Holiday Craft Night December 10, 2009

If you missed Holiday Craft Night...

The Friends of the Springfield Town Library Holiday Open House Friday December 4th

The Friends cordially invite everyone to their "Open House" on December 4, 2009, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. After Santa's downtown arrival join friends and neighbors at the library for refreshments and the gift baskets drawings. There are two baskets; one for children and one for adults. Each gift basket is full of gifts and gift certificates from local merchants such as: maple syrup, ornaments, Yankee Candle, music CD, stuffed animal and books of course!

Raffle tickets are available at the library $2.00 per ticket or 3 for $5.00 for the adult gift basket. We encourage all children to come to the library during the Open House and fill out a free entry form for the children's gift basket.

For fun, refreshments, music and raffle drawing please join us on December 4 at the library!

The Friends of the Springfield Town Library would like to thank those merchants who donated gift certificates or other basket goodies.

Bibens Home Center

Coger's Sugar House Gardens

Friendly's Restaurant

Joe's Discount Beverage

Misty Valley Books

Penelope's Restaurant

Royal Diner and Pancake House

Springfield Food Co-Op

Springfield Pharmacy

Tina's Hallmark

Video Stop

Woodbury Florist

Young's Furniture & Appliance

Thank you all!

Music for Mankind Thursday, November 19th at 7 pm

In 2007 Kelly Moore founded the Music for Mankind benefit concert series, with proceeds being contributed to the United Nations World Food Program and other humanitarian organizations for disaster relief locally and globally. Kelly was the UN Delegate for the World Food Program to Nicaragua in 2008 and Peru in 2009.

Tonight he will share his 29 minute documentary film, "Nicaragua on the Ground" and answer any questions about the World Food Program and Music for Mankind and how this organization is helping bring aid near and far.

Thursday November 12 author Judith Edwards

Local author Judith Edwards will discuss her new book, Bending Moments: Crossing the Uncomfort Zone to Change. Judith is a clinical social worker in private practice for sixteen years. She has traveled nationwide with her workshops, seminars and lectures on such topics as Healing in Beautiful Places, Shaping a Personal Life in the Age of the Microchip and Changing the Frozen Narrative.

Author Joe Citro - Thursday, October 22 @ 7 pm

Joseph A. Citro, author, lecturer and expert on New England oddities (including ghosts, fortean, and spiritual phenomena) is renowned for both his novels and non-fiction books on the Just Plain Weird. His latest work is The Vermont Monster Guide. Joe has appeared frequently on local and national radio and television. His entertaining lectures and readings are sought after by groups wanting something historically valid, but decidedly out of the ordinary.

Tonight, Joe will talk about his many books, entertain and just maybe “spook” us a little with tales from Springfield and the surrounding area.

Check out our Banned Books Week Display!

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.
Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society. (courtesy of the American Library Association)http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm)

Come check out the display at your library. The display will be available through October 7, 2009.

Get to Know the Night Sky Thursday, Sept 17 @ 7:00 pm

There are lots of interesting things going on in the fall sky, and the Vermont sky has one of the best viewing opportunities in the country. Come find out what and where to look at with Richard Hunter longtime amateur astronomer and member of the Springfield Telescope Builders.

Ken Burns Premier on VPTV- EXCITING UPDATE!

The Springfield Town Library and Vermont Public Television are sponsoring a special 45 minute preview of Ken Burns new series, The National Park: Americas Best Idea on Monday, September 21 at 7:00 in the Flinn Room at the library.
The National Park: America's Best Idea will premiere September 27, 2009. Visit the VPT website http://parks.vpt.org/ to see information about the film series and the State Parks photo contest. And visit one the the beautiful Vermont State Parks for free using the library State Parks Pass.

And the Winner Is...!

What a terrific summer reading program for adults! Seventy one of you signed up to "Master the Art of READING", and the entry box was bulging this morning when I plunged my arm in and drew out the Grand Prize winner.

And the winner is....Richard Jones!

There were also eight weekly prize winners throughout the summer, Jessica DeGraaf, Rob Dacey, Rick Hunter, Patricia Bundy, Marge Constantine, Stephanie Rowe, Carol Fleury and Heather Cox. Congratulations to all the winners!

Many of you commented on the books you read this summer on your entry forms. Stay tuned for an article on the blog and in the fall newsletter detailing your favorite, and not so favorite summer reads.

Thank you to everyone who participated. Your interest and enthusiasm about the first Adult Summer Reading Program at your library has sparked ideas for next years program.

Nancy Tusinski
Adult Services Coordinator

Visit Vermont State Parks and Vermont Museums with these passes!

Did you know that museum passes and the new Vermont State Parks pass are available to check out at your library?

You may borrow for two weeks:

Nature Museum at Grafton Family Pass
free admission for the whole family
Vermont Institute of Natural Science Pass
admits two free - 2 passes available
Echo Museum Family Pass
$2.00 discount per person

You may borrow for one week:

Vermont State Parks Pass
free entry into State park day areas for up to 8 people in one vehicle
American Precision Museum Family Pass
free admission for the whole family

Quick Library Facts!

Did you know?

• 98.9% of public libraries provide public access to the Internet
• 63% of adults in the U.S. have public library cards
• Americans go to school, public and academic libraries 50% more often than they go to the movies

Sources: ALA Office for Research & Statistics: ALA Public Information Office. All facts compiled in 2006.

Newsletter Now Online!

Now you can access the Springfield Town Library Newsletter online! The library newsletter is published four times a year and contains information about new acquisitions, adult and children's programming, information about The Friends of the Springfield Town Library and a message from the Director, Russell Moore. Just click on the link below and find out what's happening at your library!

http://www.scribd.com/full/16226807?access_key=key-wgyjk2cet0l049g9jzu

Saturday Summer Hours Begin June 6th

Beginning this Saturday, June 6th and running through July and August, the library will be open from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

Friends of the Springfield Town Library Annual Book Sale Sat. July 25th 8 - 4 pm

The Friends will hold their popular annual book sale at the Armory on Fairground Road in Springfield, next to the Town Barn. Folks have been dropping off lots of boxes of donated books to the library all winter and spring. There will be quite the variety of books at the sale. Are you looking for cookbooks? history? gardening? popular fiction? children's books? The Friends of the Springfield Town Library Book Sale has it all! Come early for the best selection!
For more information or to volunteer, please call the library at 885-3108.

Library Closed for Memorial Day holiday

The library will be closed on Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

Quick Library Fact!

There are more public libraries than McDonald's in the U.S. - a total of 16,549, including branches.

Sources: ALA Office for Research & Statistics; ALA Public Information Office.
All facts compliled in 2006.

Can You READ ONE book this summer? Adult Summer Reading Program Kick Off June 10 at 7 pm!

Ann McKinstry Micou, author of A Guide to Fiction Set in Vermont will join us this evening to kick off the adult summer reading program sponsored by The Friends of The Springfield Town Library. This summer's theme is Master the Art of Reading. The library will have lists of suggested reading available, but feel free to choose whatever you would like to read!

Read one book between June 10th and August 12th and enter the Summer Reading Raffle each time you finish a book. The more books you read, the more chances to win! See Nancy T for more details or call the library at 885-3108. (You must be 18 or older and have a Springfield Town Library card to participate in the adult summer reading program.)

A Fly Fishing Primer Thursday April 23 @ 7:00 pm

Join native Vermonter and outdoorsman Harry Henderson for this program which will cover the basics of fly fishing: history, etiquette, equipment and its use and a demonstration of how to tie a dry fly. Come learn what you need to know to get started in this satisfying and engaging sport!

Friends Annual Meeting & Gardening Program

Can You Have a Garden in 15 Minutes a Day? Henry Homeyer, organic gardener, columnist, and author of the book, The Vermont Gardener's Companion: An Insider's Guide to Gardening in the Green Mountain State says, "Yes, you can!" Find out what the Friends are planning for this year! Let them know your suggestions! Join the Friends of the Library if you are not already a member! All are invited to the business meeting and the gardening program following the meeting. The business meeting begins at 7 pm and the gardening program begins at 7:30 pm.

Mud Season Movie Night Friday March 27th @ 7 pm

The title of this week's movie is the same as a crazy, kooky day of the week. Can you guess? Doors open at 6:30 pm. All movies are rated G or PG for family entertainment. And of course we'll have popcorn! Free admission. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information please call the library at 885-3108.

Old Time Rules Will Prevail: Fiddling Contests in Vermont with Adam Boyce Thursday March 26th @ 7 pm

This evening of history and music is co-sponsored by The Vermont Humanities Council and The Friends of the Springfield Town Library. Listen to vintage audio of old fiddle contests in Vermont, learn about the history of fiddle contests in Vermont, and hear some live fiddling by Adam Boyce. Our toes will be tapping on Thursday night!

From Whistler to Warhol - Saturday March 7th at 3pm

A slide lecture with art historian, Bob Manning at the Springfield Town Library on Saturday, March 7th from 3:00 - 4:00 pm. Using two screens and two projectors, Bob Manning traces the influences of one visual philosophy to the next in the context of world events. No sign up is required.

Scams and Fraud at Home, Work and on the Internet

On Thursday, March 5th at 2:00 pm Ryan Carey from the Better Business Speaker's Bureau will give a 30 minute presentation followed by a question and answer discussion session. Learn how to protect yourself from the ever changing frauds and scams happening online, via telephone, and through the mail. No sign up is required.

Learn to Knit Program Date Change

The Learn to Knit for Beginners program scheduled for Saturday, February 28th has been changed to Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Trudy Battiest is back again for this popular program! Number 7 knitting needles and worsted weight yarn are required and the library has some to loan out. Just let us know when you register. Class size is limited to 12 and there are openings available. All knitters are welcome to attend just to be with other knitters.

Closed for President's Day

The Springfield Town Library will be closed Saturday, February 14 and Monday, February 16 for President's Day. We will reopen for our normal hours on Tuesday February 17.

REIKI from the Heart Thursday - Feb 12 at 7:00 pm

Come learn more about Reiki, a subtle and effective form of energy healing using spiritually guided life force (International Association of Reiki Professionals). Lauren Potter, Reiki Master/Teacher/Practioner has practiced Reiki in many settings to promote health, well-being, harmonious relationships and the desire to enjoy learning among old and young alike. She has studied with Libby Barnett, founder of the Reiki Healing Connection Association and with William Rand, founder of The International Center for Reiki Training. Lauren is a fully insured member of The International Center for Reiki Training. Lauren teaches Reiki classes in Springfield, Ludlow and on the coast of Maine. She maintains a Reiki practice in Springfield and Ludlow.

Everyone will have a chance to experience Reiki if they would like. And as a special Valentine's Day treat we'll learn more about the heart chakra during this evening!

Volunteer Tax Preparation Assistance

The Springfield Town Library is pleased to announce that we will be offering assistance with tax form preparation again this year. In cooperation with the AARP (http://www.aarp.org/) we will have trained volunteers to help with preparing federal and Vermont state personal income tax forms, as well as Vermont state property tax and renter rebate forms.

Assistance will be by appointment only. Appointments will be on Wednesday afternoons from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm from Feb. 11 to April 8. Later times will be also be available February 18 and April 1 (up to 6:00 pm). To schedule an appointment, please call or stop in at the Springfield Town Library (885-3108). Appointments are limited, so please call early.

When you come for your appointment, please bring the following (as applicable):

* Current year's tax forms and preparation booklet.
* Copy of last year's tax return.
* W-2 forms from each employer.
* Unemployment compensation statements.
* SSA-1099 form if you received Social Security.
* All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc.) showing interest, dividends, and/or capital gains
* All documentation showing original purchase prices of sold assets.
* 1099-MISC for any miscellaneous income.
* All 1099-R forms showing pension, annuity, or IRA income.
* All forms indicating federal income tax paid.
* Dependent care provider information (name of provider, employer ID or Social Security Number).
* All receipts and cancelled checks if itemizing deductions.
* Social Security cards or other official documentation for you, your spouse and all dependents.
* Information of the amount of last year's Stimulus payment.
* Landlord Certificate or Property tax bill.
* Phone bill.
* Any other relevant documents.

Please be on time for your appointment. If you find you can't make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible, so that the time may be made available to someone else.

Note: Our staff members will be happy to assist you in finding needed forms—however, if you need assistance with their preparation, you will need to schedule an appointment with a volunteer, as our staff is not trained to provide such advice.

Learn to Knit Saturday February 7 -- 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Join us for this cabin fever busting afternoon! Trudy Battiest of Baker Fabrics here in Springfield will be our instructor. You will need size 7 knitting needles (the library has some to loan, just let us know when you register) and worsted weight yarn which the library will provide.

The class size is limited to 12 and you may register at any time, just call or drop by the library. Warm drinks and snacks will be provided.

If you're not a beginner but would like to be in the company of other knitters on a Saturday afternoon, just drop on by - no need to register. 802-885-3108

Adult Book Discussion Wednesday February 11th @ 7 pm

The title for our February book discussion is The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spellbinding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men - the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction. (from back cover)

Copies of the book are available at the library. The March 11th title will be Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende.

New Magazines!

The library has many new magazines available for check out.

ATV magazine
Cosmo Girl (teen)
Ebony
Entertainment Weekly
Fast Money
GamePro
Guide Posts (Large Print)
Home Education
The Writer
Outdoor Kidsclub (children's)
Discovery Girls (children's)

Most of the magazines can be found in the Flinn Room. Teen magazines are located in the Young Adult section of the library upstairs on the second floor and children's magazines are located in the Children's section of the library.

All magazines except the latest issue may be checked out for three weeks. Save money on subscriptions and save trips to the recycling center - check out magazines at the library!