@Blue Hill Library

In this issue:

•  Events This Week....
•  "One Click" Digital Audiobook Downloads   
•  Book Sale This Saturday 
•  Reader Dog is Back 
•  Opera Preview Rusalka 

•  New "One Click" digital audio book download service begins THIS SATURDAY! February 1 (see below) 

•  Book sale THIS SATURDAY! February 1, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (see below)  

     The Library is pleased to announce that beginning February 1 it will provide patrons with "One Click Digital" a new audiobook service for use on MP3 players, smartphones, tablets, etc. This new service from Recorded Books, a leader in audiobook production, will give patrons access to approximately 3500 audiobook titles for adults-from classics to contemporary titles-plus almost 1200 titles for children and young adults.  Most titles in this collection will always be available, no matter how many other patrons are using them at the same time, making this a great resource for book groups and class rooms.

       Apps are available for most smartphones and tablets, and the book listening experience is seamless between devices. For instance, a patron could place a bookmark when listening on a tablet or computer, then pick up their phone and continue listening.

     Anyone who is interested in signing up for "One Click Digital" can stop by the Library to get started. After that they will be able to use the service anywhere they can connect to the internet using phones, tablets or regular computers.

     This new service expands the library's other digital library offerings: the Maine InfoNet download library and Freegal.  The Maine InfoNet Library is a state-wide consortium offering access for their patrons to eBooks and some audio content, including additional titles purchased for use by the Blue Hill Library's patrons.  Freegal provides patrons with up to three free MP3 song files each week that may be downloaded and kept permanently.  The Freegal catalog contains over 7 million songs across all genres.

      The library's digital collections allow patrons to take the Blue Hill Library wherever they go and to make good use of their digital devices. To find more information and to connect go to http://www.bhpl.net/digitallibrary.  

     The Friends of the Library will hold their first-Saturday-of-the-month book sale THIS SATURDAY! February 1 in the Library's basement "book nook" from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There are over a thousand quality used books for children and adults.   Most books are still just a dollar or two.  Children at the sale may each take one book for free!

     Featured in this month's sale are "antique" magazines, including The Arts, 1928 - 1930, the Masters in Art series of illustrated monographs, and Atlantic Monthly issues from the 1940s; a new collection of French cookbooks; a nearly complete matched set of Charles Dickens' Illustrated works, published by Fields and Osgood, 1869 and Hardbound Best of Gourmet cookbooks (1996 - 2007) with 10 year index (1996 - 2005).

      The Friends wish to thank the many donors who keep the sale supplied with quality books, and welcome contributions - big or small. Book sale proceeds enable the Friends to sponsor many of the special programs offered at the library, and to make special purchases of books, dvds, etc., and equipment for the library. To donate books that are in good condition or for more information, contact the Library at 374-5515.

     The "Reader Dog" program is coming back to the Library-- with Gracie- - on Tuesdays starting February 4 from 3:10 to 5:10 PM. Reader dog will be every week through April 1, except for February 18, which is during winter break for the local schools. 

    Gracie is a registered therapy dog who enjoys listening to children read. She helps children read in a relaxed and nonjudgmental environment so that they may gain self-confidence.  This is not a drop-in program--children may sign up for 20 minute slots ahead of time with Pat Horton, Children's Librarian. For more information or to sign up, call Pat at 374-5515.

       Antonín Dvořák's opera "Rusalka" comes to the Grand in Ellsworth on Saturday, February 8, by live simulcast from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. To help music lovers prepare for this event, the Bagaduce Music Lending Library and Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library will join together to introduce and study this theatrical journey at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 7, in the Howard Room of the Blue Hill Public Library.

     Renée Fleming returns to one of her signature roles, singing the enchanting "Song to the Moon" in Dvořák's "soulful fairy-tale opera." Tenor Piotr Beczala and mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick co-star, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.

 

      Local opera enthusiasts Linda Lesko and David Porter will summarize the plot, introduce the music and offer some ideas of special ways to enjoy the Saturday simulcast. All are welcome, no previous opera knowledge is needed, and admission is free. For more information, call the library at 374-5515.

Don't hesitate to call us for more information at 207-374-5515.