the library letter · the library letter. a day of remembrance. memorial day is the beginning of...
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The Library Letter
A Day of Remembrance
Memorial Day is the Beginning of Summer
Remember to Support our Soldiers!
Memorial Day will be celebrated on May 30th this year. Since the Civil War, the last Monday in May has been the day set aside to honor those who lost their lives while serving our country. It was once called Decoration Day because women in many communities of the South decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers. In 1915, Moina Michel had an idea that she would wear red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died while serving the nation during war. She sold them to her friends and coworkers to benefit servicemen in need. In 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first veterans’ organization to sell poppies nationally. In December 2000, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was signed by President Clinton. It asks all Americans to “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”
This nation is once again at war. Let us take a moment to remember the men and women who have given their lives to protect us and our democracy.
To learn more about the war in Iraq, look for books at Dewey number 956.7044 such as :
Blinded by the Sunlight: Emerging from the Prison of Saddam’s Iraq by Matthew McAllister.The Fall of Baghdad by Jon Lee Anderson.A Time of Our Choosing: America’s War in Iraq by Todd S. Purdum.
The Library Letter is a quarterly publication of the Edison Twp. Public Library. All costs are funded by the Friends of the Library.
Volume 18, No 2
April—June 2005
E S L C O N V ER SA TIO N GROUPSEdison residents who are able to
read and speak some English and are willing to participate in a conversational setting are invited to join one of the E S L Conversation Groups at the Edison Public Libraries.
The groups meet at the Main Library: Tuesday mornings from 9:30- 11:30, Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:30, Wednesday evenings from 7 :0 0 -9 :0 0 and Th u rsd ay afternoons from 12:30-2:30.
Participants may register in person when they attend their f irs t meeting. For further information, please call Roberta at (732)287-2298, ext. 227.
I f you are seeking volunteer opportunities or seek assistance with literacy, please go to the Literacy Volunteers of Middlesex web site at:
www.lva-middlesex.org
Inside the Issue:
A Day of Remembrance 1
Let’s Go Fly a Kite 2
Friends Page 3-4
If you would like to support the members of our military forces, you can go to the Department of Defense website www.dod.mil and click on America Supports You.There is a website named Books for Soldiers www.booksforsoldiers.com which permits you to get an address of a service person and send a book, DVD, or care package with a message of support. There are other places to find contact information such as www.AdoptPlatoon.org and www.AnySoldier.com.
Spot Turns 25
Programs
Media Minutes
Displays
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Books on WheelsLet's Go Fly A Kite
With the arrival of Spring, the Edison Bookmobile celebrates National Kite Month throughout April. On your visit to the Bookmobile in April, a colorful kite display will be on view. The children are invited to participate in a kite contest during the celebration. In addition, youngsters will have the opportunity to design a kite to hang up in the Bookmobile. Kiting is a universal activity limited only by the imagination. National Kite Month begins a year long effort by kite professionals, enthusiasts, supporters, and manufacturers to promote the wonderful qualities that kite flying offers people of all ages and physical abilities. The goal is to have more than 600 kite events throughout the country including kite festi
vals, kite making classes, kite displays in museums and public libraries and “fun flies” at local parks and beaches. Individual enthusiasts, local kite clubs, and local service clubs are encouraged to plan and organize events.
To join the biggest kite happening event planned in North America, the National Kite Month Headquarters will provide free media and logistical support. For more information contact Jim M. Miller, Program Manager, American Kite Fliers Association, 36467 Sandu Circle, Ranch Mirage, CA 92270. Phone: (760) 324-5636. E- Mail: [email protected]. Web: www.nationalKiteMonth.org
Get organized and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”
Let’s go fly a kite
up to the highest height!
Let’s go fly a kite
and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere,
Up where the air is dear
Oh, let’s go fly a kite.
written by: R.M. Sherman and R.B. Sherman
Page 2 The Library Letter
Love Our Library, Love Our FriendsLibrary Board Honors Friends of the Library
On Sunday, February 13, 2005, the Friends o f the Edison Public Library were honored with a reception at the Main Library. “ Love Our Library, Love Our Friends” was hosted by the Board o f Trustees o f the Edison Public Library in appreciation o f the many volunteers who work tirelessly in support o f the library. The event, arranged by the library staff and the Trustees, included an awards ceremony, refreshments, and entertainment by Marta Katz and Jon Martinez, accompanied by pianist Joyce Kay.
Outgoing Friends President April Cormaci (1999-2004) was presented an honorary lifetime Friends membership and a gift certificate for Amazon.com by Graham Gudgin, 2005 Friends President.
Longtime Friends Trustee and volunteer, Phyllis Muska (center) receives an award from Library Board President, Ginny Comito (left) and Library Director, Susan Krieger.
Library Director, Susan Krieger; outgoing Friends President, April Cormaci; Friends President, Graham Gudgin; and Library Board President Ginny Comito (1-r).
Jon Martinez and Marta Katz entertain the Friends with show tunes, above. Below, volunteer Nancy Leary, Friends Trustee Marion Curka, and volunteer Judith Krall-Russo (1-r).
The Fr iends Page
International Film Festival
The annual Spring International Film Festival, sponsored by the Friends o f the Library, w ill run from March to May. The dates (all Wednesdays) and films are:
March 16 Everybody’s Fine (Ita lian)
April 13 The Last Kiss (Ita lian)
M ay 11 Goodbye Lenin (Germ an)
A ll films w ill be shown at the Main Library, 340 Plainfield Avenue, and begin at 7:00 p.m. Please register by calling 732-287-2298, ext. 1. (Free.)
On-Line Shopper ALERT!
Take advantage of the convenience of on-lineshopping and support The Friends at thesame time at no additional cost to you! (V
Go to iGive.com, become a member, and designate “The Friends of the Edison Public Library” as your charity. A percentage of your purchases through this online shopping portal will be donated to The Friends at no additional cost to you. Choose from 500+ name-brand businesses—clothing, furniture, computer equipment, books, toys, and more.
Matching Gift Programs
Do you work for or are you retired from a company that has a matching gift program for charitable organizations? Check today to see if The Friends are eligible. You can double or triple your monetary contribution at no additional cost to you.
COMMENTS? QUESTIONS?Contact Graham Gudgin at
732-738-4586 or email graham.gudgin@verizon. net
Spring Book Sale — May 7 at Edison Family Day
The Friends o f the Edison Library w ill hold its annual Spring Book Sale at Edison Family Day, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, NJ Convention and Expo Hall at Raritan Center. Browse through 1000s o f gently used books, fiction and nonfiction, paperback and hardcover, many categories. Most books 500 - $1.50.
Librarians from the Edison Library Children’ s Department w ill be on hand with reading lists, information on children’ s programs, and more.
And enjoy all the activities o f Edison Family Day, including rides, food, music, games, crafts for children, and more. Family Day is an annual community event sponsored by the Edison Municipal Alliance and Edison Department o f Health and Human Resources.
W e need volunteers, both for the event itself and for other activities before and after the sale. I f you have gently used books to donate, or i f you would like to volunteer to help out, please call Graham Gudgin at 732-738- 4586 or email [email protected].
The Friends Need a Book Sale Headquarters!
The Friends raise 70% o f our funds through public book sales. W e need a donation o f permanent space to sort, box, and store our book inventory. I f you can help, call Graham at 732-738-4586.
Spot Turns 25!Eric Hill created the now famous Spot 25 years ago for his 2 year old son, Christopher, as an
amusing bedtime story. Being a freelance graphic designer, Hill transferred the idea from an advertising flyer design that revealed a humorous picture when a flap was lifted to the first lift-the- flap format book. The resulting book Where's Spot has sold over 4.1 million copies and has been translated into over 65 languages. Spot is known in Japan as Korochan, in Denmark as Piet, and in South Africa as Otto.
Ideas for Hill's subsequent books came from his devoted fans who wanted to see Spot's world expand to include a father, a sibling and friends. Later Hill observed the large number of grandparents at his book signings, and he decided to introduce Spot's grandparents. In 1987, Hill was convinced by the BBC to allow the animation of his characters. Since then, Spot's adventures have expanded from books into various other media, including: CD ROMS, musical adventures, videos, and cartoons. There is also an interactive game which contains information on Spot for children and parents, games and Spot books.Spot's website can be found at www.funwithspot.com.
Both librarians and teachers have applauded Hill's books as they encourage children to read at a very young age. His adventures contain universal themes that appeal to children, and it is interesting to note that Hill's books are also used to teach adults to read. Spot has created fond memories of reading for many generations of readers, and Hill will hopefully continue this wonderful tradition.
MEDIA MINUTES
W ith the arrival o f Spring comes the arrival o f new movies and music! Look for these and many more new titles over the coming months:DVD'S
The IncrediblesDora the Explorer: Big Sister Dora King Arthur
Finding Neverland Wicker ParkBridget Jones: the Edge of Reason
CD'SThe Phantom o f the Opera (Original cast recording) Hot Fuss (The Killers) Ray (Original motion picture soundtrack) Grammy Nominees 2005
On Monday, April 18th at 7 pm at North Edison Branch Library, the Friends o f the Library are again sponsoring the very' popular program “How to Use Your Digital Camera” . Dominique Dowsing will discuss editing, cropping, resizing , and print options. Participants will receive CD's with editing software.
“College Funding Alternatives” will be presented at the Main Library on Tuesday April 19th at 7 pm and at the North Edison Branch Library on Tuesday May 10th, also at 7 pm. Kevin Simme will discuss topics such as the secrets to getting financial aid and picking colleges that give you the most free money.
“ Protecting Your Assets from Catastrophic Nursing Home Costs” will be presented at the North Edison Branch Library' on Tuesday May 17th at 7 pm.
To register for programs at the Main Library please call (732) 287-2298 (ext. 1). For North Edison Branch Library' programs call (732) 548-3045 (ext. 1).
Volume 18, No 2 Page 5
Closed Sundays and Legal Holidays
MAIN LIBRARY340 Plainfield Avenue
Call fo r Bookmobile Schedule
(732) 287 2298 Library D irector:
BRANCHES:Susan M. Krieger
North Edison Editor:777 Grove Ave. (732) 548-3045
Jen n ife r Sprinzen
Clara Barton 141 Hoover Ave.
Contributing Editor:Geri Post
(732) 738-0096Desiqner:
Bookmobile (732) 777-0789
Kashmira Z . Karai
Library Hours:Main 4 North Edison:
This issue's contributors: Sharon Giniger Sharon Marigliano Roberta Schechter Judy Goodson
Mon. — Thur. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri.—Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Clara Barton:Mon, Tue, Thur. Noon—8 p.m. Wed 4 Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friends of the Library:
Graham Gudgin, President
V isit New Jersey
Duke Gardens in Somerville offers a stunning array of visual spectacles around eleven greenhouses. Each is a full-scale re-creation of a garden theme, country of period. Included are gardens representing English gardens, Japanese gardens, and many other theme designs.
The gardens have been open to the public since 1964 and require reservations.You can call (201) 722 3700 or visit their website at:www.state.ni.us/travel/virtual/gardens/dukegrdns.html
Displays ... Main Library
♦ During the month o f April, students from the Stel- ton Recreational Center w ill display some o f their art work.
♦ In May, The Taiwanese Association o f America w ill celebrate Taiwanese Heritage W eek by showing paintings, pottery and woodcraft.
♦ In June, students from the M iddlesex County Arts High School and M iddle School w ill display paintings, photos, and poems.
Friends of the Library C/o Edison Township Free Public Library 340 Plainfield Ave.Edison, NJ 08817