Kimball Library News 9/25/22

The Kimball Library Survey is Coming to Atkinson in Mid-October!

It’s our time to listen! As we envision the next few years at the Library, we want to hear your thoughts. The more we know about you, the better we can match services to your needs and wishes.

A brief survey will be mailed to each Atkinson household around October 15th. Extra print copies will be available at the Library. However, the best way to take the survey is online at https://kimballlibrary.com.

Please use the survey to let us know what you think of the Kimball Library today and what you would like it to become in the future (even if you've never been!).

Thank you for your time and input! As a token of our appreciation, The Friends of the Library will give each respondent a wonderful library tote bag while supplies last.

EVENING BOOK CLUB: We are pleased to announce that the Evening Book Discussion meeting regularly on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 PM. Adults, it’s time to make time for you! Read some books that will make you think, laugh, and cry. Better yet, join fellow literature lovers for fun, in-depth conversation. Fuel your passion for reading and join us!

We have copies of the books available at the main circulation desk and you’ll have opportunity to check them out in advance of the next month’s meeting. Mark the following dates and come get your copy.  October 18^th-The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni, November 15^th-Women of the White House by Amy Russo, and December 20^th-Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.

KING CHARLES III -- THE ROYAL GHOSTBUSTER WITH U.K. GHOST HUNTER STEVE PARSONS (ZOOM): As Great Britain and the Commonwealth welcomes King Charles III, we'll examine some of the stories that have circulated about his fascination with ghosts. His curiosity may point to a much deeper interest in the paranormal and the mystical within the Royal Family going back to the reign of Queen Victoria and spanning many of the generations of the oldest and greatest monarchy in the world.

This talk is led by Steve Parsons which the Wall Street Journal called "The Gold Standard in Ghost Hunting." Parsons began his search for answers as a child and subsequently has spent more than 30 years as a full-time investigator of ghosts, poltergeists, haunted houses and related phenomena. He is currently acknowledged by his peers and leading academic parapsychologists to be one the best investigators in the UK. He is the author of two highly regarded books, Ghostology: The Art of the Ghost Hunter & Paracoustics: Sound and the Paranormal.

This Zoom event taking place on Thursday, October 6^th at 6 PM is sponsored by the Tewksbury Public Library and presented in collaboration with libraries throughout the Merrimack Valley and the Kimball Library.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE WITH EVA MCDERMOTT: Are you interested in expanding your photography skills? Sign up for this four-week session program designed to help you build your confidence in creating and capturing great photographic images using a DSLR or advanced mirrorless camera. The class will meet on Fridays at 10 AM on October 14, 21, 28 and November 4th.

The class will be hands-on so come join us and bring an adventurous heart, creative spirit and your camera. Registration is limited. We will be meeting inside and sometimes outside, weather permitting.

Week 1 - October 14 - Getting to know your camera: You will learn about basic camera settings such as ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and what situations are best for using aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and program modes. Other topics that will be covered include controlling depth of field, camera focus modes, use of telephoto, wide angle, and macro lenses and settings, and what affects image quality?

Week 2 - October 21 - Photographic approach to different subjects will be discussed (people, landscapes, natural abstracts, macro, architecture), as well as Rules of Composition, Breaking the Rules, Visual Design and the Art of Seeing (advice from my favorite photographers).

Week 3 - October 28 - The Quality of Light: Ambient, Flash, Special Lighting Situations, Light and Shadow Play, Storm Light, Forest Light, Coastal Light, Sunrise, and Sunset will be covered. The use of graduated filters to balance the lighting in a scene will be discussed and demonstrated as well as the use of polarizers and neutral density filters, and In Camera Special Effects (motion blur, coated filters).

Week 4 - November 4 - Processing Basics and resources, RAW vs. JPEG, Black and White, cropping and effect on image quality, special effects, HDR (high dynamic range processing). Enhancing the artistic appeal of your photographs. Presentation of your photographs beyond posting on the web.

About the instructor: Photography has been Eva's hobby and passion for many years. Her current focus of work is seascapes, landscapes, and nature abstracts using both film and digital cameras. She is a Landscape Gallery Moderator for Nature Photographers Network. You can view more of her fine art photography work at her website.

HOLIDAY HOURS: Please take note that the Library will be closed on Monday, October 10^th, for Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day. Downloadable Books, Kanopy, and Hoopla are open 24/7 for your convenience.

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the databases and online services. Miss a news article? Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one! You may also call us at 603.362.5234 to register for an event with a staff person who would love to help you. We are open from 9:30 AM to 8 PM Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM to 5 PM on Friday and 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday.

Kimball Library News 9/18/22

A public library meeting room is legally constituted as a designated public forum – open for expressive activity by part or all of the public. We’d like the community to understand that their library is content neutral and does not discriminate among groups or individuals – including political groups or candidates. The use of a public meeting room by any group does not imply library endorsement or support of the groups’ goals or views.

As an election draws near, the Library welcomes all local political parties and their candidates to take advantage of their public library as a venue where they can express themselves in order to best inform the public as they make their voting decisions.—Karen Brown, Director

RAFFLE BASKETS: It's that time of year again for the Friends of the Library Fall Raffle Baskets! The lovely array of baskets are on display near the main circulation desk and will be on sale at the Kimball Library until Friday, October 14^th at noon. Winners will be notified by phone. This is your chance to support the Library and win big!

HISTORY AND MYSTERY: A GENEALOGY STARTER GUIDE: Are you interested in family history? Do you have a family mystery? Do you spend a lot of time in graveyards wondering about the names behind the stones? Then you just might be a genealogy enthusiast! Genealogy is the exploration of ancestral lines and can be done through countless records, resources and artifacts. Join us on Friday, October 7th with Erin Moulton as we discuss methods for research planning that will make you an active participant in your own ancestral journey.

BIO: Erin E. Moulton writes books and tracks dead people. An incorrigible story lover, Erin is the author of Flutter, Tracing Stars, Chasing the Milky Way and Keepers of the Labyrinth. In addition to her creative pursuits, Erin has over 12 years of experience tracking down interesting real-life questions at the reference desk and is a librarian and genealogist. She holds a BA from Emerson College, an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University.

SATURDAY STEAM: Join us for an easy-going STEAM program for kids in grades K-3.

We will meet on the second Saturday of each month and work on a project using common items and have some fun challenges using whatever we have created for the day.

Join us on October 8th at 10:30 AM to make MONSTER SLIME! Do your best and make your mess here at Kimball Library!

COMMUNITY KNITTERS: Do you love to knit? Come join Community Knitters, a group that knits for charity! Do something you love and give back to the community. Join us every Thursday at 10 AM- 12 PM at Kimball Library.

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the databases and online services. Miss a news article? Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one! You may also call us at 603.362.5234 to register for an event with a staff person who would love to help you. We are open from 9:30 AM to 8 PM Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM to 5 PM on Friday and 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday.

Kimball Library News 9/11/22

Fall programs are underway and you won’t want to miss out!

WRITE IT OUT: Interested youth in grades 3-6 are invited to join us for ‘Write It Out!’ We are hosting this monthly, and the first session is starting on Wednesday, September 28^th, at 6:00 PM. We’ll start off with a writing prompt or two and then there will be opportunities to free write. There will be chances to share and discuss, but you are not required to do so. Register, invite a friend, and join the creative crew.

FALL WREATH CRAFT: Join Cathie & Lois for their next ‘Bibliocraft” class on Monday, October 3^rd, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM where they will show you the ins and outs of creating a fall wreath.

You will be using a "bicycle wheel wreath" and you’ll be decorating it with leaves, berries, burlap and other adornments in designing a festive fall wreath.

Gather up your friends and family.  Registration is required and seating is limited. A non-refundable materials fee of $15.00 must be paid at time of registration. Please visit the circulation desk to register today.

(This craft involves using a hot glue gun.  We have several to share, but to save time feel free to bring your own hot glue gun and glue.)

T/WEEN BOOK CLUB: Join the most chill t/weens and chat with us about this book! Copies are available for the asking. We serve candy and the coolest conversation. Register yourself and your bestie for October 5^th at 6:00 PM.

The book of the month is ‘Words on Fire” by Jennifer Nielsen. This book was chosen by one of our very own tweens whose favorite genre is historical fiction.

Danger is never far from Audra's family farm in Lithuania. She always avoids the occupying Russian Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language. But Audra knows her parents are involved in something secret and perilous.

When Cossacks arrive abruptly at their door, Audra's parents insist that she flee, taking with her an important package and instructions for where to deliver it. But escape means abandoning her parents to a terrible fate.

As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her parents?

REMEMBERING THE LEGENDARY BOSTON MUSIC SCENE: Join us on Thursday, October 6^th at 6:00 PM for a photographic reminiscence of the Boston music scene of the late 1960 and early 1970s. This was a time when you could see The Who, Led Zeppelin and others at the Boston Tea Party for under $5 dollars. The owners of the Boston Tea Party venue also owned WBCN FM, Boston’s first radio station featuring album rock. The Tea Party operated for three years and attracted such acts as: The Grateful Dead, Chicago, Neil Young, the J. Geils band, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Cream, Fleetwood Mac, the Allman Brothers band, Joe Cocker & the Grease Band, Led Zeppelin and the Who. 

Dr. Carl Manikian was there with his camera and will share some stories of the influence WBCN and the Boston Tea Party had at the time.  Enjoy a look at the Boston Music scene from 1966-1972 as captured through his camera lens.

Please register online, stop by, or give us a call to reserve your seat.

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the databases and online services. Miss a news article? Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one! You may also call us at 603.362.5234 to register for an event with a staff person who would love to help you. We are open from 9:30 AM to 8 PM Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM to 5 PM on Friday and 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday.

Kimball Library News 9/4/22

There are two exciting virtual programs coming up that you will want to register for!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAT WITH DR. RACHEL GELLER (ZOOM): Author Rachel S. Geller will deliver a presentation on Wednesday, September 14^th from 6-7 PM based on her book, ‘Saving the World, One Cat at a Time: What I Know About Cats - And Why You Should Know It’, in this Zoom webinar.

Dubbed the "Cat Whisperer," Dr. Rachel Geller will explain common cat behavior problems encountered by owners, followed by a Q&A, so bring your questions for this expert's advice. Whether the cat in question is avoiding the litterbox, acting hostile toward another cat in the same household, having separation anxiety, or scratching the furniture, Dr. Geller has easy-to-implement solutions and answers based on her lifelong understanding of cats and their behavior. Dr. Geller will also offer advice on how to choose the perfect cat for your household and integrate your new cat successfully into your family.  

Dr. Geller is a certified Cat Behavior and Retention Specialist through the Humane Society and a certified Humane Education Specialist through the Academy of Prosocial Learning. She is currently a cat behaviorist/consultant for The Cat Connection, Here Today Adopted Tomorrow Animal Sanctuary and Baypath Humane Society, and provides cat behavior help both locally and throughout the country to her clients including cat owners and shelters.

Please note this is a virtual program that will take place via zoom. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Meeting via email.

INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM & YOU -- A BANNED BOOKS WEEK WEBINAR (ZOOM): Book bans are on the rise across the country. In this interactive webinar during Banned Books Week, you'll learn about why intellectual freedom is important and what you can do to support libraries, library workers, and free expression during these challenging times. Presented by Martin Garnar, PhD, director of the Amherst College Library, chair of the American Library Association's (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Committee, and editor of the 10th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual.

Please note this is a virtual program that will take place via zoom. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Meeting via email.

These above Zoom events are sponsored by the Tewksbury Public Library and presented in collaboration with libraries throughout the Merrimack Valley and the Kimball Library.

EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION IS BACK: After a long pause due to Covid, the Evening Book Club is reforming! Join us at the Library on Tuesday, September 20th at 6 PM for an organizational meeting. We’ll discuss how members would like to structure the club and pick some titles. All are welcome!

KINDERGARTEN CLUB: This popular club is back for the fall on Mondays at 3:30 PM.

This class is designed to be highly engaging for kindergarten aged children. Just like a typical storytime, we will read some books, but we will also play games that will build on important skills such as listening, vocabulary, and socialization. We may even have an experiment or other STEAM activities.

Children may take the bus from Atkinson Academy to the Library if parents make arrangements with Pick-up Patrol. (The Library is not taking responsibility for the transportation, we are only letting you know that there is a bus that stops here.) Please pack them a snack that they can have before 3:30.

NOTE: Parents MUST let the Library know of any changes to the drop off/pick up routine OR if their child is not attending the class.

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the databases and online services. Miss a news article? Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one! You may also call us at 603.362.5234 to register for an event with a staff person who would love to help you. We are open from 9:30 AM to 8 PM Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM to 5 PM on Friday and 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday.

Kimball Library News 8/28/22

SATURDAY STEAM: This popular club has returned to the fall line-up. Join us for an easy going STEAM program for kids grades K-3.

We will meet on the second Saturday of each month and work on a project using common items and have some fun challenges using whatever we have created for the day.

This month we will be making ice cream in a bag on September 10^th!

School may have started, but summer isn't over yet! Join us in this yummy class and learn how to make ice cream with only a few ingredients. Registration is required.

KIMBALL LIBRARY BACKPACKS: Are you planning to hike in late summer or fall? Kimball Library has backpacks with lots of fun equipment! If you are a Kimball Library card holder, you can borrow a backpack (and all the gear and guides inside) for a week. Choose the mountain or seacoast theme!  They are perfect to bring with you on a hike. Items inside may include a compass, trail guides, binoculars, and various maps. Reserve one now on our online catalog!

INTRODUCTION TO REIKI: Join Reiki Masters Angela Deschesne and Debra Di Nola for an introduction to Reiki. Gain an understanding of the principals of Reiki and how Reiki can help a person physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Hear how its application is used today in healthcare with surgery, cancer, grief, and more as well as in the care of pets and other animals.

Register for the class taking place on Thursday, September 22^nd from 6-8 PM. Class size is limited.

About the presenters: Angela Deschesne is a Usui-Tibetan-Enhanced Tradition Reiki Master/Teacher and a Shamanic Practitioner living in Barrington, New Hampshire. Angela holds a Master in Education.  Debra Di Nola is a Reiki Master Teacher in the Usui-Tibetan-Enhanced, Green Fire, Shamballa, and Karuna Reiki®. She holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership.

FALL BOOK SALE: It’s time for the semi-annual book sale held in conjunction with the Town-wide Yard Sale on Saturday, September 24^th from 8 AM to 2 PM. The sale will be offering books and other items such as DVDs by the bag. There also will be a myriad of raffles to choose from. Your biggest problem for the day will be all the wonderful choices to benefit the Friends of the Library.

1000 BOOKS: You may have recently noticed that we had another child accomplish 1000 books before kindergarten! Register your children for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten so they can be literary superstars!

Children from birth through kindergarten graduation are eligible to be part of this program at their home library. For every 100 books that are read to them, they move up a level. There are small prizes and sticker incentives along the way. It's time to get started!

Visit Kimball Library in person to register your Atkinson child and begin the process. You'll be on your way to developing a life-long reader and fostering educational success!

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the databases and online services. Miss a news article? Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one! You may also call us Monday-Friday from 10-8 and on Saturday from 10-3 at 603.362.5234 to register for an event with a live person who would love to help you.

Kimball Library News 8/21/22

Summer Reading “Oceans of Possibilities’ is now officially wrapped up for another year, and the Summer Concert Series is sadly closed for another season as of September 1^st. We’d like to give an enormous special thank you to the Friends of the Kimball Library for all their fundraising and support of summer reading and programs all year round. We’d also like to give another shout out to The George Family Charities who graciously donated the funds for the summer concert series. We are so very thankful to both these special groups of people who give so much to the Library and in turn enrich all our lives!

HOMEWORK CLUB: This popular club has returned, and now it is on Thursdays at 3:15. Kids in grades 1-5 are invited to come to the Library to study with us! We will work on our homework until 3:45 and then open up the Craft Barn for some STEAM toy fun!

Parents, please note that while we will try to help your child if asked, we are not tutors. We are simply offering a quiet space for kids to work. Children who do not have homework are expected to read quietly for the duration of homework time.

Children may take the bus from Atkinson Academy to the Library if parents make arrangements with pick-up patrol. (The Library is not taking responsibility for the transportation, we are only letting you know that there is a bus that stops here.) Please pack them a snack that they can have before 3:30.

*Parents MUST let the Library know of any changes to the drop off/pick up routine OR if their child is not attending the class*.

RELIEVING NECK, SHOULDER, & BACK PAIN: Relieving muscle pain is all about knowing the root cause.  Pills may mask the pain, but not address the solution.  When you know why and where the pain starts, then you have the power to take effective action that decreases the pain. Register to join us on September 8 from 6:00 to 7:30.

Join us as Elizabeth Gallien, Licensed Massage Therapist introduces and demonstrates ways to relieve neck, shoulders and back pain with stretching. Elizabeth will demonstrate both upper and lower body stretches will provide you the opportunity to try out the exercises out yourself. The upper body stretches may be conducted from a standing or sitting position. The lower body stretches are conducted on the floor. If you wish to try them out, please bring a yoga mat or beach blanket to lay on, and a standard size pillowcase, and wear comfortable clothing. There are modifications to exercises which she will discuss. You may elect to watch and try them at home.

RADON DETECTOR: We have a new addition to our Library of Things, a digital radon detector. The radon test kit is for home use so people can discover whether they are being impacted by radon and have the opportunity to do something about it.  You can put this cool device on hold in the catalog.

This digital radon detector is a highly accurate device that is simple to use and easy to understand. It is battery operated, making it easy to move to different rooms or buildings. You can enter your measurements online and receive a printable report. Within 24 hours you will see the first indication of your radon levels. Track levels over long periods for more accuracy.

HOLIDAY HOURS: Please take note that the Library will be closed for Labor Day weekend, September 3-5. Stock up accordingly. As always, Libby, Kanopy, and Hoopla are open 24/7 with a Kimball Library card in good standing.

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the databases and online services. Miss a news article? Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one! You may also call us Monday-Friday from 10-8 and on Saturday from 10-3 at 603.362.5234 to register for an event with a live person who would love to help you.

Kimball Library News 8/14/22

 It takes a village to raise a successful summer reading program! THANK YOU is not strong enough for our amazing sponsors listed below. Without them, we could not have had the programs and prizes that we did. We ended the summer with 222 registrations, hosted a multitude of exciting and engaging programs, and helped hundreds of kids and teens check out materials. We wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support of our benefactors, patrons, and the Atkinson community.

Thank you to all of our amazing patrons who visited the Library to check out items and attended our programs. Seeing your cheerful faces makes all of the hard work we put into Summer Reading worth it! To all of the businesses and individuals who donated this year, we would like to say a very special THANK YOU! Your donations provided exciting incentives for our kids and teens to visit us and check out items, often multiple times a week!

A huge thanks to Altitude Trampoline Park, Canobie Lake Park, Charmingfare Park, the Chawla Family, Friends of Kimball Library, Hannaford’s, Launch Trampoline Park, Market Basket, Moo’s Place, The Red Sox Organization, Shaw’s, The Sivirasa Family, Water Country, and Xtreme Craze. You are all awesome! The Friends of the Library are extra special and make our programming all year round possible!

NEW SCHEDULE: We have been listening to community input and looking at foot traffic patterns. We will be adjusting our hours beginning after Labor Day on September 6. Currently our business hours are Monday through Friday from 10 to 8, and Saturday from 10-3. Going forward, we will be open at 9:30 each day so you can get in sooner with your morning errands. Our new schedule will be Monday through Thursday from 9:30-8, Friday from 9:30-5, and Saturday from 9:30-3. We are looking forward to seeing your happy faces a little earlier each day!

As always, the book drop is open 24-7 for returns and NH Downloadable Books, Hoopla, and Kanopy are open 24/7 as well for streaming.

PRESCHOOL CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER: We have a myriad of preschool classes to choose from coming up in September to meet varying developmental needs. Currently on the docket we have:

Mother Goose on the Loose: Infants through age 3 with their caregivers are invited to join us for simple stories, rhymes, finger plays, and songs modeled after the Mother Goose curriculum. Please feel welcome to stay after the session to allow for playtime and socializing for all ages. Please note the new start time of on Mondays at 10:15.

Bitty Books: Children ages 3-6 with their caregivers are invited to join us for itty bitty stories, rhymes, finger plays or songs and simple crafts. Please note the new start time of 10:15 on Tuesdays.

Sensory Storytime: Some story times are too long! Some classes are too easy. Sensory Story Time is just right for your little one who is almost ready for full story time but may still be challenged by so much structure.

Join us for one story, followed by an opportunity to play with sensory and art activities that reinforce what was heard in the story. Please register once for the year and note the new start time on Thursdays at 10:15

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the databases and online services. Miss a news article? Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one! You may also call us Monday-Friday from 10-8 and on Saturday from 10-3 at 603.362.5234 to register for an event with a live person who would love to help you.