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In a March 24th opinion article in the New York Times entitled "Keep it Brief," author Danny Heitman opines on the value of writing articles short enough to keep the attention of the reader. He said that 25 years ago, in his first job as a writer for a paper, he had to write a book review column of no more than 200 words. This was quite the opposite of the 12 page papers he was used to writing for his college classes. I read his entire column in the Times and, incidentally, it was 1038 words. He pointed out that the object was to write not so long as to lose the readers interest, and thus lose the readers willingness to stick it out to the end of the article.
I remember hearing something about brevity in a writer's class I attended in college. But having spent more years than I can remember practicing law, and writing legal briefs where, as we would often joke, we were paid by the word, I forgot the value of brevity of speech. Henceforth, you will see much shorter "Dear Reader" columns from me. Hopefully that will induce you to read more of the other good articles that appear here.
Good news of things to come:
- An exhibit of art done by a local artist, inspired by the Holocaust, at Fairmont Branch Library until April 8th;
- A new format for the newsletter;
- A lot of new programs to interest you on the calendars;
- New expanded hours at both libraries, allowing us to serve more people in our community;
- This year's "Can the Fine" drive at the end of April;
- New movies weekly in the library MovieBoxes for your enjoyment.
I hope to see you at the library soon, where every week is different!
Thomas C. Simiele
Library Director 
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Can The Fine 
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Book & DVD Sale 
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This month we will be trying something  new at the library. Radio Shows were immensely popular in the United States before television was widely available. Some of you may remember your family gathering around the warm glow of the old fashioned radio and enjoying the rich variety of programming that was available at the time. For those of you who haven't listened to a radio show, you are in for a special treat. For the month of April, the library will be presenting three different radio programs.
The first will be a dramatic presentation of the hit movie 'Star Wars.' Featuring an all-star cast, this version of 'Star Wars' was presented by National Public Radio (NPR) and broke several audience records. This is a must for 'Star Wars' fans. Next, we will be presenting 'Dragnet' which, according to Wikipedia, "...is perhaps the most famous and influential police procedural drama in media history." The final radio show for the month of April will be a selection of 'The Adventures Ellery Queen.' This program stars Hugh Marlowe and is unique in that it gives the audience a chance to try and solve the mystery. If you love radio shows or would like to try a new experience, this is a great opportunity.
Join us for the fun in April!
Tuesday, April 8 @ 3:00 p.m. - Star Wars
Tuesday, April 15 @ 3:00 p.m. - Dragnet
Tuesday, April 22 @ 3:00 p.m. - Ellery Queen
For additional programming, click the following links:
Central Activity Calendar Branch Activity Calendar
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National Decorating Month 
The season of creative thinking is upon us. During April, the library will be highlighting National Decorating Month. This is the time to get out, do some spring cleaning and decorate your home. If you need ideas to get started, the library is just the place to find information on new trends and ideas.
To help patrons easily find books to start on their projects, the library will have displays showcasing selected materials from the collection. The collection ranges from lawn and gardens to decks, interior decorating, organizing and much more. New titles on those subjects will also be on hand throughout the month. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned decorator, the books available will cover all skill levels, from easy to do crafts to complete remodeling projects.
If you're not sure where to get started and simply want to browse the collection, the catalog will show you where to find the complete section. Staff is also available to help you find the information you need and answer your questions. Remember you don't always have to do large scale renovations to have a big impact.
The following titles are part of our new collection:
- The Little Book of Decorating Ideas by Katy McColl
- DIY Ideas: Projects and tips for every room by Better Homes and Gardens
- The Complete Artist's Manual by Simon Jennings
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AARP TAX-AIDE ENDS FRIDAY, APRIL 11
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Holiday Closures
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MovieBox
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Book Club Banter
 First Monday Book Club Monday, April 7 @ 6:00 p.m. Fairmont Library Conference Room 4330 Fairmont Pkwy. Pasadena, Texas 77504 (281) 998-1095 This month's book selection is: Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett Tea Time Mystery Book Club Monday, April 28 @ 3:30 p.m. Fairmont Library Conference Room 4330 Fairmont Pkwy. Pasadena, Texas 77504 (281) 998-1095 For this month's book selection, please call the Fairmont Branch Library. For information regarding these book clubs, please contact Mark Anderson (Tea Time Mystery) at 713.475.4993 or William Simpson (First Monday) at 281.998.1095 x15. |
Author Glimpse: Children's Books
Celebrity Authors Part II:
This month, we're continuing to spotlight celebrities who have written children's novels.
To see more titles from the following authors, please visit www.ppltx.net.
Sir Paul McCartney: High in the Clouds
 Bill Cosby
My Big Lie
Super Fine Valentine, Shipwreck Saturday
& more!
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Staff Spotlight:
Traycie Ellen Isaacson Sublett
Why I Love the Pasadena Public Library: It's a wonderful place to work. I enjoy the peaceful environment and getting to see all the new materials as they come in. So many books, so little time.
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