Print Awareness, understanding that print has meaning, knowing how to handle a book and being aware that we live in a world of printed messages, is a foundational literacy skill.
Understanding that print has meaning begins with pictures. When you sit with an infant and a board book, you begin by pointing to pictures of objects familiar to that child, balls, babies, cars, etc. The child is learning that a two dimensional drawing of an object can represent that object. This seems obvious, but it is really a major intellectual development. Over time, as you continue to read to the child, the child learns that “car” can be represented by a picture or by the letters c-a-r.
Continue »

When looking for a great read or a terrific suggestion for a gift for someone who has read everything–first authors can provide the reader with a fresh and dynamic voice and reading experience. If a contemporary look at another culture interests you, try this first novel by a Massachusetts author. According to “Booklist,” Roberta Gately’s absorbing debut, Lipstick in Afghanistan, transports readers to the small Afghan village of Bamiyan in the months after 9/11. A volunteer for a French relief organization, Elsa Murphy, a young nurse, has left her tragic life behind in Boston in the hopes of finding a purpose by providing aid and medical care in Afghanistan. Continue »

Discussion begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall
The next gathering of Beebe Library’s book discussion group, Books By the Lake, is on November 17, 2010 in the Lecture Hall at 7:30 p.m. for the discussion of the title: Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin.
This book discussion group combines the enjoyment of reading a single title and the desire to share insights, observations, and feelings about that one book with others who have read it. So many novels create a need in some readers to share their reactions about the book with others, as well as an opportunity to personally grow from the discussions of related themes and common experiences.

Books by the Lake, Beebe Library’s long-running book discussion group, recently discussed “Baking Cakes in Kigali,” Gaile Parkin’s soaring novel set in an international apartment complex in Rwanda.

Those interested in reading more novels set in Africa may want to check out the following titles: “The Bride Price,” “Half of a Yellow Sun,” and “Little Bee.” These are the titles of three Nigerian novels by three different authors and they all provide a different slice of time and culture within Nigeria.
Continue »

Proclamation issued by Governor Deval Patrick
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
A PROCLAMATION
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
“Whereas Parents are their children’s earliest and most continuous teachers, and are full partners with teachers, principals and administrators in the education of their children; and
“Whereas Along with schools and local communities, parents are critical to the success of education reform and responsible for the future of education in the Bay State; and
“Whereas Families benefit from learning together and being involved in literacy and educational activities; and
“Whereas It is essential that communities, libraries and schools provide families with opportunities for family literacy and reading activities that encourage families to read with their children and use public libraries; and
Continue »

On Tuesday, November 9 at 2:30, kids in grades 5 and up are invited to a manga swap in the lecture hall.

Manga is the name for Japanese comic books, which often have a distinctive artistic style and format. Manga is becoming incredibly popular here in the States, and Beebe Library used grants from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to add to the comics and manga collection in the Young Adult section.

Manga fans, are you running out of space for your books? Ready to read something new, but need to clear away some of the old stuff? Bring your manga books to the library and trade with other kids! This will give you a chance to find your next favorite series and get a start on it for free! You can talk about your favorite stories and characters with other fans, clear out your bookshelves, and take home new things to fill the shelves back up with! The swap will happen Tuesday, November 9 at 2:30 in the Beebe Lecture Hall. Snacks and soda will be served.

Need another reason to come to the swap? We’re going to be discussing the formation of a library Anime Club! Even if you don’t have books to swap, come anyway and find out what kinds of things we’ll be doing in the club, and get involved!

Book discussion group for mystery readers
Supper Sleuths, Beebe Library’s book discussion group for mystery lovers, will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 9 to dicsuss Canadian Mysteries. Supper Sleuths meets on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss mysteries fro a variety of genres.