We would like to congratulate Helen Tomer for her 20 years of service at the Topsham Public Library! Helen started working at TPL in May, 1996. Thank you for your service, Helen!
Blog
My Favorite Place
Saturday was the Summer Reading kick-off and many of you came by and picked up your packet. We are so excited to get this year’s program underway! Everyone left Topsham Public Library with piles of books and movies and audiobooks to get them started on their bookmarks.
I love leaving Topsham Public Library with books and movies and audiobooks. Sometimes I get chided about how many items I bring home. “Leave some for others,” my kids say. And now that we are truly into summer, I get to enjoy my pile of goodies sitting in my favorite reading spot. I have a fire pit on my front lawn where we burn leaves in the fall and roast hot dogs and marshmallows in the summer. That is where I like to read. On chillier days, I may be wrapped in a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate by my side; on warmer days, it’s bare feet and lemonade.
I like reading outside. Part of the reason is because winter can be so long – who wants to be inside in the summer? But the other part is because my imagination works better outside. I like reading fantasy and medieval legends by my fire pit because there is usually a great stone fire place in the story or the tale has travelers huddling around a fire in the wild, and I feel like I’m there. I like reading non-fiction outside because I look up at the sky with its amazing sun and think that the people in the book and I share that same sky and are warmed by that same sun. And I like reading literature and love stories in the fresh air with the grass under my feet. When I read outside, I feel good inside.
Do you have a favorite spot to read? Where is it and why?
Oh – and if you haven’t picked up your summer reading packet, drop on by – we have one waiting for you!
Summer Reading Starts Saturday!! Yipppeeeeeeee!!
The air is a little bit sweeter. The skin tingles with excitement. You can sense it’s quick approach. SUMMER READING IS ALMOST HERE!!
The youngsters have already been asking about it, and the staff have already been preparing for it. (If you were at Topsham Public Library last Saturday morning you saw Dave and I cutting out stars and putting together children’s summer reading packets.)
Many of you already know the drill, but for any who may not, Topsham Public Library hosts a Summer Reading Program for children, that means babies, too, all the way up to adults. The rules differ slightly for each age group (which we will happily go over with you when you pick up your packet), but basically you can earn prizes by reading. And we have some pretty good prizes.
Topsham Public Libray also hosts special activities in conjunction with the summer reading program: Wednesday, June 22 at 10:30am there is a family concert featuring Matt Loosigian; on Friday, July 8 at 10:30am Lindsay will come with her Puppet Pals; and on Wednesday, August 10 at 10:30am we are having a DANCE PARTY!! This is just a smattering of what we have lined up for kids. We will also have programming for teens and adults, so stay tuned!
So, after you are done fishing at the Fishing Rally on Saturday, swing by Topsham Public Library and pick up your summer reading packet!
Fishing Rally Time!
It’s that time of year again! On June 4, 2016, at the ponds behind Topsham’s Solid Waste Facility you can fish, without a license, from 8am-11am! (Please note the change: usually, it is Father’s Day weekend, but it has been switched up this year.) This fun, outdoor opportunity is offered to you through a partnership between Topsham Public Library and Topsham Parks and Recreation Department. There will be prizes and even refreshments!
You don’t have a pole? That’s OK – we do! Fishing poles and bait will be available for people who need them.
Would you rather read about fishing than actually go fishing? We have that covered, too! You might want to try Fly Fishing the 41st: Around the World on the 41st Parallel by James Prosek. Or, how about Faithful Travelers: A Father, A Daughter, A Fly-Fishing Journey of the Heart by James Dodson. For something closer to home, try Fishing Maine by Tom Seymour.
Maybe you are looking for a book about fishing to read to your child or grandchild. Perhaps you might like to try Buck Wilder’s Small Fry Fishing Guide by Tim Smith and Mark Herrick. We also have a picture book, A Good Day’s Fishing by James Prosek, you might enjoy.
We hope to see you at the pond!
It’s a Mystery!
If you have been to Topsham Public Library lately, you may have noticed Emma’s display for the month is showcasing mysteries. Do you know May is Mystery Month?
Do you enjoy a light mystery? Obviously, Agatha Christie is a good place to start. You can choose between Miss Marple, or Hercule Poirot, or even Tommy and Tuppence plus others. Or perhaps you would enjoy the Hamish MacBeth or Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton.
Do you want something a little darker? Try Jo Nesbo’s books featuring the detective Harry Hole, or Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander series.
Maybe something in the middle between light and dark is more to your liking? Charles Todd writes a series that takes place between the World Wars with Ian Rutledge as the lead detective, or I have recently found Tana French who writes detective stories set in Ireland.
Do you want a mystery that takes place in Maine and written by a Maine author? Look no further than Paul Doiron and his Mike Bowditch mysteries.
Would you rather watch a mystery than read a mystery? Well, many of Agatha Christie’s books have been dramatized as well as the Hamish MacBeth series. PBS is currently showing the final Wallander season on Sunday evenings (Do you know that the dishy Tom Hiddleston is in 7 episodes of Wallander with Kenneth Branagh?). But there is always more for your enjoyment: Hinterland, Vera, Inspector Lewis, Inspector Lynley, Foyle’s War, Castle, The Closer, Waking the Dead, and so much more!
I realize that my suggestions are like a speck of dust on the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a start. And if you have already read and seen all of these ideas, come and talk to our staff member Linda as she is our mystery expert and can put you on the trail of someone new.
Talking about new. Do any of you read the Flavia DeLuce series by Alan Bradley? Have I got news for you! In September 2016 his newest addition, Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d, is being released. Get on the wait list now!
And don’t forget, author Charlene D’Avanzo, will be here at 3pm on Tuesday, May 24 to discuss her first mystery Cold Blood, Hot Sea. Come join us!
The Orchid Rescuer
The following is the next installment in the series in which I interview Topsham Public Library staff members.
She didn’t set out to fall in love with orchids, but it happened nonetheless. It started with a gift. With that first orchid, Cyndi has since collected over twenty orchids and the majority of them are ones that people gave her in lieu of throwing them onto the compost pile. She tends them with care and nurses them back to health.
Cyndi is an odd mix. On the one hand she is like a good fairy: any spider or hornet or any other creature that might be found trapped inside the library must be captured and set free outside; when dealing with issues, and there can be quite a few issues at a public library, she tries to get to the root of the situation and to understand the thought processes behind the various standpoints; if she knows of a need and she can fill that need, she does.
But, on the other hand, she has a very active dark side: she makes her children move over on the couch so that her dogs can sit there; she would like to invite Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Angus King, Hilary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Mark Eves and Paul LePage to dinner then sit back and watch what happens; she hides creepy fake teeth around the office for innocent, unsuspecting staff members to find, and if she’s smiling at you – you might want to hide.
The majority of her formative years were spent in Topsham, so I asked Cyndi what it is like serving in the same community that she grew up in. She thought a moment and said, “Small. You are always the librarian no matter where you go.”
Lately, Cyndi has been on a non-fiction reading binge, but she enjoys fiction as well. Naturally she is up on the Young Adult reads as she is the Teen Librarian.
Her first favorite books made up the Mother West Wind Series by Thornton W. Burgess. When I asked her, if she could be a character in a book, who would she be, her answer was Amelia in the Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters. One of Amelia’s characteristics that attracts Cyndi is a sense of toughness, and the other characteristic is Amelia’s sense of silliness. It’s that good fairy and dark side mix all over again.
Cyndi prefers to stay-in instead of going out, likes using an e-reader if travelling, and chooses the hotel over a tent every time. She would choose hiking over kayaking just so the dogs could go, too (although who is walking who is always up to interpretation). She prefers the ocean to the mountains, the book over the movie, and mustard instead of ketchup.
Do you recall my mentioning that Cyndi would invite politicians to dinner if she could? Well, Cyndi won’t be cooking that dinner. At least I hope not as her favorite meal is popcorn. When Cyndi craves things it’s usually salty foods which is fine, but Cyndi does NOT like chocolate! (I’m not sure how she functions!)
If she could not be a librarian, Cyndi would like to be a grief counselor. It’s that caring side again, and if she could wave her magic wand, she would bestow more empathy on the human race, but if she had to choose between you or her dogs – it would be the dogs every time.
Author to Visit May 24!
Topsham Public Library’s Mystery Reader’s Roundtable (MRR) cordially invites you to their May 24 meeting at 3pm as they welcome special guest Charlene D’Avanzo, author of Cold Blood, Hot Sea. Author talks are always interesting and engaging, but what makes this particularly fun is that Ms. D’Avanzo contacted MRR and asked if she could visit them!
Ms. D’Avanzo is from Yarmouth, Maine and is a marine ecologist, professor emeritus at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and has a passion for kayaking. Ms. D’Avanzo not only wants to entertain, but also hopes to educate readers about climate change with her first mystery. Her book will be available for purchase and signing at the group discussion.
This is not the first time something like this has happened! MRR has established a great reputation. Linda Meadows, staff member, has facilitated MRR for the last five years and her hard work, and the enthusiasm of MRR members has paid off.
At the March 2016 meeting, all went as it usually does: the group met, they discussed the mystery they read, and Linda informed them of the title for next month’s reading, The Secret Life of Anna Blanc by Jennifer Kincheloe. About a week prior to the April meeting, Linda received a surprise in her email inbox. Jennifer Kincheloe heard that MRR was reading her book, and she contacted Linda to let her know she was willing to Skype with them during their meeting! Of course Linda took her up on her offer, and they had a delightful time. They discussed the plot and characters of the book, but also questioned Ms. Kincheloe about her writing process.
Ms. Kincheloe lives in Denver, Colorado with her family and she has a PhD in Health Services. The work ethic needed in completing a PhD aided her well when writing her first book. Linda described her as engaging, articulate, funny and down to earth. Look for her second release coming in June, 2017.
So you’ve been publicly shamed…
Yesterday the Rare Readers discussed So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. Have you read it? What did you think?
Series Premier: 60 Checkouts
The following is the next installment of a series in which I interview staff members of Topsham Public Library.
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
“The Fifth Annual Poetry Festival Saturday, April 30”
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
“Lawyers in Libraries, May 6”
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
“Sharon Ross, Development Coordinator of Topsham Public Library”
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
“I’m Susan Preece.”
“I’m Emma Gibbon.”
“I’m Julie McDuff.”
“And I’m Jennifer Balser. Those stories and more tonight on 60 Checkouts.”
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
On Saturday, April 30 at 1pm Topsham Public Library is hosting their fifth Poetry Festival. Guests this year include a former Poet Laureate of Portland, Marcia Brown, a Joy of the Pen Winner, Robert Breen, and Joy of the Pen honorable mention, Helene McGlauflin. For the past five years now, Topsham Public Library has attempted to make poetry more mainstream and one must wonder what sinister powers are behind such endeavors. Isn’t poetry best kept in the confines of the high school classroom? Should such art be thrust upon the general public? The editorial staff at 60 Checkouts challenges you to attend the Poetry Festival and decide for yourself what role poetry should have in our community.
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Topsham Public Library has been striving to be a community center that is relevant to the patrons it serves. As such, they are participating in the Lawyers in Libraries program. On May 6, 12noon-2pm, a lawyer will be present at Topsham Public Library to meet and speak with members of the public about issues of access to courts and justice in the 21st Century. The lawyer will also provide general guidance and information on referral to legal resources to individual attendees. Rebecca Brochu of Shankman & Associates, Topsham will be available for 10-15 minute private consultations.
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
You may not even know she’s there; everything she does is performed with the stealth of a lion hunting a poor unsuspecting zebra. She sits quiet in her corner of the office, working diligently on some project to advance the goals of Topsham Public Library, but don’t be fooled, there is much more to Sharon Ross than meets the eye.
Sharon is originally from California, which automatically makes her suspect. When asked which she prefers, she was very coy in her answer. She likes California for its winters, and she notes that California’s economy is better, but Maine has its benefits as well. Though winter is nicer in California, she prefers Maine’s weather spring through fall, and she thoroughly enjoys the culture in southern Maine.
Presently, Sharon Ross is Development Coordinator for Topsham Public Library and teaches Literature and English Composition and Interpersonal Communications at Southern Maine Community College and Central Maine Community College, but she started in newspapers. At one time, Sharon sold ads, designed ads and over time became the Associate Editor of The Mountain News, a weekly paper. She was picked up by the daily San Bernardino Sun as a page designer and eventual Community Editor. (Suddenly I am nervous about my grammar, or lack of, and poor use of commas – commas are my downfall.)
These positions all have something in common: the ability to analyze. This ability is a definite asset in the work world, but what does that ability look like in the personal world? Well, imagine Sharon coming home with a new dvd she checked out from Topsham Public Library. She greets her family, “Look what I have! Do you want to watch a movie tonight?” Her family shoots furtive looks at each other, and suddenly they are checking the calendars on their phones. You see, when one watches a movie with Sharon, one needs to be prepared to analyze the minutest details of the movie; with Sharon, you don’t ever just watch a movie.
Not only a lover of books, personally, but also as a teacher of literature, I was eager to get to talking books. Sharon’s first favorite book is James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. I mentioned that Mrs. Weeks, the librarian when I attended Williams-Cone Elementary ages ago, read that very book to us, and she, too, had a teacher read that book to her. Her favorite short story (short story is her favorite genre) to teach is The Beast, Watered from the collection Under the Light by Sam Michel.
Sharon is the first person I have ever met who said there was a time she liked a movie better than the book! The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a better movie than book. Sharon found the book was not funny and lacked a narrative arc. She prefers Jane Austen over the Bronte sisters, and she does prefer fiction over non-fiction.
Sharon’s favorite TV series is Doc Martin, a lot to analyze there, and Velvet Galerias. Not having heard of Velvet Galerias, she explained she watches it on Netflix and it’s from Spain (yes, subtitles) set in the 1950s in the fashion industry. Sharon’s mother was a seamstress and Sharon thinks that’s part of the draw to this series.
Sharon would rather go out than stay in, would rather ski than snowboard, and would do laundry over washing dishes. And who would Sharon have to dinner if she could invite any eight people? She would invite friends from the various stages of her life: early childhood, old high school friends, California friends, and Maine friends. Sharon prefers Streisand over Adele, the Beatles over One Direction, and Chrissie Hynde over Springsteen or Mellencamp.
Whatever tunes she might be humming, rest assured, the lyrics have been analyzed.
Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
School Vacation Week Activities and Events – April Edition
It’s school vacation week and Topsham Public Library has some great events lined up for you!
On Thursday, April 21 from 1-3pm our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) event is taking place. Tables will be set up with various activities. This event is open to all ages. If you need more information call us at 725-1727 or email Mariah at mariah@topshamlibrary.org.
Friday, April 22 from 10am-12pm, one of Topsham Public Library’s signature events, BIG TRUCK DAY RETURNS! This event is, I daresay, the most popular event of the year. Hundreds turn out to see some BIG vehicles up close! All ages are welcome and it will take place rain or shine. Our parking lot will be full of BIG vehicles, so please park at the Topsham Recreation Field and walk down.
To wrap it up, on Saturday, April 24 from 1-3pm you can come build with our extensive Lego collection. Regular Legos are open to children ages 7-13 and large Duplo blocks will be available in the children’s area for younger children.
Our normal programming will be taking place as well, so whether you come for one of our special events or to participate in a regularly scheduled program, I hope to see you at Topsham Public Library this week!