Mark Your Calendars! - Tricks, treats and Bats Oct 21 and Oct 28 - Vintage Lancaster post- CLARION cards, Oct 28 @6:30 pm - THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE Fifteen fiddlers fiddling Dec 7 @ 6:30 pm THAYER MEMORIAL

Fall 2010 7, Number 4

To ARIS is human; to use the library, divine percent - second only to Bolton, A is like t’s hard to believe a whose circulation rose more whole year has passed than 23 percent. When you a garden since I last broached compare hours worked by staff this subject. Another over a typical week, TML (where year, another Annual Report carried in staff work 203.5 hours) had the Information Survey (ARIS) to second fewest hours, ahead of complete. Most fiscal years end only the Hazen Memorial Library

the pocket. in June, leaving the early in Shirley, where staff work 154 months of a new fiscal year to hours. Add to this the fact that Chinese proverb take stock of resources and Lancaster provided more open evaluate the performance of the hours of service than any of its Library from the prior year. neighbors (except Every August, public “Dollar for dollar, TML Leominster), and it throughout becomes clear that, provides residents an the Commonwealth dollar for dollar, file the ARIS, which excellent value-added TML provides marks the first of alternative to buying or residents an several steps on the renting and excellent value- way to achieving other media relative to added a lternative to certification. its neighbors.” buying or renting Although the process books and other media relative is completely non-competitive, I to its neighbors. can’t help but measure Thayer It’s very satisfying for all of us Memorial Library in relation to at TML, who take great pride in some of its peers and, indeed, providing you with excellent against itself. service, to see the Library services in general up quite favorably against its have been on an upward trend neighbors. However, as I said, for quite some time in we’re not in any way competing Lancaster. In fact, with a In This Issue: against our neighbors, or faltering economy and an against any other library in • Summer and Fall, unsteady job market, folks are Massachusetts for that matter. what’s happened re-thinking how they use their Although the Thayer Memorial money and time. Staff members and what’s coming Library may be demonstrably at TML have been making the Page 2 stronger in some areas, it is case that tax dollars spent on when libraries such as ours • Super Fall events the public library - less than $35 collaborate and share our per capita - provide some of the for everyone resources, not compete for best value around. them, that the public is best Page 3 So how do we stack up? In its served. • Friends do great entirety, Lancaster and its — Joe Mulé deeds with your immediate public library neighbors’ 1 direct circulation Joe Mulé is Director of the help and support rose less than 3 percent since a Thayer Memorial Library. Page 4 year ago. At TML, however, 1 Bolton, Clinton, Harvard, Leominster, circulation rose more than 17 Lunenburg, Shirley, and Sterling C/W MARS’ Summer Re-cap, Fall Program Preview

Most Wanted Throughout the long, hot newcomer to Lancaster stopped summer of 2010, 63 adult s took in to the library and asked Books part in the Adult Summer whether we offered a writing Program, which workshop. One thing led to involved checking off boxes on another, and now that a B-I-N-G-O card by participat- newcomer, Mary Dowling, is ing in library programs, visiting serving as facilitator of the new the Historical Museum (open Lancaster Writing Group . On Wednesdays from 6-8; call Thursday mornings, 13 word- ahead), attending art exhibits smiths gather at 8:30 sharp to and local museums, and work on a 20-minute writing checking out some the library’s exercise, then reconvene to offer eclectic offerings - from one another positive feedback. 1 The Girl with the museum passes and paintings Those scribblings may turn into Dragon Tattoo to books in every genre, memoirs, short stories, children’s Stieg Larsson audios, and music CDs. books, and essays in the months

At the end-of-the-season to come. 2 Fly Away Home party on September 1st, four Jennifer Weiner lucky people won raffle baskets What’s Up Next? worth more than $50 each. Theme baskets were generously Just in time for Halloween, on 3 The Girl Who provided by the Friends of the Tuesday, October 19 at 7 pm, Kicked the Hornet’s Thayer Memorial Library, whose actress Rita Parisi will appear in Nest gargantuan book sale during full dress to present “Gothic Stieg Larsson the first weekend in October Victorian Tales by Candle-

goes a long way toward funding light,” based on Sarah Orne 4 Private all sorts of programs for adults Jewett’s writings. Teens and James Patterson and children alike. adults are in for a macabre treat Tax-abatement volunteer at this Friends-funded program. Carolyn Stump took home the On Wednesday, October 20 at 5 Sizzling Sixteen “Movie Lover’s” basket - classic 7 pm, Susan Latimer of Clinton Janet Evanovich movie candy boxes, popcorn will start an 8-week class called

and seasonings, Coca-Cola in Learn to Knit! A $15 materials 6 The Help small glass bottles, a movie fee is due at the first meeting. Kathryn Stockett guide, and a movie trivia Open to adults and teens age 14 calendar. Monday night library and up; class size is limited to 6. Scrabble player and Saturday Don’t miss John Schumacher- 7 Mockingjay morning volunteer Sandy Hardy’s colorful presentation of Suzanne Collins Nowicki walked away with the vintage Lancaster postcards on

“That’s Italian!” basket, filled Thursday, October 28 at 6:30

8 Women, Food and with pasta, pesto, Chianti, pm. His new book, Wish You God: An cookbooks, and biscotti. Were Here: Lancaster, MA Unexpected Path to Lancaster writer/editor Ann ($29.95), will be on hand for Almost Anything Frantz scored the “Book 'Em” purchase and signing that Geneen Roth basket, which included a copy evening. of The Help by Kathryn Drs Jason and Kate Engelha rdt, Stockett, a literary calendar, a Lancaster’s family chiropractors, 9 The Passage bibliophile’s mug, and an will present “The Five Keys to Justin Cronin assortment of stationery. Slowing, Stopping, and

Fabiola Salvant won the “Coffee Preventing Arthritis” on 10 Eat, Pray, Love: and Chocolate Lovers’” basket, Tuesday, November 2 at 7 pm. One Woman’s chock-full of java, sweets, and Please register so they’ll know Search for a book of cappuccino recipes. how many hand-outs to bring. Everything Across Congratulations to all the This program is sponsored by Italy, India and winners! the Friends. Indonesia One day over the summer, a Continued on page 4 Elizabeth Gilbert C/W MARS’ Fall into Story Hour and everything else fun

Most Wanted Story Hour programs with ear infections. She will help Miss Susan will be held every parents define ways to boost Movies Thursday (with some their children’s immune systems exceptions) at 10:30 am. Each naturally. Please register for this 1 Date Night week has a special theme and popular program. Steve Carell and offers lots of reading, a craft, Mark your calendar for Teen Tina Fey and live music with the lovely Movie Night on Wednesday, Miss Marilyn at the keyboard. 11/17, at 6 pm. Come see Robin

2 The Bounty Hunter Recommended for children ages Hood, starring Russell Crowe 3-5. No advance registration is and Cate Blanchett, on the big Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler necessary. Dates/themes follow: screen! All local teens are invited to join us for fun and 10/21 Trick or Treat snacks. This film is rated PG-13.

3 The Book of Eli 10/28 Little Bat Tuesday, 12/7, at 6:30 pm, Gary Oldman and 11/4 Libraries the musical group Rose, Denzel Washington 11/11 (Library closed) Thorn & Fiddle will perform a 11/18 Thanksgiving holiday concert at the library.

11/25 (Library closed due to Fifteen fiddlers range in age 4 Shutter Island Leonardo DiCaprio Thanksgiving) from 10 to 16. Rose, Thorn & and Jackie Earl Haley 12/2 Sign Language Fiddle has appeared locally as 12/9 Wintertime well as in Iceland and Quebec. 12/16 Christmas No signup is necessary. Just

5 Cop Out 12/23 (Library closed due to show up to enjoy this musical Tracy Morgan and the holidays) evening. Bruce Willis Tuesday, 12/28, at 2 pm, Lisa The Young Adult Book Boutotte will lead us in another

6 The Last Song Group is looking for new fun Card-Making Workshop. Greg Kinnear and members. We continue to meet Make some awesome cards - Kelly Preston on the second Wednesday of holiday, thank-you, winter, or the month - 11/10, 12/8, 1/11 birthday cards - whatever you at 6:30 pm for fun, discussion, like. We provide all the 7 True Blood: The and really great food! This club materials; you provide the fun! Complete Second is for teens ages 13-18. Funded Wednesday, 12/29, at 3 pm, Season by the Friends of Thayer Cosmic Kelly presents Anna Paquin and Memorial Library. Magnets, ETC.; sign-up Lois Smith Wednesday, 10/27, at 6 pm, required. Join Kosmic Kelly to join us for Magic Steve and learn about the power of 8 The Blind Side his Incredible Halloween magnetism with a variety of fun, Sandra Bullock and Show . Master Magician and hands-on activities. Use Tim McGraw Illusionist Steve will amaze and magnetism to make your own amuse you with his award- funny picture! Build your own winning magic. Old and young electromagnet! Challenge your 9 When in Rome alike shouldn’t miss this friends in a magnetic fishing Danny DeVito and opportunity to see a game! Maximum of 20 children. Angelica Huston professional magician. Paid for Paid for by a grant from the by a grant from the George K. George K. Progin Estate. 10 The Girl with the Progin Estate. For more information on any Dragon Tattoo Wednesday, 11/17, at 6:30 of these programs, or to sign- Michael Nyqvist and pm, Dr. Kate Engelhardt (DC, up, please contact Susan Conroy DACCP) will present A Natural at 978-368-8928, ext.5, or Noomi Rapace Approach to Childhood Ear [email protected] . Infections. Dr. Kate Engelhardt — Susan Conroy is a board-certified pediatric chiropractor who has cared for Susan Conroy is the Youth many children in the community Services Librarian at the Thayer who have suffered with chronic Memorial Library.

Thayer Memorial Library The Friends are working for you Staff and Contributors

Joe Mulé The Friends of the Thayer Sale), we can safely say that we Director Memorial Library are considered have exceeded expectations in Nancy Hayes Clune the fundraising and public gaining new supporters and Assistant Director and relations arm of the Library. bringing back long-time Friends Adult Services Librarian This just means that we help to despite the economy. Susan Conroy promote what is fun and In turn, the Friends have been Youth Services Librarian stimulating to the community working with the Library to bring Linda Ledoux by offering donations toward you even more programs this Senior Technician museum passes and intriguing year – see Nancy’s fall preview and Office Manager programs. In addition, we article. We hope that as a patron Janet Baylis provide our well-publicized and/or a member you are able to Page and Technician Annual Book Sale fundraiser enjoy and participate in the wide Marcia Jakubowicz (our biggest ever this year at array of activities at the Thayer Special Clerk the Lancaster Town Hall) and Memorial Library, knowing that Sandy Altucher the sale of hand-stenciled your tax dollars and membership Page slates from the original roof of to the Friends is going toward a Lisa D’Ambrosio the Library – designed and worthwhile cause. Page painted by our very own If you have any feedback or Dot McCandless members. would like to become a more Page As we’ve said before, none of active participant, please feel Gail Prewandowski this would be possible without free to send us your thoughts at Page our strong membership – the [email protected] . Christiann Gibeau support and foundation of our — Christiann Gibeau Newsletter and work and purpose. Layout Editor Although the final numbers Christiann Gibeau is Treasurer of Bob Kadlec aren’t in yet (many members the Friends of the Thayer Web Editor join the day of the Preview Memorial Library.

Fall Preview (continued from page 2) Thayer Memoria l Library 717 Main Street The Friends will sponsor two For more information, or to Lancaster, MA 01523 exciting literary programs this register for any of the programs, Fall. On Tuesday, November 9 call 978-368-8928, ext. 4, or e- Phone: at 7 pm, literary agent Jan mail [email protected] . (978) 368-8928 Kardys will present “Preparing At press time, our application a Man uscript for Publication, for the next season of Rose- Fax: Finding a Publisher, and mary Davis programs was (978) 368-8929 Negotiating a Book being reviewed by the Greater Email: Contract.” Worcester Community [email protected] On Tuesday, November 16 at Foundation, whose Rosemary Website: 7 pm, “Mystery Desserts” will Davis Fund has provided the http://thayermemoriallibrary.org feature three published mystery library with a wealth of writers, all members of Sisters environmental, animal, and in Crime New England. Make nature programs for the past sure to bone up on who-dunits decade. Rosemary Davis’s This newsletter is produced with by Gary Braver ( Skin Deep ), thoughtful gift benefits library funds raised by Leslie Wheeler ( Murder at users of all ages. Stay tuned for Sprouters Point ), and Barbara a list of Rosemary Davis Ross ( The Death of an programs to be held in 2011. Ambitious Woman ). Authors will — Nancy Hayes Clune sell and sign their books, and mystery desserts - no arsenic, Nancy Clune is Assistant Director we promise - will be served. and Adult Services Librarian of the Thayer Memorial Library.