Connections
The official newsletter connecting you to your Library
March 2016

Friends of the Library
"Everything Irish" Bake Sale

March 15 Tuesday, is the date for the “Everything Irish” bake sale sponsored by the Friends of the Monson Free Library from 2-6 P.M. Members of the Friends will bake many goodies featuring soda bread, shortbread, cupcakes, pies, brownies, and many more goodies for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Proceeds from the sale will benefit programs at the library including story hours. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

NEW ON-LINE RESOURCES!
All you need is a library card!

ComicsPlus click HERE for more info
Online collection of comics and graphic novels. Unlimited access to over 13,000 popular and classic titles

ArtistWorks Click HERE for more info
Music and Art Instruction. Unlimited access to beginning to advanced lessons for instruments, voice and physical art

Adult Programs

MARCH

Explore Technology, Tuesdays 11-1, Thursdays 5-7
This month we’ll be focusing on the Commonwealth Ebook Collection, one of our library ebook collections, but don’t let that stop you from asking other questions. Sign-up for a session at the Circulation Desk or email Tegan.

What That Mouth Do – Spoken Word Open Mic. Friday, March 11 at 7pm.
Talented and heavy-hitting spoken word performers Skoot and Stratusfier are taking the Boston area poetry world by storm. Hear their incredible freestyle performances and feel free to bring your own brand of poetry to this open mic!

Part 2: Moving Out of Your Camera’s Auto Mode: a 2-session photography course with photographer, Shawn Davis. March 12. 10:30-12:30 am
Step out of auto mode and take control of your camera settings. Delve deeper into the creative aspects of photography. We will cover the basic concepts of exposure, ISO, shutter speed, aperture and white balance.

BAKE SALE! March 15th
The Friends of the Monson Free Library are holding a bake sale to benefit the Library. Come hungry!

Appetite for Art discussion group, Wednesday, March 16th, 12:00-1:00 PM
Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy exploring a different artist or style of art and learning how to look at and talk about art. No experience necessary. Come ready to discuss! This month we’ll be looking at Ellsworth Kelly.

Abandoned Asylums of Massachusetts, Wednesday, March 16th, 6:00 PM
Author event with book signing and prints for sale!

Book Group, Thursday, March 24th, 6:00 PM
Join us each month as we take a journey to “A Land Far Away.” We’ll be reading A The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean this month, copies available for pickup at the Library! Book group is not meeting in February due to re-carpeting!

Scrabble Night, Tuesday, March 22nd, 6:00 PM
Join us on the 4th Tuesday of every month for a friendly game of Scrabble.

Life Rhythms – Vibrational Healing with John Thorp. Thursday, March 31st
John uses Himalayan Singing Bowls to create a relaxing energy field to reduce stress, tension, and pain.

APRIL

Braided Rug Workshop with Sarah Weater, April 16, 23, 30, 10:00-12:00
Registration required for this three part workshop. There is a small cost for materials.

Author event with Tommy Shea, April 21st, 6:30 PM
Just in time for baseball season, Tommy Shea unveils his new book Dingers: 101 Most Memorable Home Runs in Baseball.

"EXPLORE TECHNOLOGY @ THE MFL"
Register for a one-on-one session on how to use different programs, apps, databases etc on your laptop, tablet, e-reader or phone. All you need is a library card, an email address, and your device. If you do not have a device we have some available for demonstration.
If you have questions about Overdrive or other on-line resources Tegan can answer those questions too!
Tuesdays, 11-1 and Thursdays 5-7.
Sessions run approx 1/2 hour.
Sign up at the Circulation Desk, email Tegan at tmannino@cwmars.org, or call the library at
413-267-3866.

Tween and Teen Programs

Stacks & Snacks Book Club, March 8, 3:30-4:30
Snacks & book chat! Join us as we discuss Spy School by Stuart Gibbs. Grades 5-7, New members welcome. Next month we’ll be reading The Expatriates: Song of Sending Book One by Corinne O’Flynn, with a limited number of autographed books for readers to keep and a Skype visit from Corinne on 4/12!

YOLO – Youth Offering Library Opinions, March 9, 3:00-4:00
This month: Create Candy Roses!

Your Library, your voice, grades 7-12, all welcome. Do you have ideas for programs or books you would like to see at the Library? Now is your chance! Join us, there will be snacks. Questions? Contact Sandy.

LEGO Club, March 10, 4:30-5:30
Open to all ages – Come build with us!

YOLO Reads, March 22, 3:00-4:00
Book club for grades 7-12. Which pick did you read, what did you like (or not like)? Tell each other all about it! Read either Iron King by Julie Kagawa and/or Crazy by Han Nolan. We’ll have a special Skype visit from author Han Nolan during the meeting.

Children's Programs

Pre-School STORY TIME

Every WEDNESDAY at 10:30 am.

Bounce & Rhyme Baby Time

Every FRIDAY at 10:30 am.

Our Pre-School Story Hours is NOT your grandmother's story time!
We are introducing early literacy through singing, reading, playing and hands-on activities! Pictured above was a story time incorporating songs, stories, and a science project themed around snowmen melting.

MARCH
READ with Ben, Wednesdays, March 2-23, 4:30-5:30
Ben the Poodle loves it when kids read to him! Registration required – sign up for a 4 week session. 20 minute slots available, slots available for the next session in April, Wednesdays 6-27. Reading Education Assistance Dogs is part of the Intermountain Therapy Dog Program. Ben the Poodle and Nancy Kida generously donate their time for this special program! Children can register to read to Ben by calling us at 267-3866, or drop by to sign-up. Grades K-3.

LEGO Club, March 10, 4:30-5:30
Open to all ages – Come build with us!

Magic Tree House Book Club, March 24, 4:30-5:30
Explore, Read, Imagine! Book club for grades 1-4. This NEW book club will be discussing book #2, Knight at Dawn. Books available at the library, new members welcome!