|
Please note the Library will be closed today,
Monday, January 1 for
New Year's Day.
The Library will have a delayed opening at 12:00 p.m. on
Friday, January 5.
The Library will be
closed
on Monday, January 15 in honor of
|
|
|
A Note from the Director
 |
|
2018 marks the 125th year of continuous service provided to our community by the Mystic & Noank Library - Happy Anniversary to all of us! Established through the generosity and foresight of our original founder,
Captain Elihu Spicer, MNL has remained a vital community resource and meeting place thanks to the ongoing support of our two municipalities - Groton & Stonington -and the many private donations provided by all of you.
On
January 25 (1/25), we are officially kicking off our anniversary year with a matched pledge (see below!). Due to recent reductions in municipal funding, only 30% of our operating budget is subsidized by our two towns, making
your Annual Fund gift more vital than ever. Please help us build our high quality collection, offer educational and entertaining programs, services, current technology and of course, maintain our magnificent, historic facility to support patrons of all ages, 54 hours each week. We thank you for your consistent and generous Annual Fund Gifts!
For many of us, the start of a New Year is a chance to push "reset" and embark on exploring new self-improvement goals. MNL can help you make 2018 your best year yet! Why not try
Mindfulness Meditation
? Kristin Vaughn of
Skillful Meanz
, is once again donating her time and expertise to share this centuries-old practice to help you reduce stress and enhance your everyday living.
If Tech is on your "to-learn" list, stop by on the morning of January 6 for our
3rd Annual Tech Drop-In Day
for help with a new or old gadget. You can also sign up for one of our Monday Tech Classes or
schedule a one-on-one session
with Rachel Taylor, our helpful and knowledgeable Tech Librarian!
Now is also a good time to catch up on all those books and films from 2017.
NPR has released its annual list of Great Reads
providing something for every reader! Our popular Friday Feature Films series will return on January 19 with Victoria & Abdul. Finally, if you have not yet tried it, I encourage you to
sign-up for BrainHQ
- a free brain training tool for all ages available to MNL cardholders thanks to generous funding from the Mystic Rotary Club and the Kroeger Porter Fund.
If you have a suggestion, compliment, or question, please feel free to stop by the library or
email me
anytime. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year @MNL!
|
|
$1,000 to Start Our 125th Year
2018 marks our 125th Anniversary and we are pleased to announce that a loyal Library patron has
pledged a gift of $1,000 towards our Annual Fund on January 25!
But, there's a
small CATCH.
On
Thursday, January 25 (that's 1/25)
, we have to MATCH that gift with at least $1,000 in donations to receive that $1,000 pledge---will you help us?
Every donation and dollar helps us reach $1,000 and with your gift, we will reach the goal sooner. Annual Fund donations buy supplies for craft and story time (pictured), best-seller books, new magazine subscriptions, program providers' stipends, building maintenance expenses, and so much more.
Please mark your calendars for 1/25 and make a gift! THANK YOU!
|
|
Technology Drop-In Day
Saturday, January 6 from 10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.
Have a question about your new iPad? Holiday gift of a tablet but not sure how to use it?
Library Staff will be on hand to provide one-on-one training - bring your questions and your device - no need to schedule an appointment.
|
|
|
|
|
Be
Mindful in 2018
Thursdays
, January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1 and 8
from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Kristin of
Skillful Meanz will lead another series of these
very popular
meditation classes. She
will present the foundations of a formal mindfulness practice. Through modern scientific research, this type of meditation has been shown to have many potential health benefits- both physical and mental- and has therefore become quite popular recently, though it has been around a very long time.
The classes will cover mindfulness of breath, of body, of thoughts, and of emotions, and will consist of some discussions and some guided meditations. The goal is to get you started on developing a personal practice of your own, that you will continue long after the class is over.
Spaces are limited and
attendance at the first session is mandatory
for attendance at subsequent classes.
|
|
|
|
Choice of either 10:15 a.m. OR 5:30 p.m. session
for each class!
Monday, January 8: Skype for Beginners
Learn all about Skype, a FREE program that enables face-to-face contact with others, all from your device! You'll be able to chat with long-distance friends and family as well as use special 'bots' to play games, learn new skills and schedule your calendar!
Register for 10:15 a.m. here. Register for 5:30 p.m. here.
Monday, January 22: Intro to Canva
Canva is a wonderful free online service that allows you to design a whole spectrum of graphic items, from promotional materials to resumes, from online invitations to blogging and social media posts! Attend this new tech class to learn how to use Canva for your own interests!
Register for 10:15 a.m. here. Register for 5:30 p.m. here.
Monday, January 29: Wordpress 101
Create your own website or blog with this free web program. You can build a completely customizable webpage-with no coding required! Thousands of templates let you design your own site, just for you. You'll be able to share videos, photos and more! Perfect for a professional website or a just-for-fun blog!
Register for 10:15 a.m. here.
Register for 5:30 p.m. here.
Attendees should provide their own devices.
Registration is required
; please sign up via the library website above or call for assistance.
|
|
|
|
3D Modeling Class
Saturday, January 13 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m
Ages 13 and up
This class will
cover
the basics on TinkerCAD (including
getting
an account, navigating the interface, making basic shapes, and exporting them for 3D printing).
We hope to have time to print the objects on our Library 3D printers so the aim of the class will focus on how you can design things to print. Instruction will be by John Persano, Electrical Engineer Associate at Sikorsky and Adjunct Faculty at University of New Haven. John is an active and engaging Library volunteer and we are thrilled to have him as the instructor for this session.
|
|
|
|
Art in the Ames Room: Fabulous Fakes
Final Days! Now through January 6 during regular library hours.
Stop by the library t
o view
Plein Air Group which includes Carol Connor, Carrie Reynolds, Carole Erdmann and Carmel Bourneuf.
Oils and water colors are their favorite mediums---treat your eyes to a fabulous visual feast this month!
|
|
|
|
Friday Feature Films Return
Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Bring a snack and a favorite covered drink to enjoy during the show! All are welcome. Click on the title to preview the movie.
Funding generously provided by the Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library--thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julianne Johnson |
PeaceLove Workshop: Mandala Poetry
**Rescheduled from December **
Tuesday, January 30 at 6:30 p.m.
PeaceLove, a Rhode Island-based art studio with a nationwide mission, is changing how people think about mental health. It provides expressive arts programming to help individuals and communities create peace of mind.
Julianne Johnson of Mystic River Residential Care, who supports PeaceLove's artistic efforts, has created such a program for our community with her new offering, Mandala Poetry. Students will learn to make Mandala Poetry that is as visually stimulating as it is emotionally expressive. Patrons must be 15 years or older in order to participate - seats are limited to twelve.
Registration is required; please sign up via the library website HERE or call us for assistance.
|
|
|
All book club meetings are scheduled for the Ames Meeting Room at M&NL. All readers are welcome to join any of these groups. There are no fees, and the Library works to provide copies of the books being discussed. Note: CLAMs participants purchase their books.
Afternoon Book Club
(first Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.)
January 3:
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
February 7: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Evening Book Club
(usually first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.)
January 3: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
February 7: Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
History Book Club
(second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.)
January 9: Rogue Heroes (Part II)
February 13: Defenders of the Faith: Charles V, Suleyman the Magnificent and the Battle for Europe, 1520-1536 by James Reston, Jr.
Captain John Porter Civil War Book Group (third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.)
January 17: Gray Ghost: The Life of Col. John Singleton Mosby by James Ramage
February 21:
Lincoln in the Bardo
by
George Saunders
CLAMS (Classic Literature at Mystic) Book Club
(Mondays at 7:00 p.m.)
January 8:
Tom Jones
by Henry Fielding
January 22: Candide by Voltaire
February 5: Candide by Voltaire
|
|
Teen & Children's Programs
|
|
Mid-Term Study/Stress Relief
Saturdays, January 13 and 20
During regular Library hours
We will have activities and a quiet place to hang out during this often stressful period for students.
More details to come but plan on stopping by the Activity Room on these Saturdays to 'chillax' a bit!
|
|
|
|
Family Movie Matinees
Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.
Free and open to all! Bring a snack and your favorite covered drink to enjoy during the show.
January 6 ~
Spark: A Space Tail (PG)
January 13 ~
Boss Baby (PG)
January 20 ~
Despicable Me 3 (PG)
January 29 ~
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (PG)
Funding generously provided by the Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library--thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Lyman Allyn Museum |
|
Teen/Tween Art Program
Saturday, January 27 at 1:00 p.m.
Ages 10+
In collaboration with educators from the
Lyman Allyn Museum in New London, we have offered 4 new art programs, just for teens!
Thanks to a grant from the
Mystic Rotary Club, this final program will be held at the Library and is
free for participants. Please join us!
You can register for this special session below. P
rogram
begins at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 27 -
Sculpt Your Own Coral Reef, inspired by The Coral Reef Project, an installation opening at LAAM that day by Williams School teacher Tekla Zweir
|
|
|
|
Afternoon Wii U Gaming
Stop by the Mystic & Noank Library on Fridays from 3:30 to 5:00 pm for some fun among friends. Get your game on with other kids and teens! Join casual tournaments and game with your friends.
Gaming offers an outlet for creativity and problem solving, while the Library provides an atmosphere of community and sharing. Games are appropriate for ages 9 and up. Come join in on the fun!
|
|
|
This weekly club is for kids interested in learning fun and interactive Scratch programming! Participants will have the opportunity to create virtual games, music videos, art projects and more - all of their own digital design!
Children ages 10 and up are welcome.
|
|
Winter Preschool Storytimes
Winter Storytimes begin the week of January 8, 2018.
Registration is available on via EventKeeper on the library website
now or by calling (860) 536-7721.
StoryTimes are scheduled to meet weekly Mondays through Thursdays, classes consist of stories, finger-plays, crafts, and songs.
|
|
|
1KBK is a HIT!
We are delighted with the response to our
Groton Education Foundation funded program
1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
We have 58 'readers' registered and 2 have already read 1000 books! Congratulations!
So far, more than 4,000 books have been read by our participants--great job, everyone!
The program is available to all families with children
be
tween the ages of birth to 5 years old. The goal is to read 1000 books together prior to the child's start of formal schooling or Kindergarten.
Sound impossible? It's not!
Three books a day for one year is
over 1000 books
!
We love celebrating the children's successes and honoring them with prizes to keep them motivated! Interested? Stop in the Children's Room and find out more--we'd love to see you.
Sign up in the Children's Room during regular library hours--it's FREE!
|
|
|
|
A World of Info
Drop by the Children's Room and have a peek at the
2018 World Book Encyclopedia that's arrived!
This new addition (updating one we had) is possible
thanks to a generous donation from the
Sidney Gross Memorial Fund---thank you!
World Book remains the premier print source for users of all ages to easily learn and explore any topic or interest.
|
|
|
|
News, Meetings & Programs
|
|
Brain HQ: Brain Training Software
The library is pleased to now provide access to BrainHQ - cutting-edge, research-based, brain training software.
Thanks to generous funding from the Mystic Rotary Club and the library's Kroeger Porter Fund provided by longtime library supporters Captain John D. Porter and his wife Mary Katherine (Kroeger) Porter, this important resource is available to cardholders of all three Groton Libraries - Mystic & Noank Library, Groton Public Library and Bill Memorial Library.
To access BrainHQ, you must have a current library card to one of these three libraries and have set-up a PIN using the
"My Account" link.
Learn more about BrainHQ from PositScience.
|
|
|
|
Cribbage Club Continues
Thursdays at 3:00 p.m.
Do you know how to play cribbage or are ready to learn?
Join us each week at M&NL! Cribbage is a great way to keep your mind sharp and meet new friends. For more information, please call Donna Anderson at (203) 470-4566 or email
[email protected]
.
Writers' Group
Join a varied group of writers every Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. (January 8, 22, 29). We welcome all genres to discuss, review and work on our craft together.
Knitters Unite
Knitting Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. each month (January 9 and 23). All levels are welcome. Please join us!
|
|
|
|
Bereavement Counseling
January 2 and January 16 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. (ongoing on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month)
These sessions are open to all who are coping with the loss of a loved one
and led by caring professionals from the Center for Hospice Care of Southeastern CT. Sessions are free but do require pre-registration. Please call (860) 848-5699 to register.
|
|
|
|
Museum Passes Available
This is an easy New Year Resolution to complete: visit a new museum in CT!
Stop by the Children's Room to review the passes and discounts available. You'll find something of interest
for all!
More information on our website
here!
We thank the Friends of M&NL for their generous support of the museum passes.
|
|
|
Book-A-Librarian
I
n Need of Technology Tutoring?
If so, please consider the Mystic & Noank Library's Book-a-Librarian program, in which you sign up for an individual one (1) hour session with a librarian and receive a private tutorial on whatever technological query you may have!
Lesson topics have included Windows 10, web design, Microsoft Office, and the use of devices such as Smartphones, iPads, e-readers and social media! New topics include employment websites, resumes and cover letters, web design, and more!
To register, please call the library at (860) 536-7721 or use our online form here!
Appointments must be requested AT LEAST one day ahead of the desired date; they will be scheduled according to the patron's and the librarian's mutual availability.
|
|
|
|
Wowbrary!
Don't forget to register for our information service,
Wowbrary
by
simply clicking here!. Be sure to then check your email for the verification message.
With Wowbrary, you will receive a weekly email on Saturday mornings highlighting any new book, audiobook, DVD or CD titles added to our collection in the previous week. A smart link directly into the library catalog will allow you to easily place a reserve on any titles that you wish to check out!
|
|
|
|
On January 23, 1893 the Mystic & Noank Library opened its
doors to the public.
Generations of supporters, Trustees, Friends and staff have molded our historic institution into a forward-looking, vibrant and relevant part of the greater Mystic community.
We proudly continue the tradition of personalized and meaningful Library service to all who enter.
Please consider giving on 1/25 to help meet our
Matching Gift Pledge!
Your tax-deductible donation to our Annual Fund funds the services and resources you need, strengthens our collection and ensures our viability in our unique and special Mystic community. Thank you.
|
|
|
Thanks to many generous patrons, more than 150 bricks have been purchased for the library--
thank you! Book your brick today!
Is the New Year worthy of celebrating something big? A brick is a perfect present!
Don't miss this opportunity to make a gift of a commemorative brick at M&NL in honor of your loved one, a special anniversary or to promote your business.
We are proud to display these meaningful messages on our beautiful entryway
and would love to add your personalized brick to our ever expanding special sidewalk.
Each brick can include up to 3 lines of text with 16 characters per line. Each 4" x 8"
paver is $125.00 and installation of engraved bricks will be done in sections on a rolling basis.
Questions? Contact Karen Bradshaw at (860) 572-8191.
|
|
|
|
|
A Preview of M&NL February/March 2018 Programs
Take Your Child to the Library Day
Saturday, February 3
Read to Phantom and much more! Stay tuned for more details!
Young Engineers' Club (YEC) is Coming!
Demo on Saturday, February 3; program to begin Saturday, March 10 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)
In the Spring 2018 session, participants will learn the basics of electrical engineering and software development using the Arduino platform. The project for the Spring 2018 session is an automatic plant watering system made from scratch.
This program is open to middle and high school students and will allow participants to tinker, create and build! We will use STEAM
materials, including the
library's 3D printers as part of this program! Registration is limited to 15 but enrollment is FREE, thanks to the generous support of the
Sidney Gross Memorial Fund.
Contact Roberta Donahue for more information!
Family Movie Matinees Continue Saturdays @ 3:00 p.m.
1st Annual Blanchet Poetry Contest
Great Decisions Discussion Group Returns
March 2 at 10:15 a.m.
|
|
|
Monday-Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Hours 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
