August 2015
   
In This Issue
Volunteer Recognition Day

On Thursday, July 23, the Worcester Public Library recognized our many volunteers during the 2015 Volunteer Recognition Day luncheon. Head Librarian Geoffrey M. Dickinson was joined by City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. and Board President Deborah Packard as the volunteers were honored for their hard work and commitment to the library.

"I'm here on behalf of our city to say a very profound thanks for your help to make our library and our city great," said City Manager Augustus. "We absolutely could not have done it without you."

To read more about Volunteer Recognition Day click here.
Youth Services - Main Library

The 2015 Summer Reading Program is in full swing here at the Worcester Public Library! Don't forget to keep tracking your minutes and collecting your prizes! The last day to track is Friday, August 14 at 9 p.m. The last day to collect your prizes is Saturday, August 22. It's not too late to sign up! Visit worcpublib.org or ask a librarian for help.

On Thursday, August 6 at 2:00 p.m. join us for Giving Earth: Save our Planet/Recycling with Carmen Barbosa. Learn how you can help save our planet and make a recycled robot craft.

You won't want to miss the performance of Swimmy and Swimmer, which will be presented by the PuppeTree on Friday, August 7 at 2 p.m. "A little fish, the sole survivor of a school of fish swallowed by a tuna, devises a plan to camouflage himself and his new companions." Swimmy/Swimmer is designed to enthrall, educate, and inspire both children and adults!

The weekly Movie and Lunch Matinee continues Saturday, August 8 at 1 p.m. with WALL-E. Lunch is provided by the Summer Food Service Program, be sure to pick it up from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m.
 
Join us for the Summer Reading Finale Magic Show with Fran Flynn - Magician Extraordinaire! It all takes place Friday, August 14 at 2 p.m. in the Saxe Room. This highly entertaining and visually enjoyable, comedic magic show will make magic happen right before your eyes!

Be sure to check out the event listings calendar for all the amazing events happening throughout the summer!
Teen Services - Main Library

There's plenty going on in the Teen Zone during the month of August! We'll be finishing up our Summer Reading Program and prizes will be awarded! Also, WPL's Minecraft Club returns on Monday, August 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. If you're between the ages of 8 and 17, come join us! No prior experience or personal login required, it's all free! Our veteran Minecrafters are happy to show the ropes to new and younger builders.


 

We'll also be playing with the Green Screen on Tuesday, August 11 at 3 p.m., which will be followed by a screening of Pacific Rim at 5:30 p.m. Come join us!
 

This month's session of Anime Appetizers will take place in the Banx Room from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 28. New friends are welcome to join us as we split into teams and have a trivia battle about Japanese animation! We have a great menu of anime for you to watch once our trivia bout has a winner! Snacks and drinks will be provided, and as always, it's all free!

 

Check the calendar for more great Teen events going on all month!
Adult Programs

Join our Pages & Palates Book Club and discuss Neil Gaiman's American Gods at one of two meetings: Saturday, August 8 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Ellipse, or Wednesday, August 12 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Banx Room. Copies of the book are available for checkout on the first floor.

Have you learned to fold an origami crane yet? We have almost met our goal of folding 1,000 Paper Cranes over the course of the summer! On August 6 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., we'll celebrate reaching our goal. Event is in the Banx Room, and the cranes will be displayed in the library following the program.

Our next Art Access! @ WPL program is almost here! Printmaking with Corinne Rhodes will be held on Saturday, August 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. Students will learn how to make one-of-a-kind, hand-pulled prints on paper using safe, non-toxic materials that can be used at home. Techniques include rolling out ink with brayers, mixing colors, painting with brushes, drawing with pencils and other materials, using stencils and tracing. Monotype printing is fun for all ages and artistic capabilities. Registration is required. You can register online at worcpublib.org.

This program is administered by the Worcester Arts Council, for the Local
Cultural Council - an agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural
Council, a state agency.

Are you a non-profit looking for a grant? Attend our next Introduction to Grant Seeking workshop on Thursday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Banx Room. The class is open to anyone new to fundraising. Space is limited, register online at worcpublib.org or call 508-799-1655.

Spend An Hour with Your Neighborhood Pharmacist, and get your questions answered about medications, dosages, side effects and more! Thursday, August 27 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Banx Room.
 
Looking for more programs for adults? Check out our full August calendar now!
Branch Updates

The Summer Reading Program continues at all the Library Branches! Be sure to keep reading and keep tracking your minutes! The last day to track minutes is Friday, August 14 at 9 p.m. and the last day to claim your prizes is Saturday, August 22.

The Superhero theme continues at the Goddard Branch with fun programs like Firefighters to the Rescue! with Firefighter Annie Pickett on Wednesday, August 5 from 3:30 to 4 p.m. There will be much more too, check out the schedule for more listings and details!
Please note the Goddard Branch will be closed August 10 - 14 due to construction, please check the website for additional construction related closures during the month of August.

The Roosevelt Branch will have The Hero in Every One of Us on Thursday, August 6 from 4 to 5 p.m., and a Summer Reading Wrap-up with My Community if Full of Heroes on Friday, August 14 from 4 to 5 p.m. Firefighter Annie Pickett will also visit on Friday, August 21 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. For more on all the exciting happenings at this branch check out the schedule here.

The Tatnuck Magnet Branch will host Malik the Magic Guy on Thursday, August 6 from 4 to 5 p.m. They will also hold Be a Hero, Thank a Hero on Thursday, August 13 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and My Community is Full of Heroes on Friday, August 21 from 4 to 5 p.m. For more check out their schedule here.

The Frances Perkins Branch has Super Science: Watson & Crick this month, where participants will learn about Watson, Crick, and will also be involved in a series of experiments. This takes place on Monday, August 10 from 4 to 5 p.m. They will also be celebrating the end of Summer Reading on August 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. with an End of Summer Ice Cream Party.Be sure to check out their schedule for more events going on throughout the summer!

Libby and Lilly continue to deliver books to all the Summer Readers out there! Check out worcpublib.org for a complete schedule!
NEW! Adobe Design & Lynda.com Kiosk

Calling all entrepreneurs, small business owners and lifelong learners! There is a new addition waiting for you at the Small Business Center on the 2nd Floor in the Main Library: the Adobe Design & Lynda.com Kiosk. It is intended for those who are looking to educate themselves through tutorial-rich Lynda.com and also to create career, marketing and other small business-related items with Adobe products. Like our Career Computers, sign up for this kiosk takes place at the Reference Desk, and each user is guaranteed an hour. No login required - just dive right in! 
Best of 2015 Book Recommendations & Reviews

Adults

Teens

Children
    
  
Librarians at the 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!  



By Susannah Charleson

If you're looking for some page-turning non-fiction to add to your beach tote look no further than Susannah Charleson'sScent of the Missing, an account of life, love and work with a search and rescue dog.  Charleson works with her partner, Puzzle, as a member of MARK-9, a volunteer group based in Dallas, Texas.  Her memoir not only describes the ways that dogs help locate missing persons, it also illustrates the bond between humans and dogs and details the thrilling, dangerous work of search and rescue. Read more...
Worcester Public Library Foundation

The Worcester Public Library Foundation (WPLF) will be holding its Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 30 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hanover Insurance Group, 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA. During the meeting, Guest Speaker Jennifer Gordon, Senior Research Manger, UMass Donahue Institute will speak on the results of the research evaluating the progress of the One City, One Library initiative. The presentation of the 2015 Dr. Richard E. Greene Founders Award will also take place. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. To R.S.V.P. contact  Execdir@wplfoundation.org or call 508-799-1656 by September 4.

The Worcester Public Library Foundation will also host its 10th Annual A Celebration of Authors fundraising event on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at the White Room of the Crompton Collective, 138 Green Street, Worcester from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Through A Celebration of Authors, the WPLF aims to raise funds to assist the Worcester Public Library in enhancing and expanding library services in our community. This year's event includes cocktails and food stations, mingling with our featured authors, and a speaking program consisting of a panel of authors. This year's authors include Julianna Baggott, author of Pure, William Martin, author of The Lincoln Letter, Stephen Kurkjian, author of Master Thieves, and Hank Phillippe Ryan, author of Truth Be Told. Please contact Christine Murray at Execdir@wplfoundation.org or 508-799-1656 to register or for more information.
Reminders

The One City, One Library Branches will have updated hours beginning Monday, August 24. Check the website for updates. Please note the Goddard Branch will be closed August 10 - 14 due to construction, please check the website for additional construction related closures during the month of August.

Don't forget to keep tracking your Summer Reading and collecting your prizes! The last day to track is Friday, August 14 at 9 p.m. The last day to collect your prizes is Saturday, August 22.

Free meals for Kids! The Summer Food Service Program will continue through
August 21. Every Monday through Saturday at select WPL locations the food truck will stop for 15 minutes with free meals for ages 17 and under. Visit worcpublib.org for schedule of locations and times. The Summer Food Service Program is brought to you us by the USDA.