January 2014
   
In This Issue

"Lilly" Hits the Road! 

  

Children and teachers at the Lincoln Street Elementary School were treated to the first of many visits from "Lilly," the Worcester Public Library's brand-new bookmobile, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 8th. 
 
Lilly, much like the Worcester Public Library's existing bookmobile, Libby, will have a collection of more than 2,000 children's materials: books, audio books, and DVDs as well as e-tablets and a touch screen computer. Lilly will be dedicated to servicing Worcester Public Elementary Schools.   

 

Funding for Lilly was made possible through a donation from the United Way of Central MA, while the books and technology were funded through a grant from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The goal of Lilly is to provide public library services to public schools that do not have access, or have limited access, to library services. The addition of a second mobile library originated as part of the One City, One Library project, which aims to expand library services at Worcester's elementary schools and improve literacy among school-aged children. 

Adult Programs this Winter  
 
Looking to get started on those New Year's resolutions? Make 2014 your lifelong learning year with help from your library!
 
Get ready book lovers, the WPL Adult Book Club
returns on January 14, at 6:00 p.m.  To be discussed: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin at the Third Floor Ellipse.  
Improve your health: Learn how stress reduction can be achieved through meditation techniques at our Introduction to Transcendental Meditation (TM) presentation on Saturday, January 25 at 2:00 p.m. in the Banx Room. We'll follow up on Tuesday, January 28 with a look at how TM is helping veterans deal with PTSD at 7 p.m. in the Saxe Room.  
 
Learn to knit: Our crafty librarians will teach you to knit if you need help getting started, or if you're a whiz with the needles, why not knit for charity? Our Knitting Circle, at 12-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays, lets you unleash your creative side.
 
And speaking of creative, we have another way that you can give back: Join us for Hearts and Hugs and handcraft some valentines destined for soldiers serving overseas. We'll supply the materials and you supply the loving hands and heartfelt wishes! January 23rd at 3 p.m. in the Banx Room.
From the Teen Room   
 
In 2014, make your New Years' resolution to read more! We have brand new copies of all of the best series including The Hunger Games, Divergent, Beautiful Creatures, Skip Beat!, One Piece and an expanding manga section!
  

We had lots of fun programs in December, including a gingerbread house workshop that yielded many amazing gingerbread fortresses! Make sure to check out our calendar of events for January, as we continue to have a great series of teen programs. Don't forget about our Spilled Ink writers group for teens which meets on the last Wednesday of every month. Our January meeting will be held on the 29th at 6pm. Read more...

 

Save the date! Jan. 26, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. FAFSA DAY. Free help with the financial aid application. 
Winter in the Children's Room
 
Between holidays and vacations, December is always a busy time in the Children's Room. At the Main Library, we had a gingerbread workshop, a royal tea party, African story-acting, the always amazing Tanglewood Marionettes, and a host of other programs. We also had many visits from local preschools, which reminded us how much we love to introduce children to the wonders of the library. If you're an educator or group leader, please consider a field trip here. We ask for at least two weeks' notice; schedule by calling 508-799-1667 or emailing [email protected]
 
In preparation for 2014, we've also been doing some rearranging in the Children's Room...read more. 
Branch Activity
 

With the opening of the Tatnuck Branch Library last month, One City, One Library branches have hit the ground running. Tatnuck hosted a story time and fire safety lesson with Lt. Pickett, from the Worcester Fire Department.  Second graders and parents became book connoisseurs at the Tatnuck Book Tasting event, which showcased several popular grade-level reads. Roosevelt held Library Yoga, where kids and parents alike learned to harness their energy and stretch out those winter blues.  Over forty 4th, 5th and 6th graders delved into the M.C.B.A. Book Club book this month, complete with successful discussions!

Frances Perkins Branch also had a festive holiday season with winter crafts, movies, a teddy bear sleepover, gingerbread houses, storytimes, a minecraft party and more. The months ahead are even more jam-packed with activities...read more. 

Be sure to visit all branches in January to participate in the Valentine-Making Workshop in partnership with the Worcester Historical Society.

Staff Book Recommendations
 
Librarians at Worcester Public Library are always ready to recommend books to patrons. Click on the book covers below to find out what our librarians recommend for our Adult, Teen, and Child patrons:
 
 
 
Adult
Teen
Children

And Check Out Our Reviews...
 
 By Joan Carpenter Troccoli 

This book is a real treat to browse, read, and study at your own pace. It is a large format, high quality publication with wonderful reproductions focusing on a very important part of American art history, Western art. Dr. Joan Troccoli is currently Deputy Director of the Denver Art Museum and has extensive experience in both art publishing and painters of Western art. The term "Western art" is used in a broad sense here and not to be confused with "regionalism". Read more...

For more on what to read, browse our most requested titles and the New York Times fiction and nonfiction bestsellers lists!
Celebrate the Chinese New Year at WPL
 

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, February 1 at 2:30 p.m., come and ring in the Year of the Horse as we celebrate Chinese New Year at the library. Mulan Performing Arts will be presenting music and dance performances as we kick off our Worcester's Ethnic Mosaic series. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Worcester Public Library.

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