At Cook you can now borrow a telescope!

The NH Astronomical Society has given the library an Orion StarBlast 4.5″ telescope to be loaned out to patrons. All you have to do is be a registered patron and come in to check it out. It comes with an instruction book, a flashlight, and three eyepieces. The library also has a CD-ROM on Astronomy you can check out.

For online instruction, try Sky and Telescope Magazine.

If you own your own telescope, and/or if you’d like to check out what’s up through lots of ‘scopes, come to the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium on the first Friday of each month (when the weather is clear). The New Hampshire Astronomical Society holds a sky watch at the Planetarium that is open to the public and members enjoy helping newcomers.

Here is a list of “What’s Up Tonight” web sites that Marc Stowbridge, a local NHAS member, has collected:
Sky & Telescope
Cartes du Ciel
Sky Maps
Moon Atlas
The Lunar 100
The NightSky (Space.com)

If you have additional questions and concerns, contact the library and/or Marc Stowbridge.

Marc’s web site has a “Clear Sky Clock” that describes Tamworth’s weather conditions in terms of astronomical viewing.

By Jay | December 27, 2008 – 4:17 pm | Comments (1)

Reading aloud at the library

Reading aloud at the library
As we all know, reading aloud is designed to put us to sleep. The parents who were read to as children, read aloud to their own children. We all know what the bedtime story is for. Even if it isn’t bedtime.

By Jay | December 27, 2008 – 3:54 pm | Comments (0)

Library Calendars

Cook celebrates local artists
Cover art: watercolor by Marge Kendrick

We still have about 40 calendars left! Come and get ‘em!

The Friends of Cook Memorial Library have produced a charming calendar for 2009. In full color, on sturdy coated stock, it features the work in paint, collage, ink, and pencil, of twelve library patrons. Two of them are staff. It celebrates local sights and spirit. Several people, leafing through it, crowed, “It FEELS like Tamworth!”

Folded, they are 7″ x 7″, open they are 7″ x 14″ - small enough to fit into your satchel, sturdy enough to hang on your wall. At only $12 apiece, they are a terrific art bargain, and a great gift and memento of a the area and the library.

They are now available at the library, and this is our very own Shameless Commerce Division proudly announcing its arrival. All proceeds support library doings. You could send a check for $14 ($2 for shipping costs), pay to the order of Friends of Cook Memorial Library, to CML Calendar, 93 Main St., Tamworth, NH 03886, and get one, or $27 for two, or $33 for three.

We thank you in advance. You won’t be disappointed!

By Peggy | December 27, 2008 – 9:44 am | Comments (0)

Using Skype at the Library

Do you have family living abroad? Traveling, studying, or in the military. Do you long to see and talk to them? With Skype, you can make free computer-based Skype-to-Skype calls anywhere in the world.
We have installed Skype software on the public computer in the clock room. We have also purchased a small webcam, a microphone and earphones to enable patrons making Skype calls to be seen as well as heard. Using the library’s Skype account to call from the library, the recipient of your call must also be registered with Skype. If they are using a computer with a built-in camera or a webcam, you can see them on video, or if not, you can communicate audibly. You can also chat with them with free instant messaging.
Come on in and give it a whirl.

By Jay | December 17, 2008 – 4:51 pm | Comments (0)

ACT Film Series for Winter

Arts Council of Tamworth presents a Winter Film Series on Mondays at Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth and Wednesdays at Moultonborough Library at 7 p.m.

Burn After Reading (R)
January 26 & 28
After the true genius of No Country For Old Men, the Coen Brothers come back with a whole new dimension. Burn After Reading is a dark comedy about idiots faced with an intelligent and complex situation. Two Gym instructors Linda Litsky (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) find a disc containing the memoirs of ex CIA agent Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich). (English)

The Duchess (PG-13)
February 2 & 4
“The Duchess” is a wonderful costume drama based on the life of Princess Diana’s ancestor Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, who was celebrated and scandalous in her time, which was late 18th century England. (English)

Brideshead Revisited (PG-13)
February 9 & 11
Inspired by the best-selling novel, Brideshead Revisited is a riveting drama of love, power and betrayal, featuring stunning performances by Academy Award(R) winner Emma Thompson (Best Actress, Howards End, 1992) and Matthew Goode (The Lookout). When the charming aristcrat Sebastian invites Charles Ryder to his family’s estate, Charles becomes seduced by the opulent lifestyle of the Marchmain family, and by Julia, Sebastian’s sister. As their romance deepens, repercussions follow, and Charles discovers that at Brideshead, love, money and power come at a price. It’s a spellbinding story you’ll want to revisit again and again. (English)

In lieu of a set admission,
audience donations are gratefully accepted.
Thanks to our 2008-9 Season Sponsors, Silver Lake Home Center and Profile Subaru

For more info, Cook 323-8510 Moultonborough 476-8895
ACT: 323-8104 www.artstamworth.org

By Jay | December 17, 2008 – 4:11 pm | Comments (0)

Molly, our new librarydog

Evan reads to Molly
Molly listens intently to Evan's story
Molly is Joan’s sidekick. Joan volunteers on the circulation desk on Friday mornings, and sometimes brings Molly with her. Since unruly Bayley is emphatically NOT a service dog, he’s not allowed in the library anymore. However Molly IS a service dog and extremely well-behaved. She loves to be with the patrons, especially the children.

By Jay | December 4, 2008 – 6:13 pm | Comments (0)

Yoga for your health

The library has a fairly extensive collection on exercise and health, especially Yoga. There’s something for everyone: young, middle-aged and old, as well as yoga for wimps, yoga for bad backs, and yoga for teens.
A Google search for free yoga videos reveals that there are many Internet opportunities as well.
My favorite online yoga site is the Yoga Learning Center which offers a free trial for a week. They have over 50 videos of different yoga routines. Consider searching for aerobics and Pilates videos as well. Happy exploring.

By Jay | December 4, 2008 – 4:39 pm | Comments (0)

Sports Websites for Youth

Sports Web Sites for Students by Joanne Troutner of Booklist 9/1/08

The world of sports remains popular with most youngsters and is a good way to engage learners. This update of two previous Web-site sports lists (run in 2002 and 2006) again spans a variety of athletics and interests, including martial arts, baseball, and the Olympics. The sites were last accessed on July 24, 2008.

2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
Learn more about the Olympians who competed in the Summer Games at this NBC television network site, and access abundant video entries by sport, country, athlete, type, and more.

Baseball Cards, 1887–1914.
Baseball fans can explore 2,100 baseball cards “dating from 1887 to 1914,” including those of Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Connie Mack, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, and other legendary players. Easy browsing by keyword, player, team, league, city, and card set.

Introduction to Taekwondo.
This student-developed site introduces the “youngest sport in the Olympics.” Learn about the history and philosophy of taekwondo, and access martial-arts techniques through still images and graphics.

Jumping for Joy.
Click on a jump-rope game (Banana Split, Cat and Mouse, Catch Me, and more), and get ready to have fun. The site includes options for various ages and skill levels; digital images offer additional explanations.

Kids’ Dugout.
Peruse the Kids Club at the popular Major League Baseball site. Options include Baseball Basics, Team Mascots, Cool Games, and Inside Scoop, where kids can learn game rules, gather information on favorite players and teams, and engage in other activities.


Kids World Sports.
A companion to a PBS television show, this site introduces myriad athletic endeavors, ranging from ice hockey to traction kite racing. Includes profiles of young (ages 12–18) athletes, online games, and e-cards to create and send.

Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Go to the official Pro Football Hall of Fame site, and virtually explore the museum, access Hall of Fame members, view multimedia and digital images, and learn about the history of football.

Verb.
Get the scoop on skateboarder Tony Hawk, see virtual baseball cards, and find other activities at this site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Yahoo! Kids—Sports.
Check out videos of kids around the world participating in sports, read jokes, and “Ask Earl” a sports question. A lively, interactive site.

By Jay | November 24, 2008 – 11:33 am | Comments (0)

The Internet Connects Us All

It seems that nearly every day, I hear another story about how people are making connections using the Internet. it doesn’t matter whether people are 10 or 10,000 miles apart, the miles make no difference anymore. With a computer and a fast connection - say, at your public library - the world is your oyster. Here’s a story recently told by Ethan Zuckerman of Global Voices and blogged by Brian Herzog:

If you were a rock star in the 1980s, your life was really good 20 years ago - and now you’re hoping something will take you back to that. But if your band doesn’t have it’s lead singer anymore, what do you do? You watch videos on YouTube, looking for a really good cover band. When you find one, contact the person that posted the video and then get in touch with the singer.
This happened with Journey, after a Journey song was used in the final episode of The Sopranos. The lead guitarist wanted to go back on tour, and the singer he found was in the Philippines (but try telling this story to the government officials who issue visas to come to the US - he had to actually sing to prove it was true). Journey is now out on tour with this Filipino lead singer.

It’s all part of the global conversation, and the global jam session, and the global dance.
Let’s celebrate this lovely fragile planet we all share.

By Jay | November 20, 2008 – 11:00 am | Comments (2)

Christopher Paolini’s Birthday

From the Writer’s Almanac:

It’s the birthday of a young man who became a best-selling author as a teenager, Christopher Paolini, (books in the collection by this author) born in California (1983) and raised near Paradise Valley, Montana. He was homeschooled, and when he finished high school at age 15, he had a lot of time on his hands, so he decided to write a fantasy novel. He began Eragon, finished it a year later, at age 16. He spent a second year revising that draft, and then gave it to his parents. They loved it, and in 2002 Eragon was self-published through the family company. The Paolini family embarked on an exhausting tour to promote Christopher’s book. They went to 135 promotional events that first year, dressed in red and black medieval costumes. Paolini got offers from both Random House and Scholastic, and in August of 2003 — when Paolini was still 19 — the book was published by a division of Random House/Knopf.

The book went straight to the number three spot of the New York Times Bestseller List. Paolini has written two best-selling sequels to Eragon - Eldest and Brisingr. He is at work on a fourth book.

By Jay | November 17, 2008 – 6:51 pm | Comments (0)