News, Information, and Fun Things to Do
 from the  
Middleborough Public Library
Library Lines
August 25, 2021
A Reminder for Fans of Nonfiction
We're starting a new book group at the Library for all of you who love reading nonfiction books. The best part is there are NO reading assignments. We'll meet once a month to share suggestions with one another of, not only what we've enjoyed reading, but what we'll suggest you steer clear of. After all, there are so many good books to read, we can all use help in narrowing down the choices.

Email Reference and Adult Services Librarian Libby Fox to sign up for our first meeting, Tues., Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m. We'll also have a Zoom connection set up for those who can't physically make it to the Library that day.
Save the Date
Wed., Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. True crime author Maureen Boyle visits to tell us about her new book, "The Ghost: The Murder of Police Chief Greg Adams and the Hunt for His Killer."

Look for more details in the next newsletter, arriving in your email inbox on Wed., Sept. 8.
Adults -- Time to Log All
Activity and Win Great Prizes!
Our Adult Summer Reading Program sails off into the sunset tomorrow so if you've completed many activities but haven't logged them to earn badges yet, now's the time to do it.

You can win a pair of tickets to a whale watching tour with Captain John Boats out of Plymouth, or be one of five lucky winners of a $50 Amazon gift card. Prizes will be awarded by the first week of September.

Go to midlib.org or download the Beanstack Tracker mobile app to finish logging your activities.
Another Season of Summer Reading is Almost Over
Tails & Tales is sponsored by the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, CSLP and supported by the National Women's Hockey League team Boston Pride and by the generosity of the Friends of the Middleboro Public Library. 
Back to School Resources
Use these resources to help prepare for back to school success:


Back-to-School Resources for Families and Educators - Child Mind Institute has information for families with kids anxious about the new year.

Going Back to School - PBS Kids for Parents includes articles like How to Handle a Tough First Day and Helping Your Child Make Friends Again.
Stop in the Library to see our Back to School book display. Here are just a few titles you can borrow:
by Alexandra Penfold
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month
Visit the Library on Tues., Sept. 7 from 10:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. for a fun treat and activity you can enjoy by just having your library card.

Kids who come in to sign up for their first library card can go home with an extra prize.

Children must be accompanied by their legal guardian and be able to write their first and last names.

Already have a card? Stop by and complete the Scavenger Hunt to win a prize.
Miss Lori's FINAL Animal Fun Facts Friday:
Alpine Tundra Biome

Fri., Aug. 27: The last group of animals we'll learn about this summer is from the alpine tundra biome. This includes Alpacas, Elk and Clark's Nutcrackers (seen here) who have an excellent memory and can find seeds many months after they've hidden them.
New Graphic Novels for Kids
We've added some fun new titles to our kids' graphic novel collection. Check below for additions to some of your favorite series and new adventures for beloved characters like Scaredy Squirrel.

Click on the cover to place a hold in the SAILS catalog or on the title in red under each cover for the digital copy in OverDrive.
Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell (#1 in Scaredy's Nutty Adventures)
by Melanie Watt
Clash (#4 in Click series)
by Kayla Miller
Whisker Wizard
(#5 in Babymouse Tales from the Locker series)
by Jennifer Holm
Teen Summer Reading Ends Tomorrow!

We're wrapping up summer reading tomorrow. Teen readers in grades 6-12 participating in Teen Summer Reading are reminded to:

  • Log reading and activities by midnight on Thur., Aug. 26.

  • Enter any virtual tickets you've earned into the Grand Prize drawings of your choice by midnight, Aug. 26. Raffle winners will be announced on Sat., Sept. 4.

  • Pick up your free book at the library by Thurs., Sept. 16 if you logged 12 or more hours of reading.

If you have any questions about your Beanstack account or Summer Reading please call us at 508/946-2470 or email Teen Librarian Christine Dargelis.
Funding for this program was made possible by the generous support of Dairy Queen and the Friends of the Middleboro Public Library.
Tails & Tales is sponsored by the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, CSLP and supported by the National Women's Hockey League team Boston Pride and by the generosity of the Friends of the Middleboro Public Library. 
"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, a recommendation from Reference and Adult Services Librarian Libby Fox.

Finding Dorothy (2019) by Elizabeth Letts.

I grew up in the era of event television, before streaming, DVD players, Cable TV, VCRs or the internet allowed you to watch almost anything you wanted, whenever you wanted. From 1959 until 1991, watching The Wizard of Oz on TV was an annual event and I remember the anticipation every spring of getting to watch the movie that one time each year.

Given my nostalgia for this time and film, I was curious about Letts' first historical novel. The story centers around Maud Gage Baum, the wife of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (and an additional 16 lesser-known Oz tales). Jumping back and forth between the late 1800s when Maud is a child and later meets and marries Baum, and the 1930s when the iconic movie was made, you'll learn about Frank's joyous, child-like heart, and the couple's heart-breaking connection with "Dorothy."

In her notes at the end, Letts acknowledges that readers of historical fiction appreciate knowing the particulars about what was true and what was fictionalized from an author's imagination. In this instance, Letts notes that most of this story is "based on known historical fact." Fans will be intrigued about the origins of the Emerald City, how the directors got a young Judy Garland to perform "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" so soulfully, and what Baum's Tin Woodman's character is really based on.

Click on the red link above to place a hold on the print or audiobook copy in the SAILS catalog or on the book cover to place a hold for the digital audiobook in OverDrive.
Cocktails and Conversation with Your Favorite Authors in The Back Room
Have you had a chance to participate in one of the Back Room's author conversation events yet? Now would be a good time to sign up, as hosts Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne have just announced their Fall lineup of speakers.

Programs are held online Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m. and focus on a theme like Historical Fiction or Wilderness Adventures.

Each event starts with a short introduction to a panel of four authors. The audience is then divided into four breakout rooms where they remain for the rest of the program while the authors visit each room in turn. Everyone’s video is turned on and their mics are unmuted, allowing for informal, face-to-face discussion.

After Ryan and Dionne had novels published during the pandemic, and came to understand the limitations of online events in which they couldn't see the audience or interact with them directly, they conceived of this new way for readers and authors to connect virtually face-to-face.
Final Drawing Winner Announced Tomorrow

Tomorrow, we'll find out who won the fifth and final $1 million drawing in the Massachusetts VaxMillions giveaway.
One child, age 12-17, also will receive the last of the five $300,000 scholarships.
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