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Executive Director's Letter
Dear Library Patrons,
Several recent articles lamenting the proliferation of false or fake news serve as reminders that public libraries are more than "buildings with books." That is not to denigrate the importance of books as a source of information and evolving knowledge, to remodel T.S. Eliot's famous lament; rather it is an affirmation of the importance of all the means by which libraries can help separate the colorable and sophistic from the credible. The "correct" answer may not arrive in one easily digestible form, but the resources needed to form a logical, defensible position or argument and the insights necessary to critical thinking and assessment are available for your use facilitated by a knowledgeable library staff. The virtue of a public library is nicely summarized in the following excerpt from the Denver Post:
"Public libraries are drivers of civic health and engagement." If you have not visited the library recently, that statement may seem exaggerated. How could "buildings with books" carry such responsibility?
I answer: How could they not?
Libraries provide residents the tools they need to live better lives and strengthen communities."
Apropos of promoting civic health and engagement, Otis is preparing for the arrival of the Smithsonian exhibition Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human? Programming is already underway. Otis Library will host the 1,200-square-foot exhibition for four weeks from January 7, 2017 to February 3, 2017. More free programs, including presentations by Smithsonian scientists, complement the exhibition. Please check this newsletter and the library website for more information.
Robert Farwell
Executive Director
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Otis Library will be closed Thursday, December 8, for staff professional development.
We will be closed on Saturday, December 24,
and Mon
day,
December 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday.
We wish all of our patrons a safe and happy holiday season!
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Delicious Discussions Author Series
The Delicious Discussions Author Series is an ongoing partnership with Bank Square Books and Michael Jordan's Steakhouse and is generously sponsored by Guinan & Houle, LLP, Attorneys at Law.
Reservations are required for each event.
The cost of the event includes lunch, dessert, a copy of the featured book and book signing. To register, please contact Kate McDonald, Development Manager, at kmcdonald@otislibrarynorwi
ch.org or (860) 889-2365 x.127. For the Beatriz Williams event, r
eservations can also be made online.
Delicious Discussions Author Event -
Dr. Sharon
Livingston
Wednesday, December 7
12pm - 1:30pm
Michael Jordan's Steak House at Mohegan Sun
Cost: $40
Otis Library proudly presents our next Delicious Discussions event featuring Dr. Sharon Livingston, author of
Get Lost Girlfriend!: How I Found Myself When My Best Friend Dumped Me.
Being dumped by your BFF may feel like the worst betrayal you could ever face, worse than being ditched by your man, snubbed by your dog (the cat does it regularly, so that doesn't count), or fired by your housekeeper. But in every crisis there's opportunity, right? This is the story of how a quirky therapist answers the phone one day, only to hear her closest friend say the dreaded words that cut her off forever. For months, she struggles to pull herself out of the deepest hole she's ever fallen into. But how is that possible, with no friend to grab onto? By looking hard in the mirror, with Windex in one hand and a comical dash of magic in the other, she discovers a new best friend ever - herself.
Delicious Discussions Author Event - Kevin Lacz
Thursday, January 19
12pm - 1:30pm
Michael Jordan's Steak House at Mohegan Sun
Cost $45
Please join us for our Delicious Discussions Author Event featuring Kevin Lacz, author of The Last Punisher.
"There are few, if any, people in the world who knew Chris Kyle as well as Kevin "Dauber" Lacz.
Many, like myself, knew some of Chris's story; few, like Kevin, knew virtually all of it.
This book is about the amazing true grit of SEAL Team THREE in some of the worst days of battle in the history of the US SEAL Teams and the United States.
The epitome of the SEAL attitude of "never quit" runs through Kevin's veins and this book's pages. A must read." Scott McEwen, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of American Sniper
Kevin Lacz left college and joined the US Navy following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He served with SEAL Team THREE as a sniper, breacher, and medic and did two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received a Bronze Star with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals in addition to others for his service. Kevin served as a technical advisor and played himself in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated film
American Sniper
. He lives in Florida with his wife Lindsey and their two children.
Delicious Discussions Author Event - Beatriz Williams
Wednesday, January 25
12pm - 1:30pm
Michael Jordan's Steak House at Mohegan Sun
Cost $45
Please join us for our Delicious Discussions Author Event featuring Beatriz Williams, author of The Wicked City.
Beatriz Williams is the author of the new book The Wicked City and previous books including Overseas (2012), A Hundred Summers (2013), The Secret Life of Violet Grant (2014), Tiny Little Thing (2015), Along the Infinite Sea (2015), The Forgotten Room (2016), and A Certain Age (June 2016). A graduate of Stanford University with an MBA from Columbia, Beatriz spent several years in New York and London hiding her early attempts at fiction, first on company laptops as a corporate and communications strategy consultant, and then as an at-home producer of small persons. She now lives with her husband and four children near the Connecticut shore, where she divides her time between writing and laundry.
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Recovering the Classics at Otis Library
Recovering the Classics, a movement that invites designers around the world to create covers for great books in the public domain, is on display in the Millie and Martin Shapiro Community Room through Saturday, December 31.
This exhibit, a collaboration between Recovering the Classics and Otis Library, is part of the 50x50 campaign to bring the covers to all 50 states. Over 25 states have had exhibits so far, with a range that includes the National Archives, a Kansas high school, an art space in New Hampshire, an MIT Media Lab, a Kentucky elementary school, and the New York Public Library.
Since originally launching in 2013, Recovering the Classics has teamed up with The White House, the Digital Public Library of America, and the New York Public Library to bring the covers to libraries and schools nationwide through exhibits.
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Programs for Adults
Feeling a little lost with all the new technology? Maybe even some of the old technology? We are ready to assist you with one-on-one instruction tailored to your specific needs. Topics include basic computer skills, navigating the internet, e-mail, e-readers, and Microsoft Office. Assistance will be provided by appointment only on Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm. Please call 860-889-2365, ext. 100, for additional information or to make an appointment.
Technology Classes are offered in Spanish on Mondays between 5pm - 8pm by appointment only. Please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100, to register.
Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm in the Business Center
Something new! Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to play chess. Use one of our chess sets or bring your own. If there is interest, drop-in chess will be available during all operating hours.
Drop-In Knitting Group
The Rows City Knitters meet every Friday at 10am in the Meeting Room. All skill levels welcome! For more information, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.
"What Does It Mean To Be Human?" Friday Film Series
This program is funded by Connecticut Humanities. Connecticut Humanities, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state's stories, build community and enrich lives.
Join us as we screen four films in December that highlight the question "What Does It Mean To Be Human?" This film series is presented as a lead-in to the upcoming Smithsonian touring exhibit
Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human?
, which will visit Otis Library in January 2017.
Guest lecturer Jason M. Sheldon will provide commentary before and after each film, followed by Q&A. Each film begins at 1pm.
- December 2 - 2001: A Space Odyssey
- December 9 - Cave of Forgotten Dreams
- December 16 - Children of Men
- December 23 - Human
Free event; no registration is required. Refreshments will be provided. For a descriptions of each film, visit our
calendar.
"Where We Call Home" Lecture Series
Monday, December 5, 6:30pm
This program is funded by Connecticut Humanities. Connecticut Humanities, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state's stories, build community and enrich lives.
Otis Library has hosted a four-part lecture series entitled "Where We Call Home" in the Community Room. The series discusses the changing definition of home and family in America. It is presented as a lead-in to the upcoming Smithsonian touring exhibit,
Exploring Human Origins: What Does it Mean to be Human? which will visit Otis Library in January 2017.
In the final installment, Stephen Fan, editor of the book Sub-Urbanisms:
Casino Urbanization, Chinatowns, and the Contested American Landscape, will discuss the changing face of Southeastern CT with the arrival of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos. Free program; no registration required.
Mr. Fan is a curator, educator, and designer. He is the founding director of s!fan, a research/design collaborative working at the intersections of architecture, art, design, craft, and planning. He has built projects on four continents, and holds a M.Arch from the Harvard GSD and an A.B. from Harvard College. Stephen Fan is a 2016 Fellow at the Institute for Public Architecture, where he researches informal live/work spaces in New York City's industrial zones.
Lunch and Learn with Artist Faith Satterfield
Thursday, December 15, 12pm
Sponsored by The Edward & Mary Lord Foundation
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon creating a winter-themed painting to take home! Instruction provided by local artist Faith Satterfield of Murals by Faith. Lunch is included. Reservations are required. Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, or register online.
Wednesday, January 11, 5pm
Join us in the Meeting Room for a discussion of When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Refreshments will be served. Copies of the book are available to borrow at the Front Desk. No registration required.
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Lincoln Center Local: Lincoln Center in Your Neighborhood
Free Screenings
Saturday, December 3, 12pm and
Saturday, December 31, 12pm
Community Room
Lincoln Center partners with Otis Library to bring film screenings of world-class performances to your neighborhood. No registration required; refreshments will be served.
On December 3, enjoy a screening of
Curtain Up: The School of American Ballet Workshop Performances.
Go behind the scenes for the first time ever to experience the intense training of ballet's brightest future stars as they prepare for their vital end-of-year performances. An all-Balanchine program features Serenade, and excerpts from Swan Lake, and Western Symphony
.
On December 31, celebrate with the New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve:
La Vie Parisienne. A
New Year's Eve tradition continues when the New York Philharmonic welcomes opera star Susan Graham and the inimitable Nathan Lane for a sampling of fizzy French treats ranging from the Can Can to Carnival of the Animals.
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Programs for Tweens and Teens
Anime Club of Otis Library: Potluck Party! (for grades 5 and up)
Wednesday, December 21, 6pm - 7pm
Everyone bring a snack and enjoy this first-ever potluck party! There will be music and fun activities. Please
register. Program will take place in the Young Adult Department.
Tween Book Club (for grades 5 - 8)
Monday, December 19, 6pm - 7pm
Join us for a discussion of Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes. There will be pizza and related activities! Program will take place in the Meeting Room. Please register. Copies of Secret Coders are available at the Front Desk.
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Children's Programs
All programs are offered at no charge to the public. Registration is required for some programs. Please register in person at the Children's Desk; by calling (860) 889-2365, ext. 114; or you may register for our programs via our online calendar
.
Music with Margie (ages 2 to 5)
Thursdays, December 1 & 15, 12:30pm - 1pm
Join this joy-based music and movement class with your child. Space is limited;
register for one or both classes.
Mother Goose & More: Rhyme Time and Playgroup (ages newborn to 23 months)
Mondays, December 5 & 12, 10:30am (Rhyme Time); 11am - 12pm (Playgroup)
Sponsored by the Norwich Recreation Department
Enjoy 30 minutes of traditional rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and other activities for the very young; then stay (or not) for a one-hour open playgroup. Older siblings are welcome to attend also! Drop-in; no registration required.
Drop-In Toddler Free Play (ages 2 to 3)
Tuesdays, December 6, 13, & 20, 10:30am - 11:30am
This drop-in free play for toddlers is a perfect chance for you and your child to meet others and have a fun morning! No registration required.
Open Art Clinic (ages 5 to12)
Wednesday, December 7 & 21, 4:30pm - 6pm
Sponsored by Attorney Bart Sayet and Ms. Lori Lindfors, and the Norwich Recreation Department
Create a cool work of art at our Open Art Clinic! Express yourself by making a take-home project with a variety of art materials. No registration required.
Mrs. Claus Visit (all ages)
Saturday, December 10, 11am
Made possible by the generosity of Attorney Bart Sayet and Ms. Lori Lindfors. Holiday decorations provided by McKenna's Flower Shop.
Enjoy the holiday season with stories and songs from Mrs. Claus! Take a keepsake photo for your holiday memories! Please
register.
Bella! Therapy Dog Extraordinaire (all ages)
Saturday, December 17, 11am - 12pm
Courtesy of Ms. Pepin - thank you!
Visit and read to our very favorite therapy pug, Bella. No registration required.
Recipe for Success Program (ages 8 to 11)
Saturday, December 17, 11am - 12pm
Combine everyone's favorite foods - cookies, pudding, and whipped cream to make amazing hot chocolate cookie cups! Related activities complete the fun. Space is limited; please
register.
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CORE: A Shared Calendar of Regional Events
Looking for things to do this weekend? Visit the CORE calendar! CORE is a collaborative of organizations based in eastern CT with a shared goal of providing the community one regional go-to calendar of events for all things happening in the area. Be sure to check back often as it is updated daily!
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Hours
Monday & Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays in July & August
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