Otis Library Programs for Adults

A Wonderful Evening

2012-02-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

Our library recently hosted a wonderful event. The Changing Minds Book Club met on January 4th to discuss "Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and their Journey through Schizophrenia" by Pamela Spiro Wagner and Carolyn S. Spiro, M.D. We were fortunate to have the authors agree to take part in our book discussion. They spoke openly to the group about the writing of the book, and Pamela (an accomplished artist and poet) read some of her poetry. Thank you to both of them for taking the time to visit our library on a cold, wintry evening and share their stories!

Photograph of Pamela (L) and Carolyn (R)
by Jennifer Gross.

Food Drive To Benefit Our Neighbors

2012-02-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

Join us in supporting our neighbors! We are holding a food drive to benefit Saint Vincent de Paul Place of Norwich. Please drop off your canned goods (especially Spam, tuna, pasta sauce and pasta, soup, and peanut butter) in the box in our atrium. We will be collecting food until the end of February. No glass containers, please. And check those expiration dates!

E-reader Demonstration

2012-02-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

Did you receive a new E-reader for the Holidays? Get helpful advice from Amanda, our Reference Librarian, on Monday, February 6, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in our Meeting Room. She will give a demonstration on using OverDrive, our E-book subscription service. This will be by appointment only, and you need to be an Otis Library cardholder. Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 112, to reserve your spot.

Old News is Good News: Using Newspapers for Genealogical Research

2012-01-30T09:06:00.000-08:00

Old News is Good News: Using Newspapers for Genealogic Research, the third in a series of informative and interesting annual genealogical programs sponsored by the Friends of Otis Library, will be held in the Otis Library Community Room on Saturday, February 11, (snow date February 25), from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The program will be presented by our own Reference Librarian Kathy Wieland. Learn how to use newspaper archives to gather more information about members of your family tree. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited; to register for this free event, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 108.

Evening Book Discussion Group

2012-01-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

Our Evening Book Discussion Group is currently reading Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey. If your a fan of historical fiction, you will love this book! We will meet on Wednesday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the library Meeting Room to discuss the book. Join us! There is always great conversation and refreshments. Free and open to the public.

The Changing Minds Book Club

2011-12-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

The Network Education Committee, in partnership with Otis Library, will present the Changing Minds Book Club on Wednesday, January 4, at 6:30 p.m. The Changing Minds Book Club is a monthly discussion group focused on topics such as mental health, substance abuse, the autism spectrum and family involvement in recovery.

"Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and their Journey through Schizophrenia," will be discussed during the January meeting. The authors of "Divided Minds," Pamela Spiro Wagner and Carolyn S. Spiro, M.D., will be the special guests and will be leading the discussion. Copies of the book are available to borrow at our Circulation Desk. Seating is limited; please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, to reserve your seat.

Read a review of this book here.

Former U.S. Ambassador Thomas P. Melady

2011-12-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

Distinguished diplomat and Norwich Free Academy alumnus, the Honorable Thomas P. Melady will speak in the Community Room on Saturday, December 3, at 1:00 p.m. He will talk about his latest book, Ten African Heroes: The Sweep of Independence in Black Africa, and copies will be available for sale and signing.

Thomas Patrick Melady served as an American ambassador under three presidents and as a sub-cabinet officer for a fourth, and remains active in foreign affairs and international relations. He is the author of 16 books and over one hundred-eighty articles. A former consultant for the National Urban League in New York and chairman of Seton Hall University, he was appointed Ambassador to Burundi in 1969, Senior Advisor to the US delegation to the UN General Assembly in 1970, and Ambassador to Uganda from 1972 to 1973.

He served as President of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut from 1976 to 1986, when he became the University's President Emeritus. While on leave from the University, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Post-secondary Education

In 1989 he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See. Since 2002, he is Senior Diplomat in residence at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128

The Postman Always Looks Twice

2011-11-30T05:49:00.001-08:00

Otis Library will be hosting the photography exhibit “The Postman Always Looks Twice: Images of Local Gardens Selected by Norwich Mail Carriers,” which will be on display in the Community Room from December 2 through December 30. This collaboration with the Norwich Post Office features photographs of gardens especially enjoyed and appreciated by mail carriers as they traverse their routes. Approximately eighteen gardens from all over the City are represented. The gardens range from the elegant to the quirky to the exuberant. Each garden is noteworthy for contributing to the daily happiness of a mail carrier (and, assuredly, to many others, as well)! This exhibit is organized by the Otis Library's "Culture and Community Project," coordinated by volunteer Elanah Sherman. The opening reception will be Friday, December 2, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. To view the exhibit during the days following the reception, please call (860) 889-2365 to ensure that the room is available.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

Enjoy your Thanksgiving day!

If you attend the Norwich Winter Festival Parade this Saturday, look for the staff of Otis Library! We will be marching in our new t-shirts, sporting the new Otis Library logo.

Check out these great photos from last Saturday's "O'tis a Festival at Otis." It was a wonderful day, and we couldn't have done it without our talented volunteers, staff, performers, and crafters. They are all truly something to be thankful for!

www.otislibrarynorwich.org/postcardviewer

O'tis A Festival At Otis: A Marketplace Of All Things Creative

2011-11-16T11:32:00.000-08:00

Join us for an amazing day of world-class authors, crafts, and music with “O’tis A Festival At Otis: A Marketplace Of All things Creative,” at Otis Library on Saturday, November 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be handcrafted items, author visits, children’s events, musical performances, and books from Bank Square Books in Mystic. Plan to start your holiday shopping!

The Norwich Free Academy Ambassadors will share their holiday music at 10:00 a.m. , and singer Patrick Kirker will be performing in the afternoon. We are so lucky to have them returning to our library!

Pearl Dexter, author, editor and publisher of Tea: A Magazine, will be speaking on the history of tea at 11:00 a.m. Copies of her books will be available for sale and signing.

New York Time bestselling author Wally Lamb will read from his book Wishin’ and Hopin’ at 1:00 p.m. Copies of his book will be available for sale and signing.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Otis Library. For more information, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 127.

"A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island: Keepers of the Bay"

2011-11-08T11:46:00.001-08:00

Meet author/historian Robert A. Geake on Saturday, November 12, at 1:00 p.m. in our Community Room. Mr. Geake is the author of A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island: Keepers of the Bay. His book chronicles the history of these native Rhode Islanders from their early European encounters to the tribe's return to sovereignty in the 20th century. There will be a reception and book signing immediately following the discussion. Free and open to the public.

We're reading "The Gargoyle" by Andrew Davidson

2011-10-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Our Evening Book Discussion group is currently reading "The Gargoyle" by Andrew Davidson, and so far, there seems to be mixed feelings about the book! Some people are LOVING it, and others not so much. Read if for yourself, and plan to join us this Wednesday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. It will be a great discussion! Here is a summary:

The Gargoyle: the mesmerizing story of one man’s descent into personal hell and his quest for salvation. On a dark road in the middle of the night, a car plunges into a ravine. The driver survives the crash, but his injuries confine him to a hospital burn unit. There the mysterious Marianne Engel, a sculptress of grotesques, enters his life. She insists they were lovers in medieval Germany, when he was a mercenary and she was a scribe in the monastery of Engelthal. As she spins the story of their past lives together, the man’s disbelief falters; soon, even the impossible can no longer be dismissed.

Paper Crafting with Andrea!

2011-10-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

Meet Andrea - a self-proclaimed paper stylist! She will be teaching a class in our Meeting Room on Wednesday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. You will learn to create beautiful holiday paper projects to make and share. She will teach you to make party favors, paper flowers and garlands, and will share pretty package ideas. This program is for teens and adults. Registration is required for this free event - please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100, or register at the Circulation Desk. Andrea's paper crafts are amazing - she is a very creative individual, and we are lucky she wants to share her talents with us!

"Care of Ward 81" Photographs by Bill Diodato

2011-10-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

The photography exhibit “Care of Ward 81” is on display in the Otis Library Community Room from October 4 through October 29. Photographer Bill Diodato’s “Care of Ward 81” is a collection of images that explore the disintegration and decay of the now defunct women-only Ward 81 of the Oregon State Mental Hospital. Mr. Diodato, a Norwich native, is a New York-based commercial and fine art photographer. To learn more about his photography, visit his blog.

There will be a reception on Saturday, October 8, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the library Community Room. The exhibit is accompanied by a fully illustrated book containing 44 images, which will be on sale during the reception. The book, Care of Ward 81, has been selected as the winner of the 2011 International Book Award in Photography Category.

For more information about viewing the exhibit, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

Friends of Otis Library Book Sale

2011-09-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

If you are a book lover, and have never attended one of our amazing Friends book sales, do yourself a favor and attend our next one in October. We have been receiving a huge amount of donated books, with more arriving each day. The variety of books, along with the very good condition most them are in, is wonderful! Our Friends group works very hard to sort and arrange the donations.

We are still accepting donations of gently used books. You may drop off your books (two bags or boxes at a time) to our Circulation Desk. For larger donations, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 125. We will not be accepting textbooks, encyclopedias, or magazines. All proceeds from the sale benefit Otis Library.

The dates for the semi-annual Friends of Otis Library book sale are as follows:
Friday, October 14, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 16, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Early Bird Preview, $10.00 : Friday, October 14, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

"After 9/11" Panel Discussion

2011-09-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Otis Library will be hosting a panel discussion entitled "After 9/11" on Friday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. The panel will discuss what has changed in America, politically and militarily, since September 11, 2001. On the panel is Ray Hackett, Editorial Page Editor for The Bulletin; William Salka, Professor of Political Science at Eastern Connecticut State University; and Captain Glenn M. Sulmasy, Chairman of the Department of Humanities and a Professor of Law at the United States Coast Guard Academy. The moderator will be Robert Farwell, Executive Director of Otis Library.

If you would like to submit questions for possible use, e-mail them to: bfarwell@otis.lioninc.org.

To reserve your seat for this free program, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100.

September Books Discussions

2011-09-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

Something new!
Our library has joined with The Network Education Committee to start a new book discussion series called Changing Minds Book Club. It will be a monthly discussion, focusing on topics including mental health, substance abuse, the autism spectrum and family involvement in recovery. The first book chosen for the series is "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult. Join us for the inaugural meeting of the Changing Minds Book Club on Wednesday, September 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. Call me at (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, if you have any questions.

The Evening Book Discussion starts up on Wednesday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. We will kick off the season with "Maps and Shadows" by Krysia Jopek. A novel based on historical facts (and her family history), it tells the story of a Polish family during World War II who were deported to Siberia by Stalin. As an added bonus, the author will be joining us to lead the discussion. There are limited copies of the book available to borrow at the Circulation Desk. Krysia Jopek will be selling and signing copies of her book the night of the discussion.

Both of these discussions are free and open to the public.

We are open!

2011-08-22T12:02:00.001-07:00

For the past two years, Otis Library has had to shut it doors for the last two weeks in August due to budget cuts. But this year, thanks to the support of the Norwich City Council, City Hall, and our wonderful patrons, we are open. For the next two weeks, take the time to stop by our library so we may thank you in person!

One Book, One Region 2011

2011-08-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

Are you reading "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer? It's the One Book, One Region selection for 2011, and everyone is talking about it! There are still copies available here to borrow.
Professor Faye Ringel will be leading a discussion of this book on Wednesday, August 10th, at 6:30 p.m. in our Meeting Room. To learn more about the One Book, One Region program, visit www.onebookoneregion.org.

The 2011 Connecticut Authors Trail

2011-08-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

We will be hosting two authors as part of the 2011 Connecticut Authors Trail.

Marc-Yves Regis, author of Haiti: After the Shock, will be speaking on Monday, August 8, at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Regis, a photo-journalist, will also be exhibiting his photographs at Otis Library during the month of August.

Young adult author Natash Friend will be appearing on Wednesday, September 7, at 6:30 p.m. She is the author of Perfect, Lush, Bounce, and her latest book, For Keeps.

Both authors will be selling and signing copies of their books. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.

Meet Author David E. Koskoff

2011-07-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

David E. Koskoff, author of The Senator from Central Casting: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Thomas J. Dodd, will be appearing at Otis Library on Monday, August 1, at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Koskoff, a retired attorney and political historian, will talk about the research and writing of the book, The Senator from Central Casting, a biography of Senator Thomas J. Dodd (1907-1971), who was born in Norwich, CT.

Senator Dodd was a chief trial attorney for the prosecution at the Nuremberg War Crimes trial of 1945-46, and was the United States Senator for Connecticut from 1959-1971. The book also details how he was censured by the Senate in 1967 after revelations of financial impropriety.

Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing after the program. This program is free and open to the public.

On Display

2011-07-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

The next time you visit our library, be sure to check out the wonderful displays on view for the month of July.

"Glaskreis" is a display of glass, jewelry and other creations designed and hand-made by local artist John Lamar. They are beautifully displayed in the two cases in our atrium. Mr. Lamar teaches painting at Artreach, and did a wonderful job exhibiting their artwork in our Community Room back in May.

Samson Tonton, a native of Haiti, has a variety of paintings and sketches on display in our Community Room. To view his exhibit, please call ahead to make sure the room is available to the public during the time of your visit. Take the time to see his art - it is beautiful!

Women Writers of the Fantastic

2011-07-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Join us as we celebrate the fourth annual Jim Lafayette Memorial Series of Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy! We will be welcoming two wonderful authors to our library for the series (thank you to Faye Ringel for making the arrangements!). Australian Kaaron Warren will speak on Wednesday, July 13 and San Francisco resident Madeleine E. Robins on Monday, July 18. Both presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Kaaron Warran is an Australian author of horror, science fiction, and fantasy short stories and novels. Her debut novel, "Slights", was published in 2009, to critical praise, followed by "Walking the Tree" in February 2010. Her newest book, "Mistification", will be released in June 2011. Her short stories have won both the Ditmar and Aurealis Awards, which are prestigious Australian literary awards in the genre of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Madeleine E. Robins is the author of the New York Times Notable Book "The Stone War", a dark fantasy novel set in New York City. She is also the author of the Sarah Tolerance mystery series, "Point of Honour", "Petty Treason, and "The Sleeping Partner", which is coming out in Fall 2011. Currently living in San Francisco, Madeleine holds a degree in theatre studies from Connecticut College.

Copies of their books will be available for sale and signing the evening of the events. There will be refreshments and great conversation, so make plans to attend! Both programs are free and open to the public.

"Connecticut Farmer and Feast" Author at Otis

2011-07-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

Emily Brooks, chef and author of "Connecticut Farmer and Feast," will speak at Otis on Wednesday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m. She will help consumers learn where their food comes from, eat healthier, and support the farmers and food producers in their communities. Copies of her revolutionary new cookbook, "Connecticut Farmer and Feast," will be available for sale that evening. Emily has been appearing at bookstores and farmers markets all over Connecticut, but this will be her first appearance in Norwich. Join us for this exciting event! Free and open to the public.

To learn more about Emily and her book, visit her website http://www.edibleadvocatesalliance.org/.

2011/2012 Evening Book Discussion Group Selections

2011-06-28T19:30:00.001-07:00

We have decided on a list of books for our 2011/2012 book discussion group. It's a great list, with something for everyone (I think!). There are best sellers, titles from local authors, a memoir, and just some really interesting books that we are looking forward to reading - and talking about. Let me know what you think.

September 28 - Maps and Shadows by Krysia Jopek (the author will join us for the discussion).

October 26 - The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

December 7 - Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb

January 25 - Parrot and Oliver in America by Peter Carey

February 22 - Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

March 28 - The Tender Bar by J. R. Moehringer

April 25 - The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

May 23 - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

June 27 - The Sea Captains Wife by Beth Powning

Time to Choose New Titles for our Book Discussion Group!

2011-06-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again - time to choose new books! Our Evening Book Discussion Group runs from September to June, and on our last meeting, we choose titles for the next season. We will meet on Wednesday, June 22, to talk about The Other Family by Joanna Trollope (there are still a few copies available at the Circulation Desk), and to choose titles. What have you been reading lately? Is there a book your are dying to discuss with others? Share your favorites! Stop by the Meeting Room at 6:30 to enjoy great conversation and refreshments. Questions about our group? Call me at (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

The following titles have been suggested:
Non-Ficiton
In the Garden of the Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skoot

Fiction
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Photography Exhibit

2011-06-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Otis Library will host the exhibit “A Passion for Placement: The Rediscovered Photographs of Katharine Alling” beginning Tuesday, June 7, in the Community Room. Katharine Alling (1930-2007), a resident of Storrs, produced a remarkable body of photographs during a rush of creativity from approximately 1978 through 1989. The most extraordinary of these were of assemblages she arranged herself, mostly of natural materials. Composed within simple, handmade wooden boxes, standing upright, these exquisitely composed tableaus place stones, leaves, blossoms and, sometimes, books in imaginative relationship with one another. Whether comprised of several elements or only two, each box represents the working of a complex and sensitive aesthetic. The exhibit curator is Elanah Sherman, and the artist representative is Margaret Bodell. The photographs will be on display through Wednesday, June 29.

There will be a reception on Saturday, June 11, at 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room. The reception is free and open to the public. To view the exhibit on the days before and after the reception, please call the library at (860) 889-2365 to ensure the room is available during the time of your visit.

Couponing 101

2011-05-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Speaker Gina Juliano will present the program "Couponing 101" on Monday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. in our Community Room. Everyone knows about coupons and how to use them, but not everyone knows how to use them effectively. Participants will learn how to maximize their savings, cut their grocery bill in half, and use coupons to shop for free! Individuals need to have a working knowledge of computers and the internet to benefit from this class. Space is limited; to register for this free class, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100. This program is sponsored by the Elsie Brown Fund.

For more information on Gina, and to learn some of her money-saving tips, visit her website: http://ginaskokopelli.com/

Synesthesia Art Display by Artreach, Inc.

2011-05-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

The next time you visit our library, be sure to stop by the community room to view the amazing art exhibit on display for the month of May. Titled "Synesthesia," the art was created by members and staff of Artreach. We are so thankful that they are sharing their art with us, if only for the month!

Artreach promotes and supports recovery for adults who have psychiatric disorders through theater, music, visual arts and holistic wellness classes. To learn more about Artreach, please visit their website, www.artreachheals.org.

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Synesthesia:

: a concomitant sensation; especially : a subjective sensation or image of a sense (as of color) other than the one (as of sound) being stimulated

: the condition marked by the experience of such sensations

The Friends of Otis Library Present "A Lifetime of Travel"

2011-05-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, May 14, at 1:00 p.m., the wonderful Friends of Otis Library will be hosting the program "A Lifetime of Travel." Guest speaker Caroline Bryer will share her stories of travel and adventure. This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The Mermaid and the Messerschmitt: War Through a Woman's Eyes 1939-1940

2011-05-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

The Mermaid and the Messerschmitt is an eye-witness account of the early, chaotic days of World War II - the Nazi invasion of Poland, the Siege of Warsaw, and the first few months of the Nazi occupation - written by a young working mother, Rulka Langer.

Join us in welcoming the late author's son, George Langer, as he shares his memories of the war through personal accounts, photographs, and newsreels. He will talk about his mother's story - "War through a woman's eyes."

This amazing program will take place in the community room on Wednesday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the book The Mermaid and the Messerschmitt will be available to purchase that evening. This program is free and open to the public.

May Book Discussions

2011-05-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! Make plans to attend one of our adult book discussion meetings this month. These are informal, peer-led discussions. We are always looking for new people to add to the enjoyment of the conversation!

Both of the books being discussed this month are great reads, and we have plenty of copies available to borrow at the circulation desk. If you have any questions, call Julie at (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

The Afternoon Mystery Book Discussion will be discussing "Point of Honour" by Madeleine E. Robins on Tuesday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m.

"Miss Sarah Tolerance ran away with her brother's fencing master when she was sixteen. Now he's dead and she's back in England, and a Fallen Woman. But she refuses to follow the Fallen Women who have gone before her and become a courtesan. Sarah is a straight shooter, with her pistol as well as her wit, and her mind is as sharp as the blade of her sword. She's clever and discreet--she has reinvented herself as a private investigator."

As an added bonus, author Madeleine E. Robins will be appearing at Otis Library on July 18 as part of our Jim Lafayette Series of Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy!

The Evening Book Discussion Group will meet on Wednesday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss "The French Gardener" by Santa Montefiore.

"Dee and David move out of London into a beautiful country house with a magical garden. But Dee insists on tottering across the wet lawn in kitten heels, David is never there, and the children won’t tear themselves away from the telly.

Then an enigmatic Frenchman arrives. With the wisdom of nature he slowly begins to heal the past and the present. But who is he? His secret lies in the deepest recesses of the garden, for a garden, like love itself, can restore the human spirit not just season after season, but generation after generation."

Author/Photographer Mark Seth Lender

2011-04-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

NPR contributor and nature writer/photographer Mark Seth Lender will be speaking in the Community Room on Monday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m. He will discuss his new book Salt Marsh Diary, which chronicles the daily life of a salt marsh near his home in Connecticut, and will share his photographs of the natural world. Copies of the book will be for sale following his talk. This program is free and open to the public.

For more information on Mark, visit his blog: http://www.saltmarshdiary.com/

Panel Discussion: The Status of the War in Afghanistan

2011-03-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

We will be hosting a panel discussion on the status of the war in Afghanistan on Monday, April 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the library community room. On the panel is Scott Bates, Vice-President of the Center for National Policy; William Salka, Professor of Political Science at Eastern Connecticut State University; and Rob Simmons, a former U.S. Congressman and retired U.S. Army Colonel. The moderator will be Robert Farwell, Executive Director of Otis Library. If you would like to submit questions for possible use, e-mail them to bfarwell@otis.lioninc.org. To reserve your seat for this free program, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100.

"Courage and Commitment in the Face of Consternation"

2011-03-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

Historian Dr. Ann-Marie Adams will speak in our community room on Thursday, March 10, at 6:00 p.m. She will present the program Courage and Commitment in the Face of Consternation: Sarah Harris's Quest for 'A Little Bit More' Education.

Prudence Crandall fought against the prevailing racist sentiment of colonial Connecticut and opened in 1833 the first school for black females. Crandall's courage is heralded across the nation, with a museum in Canterbury, CT, in her honor. But the courageous act of Sarah Harris is rarely examined in the public sphere. In her presentation, Dr. Ann-Marie Adams will discuss the role of Sarah Harris, the young black girl who dared to ask for "a little more" education, in the ongoing quest for citizenship and its component: a quality education. The presentation also examines race, gender and class in colonial Connecticut, and the complex but simple relationship between two women: Crandall and Harris.

Dr. Ann-Marie Adams is the editor and publisher of The Hartford Guardian, an online news magazine in Hartford, CT. She received her Ph.D. with distinction from the History Department at Howard University, where she specialized in Twentieth Century U.S. History and African Diaspora.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

Genealogy on a Shoestring

2011-02-28T17:43:00.001-08:00

The Friends of Otis Library are a hosting a genealogy program this Saturday, March 5, at 1:00 p.m. The program, entitled Genealogy on a Shoestring, will teach both the veteran and beginner researcher alike the tools necessary to search their family tree on a budget. Enjoy a fun and informative afternoon with one of our experienced Reference Librarians as they share their knowledge. Refreshments will be served. This event is free, but you must call ahead to reserve your spot for this popular program. Please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 108.

Singer/Songwriter Rick Spencer to Perform at Otis

2011-02-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

We are so fortunate to have the very talented Rick Spencer appearing at our library on Saturday, February 26. He will be performing songs from his new CD of historic music, The Days When We Were Young, at 1:00 p.m. in our Community Room. The songs are a compilation of selections from his popular historic music programs, including The Greatest Hits of the Civil War and Historic Songs of Outlaws, Villains and Rogues. Copies of his new CD will be available for sale, This program is free and open to the public.

As a soloist and with others Rick has performed throughout the US, in Canada, England, Portugal, France, Poland, Germany and the Netherlands. He is perhaps best known as a composer and writer of songs that run the range from delicate and sensitive to humorous and irreverent.

Rick is known internationally for his work as a historian, researcher, singer, songwriter and performer of music in the American folk tradition. For over 25 years he has traveled and performed at venues which include concert stages, folk festivals, museums, historical societies, schools, libraries, pubs and others.

To learn more about Rick and his music, visit his website: http://www.catfeather.com/index.html

February Evening Book Discussion

2011-02-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

One of the most popular novels of this past year was "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. If you have read it, or are currently reading it, plan on attending our Evening Book Discusison on Wednesday, February 23, at 6:30 p.m. This New York Times best seller should make for a wonderful discussion! There are still plenty of copies available to borrow at the circulation desk. For more information on "The Help", visit the authors website: http://www.kathrynstockett.com/

Author Kenneth Passan - "Forensics and the Violent Criminal Mind"

2011-02-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Local author Kenneth Passan will be speaking at Otis Library on Monday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the community room. Mr. Passan, a former FBI fingerprint examiner and corrections officer, will talk about his book Forensics and the Violent Criminal Mind. He will discuss the importance of forensic science in regards to investigating violent crimes. Copies of his book will be available for sale and signing. This program is free and open to the public. Plan to join us for this fascinating program.

Book Discussion Update

2011-01-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

Due to the inclement weather, Otis Library is closing at 2:00 p.m. today (Wednesday, January 26), which means our Evening Book Discussion Group will not be meeting tonight. Rather then try to reschedule the discussion (the weather is too unpredictable!), we will talk about "Making the Mummies Dance" at our next meeting - Wednesday, February 23, at 6:30 p.m., along with "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Meanwhile, curl up with a good book, sip some hot cocoa, and enjoy our New England weather!

January Book Discussions

2011-01-10T12:19:00.000-08:00

Did your New Year's Resolution sound something like this?
"In 2011, I will lose weight, exercise more, and join a book group!"
Vow to keep one of those resolutions, and join us at Otis Library for our January book discussions.

The Afternoon Mystery Book Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday, January 11, at 2:00 p.m. to discuss "Track of the Cat" by Nevada Barr. Stop by for conversation and refreshments, and help us choose a mystery title for next month.

On Wednesday, January 26, at 6:30 p.m., the Evening Book Discussion Group will discuss "Making the Mummies Dance" by Thomas Hoving. There are a few copies still available to borrow at the Circulation Desk.
Questions? Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Art

2010-12-21T11:20:00.000-08:00

Otis Library, in collaboration with Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, CT, will present the program "Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Art" on Wednesday, January 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the library community room. Mollie Clarke, the museum's Director of Education, will present an hour-long lecture. Join us for a journey down the Nile as we unearth the secrets of the Great Pyramids of Giza, and learn how modern scholars derive meaning from the ancient hieroglyphs. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. This program is free and open to the public.

A Holiday Shopping Extravaganza!

2010-12-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

Plan to do some serious holiday shopping this weekend at Otis Library! Our 2nd annual Holiday Book Fair takes place on Friday, December 10, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 11, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sponsored by Bank Square Books in Mystic, CT, browse a wonderful selection of new books, arts and crafts from local artisans, and basket and holiday tree giveaways. There will be music, author visits, and so much more! Norwich has a bookstore for two days only, so come "Home for the Holidays" to Otis Library.

December Book Discussions

2010-11-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

Join us on Wednesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., as we discuss The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. This 1982 book relates the legend of King Arthur from the female characters point of view. If your a fan of this novel (and many people are!) be sure to stop by for lively discussion and refreshments.

On Tuesday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m., the Afternoon Mystery Book Discussion Group will meet to discuss Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. This is the first book in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series, whose lead character is an investigator in post World War 1 London.

Take a break from the holiday rush! Enjoy good conversation with fellow book lovers at one or both of these groups. Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, for more information.

Thank You, Maria!

2010-11-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

A wonderful time was had by everyone who attended the program last week with cookbook author/bakery owner Maria Bruscino Sanchez. She was an informative and engaging speaker, and brought a wonderful assortment of cookies from her bakery for everyone to sample. A big thank you goes to everyone on the staff who helped to make this night so successful, and to Maria herself for driving from Waterbury on her day off!

Movie Night

2010-11-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

Get an early start on a Thanksgiving tradition! Watch the 1969 film "Alice's Restaurant" in our Community Room on Monday, November 22, at 6:00 p.m. Everyone knows the classic Arlo Guthrie song, heard every Thanksgiving on the radio, but not everyone has seen the movie! Directed by Arthur Penn ("Bonnie and Clyde"), and starring Arlo Guthrie, this film was nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award.
Snacks will be provided. This film is rated R, for mature audiences.

Cookbook Author and Bakery Owner Maria Bruscino Sanchez to speak at Otis

2010-10-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

The Otis Library is pleased to announce that renowned cookbook author Maria Bruscino Sanchez will be speaking in the Community Room on Monday, November 8, at 6:00 p.m. Maria will give a cookie decorating demonstration, and will be selling and signing copies of her cookbooks. This free event is reserved seating, so be sure to call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100, to save your spot.

Maria is the owner of Sweet Maria's in Waterbury, CT, where she is the creator of award-winning cakes and cookies, as well as a line of biscottit which is sold in fine coffee shops and markets all across the country. She is the author of five cookbooks, including Sweet Maria's Big Baking Bible and The New Lasagna Cookbook. She is a frequent contributor to Intermezzo Magazine. You can visit her webiste at http://www.sweet-marias.com/.

October's Evening Book Discussion

2010-10-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, October 27, at 6:30 p.m., join the Evening Book Discussion Group as they talk about Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford. This selection is a departure for the group, as it is a funny take on the latest trend in the publishing world - vampire books. And what could be better then Jane Austen as a modern day vampire! Copies of this thoroughly entertaining book are available at the circulation desk.
To read an excerpt from the book, visit the author's website. Questions about the Otis Library Evening Book Discussion Group? Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

"Flavia de Luce has a passion for poisons ....."

2010-10-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

If you love a good mystery, be sure to read October's book selection for the Afternoon Mystery Book Discussion Group, "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" by Alan Bradley. Taking place in an English village in the 1950's, the book features 11-year Flavia de Luce, a lover of chemistry who discovers a murdered stranger outside her bedroom window. As Flavia decides to solve the murder on her own, this fabulous detective story takes many twists and turns! This is Alan Bradley's first novel in the Flavia de Luce series, which has received rave reviews. "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" has won the 2009 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, and the 2010 Arthur Ellis Award.

Copies of the book are available to borrow at the circulation desk. The Afternoon Mystery Book Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday, October 12, at 2:00. Refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to the public.

On Display - "Character and Characters"

2010-10-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who came out for the First Friday Reception of "Character and Characters: The Disability Rights Movements in Eastern Connecticut 1980-2000." The weather was nasty outside (rainy and windy), but the atmosphere inside the library was welcoming - poetry, music, and a fantastic exhibit! If you did not have a chance to stop by on Friday night, the exhibit will be up through October 29. Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128 for more information.

Character and Characters: The Disability Rights Movembent in Eastern Connecticut, 1980-2000

2010-09-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Norwich Cultural Arts and History Project, in collaboration with the Otis Library, will be presenting the exhibit "Character and Characters: The Disability Rights Movements in Eastern Connecticut, 1980-2000" at the Otis Library from October 1 through October 29, 2010. The Opening Reception will be Friday, October 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

The reception will include a poetry reading in the atrium by Sarah Rizzuto from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sarah will read deeply personal work reflective of her own experience as a young woman with a disability. Musical interludes will be played by guitarist Matthew Pirie. The reading will be sign language interpreted.

This documentary exhibit explores the unique and significant contributions to the State's disability rights movement by residents of eastern Connecticut, many living and/or working in the greater Norwich area.

If you would like to view the exhibit during the days following the reception, please contact the library at (860) 889-2365 to ensure that the room is free during your visit.

A descriptive tour of the exhibit for people with visual and reading disabilities will be offered on Saturday, October 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Advance registration is required. If interested, please contact Elanah Sherman at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6 at elanahs@gmail.com or (860) 383-2322.

The Norwich Cultural Arts and History Project is sponsored by the Norwich Arts Council and the Otis Library.

Family Day at Mohegan Park - Sunday, September 19, 2010, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

2010-09-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

Once again, Otis Library will be part of the Family Day festivities at Mohegan Park. Stop by our table and say hello to library staff members as they hand out flyers, answer questions, and promote our programs for children, teens, and adults. Local social service agencies and businesses will be there with family activities, food, and games. This is always a fun time, and the weatherman has predicted a beautiful day. Best of all, it is a free event!

"Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides

2010-09-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

"I was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day of January 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of l974. . . My birth certificate lists my name as Calliope Helen Stephanides. My most recent driver’s license...records my first name simply as Cal." From "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides.

Help us kick off a new book discussion season!
The Otis Library Evening Book Discussion Group is currently reading "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides. The group will meet on Wednesday, September 22, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss this incredible book. If you've been reading it, please stop by to share your thoughts. If you haven't had a chance to pick up your copy, there are still a few available at the Circulation Desk.

For a list of our upcoming titles, visit the library website. Questions? Please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

Explorer Barry Clifford to Speak at Otis Library

2010-09-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

Join us for a special evening of adventure featuring National Geographic Explorer Barry Clifford!

Saturday, September 11th, Otis Library

Meet the Explorer Wine Reception - $55.00

6:00 p.m. - Reservations required.

Includes wine, hor d'oeuvres, presentation and pirate fun!

Presentation - $25.00

7:00 p.m. - Limited seating, reservations requested.

Barry Clifford is the one of the best known underwater archaeological explorers. In 1985 Clifford and his team successfully located the main body of the shipwreck of the legendary pirate ship Whydah. In addition to his work with the Whydah, Clifford has searched the Boston Harbor for ships and artifacts relating to the Boston Tea Party and the Revolutionary War. He is currently working to identify what may be the remains of Columbus' Santa Maria. Join us as Barry Clifford shares his underwater adventures.

You will not want to miss this exciting event! Be sure to make your reservations by calling (860) 889-2365, ext. 124, or visit our website for more information.

One Book, One Region Book Discussion

2010-08-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Otis Library will be hosting a book discussion of the One Book, One Region 2010 selection, A Pearl in the Storm, by Tori Murden McClure on Wednesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Susan Topping, Instructor of Humanities at Three Rivers Community College, will lead the discussion. For those of you who have had the privilege of attending a discussion led by Susan, you know what an interesting program this will be! This event is sponsored by the Elsie Brown Fund, and is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

Author Visit: Tori Murden McClure, author of A Pearl in the Storm, will appear on Sunday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m. in the River Room of Mystic Seaport's Latitude 41 Restaurant. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit the One Book, One Region website.

Rose City Senior Center Art Display

2010-08-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

Be sure to stop by the Community Room when the library re-opens on Tuesday, August 31st. The amazing paintings by the artists from the Rose City Senior Center are on display through the end of September. Click here for more information

August Closing

2010-08-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Due to municipal budget reductions, the Otis Library will be closed from August 16th to August 30th. The library will re-open on Tuesday, August 31st. Be sure to stock up on books for the closing!

On Display

2010-08-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

Beginning today, artists from the Rose City Senior Center in Norwich will be exhibiting their paintings in the Community Room. The artwork is by students of instructor Elizabeth Popinchalk. There is a variety of the mediums on display, including acrylic, oil and watercolor. The artists being featured are Patricia Bromley, Allene Nelson, Jean Souter, Erna Leuring, Carol Davis, and Mary Morrison. The exhibit will up until the end of September. If you would like to view the paintings of these talented artists, please check with the Circulation Desk for availability of the room.

Learn to Create an Effective Resume

2010-08-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

Do you need some help getting started on your resume? On Friday, August 6, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., a representative from the New London CTWorks Center will be holding a class on Resume Basics in the Community Room. This free workshop will teach the basic skills needed to create an effective resume. Capture a prospective employer's attention by showing your skills, qualities, and achievements in a professional manner. Space is limited. Please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100, to reserve your spot.

Busy Summer at Otis

2010-08-01T06:59:00.000-07:00

The Otis Library has acquired many new patrons this summer. The staff has reported a record number of people attending programs, along with an increase in requests for new library cards. Otis Library Director Bob Farwell writes beautifully about this in his recent blog entry on Inland Librarian, "New Patrons, New Uses."

The Friends of Otis Library Seek Book Donations

2010-07-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

If you have ever wondered what to do with all those books you have stacked around your house, wonder no more! The Friends of Otis Library are currently accepting donations of gently used books for their upcoming book sale, which is scheduled for October 15, 16, and 17, 2010. They welcome books in good, clean condition. Sorry, they do not accept textbooks, encyclopedias, or magazines. Please donate your books, one bag at a time, to the library circulation desk. All proceeds from the book sale benefit the Otis Library. Thank you for your support!

Otis Library Welcomes Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2010-07-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

As part of the 2nd Connecticut Authors Trail, the Otis Library welcomes author Jennifer Lynn Barnes on Monday, July 26, at 6:30 p.m. Jennifer, an author of young adult books, will be talking about her latest novel Raised By Wolves. Mark your calendars for what is sure to be a wonderful evening! This program is free and open to anyone teen and above. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the Connecticut Authors Trail, please visit their website. To learn more about Jennifer Lynn Barnes and her very popular young adult novels, visit www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com.

Michael Tougias - The Finest Hours

2010-07-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

On February 18, 1952, an astonishing maritime event began when a ferocious nor'easter split in half a 500-foot long oil tanker, the Pendleton, approximately one mile off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Incredibly, just twenty miles away, a second oil tanker, the Fort Mercer, also split in half. On both fractured tankers men were trapped on the severed bows and sterns, and all four sections were sinking in 60-foot seas. Thus began a life and death drama of survival, heroism, and a series of tragic mistakes. Of the 84 seamen aboard the tankers, 70 would be rescued and 14 would lose their lives. Michael Tougias

Author Michael Tougias will present a narrated slide presentation titled The Finest Hours at the Otis Library on Monday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m. The program is based on the author's bestselling book The Finest Hours: The True Story Behind the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue. The book chronicles the dramatic rescue in 1952 off Cape Cod in a winter storm that split two oil tankers in half.

Mr. Tougias will use slides of the storm, the sinking tankers, the rescues, the victims, the survivors and the heroes to tell the story of this historic event. He will describe the harrowing attempts to rescue the seamen, especially focusing on four young Coast Guardsmen who overcame insurmountable odds to save the lives of 32 crewmen stranded aboard the stern of the oil tanker Pendleton. A book signing will follow the program.

Micahel Tougias is a lecturer and award-winning author of 18 books, including Overboard! and Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Story of Disaster and Survival at Sea. Seating is limited for this free program. To reserve your seat, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 100. This program is sponsored by the Elsie Brown Fund.

2010/2011 Book Discussion List

2010-06-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

After some tense negotiations, the Evening Book Discussion Group was able to come to an agreement on a list of books for next season. What follows is an eclectic blend of books: a current New York Times best-seller, a re-telling of the Arthurian legend from a female perspective, a memoir from a former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a novel about a Greek hermaphrodite - not to mention a book that depicts Jane Austen as a vampire! Who chooses these books? Attend one of our discussions, beginning in September, and voice your opinion. Here is the complete list:

September 22, 2010 - Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
October 27, 2010 - Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford
December 1, 2010 - The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
January 26, 2011 - Making the Mummies Dance by Thomas Hoving
February 23, 2011 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
March 23, 2011 - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
April 27, 2011 - Tuscany for Beginners by Imogen Edwards-Jones
May 25, 2011 - The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore
June 22, 2011 - The Other Family by Joanna Trollope

All meetings take place at 6:30 in the Otis Library Meeting Room. Call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128, for more information.

The Jim Lafayette Memorial Series of Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy Welcomes John Crowley

2010-06-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Critically acclaimed author John Crowley will be speaking at the Otis Library on Wednesday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. for the third annual Jim Lafayette Memorial Series of Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy. An author of fantasy, science fiction, and mainstream fiction, his talk is entitled "New ghosts and how to know them."

One of the most admired of contemporary literary artists, John Crowley is the author of Little, Big, Lord Byron's Novel: The Evening Land, and the four-volume series of novels collectively entitled Aegypt, which has been called the greatest achievement in recent literary history as well as "a deep - and inexhaustible - pleasure." His most recent novel is Four Freedoms. He has received the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Literature award for Literature, and the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement. He teaches creative writing at Yale University.

Copies of his books will be available for sale that evening. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128.

June is Audiobook Month!

2010-06-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Have you heard any good books lately? If the answer is yes, then you are probably a fan of audiobooks! June is Audiobook Month, and is the perfect opportunity to sit back and let someone read you a story. Otis Library carries audiobooks for everyone - children, teens, and adults. You can learn a foreign language while your driving to work, relax with a best-seller at the beach, or listen as a family to a well-loved classic. New titles are always being added to the collections. Some recently added adult titles:
Caught by Harlen Coben
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
The Black Cat by Martha Grimes
Getting Organized in the Google Era by Douglas C. Merrill & James A. Martin
Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert
Pimsleur Express French

Something New: Visit the Otis Library website to learn about our downloadable audiobook and eBook collections. A valid Otis Library card is required. Click on the AudioBook Download banner on our Resources page to get started.

One Book , One Region 2010

2010-06-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

The One Book, One Region Committee has chose their title for 2010 - A Pearl In The Storm by Tori Murden McClure. A story of courage and determination, McClure details her attempts to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean in June of 1998. Although it might sound like an adventure story, it is so much more. The subtitle of the book, "How I found my heart in the middle of the Ocean", more accurately describes the book, as the author's journey becomes one of self-discovery. A truly inspiring read - you won't be able to put it down.
The Otis Library has copies of A Pearl in the Storm available to borrow. Be sure to check out the One Book, One Region website to learn more about the book and the author, and to find out about upcoming programs.

Fellow Book Lovers - Have you seen this website?

2010-05-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, you run across a great website that you want to share with others. Here is my latest pick for fellow book lovers: Flashlight Worthy - "recommending books so good, they keep you up past your bedtime." If you enjoy books on a certain theme, this is the place for you. With topics as varied as "8 Books on the Tuskegee Airmen" to "The Books of TV's Lost", there is a list on here for just about everyone (including children and teens). How about "The Best Novels about WASPs", or "7 Great Books set in Baltimore"? Take a look, you'll thank me later.

Evening Book Discussion Group

2010-05-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

As our book discussion "season" is coming to a close, members of the Evening Book Discussion Group have begun debating selections for the coming year. When the group meets on Wednesday, June 23, not only will they be discussing Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult, they will also be choosing titles for the next set of discussions that will begin again in September. Some of the possible titles being tossed around are:
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley - It has been pointed out that this group does not discuss nearly enough Science Fiction or Fantasy!
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Every reading group around has read this, why haven't we?
Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind by Alexandra Ripley - What a fun read this would be, although some of our more literary-minded attendees might not appreciate this!
The Monument Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel - Two members of the group have read this non-fiction book already, and say it is terrific. It is the story of allied soldiers in World War II given the task of retrieving art and artifacts plundered by the Nazis.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - Many of the members have seen the video on YouTube, but have yet to read the book. A great suggestion.

What do you think? Do you have titles you would like to see the group discuss? Plan to attend the meeting on June 23 at 6:30 in the Meeting Room to make your suggestions.

Author John Crowley

2010-05-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

Make sure to mark your calendars for this! Author John Crowley will be appearing at the Otis Library on Wednesday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. for the third annual Jim Lafayette Memorial Series of Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Mr. Crowley is the author of Little, Big, Lord Byron's Novel: The Evening Land, and the four-volume series of novels collectively entitled Aegypt. His most recent novel is Four Freedoms. There is more information on the evening to follow, so be sure to watch this space.

Morning with an Author - Sarah Strohmeyer

2010-05-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

Make plans to spend Saturday morning, May 22nd, at the Otis Library with author Sarah Strohmeyer. She is the author of eleven novels, including The Cinderella Pact, which premiered as a 2010 Lifetime movie. There will be refreshments, and the chance to mingle with Sarah, who will discuss her writing, answer questions and read from her work. Books will be available for purchase and signing. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are available for $10 at the library circulation desk, or at the door on the day of the event. For more information about Sarah and her books, please visit her website at www.sarahstrohmeyer.com.

Movie Event

2010-05-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

The film "Invictus" will be shown in the Community Room on Wednesday, May 19, at 6:00 p.m. The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Believing he can bring his racially and economically divided country together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies his underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. The film stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, and is directed by Clint Eastwood. Attendance is free, and refreshments will be served. This film is rated PG-13.

On a side note, the word "Invictus" is Latin for "unconquered". The poem "Invictus" by English poet William Ernest Henley was inspirational to Nelson Mandela, and he had it written on a scrap of paper in his prison cell during his incarceration. You can read the poem here: "Invictus".

May Book Discussions

2010-05-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

If you have ever given a thought to attending a book group, now is the time to do it. The books being discussed this month are amazing, with one being a gritty detective novel that takes place in Los Angeles, and the other a true story of war-torn Poland.

On Tuesday, May 11 at 2:00 p.m., the Afternoon Mystery Book Discussion group will meet to talk about Faye Kellerman's first novel The Ritual Bath. This 1986 book introduces the reader to characters Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, who will eventually appear in 17 more novels.

If evenings are better for you, stop by the library on Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m., to join in on the discussion of The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman. This book tells the true World War II story of Jan Zabinski, the director of the Warsaw Zoo, who, along with his wife, sheltered 300 Jews and Polish resistors in their home and in cages and sheds.

If you need a little more prodding, here is a great article on the Huffington Post: 5 Reasons to Join a Book Club. Although #4 on the list ("You eat great food") may not always apply, the other four will! If you have any questions, call (860) 889-2365, ext. 128

Norwich Youth Week

2010-05-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Norwich Youth Week has begun! There are lots of fun programs for teens and their families, from bowling to teen movie night, so be sure to take part. For more information, go to the Otis Library website: www.otislibrarynorwich.org.

April's Book Discussion Choice

2010-04-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

In 2006, the editor for the New York Times Book Review sent out a letter to a couple of hundred prominent writers, critics, and editors asking the question "What is the best work of American fiction of the last 25 years?" The winner? "Beloved" by Toni Morrison. Whether you have read this book before, or (like me) are reading it for the first time, join in on the book discussion on Wednesday, April 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room.

Click here to read the full results of the New York Times poll.

2010-04-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the North Shore Troubadours for a wonderful concert on Friday night. The atrium of the library was the setting, and it was a perfect fit. Their music sounded great, and there was plenty of room for dancing! A big thank you to fellow Otis employees Jill, Cathy, and Jim for their help in making the evening a success, and to NST fan Jessica Wrubel for her photographs, which we will be using on the Otis Library website.

North Shore Troubadours
Tim Goselin - Guitar
Randy Smith - Guitar
Joachim Hero - Bass
Sachin Ramabhadran - Drums
Aaron Garovoy - Saxophone

Bright Star

2010-04-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

If you get the chance, be sure to watch the film "Bright Star." It is a drama based on the three year romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne. A visually stunning movie, it is directed and written by Jane Campion (The Piano). It stars Ben Whishaw as John Keats, and Abbie Cornish as Fanny. Both of their performances are brilliant. The library recently acquired the DVD version, so it is available to borrow.

North Shore Troubadours at Otis!

2010-04-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

As part of National Library Week, we are hosting a live after-hours music event at Otis on Friday, April 16, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. North Shore Troubadours, New Haven's premier surf rockers, will be making their first southeastern Connecticut appearance here at Otis. They normally play clubs in the New Haven - New York City area, so we are lucky to have them. This is a free event, so be sure to stop by for a fun night out!

Continents Together

2010-04-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

The next time you visit the Otis Library, be sure to stop by the Community Room to view our latest exhibit - "Continents Together". The display features photographs of the people of Kenya by Marcel Dufresne. Marcel is an Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Connecticut, and took these beautiful photographs in 2009 while he traveled with the American Friends of Kenya on a mission trip. The exhibit will be up during the months of April and May of 2010. If you would like to learn more about the exhibit and the American Friends of Kenya, there will be a reception in the Community Room on Saturday, April 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.