NEWSLETTER

July 2009
Volume 6, Number 7

Bring Your Overdue Items Back Now--Amnesty Ends June 30!
Main Library Summer Hours
Need Some Summer Reading Ideas? Ask Us!
Stalking Irish Madness with Patrick Tracey
Film Feature: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Foreign Film Feature: The Country Teacher
The Bottom Line: Maxed Out
Film Feature: Gran Torino
Film Feature: He's Just Not That Into You
Ask the Career Experts
Film Feature: WALL-E
Computer Education Programs: Internet Basics
July Book Discussions & Drop-in Groups
July Exhibit: Fireworks, Color & Light
July Events for Children
What's New and Recommended
Calendar of Events
Friends of the Library

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Bring Your Overdue Items Back Now--Amnesty Ends June 30!
Check under your bed and empty your backpack...return any Quincy books, DVDs, videos, CDs or audiocassettes during Amnesty Month in June and have your charges cancelled and your record cleared.

• Amnesty covers old and new overdue charges for Quincy materials only
• Overdue items must be returned in person to a Quincy library
• Amnesty covers any overdue amount

Please Note: Amnesty does not cover charges for lost or damaged items or charges on items belonging to non-Quincy libraries.

Beginning July 1, overdue charges on adult books, videos and DVDs will increase as follows:

Most Adult Materials: .20/day with a $6 maximum per item
Adult Videocassettes & DVDs: $2/day with a $6 maximum per item

Main Library Summer Hours
For the July 4th holiday, libraries will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, and will be closed all day Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

Due to budget reductions, the Main Library will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays from July 4 through Labor Day weekend, reopening on Tuesday, September 8 with regular hours. During the summer, the Main Library will be open Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Branch libraries will be open their normal Monday to Friday hours.

Need Some Summer Reading Ideas? Ask Us!
Do you need vacation reading this summer? Let us be your "personal shopper" for books you’ll enjoy. From mysteries to biographies and beyond—-we can help you discover new favorites. Try our free What to Read Next service and receive a customized book list just for you.

Stalking Irish Madness with Patrick Tracey
Join author Patrick Tracey for a reading from his acclaimed new book Stalking Irish Madness: Searching for the Roots of My Family's Schizophrenia on Wednesday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

In his powerful and sometimes harrowing story, called "a brilliant meditation on Irish people’s vexed relationship with the mind and its matters" by the Irish Voice, Tracey journeys to Ireland to track the origin and solve the mystery of his Irish-American family's multigenerational struggle with schizophrenia.

Following his genealogical trail from Boston to Ireland, Tracey crossed the Emerald Isle to investigate the country that, until the 1960s, had the world's highest rate of institutionalization for mental illness, following clues and separating fact from fiction in the legendary relationship the Irish have had with madness.

Filled with history, science, and lore, Stalking Irish Madness is an unforgettable chronicle of one man's attempt to make sense of his family's past and to find hope for the future of schizophrenic patients. Tracey will read from and discuss the book, and answer questions about his journey. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

Patrick Tracey, a former contributing writer for the Washington City Paper and Regardie’s in Washington, D.C., has also written for Ms. magazine and the Washington Post. He is the author of two nonfiction collections of biographical essays for the American Profiles series. After twenty-five years on his own twisted road, Tracey now lives with his sisters in Boston, Massachusetts.

Film Feature: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The 2008 movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will be shown on Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library.

“I was born under unusual circumstances.” And so begins The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story, set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man’s life can be. Benjamin Button is a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.

"With his usual intelligence, technical virtuosity (the reverse-aging effects are astounding) and storytelling panache, director Fincher gives the film a power and unity that make nearly three hours go by in a flash and pulls its diverse elements together to be something unique for a Hollywood movie--a true spiritual experience."--Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

"The film quickly outgrows any sense of gimmickry and matures into a one-of-a-kind meditation on mortality, time's inexorable passage and the fleeting sweetness of love...Benjamin Button is all of a visionary piece, and it's a soul-filling vision."--Wall Street Journal

Directed by David Fincher; starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, and Tilda Swinton.

Rated PG-13 for for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking. Running time 2 hours, 39 minutes; 2008.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.

Foreign Film Feature: The Country Teacher
Watch the award-winning Czech film The Country Teacher on Thursday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

A gifted and well-qualified young teacher takes a job teaching natural sciences at a grammar school in the country. Here he makes the acquaintance of a woman and her troubled 17-year old son. The teacher has no romantic interest in the woman but they quickly form a strong friendship, each recognizing the other's uncertainties, hopes and longing for love.

When the teacher's ex-boyfriend comes to visit from the city, he quickly realizes that nobody in the village knows that the teacher is gay and harbors a secret affection for the teenage boy. His jealous actions set in motion a series of events that will test the inner strength and compassion of the teacher, the woman and her son to a breaking point. A beautifully shot, powerfully acted, profoundly moving story of desire, responsibility, forgiveness and the need to belong.

"Beautifully crafted"--Variety

In Czech with English subtitles, 113 minutes.

Although not subject to rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, the film is not recommended for ages under 17 without parental permission.

The Bottom Line: Maxed Out
Take a journey deep inside the American style of debt, where things seem fine as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time, at a free screening of the 2007 documentary film Maxed Out on Monday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

With coverage that spans from small American towns all the way to the White House, the film shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer while the rich keep getting richer. After the film, Financial Literacy Coordinator Isaias Sarmiento will share some resources about proper credit card use, credit counseling and debt management.

"Intelligent, informative and unusually entertaining documentary...illuminates the dark side of capitalism by examining the worst abuses of the consumer-lending industry"--Variety

"A riveting, amusing, enlightening and emotionally affecting movie about--wait for it--the consumer debt crisis. Maxed Out is a film all high school seniors should see. And their parents. And their siblings, neighbors, best friends and acquaintances. You should see it, too."--The Washington Post

Written and directed by James D. Scurlock. Not Rated. 90 Minutes.

This is the first in a series of financial literacy presentations sponsored by the Thomas Crane Public Library and Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc.

Film Feature: Gran Torino
The 2008 film Gran Torino will be shown on Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

Retired auto worker Walt Kowalski fills his days with home repair, beer and monthly trips to the barber. The people he once called his neighbors have all moved or passed away, replaced by Hmong immigrants, from Southeast Asia, he despises. Resentful of virtually everything he sees--Walt is just waiting out the rest of his life. Until the night someone tries to steal his `72 Gran Torino. The Gran Torino brings his shy teenaged neighbor Thao into his life when Hmong gangbangers pressure the boy into trying to steal it. But Walt stands in the way of both the heist and the gang, making him the reluctant hero of the neighborhood--especially to Thao's mother and older sister, Sue, who insist that Thao work for Walt as a way to make amends. Though he initially wants nothing to do with these people, Walt eventually gives in and puts the boy to work fixing up the neighborhood, setting into motion an unlikely friendship that will change both their lives.

"A lifetime in movies runs through this prime vintage Eastwood performance. You can't take your eyes off him. The no-frills, no-bull Gran Torino made my day."--Rolling Stone

"It's a meditation, as affecting as it is entertaining, on the limits of violence and the power of unchained empathy."--Wall Street Journal

Directed by Clint Eastwood; starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, and Christopher Carley. Rated R for language throughout, and some violence. Running time: 116 minutes.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.

Film Feature: He's Just Not That Into You
This 2008 movie will be shown on Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

He's Just Not That Into You tells the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty- and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life, trying to read the signs of the opposite sex... and hoping to be the exceptions to the "no-exceptions" rule.

"With an all-star cast maintaining an amiable tone throughout, the result is a movie in which everyone should see themselves for at least a few minutes (and wish they were that young, that beautiful and that well-off)."--Baltimore Sun

"The movie has a few too many story threads, but it also has some very funny lines and offers sharp-eyed commentary on the state of relationships in the era of instant messages and MySpace."--USA Today

Directed by Ken Kwapis; starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kris Kristofferson, and Justin Long. Rated PG-13 for sexual content and brief strong language; Running time 129 minutes.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.

Ask the Career Experts
Are you hunting for a job, considering a career change, or worried about layoffs in your future? Come to the library one Tuesday a 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 July 28 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: WALL-E
The Academy Award winning animated feature WALL-E will be shown on Thursday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans. Meanwhile, WALL-E chases eve across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. Joining WALL-E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.

"A charming, hilarious robot love story aimed at the entire family."--New York Post

"This magnificent animated feature from Pixar starts on such a high plane of aspiration, and achievement, that you wonder whether the wonder can be sustained. But yes, it can."--Wall Street Journal

"You leave WALL-E with a feeling of the rarest kind: that you've just enjoyed a close encounter with an enduring classic."--Rolling Stone

Directed by Andrew Stanton. Rated G. Running time: 103 minutes.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.

Computer Education Programs
Internet Basics
Never used a mouse? Need some basic instruction on using the Internet? Library staff members are available by appointment for one-on-one training sessions in the Main Library computer lab. Get help with anything from creating an address and using email to surfing the Web for information, including how to fill out online forms and search for subjects that interests you. Please call 617-376-1316 to schedule a convenient time. You will receive a password that allows you to come back into the lab any time we are open, to practice and get further help.

July Book Discussions & Drop-in Groups
LOCAL NON-FICTION BOOK GROUP
This group usually meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library. The focus of this group is non-fiction books of local and regional interest. On Thursday, July 9, the group will discuss Ponzi's Scheme: the True Story of a Financial Legend by Mitchell Zuckoff. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library checkout desk. For more information, call Will at 617-689-8320.

WORLD LITERATURE BOOK GROUP
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, July 10, the group will discuss Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library checkout desk. For more information, call Julie at 617-376-2411.

FICTION PLUS BOOK GROUP
This group meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library. On Wednesday, July 15, the group will discuss Being Dead by Jim Crace. 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.

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. The next meeting will be on Friday, July 10 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 Monday, July 13, we'll talk about QUICK & EASY recipes. 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.

July Exhibit: Fireworks, Color & Light
Quincy resident Richard DeLeonardis will exhibit his photographs from July 1 to 31 in the Coletti Reading Room of the Main Library. The exhibit features photographs of fireworks, landscapes and panoramas. Various exposure times and camera movements produced images of fireworks with slight quirks, and techniques such as HDR (high dynamic range) and blending utilities were used to create landscape and panorama shots with intense, emotional color and refined detail.

Richard DeLeonardis is an enthusiastic amateur photographer whose diverse engineering background bubbles out of his work in bold lines and striking composition. DeLeonardis can often be found at sunset wandering local beaches and marshes with camera, tripod, and 5-year-old son in tow.

July Events for Children
Blast off this summer @the library with Starship Adventure--two full months of fun for children of all ages. Explore space and the stars, hear storytellers and concerts, make crafts and origami, participate in pajama storytimes, track your summer reading online, watch a magic show, puppet show and movies--all for free this summer at the library.

STARSHIP ADVENTURE KICK-OFF Tad Travis kicks off all the fun with Mr. D. J.’s Ultimate Kids Party, a wild mix of karaoke, games and dancing, on Thursday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Main Library. This high energy show full of cool music, singing, dancing, playing games, screaming, and catching bubbles will get you energized for a summer of out-of-this world fun!

Information about all of the summer programs will be handed out at this time. Bring your camera, we will have a couple of photo ops set up. Take pictures of you and your children posing as an astronaut or Star Fleet officer. In case of rain we will move inside. This program is for children of all ages and their families. Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.

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.

Last Modified: July 1, 2009
©Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy, Mass. 02169