News, Information, and Fun Things to Do
from the
Middleborough Public Library
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Library Lines
June 2, 2021
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Little by little the Library is returning to its pre-March 2020 self.
*We no longer have to quarantine materials so you'll get your books and DVDs much more quickly.
*We've returned study tables to our DVD and audiobook rooms and invite you to pull out a chair and visit for awhile.
*We've re-started our newspaper subscriptions and will put the papers back out for browsing once we get them in-house.
*You can bring your items to return into the building and no longer have to place all returns in the outdoor bins.
*Sat., June 5 will be the final day we'll provide curbside pickup service.
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Save the Date for Our Outdoor Summer Reading Kickoff!
We hope you'll be able to join us on Mon., June 21, from 1:00-7:00 p.m. for a fun-filled outdoor Summer Reading kickoff
Look for details in our June 16 newsletter and save the date so you can be there.
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This Morning! Puppet Storytime on Zoom |
Don't forget to join us this morning, Wed., June 2, from 10:30-11:00 a.m. on Zoom for a puppet storytime from Through Me To You Puppetry.
Geared to ages 3-6, but all are welcome!
Call 508/946-2470 to register and get log-in information.
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Fri., June 4: Meet the critters of ponds and lakes this week. Click here to learn lots of fun facts like beavers' teeth never stop growing and salamanders can breathe through their skin.
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"Book Blurbs" -- What We've Been Reading
Periodically, we bring you a brief Book Blurb from the staff about what we've been reading/watching/playing. This week, book recommendations from Library Technicians Stephanie Nelson and Amy Woodward.
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Stephanie: While encountering difficult times in my personal life and in the world in general (pandemic, anyone?), and When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron came across my "library desk," I took a chance on it. It was a neat read. Written from a Buddhist perspective, it's a journey through accepting the groundlessness that we all feel during uncertain times. She discusses the ebb and flow of life, how things fall apart and then come together again. Breathing in stress, etc. and allowing space for it. I'm currently reading another of Chodron's books, Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears and, again, it's a mind-opening journey into a different way at looking at the world and how to respond to it.
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Amy: Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant takes a common star of fantasy (mermaids) and turns it on its head, the end result being something so horrifying you'll never confuse this tale with Disney's Ariel and her fishy friends.
It focuses on the voyage of the ship Melusine and the motley crew of scientists and television producers who have taken it upon themselves to find proof of the mermaids that inhabit the Marianas Trench. It seems like some of the crewmates are just along for a tropical vacation and have no intention of finding any fantastical creature, especially not a mermaid, while others know the truth. More than that, they have a score to settle with the monsters below the surface, who stormed a boat seven years prior to the start of the story, and left no survivors. They vow that this voyage will be different.
What follows is a truly terrifying journey, featuring lots of science, interpersonal drama, and an alarming amount of teeth. The characters are wonderfully diverse in very thoughtful ways, featuring crewmates who are deaf, part of the LGBT community, or on the autistic spectrum, to name a few. Also reminiscent of Jurassic Park, the ship's members also include an upper management that seems destined to make sure the trip fails spectacularly, all in favor of groundbreaking TV ratings. The push and pull between the needs of good science and television creates a precarious dynamic throughout the book, and keeps you turning to see if either will win -- and if anyone will survive.
Unfortunately, the book ended with a whimper, not a bang. The reading journey was tense and exciting, but the closing felt a little rushed and I found myself with unanswered questions. Still, I really enjoyed reading this book, and the nights I spent wondering what would happen next. I've since learned that this book was preceded by a novella, Rolling in the Deep. While it isn't necessary to read the novella first, it could be a nice outlet for those who didn't get enough of the scary mermaids. Nevertheless, I highly recommend Into the Drowning Deep for those who might want a bit of fantasy in their horror, or vice versa.
Click on the pink-linked titles above to place a hold on a print copy in the SAILS catalog. Click on the book cover image to check out the e-book or digital audiobook in OverDrive.
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News About Our Marvelous Museum Passes
The weather outlook is glorious and the upcoming season is beginning to look like it could be one of the busiest summers ever. It's time to make your reservation for our Mass Parks pass so you can get outside to enjoy all Massachusetts has to offer.
Each pass entitles the bearer to free parking for one vehicle at most DCR day use facilities where parking fees are charged. Please consult the DCR's website for a list of facilities.
This pass is sponsored by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
As of today, these organizations also are open and accepting Library passes: Buttonwood Zoo, Heritage Museums & Gardens, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, the Patriots Hall of Fame (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only), the U.S.S. Constitution Museum, and Zoo New England.
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COVID-19 Critical Content |
We know you've got lots of sites where you can go to get information on the Coronavirus pandemic, so each newsletter, we'll provide links to a few trusted and respected sources. |
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We're looking forward to the day when we can eliminate this column from our newsletter. To that end, last Saturday, Gov. Baker lifted all remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including mandatory mask wearing, and limits on attendance, both indoors and outside. Face coverings will still be mandatory on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue social distancing in most settings.
The Massachusetts State of Emergency will end June 15.
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Hours
Tuesdays
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturdays
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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