Helping Haiti

Are you looking for legitimate organizations that provide relief to the nation of Haiti following last month’s earthquake? Here are a few to consider: AmeriCares, Doctors Without Borders, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and UNICEF United States Fund — Haitian Relief Fund.

Visit the library’s website (CHBoothLibrary.org) for links to these sites.

Remember, many more groups can be found and researched through news organization websites, government websites and the major non-governmental organization websites. Visit the library’s reference department if you would like help finding such websites.

Now On View

The Candlewood Camera Club is currently exhibiting members’ works through February 27 during regular library hours.

The club will be hosting an artist reception on Saturday, January 30, from 2 to 4 pm, and the public is invited to attend.

Future Exhibits

Curator Mary Thomas invites residents to share their memorabilia with library patrons on a temporary basis. We are especially looking for objects to display that reflect Newtown’s unique heritage, such as items for school districts.

Call the library for more information or if you are interested in providing a display.

Young Adult Programs

Gather your teams for the 2010 Battle of the Books!

Sign-ups begin on Monday, February 8, are open until March 8. This annual trivia contest for readers in grades 5-8 is based on four great books. This year’s books are Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan, Attack of the Turtle by Drew Carlson, Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, and Jeremy Fink & the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Students who either live or attend school in Newtown can form teams of three to five friends. Homeschoolers are welcome! The team captain must come to the library and sign up his or her team members, and receive a packet with all relevant information to share. Copies of all the books are available at the library and in many school libraries.

The Battle will be held on Saturday, March 27, at 1 pm (snow date March 28).

Adult Programs

*Book Discussions: The Daytime Book Discussion Group will meet on Monday, February 8, at 1 pm, to discuss The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows; and The Evening Book Discussion Group will meet on Thursday, February 18, at 7:30 pm, to discuss Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.

New members are always welcome. Multiple copies of the discussion books are available at the second floor circulation desk.

*Independent Film Series: Booth Library is bringing back the indie film and you’re invited for free screenings on Wednesday afternoons.

Join us at 1 pm for the following features: February 10, Troubled Water, which is in Norwegian with English subtitles and has a running time of 116 minutes; February 24, For My Father (Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles, 95 minutes); March 10, Sunshine Cleaning (United States, 102 minutes); and March 24, Mine (United States, 81 minutes).

*Reality Maps (….or Not Your Usual Memoir): Julie Stern is back to lead another great book discussion, and this time she’s focusing on American memoirs. The books selected by Julie offer insightful portraits of places and experiences different form our own, yet universal in their humanity.

Discussions are Wednesday nights starting at 7:30 and will continue on February 10 with The Colored People by Henry Louis Gates Jr. The final discussion will be on February 24 and will cover Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.

*Come To The Cabaret: On Friday, February 12, singer Bettina Paley will be performing music from the movies. Doors open at 6 pm for light hors d’oeuvres, with the performance will begin at 7 pm to be followed by a coffee bar and more tasty treats.

Admission is $10 a person, and seating is limited. Please call the library for a reservation. Proceeds from this evening will benefit the library. Because this is being presented in a coffeehouse/cabaret setting there is a limited number of seats available for this event and they’re going fast, so don’t wait to call for a reservation.

*Job Search Help with Cheryl Schwartz: “The Resume” on Thursday, February 18; “Job Search Strategies” on Thursday, April 22; and “The Interview” on Thursday, June 17.

Workshops will run from 3 to 4:30 pm and all are free but space is limited reservations are requested and can be done online.

C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street in Newtown. Call 426-4533 or visit CHBoothLibrary.org to register for any of the above listings, and for information on additional programs and offerings.