Beebe Library suggests trying some new authors in the New Year

It is January — a new year, the first week and the first month of the New Year. In that spirit, this is a great time to try something new or read a new author. There is an abundance of good debuts from excellent writers available this year at the Beebe Library.

Due out this month is Erica Bauermeister’s The School of Essential Ingredients. This is a tasty novel that tells the story of a different character in each section. According to Booklist, “the effect is a series of pearl-like vignettes stretched out along a narrative string.” Both the unifying character (and clever plot device) is each character’s participation in a cooking class run by Lillian, a restaurateur who encourages her cooks to use their senses as well as the recipes.
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On Saturday, January 3, Beebe Library will offer its annual magazine giveaway. At the end of each year, the library removes hard copies of magazines that are more than two years old. The content of these magazines is still available electronically through online magazine indexes that can be accessed on library computers and also from computers at your home.

Stop by the library between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday to browse through a wide selection of magazines that are two years old. Take some home for reading during the upcoming winter weather, discover some ideas for home projects or try some new recipes.

Although the magazines are of little or no value, donations to the
Friends of the Library will be accepted.

EqualAccess Grant helps library serve middle school kids
Over the summer, the library conducted a number of focus groups to determine how the library can best serve middle school students over the coming year. With the help of an EqualAccess grant through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the library solicited input not only from the community, but also from a number of young adults (teens) who have agreed to serve on the Young Adult Advisory Board. This board is responsible for advising library staff about library activities for teens. And they’ve been very hard at work since October.
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Mini-grant enables library to offer special storytimes

Mother Goose on the Loose is a story program that helps children develop early literacy skills, a stepping stone in getting your child ready to read. Nursery rhymes, movement games, finger plays, music and story encourage children to recognize patterns of language as very small children.
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