Kent Library Blog

Suffield Photo Club's next meeting

2012-02-16T15:01:00.001-05:00

The Suffield Photo Club is excited to present guest photographer MollyStromoski, a life long Suffield resident, who is finishing her senior year atSuffield academy. She will be sharing photographs from her portfolio, talkingabout the newer techniques and technology she uses to edit her photos, and explaininga tedious, but rewarding project that was assigned by a Pratt admissionsofficer. Molly has plans to continue her passion for photography at Pratt inBrooklyn NY in the fall. While art has always been a part of her life,photography took the forefront in her high school years. She's taken manyclasses at her school, both for film and digital photography, and is now aphotography teachers assistant for her senior year. Molly will also be talkingabout the scholastic portfolio course at Maine Media, Rockport Maine, she tookthis past summer. She was able to shoot and edit all day long, a dream for somephotographers.

The group will have two short demos using Photoshop and Photoshop Elements andthen theme photos of the month will be shown. February's theme is"RED" and for March the theme will be "Black and White".

The meeting is February 21st, 6:30 in the Suffield Senior Center. Everyone iswelcome. suffieldphotoclub.com

Thursday Readers

2012-01-10T14:17:00.002-05:00

January 12th Meeting
new temporary location: Suffield Senior Center

The Best AmericanShort Stories of the Century
edited by John Updike

"Since the series' inception in 1915, the annual volumes ofThe Best American Short Stories have launched literary careers, showcased themost compelling stories of each year, and confirmed for all time thesignificance of the short story in our national literature. Now THE BESTAMERICAN SHORT STORIES OF THE CENTURY brings together the best -- fifty-sixextraordinary stories that represent a century's worth of unsurpassedachievements in this quintessentially American literary genre". Amazon

The group will be discussing a few select short stories from the book,including "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien.

Join the group on January 12th to discuss some of the stories. The library hascopies available for checkout. The meetings are at 12:30 in theSuffield Senior Center at 145 Bridge Street. Everyone iswelcome. For more information, please call the library at 860-668-3896.

And for the curious minded, At Home

2011-12-12T15:18:00.000-05:00

Bill Bryson is fast becoming one of my more favorite authors. His A Short History of Nearly Everything, though perhaps not quite that comprehensive, did give a rather overwhelming history of us (homo sapiens) and how we got here. His next book, At Home, has a terser focus that covers a far more manageable area (though perhaps 'terse' is not the right word to use where Bryson is concerned). Though Bryson's tour of the home goes from room to room, he takes us on a journey from ancient Rome to the tea plantations of China, all in an effort to better understand how our homes became just that--home. Bryson's genius is a child-like quest for explanation and an uncanny ability to explicate the answers he finds in an entertaining manner. In the book, the reader will meet some incredible people and hear some even more incredible stories of both folly and triumph. The world is an interesting place and Bryson once again proves that fact is stranger than fiction. Highly recommended.

Bernhard for the hard to buy for

2011-12-12T14:53:00.001-05:00

Thomas Bernhard is not the easiest writer to read, but he has written some of the more interesting works of the 20th century (e.g. Correction, Woodcutters). A good way to get to know his work is through his shorter prose, so Prose should go on any challenging reader's list. http://www.rochester.edu/College/translation/threepercent/index.php?id=2799, then let them find their own way to the novels!

Vonnegut rules

2011-12-12T14:32:00.002-05:00

If you are looking for a gift idea for the discerning reader on your list this holiday season, look no further than two titles concerning Kurt Vonnegut. One is the Library of America's Novels and Stories, 1963-1973. It contains Cat's Cradle, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Slaughterhouse-Five, Breakfast of Champions, and Stories (including Welcome to the Monkey House). In other words, this is Vonnegut at his very best.
Or if they own all Vonnegut's books, they can read about his life in Charles Shields' And So It Goes. This is a fascinating life, well-told. Vonnegut died from a fall in 2007 and deserves to be remembered. His best books dealt with important ideas. Slaughterhouse-Five should be read by all.

Mervyn Peake's year

2011-12-12T14:02:00.001-05:00

How many of you have heard of Mervyn Peake? He was born 100 years ago this year and is the author of the highly quirky Gormenghast Trilogy. Made up of the books Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone, they tell the story of the 77th Earl of Gormenghast, Titus Groan, and the changes he must contend with as he takes over as ruler of his crumbling kingdom. A story of immense depth and fantastic color, readers can find out more at the website: http://www.mervynpeake.org/gormenghast/
Peake was also a talented artist and illustrator and a new edition of The Gormenghast Trilogy has just been published by Overlook Press that incorporates many of his idiosyncratic drawings.
For more information on the author, check out the blog: http://mervynpeake.blogspot.com/

All aboard for the Polar Express!!

2011-11-29T11:12:00.001-05:00

Polar Express: A Story Time

The Library invites kids ages 3-5 to board thePolar Express at Second Baptist Church (100 North Main Street) on Tuesday,December 6 at 6:30 PM, or, Wednesday, December 7 at 10:30AM. Travel to theNorth Pole, drink hot cocoa, meet Santa and hear the story of The PolarExpress by Chris Van Allsburg. Wear your pajamas if you’d like – and don’tforget to bring your camera. Registrationstarts Tuesday, November 22. Youcan register by calling the library at (860) 668-3896 or, stop by to see us atthe lower level of Suffield Town Hall, 83 Mountain Road, Suffield, CT.

Thanksgiving week schedule

2011-11-17T15:12:00.001-05:00

Next week the library will be open 10-5 Monday through Wednesday and 10-5 Friday and Saturday. On Thursday we will be imbibing.

Who’s got Cabin Fever (by Jeff Kinney?)

2011-11-16T15:14:00.001-05:00

We do! Cabin Fever, the sixth inthe Diary of a Wimpy Kid series – by Jeff Kinney – is here! (And it’sturquoise in case you were wondering.) Give us a call (860-668-3896) and we’ll put it asidefor you. Couldn’t get your hands on one of our five copies? While you’rewaiting for your hold to come in, try the biography Jeff Kinney by MeganGunderson. Haven’t started the series yet? What are you waiting for? There’s notime like the present (though the past and the future are similar). We’ve got multiple copies of all the titles: GregHeffley’s Journal, Rodrick Rules, The Last Straw, Dog Daysand The Ugly Truth. So come on down and visit us at our temporary digs inTown Hall (83 Mountain Road).

Consumer Reports Online

2011-11-15T16:01:00.001-05:00

Everyone needs a little help in saving money these days. We have just the database to help you do just that. Consumer reports online is available through the library's website. Just go to http://www.suffield-library.org/ and follow the link.

Suffield Camera Club meets Nov. 15

2011-11-14T12:25:00.001-05:00

The 6:30 meeting will again be held at the Suffield Senior Center Dining Roomdue to renovation at KML.

November's theme is "Autumn" or macro close-ups. Remember,3 picture maximum for Theme. Any additional pictures you wish to providecan be added in the Photos / a Links section on the website.

Paul Osgood will discuss digital images sizes. This includes pixels,megapixels, pixels per inch (ppi) Dots per inch (dpi). These items determinehow large on image can be printed or displayed on a PC without being consideredpixilated and fuzzy.u

Immediately following we will be showing the Theme pictures withcomments. Then a 15 minute break so members can have informal discussions witheach other.

Finally, Paul Osgood will demo the use of Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) for initialsteps in editing a photo. ACR is included in Photoshop, Photoshop Elements andLightroom and allows you to crop, adjust white balance (color temperature),exposure, contrast and make other changes prior to printing an image or postingit on the web.

Library has reopened

2011-11-07T10:02:00.000-05:00

It has been a long week. We hope all Suffield residents have been safe and warm through this crisis. The Library has reopened! Now you have something to do while the schools are closed for one more day. Come on down.

Suffield Photo Club

2011-10-27T08:36:00.001-04:00

The next meeting will be November15th at 6:30 pm, Suffield Senior Center in Suffield.

The meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm at theSuffield Senior Center at 145 Bridge Street. Everyone is welcome.
Please visit the website at-
http://SuffieldPhotoClub.com
For more info email the club at-
SuffieldPhotoClub@gmail.com

Connecticut’s Nutmeg Book Award

2011-10-27T08:29:00.001-04:00

Are you planning on voting in January for the Nutmeg BookAward? If you are in grades 4-6 (intermediate), or 7-8 (teen) there is a bookaward for you, in which Connecticut students vote for their favoritefrom a list of ten nominees. The book with the most votes wins the award.Looking for a list of the January 2012 nominees? Check the award site: www.nutmegaward.org . Want to read thenominees? Come on over to our temporary location at the Town Hall(83 Mountain Road). If you want to reserve a book – call us at 860-668-3896, wehave them all.

Salutations!

2011-10-27T08:28:00.001-04:00

What’s the capital of Pennsylvania? Well if your name isFern Arable, the answer is “Wilbur.” Have you read Charlotte’s Web byE.B. White? Mr. Arable, a farmer, is about to get rid of a runt piglet but hishand is stayed by the saddened, tear-stained face of his daughter Fern. She isgiven the piglet to raise and what follows is a beloved, Newberry Award winningchildren’s book read by many since 1952. Take a gander at it if you haven’tread it yet. And when you’re done, take a peek at Little Pink Pup byJohanna Kerby (c.2010). It’s a true story of a runt piglet, Pink, raised by – adachshund. Come borrow both books from the Library, temporarily locatedin the lower level of Town Hall on 83 Mountain Road. Questions? Call us at860-668-3896.

What's in a database

2011-10-24T10:35:00.000-04:00

We have a new database page up that, I hope, is easier to navigate. Take a look at:
http://suffield-library.org/databasesmain.htm

Rick Riordan's new book!

2011-10-20T12:59:00.001-04:00

It’s Neptune! AndI Don’t Mean the Planet.

Have you been reading the Heroes of Olympus series byRick Riordan? Well get out your wetsuit because book two is here! Come find thesecond book, The Son of Neptune, at Kent Memorial Library, locatedtemporarily at Town Hall (83 Mountain Road). Questions? Call us at860-668-3896.

What's better than LEGOs?

2011-10-20T12:58:00.000-04:00

For the Love ofLEGOs

The Lego Group was first founded in 1932 and the first LEGObrick was marketed in 1949. Those little bricks have inspired so muchcreativity and now you can find LEGOs in books. The latest, LEGO Ideas Book:Unlock Your Imagination by Daniel Lipkowitz and LEGO Star Wars CharacterEncyclopedia by DK Publishing, have arrived at Kent Memorial Library. Ifyou’re a lover of LEGOs, you might also try the other LEGO books that traveledwith us to our temporary facility at Town Hall (83 Mountain Road): LEGO StarWars, The LEGO Book, LEGO Harry Potter, The Ultimate LEGO Book, and StandingSmall. BTW -- we also have the beginning reader books. Questions? Call usat 860-668-3896.

National Book Awards Redux

2011-10-13T11:00:00.001-04:00

This just in: the National Book Foundation has updated its finalist list to include one more author, 26-year-old Tea Obreht. Her first novel is The Tiger's Wife (not to be confused with the other tiger mom). Read all about it at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/10/national-book-award-finalists-announced.html

Peace Corps

2011-10-13T10:46:00.002-04:00

Do you know that 2011 is the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps? Find out all about it at peacecorps.gov

National Book Awards

2011-10-13T10:21:00.001-04:00

Five authors, all under 35 years of age, will be honored by the National Book Foundation as finalists for this year's National Book Award. Read all about it: http://www.nationalbook.org/5under35.html
The library has the books on order.

Tomas Transtromer

2011-10-13T10:11:00.001-04:00

Not many people have heard of the Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer, but that has never been a criteria for the Nobel Committee. Read about him: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/swedish-poet-wins-nobel-prize-for-literature/2011/10/06/gIQA87TwQL_story.html He is our newest Nobel laureate in the literature category. Congratulations!

Looking for a new job?

2011-10-11T16:51:00.000-04:00

We have the database for you! Career Insider (found at our website: www.suffield-library.org) gives our patrons access to: Downloadable Career Guides; Employer profiles and rankings; All discussion boards; Industry blogs and news covering the latest trends and issues; Diversity, green programs and leadership development profiles; and the Vault’s job board, which matches employers and recruiters with top talent (that’s you.) Use it to find a new job or just keep up with the competition.

Don't ever grow up

2011-10-11T13:05:00.002-04:00

For all of you who are determined not to grow up, or would prefer not to, or just can't, this anniversary is for you: http://onpoint.wbur.org/2011/10/11/peter-pan-turns-100
Happy 100th anniversary to Peter Pan and to everyone in Never Land.

Ban together to stop banning books

2011-10-11T11:22:00.001-04:00

Well, Banned Books Week was last week and I know we all have our favorite banned book. If you want to learn more about how to combat book banning go to: http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=2879 and find out all about it. And for a list of the 10 most challenged titles, go to: http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=2879.

Calling all Civil War buffs!

2011-10-06T10:10:00.002-04:00

Up Close and Personal:

The Everyday Life of the Union Soldier

Presented by James Genco

7:00 pm Thursday, October 13, 2011

West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, Avon CT

Avon resident, James Genco, an attorney and life-long historian, will discuss a Union soldier’s life in the Civil War as seen through the eyes of eighteen year old Private Eugene Hawley. Hawley’s letters to his family describe his three years of service as a member of the Fifth Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry and give a personal perspective on major battles, camp life, marches, and life as a prisoner of war.

Visit the Avon Library's website for more details: www.avonctlibrary.info

Steve Jobs is dead

2011-10-06T09:38:00.000-04:00

With the passing of Steve Jobs, an era in technology has ended. For more on the story, go to:

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daniel-gross/steve-jobs-earned-place-american-business-pantheon-001840746.html

For older kids

2011-10-05T15:03:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin Carving

If you’re in grades 5 and up, you’re also invited to a pumpkin carving. Join the children’s team from Kent Memorial Library at Second Baptist Church, 100 North Main Street, Suffield CT for an hour of creative carving. The library will provide the pumpkins, carving tools and design ideas.
Registration begins October 5. To register you can call us at (860) 668-3896, or, stop in at the library’s temporary facility on the lower level of Suffield Town Hall.
This program is funded by the Friends of Kent Memorial Library

Pumpkin Painting and Halloween Crafts

2011-10-05T14:58:00.000-04:00

The Kent Memorial Library building may be closed for renovations, but we are still running programs for children. On October 19 at 3:30 pm, children in grades K – 4 are invited to bring a pumpkin, smock, and their creativity to Second Baptist Church, 100 North Main Street, Suffield CT, for Halloween fun. Registration begins October 5 (that's today). To register you can call us at (860) 668-3896, or, stop in at the library’s temporary facility on the lower level of Suffield Town Hall.
This program is funded by the Friends of Kent Memorial Library.

Color nooks

2011-10-04T11:24:00.000-04:00

We have color nooks you can now reserve and borrow from the library. They are a lot more user friendly than either the Kindle or the earlier versions of B&N's nooks. You can reserve one by searching our catalog for 'color nook' and clicking the 'request item' button.

The library makes e-books and downloadable audio books available through our website. Just go to www.suffield-library.org and click on the link that says 'downloadable audio books and ebooks.' It's easy and fun...once you get the hang of it. If you're having trouble, always remember you can call us at 860-668-3896.

New blog

2011-10-04T09:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the new Kent Memorial Library blog. A lot of things are going on at the moment, so we thought we would add another voice to keeping our patrons aware of things that are going on at the library, progress on the Main Street building, along with other interesting things we might come across.

For instance, do you know that we have temporarily relocated to the lower level of Town Hall? Use the rear door to enter. We have a good browsing collection of adult and children's material, as well as our DVDs, books on CD, and computer access. We can also get you any titles you might be looking for from other libraries while the bulk of our collection is in storage.