September Is Library Card Sign-up Month- Stop by the Youth Services Desk for a Special Treat

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and Perrot wants to make sure that all children have the smartest card of all– a library card. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

Sign up for a library card (or just use your library card) at the Youth Services Desk during September and you will receive a sweet treat!

"25 of the very best things money can't buy"

From "25 of the very best things money can't buy" featured on Yahoo!'s Shine blog:

#3. A library card. Hardbacks break the bank, and you're always "accidentally" dropping $20 a month on iTunes. That's why I remind you, my friend, of the library. Check out every single volume in the Millennium Trilogy, borrow When Harry Met Sally for the fortieth time, and have access to all the Charles Mingus albums in the world, all for free.

First Day Jitters?

Early childhood experts agree that being prepared for a new experience and knowing what to expect are keys to relieving anxiety. At this time of year, patrons of Perrot’s Youth Services Department often come looking for books that will help them to help their little ones make a successful transition to a “school” situation, whether that means day care, playgroup, preschool, pre-K, or the big leap into (gulp!) kindergarten.

We have two lists of books about starting school: Starting School and Ready, Set, Go! to School. Plus, starting school is so important that it even has its own subject heading! Just do a subject search for "First Day of School" in our catalog, or follow this link to see Perrot's books on the subject: http://tinyurl.com/2bhstmp

Express DVDs Now Available-- 3 day loan

Perrot’s Express DVDs are now available for checkout! They are displayed on the shelves in the main reception area (by the adult circulation desk). These are the most requested new releases. They can be checked out for 3 days, cannot be reserved or renewed, and carry a $1 per day late fee. Here are some of the available titles:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
When in Rome
Chloe
The Bounty Hunter
Did You Hear About the Morgans>
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Dear John
The Book of Eli

To see the complete list of Express DVDs available at Perrot, search our catalog-- choose a "call number" search, and then type in "express DVD."

Youth Services Fall Program Schedule Now Available

The Youth Services Fall 2010 Program Schedule (.PDF) is now available.

Our program registration is by lottery. Pick up a registration postcard for the program of your choice from the Youth Services Circulation Desk, beginning on Monday, August 9th, 2010. For complete registration instructions, click here.

If you have any questions, please comment on this post!

Summer Reading Wrap-Up

Thanks to everyone who participated in Youth Services's 2010 summer reading program and summer contest!

Over 250 kids signed up for our summer reading program and read almost 900 books in total! WOW, that is pretty impressive!

If you were one of our very special signer-uppers, you can still keep track of the books you read, even though our "official" program has ended! You can either take your reading record home with you, or leave it here in the library. We will also continue to give out prizes for books read (while supplies last, so HURRY!).

You might also want to take a look at the four winners of our weekly summer contest for 2010. We hope they are happily licking ice cream cones right now, courtesy of their ice cream gift certificates!

August Movie in the Park: Born Free

Perrot will be presenting its second Movie in the Park for this year, Born Free, on August 14th! Bring your picnic, your chairs, and enjoy an evening of entertainment at Binney Park!

Born Free (Rated PG)
Saturday August 14th, 2010, at 8:30 PM
[Rain date: Sunday, August 15th]

The heartwarming story of a British couple who teach their pet lioness how to survive in the wilds of the African jungles. Joy and George Adamson involuntarily domesticate several lions while living in Kenya. They keep one, named Elsa, until she is fully grown, and rather than turn her over to a zoo, they decide to train her to live like a wild animal so that they can release her into her natural habitat. The film, based on Joy Adamson's book, is poignant and emotional without ever becoming banal or overly sentimental. -Synopsis from Fandango

Perrot in the News

Perrot is featured in two articles appearing in the Greenwich Time today!

"Librarians' Legacy: Two teens receive memorial scholarships"
Eighteen-year-old Jane Wynne remembers Kathleen Krasniewicz for her creativity as a librarian, while 17-year-old Diana Pelliccia recalls her as a warm and helpful boss at the Perrot Memorial Library. The two college-bound teenagers are the winners of the first memorial scholarships given in memory of Krasniewicz. Read the rest of the article...


"Storyteller Brings Tales of Africa Alive at Perrot Library"
The number 398.2 holds special meaning for storyteller Eshu Bumpus, as its the Dewey Decimal location in the library where folktales, fairytales and fables are kept. It was some of those stories Bumpus, 58, and Motoko Dworkin, 46, brought to the Perrot Library for around 40 children and parents Thursday afternoon. Read the rest of the article...

Author Talk with Jennifer Jordan

Author Talk with Jennifer Jordan,

author of The Last Man on the Mountain
Tues., September 28th, 2010, at 7:30 PM
Radcliffe Wing, Perrot Memorial Library

Perrot Memorial Library is pleased to feature Jennifer Jordan, who will be speaking about her latest book, The Last Man on the Mountain: The Death of an American Adventurer on K2. This will be Jennifer’s second visit to Perrot; she previously shared with us her 2005 book, Savage Summit: The True Stories of the First Five Women Who Climbed K2, the World’s Most Feared Mountain.

About the Book:
The Last Man on the Mountain is the untold story of Dudley Wolfe and America’s ill-fated 1939 expedition to the roof of the world. In 1939, the Savage Mountain claimed its first victim. Born into vast wealth, yet uneasy with a life of leisure, Dudley Wolfe, of Boston and Rockport, Maine, set out to become the first man to climb K2, the world’s second-highest mountain and, in the opinion of mountaineers, an even more formidable challenge than Mt. Everest. Although close to middle age and inexperienced at high altitude, Wolfe, with the team leader, made it higher than any other member of the expedition, but he couldn’t get back down. Suffering from altitude sickness and severe dehydration, he was abandoned at nearly 25,000 feet; it would be another sixty-three years before Jennifer Jordan discovered his remains. In a story where The Great Gatsby meets Into Thin Air, readers follow Wolfe from the salons of Europe to the most forbidding landscape on earth. Wolfe went to K2 to find his own strength, only to encounter his teammates’ lethal weaknesses in a place called the Death Zone.

Author Talk with Jennifer Vanderbes

Author Talk with Jennifer Vanderbes,
author of Strangers at the Feast
Weds., September 1st, 2010, at 7:30 PM
Radcliffe Wing, Perrot Memorial Library

Perrot Memorial Library is pleased to present Jennifer Vanderbes, who will be talking about her stunning new novel, Strangers at the Feast.

Extra copies of the book will be available for check out at the library and will also be available at Just Books, on Arcadia Road in Old Greenwich. Copies of the book will also be available for purchase at the event.

About the Book:
It's Thanksgiving Day, 2007, and three generations of the Olson family have gathered to celebrate. While the white, middle-class Olsons are busy cooking and silently nursing various long-standing resentments, Kijo and Spider, two black teenagers from the city's housing projects, are breaking into Douglas Olson's lavish home nearby. But this is not a random burglary—a complex personal history with Douglas has driven Kijo into that house. "You can push me and shove me and sweep me out of sight, but one day you come home and realize, I'm still here," Kijo thinks to himself. The ensuing confrontation turns shockingly violent; even more disturbing is the way this novel contorts our preconceptions about "criminals" and "victims" and forces us to ask ourselves: How far would you go to defend your family? How far is too far? Family conflict, fascinating social commentary, and a riveting plot converge in Jennifer Vanderbes' stunning novel, a thriller that also raises large and haunting questions about the meaning of guilt, innocence, and justice.

New Drop-in Storytime for Summer/Fall: Storytime in Spanish

New at Perrot-- Storytime in Spanish for kids! This drop-in program will be offered by Greenwich Spanish School. It will features songs and stories, and both native speakers and beginners are welcome to attend. The program will be aimed at ages 3-7, and children should attend with a caregiver.

Storytime in Spanish will meet a few times in August to start: 11 A.M. on August 5th, August 12th, and August 19th (Thursdays). For our fall program session, Storytime in Spanish will meet on alternate Fridays at 4 P.M.: September 17th, October 1st, October 15th, October 29th, and November 12th.

Hope to see you there!

New Book Recommendations from the Reference Desk

What We're Reading at Perrot

THE REBELLION OF JANE CLARKE, BY SALLY GUNNING

[Fiction] This deftly told story takes us to Cape Cod and Boston just as the seeds of Revolution are taking hold. Jane has defied her father in his choice of a husband for her. As a result, he banishes her to Boston to the home of an ailing maiden aunt. Boston is churning with unrest. Locals are taunting the "Lobster-backs." Loyalists are debating with rebels. The streets are not safe. We are re-introduced to characters from Gunning’s other novels that have led us up to this point. Jane is a spunky, intelligent young woman. Her integrity and strength of character shine forth. The twists and turns that this book takes are fascinating, plus we get to meet John Adams, who plays a major role in this story. This novel is very well done and a delight to read.

Read the rest of our list of recommendations!

Eshu the Storyteller-- sign up for tickets today!

Eshu Bumpus is a renowned storyteller, an accomplished jazz vocalist, and a master at physical characterization. He captivates his audience by telling a variety of African, African-American and World folktales leavened with music, humor and mystery!

Eshu will be presenting a family show for ages 5 and up at Perrot on Thursday, July 29th, 2010, at 4 P.M. Do you have your tickets? Sign up now for FREE at the Youth Services Desk!

More information about Eshu at his website: http://eshu.folktales.net/index.htm

Kathy Krasniewicz Memorial Scholarship Winners

Perrot Library Announces First Recipients of the Annual Kathy Krasniewicz Memorial Scholarships

The Perrot Memorial Library Board of Directors is pleased to announce the winners of the first Kathy Krasniewicz Memorial Scholarships, given in memory of Perrot’s beloved Children’s Services Librarian. The annual awards, which include a cash prize of $2500 each, recognize two high school seniors who have actively participated as either a member of the Young Critics Club or as a Library Employee. Jane Wynne, a senior at Trinity Catholic High School, received the award for the Young Critics Club category. She will attend Fordham University in the fall. Greenwich High School Senior Diana Pelliccia received the Library Employee award and will attend Bucknell University. Library Director Kevin McCarthy said, “These scholarships commend the achievements of these accomplished students who have contributed much to our library community and also honor Kathy and all she gave to Perrot.”

Scholarship Recipient Jane Wynne

Scholarship Recipient Diana Pelliccia

Coming Soon to Perrot-- Express DVDs

COMING SOON- EXCLUSIVE TO PERROT
EXPRESS DVD’s
THREE (3) DAY CHECK OUT
DVDs MAY NOT BE PLACED ON HOLD OR RENEWED
$1.00 PER DAY OVERDUE FINE
LOOK FOR THE NUMBER “3” ON THE DVD SPINE