Handle a Kindle, Look at a Nook, Eyeball an iPad at the Library

You're not the kind of person to go out and spend money on the latest thing until you're sure it's right for you. But how do you get your hands on a Kindle before you buy one? How do you test drive an iPad if the store can't keep them in stock?

Come to a "Library Technology Sandbox." We'll have e-readers like the Nook and the Kindle, tablet computers, iPads, MP3 players, and iPods for you to test drive and play with here at the library.

Our series of “Technology Sandbox" workshops will include an opportunity for patrons to try out these new products. The Library’s professional staff will conduct the workshops scheduled November 1-19^th. They are free and open to the public.

If you already have have an e-reader, a laptop, a smartphone or a mobile device, bring it to a "Sandbox" and we'll show you how to download library materials for free.

"Sandboxes" will be held in the Library's Lovell room and are scheduled for:

• Tue., Nov. 1, 5:30-7:30 pm
• Mon., Nov. 7, 10:00-12:00 noon
• Sun., Nov. 13, 1:00-3:00 pm
• Mon., Nov. 14, 3:00-5:00 pm
• Sat., Nov. 19, 10:00-12:00 noon

Insidious" is free Friday night movie at the Library

The Library's free film series continues on Friday, October 28, with Insidious, a 2011 horror flick that is just the thing to get your Halloween weekend off to a spooktacular start.

Join us at 7 pm. And if you can't sleep later... don't say we didn't warn you.

Insidious Friday, October 28 at 7 pm Rated PG-13 103 minutes

After moving into a new home, Josh (Patrick Wilson) and his wife Renai (Rose Byrne) confront terrifying tribulations when their son falls into a coma and his body starts to attract malevolent forces from a mysterious netherworld. But when the family decides to move again, hoping to leave the evil spirits behind, they realize that their problems are just beginning. This nifty horror flick was one of this year’s surprise hits.

Movies are shown uncut on widescreen in the Stratford Library Lovell Room each month beginning at 7 pm. Complimentary snacks will be served. Join us! For further information call the library at 203.385.4164.

Coming up later in this free movie series:

• The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo November 11
• The King’s Speech December 9

Book group meets October 26 for psychological thriller "Sister"

Do you like the idea of a book group, but you're not ready to start one yourself? Meet up with other readers at the library's book group and enjoy the easy-going camaderie created by experienced host and discussion leader Kathleen Faggella.

While most people do borrow the book for the month from the library and read it ahead of time, it's certainly not required. Newcomers may just drop by and find out if the format of the group appeals to them.

The Stratford Library “Books Over Coffee” discussion group will tackle Rosamund Lupton’s current bestseller, Sister, on Wednesday, October 26th at noon. Sister is a psychological thriller that turns on the complicated relationship between two sisters.

When her mom calls to tell her that Tess, her younger sister, is missing, Bee returns home to London on the first flight. She expects to find Tess and gives her the usual lecture, the bossy big sister scolding her flighty baby sister for taking off without letting anyone know her plans. Bee is used to watching out for her wayward sibling and is fiercely protective of Tess (and has always been a little stern about her antics). But then Tess is found dead, apparently by her own hand. That is just the beginning of the enthralling crime novel that is Sister, the debut work and instant bestseller from author Rosamund Lupton.

“Books Over Coffee” will be held in the Stratford Library’s Lovell Room beginning at noon on October 26th. Participants are invited to bring a bag lunch to the program and coffee and tea is also served. Limited reading copies of Sister are currently available for loan at the library’s Circulation Desk.

Books coming up later in the year include:

• November 30: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
• December 21: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Free SAT Preparation Workshop Offered at the Library on October 18

Do the smart thing! Take advantage of the library's free SAT prep program on October 18.

What's the smartest way to prepare for the SAT? How can you maximize your chance of success? What makes the difference between an average performance and one that's outstanding?

The Stratford Library Teen Services Department will host a special program to help students with upcoming Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) on Tuesday, October 18 from 6-8 pm. The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will be conducted by New Haven-based tutor Ellis Ratner.

Ratner will cover effective time management and optimum approaches to the Critical Reading, Sentence Improvement and Sentence Error Identification Sections. He will focus especially on effective and rapid vocabulary development and how to best address the Essay Writing Section. Ratner is a Cum Laude graduate of Trinity College, a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the co–author of several published books. For the past several years he has tutored privately and specializes in SAT preparation.

The “Teen Tuesday” seminar is scheduled from 6-8 pm in the Lovell Room of the Stratford Library on October 18. For further information contact the Stratford Library Teen Services Department at 203.385.4167 or check out “TeenZone” on the library website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org.