NEWSLETTER

June 2008
Volume 5, Number 6

Massachusetts State ParksPass Now Available
Magazine Feature: Art & Antiques
Boston Harbor Islands
Independent Film Feature: August the First
Ask the Career Experts
Film Feature: The Savages
Revolutionary! John Adams and the Founders
June Book Discussions & Drop-in Groups
June Exhibit: Okeanus/Oceanus
June Events for Children
What's New and Recommended
Calendar of Events
Friends of the Library

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Magazine Feature: Art & Antiques
Get primed for a summer of museum, gallery, and antique shop hopping. Check out the following magazines of interest to art and antique admirers and collectors:


American Art Review


American Artist


American Craft


Antiques and Collecting


Antiques Roadshow Insider


Art and Antiques


Art in America


Art New England


ARTnews


Magazine Antiques


New England Antiques Journal


Southwest Art

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.

Boston Harbor Islands Slide Presentation & Walking Tour
Discover a unique maritime landscape located just a ferry ride away from Quincy. Author David Kales and photographer Ron Goodman will give a free slide presentation about our neighboring archipelago, based on their recent book The Boston Harbor Islands: The History of An Urban Wilderness, on Tuesday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

[Photo by Ron Goodman]

From pirate havens to military fortifications, the Harbor Islands have undergone innumerable transformations. Hear fascinating stories about the history of these oft-neglected islands and learn about efforts to revitalize them, including their recent designation as a National Park Area. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

Following the slide show, David Kales will lead a walking tour to Thompson Island on Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m. (rain date June 15 at 2:30 p.m.). Tour participants will cross to the island on the sand bar from Squaw Rock in Quincy at low tide. It may be necessary to wade a short distance in shallow water. Hiking boots or sneakers, sunscreen, a hat and drinking water are recommended for all participants. The tour will commence in the Squaw Rock parking lot (by the Nickerson Post) at the end of Dorchester St. in Squantum. For more information about the Thompson Island tour, call 617-472-0799.

Sponsored by the Thomas Crane Public Library, the Quincy Park Department’s Environmental Treasures program, and Quincy’s Beaches and Coastal Commission.

Independent Film Feature: August the First
This award-winning independent film will be shown on Thursday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

It is the morning of Tunde's graduation party and things have already begun to unravel. Tunde has managed to alienate his sister, Simisola. His older brother, Ade, persistently plagues him with criticism, and their mother has started drinking again. Unbeknownst to most, Tunde has orchestrated the return of his long estranged father, resurrecting unresolved family anguish against the backdrop of Tunde's celebration. As the day turns to night, old wounds are re-opened and bad habits are revived. Layer by layer, deception and half-truths are peeled away as secrets are uncovered in what will be become the most unforgettable day the family has ever experienced.

"[Director] Olabisi exhibits a sure hand with both story and ensemble... Emotional fireworks ring true"--Eddie Cockrell, Variety

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 June 24 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: The Savages
This 2007 Academy Award-nominated film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney will be screened on Thursday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library. The movie is rated R for some sexuality and language.

Until recently, all John and Wendy Savage had in common were a lousy childhood and a few strands of DNA. But after years of drifting apart, they're forced to band together to care for the elderly, cantankerous father who made their formative years "challenging". In the process, both of these aimless, perpetually adolescent fortysomethings may just, at long last, have to grow up.

"A movie of uncommon appreciation for the nature and nurture that go into making us who we are, a perfectly calibrated drama both compassionate and unsentimental"--Entertainment Weekly

"A beautifully nuanced tragicomedy about two floundering souls"--The New York Times

Revolutionary! John Adams and the Founders
As Independence Day approaches this year, find out what was so revolutionary about the famous Declaration at a presentation by Professor John E. Hill on Monday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

Dr.Hill will explore the concepts embodied in the Declaration--political equality, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and justice for all--and the unique, egalitarian implications the founders' vision held for the new nation. Elements of the U.S. Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance will also be discussed.

A professor of politics and history at Curry College, Dr. Hill is the author of Democracy, Equality, and Justice: John Adams, Adam Smith, and Political Economy. Curry College has recognized him as Person of the Year and for excellence in academic advising. In addition Curry has given him two Faculty Achievement Awards, and in 2007 named him the first ever Curry Fellow. Dr. Hill continues his research on John Adams and Adam Smith, teaches, and blogs for "The Public Humanist", a project of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities.

June 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, June 13, the group will discuss The News From Paraguay by Lily Tuck. 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, June 18, the group will discuss Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. 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, June 5, the group will discuss Gracefully Insane: Life and Death Inside America's Premier Mental Hospital by Alex Beam. 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. The next meeting is on Friday, June 6 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 June 9, we'll explore the possibilities of CUPCAKES. 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.

June Exhibit: Okeanus/Oceanus
Cohasset photographer Martin Grassie presents an exhibit of his work from June 1 to 30 in the Coletti reading room of the Main Library. A public reception will be held Sunday, June 1 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

The ocean around us is the theme for the exhibit, capturing living and nonliving segments of the atmosphere that surrounds all of us "ocean creatures" that inhabit coastal communities. The photo collection includes images of a Harp Seal that came ashore on Sandy Beach in Cohasset in February 2008. Grassie’s photographs try to convey the stress felt by the seal, eventually coaxed back into the ocean by staff of the New England Aquarium, and some of the connection felt by the bystanders.

Martin Grassie is former elementary school principal and teacher. After 40 years in the public schools he is gloriously retired and enjoying capturing the world through his eyes and camera. Marty has photographed as part of his job for years, building websites both for his classroom and school. He taught science and math to elementary students using the ocean as a lesson or example for many years.

June Events for Children
Get Wild this summer with Wild Reads @your library, this summer’s library adventure for children of all ages. 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!

ZOODOPT AN ANIMAL
Help us help the 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. Anyone of any age can participate--it’s easy. Every time you visit the children’s room or branch libraries, add to our zoodoption display. You can also keep track of the number of books you read using our online summer reading program or a paper log. Each book logged will add to our goal.

WILD READS CARNIVAL
Begin your Summer Library Adventure out on the Main Library front lawn with our Wild Reads Carnival on Thursday, June 26th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. visit the Jungle, Ocean, African and Polar booths to waddle like a penguin, feed a hungry lion and play other games. There will also be bubble blowing and face painting. At 11:00 a.m. we will be joined by Tad Travis with "Mr. D. J’s Ultimate Kids Party", a wild mix of karaoke, games and dancing to get you energized for summer. In case of rain we will move inside. This program is for children of all ages and there families.

SUMMER PROGRAM PREVIEW
Favorite programs from summers past will be returning. Art-to-Go, our weekly drop-in crafts program, begins on Monday, June 30th with paper plate penguins as our project. Art-to-go is an 8-week series of drop-in art activities that travel throughout Quincy. Projects are open-ended to accommodate a wide age range. They are easy enough for toddlers and preschoolers to do with an adult’s help and free-form enough for school age children to add their own personal touch. The Summer Storytellers and Pajama Storytimes will return beginning Tuesday, July 8th. Unique programs for this summer include wild animal visits, a video game night for older children, a puppet show and concert for very young children and special craft programs for older children.

SEA GLASS TREASURE JEWELRY CRAFT PROGRAM
The first of these special craft programs will be Sea Glass Treasure Jewelry on Tuesday, July 1st at 7:00 p.m. at the North Quincy Branch Library. Just in time to accessorize your summer outfits create a unique piece of wearable art with Pam Boutin of Duxbury Designs. Learn to wire wrap sea glass and other treasures – such as shells, coral, stones and driftwood then incorporate them into a piece of jewelry. In this one-session workshop you will make a nautical themed bracelet and learn techniques that you can use to make necklaces, earrings, anklets or more bracelets. If you have a favorite beach treasure bring it along--you may be able to use it in your bracelet. Registration is required and is limited to Quincy residents ages 8 and older. Call 617-376-1320 or stop by the North Quincy Branch Library 381 Hancock St. to register beginning Mon., June 16th.

All programs and events are free, but some children’s programs are limited to Quincy residents and require registration. Summer programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library, the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Waste Management, the Massachusetts Cultural Council through the Quincy Arts Lottery grant program and a South Coastal Bank C.A.R.E.S. grant. For more information about summer events, call 617-376-2411 or visit thomascranelibrary.org.

TRACK YOUR READING ONLINE THIS SUMMER
Do your children need to keep track of their reading this summer? If so we have a handy online solution for you. Check out our Wild Reads webpage to get started. The program is very simple to use. Beginning on June 2nd sign up and create a user name and password. Log in anytime from anywhere to add to your reading log. You can even add reviews for your favorite books so that other can read them too. At the end of the summer print out your list, all neat and tidy, to turn in to your teacher. Remember too that this summer each book you add to your list adds to our animal adoption total. So read lots of books and help us "zoodopt" some animals.

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: May 27, 2008
©Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy, Mass. 02169