Library Notes

Published Wednesday, February 17, 2010

What a great turn out we had Feb. 9 in the lower level of our Dadeville Library when Dr. Alan Gribben spoke to a crowd of about forty people! The group was interested in reasons for reading “Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Mrs. Ann Freeman, one of the liaison ladies for The Great Read in Dadeville along with Mrs. Susie Anderson from the Horseshoe Bend Library, introduced Dr. Gribben to the assembly of readers.

He gave us a hand-out with the ten reasons for reading the Alabama Big Read’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and elaborated on those facts in his speech. A surprising relationship was made between the Harry Potter books and Tom Sawyer. In that comparison he discussed part of the problem that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) had with people trying to decide whether the book was written for juveniles alone or for young people and grownups as well. Harry Potter books were able to transcend those ages as has Tom Sawyer.

As his speech progressed, Dr. Gribben showed us the correlation between the arts and reading. Presenting a Winslow Homer painting of children of that era dressed just like Tom Sawyer playing the game “Snap the Whip” was one link between the two.

Because of Dr. Gribben’s expertise, he taught us about subscription books of Mark Twain’s and showed how that related to door-to-door salesmen. He showed us an example of the kind of sample a salesman would take with him in order to sell the original. The sample was about ¼ size of the finished book, but illustrations and print were equally shown. In this way the book seller wouldn’t have to lug around such heavy books and books would be printed after they were purchased. It was a truly enjoyable, entertaining, and educational time with Dr. Gribben.

Having speakers of his caliber is just one of “The Friends’ “ activities made available through your membership. Remember that February is Friends membership time. $10,$15, $25 for individual, family or business membership.

Don’t forget that for children of the age of five and under there is a story time at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. Let’s get our little ones started early on the excitement of reading and on increasing their creativity by imagining events in the books you read with them.

Books are on sale Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 and are available for the deal of the century. Hardback books go for $1 and paperbacks only cost $.50. After you read them you can donate them back to the library. Now how’s that for recycling?

Have you ever wondered about your favorite author’s birthday? Well, our librarian gave me a calendar with that info so I thought I’d share some with you. Feb. 18 is Barbara Joosse’s birthday as is Toni Morrisons. Jill Krementz and Louis Slobodkin celebrate theirs on the 19th. We have some of Jim Aylesworth’s books and his special day is the 21st. Our library has four of C.S. Adler’s books and he celebrates his on the 23rd as does Walter Wick. Frank Bohnam and Cynthia Voigt on the 25th and Colby Rodowsky on the 26th are some other authors we have available to you. Remember, though, if there is a book we don’t have Teri or Amy will do their best to get it for you. Just let them know.

I hope you were able to work at least fifteen minutes of your time over our snowy week end to watch the birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count. I was amazed that I saw six big fat robins hopping along at one time and then saw twelve mourning doves. Even if you didn’t get involved in the count, bird watching is a great thing to share with children and grandchildren. They can do research and enjoy every minute because it’s a joint venture.

Below are the newest books available: “Big Girls Do Cry” by Carl Weber; “A Dark Matter” by Peter Straub; “The Wife's Tale” by Lori Lansens; “Days Of Gold” by Jude Deveraux; “A Dead Hand” by Paul Therox; “Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah; “Flirt”- by Laurell K. Hamilton; “Gator-A-Go-Go” by Tim Dorsey;“Kisser” by Stuart Woods; “Wolf At The Door” by Jack Higgins; “Death Of A Valentine” by M.C. Beaton.

The Dadeville Public Library is located at 205 N. West Street and is opoen Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 P.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon and are closed Wednesday and Sunday.

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For more informationvisit their website at www.dadevillepubliclibrary.com or call (256) 825-7820.