approximately 25 words per minute) and some prior exposure to JAWS or another screen-reading program.

Participants are encouraged to bring a set of headphones to the workshop. If needed, these may be purchased at the Worcester Public Library for $2.00.

Please feel free to share this message with someone whom you think might be interested in attending this workshop.

To register, please contact the Worcester Talking Book Library at 1-800-762-0085 or 1-508-799-1730.

Technology Classes at WPL - Winter 2013-2014

WPL Main Library Free Computer Classes   

       

———–—— Level 1 ——————

Computer Basics (4 Sessions)
Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m., 3rd Floor, Computer Lab

Audience: For anyone who has no computer skills. Familiarize yourself with the computer. Gain mouse and keyboarding skills. Learn how to use the Internet. 

Register at the 2nd Floor Reference Desk or call us at 508-799-1655 x3.

Internet for Beginners (4 Sessions)
Fridays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 3rd Floor, Computer Lab
Audience: For people who have taken the Computer Basics class or have basic computer skills. Instruction on how to surf the Internet effectively, use Google, and access your library account online. Also, view recommended websites, learn to navigate online databases, and retrieve full-text documents. 

Register at the 2nd Floor Reference Desk or call us at 508-799-1655 x3.

————————–——–————  Level 2  ——————————–—————

Microsoft Word for Beginners (4 Sessions)
Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m., 3rd Floor, Computer Lab
Audience: Students, Adult Learners
Learn how to create and edit documents, format text, proofread, upload documents to email, and add tables and graphics.
Pre-requisite: You must have an established email account or should have taken both the level 1 classes.

Register at the 2nd Floor Reference Desk or call us at 508-799-1655 x3.

New!  Facebook for Beginners

Saturdays, December 7, January 18, or February 15,1-2:30 p.m., 3rd Floor, Computer Lab

Audience: For people who have taken the Computer Basics class or have basic computer skills. Explore the uses of Facebook, set up account, find “friends”, and understand privacy settings.

Pre-requisite: You must have an established email account and basic computer and internet skills

Register on the Events Calendar on the library’s website or call 508-799-1655 ext. 3.

 ———————–——–————–— Level 3  ——————————–——

New!  Open Lab with Staff Assistance (Drop-in)
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m., 3rd Floor, Computer Lab
Audience: Students, Job Seekers and Adult Learners with basic computer skills
Drop-in lab designed for people who need extra computer time to work on job applications, Microsoft word documents, or those who need assistance setting up a library account, email, downloading ebooks or audiobooks. No registration required.

New! Drop-In eBook Help

Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 1st Floor Welcome Desk

Audience: Anyone interested in downloading ebooks to their personal computer or devices

Drop by the first floor desk to ask questions and get help downloading eBooks to your eReader or Smartphone. Please bring your device! No registration required.

College Admission Essays, Resume, Job Applications, Research Help
Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 2nd Floor Reference Desk
Audience: Students, Job Seekers, Adult Learners
Assistance with writing resumes and cover letters, finding information on a topic, editing, content organization and citations. 

Register on the Events Calendar on the library’s website or call 508-799-1655 ext. 3.