"The Glass Castle" - January Book Discussion Group

In spite of really horrific weather, we had a small but lively and interesting group for the discussion of "The Glass Castle" on Wednesday, January 28th. The discussion was particularly intense at times because we all had different reactions to the book which tells the tale of Jeannette Walls who grew up in the world's most dysfunctional family. Ms. Walls relates an absorbing, albeit at times unbelievable, story of her nomadic upbringing.

This memoir was challenging on several fronts: the rootlessness of Ms. Walls' childhood in the West and then the dire poverty she and her family experienced in West Virginia made her success in her career and marriage all the more astounding.

Illumination for Lifelong Learners Series

A new series of programs and services begins this winter at the library. The “Illumination For Lifelong Learners” series will include basic computer classes, lectures on topics of local interest, multi-generational gaming programs, and an information clearinghouse for community members.

The library will use funding provided by a Lifelong Access grant to purchase a Nintendo Wii, an Amazon Kindle, and a new information kiosk to be used for monthly information spotlights. The first spotlight topic will be on Saving Money & Financial Assistance. The Better Business Bureau will be presenting a special lecture at the library on “Going Green to Save Money” on January 29^th and January 30^th. All monthly spotlight and event information will be available at the library’s website.

You can monitor all of the library’s programming by subscribing to receive updates through email or RSS feeds on the library’s home page, or through the local newspapers and other media outlets.

This Lifelong Access program is being funded through the Massachusetts Board of Library

Commissioners with funds from LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), a Federal source of library funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Additional support is being provided by the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs. Library Director, Danguole Budris, and Assistant Director, Mathew Bose attended the EqualAccess Libraries™ professional development program sponsored by Libraries for the Future (LFF) to create and implement this new series of community programming and services.

New Homework & Language Learning Resources!

The library has purchased subscriptions to World Book Web for Kids & Students and Mango Languages. These resources may be used from home by visiting our website: www.oakbluffslibrary.org, and scrolling down the page until you see the appropriate logos or link. You will need an Oak Bluffs Public Library Card Number (located on the back of your library card) to access the websites.

World Book Web - Kids: This homework site is specifically designed for kids. It offers simple navigation, colorful illustrations, diagrams, and maps, and dozens of activities tied to national curriculum standards.

World Book Web - Students: A great homework resource for older students that offers articles, multimedia, web sites, and much more.

Mango Languages: Learn Brazilian Portuguese or English as a Second Language for Brazilian Portuguese Speakers! There are also modules for learning Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

We have also continued our subscriptions to Ancestry Library Edition (a genealogy website accessible from inside the library only) and NoveList (a great tool for all ages to find new reading material and more literary information). NoveList may be accessed from home using your Oak Bluffs Public Library Card number.

At this time we are no longer offering access to Heritage Quest (another genealogy website), but please speak to a library staff member to learn about alternative options.

Cape NPR Show - Role of Libraries in Economic Hard Times

Did you hear the Diane Rehm Show on our local NPR station this Wednesday Morning? The topic of the 11:00 show was, "The Role of Libraries in Economic Hard Times". Here is a link that you can use to listen to the show.

Rehm discusses the fact that libraries offer more than just books. There are also DVDs, CDs, Internet Access, Games, and more educational and entertainment resources available to borrow or take advantage of. Your local library has a special role in the community during tough economic times!

Here is another news story, "Rediscovering the Library During Down Economic Times", that aired on NECN News recently.

There have been many similar stories in the news lately from all over the country. Please tell us about any articles, news spots, etc... that you have seen!