September 2009 Update

Please Note: If you are viewing this update in print format or via email, feel free to visit our library Web site @ www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary for more information on Dream Teams, wish lists of books you can choose to donate, and other library happenings.

Welcome to the academic year’s first installment of Betty's Dream Teams Monthly Update. As we begin our fifth year of the Dream Team Program, we would like to thank all who have donated books and funds to the Betty G. Allen Library in previous years. With your generous support, our collection continues to grow and encompass curriculum-related materials as well as reading for pleasure.

Mrs. Joan Shay, HRMS Library Aide, will be coordinator of the program again this year. Our Dream Team themes will work as they did last year. We continue to add to all areas of our collection – popular fiction including series, nonfiction, newly published titles, reference resources, and more.

We hope you will be inspired to donate funds for a book related to a particular theme. We will publish our wish lists periodically on our library site: http://www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary (click on Dream Teams). To make your donation even more special, you may also choose to commemorate a special event (such as a child’s birthday) or honor a teacher or student.

September’s theme is “What’s New in the Library?”. Check out the list at http://www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary/DreamTeams/Sept09DTTitles.htm, where you’ll find a variety of brand new titles, including fiction and nonfiction that you may choose to donate. We will update and add to the list as books are donated.

We begin the year in September by welcoming all 6th graders to the library with an orientation that introduces them to library hours, special programs such as our book discussion group, and the layout of the library, so that they are comfortable dropping in or coming with a class for research or book talks.

It has also become a tradition in September to celebrate our freedom to read by observing Banned Books Week in the library in conjunction with the 8th grade language arts classes. The purpose of this event, sponsored by the American Library Association, is to educate students on First Amendment rights, remind them not to take our rights for granted, and encourage them to check out a book that has been challenged or banned from a library somewhere in the United States. Students are always surprised by the titles that have appeared on banned books lists over the years. The subject always stimulates much heartfelt discussion among students and teachers alike.

Lastly, we look forward to our first book discussion, which will take place in the library on September 23rd. We are excited to be welcoming Jack D. Ferraiolo to the MPR at 2:00 on the 23rd and we will have our book discussion following that visit. Thanks to Michelle Deschene-Warren, YA Librarian at the Peabody Institute Library for arranging the visit. All students are welcome to come hear Mr. Ferraiolo speak. If you've bought a copy of The Big Splash, you are welcome to bring it for Mr. Ferraiolo to sign. It was one of the titles on our summer reading list. Word has it that Mr. Ferraiolo is as funny as his book!

Remember, check out our library Web site for wish lists of  titles that may be donated and for more information on library happenings:

http://www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary

Until next month…

Sarah Woo, Librarian

Joan Shay, Library Aide

Note: The Dr. Betty G. Allen Fund is managed under the auspices of the Danvers Educational Enrichment Partnership (DEEP).