JUNE 2021
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Director's Note

Greetings LPL Community!

This moment is full of change, exciting transformation, and emergence. LPL is no different! 

We are excited for summer! We have lots of changes coming. Most immediately, our facility will be receiving new carpet tiles as part of a Fiscal Year 2021 Town of Lunenburg capital project. We had hoped to finish this restoration before we reopened, but the result will still be an improvement to our already stellar and remarkable facility. Unfortunately, this work means that we will need to close our doors to the public for several weeks. Starting today and leading up to the work, our doors will be open to the public from 10am-8pm Monday through Thursday and 10am-2pm on Saturdays. The closure will likely begin the week of June 7th and might continue until the end of the month. During the closure, our programs will still be held as scheduled, and our staff will be available to assist you remotely, but the building will not be open.

We understand the inconvenience, especially as we attempt to kick off our summer reading program. We suggest that you visit us as soon as you can to borrow enough books to tide you over while we are closed. The entirety of the library carpet will be replaced, so we will need to store our materials collection to protect it, and we will expect to close our doors for a minimum of two weeks. Please expect us to be closed from June 7th until at least June 24th. You can check our website for updates as always, Facebook and Instagram, and reach out directly to me by email (mhaman@cwmars.org) if you have questions. While the work is happening, we hope to be able to post updates with photos from inside the building as the transformation occurs. What an exciting time!

After the renovation, we will return to full operating hours, and more details will be forthcoming. It is worth reiterating that during June, we still plan to kick off our Summer Reading Program as scheduled, and our programs will still be held as planned either outside or in the virtual realm. So, please come to the library in the next two weeks to borrow enough materials to keep you busy for the following weeks. We will close our book drops during the period when renovations happen, since staff will not be able to enter the building while work is happening. Fines should not accumulate while we are closed. Our staff will still be available to assist you by phone and email during our closure. We also suggest that you consider using another nearby library for picking up any holds during June by selecting your choice of location as the pickup locations when you place a hold. Townsend, Fitchburg, Leominster, and Shirley have libraries that are quite close and are part of CWMARS, too.

We thank you for your understanding and your perpetually strong support! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Muir Haman, Director LPL
Staff Picks
DEBBIES'S PICKS

Debbie is our wonderful Children's Librarian and a long time Lunenburg resident. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher, Debbie says, "I have the best job in the world and making a career switch was one of the best decisions of my life!" When not here at the library, Debbie and her husband enjoy spending time with their 6 grandchildren- "who are the light of our lives."

The Explorer Academy by Trudi Truit 

Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there's more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future.

Debbie says, "We read the first book in this series for book club this year and the kids loved it! It has it all- a school experience to die for, amazing scientific gadgets, world travel on a first class cruise ship, mystery and characters that you come to care about. I have listened to three books in this series now and I’m hooked!"
The City of Ember by Jean DuPrau

The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to dim. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. Now, she and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues to keep the lights on.

Debbie says, " "The lights will burn out and the darkness will close in forever.' Interesting story line with this series! An entire city that exists below ground- whoa! Well told with just enough intrigue to get you hooked into reading the next book!"
The War that Saved My Life
by Kimberly Bruebaker


Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him. So begins a new adventure for Ada and Jamie.
 

Debbie says, "Bradley for those of you who like historical fiction that is painfully accurate in detail. This wonderfully written book set during the blitz years of WW2 in London tells the story Ada, a 12 year old girl with a very challenging lot in life who manages to overcome more than most people should ever have to experience. This review by Publisher’s Weekly says it all: ★ "Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home. "—Publishers Weekly, starred review
And there’s a sequel not to be missed- The War I Finally Won !"
JUNE Programs
Stitchcraft Returns!!

Tuesdays 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Library Back Patio


Starting Tuesday, June 1st, the Library stitching group is back! Join us on the back patio (weather permitting) to socialize while we work on knit or crochet projects. This group is open to any skill level. No registration is required. This group is drop in so come by any time.
'Alice's Ordinary People' Discussion with Filmmaker Craig Dudnick

Wednesday
June 2, 2021
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Zoom


Join us as filmmaker Craig Dudnick walks us through a 30 minute presentation then leads a Q&A session. He will explain his film making process, give some additional context for the film, and why it was important to him. 
 
'Alice's Ordinary People' is about one woman's efforts to affect change in Chicago during the Civil Rights Movement and the rippling effects those changes had on the political landscape of today. A true story of what a few 'ordinary people' can accomplish when we work together. 

Watch this documentary film 'Alice's Ordinary People' on Kanopy before this event. Register with an email address to receive the link to the Zoom presentation in your confirmation email.
What Should I Grow in My Medicinal Herb Garden?

Wednesday June 9, 2021
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Zoom

The right herbal "superstars” can treat common ailments like colds and flu, inflammation, minor cuts, infections, pain, muscle spasms, anxiety, poor digestion, and insomnia.

". . . but where do I begin? How do I even start a medicinal herb garden?”
It’s the question many people ask, normally out of fear of getting it wrong, or growing something that could poison their family. Starting your herb garden isn’t as overwhelming as you may think – and spending time in a medicinal herb garden is healing by its very existence!
 
Join us for this presentation from the mother-daughter duo Ehris Urban and Velya Jancz-Urban- Grounded Goodwife- to learn more about medicinal herb gardening!

Register with an email address below to receive the link to the Zoom meeting in your confirmation email.
FLYING HIGH DOGS- SUMMER READING PROGRAM KICK-OFF EVENT

Thursday, June 24, 2021
6:30 to 7:30 PM

Join us on the lawn behind the library for an amazing show from four of the most athletic Border Collies on the planet. They’ll perform with Mike Piazza, multiple world finalist and world record holder in K-9 Frisbee and the current #1 Professional K-9 frisbee performer in the world!

There will be a variety of frisbee stunts and other entertaining tricks during the performance and lots of audience participation and fun for people of all ages.

Attendees will get a free summer reading giveaway bag from the library and vendors will be on hand with various treats for sale!
NOTES FROM THE CHILDREN'S ROOM
For all of June's programs - check out the Children's CALENDAR
EXCITING NEWS!!!

A new children’s raised bed herb garden is now growing right outside the front windows of the Children’s Area! We have some herbs in and plan to add more for the kids to look at, touch, smell and taste if families allow! The kids have already been digging in the garden to add worms from our Wiggly Worm Story Time!  
Children are encouraged to visit the library throughout the growing season to identify, smell, touch and perhaps taste herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil, chives, marjoram, parsley and mint. There will be a walking path all around the garden for ease of access to all the herbs.

BTW- if you are in the process of sprucing up your herb garden and discover that you have some herbs that need a new home, we would love to help you out with that.  
Virtual Story Time with Roger Williams Zoo 
Wednesday, June 23rd
11:00 - 11:30
Zoom

Sit back and relax and let us bring the zoo to you with a Virtual Zoomobile program! Roger Williams Zoo's Virtual Zoomobile programs offer a valuable experiential learning opportunity for kids of all ages. This program includes interaction with a Zoo educator and 3 live 'animal interviews' with some of their ambassador animals! This program allows up to 22 screens but you can have as many viewers on your screen as you like! Register here to join.
CURIOUS CREATURES ANIMAL VISIT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30TH
11:00-11:45


Get ready for Curious Creatures to visit outside on our patio with 10-12 of their exotic animals from all over the world. From the wonderful Curious Creatures staff- 
“ Are you excited to learn some fun facts about each creature? You may be surprised to learn who can not get wet...who likes to eat crickets... and whose eyes are on the sides! 
This program will include some mammals such as a rabbit and chinchilla , as well as a baby alligator and snake along with so many others. 
Thank you for inviting us, we are happy to share our love of these animals with all of you!”
SUMMER READING BEGINS SOON!~ We have 2 different ways for you an your to participate- either as a Beanstacker or a Paper logger! Both groups have the same access to all programs, reading and activity challenges, and the reading incentive raffle tickets for the same great prizes.

REGISTRATION BEGINS: Monday, June 21 "BUTTON WEEK"

More information will be coming out soon!
NOTES FROM THE TEEN ROOM
Make Your Own Beeswax Sushi Candles for Tweens & Teens

Take Home Kits
 
 
These may look like sushi rolls, but they're actually candles made out of beeswax! This take home craft kit will provide you with strips of colored beeswax, a wick, and instructions for you to make sushi roll candles on your own time! Each kit will come with enough supplies to make 3 different candles (tuna roll, salmon roll, and an avocado roll). Kits are intended to be done on your own, there will be no virtual event or guided instruction. But don't worry! The provided instructions will walk you through step by step.
 
For grades 6-12 (ages 12-18). Registration is required as kits are limited. Click here to register
 
Kits will be available to pick up starting on May 27th and will need to be picked up by June 3rd. We'll send out an email reminder once kits are ready as well.