February 2014
   
In This Issue

A Look Ahead

   

As spring nears, we look forward to more growth and exciting programs here at the Worcester Public Library. Preparations are underway for the opening of our third public branch library, as part of the One City, One Library initiative, in early April at the Goddard School of Science and Technology.

Also, this February marks the 100th anniversary of the Frances Perkins Branch. Stay tuned for celebration efforts as well as fundraising plans for branch renovations. Lastly, as part of the re-branding efforts for the library, we will be launching a new look for the website in April. This new template will offer a more streamlined, organized and comprehensive platform for our users, in addition to a refreshed look!
Adult Programs  

Love is in the air at the library! The creative side of love will be expressed as we welcome songstresses Jillian Parsons and Tracy Dankwah as they present Some Like It Hot: Torch Songs on February 11th at 7:30 p.m. in the Banx Room. 

Get lost in a daughter's love for her father in Mary Bonina's new memoir My Father's Eyes. Ms. Bonina will be reading from her book on Tuesday, March 2 in the Saxe Room. Also, mark your calendar for the next Adult Book Club on Tuesday, March 18th from 6-8 pm, 3rd Floor Ellipse. To be discussed: The Curiosity by Stephen Kiernan.
Teen Zone 

This February in the Teen Zone we will be welcoming the return of many sessions of programs that took a hiatus over the winter! Learn to Draw Manga classes resumed on January 31 and will run every other Friday through April 11th from 3-4 p.m. Crafternoons will be returning on Fridays, and we will be trying out a new program, Edible Art! Teens can make edible creations on the last Friday of every month, starting on February 28.

 

We will also be welcoming middle grade author Anna Staniszewski to our Spilled Ink writing club on February 26th from 6-7:30. Anna will run a writing workshop for aspiring teen writers, talk about her latest book, and answer questions about pursuing writing as a career!

 

Our Chess Club, which meets on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m., will welcome instructor Donna Alarie to our meeting on February 20th. Donna will do an in-depth workshop on strategy, catering to all ability levels.

 

And don't forget about our teen magazine, Turtle Soup! This magazine features articles, poetry, stories, photography and artwork by Worcester teens. If you are a teenager who would like to get involved or submit a work to the magazine, contact Teen Librarian Samantha at sbodine@worcpublib.org.

February Fun in the Children's Room  
 

It may be cold out, but schoolwork is heating up!  Are you working on your science fair project? Researching a famous individual? We're here to help! Of course, we have books (beat out the competition and be sure to place a hold), but also consider using our online databases. All you need is your library card to access reliable resources. Need help? Ask a friendly librarian at the desk or call 508-799-1671. 

We want you to take full advantage of our online resources, but we'd also love to see you in the Children's Room! We've had a blast in January, with storytimes, story-acting, LEGOS, videogames, Valentine-making, and more. In February we'll be celebrating the Chinese New Year, watching the Winter Olympics, learning to draw manga, playing board games, and staying warm. Keep an eye on the calendar and on Facebook for up-to-date information. Also, come by and meet our new Youth Services Coordinator, Chantell McDowell! She will be joining us this month. Hailing from sunny North Carolina, she'll need a warm welcome. We hope to see you soon!  Read more...
  
Branch ActivityRoosevelt School Library    
 
Frances Perkins Branch:
We will be honoring our 100th anniversary this month with an Open House on Fri., Feb. 28th, from 2-5 p.m. Join us for cake and a special activity for children. Other events this month include Friends Films, Crafty Kids Valentine's Day, Teen Advisory Group, Storytimes and Video Gaming.

Roosevelt Branch: You will "love" our events this month especially our Valentine Scavenger Hunt on Feb., 12th, 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Small prizes will be given out if you find everything! And LEGO Time begins this month as well. Drop in between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays and build the LEGO design-of-the-day with Dave. And don't forget the Retro Dance Party!! Wear your brightest workout gear and get groovy with some classic dance tunes on February 11th and 25th at 4:00 p.m.

 

Tatnuck Branch: Our programming continues to be a great success with more to come this month including: Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration Activity, Read Aloud Book Clubs for 1st and 2nd Grades, a stress management workshop, Star Wars Day, Zumba, Jackie Robinson Day (Hero Series), and Family Physical Activity & Nutrition Program. We're also excited to have Wayne Soares speak at 3:30 p.m. on February 18th about bullying in our schools. Wayne, a former sports broadcaster for ESPN and an accomplished speaker, will inspire your kids to walk tall as strong leaders!

   

Visit our Events page or call 508-799-8327 (Roosevelt) or 508-799-8329 (Tatnuck) for more details. Please note, if Worcester schools are cancelled due to weather, the branches are closed. Our regular public hours are 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

New! Computer Basics Class in Spanish


Clase B�sica de Computadora

Jueves, 1:00-2:00 pm, 3rd Piso, Laboratorio de Computadora
                                              
Si necesitas ayuda con computadoras, esta clase es para ti. Cubrimos la informaci�n m�s b�sica: c�mo usar el rat�n y el teclado, abrir programas, y usar el internet para buscar informaci�n. Cada mes empieza un nuevo semestre de 4 clases. Para registrarse, llame al 508-799-1655 ext. 3 o registrarse en persona en el escritorio de consulta en el segundo piso. 
  

Click here to view a complete listing of all FREE computer classes offered at the Main Library.

Staff Reading Recommendations

Adults

Teens

Children
  
   
 
 
  
Librarians at Worcester Public Library are always ready to recommend books to patrons. Click on the book covers on the right to view suggested titles for adults, teens, and children.
For more on what to read, browse our most requested titles and the New York Times fiction and nonfiction bestsellers lists!
   
 
And Check Out Our Book Reviews
 
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews 

Loss and death are important themes for younger readers. It can be difficult, though, to find a young adult novel which handles these issues without feeling maudlin or insincere. John Green's The Fault in Our Stars is a wildly popular example of a young adult novel which speaks about death and loss, without being condescending to its readers or being insincere. Jesse Andrews's debut novel stands beside Green's as a book ringing with truth, humor, and grief. Like TFIOS, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl deals with juvenile cancer while maintaining a sense of humor. Read more...
 
Get FREE Live Homework Help!

Thanks to the support from the Worcester Public Library Foundation, the library is pleased to offer online tutor services for all ages from Tutor.com.    

Tutor.com
, an easy-to-use online resource devoted to providing one-on-one, live assistance for students from 
K-12 and older in the subjects of math, science, social studies and English every day from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Plus, adult learners will benefit from career advice, resume help, and a variety of test preparation guides.

To access the database, go to www.worcpublib.org and click on Online Databases. Under Quick Access, click on Tutor.com. You need a valid Worcester Public Library card
to access it.  
  
Don't Forget!
  

Visit WPL during February school vacation! Storytime, with one of the Worcester Sharks' players and FINZ, is planned for Wed., Feb. 19th, from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Children's Ellipse.

 

Lilly, our newest mobile library, will be at the Worcester Common Oval on Tues., Feb. 18th, from 2-5 p.m. for your reading and skating fun. 

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