Now On View

*Far From Finished: Newtown resident Shannon Hicks spent a week in Biloxi, Miss., a few months ago and took hundreds of pictures while she helped a crew begin building a home for a woman who had lost hers more than a year earlier to Hurricane Katrina. Dozens of Shannon’s photographs, along with mementos, journal entries, and other found items from that week, are being displayed in “Katrina Relief: Far From Finished.” This is the final weekend for the exhibition, which is in the three display cases near the library’s main circulation desk.

*Human Nature: Southbury resident David Clark enjoys photography, and he has created a collection of interesting images for an exhibition at the library this month. “Human Nature: Eclectic Images by David Clark” is a collection of Mr Clark’s photographs and limited edition giclée prints. This weekend is also the final opportunity to see this show.

Children’s Program

*Spring Craft Workshop: Make an Easter craft with Mrs Walker on Saturday, March 31, from 2 to 3 pm.

A $3 materials fee is due upon registration, which needs to be done in advance. Sign up in the children’s department. This  workshop is for ages 6 and up.

Programs For Young Adults

*NewtownREADS…for Young Adults: Let’s talk about Mississippi Trial 1955 by Chris Crowe, about the Emmett Till murder case, along with To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Join us if you’ve read at least one of these books on Wednesday, April 4, from 4 to 5 pm, in the Antiques Room on the library’s third floor. These two books about Southern life and justice explore many similar themes.

Copies of both books are available at the library. Sign up at the Main Floor Circulation Desk, call 426-4533, or just drop in.

*Calling young authors: The Booth Library Creative Writing Group for Young Adults will offer Mysteries and Adventure Thrillers this spring.

The group will be led by Julie Stern, a professor, writer, and Newtown resident, with assistance from Philip Kotch, one of the library’s adult writer volunteers. All sessions will allow time for writing and sharing stories in progress.

The group will meet from 6 to 8 pm on five consecutive Monday evenings, April 9–May 7 (no class on April 16).  There is a limit of ten students in grades 6–8.  There is no fee.

Participants are expected to attend all five sessions, and preference is given to Newtown residents.  For more information, speak to Margaret Brown, YA librarian.  Sign up at the Main Floor Desk or call 426-4533.

Adult Programs

*NewtownREADS 2007: One book, one community… The whole town is encouraged to read and then discuss a single book.

We’ve chosen To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It’s the unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it.

Related programs include the following: April 10, book discussion with Gordon Williams at the Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road, at 1 pm; April 24, book discussion with Joanne Rochman, at CH Booth Library, 7:30 pm; April 26, Author Talk with Charles Shields, the author of Mockingbird: Portrait of Harper Lee, at Newtown High School, 7:30 pm; and April 28,  Mock Trial/Theatrical Performance, directed by Doug MacHugh, 2 pm (tickets $5) and 7 pm ($10), at Newtown Meeting House.

*Book Discussions: Upcoming programs will include April 3, The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology by Simon Winchester, at 1 pm; April 9, Arabian Jazz by Diana Abu-Jaber, at 1 pm; and April 19, The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, at 7:30 pm.

*Book Nook News: Think Spring! Check out the gardening and baseball titles at The Friends of the Library Book Nook, on the main floor around the corner from the circulation desk.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached by calling 426-4533.