Tommy the Tooth Visits the Library

Are you smiling? Be sure you are tomorrow, February 6, on “Give Kids a Smile Day,” organized by the Stratford Health Department, in collaboration with the Oral Health Bridgeport Initiative (ORBIT). Tommy the Tooth will pay a visit to the Stratford Library Children’s Department Feb. 6 at 11:15 a.m. Children who check out some of our special 'toothy' books receive a free goody bag from the Stratford Health Department. Additional information about “Give Kids a Smile Day” and free dental care available for children can be obtained from the Stratford Health Department at 385-4058. Remember, healthy smile, healthy kids!

Stratford Library in Your Inbox

Would you like to sign up for email-delivered news about great books, movies, library events and more? Then look no further than the bright yellow Post-it note on our library's home page! When you click on the Post-it, you will see a list of terrific topics such as "Audio" or "Book Club Choices" or "Libros en Espanol" and much, much more. Sign up for email delivery of any or all the newsletters, or select the RSS Feeds option to the left of the long list of newsletter descriptions.

Enjoy!

Rum-Running off the Stratford Coast, 1923

Knitters Unite!

The Children's Department has always welcomed readers ... and now ... knitters! Our Learn to Knit club for kids in grades 1 to 6 is one of our favorite activities of the week. We meet Mondays at 3:30 p.m. in the Carol Pieper Book Nook in the Children's Department. Last week we had 17 participants, mostly beginners, and 2 wonderful volunteers. As we learn about yarn, needles, and basic knitting stitches, we're also seeing the children develop coordination, motor skills, and problem solving. We're still looking for a few more adult volunteers to teach basic knitting skills. Please call the Children's Department at 385-4165 if you are interested in joining us on Mondays.

US News and World Report likes our job. So do we.

U.S. News and World Report just ran an article saying that the career of "librarian" is worthwhile, interesting, and underrated. That's what we've always thought! If you've ever wondered what we do in our beloved building full of books and computers, Marty Nemko's article is gives a pretty realistic picture of a reference librarian's day-to-day work.

If you're a person who likes to work with information and people, data and young people, computers and the elderly... then come talk to us about librarianship. It's personally rewarding and often fun. Besides, librarians always do really well on Jeopardy! Here are some of the Nemko's best observations:

Forget about that image of librarians as a mousy bookworms.... Librarians (are) high-tech information sleuths, helping patrons plumb the oceans of information available in books and digital records... Most librarians love helping patrons solve their problems and, in the process, learning new things. Librarians may also go on shopping sprees, deciding which books and online resources to buy. They may even get to put on performances, like children's puppet shows, and run other programs, like book discussion groups for elders.... (Librarians) love the idea of helping people dig up information, are committed to being objective—helping people gain multiple perspectives on issues—and will remain inspired by the awareness that librarians are among our society's most empowering people.

You can read his full article, including advice on how to get into the profession, at: http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2008/12/11/best-careers-2009-librarian.html

Pres. Obama's thoughts on libraries

In 2005, President Barack Obama was the keynote speaker at the American Libraries Association annual conference in Chicago. His words were inspiring and insightful.

More than a building that houses books and data, the library represents a window to a larger world, the place where we’ve always come to discover big ideas and profound concepts that help move the American story forward and the human story forward. That’s the reason why, since ancient antiquity, whenever those who seek power would want to control the human spirit, they have gone after libraries and books.

He suggests that our world would be a better place if McDonalds gave out a books with Happy Meals, and if a baby's first doctor's visit included a new library card and a new book. We think he's right!

His complete speech can be read at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/resources/selectedarticles/obama05.cfm

Nutmeg Book Award Voting

It's time to vote for Connecticut's Nutmeg Book Award! During the month of January, children and teens in grades 4-8 have the chance to vote for their favorite Nutmeg Book Award nominee. Vote in the Stratford Library's Children's Department for your favorite book!

The Nutmeg Book Award encourages children in grades 4-8 to read quality literature and to choose their favorite from a list of ten nominated titles. Our state's children's choice award is jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL). Winners of this award are announced on February 14. Nominees for next year's award will be revealed on February 1. Stop by the Children's Department on or after February 1, 2009 for a peek at next year's books! Or visit http://www.nutmegaward.org/ for a list of the new titles.