October 2015
   
In This Issue
Exciting Events Coming This Month

The return of October brings SUNDAY HOURS!  Beginning October 18 through April, the Main Library will be open on Sundays from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. To kick off Sundays in style, sundaes will be served at 2 p.m. in the Saxe Room on October 18 for a Grand "Sundae" Sunday Celebration, while supplies last! Sweet!

The Library is also excited to present a reading and craft activity with Jason Lefebvre, award-winning author of Too Much Glue on Saturday, October 24. In this exciting story, first-time author Lefebvre presents a rowdy tale about the disruptive forms that creativity can take.

The readings will be held at the Tatnuck Magnet Branch at
9:15 a.m., the Goddard Branch  at 10:30 a.m., the Main Library at 12 p.m. and the Roosevelt Branch  at 2:45 p.m. This event is sponsored by Edward Street Child ServicesWorcester ReadsWorcester Family Partnership, and Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
Youth Services - Main Library

Celebrate Worcester the City that Reads and World Smile Day! Join in the day's fun of Worcester the City that Reads
with stories that will tickle your funny bone as we celebrate World Smile Day! On Friday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.
in the Children's Program Room. 

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month
Edmy Ortiz continues to offer a Workshop about Latin American Art  and Diego Rivera's murals "Ni�os pidiendo posada" and  "La vendedora de flores." Monday, October 5 at 3:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Worcester Public Library.

It's Mad Hatter Day with Alice in Wonderland themed crafts and games! Let's Celebrate! Tuesday, October 6 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Children's Room Ellipse. 

Mariachi Music and more for everyone! Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Sunday, October 18 at 3 p.m. in the Children's Room Ellipse. Sponsored by the Friends of the Worcester Public Library. Featuring great artist and musician Gian Carlo Buscaglia on Guitar.

Children and adults worldwide will take action by participating in the world's largest shared reading experience of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett. Join us on Thursday, October 22 at 10:30 a.m. in the Children's Program Room for the 10th anniversary of Jumpstart's Read for the Recorda global campaign that generates public support for high-quality early learning and highlights the importance of building children's vocabulary and love for reading.

The Children's Room is having two "Not-So-Creepy" Programs in October. First is a Halloween themed Not-So-Creepy Craft on Monday, October 26. And the other is a Not-So-Creepy Spooky Cupcake Decorating program on Friday, October 30. Both programs are at 4 p.m. in the Children's Program Room. All materials are provided.

This fall we welcome back Bayda Asbridge for Art Lessons with BaydaShe will instruct children on Saturday, October 31 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the topic of Yarn bottles done in the style of the Pre-Colombian tradition of the Mexican Huichol Indians. Sign-up is required, for ages 7-12. 
Sponsored by the Friends of Worcester Public Library.

More of our favorites are back! Be sure to check out Level up: Kids Video Games, Saturday Family Movie Matinee, Saturday Family Every Child Ready to Read StorytimeEvery Child Ready to Read in SpanishPaws to Read, Night Owl, and more!

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

October is home to YALSA's official Teen Read Weekand we'll be celebrating with a fines amnesty program for our teen patrons. From October 18 to 24, teen patrons can bring back any item they have out from the library and have all fines associated with that item waived, no matter how long it's been! In addition, any teens with too many fines on their account to check out anything will be allowed to check out one book, no matter how much they owe! Just bring the book to the Teen Service desk, and the librarian will check it out for you!

On Friday, October 9 at 4 p.m. in the Banx Room, we'll have the first of our College Admissions sessions for teens with a representative from Bottom Line, an organization which provides one-on-one college mentoring for low income students in Worcester and Boston. Tyrone Brown will give college hopefuls an overview of the college admissions and essay writing process. A second session will be held in November, and will cover how to navigate the financial aid process.

Saturday, October 10 is Star Wars Reads Day, for children, teens, and families. We'll have themed snacks, games, and Star Wars books for checkout from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Children's Room.

Welcome to Night Vale is a massively popular horror/humor podcast, and this October we'll be holding a listening party for teens, where we'll listen to episodes while we do a Night Vale themed craft. Teens are invited to join in from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13 in the Banx Room.

Teens can show off their costumes after school on Friday, October 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. at our Halloween Party in the Banx room, with food and games.

A couple of our regular events are scheduled this month. Minecraft Club will not be on its customary second Monday of the month due to  the library's closure on Columbus Day, so we will meet instead on Monday, October 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the AV Room Computer Lab. Mark your calendars - ages 8 to 17 are welcome! Anime Appetizers continues with an afternoon of trivia, snacks, prizes and anime on Friday, October 23 in the Banx Room from 3 to 5 p.m.

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

Small Business Startup Basics:  a free 4-week series
Dreaming of starting your own business? If you've ever thought of turning your great idea into a business, join us for a series of classes to learn more about what it takes to become an entrepreneur. Worcester Public Library, a member of Worcester Business Resource Alliance, has teamed up with Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, the City of Worcester, the Center for Women & Enterprise and the U.S. Small Business Administration to present this free, four-week series. Join us and discover if entrepreneurship is in your future!
Thursday, October 15 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?
Wednesday, October 21 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Test Your Business Idea
Wednesday, October 28 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Key to Free Business Resources
Wednesday, November 4 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Create Your Business Plan
Located in the Banx Room - Main Library. To register, please visit our website: www.worcpublib.org or call 508-799-1655 for more information.

Explore Your Roots: A Heritage FairJennifer Zinck presents DNA & Your Family Tree
Have you heard about DNA testing for genealogy but you're not sure what it can do for you? Join us Saturday, October 24 to learn about the different types of
DNA tests and how they might help you to knock down tough brick walls and connect branches of your family tree.
1 p.m. Banx Room - Visit with members of local genealogical and cultural organizations.
2-4 p.m. Performances by local cultural organizations.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Worcester Public Library.

And don't forget our ongoing programs:

WPL's Knitting Circle  on  Thursdays from 2:30 - 4 p.m. in the Food for Thought Cafe
Pages & Palates Book Club on either Saturday, October 10 from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. or Wednesday, October 14 from 3 - 4 p.m. in the Banx Room. This month's reading selection is Grace's Guide: The Art of Pretending to be a Grown-up by Grace Helbig. Copies available for checkout--ask at the Welcome Desk.

The Library will also present Introduction to Proposal Writing on Tuesday, October 20 from 6:30 - 7 :30 p.m. in the Third Floor Lab, and Introduction to Grant Seeking on 
Thursday, October 22 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Third Floor Lab. Registration is required; visit www.worcpublib.org or call 508-799-1655 for more information.

Looking for more programs for adults? Check out our full Fall Calendar now!
Branch Updates
 
The One City, One Library branches have some spooky happenings going on during the month of October!

The Goddard Branch hosts Family Storytime on Saturdays, October 17 & 31 from 10 - 11 a.m. Crafternoon takes place on Fridays, October 9 & 23 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Halloween Trivia will be Wednesday, October 28 from 4 - 5 p.m., and another creepy event, Creature Feature will be held Friday, October 30 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. The Lego Challenge continues every Tuesday from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., and Game On! Family Board Game Night will be held every Thursday from 4 - 6 p.m. Click here for a full list of programs.

The Roosevelt Branch will host Game On! Family Board Game Night on Fridays, October 2 & 16 from 4 - 6 p.m. Family Storytime will be held on Saturdays, October 3, 17 & 31 from 4 - 5 p.m. Crafternoons happen Tuesdays, October 6 & 20 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Zumba is Thursday, October 8 from 4 - 6 p.m. *Pawned* Video Gaming will be held Fridays, October 9 & 23 from 4 - 6 p.m. Beginning Reader Club for grades K-1 will be held Tuesdays, October 13 & 27 from 3:30 - 4 p.m., and Book Buddies for grades 2-3 will be held Tuesdays, October 13 & 27 from 4 - 4:30 p.m. A spooky-fun Halloween Party will be held on Thursday, October 29 from 4 - 5:30 p.m., and Creature Feature will be Friday, October 30 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Finally, Lego Challenge happens every Wednesday from 4 - 6 p.m. Check out the full calendar here for a list of programs.

The Tatnuck Magnet Branch will have Crafternoons on Thursdays, October 1, 15 & 29 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Family Storytime will be Mondays, October 5 & 19 from 4 - 5 pm. Beginning Reader Club for grades K-1 will be held Friday, October 9 from 4 - 4:30 p.m., and Book Buddies for grades 2-3 will be Friday, October 23 from 4 - 4:30 p.m. A scaretastic Halloween Party will be held Tuesday, October 27 from 4 - 5:30 p.m., and a Creature Feature will be presented on Friday, October 30 from from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Lego Challenge will be held every Tuesday from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Game On! Family Board Game Night will be every Wednesday from 4 - 6 p.m. For more info click here.

The Frances Perkins Branch will host Family Storytime every Monday from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m., and Lego Challenge every Tuesday from 3:30 - 5 p.m. On Thursday, October 8 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. join us for Teen & Tween Craft: Glove Monsters. Cinema at the Library takes place on Thursday, October 15 from 4 to 5 p.m. with Goosebumps: Scary House. On Friday, October 23 from 4 to 5 p.m. is Kids Craft: Trick or Treat Bags. Anime Club will meet on Thursday, October 29 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Be sure to check out their full schedule for more events going on this month!

Libby and Lilly continue to deliver books to schools and neighborhoods throughout Worcester! Check out worcpublib.org for a complete schedule!
What's online? Novelist Plus

Figuring out what's next on your reading list has never been easier, or more entertaining, with access to Novelist Plus, the premier Readers Advisory resource. Whether you're a librarian, a teacher, a bookseller or a bookworm, there is something to peak your interest here. Lucky for you, with a Worcester Public Library Card, you can access this database from wherever you have internet access just by visiting www.worcpublib.org and clicking on Online Databases.

Novelist Plus boasts many browsable options, including Author Read-Alikes, expert articles such as "Books to Movies," an extensive collection of book discussion guides, and Curricular Connections, an element that would certainly augment any educator's lesson plans. The homepage presents an array of Recommended Reading Lists, arranged by genre and age group, plus there is a keyword search box for the person who needs to retrieve a book title about which they only remember a few details. Perhaps most engaging is the outstanding "I'm in the mood for books that are...," a feature which you can search by the following descriptors (or appeals in Novelist-speak): Nostalgic and Bittersweet, Offbeat and Witty, Fast-paced and Strong Female, or Nonlinear and Compelling. You can also customize a personal reading list by choosing your own appeals - have fun!
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 Stephenie Meyer

Every now and then I crave reading a scary, suspenseful book. I suppose you can call it my guilty pleasure. Tucking under the covers on a stormy night while my breath catches and my heart pounds along with the characters, as monsters seemingly real, yet, thankfully imagined, terrorize me...The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones met all of my guilty pleasure necessities and more. Read more...
Worcester Public Library Foundation

The Foundation will host its 10th Annual A Celebration of Authors fundraising event on Thursday, November 12, 2015. The event will be held at the White Room of the Crompton Collective, 138 Green Street, Worcester from 5:30 - 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. Click here for more info.
Reminders

COMING SOON: Mark your calendars, the next Friends Book Sale will be November 6 & 7. 
 
Please note: All library branches will be closed Monday, October 12 in observance of Columbus Day.