connections The Princeton Public Library Magazine
connections The Princeton Public Library Magazine
WINTER 2014-’15
Cristina Henríquez highlights a new series examining immigration
connectio
The Princeton Public Library M
CONNECTING
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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hile the highest praise we can receive comes from customers who tell us how our services enhance and improve their lives, it’s nice when we get some peer recognition, too. So we were very pleased to learn of our recent designation as a 2014 Star Library with a four-star rating from the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. The LJ Index is a national rating system that compares libraries with their spending peers based on per capita statistics of services provided. Those include library visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use. Of course, much of what we value as the community’s living room can’t be measured: providing a place for people of all ages to learn and grow, being a center for the discussion of issues such as immigration (see our new Currents series), collaborating with individuals and other institutions to advance shared missions, and not simply making technology available to people, but teaching them how to use it in meaningful way. Any ranking or test score is only meaningful if it includes data that can be used by organizations to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Encouraging self-evaluation is one of the stated goals of the Star Library ratings, and we’ll use the information the process provides in our ongoing assessment of our programs and services. As this issue of Connections makes clear, we never stop striving to deliver the quality our community has come to expect.
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NEWS & NOTES Learn to Download Our Digital Content If you unwrap a new smartphone or tablet for the holidays, remember that the library’s digital content is just a few keystrokes away — and that our staff is here to help you get started. One-onone guidance for accessing e-books, audiobooks or digital magazines is available by appointment on the third Thursday every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An additional, post-holiday session has been added on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 1-4 p.m. Stop by the second floor Information Desk to make an appointment or call 609.924.9529 ext. 220. These sessions typically last one hour.
Musicians on the Rise We’ll be welcoming the Red Oak Chamber Organization on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. as part of the ongoing Crescendo: Musicians on the Rise series. A collection of small chamber ensembles formed by talented students from Montgomery High School, the organization’s repertoire includes a broad spectrum of genres, from Brahms to instrumental pop covers, designed to please a variety of musical tastes.
SAVE THE DATES MARCH 19-29 princetonlibrary.org/peff
COVER STORY
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
The new Currents series offers contemporary perspectives on immigration
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hances are, if an issue is in the news, it will eventually be examined as part of Currents: Conversations that Matter, a new series getting under way this winter.
“In this series, we’ll be looking at issues that are currently in the news through a global, national and local lens,” said Janie Hermann, public programming librarian. “Books, both fiction and nonfiction, will be the core of the conversation, and we’ll supplement those programs with screenings and discussions of films, community dialogs, art exhibits and distinguished speakers.”
Novelist Cristina Henríquez, author of “The Book of Unknown Americans,” appears March 10 in the Currents series on immigration.
EXHIBIT AND TALK
Immigration is the first topic of the series, which opens Jan. 21 and is highlighted by a March appearance by author Cristina Henríquez, who will discuss her novel, “The Book of Unknown Americans.”
Art Exhibit: Armando Sosa and Hugo Navarro Jan. 6 through March Two artists with a local connection, Armando Sosa and Hugo Navarro, exhibit their work on the library’s second floor. Sosa’s work includes brilliantly colored, hand-woven tapestries and other textiles. In his work, the Guatemalan artist employs symbols and images derived from dreams and memories of traditional icons and figures, both religious and secular, some dating to his native Mayan or pre-Columbian heritage, others to actual memories of a Central American childhood. Additional visual influences incorporated into his designs include African textiles, European Jacquard patterns and Renaissance tapestry details. Navarro, a photographer who was born in Guatemala and raised in New Jersey, will exhibit his “Fishing for a Dream” portfolio. Reference Gallery, second floor
“We’re pleased to be working with Princeton Human Services, Not in Our Town and Princeton University to look at immigration issues that are relevant to Princeton,” Hermann said. “And we are also pleased to have been able to partner with the Arts Council of Princeton to exhibit the works of two prominent local immigrant artists.”
Art Talk Thursday, March 5, 7 p.m. Photographer Hugo Navarro talks about his work in the Community Room, followed by a reception on the second floor, where Navarro will be joined by textile artist Armando Sosa to answer questions about their work. Refreshments will be served. Community Room and Reference Gallery
Here are highlights of some programs in the inaugural Currents series. For up-to-date info on Currents, visit princetonlibrary.org. www.princetonlibrary.org
Co-sponsored by the library and the Arts Council of Princeton.
Co-sponsored by the library and the Arts Council of Princeton.
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Detail from Armando Sosa’s “Jardine del Paradiso,” part of a joint exhibit with photographer Hugo Navarro in the Reference Gallery January through March.
FILMS
AUTHOR TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS
“The Visitor” Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m. Panel Discussion of Princeton Immigration Issues Walter Vale, a disillusioned college professor, discovers Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. that a young couple has moved into his seldom-used Elisa Neira of Princeton Human Services moderates a apartment in New York. Tarek and Zainab, undocumentnon-partisan, educational discussion about immigraed immigrants and victims of a real estate scam, are tion issues that pertain to homeless, and Walter relucPrinceton. The panel incudes tantly agrees to let them stay representatives from the Latin in his apartment. To thank American Legal Defense and Walter, Tarek teaches him to Education Fund and Princeton play the African drum. As a University’s DREAM Team. result, Walter discovers jazz Community Room clubs and drum circles and Co-sponsored by the library, LALDEF and his spirits are revitalized. Walter’s passion for life is further Princeton University’s DREAM Team. awakened when he attempts to help Tarek, who has been Book Discussion arrested and threatened with Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.; deportation. Walter also finds Thursday, March 5, 10 a.m.; romance when Tarek’s beautiSunday, March 8, 1 p.m. ful mother arrives in search of “The Book of Unknown AmerA scene from “Documented,” to screen Feb. 4 as part of the Currents series. her son. 1 hour, 44 minutes. icans” by Christina Henríquez Community Room is discussed in advance of the author’s March 10 appearance at the library. Quiet Room “Romantico” Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. In this documentary, a view of undocumented immigrant Christina Henríquez subculture evolves to a deeply personal and bitterTuesday, March 10, 7 p.m. sweet dramatic story of family, fatherhood, identity and The author discusses her latest novel, “The Book of Unsurvival. Mariachi musician Carmelo Muñiz washes cars known Americans,” about the Rivera and Toro families, by day, but at night performs for tips in the bars in San immigrants and neighbors in a dingy apartment building Francisco’s Mission District. In his hometown in Mexico, in Delaware. Central to the story is the love that develhis wife, daughters and gravely ill mother rely on the ops between their children, Mayor Toro and Maribel money he sends them. Returning home, Carmelo copes Rivera. The building’s other residents, also immigrants with his mother’s mortality, his daughters’ needs, and his from various Latin American countries, reveal their stoown dreams. Filmmaker Mark Becker will participate ries about coming to America as well. Community Room in a post-screening discussion. 1 hour, 19 minutes. Community Room Author Jacqueline Bhabha Wednesday, March 11, 7 p.m. “Documented” The author and Harvard School of Public Health proWednesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. fessor discusses her book, “Child Migration and Human In 2011, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Rights in the Global Age,” that provides a comprehensive Vargas outed himself as an undocumented immigrant account of the widespread phenomenon of child migrain an essay published in The New York Times Magazine. tion and explores the complex challenges facing children “Documented” chronicles his journey to America from and adolescents who move to join their families, who the Philippines as a child; his journey through America as are moved to be exploited and move simply to survive. an immigration reform activist; and his journey inward Community Room as he re-connects with his mother, whom he hasn’t seen Co-sponsored by the library and Princeton University Press. in person in more than 20 years. 1 hour, 29 minutes. Community Room
ENRICHMENT
LEARN A THING OR TWO (OR 65)
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f the chance to learn something new tops your list of reasons to come to the library, mark your calendar for Saturday, Jan. 10. That’s when 65 Things at 65 Witherspoon, a daylong event featuring demonstrations for all ages will take place.
looking forward to a fun and informative day where, yet again, customers of all ages can learn something new at the library.”
Multiple, simultaneous demonstrations of a wide variety of tasks and skills will be given on every floor of the library during the event which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presented in 15-, 30or 45-minute sessions, demonstrations include how to make the perfect cup of tea, how to take the most flattering selfie, how to organize the files on your computer and much more. The goal is to have 65 demonstrations to correspond with our address at 65 Witherspoon St.
To be considered as a presenter for the event, please complete the application at bit.ly/65atPPL. Those who are chosen to participate will be notified by Dec. 19.
“The library staff has long recognized that there is a wealth of skilled and talented people in the Princeton area, so we created an event for them to share their expertise with others,” said Janie Hermann, public programming librarian. “We’re
Keep an eye on princetonlibrary.org for information about where and when particular demonstrations will be held.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE HUMANITIES Justice, Ethics and Public Life continued
The series explores issues related to public life in an increasingly complex and global society and features 90-minute talks held in the library’s Community Room. Co-sponsored by the library and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Marie Gottschalk
Marie Gottschalk: The Politics of Mass Incarceration Thursday, Dec. 11, noon Gottschalk, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of “Caught: The Prison State and the Lockdown of American Politics,” gives an overview of the politics of mass incarceration and outlines an alternative path to begin dismantling the prison state. In her book, Gottschalk examines why the prison state remains so tenacious in the United State and analyzes the shortcomings of current penal reform strategies. She also exposes the broader pathologies in American politics that are preventing the country from solving its most pressing problems. A former editor and journalist, Gottschalk was a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Causes and Consequences of High Rates of Incarceration. Community Room CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ALL LIBRARY PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.PRINCETONLIBRARY.ORG
Stanley N. Katz
Stanley N. Katz: Philanthropy: Private Wealth and the Public Interest Tuesday, Jan. 20, noon Katz, an expert in American legal and constitutional history and on philanthropy and non-profit institutions, examines whether it is just for today’s enormous philanthropic foundations to use their wealth to determine public policies in arenas such as K-12 education. There are now nearly 40 philanthropic foundations in the United States with net assets of more than $1 billion. Katz was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama in 2011. He is president emeritus of the American Council of Learned Societies, the author and editor of numerous books and articles, and a member of various boards of trustees and scholarly organizations. He received his doctorate in British and American history from Harvard. Community Room Sam Daley-Harris: Making a Difference in a Democracy Wednesday, Feb. 11, noon Daley-Harris shares insights and strategies from the 20th-anniversary edition of his book “Reclaiming Our Democracy: Healing the Break between People and Government” that outlines ways for individuals to make a difference in solving many of the world’s worst problems. Daley-Harris founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS in 1980, founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995 and founded the Center for Citizen Empowerment and Transformation (CCET) in 2012. Community Room
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT A Taste of Suppers Monday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Dorothy Mullen and friends of the Suppers Programs share their experiences with reversing serious health problems with diet and lifestyle change. Following the presentation, participants are invited to taste the whole foods that were instrumental to the speakers in managing and sometimes resolving their chronic disorders. Brief presentations will be followed by tastings representing the many kinds of Suppers meetings in the Princeton area: omnivore, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, low glycemic, Eat to Live vegan and plain old good cooking from scratch. Community Room
Sam Daley-Harris
Co-sponsored by the library, the Suppers Programs, Brothers Moon, Terra Learning Kitchen and The Whole Earth Center of Princeton.
Sustainable Princeton Great Ideas Breakfast: “What Makes a Sustainable Community?” Thursday, Jan. 22, 8:15 a.m. A zero-waste, fair trade breakfast will be served at this session, where ideas will be shared about making Princeton more sustainable. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library and Sustainable Princeton.
Dorothy Mullen
Sustainable Princeton Leadership Awards Thursday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. Sustainable Princeton acknowledges the contributions of Princeton citizens who are working toward a more sustainable future. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library and Sustainable Princeton.
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ENRICHMENT Affordable Care Act Enrollment Tuesday, Feb. 3, 4 p.m. Certified application counselors provide one-on-one help navigating the healthcare.gov website and completing applications for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library, Princeton Human Services and Enroll America.
WELCOME TO THE U.S. ESL Class Sundays, 4 p.m.: Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22 Speakers of world languages who are learning English as a second language are invited to these two-hour classes. Conference Room
Co-sponsored by the library and St. Paul’s Church.
Ask a Lawyer Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. Lawyers will be at the library for free, private consultations on immigration and general legal issues. First-come, first-served; no appointments necessary. Spanish translators will be available. Referrals will be made when necessary. Conference Room
Co-sponsored by the library, the Latin American Task Force; the Princeton Housing Authority and the Mercer County Bar Association.
WRITING GROUPS Writers Room Tuesdays, 7 p.m.: Dec. 2, 16; Jan. 6, 20; Feb. 3, 17. Writers can receive constructive feedback at these sessions, during which participants read their work and members offer suggestions. Works read are usually less than 15 minutes long, so there is time to discuss a number of pieces during each session. While nonfiction has been a focus in the past, fiction writers are welcome. Participants range from published authors to those looking to improve their skills. First and third Tuesday of the month. Princeton Room The Write Space Tuesdays, 7 p.m.: Dec. 9, 23; Jan. 13, 27; Feb. 10, 24 Led by author and middle school English teacher K. Edwin Fritz, this group focuses on the encouragement of writing, finding your voice, and the producing of words through guided prompts and other writing exercises. All levels of writers welcome for these drop-in workshops. Princeton Room
CAREERS Job Seeker Sessions Fridays, 8:45 a.m.: Dec. 5, 12, 19; Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, The library and Professional Services Group of Mercer County sponsor sessions for professionals who are seeking new employment and contracting opportunities throughout the region. Please check princetonlibrary. org/events for details. Community Room
SCORE SMALL-BUSINESS SEMINARS
Co-sponsored by the library and the Princeton Chapter of SCORE. Registration is required at princeton.score.org. Community Room Legal and Tax Considerations of Starting a Small Business Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m. Attorney Benjamin T. Branche of Szaferman Lakind, a specialist in tax, trusts and estates, real estate and business law, conducts a seminar that explores the practical matters involved in selecting a legal form for your existing or intended business. QuickBooks on the Cloud Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.: Dec. 20, Jan. 17, Feb. 21 Bala Subramanian, owner and CEO of Synergism Inc., conducts a workshop providing basic training in the use of QuickBooks accounting software on the cloud for small business owners. Participants are encouraged to bring a fully charged laptop and download QuickBooks Online via a free 30-day trial from www.intuit.com to get hands-on experience during class. Seating is limited. Improve Your Online Marketing with Analytics Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m. Marketing professional John Biancamano explores how small businesses can use website analytics to optimize their marketing efforts. Optimizing Social Media Results for Your Small Business Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. Online marketing entrepreneur/consultant Samantha Hardcastle discusses what it takes for a small business to leverage social media’s interactive and two-way communication to establish a successful social media presence.
RETIREMENT/SENIOR TALKS Co-sponsored by the library and the Princeton Senior Resource Center’s Next Step: Engaged Retirement and Encore Careers Program. Estate Planning, Wills, Powers of Attorney: What Do I Need? Tuesday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m. This talk will feature attorney Rebecca Esmi, whose practice areas include guardianships, elder and disability law, estate administration and planning with a focus on trusts for beneficiaries with special needs. Community Room Introduction to Your Lifestyle in Retirement Monday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Carol King, director of the Princeton Senior Resource Center’s Next Step programs, offers an introduction to planning for retirement or a major lifestyle change. Options for dealing with change, managing time, identifying passions and volunteering will be explored. Conference Room CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE
www.princetonlibrary.org
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FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ALL LIBRARY PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.PRINCETONLIBRARY.ORG
FEATURED EVENTS Chess and Your Child Monday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. For families considering getting involved with the game, Yaofeng Dong and his daughter, chess champion and PHS junior Alice Dong, share their experiences and answer questions about their eight-year rise through the world of competitive chess. Alice Dong was a beginner in second grade when she joined her after-school chess club and went on to become a USCF Expert and a national champion, twice representing the United States in the World Chess Championship. Teen Center Yaofeng and Alice Dong
Astronomy for Everyone: Size and Scale of the Universe Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. Astronomer Kevin Manning, a former consultant with NASA with a lifelong passion for astronomy, presents an exciting program that shows the size and scale of the universe, the stars, and other celestial wonders using hands-on activities and assorted visuals. Ages 5 and older. Community Room My Robotic Friends Monday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. Kick off Computer Science Education Week with a fun, hands-on program that will allow children in grades 1-5 to explore the general principles of coding. Story Room
Kevin Manning
Mock Caldecott Awards Saturday, Jan. 17, 3 p.m. Youth Services librarian and 2015 Caldecott Committee member Lucía Acosta looks back at many of the books that are eligible for the 2015 Caldecott Medal and Honor awards. The committee’s criteria for selecting books and this year’s choices will be reviewed and those who attend can vote for their personal choices. Let’s see how close we come to the actual awards that will be announced at the American Library Association’s Mid-Winter Conference later in January. The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of 19th-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. The Association for Library Service to Children presents the award annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Story Room Author Jeff Campbell Saturday, Jan. 24, 2 p.m. The author of “Daisy to the Rescue” shares some of the 50 life-saving animal rescue stories from his book and discusses what these remarkable events reveal about the presence of empathy, compassion, and awareness in animals, as well as the importance of the human-animal bond. Ages 8 and older. Community Room Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m. Traditional Chinese dance, music, games and more are part of a Chinese New Year celebration for people of all ages. Hosted by Princeton High School and the Princeton Chinese Language School. Shwu-Fen Lin, who teaches Mandarin at PHS, organizes the event. Students from several heritages and backgrounds will share many aspects of the Chinese culture as part of the celebration. Community Room
Jeff Campbell
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KIDS AND FAMILIES
READING TOGETHER Youth Services staff members, some of whom are seen here with John Witherspoon Middle School students, lead book groups for all ages.
From Story Times to TBD, groups promote a love of reading
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hat’s so fun about reading? Plenty, for those who come to our story times and book groups. For preschoolers to middle-schoolers to teens, there are plenty of opportunities to interact at the library while developing a love of reading. “It’s about a continuum from birth through adulthood,” says Susan Conlon, head of Youth Services. “Starting with our story times for babies, we want to keep growing and developing kids’ love of reading at every stage.” The fun the library’s littlest customers are having is obvious to anyone peeking in on the baby and toddler story times that happen Tuesday through Thursday mornings at the library. What’s less obvious is the learning experts say takes place when very young children hear stories read aloud. Increased listening skills and attention span are among the benefits to babies and toddlers when they are read to, and hearing stories helps build their vocabularies and memories, too. A story time for preschoolers 18 months and older is also offered Tuesday through Thursday mornings, at 10, where songs and stories help build language and literacy skills. Children 4 and older can come to a 4 p.m. story time on Thursdays, and all ages are welcome to story times on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Monthly book groups for young readers begin with 1, 2, 3, Read! Intended for children in grades 1 through 3, the group meets the second Monday every month at 4 p.m. to talk about beginning-to-read books and early chapter books.
www.princetonlibrary.org
“Our goal is to nurture those beginning readers,” said librarian Katie Bruce who facilitates the group. “We want to get them into an environment where they can talk to other kids and discover new books.” Each month, titles are suggested around a specific theme (December’s is Best Friends), or children can read any book of their choosing. Themes are listed on a bookmark available at the third floor Information Desk and are also posted on the library’s events calendar. Meetings always include a craft, game or other activity, too. The Cover to Cover book group is for fourth- and fifth-graders and meets the first Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. Run by librarian Mimi Bowlin, the group discusses books, short stories and other interests. “The intent of Cover to Cover is to foster a love of reading among the participants, as well as to provide an opportunity to share in lively discussions about favorite books,” said Bowlin. “We showcase recent additions to PPL’s children’s book collection, as well as do a group-read together several times throughout the year.” The group meets in the Conference Room on the library’s second floor. The Go Between Club for middle school students meets on the second Saturday of every month at 2 p.m. in the second floor Conference Room. The group gives students an opportunity to meet new people, hear about new books, and share what they’ve been reading. Librarians Hanna Lee and Martha Liu lead the Go Between Club. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ALL LIBRARY PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.PRINCETONLIBRARY.ORG
FEATURED EVENT
Groups CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
“They’re such great, enthusiastic readers,” Lee said. “They have a lot of good recommendations for their peers that we post online.” When it comes to the types of books the Go Between Club reads, “We want to be sure we have diverse books,” said Lee. “We read fiction, fantasy, vampire books – a little bit of everything,” she said. “We also try to include TV, music and movies so it’s really more of a cultural discussion which they appreciate. We make it a point to keep bringing them material that is fresh and fun.”
“They’re such great, enthusiastic readers. They have a lot of good recommendations for their peers that we post online.” — Hanna Lee on the Go Between Club Avid high school readers make up the membership of To Be Discussed (TBD), the group that meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month in the third floor Teen Center. Like Go Between, the group also discusses movies and TV in addition to books. They also help create book displays and readings lists for the library, and hope to do more to promote a love of reading among their peers. “As teens grow older, there are so many demands on their time,” said Lee. “We want to continue to develop their love of literature and reading.” The library supports other types of literacy as well, keeping in mind the broad range of teen interests. High school students who are looking for additional ways to get involved may also be interested in the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) or the Princeton Student Film & Video Festival. TAB members help plan library programs for teens and volunteer their time for other special projects. “They’re great advocates for the library in the community,” said Lee. “They have a lot of good ideas about how we can better serve their needs – and we love getting their input.” High School students who are passionate about film should consider getting involved in the Princeton Student Film & Video Festival where they can talk about new and classic films and participate by submitting their own films and helping to select the films for future festivals. Registration is not required for any of the reading groups, and new participants are always welcome.
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Discover Sherlock Holmes: A Family Event Saturday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. In advance of the world premiere of Ken Ludwig’s “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” at McCarter Theatre, families are invited to explore the character of Sherlock Holmes and a multitude of mysteries. Included will be Holmes-themed crafts, acting games and mysteries to solve. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library and McCarter Theatre Center.
AFTER SCHOOL Homework Help Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m., when Princeton Public Schools are in session Princeton University students provide after-school homework help in all subjects to students in elementary through high school. Third Floor Chess Tuesdays, 4 p.m., Dec. 2, 9, 16; Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 Children can learn to play and practice chess at these weekly drop-in sessions led by Princeton High School Chess Club members David Hua, Amnon Attali and Alice Dong. Story Room
WINTER BREAK MOVIES Community Room “Hercules” Friday, Dec. 26, 1 p.m. In this Disney film, the son of the Greek gods Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero to reclaim it. 1 hour, 33 minutes. “Frozen” Friday, Dec. 26, 3 p.m. In this 2013 Disney blockbuster, Anna, a fearless optimist, sets off on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. 1 hour, 42 minutes. “Cars” Saturday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. A hotshot racecar named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. 1 hour, 57 minutes. “Cars 2” Saturday, Dec. 27, 3 p.m. Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an adventure of his own. 1 hour, 46 minutes. “Dolphin Tale” Monday, Dec. 29, 1 p.m. Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman star in the story of a friendship between a boy and a dolphin whose tail was lost in a crab trap. 1 hour, 53 minutes.
W I N T E RKIDS 2 0 AND 1 4 - ’1 5 FAMILIES “Dolphin Tale 2” Monday, Dec. 29, 3 p.m. The team of people who saved Winter’s life reassemble in the wake of her surrogate mother’s passing to find her a companion so she can remain at the Clearwater Marine Hospital. 1 hour, 53 minutes. “The Jungle Book” Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1 p.m. In this 1967 animated Disney classic, Bagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization. 1 hour, 18 minutes. “The Jungle Book” Tuesday, Dec. 30, 3 p.m. This 1994 live-action adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic features Jason Scott Lee as Mowgli. Kipling was born on this date in 1865. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
GROUPS
1, 2, 3, Read! Mondays, 4 p.m.: Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9 This group for first-, second- and third-grade readers meets the second Wednesday of every month to read chapter books aloud and do some fun activities. Every month, we will offer a selection of beginning-to-read books and early chapter books. Story Room Cover to Cover Saturdays, 11 a.m.: Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Feb. 7 This reading group for fourth- and fifth-graders meets the first Saturday of every month to discuss books, short stories and other interests. Activities include group reads, writing short book reviews and learning to post booklists in the library’s online catalog. Registration is not required. Conference Room
ACTIVITIES LEGO Sundays, 1 p.m.: Dec. 28, Jan. 25, Feb. 22 Children are invited to participate in hourlong, non-competitive community-based LEGO sessions, including building time and round-table discussion. LEGO pieces provided by Judy David. Register through the online events calendar at princetonlibrary.org. Community Room Let’s Dance Fridays, 4 p.m.:, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13 Children and their families are invited to a monthly dance party where our children’s librarians will join them in dancing to musical favorites. Community Room All SET Saturdays, 2 p.m.: Jan. 17, Feb. 21 Members of Princeton University’s chemistry department conduct hands-on experiments for budding scientists 5 and older. Story Room
Co-sponsored by the library and Princeton University’s Chemistry Department.
www.princetonlibrary.org
WEEKLY STORY TIMES
All Story Times are in the Story Room, third floor
TUESDAY MORNINGS Dec. 2-16; Jan. 6-March 10 10 Storytime! (ages 18 months and older) 11 Baby Storytime (ages 0-18 months) 11:30 Baby Playgroup (ages 0-18 months) WEDNESDAY MORNINGS Dec. 3-17; Jan. 7-March 11 10 Storytime! (ages 18 months and older) 11 Baby Storytime (ages 0-18 months) 11:30 Baby Playgroup (ages 0-18 months) THURSDAY MORNINGS Dec. 4-18; Jan. 6-March 12 10 Storytime! (ages 18 months and older) 11 Baby Storytime (ages 0-18 months) 11:30
Baby Playgroup (ages 0-18 months)
THURSDAY AFTERNOONS Dec. 4-18; Jan. 6-March 12 4 Afternoon Stories (ages 4 and older) SATURDAY MORNINGS Dec. 6-March 14 10:30 Saturday Stories (ages 2 and older) SUNDAY AFTERNOONS Dec. 7-March15 3:30 Sunday Stories (ages 2 and older)
WORLD LANGUAGE STORIES CHINESE (ages 2 and older) Saturdays, 11:30 a.m., Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Feb. 7 FRENCH (ages 2 and older) Saturdays, 11 a.m., Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14 GERMAN (ages 2 and older) Mondays, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9 HUNGARIAN (ages 2 and older) Saturdays, 3:30 p.m., Dec. 20, Jan. 24, Feb. 21 JAPANESE (ages 2 and older) Saturdays, 2 p.m., Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14 RUSSIAN (ages 2 and older) Saturdays, 3:30 p.m., Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Feb. 7 SPANISH (ages 2 and older) Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m., Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4 Princeton Public Library I Sands Library Building 65 Witherspoon St. I 609.924.9529 I princetonlibrary.org
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THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY
GIRL RISING
DAMNATION
FOR FILMS IN THE CURRENTS SERIES, SEE PAGE 4 FEATURED SCREENINGS Film and Discussion: “15 to Life: Kenneth’s Story” Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. This POV documentary, an eye-opening portrait of the American justice system, uses the story of one young man to examine questions surrounding the sentencing of children as young as 12 to die in prison. The screening will be followed by a discussion led by members of The Campaign to End the New Jim Crow, Princeton Chapter; and Princeton University’s Students for Prison Education and Reform (SPEAR) group. 2 hours. Community Room
Presented in partnership with American Documentary Inc./POV. Also cosponsored by The Campaign to End the New Jim Crow, Princeton Chapter; and Princeton University SPEAR. “Girl Rising” Thursday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins, this groundbreaking film tells the stories of nine extraordinary girls from nine countries. Written by nine celebrated writers and narrated by nine renowned actresses, the film showcases the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world. Featuring Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Selena Gomez, Liam Neeson, Priyanka Chopra, Chloe Moretz, Freida Pinto, Salma Hayek, Meryl Streep, Alicia Keys, and Kerry Washington. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library, Room to Read and PHS Smash Club.
“When the Game Stands Tall” Monday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m. James Caviezel, Laura Dern and Michael Chiklis star in the story of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur (Caviezel) who took the De La Salle High School Spartans
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from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport. 1 hour, 55 minutes. Community Room “The Hundred-Foot Journey” Monday, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m. Adapted from a 2010 novel of the same name by Richard C. Morais, the film is the story of Hassan Haji, a young Indian chef who, after enduring family tragedy and meeting an unlikely mentor, becomes a three-star chef in Paris. 2 hours, 22 minutes. Community Room Princeton Environmental Film Festival Screening and Discussion: “DamNation” Friday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. Filmmakers Ben Knight and Travis Rummel explore the recent movement to remove old and outdated dams to restore natural river systems across the United States. Profiling activists and advocates who are working to free the rivers, the film delves into the science, economics and history of dams, 30,000 of which were erected in the U.S. between 1950 and 1970. The change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to a growing awareness that our own future is tied to the life and health of our rivers is also examined. Following the screening, Jim Waltman, executive director of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, and Amy Soli, the association’s science director, will give a talk. This is a special event of the Princeton Environmental Film Festival. 1 hour, 29 minutes. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library and the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association.
BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME
FILM
A BAND CALLED DEATH
DAR HE: THE STORY OF EMMETT TILL
Film and Q&A: “DAR HE: The Story of Emmett Till” Sunday, Feb. 8, 1 p.m. Adapted from the acclaimed one-man play of the same name, written and performed by Mike Wiley, this film is the true story of the brutal death of Emmett Till, a black 14-year-old from Chicago. Till went missing shortly after stepping off the train in Money, Miss., and his mutilated body was later found in a river. The film is a dramatization of the historic interviews and events surrounding the murder that journalist Ed Bradley called “a spark that ignited the civil rights movement in America.” 1 hour, 30 minutes. Tickets required. See princetonlibrary.org in January for a link to free tickets. Filmmaker Rob Underhill will join a post-screening Q&A via Skype. Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau St.
Co-sponsored by the library, the Baker Street Scoial Club and the Princeton Garden Theatre.
Academy Awards Marathon Friday, Feb. 20, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m., Four contenders for a Best Picture Oscar will be screened in advance of the Feb. 22 broadcast of the 87th Annual Academy Awards. Films will be announced in early February. Community Room
WPRB FILM SERIES
Exploring alternative music Film and Discussion: “Tropicalia” Monday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. In this documentary, director Marcelo Machado explores the Brazilian artistic movement known as Tropicalia that took shape in the 1960s, its political reach and the struggles of its artists. 1 hour, 27 minutes. Community Room
“Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me” Monday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. This feature-length documentary tells the story of legendary Memphis band Big Star. While mainstream success eluded them, Big Star’s three albums have become critically lauded touchstones of the rock music canon. A seminal band in the history of alternative music, artists such as REM, The Replacements, Belle & Sebastian, Elliot Smith and Flaming Lips have cited Big Star as an influence. The film features neverbefore-seen footage and photos of the band, in-depth interviews and a rousing musical tribute by the bands they inspired. Community Room “A Band Called Death” Monday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Before Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols or even the Ramones, there was a band called Death. Punk before punk existed, three teenage brothers in the early ‘70s formed a band and began playing a few local gigs and pressed a single in the hopes of getting signed. But in the era of Motown and emerging disco, record companies found Death’s music and band name too intimidating and the group was never given a fair shot, disbanding before finishing an album. This film chronicles the fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger. Playing music impossibly ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first punk band and its members are finally receiving recognition as rock pioneers. Community Room
Series co-sponsored by the library and WPRB-FM (103.3).
Dan Buskirk of WPRB will lead a post-screening discussion. www.princetonlibrary.org
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TEENS
A Cappella Night, Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., is a teens-only event.
FEATURED EVENTS A Cappella Night Friday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. This annual teens-only event features vocal groups from Princeton’s four high schools. It is chaperoned by library and Corner House staff. Community Room
Coordinated by the Corner House Student Board and the Princeton Public Library Teen Advisory Board. Funding is provided by the Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance through the Mercer County Office on Addiction Services and the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Hour of Code Tuesday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m. Middle school students are invited to celebrate Computer Science Education Week and explore the principles of coding and write code of their own during this fun, hands-on session. Please register in the online events calendar at princetonlibrary.org. Tech Center Film: “If I Stay” Friday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m. Based on the novel of the same name by Gayle Forman, this tragic but ultimately hopeful romantic drama stars Chloe Grace Mortez as a young musician whose life changes in an instant when a car accident leaves her in a coma. 1 hour, 46 minutes. Community Room Continuing Conversations on Current Events Saturday, Jan. 17, 3 p.m. Teens are invited to participate in moderated discussions about current events and hot topics such as racial profiling, global warming and international politics. Meet other teens who are excited and passionate about activism. Tower Room
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Improv Night Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. A night of improvisational comedy only for high school and college students features Princeton High School’s Just Wing It and Princeton University’s QuipFire. Community Room
JOIN
Knit It Wednesdays, 7 p.m.: Dec. 3, 17; Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 4, 18 Knitters and crocheters of all levels are invited to join us to chat, relax and have fun. Teen Center To Be Discussed (TBD) Thursdays, 7 p.m.: Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12 All high school students are welcome to participate in this monthly discussion of great books, films, music, non-fiction, poetry, and all things cultural. Participants may also help create book displays and reading lists for the library, take group trips to see current films, and do group-reads. Meets on the second Thursday of every month. Teen Center Mercer County Math Circle (MC)² Saturdays, 2 p.m.: Dec. 13; Jan. 10; Feb. 14, 28 Advanced Group, 2 p.m.; Recreational Group, 3:14 p.m. Princeton University Math Club students and others show students in middle school and high school how fun and fascinating math can be. Students will hear talks on a wide range of topics outside the traditional school curriculum such as topology, number theory and combinatorics. Difficulty will vary, depending on age and group. For more information, see mercercountymathcircle.wordpress.com. Story Room
THE ARTS Listen Local: Acoustic Afternoon Sunday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m. In this coffeehouse style showcase, a lineup of local musicians and bands will perform in an all-acoustic format. Appearing will be singer/guitarist Garry Pearsall; the acoustic duo This ‘n That; the Beagles; David Duquette with special guest Bob Langish; and folk/rock duo Eden. The music will include covers of well-known songs as well as some originals. Community Room PSO Soundtracks: Rossen Milanov Wednesday, Jan. 7, 4 p.m. Princeton Symphony Orchestra Music Director Rossen Milanov talks about his work in the United States and Spain and introduces upcoming chamber music performances by members of the Orquesta Sinfonica del Principado de Asturias, his orchestra in Spain. Milanov will also discuss what’s in store at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra this season and next. The presentation relates to the Jan. 18 PSO Classical Series Concert “Scenic Rhythms” which will feature classical guitarist Robert Belinic performing Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. Refreshments, including Spanish delicacies provided by Despaña Fine Foods and Tapas Café, will be served. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library and Princeton Symphony Orchestra.
Rossen Milanov
Unrelenting Voices Read-In: Freedom, Justice, Mandela and More Thursday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m. Gather with community artists, civic leaders, neighbors, and friends to commemorate, reflect on, and celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. In reading aloud the words and writings of Mandela, as well as prose, poetry, and dramatic works by other unrelenting voices for freedom, we will explore the themes of social justice; resistance in the face of oppression; and the power of art as political protest. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate as either audience member or reader. Persons interested in reading aloud should contact kplace@ mccarter.org. This program is presented in conjunction with McCarter Theatre’s upcoming production of “Sizwe Banzi Is Dead.” Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library and McCarter Theatre Center.
Writers Block Performs Short Comedies Sunday, Feb. 1, 3 p.m. The ensemble of Princeton writers and actors returns to the library to present a program of short comedies including “Finger Food”, “El Depresso Espresso”, and “The Consequences of Goosing.” Directed by Laura Huntsman with Sound by Ken Greenberg. Community Room
Keith Spencer
Theatrical Concert Featuring Keith Spencer: “We Shall Not Be Moved” Sunday, Feb. 15, 3 p.m. This concert experience features vocalist and actor, Keith Spencer, performing popular songs and poignant readings from the Civil Rights Era including: “People Get Ready,” “Oh, Freedom!,” “Go Down, Moses,” “A Change is Gonna Come” and “We Shall Not Be Moved.” Community Room RED OAK CHAMBER IN THE CRESCENDO SERIES 1/18/15: SEE PAGE 2
www.princetonlibrary.org
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FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ALL LIBRARY PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.PRINCETONLIBRARY.ORG
BOOK GROUPS MYSTERY BOOK GROUP Led by librarian Gayle Stratton Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Quiet Room Dec. 1, “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” by Susan Elia MacNeal Jan. 5, “Three Graves Full” by Jamie Mason Feb. 2, “Raven Black” by Ann Cleeves FICTION BOOK GROUP Led by librarian Kristin Friberg Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Conference Room Dec. 11, “An Unnecessary Woman” by Rabih Alameddine Jan. 8, “Burial Rites” by Hannah Kent Feb. 12, “The Blazing World” by Siri Hustvedt BLACK VOICES BOOK GROUP Thursdays, 7 p.m., Princeton Room Dec. 11, “King Hedley II” by August Wilson Jan. 8, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou Feb. 12, “Nine Years Under: Coming of Age in an Inner City Funeral Home” by Sheri Booker
SPECIAL BOOK DISCUSSIONS Two-Part Book Discussion: “Outlander” Thursdays, 7 p.m., Feb. 19, March 19 The library’s Kylee Caldwell leads a two-part discussion of Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling novel, “Outlander,” and the STARZ network television series that returns to the small screen this April. On March 19 the discussion will be focused on the second book in the series, “Dragonfly in Amber.” Princeton Room Book Discussion: “The Valley Of Fear” Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. To complement McCarter Theatre’s production of Ken Ludwig’s new play, “Baskerville,” librarians Gayle Stratton and Janie Hermann lead a discussion of “The Valley of Fear,” the final Sherlock Holmes mystery by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The discussion coincides with the 100th anniversary of the book’s publication. Holmes expert Peter Jacoby of the Red-Headed League of New Jersey, will join the conversation. Quiet Room
Co-sponsored by the library and McCarter Theatre Center.
ENHANCE
YOUR DISCUSSION Find out more about the books you’re reading with our digital resources princetonlibrary.org/books 16 I CONNECTIONS
BOOKS AND AUTHORS THINKING ALLOWED SERIES Bill T. Jones in Conversation with Judith Hamera Monday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and director Jones discusses his new book, “Story/Time: The Life of an Idea,” which was inspired by a lecture he gave at Princeton University. Joining him will be award-winning performance studies scholar Hamera who is a dance professor at Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts. Jones emerged on the dance scene in the ’70s, performing as a soloist and with his late partner, Arnie Zane. They formed the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982. He choreographed more than 140 works for his company and has created works for many of the world’s top dance companies. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including a MacArthur “Genius Award” and the prestigious Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize. The Dance Heritage Coalition has named Jones “An Irreplacable Dance Treasure.” Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library, Princeton University Press, Labyrinth Books, the Lewis Center for the Arts and the Program in African American Studies at Princeton University.
Andrew Hodges on Alan Turing Thursday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. The author discusses “Alan Turing: The Enigma,” his classic biography of mathematician and pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing. Turing had a leading role in breaking Nazi Germany’s Enigma code during World War II, a scientific triumph that was critical to Allied victory in the Atlantic, only to later be criminally prosecuted for his homosexuality. “The Imitation Game,” a British-American film based on Hodges’ book is on the short list for a Best Picture Academy Award. Part of the Thinking Allowed series. Community Room
Bill T. Jones
Co-sponsored by the library and Princeton University Press.
AUTHOR EVENTS Danny Simmons Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. The artist, author and entrepreneur, an American abstract painter whose work has been called “meticulously rendered and decoratively impressive” by The New York Times, reads from “The Brown Beatnick Tomes,” a collection of prose and paintings. Simmons, who calls his style of painting “Neo-African Abstract Expressionism,” originated and co-produced the hit HBO series “Def Poetry Jam,” and won a Tony Award for the Broadway version of the show. Co-founder and president of the Rush Arts Gallery, Simmons is also founder and vice president of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant arts exposure and access to the arts. Community Room
Co-sponsored by the library and the Baker Street Social Club. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Danny Simmons
www.princetonlibrary.org
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FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ALL LIBRARY PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.PRINCETONLIBRARY.ORG
BOOK GROUP SPOTLIGHT
The Governors Lane Reading Group What is the name of your group? Does it have special significance? We named our group “Governors Lane Reading Group,” which is more descriptive of the geography of our members rather than something more imaginative. We all live on Governors Lane, Princeton. When was the group established and who were the original members? How many members are there? The Governors Lane Reading Group held an organization meeting in early 2013. Although we all live on the same street, many of us had never had the opportunity to get to know or even meet each other. Once we all decided to form the group, we 13 founding members held our first book discussion in February, 2013. The group included: Debra Barrett, Donna Briggs Deieso, Lori Chamberlin, Helen Fortunato, Jane Gore, Polly Griffin, Joan Kuskin, Ruth Miller, Ferris Olin, Tatiana Piotroff-Smith, Simone Silbersher, Bernadette Wilson, and Patricia Weimer. Harriet Grier joined us a few months after we began; and in 2014 Patricia Weimer moved out of the community and left the group. Where and how often does your group meet? Generally, we meet on the last Thursday of the month, except when a holiday falls on that evening or close by; we then make adjustments to the date. Discussions are held in one of our homes on Governors Lane. What kind of books do you usually read and how are they chosen? We read fiction, non-fiction, short story collections, best sellers, award winners, and classics written by authors from around the globe, but always in the English language. Some of the books were originally published in another language and then we read the translation, though some are able to read the title in its original language. Has there been a favorite over the years, or does the group have a favorite author? We have been meeting for less than two years. For a while it seemed most of our books were war related. We have not favored any particular author. We have relied on each member of our group to select a book of her choice. Are your meetings informal or do you follow a format? Our format is informal; the person who selected the book for the month is the discussion leader. She also hosts the evening at her home. She explains why she chose the title and contextualizes it for us; provides us more information about the author as well as published criticisms and interviews with him/ her. Our discussions are friendly, lively, thought provoking, educational, and always respectful. As a group we believe you should keep your book clubs rather small, therefore intimate and very conducive to deliberate and profound discussions. A small amount of refreshments is provided since we meet at 7:30 in the evening just after dinner. What have you gained from being part of the group aside from keeping up with reading? The answers varied when posing this question to our members. All agree that they enjoy getting to know women they didn’t previously know in the neighborhood and as a result new friendships have formed. Our group is made of remarkable women, with different backgrounds and even nationalities; to have such a diversity of views is so rewarding. Many felt belonging to the group is such a treat. Some members have never been part of a book group and learned the book club has been a truly enriching part of their life. As a
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whole we all agree we are definitely reading books we wouldn’t otherwise read, or re-reading books and getting other people’s opinions about them, when we thought we had the book pegged. Some members also feel that belonging to a group such as ours reinforced their opinion that choosing Princeton and more importantly Governors Lane to live was the right decision. What is the group reading now? “Dear Life” by Alice Munro. We closed our discussion of Alice Munro for the evening with a poem by Billy Collins, which beautifully states how we feel about books and each other. We urge all bookies to recite the words, as they are beautiful, full of meaning, and speak volumes to all book lovers. ENVOY Go, little book, out of this house and into the world, carriage made of paper rolling toward town bearing a single passenger beyond the reach of this jittery pen and far from the desk and the nosy gooseneck lamp. It is time to decamp, put on a jacket and venture outside, time to be regarded by other eyes, bound to be held in foreign hands. So off you go, infants of the brain, with a wave and some bits of fatherly advice: stay out as late as you like, don’t bother to call or write, and talk to as many strangers as you can. Please add anything you would like readers to know about your group As a result of our collective experience we encourage everyone to be part of a book group. It makes reading so much more than it is when you’re just doing it by yourself. Your reading list can become quite interesting and challenging at times since we are all so different when making choices. The added benefit is that a book club is a great way to make lasting friendships and grow personally.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS Matthew Stewart in Conversation with Jonathan Israel Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. Matthew Stewart, author of “Nature’s God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic” (recently considered for the National Book Award) joins Jonathan Israel, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Modern European History at the Institute for Advanced Study, in conversation. In this special evening edition of Spotlight on the Humanities, the scholars will examine those critical ideas that have served as the cornerstone of American democracy and the founding principles of American government. Stewart is an American philosopher, author and Princeton University alumnus. His previous books include “The Management Myth,” “The Courtier and the Heretic,” “Monturiol’s Dream” and “The Truth About Everything.” He graduated from Princeton University in 1985 with a concentration in political philosophy and was awarded the Sachs Scholarship from Princeton for study at Oxford University, where he earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1988. Community Room
Matthew Stewart
Jonathan Israel
Spotlight on the Humanities is co-sponsored by the library and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Karen Bao Friday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. The author, a Princeton High School graduate, discusses her debut novel “Dove Arising” about a young woman who lives in a colony on the moon who embarks on a quest to save her mother and siblings. Community Room
POETS IN THE LIBRARY Co-sponsored by the library, Delaware Valley Poets and the U.S. 1 Poets’ Cooperative. Readings followed by open-mic session. Fireplace Area, second floor Rick Black and Jill Stein Monday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. Black’s poetry collection, “Star of David,” won Poetica magazine‘s 2012 poetry chapbook contest. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and he has garnered several international awards for his haiku. Stein’s poetry Jill Stein Rick Black has been in several national publications, and she has received three grants from the New Jersey Council on the Arts. Her chapbooks are “Cautionary Tales,” and “Steeplechase.” Jean Hollander and Tom Murray Monday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m. Hollander has published five books of poems and her poems have appeared in many literary journals. She taught literature and writing at Princeton University, Brooklyn College, Columbia University, and the College of New Jersey. Murray is a Princeton resident and retired
Karen Bao
software engineer whose metrical works have been published in multiple publications. “The Ballad of Captain Red’s Crew,” a novella-length poem, is his first book. “Blanket Stories” Poets Monday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. Poets whose works were published in “Blanket Stories,” a collection of art and poetry submitted as part of a collaborative project conceived by artist Richard Jochum, read their contributions to the book. The Blanket Stories project invited poets, artists and musicians to respond to the tale about five siblings, huddling under a blanket for warmth, who don’t realize they would all fit if they just moved closer together. Prior to the readings, Jochum will give an introduction and present a video featuring some of the visual artwork created by local student groups and individual artists worldwide in response to the story. Community Room
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FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ALL LIBRARY PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.PRINCETONLIBRARY.ORG
PAPERS OF
Digital initiative with community partners offers snapshots of Princeton’s past BY AMY HIESTAND Connections Staff Writer
A
n item in the Dec. 1, 1946 issue of Town Topics gives an account of the arrest of a former Luftwaffe sergeant who sought shelter at a West Windsor farm. A stowaway inside a tank being returned to this country aboard a Victory ship, the former Nazi roamed the countryside for eight weeks before arriving at the farm of his one-time compatriot John Hoefling. Though he agreed to The big news of November, 1935: Republicans sweep in the borough and township (where they ran let the man sleep in his barn, Hoefling became unopposed); Firestone Library is on the drawing board. The Local Express published 1935-’39. suspicious of his guest and called the state police who ordered the man out of the barn. He emerged, “hands clasped behind his head in true Wehrmacht style” and not long thereafter “was on his way back to the Fatherland.” Accounts such as this are part of what Clifford Wulfman calls the “local lens on national history” provided by the Papers of Princeton database, which is accessible through the library’s website. Wulfman is coordinator of digital initiatives at Princeton University’s Firestone Library, and has been part of the effort by Princeton Public Library, Princeton University, Princeton Theological Seminary and Town Topics that has made the database possible. In addition to Town Topics issues dating back to 1946, Papers of Princeton includes The Daily Princetonian (Sept. 22, 1876, through Jan. 20, 2003), The Princeton University Weekly Bulletin (September 23, 1911, through June 14, 2010), and the short-lived weekly Local Express (Feb. 13, 1935, through March 9, 1939). “This is a community effort between a number of institutions, but it started with the son of (former PPL trustee) Ira Fuchs, who used his personal scanner to digitize a few years of Town Topics for his Eagle Scout project,” Wulfman said in reference to Steven Fuchs’s work recently completed Town Topics segment of the database. “That (resource) was greatly Nazi hunting in West Windsor is detailed in the Dec. 1-7, 1946, received, loved and used – but it was limited. Our goal was to edition of the new Town Topics.
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DIGITAL
PRINCETON
create a community resource – both town and gown – that was everyone in the community and beyond, from those who are searchable from one place.” conducting genealogy research to authors working on books In 2010, the joint effort began to digitize all the available set in Princeton to anyone simply looking to learn more about issues of Town Topics and make them available on the Internet Princeton’s history and culture. And it couldn’t have been Archive. At that time, the seminary housed the Internet done without the great partnership and funding providing by Archive scanning operation and managed workflow and the Princeton University and the Princeton Theological Seminary.” university offered financial and tech support. Papers of Princeton can be seen at papersofprinceton.princeton.edu. Three years later, usability issues surfaced with the Internet If you need assistance or additional information about this or any Archive, and Princeton University generously offered to move of our databases, please call 609.924.9529, ext. 220 or email the scanned documents to its servers and invest the money refstaff@princetonlibrary.org. to create a more usable interface for patrons to access the digitized newspapers. This is now Papers of Princeton. At that point, the seminary’s role became the very time-consuming and important one of reviewing the scanned documents for quality control. Through the easy-to-use Papers of Princeton, pages of each paper, including ads, are displayed, and clicking on separate elements allows a user to call up the text of the article or ad, or zoom in to view it on the page. There is also an option to isolate an individual article for printing. Anyone searching for information about Princeton history and life in the town will find the four-paper collection invaluable. “There’s news that you never knew was news,” said Wulfman, but the ads are enlightening, too. “The ads are an incredible window into what was normal, everyday life “There’s news that you “(The Papers of Princeton) during a particular time,’ Wulfman said. “You see these ads for automobiles and soap and never knew was news. are important for everyone realize that even though it was a different The ads are an incredible in the community and world, we still recognize it as ours.” window into what was beyond, from those who “I think this will be of huge interest to normal, everyday life during are conducting genealogy the community,” said Erica Bess, head of Princeton Public Library’s Adult Services a particular time. You see research to authors Department, who has already used Papers these ads for automobiles working on books set in of Princeton to help library customers with a and soap and realize Princeton to anyone simply number of reference questions. “The digitization of the Town Topics is that even though it was looking to learn more wonderful because it allows people doing a different world, we still about Princeton’s history research on Princeton to have access to a recognize it as ours.” and culture.” high-resolution, searchable image of each — Clifford Wulfman — Erica Bess issue, including ads. It’s important for
Annual Appeal
BEYOND
YOUR GIFT ENHANCES THEIR DREAMS Private gifts to supplement municipal support make the difference between a good library and a great one. Annual Appeal gifts provide nearly 5 percent of the library’s annual operating budget. Gifts of every size make a significant difference and will help us reach our 2014-15 Annual Appeal goal of $230,000. Please visit princetonlibrary.org/support
MAKE A GIFT princetonlibrary.org/support
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CONTACT US
Janet Simon Development Director Dawn Frost Development Associate Janet: 609.924.8822, ext. 251 Dawn: 609.924.8822, ext. 284 jsimon@princetonlibrary.org dfrost@princetonlibrary.org
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Matt and Suki Wasserman
Roger Moseley
Sherri Garber
Liz Lempert, Carol Golden and Gary Shteyngart
SUPPORT
WORDS 2014 O Susan Kapoor and Beth Walsh
Judy Stier and Ginny Mason
n Nov. 1, more than 400 people showed their support for the library by attending the Beyond Words benefit, which for 2014 moved to the Princeton University campus. After hearing a talk by author Gary Shteyngart at McCosh 50, they enjoyed food by some of Princeton’s top chefs, an auction and entertainment at Frick Chemistry Lab. Here are scenes from the highly successful event.
Yamile Slebi, Mauricio Gutierrez, Pam Wakefield, Gary Shteyngart,Leslie Burger and Andrew Chon
Jane Rohlf and Ted Boyer
Gary and Deborah Gartenberg
Chefs from EnoTerra and Mediterra
www.princetonlibrary.org
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connections The Princeton Public Library Magazine
Executive Director: Leslie Burger Marketing Communications Director: Timothy Quinn Development Director: Janet Simon Public Programming Librarian: Janie Hermann Head of Youth Services: Susan Conlon Head of Adult Services: Erica Bess Events Committee: Erica Bess, Leslie Burger, Susan Conlon, Kim Dorman, Kristin Friberg, Janet Hauge, Shelly Hawk, Janie Hermann, Hanna Lee, Timothy Quinn, Allison Santos Staff Writer: Amy Hiestand Editing and design: Timothy Quinn
ENRICHMENT
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PA I D Princeton, NJ Permit No. 4
CALL FOR ENTRIES
RETIREMENT/SENIOR TALKS Is New Jersey Ready to Retire? Tuesday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. Brian McGuire, associate state director with AARP New Jersey, presents an interactive discussion about retirement security, engaging future retirees on ways they can better understand retirement’s financial challenges and providing tools they can use to strengthen their own personal financial security. Newly compiled research will be presented that highlights New Jersey residents’ readiness for retirement. Community Room VolunTourism Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Carol King, director of Next Step: Engaged Retirement & Encore Careers of The Princeton Senior Resource Center, talks about volunteering overseas, a different way of seeing the world and meeting people while helping out and giving back. Conference Room
MISCELLANY AARP Tax Help Mondays, 9 a.m.: Feb. 2 to April 13 Seniors and people of low and moderate income can get free help preparing and filing their federal and New Jersey electronic tax returns by appointment on Monday mornings through April 13. Help is available for noncomplex, individual returns only. Participants should bring a copy of their 2013 return and documentation for 2014 income and expenses that may be deductible. Appointments may be scheduled through noon by calling 609.924.9529, ext. 220. Community Room Co-sponsored by the library and AARP. Knit for Others Through Dec. 31 Hand-knit and crocheted hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters and other items that provide warmth to children newborn to age 6 are being collected as part of this annual
The Gould Group of Wells Fargo Advisors 138 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540 609-688-0949 Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0114-03327 [74127-v4] A1695 (1219901_411764)
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AUTO LOCK
JULY 22 & 23, 2015 GAIN
DETAILS: bit.ly/PSFVFentryform effort. Donated items are displayed on a clothesline behind the Welcome Desk and distributed to local organizations at the end of the year. Items in other sizes will also be gratefully accepted. Please drop items off at the Welcome Desk. Princeton Tech Meet-up Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Dec. 17, Jan. 14, Feb. 11 Members of the Princeton area tech community are invited to monthly meetings modeled after Tech Meet-up groups in New York, Hoboken and Philadelphia. Meetings include demos, group discussions, networking and socializing time, and a keynote speaker when possible. Pizza and soda are served and a nominal fee is charged to offset these expenses. Registration is requested. Visit princetonlibrary.org for monthly topics. Community Room Winter Farmers Market Thursdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Dec. 18, Jan. 15, Feb. 19 Community Room Continuing Conversations on Race Mondays, 7 p.m.: Dec. 1, Jan. 5, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Conference Room
Co-sponsored by the library and Not in Our Town Princeton.
Origami Club Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11 Activity Room, third floor