Board Meeting Rescheduled

The Babcock Library Board of Directors normally meets the 4th Tuesday of each month. For May, the meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday the 29th at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Babcock's Birthday Party

We were pleased to celebrate Archibald Babcock's 227th birthday on April 28, 2007 in the Knowlton Auditorium. Party goers enjoyed the balloon twisting artistry of Nick Connell, music by Larry Gag and Jimbo of the J.J. Diamond Band, and cake from Chez Marie, served by Library Friend Paula Hallene. Here are a few shots taken by Library Friend and Board member Cindy Curry.

If you missed the party, you can still make a donation in his memory. Please take a candle or two from the cake in the Knowlton Auditorium upstairs to the library with your donation. We appreciate it!

Babcock Book Discussion online

Babcock Library's Book Discussion title for May is Omnivore's Dilemma.

Michael Pollan, the author of this inspiring book, takes us on trips through the US to learn where the food in four of his meals is originating. He calls it the "natural history of four meals." By taking a closer look at our grocery store and restaurant food and food in general, all kinds of things become more visible. It seems when agriculture and food join in big business, ignorance, greed and illusion appear. Politics enters.

Some questions to consider if you are reading the book: are you eating differently than you were before you read the book? How is the book effecting you? What in this, if anything, is positive? This is about omnivores. Would the stories of the four meals be a lot different for a vegetarian?
He talks about eating locally in the chapter on the Grass Farmer. Do you think you could eat most of your food from local sources all year and feel satisfied? What kind of issues come up for you around food as you read this?

We will also be discussing this book on Monday, May 14, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the library, in the Reading Room. Multiple copies of the book are available at the library.

Friends Meeting Rescheduled

The Friends of the Babcock Library meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 17 has been rescheduled to Thursday, April 19. It will be at the library, from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. New Friends members are welcome! See you on the 19th.

Library Closed April 17 for Conference

The Babcock Library will be closed on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 so the staff can attend day 1 of the Connecticut Library Association annual conference. After this continuing education day, the library will be open again as usual on Wednesday, April 18.

Game Computers

For younger children, the two computers behind our circulation desk are now designated for computer games only. Games we have on hand for the two machines include Freddi Fish and the Case of The Missing Kelp Seeds, The Magic School Bus Explores the Ocean, MicroRacers, Freddi Fish 2 The Case of The Haunted Schoolhouse, Reader Rabbit's 1st Grade, and The Magic School Bus Explores Inside the Earth. We're always interested to learn what games you want on hand - feel free to let us know.

Catalog computer

For those who want to search Athena, our computerized library catalog, we now have a computer set up for that purpose and that purpose only. It's in the first study carrell in the adult section just around the corner from the circulation desk. Athena is also available on all five of the computers clustered near the audio books and movies, but if all of those are busy, you can still get to Athena on the catalog computer in the study carrell.