Brownell Library events for January 2008

Mon., Dec.31 Library Closes at 5pm – Attend First Night!
Tues., Jan. 1 Library Closed – Happy 2008!

Scheduled ClosingsMon., Jan. 21 Library Closed – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday



Adult Events

Exhibits: Kolvoord Community Room: Paintings by the Essex Art League

Glass Case: Alice in Wonderland a collection by Arena Corvo

Big Lobby Table: Saving Energy in the New Year-Smart Swap Light Bulbs

Small Lobby Table: The 60s and the Civil Rights Movement

Downstairs: Cook Books

Fri. Jan.4, 6:30-8:30pm: Essex Art League Reception

Mon. Jan. 7, 7:30pm: Making of the Large Binocular Telescope Mirrors – Scott Pennington offers innovative techniques to make mirrors in the new Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Also Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) which has been built with twin 8.4-meter mirrors, located on Mt. Graham in AZ. Used in tandem, these two mirrors provide resolving power of a 22.8-meter telescope. Some of the unique capabilities of the LBT will be outlined and what astronomers hope to find using this new instrument. Sponsored by Vt. Astronomical Soc. & Brownell Library

Thurs. Jan. 10 3:30pm: Essex Civil War Sites Brainstorm – Calling all area professional and amateur historians for a brainstorm on a year long project to document and feature Essex connection to the Civil War for citizens of any ages. Free and Wide Open to the Public.

Mon. Jan. 14, 7pm: Veterans Administration Home Buying Loan: It’s Easier Than You Think! by Bobbi Holzel – If you have served in any branch of the armed services/active duty, retired, or in the Guard, come see if you qualify for the VA Guaranteed Mortgage. With her 15 years experience of providing VA home loans, Bobbi Holzel will help you learn about the documentation you’ll need in order to pre-qualify for this veterans’ benefit. Because it is guaranteed by the VA and has no mortgage insurance, this loan has significantly reduced monthly payments. Find out how you can avoid paying closing costs.

Tues. Jan 15, 7pm: Library Trustees Meeting

Wed. Jan 16, 6pm: I Remember What Mama Used to Cook: A Potluck Plus Reminiscences – What were your favorite foods or recipes from childhood? Come to the library, bringing one dish to share, plus the recipe for trade. Be prepared to tell us a story about your favorite foods growing up- a fun evening of childhood memories around the dinner table. Library will provide decaf coffee, paper papers and napkins. Seating limited to 40.

Fri., Jan. 18, 8:30am-noon: Support State Funding for Public Libraries – Converge on Montpelier to let your representatives know that there needs to be a line-item for public libraries in the Vermont state budget! State Legislative Day sponsored by Vermont Library Association. See: http://www.vermontlibraries.org

Fri., Jan. 18, 6:30pm: Adult Movie: “The Maltese Falcon,” the 1941 film noir classic, directed by John Houston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet. Compare the movie version to the book. (See below.)

Thurs. Jan. 24, 3:30pm: The Big Read: Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon – Books and Reading guides available at the Circulation Desk. Led by Penny Pillsbury, who is reading it for the first time, too! Detective Sam Spade embroiled with a mysterious client, avenges the death of his partner and chases a priceless treasure.

Wed. Jan. 30, 7pm: Civil War Sites in Vermont with Howard Coffin – Historian and author has found fascinating places right here in Vermont. Come hear about these places, share your stories and help the advance the project to document Essex’s Civil War sites and stories. Sponsored by the Vt. Humanities Council and the Meeks Memorial Fund.

Youth Events

Preschool Story Times!

Story Times are offered on a weekly basis – regular attendance is encouraged. Space is limited in each group, to avoid overcrowding. Here’s the schedule:
Tuesday Story Time for Toddlers (18-36 months) – 9:10-9:30am – Picture books, songs, rhymes, and puppets for toddlers with an adult. (Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29)
Tuesday Story Time for 3-5 Year Olds – 10-10:45am – Picture books, songs, rhymes, puppets, and math activities for preschoolers. (Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29)
Wednesday Story Time for 3-5 Year Olds – 10-10:45am – Repeat of Tuesday program. (Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30)

Thurs. Jan. 3, 3-4pm: Teen Advisory Board – For teens, by teens. If you’re a teenager, please come and help us plan programs at the library that you’d like to see. We serve snacks! New members welcome.

Fri. Jan. 4 & 18, 10-10:45am: Songs and Stories with Matthew – Matthew Witten performs songs about our world and tells adventurous tales. For all ages - no registration. Funded by Friends of Brownell Library.

Wed. Jan. 9, 9am: DCF Booktalks for Homeschoolers – Each month, students in Gr. 4-8 hear book talks of 4 titles from this year’s DCF list. Students vote for their favorite to win the DCF Book Award in the spring. Group discussion encouraged! Call 878-6956.

Wed. Jan. 9, 9am: Red Clover Picture Books for Homeschoolers – Each month, students read and do activities with 2 of the 10 titles on the list for this year’s Red Clover Award. Voting takes place in the spring. For Gr. K-3. Call 878-6956 to register.

Fri. Jan. 11 & 25: 10-10:30am: New Drop-In Story Time for Kids of All Ages – Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers are welcome to come listen to Picture Book Stories and have fun with Finger Plays and Action Rhymes. No registration required.

Fri. Jan. 11, 6:30-8:30pm: Teen Movie: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” – A zany spoof of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail, with the madcap antics of the Monty Python comedy troupe. (Rated PG.) . Free popcorn and soda. Hosted by Teen Advisory Board.

Sat. Jan. 12, 10-11am – Read to Clyde & Sara, Therapy Dogs – Clyde (a Maltese Terrier) and Sara (a Chocolate Lab) are best friends who love to listen to kids read! Sign up now to read to Clyde or Sara and listen while other kids read. For Gr. K-5. Call 878-6956

Tues. Jan. 15, 3:30-4:30pm: NECI’s Tasty Reads: Stone Soup – Join the NECI Student Chefs to make a big pot of Stone Soup, inspired by the classic folktale. Lots of tasty ingredients will go into the pot, and the chefs will read a variety of soup stories. For Gr. K-5. Register at 878-6956.

Thurs. Jan. 17, 3-4pm: Middle School Book Lovers Pizza Club – Come chat about whatever book you’re reading right now and have pizza too! This month’s program for Middle Schoolers, next month High Schoolers. Call 878-6956.

Thurs. Jan.24, 3:30-4:30pm: Read to Dieter, Therapy Dog – Come meet our new after-school pooch. Dieter is a Yellow Lab who is a trained Therapy Dog. He will listen to you read any book you choose. Sign up now at 878-6956. For Gr. K-5.

Thurs. Jan. 24, 3:30-4:45pm: Author Carol Greene: Buttons - Self published author and Vermonter, Carol Greene, will discuss her novel, Buttons. She is a vibrant, passionate speaker who is glad to be sharing her experiences writing and publishing a novel independently. No registration is required. Please call 878-6956 if you have questions.

Fri. Jan. 25, 6:30-8:30pm: Family Movie: “Indian in the Cupboard” – On his 9th birthday, Omri receives a gift of a cupboard that brings his toy Indian to life. (Rated PG.) Free popcorn and soda. Hosted by Teen Advisory Board.