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NEWSLETTER
August 2008
Volume 5, Number 8
Tune in to QATV for Library Events
Magazine Feature: Beach Reading
Libraries Closed Labor Day Weekend
Concert on the Lawn: Ashmont Station
China: Rapid Changes in an Ancient Land
Health Matters @your library: Understanding Your Medications
Foreign Film Feature: XXY
Ask the Career Experts
Film Feature: Persepolis
August Computer Class: Internet Basics
Upcoming Book Discussions & Drop-in Groups
August Exhibits: Reflections & China Revealed
August Events for Children
What's New and Recommended
Calendar of Events
Friends of the Library
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Back Issues
Contact Us
Tune in to QATV for Library Events
Each month Quincy Access Television produces and airs a half-hour program called At the Library, which highlights events and exhibits planned at the library that month. Each show includes interviews with speakers and exhibitors who will be coming to the library. At the Library is cablecast every Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m. and every Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. on Channel 10. Selected video clips from the show are also available online.
QATV also records and cablecasts selected library concerts and other programs. To see when library concerts and events are scheduled to air, check QATV’s weekly program schedule.
Magazine Feature: Beach Reading
Looking for some casual browsing material for your day at the beach? Check out the following magazines at your library and catch up on the latest in style and fashion, health and beauty, culture and entertainment, money matters and travel, and more:
Boston
Cosmopolitan
Ebony
Entertainment Weekly
Esquire
Essence
Glamour
GQ
Harper's Bazaar
Marie Claire
Men's Journal
More
New York
O: the Oprah Magazine
People
Real Simple
Redbook
Vanity Fair
Vogue
You may browse current and older issues of magazines in the Main Library Richardson building and at the branch libraries. Magazines may be checked out for two weeks and renewed for another two weeks if no other holds are waiting. If the issue you want is not available, or is owned by another library in the Old Colony Library Network, it’s easy to search and place holds in the library catalog. Go to our Catalog Help page to find out how--or just ask a librarian for help.
Library Closed Labor Day Weekend
The Main Library and all branch libraries will be closed Saturday, August 30, Sunday, August 31, and Monday, September 1 for the Labor Day holiday. Beginning Tuesday, September 2, regular hours will resume.
Concert on the Lawn: Ashmont Station
Celebrate summer with South Shore-based country cover band Ashmont Station at the final concert on the lawn on Sunday, July 27 at 3:00 p.m. at the Main Library. Ashmont Station blends an array of musical styles--including rockabilly, blues, bluegrass, pop and rock--into a unique repertoire of old and new country music. The band has performed at many festivals and events around Massachusetts and recently won the Most Promising Band award at the annual North America Country Music Association’s International talent competition in Tennessee.
The concert will last one hour and will be held in the library’s atrium if the weather is inclement. Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
China: Rapid Changes in an Ancient Land
Travel by road and river across China’s vast landscape at a free photographic lecture on Monday, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
China: Rapid Changes in an Ancient Land will take you from the modern cities of Beijing and Shanghai in the east to the rural towns and farms of the center and west of the country. Based on lecturer Barry Pell’s travels and residence in China during 2001 and 2004, the presentation will give an overview of China’s history and achievements, its people and culture and modern day problems, as it strives to transition to the status of a fully developed nation. Learn how China’s society has been overhauled with its communist revolution and subsequent movement towards economic capitalism, and how these changes have created opportunities and challenges in the lives of its people.
Barry Pell is a photojournalist and lecturer who has traveled in 147 countries on all continents and presents educational slide shows at schools, colleges and civic organizations throughout Massachusetts. Balancing his training in photography and photojournalism, his love of travel, and concern for the environment, Mr. Pell’s particular goal is to educate people, through photography and interactive dialogue, about the cultures and challenging lifestyles of developing nations.
This program is part of the China Revealed series of exhibits and programs sponsored by the Chinese Culture Connection of Malden, the Episcopal Quincy Chinese Center, and the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
Health Matters @your library: Understanding Your Medications
Find out how to manage your medications safely at a free seminar in English and Chinese on Thursday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library. MassMedLine pharmacists will present information about medication safety and give tips on fall prevention. After the presentation, pharmacists will be available to talk with you individually, review your medications, and answer any questions you may have.
MassMedLine is a free, confidential service available to all Massachusetts residents who are seeking information regarding their medications. MassMedLine provides a toll-free help line to provide personal assistance with pharmacy related questions.
Sponsored by the Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy Medical Center, South Shore Elder Services, Quincy Asian Resources, Inc., and Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center.
Foreign Film Feature: XXY
This award-winning Argentinian film will be shown on Thursday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
For just about everybody, adolescence means having to confront a number of choices and life decisions, but rarely any as monumental as the one facing 15 year-old Alex, who was born an intersex child. As Alex begins to explore her sexuality, her mother invites friends from Buenos Aires to come for a visit at their house on the gorgeous Uruguayan shore, along with their 16-year-old son Álvaro. Alex is immediately attracted to the young man, which adds yet another level of complexity to her personal search for identity, and forces both families to face their worst fears.
"The psychological fallout from alternative sexualities is explored to subtle and penetrating effect in Lucia Puenzo's XXY...in which...accomplishment matches ambition."--Allan Hunter, Screen Daily
Although this film is not subject to rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, it is not recommended for ages under 17 without parental permission. Films for the series are obtained through the library's membership in Film Movement, the exclusive distributor of curator-selected films from the world's top film festivals, including Cannes and Sundance.
Ask the Career Experts
Are you hunting for a job or considering a career change? Come to the library on the 4th Tuesday of each month for customized advice about the job search process, career exploration, resumes, networking and more, provided by career counselors and employment coaches from Career Moves at Jewish Vocational Service.
This free service is available by appointment only on August 26 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the
Main Library. To make a half-hour appointment, please call Judy Bottkol at 617-399-3162.
Ask the Career Experts is offered by the Library in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service of Boston, a non-sectarian organization that provides job search, employment assistance, education, training, career development, and support to individuals from all backgrounds.
Film Feature: Persepolis
Attend a screening of this Academy Award-nominated animated film on Thursday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library
Based on the graphic novels by Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis tells the poignant story of a young girl in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, when people's hopes were dashed as fundamentalists took power.
"A riveting odyssey in pictures and words. It's unlike any journal you've read or any animated movie you've seen"--Philadelphia Inquirer
"A wonderful spirit—-defiant, funny, tender, self-mocking—-suffuses "Persepolis," the entrancing animated film...made from Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novels. Hand-drawn in bold black-and-white images (with a splash of color here and there), it takes us on a very personal journey through the political upheavals of modern Iran. It's not to be missed in any language. In a year that has given us such marvelous animated movies as "Ratatouille" and "Paprika," this vibrant, sly and moving personal odyssey takes pride of place."--Newsweek
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content.
August Computer Class: Internet Basics
Discover the common features found on most websites as you learn about links, navigation and scrolling with hands-on practice. Then, use Google to do some basic web, image and news searches. This two-session course will be held on Wednesday, August 13 and Wednesday, August 20 at 10:30 a.m. in the Main Library computer lab. Participants must have experience using a mouse.
To register, please call 617-376-1316 or stop by the Main Library reference desk. Due to the popularity of this course, we ask that you only sign up once.
Upcoming Book Discussions & Drop-in Groups
 FRIDAY MORNING BOOK DISCUSSION
This book discussion group meets on the second Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. The focus of this group is world literature. On Friday, August 8, the group will discuss The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library checkout desk. For more information, call Julie at 617-376-2411.
 WEDNESDAY EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION
This group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Main Library. On Wednesday, September 17, the group will discuss Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy by Carlos M.N. Eire. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library checkout desk. New members are welcome
to join anytime. For more information, call Megan at 617-376-1331.
THURSDAY EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION
This group meets the first Thursday of each month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Main Library. The focus of this group is non-fiction books of local and regional interest. On Thursday, September 4, the group will discuss The Lobster Coast: Rebels, Rusticators and the Struggle for a Forgotten Frontier by Colin Woodard. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library checkout desk. For more information, call Will at 617-689-8320.
 BOOKED FOR LUNCH @Main Library
Read any good books lately? Looking for something new to read? Bring a brown bag lunch--or grab a sandwich or salad at the library café--and join other readers for an informal conversation about books on the first Friday of each month. Because of the 4th of July holiday this month, the next meeting will be on Friday, August 1 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Main Library atrium. The group meets near the café--just look for the brown Booked for Lunch sign on the table. Drop in anytime and check out this friendly group!
 COOKING WITH BOOKS @Adams Shore Branch
Love to cook? Love to read cookbooks? Join other food lovers on the second Monday of each month to review new cookbooks, share favorite recipes, and perhaps take a turn at cooking something for others to sample. This group meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Adams Shore Branch Library, 519 Sea St., Quincy. On August 11, we'll talk about VEGETABLES. You are invited to bring one of your favorite recipes to share. For more information, call 617-376-1325.
MOVIE MATINEE @North Quincy Branch
See a variety of films selected with older adults in mind at this weekly program, most Wednesdays at 2:15 p.m. at the North Quincy Branch. Films include travel, humor, and biography as well as full-length feature films.
August Exhibits 
Reflections
Hingham photographer Susan Hagstrom presents an exhibit of her work from August 3 to 29 in the Coletti reading room.
In her exhibit, Hagstrom explores the meaning of the word “reflection”. A reflection can be an image, seen because of the return of light after striking a surface. Depending upon the properties of the surface, the image can be a mirror image or slightly distorted. But a reflection can also be a thought that occurs after careful consideration or meditation. The exhibit includes images reflected in various mediums as well as meditative scenes that inspired the photographer and hopefully will also inspire viewers.
Susan Hagstrom began her photography career taking sports action shots and now specializes in fine art prints for sale, portraits, commercial and wedding photography. She is an active member of the South Shore Camera Club. Her work has been exhibited at the Hingham Public Library and the Duxbury Art Complex Museum. Samples of her work can also be seen at La Petite Maison in Hingham, at the Frame Shoppe in Kingston, the Fernwood Gallery in Norwell and at online at Snapshots by Susan.
China Revealed
The display of museum-quality vintage folk arts from the Ella V. Bowering Collection, currently on display at the Main Library, has been extended until the end of August. View clay figures, China dolls, puppets, children’s tiger hats and shoes and more. Artifacts are displayed in cases in the Richardson building and near the first floor circulation desk. Sponsored by the Chinese Culture Connection in Malden.
August Events for Children
This summer's library adventure for children of all ages--Wild Reads @your library--continues through the month of August. Stop by the library often to participate in a wide range of activities, including wild animal visits, crafts, movies, concerts and lots of great vacation reading! For complete details on summer events for children, go to our Wild Reads website.
ZOODOPT AN ANIMAL!
Read for the wild animals this summer. For every 500 books read or visits made to the library, the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library will “zoodopt” an animal at the Franklin Park or Stone Zoos. And for the first time, you can track your reading online. Find out more at our Read for the Wild Animals web page.
What's New and Recommended
Browse online for new stuff, including books, audiobooks, and DVDs or check out our staff recommendations for SUMMER reading.
You can also sign up to receive monthly updates in your e-mail. There are booklists for every age and interest, including bestsellers, fiction and mystery, large print, audiobooks, books for kids and teens, DVDs, and more. Each booklist features titles, reviews, and links to the library catalog, so reserving the titles you want is quick and easy.
To see lists of additional new materials, check out the New in the Library lists in the Old Colony Library Network online catalog. To see only new titles owned by a Quincy library, go into the catalog from our Catalog Search page. To see new titles owned by all libraries in the Old Colony Library Network, go into the catalog from the OCLN website using the catalog search box, without logging in with your library card number.
Friends of the Library
Become a Friend of the library! Your Friends membership fee ($10 for individuals, $15 for families) helps support museum passes and events for all ages. For more information about
the Friends, go to the Friends
of the Thomas Crane Public Library page or pick up a brochure at the library.
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