 |
|
Executive Director's Letter
Dear Library Patrons,
Summer is synonymous with relaxation, vacations and the school hiatus. At Otis Library, summer includes new opportunities to learn and grow. Opportunities abound for children, young adults and adults.
On site, we are hosting summer learning programs for children and young adults and serving as a summer breakfast (third year) and lunch site (fourth year). Each week during the summer recess, staff members are providing programs at Kelly Middle School, Uncas Elementary School and Wequonnoc School, reaching several hundred Norwich children. At the Kelly site, which provides services through the school-affiliated Bridges program, staff report that adults, e.g. parents and caregivers, are also participating in the activities.
For adults, the Latino Authors Book Discussion Series exemplifies the summer opportunities. The August discussions include
Nobody's Son: Notes from an American Life by Luis Alberto Urrea on Thursday, August 10, and
My Beloved World by Sonja Sotomayor on Thursday, August 24. Both discussions will take place at 12pm in the Meeting Room, and lunch will be provided. Attendees will receive a free copy of the book being discussed. There are a limited number of audio books available. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Otis Library. Please call Julie at (860) 889-2365, ext. 128 to register for this free program.
Have you viewed our
website recently? Learning at Otis Library extends well beyond our operating hours and some new website resources facilitate the learning process. These include free on-demand courses for computer software. The immigration and naturalization page provides links to important information and forms in multiple languages, with access to practice citizenship exams. Another new page provides essential information about Otis library in Spanish with links to health, legal and government resources. Enhancements to the Literacy Volunteers page include updated class schedules and links to English-learning websites.
Regardless of your age or the hour of the day, Otis offers a learning experience for you!
Robert Farwell
Executive Director
Our summer hours are as follows
Monday and Wednesday, 10am - 8pm
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am - 5pm
We will be closed on Saturdays, July 1 - September 2.
|
The Friends of Otis Library
The Friends are accepting donations of gently used books, CDs, and DVDs. Please, no cassette tapes, VHS tapes, textbooks, encyclopedias, or magazines.
Please drop off your items, two bags at a time, to the Front Desk. Thank you for your support!
SAVE THE DATE: The next Friends of Otis Library Book Sale is scheduled for October 20, 21 and 22!
|
|
Artful Avocations
Otis Library seeks the participation of Norwich municipal employees (and retirees) for the forthcoming show:
Artful Avocations:
Municipal Employees Share Their Talents in Visual Art
November 3, 2017 - November 30, 2017
Deadline for submissions: October 1, 2017
Reception: First Friday, November 3, 2017
This show does not distinguish between art and craft. All visual media - film; painting, sculpture, wood working, prints, needlework; collage, even cake decorating! - are eligible for consideration.
For more information, please contact exhibit coordinator Elanah Sherman at [email protected] or 860-614-7200.
|
Latino Authors Book Discussion Series
Otis Library is hosting a Latino Authors Book Discussion Series in July and August. Books to be discussed are
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez on Thursday, July 13;
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez on Thursday, July 27;
Nobody's Son: Notes from an American Life by Luis Alberto
Urrea on Thursday, August 10; and
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotom
ayor on
Thursday, August 24.
All discussions will take place at 12pm in the
Meeting Room. Lunch will be provided. Attendees will receive a free copy of
the book being discussed. There are a limited number of audio books available. Please call Julie at (860) 889-2365, ext. 128 to register for this free program.
The Latino Authors Book Discussion Series is facilitated by Aida Heredia,
Professor of Hispanic Studies at Connecticut College. Professor Heredia has
published two books, De la recta a las cajas chinas: la poesía de José Kozer and La
representación del haitiano en las letras dominicanas.
She has also p
ublished articles on national identity, memory and religion as counter- colonial practice
in scholarly
journals. Her research interests include cultural representation and the African diaspora in the Americas.
Professor Heredia has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Fulbright-Hays Program.
The Latino Authors Book Discussion Series is sponsored by The Friends of Otis Library.
|
|
O'tis a Festival!
SAVE THE DATE!! The 9th Annual O'tis a Festival: A Marketplace of All Things Creative will be held at Otis Library on Saturday, November 18, 2017. Plan on joining us for this fun-filled day of shopping and entertainment! More information and the application for vendors will be posted in August. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact [email protected].
|
Delicious Discussions Author Series
Please join us for our Delicious Discussions Author Event featuring Meg Mitchell Moore, author of The Captain's Daughter. The luncheon will take place on Tuesday, August 15th at Michael Jordan's Steak House at Mohegan Sun from 12 - 1:30pm. Cost is $45 and includes lunch, dessert, a copy of The Captain's Daughter and author signing.
This event is part of an ongoing partnership with Bank Square Books and Michael Jordan's Steak House and is generously sponsored by GUINAN & HOULE, LLP Attorneys at Law.
Registrations can be made by contacting Julie at [email protected]
or by phone at (860) 889-2365 x.128.
"Meg Mitchell Moore does it again! The Captain's Daughter is a heartfelt tale of family and love. Absolutely superlative work from one of my own favorite writers." ~ Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author of The Identical.
MEG MITCHELL MOORE is the author of the novels The Admissions, The Arrivals, and So Far Away. She worked for several years as a journalist for a variety of publications. She lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts, with her husband and three daughters.
|
|
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. In addition, we are now offering classes on Fridays, 10am - 1pm. 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 for August appointments.
Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm in the Business Center
Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to play chess. Use one of our chess sets or bring your own.
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.
Thursday, August 3, 1pm, Community Room
.Ann and Kasha Karkowska, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning ensemble on violin and piano, will present the musical program 60 Minutes Across The World. This program will take the audience on a journey with stories, humor, and the most beloved classical music! The sisters have toured both North America and Europe and have recorded for Polish National, Mexican and American TV and radio, including PBS (Buffalo). Free program; registration is required. Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, or register on the online calendar. All ages welcome!
Money Management Workshop for New College Students (and their parents!)
Monday, August 14, 6pm, Meeting Room
Sponsored by Liberty Bank
Otis Library will be hosting a program on money management for new college students and their parents. Pamela Days-Luketich, Community Outreach Officer at Liberty Bank, will present this program. Many college students spend a significant amount of money on things they can do without, opening accounts they don't need, or getting into dangerous credit situations. By learning to make smart financial decisions, they can develop strong money management skills that will stay with them through their college years and beyond. For ages 16 and up. Pizza will be provided. Free event; registration is required. Please register on our website calendar or call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.
Connecticut Authors Trail at Otis Library: Abby Stokes
Monday, August 21, 6:30pm
As part of the
2017 Connecticut Authors Trail, Otis Library welcomes Abby Stokes, author of
Is This Thing On? A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming. Abby will give a talk on "Tech Travel Tips, Best Travel Apps, and Great Travel Gadgets." She will help you avoid a smartphone bill that will ruin your vacation after-glow. Learn about great apps to help plan, navigate and enjoy your trip!
Copies of her book
Is This Thing On
? will be available for sale and signing. This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
|
|
Programs for Tweens and Teens
All programs are offered at no charge to the public. Registration is required for some programs. Please register in person at the Front Desk; by calling (860) 889-2365, ext. 100; or you may register for our programs via our
online calendar.
Drop-In Chess
Wednesdays, 5pm - 8pm in the Business Center
Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to play chess. Use one of our chess sets or bring your own.
Wednesday, August 2, 5pm - 7:30pm
Celebrate the end of Summer Learning with magic and fun! Magician Christina Monahan will perform a magic show at 5pm for all ages! No registration required.
Henna will be available in the Young Adult Department at 6pm for grades 6 - 12. Registration is required. You may register
online
or by calling the Front Desk at (860) 889-2365.
Money Management Workshop for New College Students (and their parents!) (ages 16 and up)
Monday, August 14, 6pm, Meeting Room
Sponsored by Liberty Bank
Otis Library will be hosting a program on money management for new college
students and their parent. Pamela Days-Luketich, Community Outreach Officer at Liberty Bank, will present this program.
Many college students spend a significant amount of money on things they can do without, opening accounts they don't need, or getting into dangerous credit situations By learning to make smart financial decisions, they can develop strong money management skills that will stay with them through their college years and beyond. For ages 16 and up. Pizza will be provided. Free event; registration is required. Please register on our
website calendar or call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.
|
|
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.
Bella! Therapy Dog Extraordinaire (all ages)
Tuesday, August 1, 11am - 12pm
Courtesy of Ms. Pepin - thank you!
Visit and read to our very favorite therapy pug, Bella!
Build It! Clinic (grades K - 8)
Wednesday, August 2, 10:30am - 12:30pm.
Build structures using a variety of materials in the Meeting Room. No registration required.
Wednesday, August 2, 5pm - 7pm
Celebrate the end of Summer Learning with magic and fun! Magician Christina Monahan will perform a magic show at 5pm for all ages. After the show, enjoy more fun in the Children's Department with a carnival fair featuring games, food, and prizes from 6 - 7pm. No registration required.
Open Art Clinic (ages 5 - 12)
Thursday, August 3, 2pm - 4pm
Sponsored by Attorney Bart Sayet and Ms. Lori Lindfors
Create a piece of process-oriented art each week in the Story Room. No registration required.
Mother Goose & More: Rhyme Time and Playgroup (ages newborn to 23 months)
Mondays, August 14 & 28, 10:30am (program); 11am - 12pm (playgroup)
Enjoy 30 minutes of rhymes, songs, and other activities for the very young, then stay (or not) for a one-hour open play group. Older siblings are welcome! No registration required.
Register for Toddler and Preschool Storytime!
Toddler Storytime (ages 2-3)
Tuesdays, September 19 - November 14, 10:30am - 11am
Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and a simple craft with your child! Space is limited; please register beginning August 14. For more information, call or visit the Children's Room, (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-6)
Thursdays, September 21 - November 16, 10:30
Children enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and a craft while their grownups wait in the Children's Department. Space is limited; please register beginning August 14. For more information, call or visit the Children's Department, (860) 889-2365, ext. 114.
|
|
Calling All Family Historians!
A message from Kathy Wieland, Genealogy Librarian:
Are you working on your family tree? Let's learn together!
Please plan to join us on Tuesday, September 19, from 1 to 2:30 pm for the first meeting of our new Genealogy Club. We will be meeting regularly in the Genealogy & Local History Room on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, to learn and to brainstorm about our family history research projects. This group will be helpful for beginners as well as those who have been digging around for years. Everyone will have a chance to talk a bit about the family they are researching and share any questions or problems. You can also share hints and tips, if you have discovered any good websites, magazine articles, etc. At each meeting, I will highlight some of the resources we have at Otis Library that may be useful to you and advise members on potential ways to locate more information. Please call or email me to register so that I have an idea of how many handout packets to prepare.
It is less confusing if we focus on one branch at a time. Please bring with you any basic information you have about the family and family members for whom you are looking. Basic information would include: name (including middle name, if known); date & place of birth; spouse, date, & place of marriage; date & place of death; date of burial (if known) & cemetery. Also bring any information you have about various locations where they may have lived over the years and what you know of their ethnic origins. Just bring whatever information you have, and we will find ways to help you fill in the things you don't know.
It is best if you summarize the information on standard lineage chart & family group forms. I would be happy to give you blank forms if you need them, or I can email the forms to you to print out at home. You may stop by the Business Center Desk, telephone me (860-889-2365 ext 108) or email me at [email protected] for forms, to register for the group, or ask for more information.
Kathy Wieland, Genealogy Librarian
|
|
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!
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
