It's that time of year again, when we all seem to get re-energized and refocused, just like we were kids in school beginning the next grade in a new classroom.  Here at the Library, we are recovering from a hugely successful Summer Reading Program that saw our highest monthly attendance in July.  More than 17,000 people came to the library that month....WOW!!  You like us you really like us!!.  That make us very happy and helps us to continue to develop programs and initiatives that will both educate and excite our community members.  Check out the new programs and activities we have planned for September below...  

See you soon,  

Nevins Memorial Staff

The Nevins is looking for local authors! Anyone with a published book (self-published is fine) is invited to attend our first Local Authors Fair on Saturday, October 4th, at 1:00 in the Great Hall. This is your  opportunity to stand out from the crowd by briefly touting your book at this event, which is free and open to the public. You will also have the opportunity to sell copies and chat with other authors.

We ask that each author register in advance by calling the reference desk at 978-686-4080, ext 12, or by signing up through our event calendar. Also, we ask each author to commit to bringing at least five other people in order to ensure a good crowd for this event.

Join us Thursday, September 18^th at 7pm for a visit from author Elisabeth Elo. The author of North of Boston will talk about her works and take questions from patrons.

Books will be available for sale, and light refreshments will be served. For more information or to sign up for the program, please call the Reader Services Department at (978) 686-4080, x16 or log on to www.nevinslibrary.org.

Discussions of History: World War I

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of "the War to End All Wars." The Great War of 1914-18 devastated Europe, wiped out a generation of young men, and set the stage for the even greater conflict of the Second World War just 25 years later. Come to talk about the causes of the war, the mistakes and victories, and the ambiguous conclusion that left the world on the brink of more conflict. The discussion will be led by Matthew McKeon. Materials and a reading list will be available at the Reference Desk. The Discussion Group will meet twice, September 8^th & 22^nd from 6:30 -8pm. For more information contact Beth Safford,, Reference Librarian at 978-686-4080 ext 13 or visit the library's website at www.nevinslibrary.org.

Amnesty Week!

The Library will be extending an amnesty on all regular library fines during the week of September 2-6, 2014. This is a rare opportunity to return those overdue library books, dvds and cds, and avoid paying late fees! Return items either to the desk or in the book drop any day during Labor Day week, and you will not be charged fines. Unfortunately we cannot extend amnesty on fees for patrons who have items that are in collection (fines will be waived, but not the collection fee), and materials that have been lost or damaged must still be paid for. For more information call the Main Desk at 978-686-4080.

Literacy Volunteers of Methuen is currently preparing for Tutor Training classes that will start on September 17^th and continue on Wednesday evenings and one Thursday evening for six weeks. After your training is complete you will be matched with an adult student needing help in learning to read, write and speak English. The need for volunteer tutors is growing every year. Currently we have a twelve month waiting list of people who are struggling daily with language problems in every facet of their lives. You can help! You don't need any special skills, you just need to be a high school graduate with patience, some time, and an interest in helping others.

Orientations that explain our Tutor Training classes and our Literacy Program will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd from 7-8pm, Thursday, September 4th from 10-11am or Saturday, September 6th^th from 10-11am. Please contact Sue Jefferson at the library @978-686-4080 x32 or litvolmeth@gmail.com to sign up for one of these orientations. Please come and find out if this might be a good volunteer opportunity for you!

September marks the return of our regular monthly programming - including a brand new book group for teens in 7-9th grade! 

Our new Book Club To Be Named Later will meet on Tuesday, September 16th at 4pm.  Teens in grades 7 to 9 are invited! Snacks will be provided!   

Book Babble, the book group for grades 9-12, will have its first meeting of the year on Thursday September 4th at 7pm.  Pizza and soda will be served.   

TAG - the Teen Advisory Group returns on Monday, September 8th at 4pm.  Come and make a difference at the library!  TAG members play a big part in what happens at the library for teens!   

Teen Writing Club -- Teens who enjoy writing - no matter if it is the next great American novel, poetry or fan-fiction - will enjoy coming to the Teen Writing Club meetings.  The first meeting will be Thursday September 18 at 7pm. 

News from the Children's Department

The month of September starts off a new school year. Open new horizons for your child by getting a library card during the month of September!

Children's eBooks

The Children's section of our website has a new Children's ebook page that lists the choices of fiction and nonfiction ebooks for children (PreK to grade 6). The ebooks can be read on a PC, tablet or ipad. To access a database of ebooks, click on your desired icon and when prompted, enter your library card number. Arbordale Publishing and BookFlix have titles in English and Spanish. Please call ext. 26 if you need assistance.

Fall Programming for Children:

Visit our website www.nevinslibrary.org and look in the Calendar of Events section to sign up online for our monthly programs: Babies and Books (newborn to 24 months old), Donuts with Dad (3-6 years old), Book Chatters (4^th to 6^th grade), American Girl Book Club (2^nd to 4^th grade), K'NEX Club and other events for children in K-3 ^rd grade and 4^th to 6^th grade. Make a play date with a friend and visit the library together for lots of fun at an age-appropriate program. Donuts with Dad kicks off our Fall programming on Saturday, September 6 ^th at 9:30 am.

Registration for the Fall preschool lottery for 2 year olds and 3 to 5 year olds will take place from September 8^th to September 22 ^nd . Please visit the Children's Department or call

978-686-4080 ext. 26 to register your child for the lottery.

Save the Dates-

Preview Night on Friday, Saturday September 26^th from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. The entrance fee is $20.00 per person.    

Saturday, September 27^th 9:00AM to 5:00PM   

Sunday, September 28^th from Noon to 4:00PM.   

Bargain Day on Monday, September 29^th from 9:00AM to 8:00PM in which you can purchase a bag for $8.00 and fill it with as many book, DVDs, CDs or puzzles as you wish.  

We will also have our special handmade literature based jewelry for sale on Saturday and Sunday of the Book Sale. In addition, light refreshments will be sold on Saturday. Make sure you mark your calendar so you don't miss out! Proceeds from this sale benefit library programs and services.

If anyone wishes to volunteer prior to the Book Sale, or help out the weekend of the event, please contact Carla Friedrich at 978-686-4080 ext. 33 or cfriedrich@mvlc.org.

Donations of books, CDs, DVDs are accepted throughout the year.  

The Library is not just books on a shelf anymore...many of our most useful reference materials are available on-line through the Library's web site at www.nevinslibrary.org. To access most of these materials all you need is a library card from the Nevins Library, free to all Methuen residents! So, each month check out this column for another quick look at what we have to offer on-line. This month we glance at a database for test-takers!

Overcome test taking anxiety, raise your test scores or improve your skills with Learning Express. This test preparation website offers comprehensive courses in math, reading and writing; essay writing practice, resume writing and word processing skills. There are more than 300 online practice tests for students of all ages and adults. If you are preparing for the SAT or GED, Learning Express Library offers a complete course series, as well as targeted questions so that you can understand why your answers are correct or not. In addition there are many courses designed for the advancing professional with specific courses aimed at different trade and professional exams.

Check out Learning Express here