Brown Library Closed for New Year's

Happy New Year!

In observance of New Year's Day, Brown Library will be closed Sunday, January 1st, through Monday, January 2nd, 2012. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012, at 10 a.m. and resume normal operating hours. 

Enjoy the holiday celebrations!

Brown Library Closed for Christmas

Happy Holidays!

In observance of Christmas, Brown Library will be closed Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26, 2011. We will reopen on Tuesday, December 27, at 10 a.m. and resume normal operating hours. 

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Brown Library Honors Walt Disney

December Young Adult Display: 

Walt Disney & Fairy Tales

In honor of the anniversary of Walt Disney's birthday, Brown Library has put together a small display on one of his largest inspirations: fairy tales. Reworking classic stories was a talent Disney mastered during his career.

The display features a scene from all of Disney's major fairy tale movies, from "The Little Mermaid" to "The Princess and the Frog". Each also has the origin of the story, be it the collected works of the Brothers Grimm, to steeped in the history of ancient Greece.

The books featured are both the classics themselves, and modern retellings. Once of young adult fiction's most popular genres is the fairy tale, but told in a new way, and often times with a modern setting. The available titles range from picture books, through adult titles, so any and all are sure to find a cozy tale to curl up with this December!

Christmas Cheer @ the Library

It's Christmas @ the Library!

Thanks to the Pamlico River Quilters' Guild, the Library is looking rather festive. Every year, the Guild decorates a beautiful Christmas tree for us, as well as a display in the entryway. 

Be sure to stop by the magazine section and enjoy the twinkling lights and handmade ornaments!

Family Christmas Film

A Family Christmas Film:

Merry Madagascar

Saturday, December 10th, @ 12:15, upstairs

Join us immediately after our Children's Christmas Program for some tasty treats and a short animated film perfectly suited for the entire family.

"When Santa and his reindeer crash onto the island of Madagascar it's up to Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman and those wacky penguins to save Christmas. Get ready for a sleigh full of laughs in this       hilarious new holiday classic." (from DVD)

There is no sign up to attend the movie, but we encourage anyone attending the Christmas Storytime to stick around! There is limited seating however, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. This film is rated G.

(image from google image; summary from DVD)

Annual Christmas Children's Program

Join us upstairs on Saturday, December 10th, for our annual Children's Christmas Program.

Children, ages 5 - 12, accompanied by an adult, are invited to attend this special holiday program, beginning at 11 a.m. We'll enjoy stories, songs, and refreshments, as we welcome in the yuletide season. This is a free event, no sign-up required. A family Christmas movie will follow at 12:15 p.m.

Happy Holidays!

Brown Library Closed for Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

In observance of Thanksgiving, Brown Library will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 24th - 25th, 2011. We will reopen on Saturday, November 26th, 2011, at 10 a.m. and resume normal operating hours.

Bring your old books to Brown Library!

Do you have stacks of old books scattered around your home? Are your bookshelves sagging under the weight of all those unread novels you're never going to get to? Brown Library has a solution for you!

Hosted by the Friends of the Brown Library organization, the annual winter book sale is probably one of the biggest, and most anticipated events we have all year long. And now is the time to start bringing in your books to donate! Donations that go to the sale help fund the library, making it a better resource for the community. Not to mention, all donations are tax deductable!

This year, children's books are definitely needed for the sale - they get snapped up quick, and there just never seems to be enough to go around. If you're a teacher or a parent, clean off those shelves and bring them in!

When is the 2012 Friends of the Brown Library Book Sale?

Members Night: Thursday, January 19, 2012

Public Sale:  Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 22, 2012

Not a member of the Friends? Stop by the library at any time and join, and gain access to the special Members Only night.

FOBL Event: How to Write a Book

FOBL Event: How to Write a Book

When: Thursday, December 1, @ 7:00 p.m.

Where: Washington Civic Center

Friends of the Brown Library members get in FREE, non-members $5.00

The Friends of the Brown Library organization will be hosting a special program, How to Write a Book, on Thursday evening, December 1st, at the Washington Civic Center. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend. The event is free for all FOBL members, and the non-member charge is only $5.00. Invited writers on the panel will be reading from their works, and discussing why they were inspired to write, how they used history and their own family material to tell a story, how they found a publisher, and the process of editing your work. Authors attending include: William Mann, Rachel Mills, Jayne Davis Wall, Jerrie Oughton and Jerry Leath Mills.

If you are an aspiring local author, this is an event you definitely don't want to miss!

P. S. Jones Middle School Art Exhibit

P. S. Jones Middle School Art @ the Library

Through the month of November, patrons are invited to browse the lovely artwork exhibited in our Children's Room. This display features artwork from the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at P. S. Jones Middle School. This marks the 7th Student Art Show, and the art just gets better and better every year! For more information, contact Mr. Burns at P. S. Jones.

Here's just a sample of what's on display:



Samantha Sheppard - 6th grade

Kevin Mizelle - 8th grade

Edgar Gonzalez - 8th grade (left) and Lesly Rivera - 8th grade (right)

Hannah Stevens - 8th grade

Library Closed Friday, November 11th, 2011



Library Closed, Friday, November 11th, 2011

In observance of Veterans Day, Brown Library will be closed on Friday, November 11th, 2011, all day. We will reopen on Saturday, November 12th, 2011, at 10 a.m. and resume normal operating hours.

Take a moment out of your day to give thanks to the thousands of brave soldiers who kept us safe years ago, and who continue to do so now.

Family Halloween Event

A Family Halloween Event:

Spooky Buddies

Saturday, October 29, @ 12:15 p.m., upstairs

Join us immediately after our special Halloween Storytime for a fun, family-friendly film, "Spooky Buddies"!

"Disney's irresistible talking puppies are back in an all-new movie that takes them far across town to a mysterious mansion where something very spooky is going on. With the help of some unexpected new friends - including a friendly ghost - this exciting adventure is howling-good Buddy fun.

In a race against a no-good hound, the Buddies and their new friends, Pip, Zelda, Rodney and Skip, must stop Warwick the Warlock - and save the world from his dastardly deeds.

Overflowing with action, humor and a bag full of bonus features, Spooky Buddies is a spooktacular adventure that treats you to a celebration of friendship and teamwork your whole family will enjoy." (from DVD)

There is no sign up to attend the movie, but we encourage anyone attending the Halloween Storytime to stick around! There is limited seating however, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. This film is rated G.

(image from google image; summary from DVD)

Children's Halloween Program!

"Oh come, all you witches,

Come clowns and pirates, too!

Come celebrate this Halloween,

And bring your friends with you!"

Join us on Saturday, October 29th, for spooky stories, poems and fun. Children, ages 5 - 12, are invited to attend, accompanied by an adult.

11:00 am - 12:00 p.m.

Wear a costume!

Enjoy prizes and refreshments!

This is a free event. You do not need to pre-register.

You're also invited to attend a family movie to be shown upstairs immediately after our program!

Happy Halloween!

Teen Halloween Program

Teen Halloween Program

Red Riding Hood

Friday, October 28, @ 4:30 p.m., upstairs

We invite our teenage patrons (and their parents too!) to join us for a spooky movie on Friday, October 28. Starring Amanda Seyfriend, this is a unique take on the famous "Little Red Riding Hood" fable.

"Valerie (Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider, Peter (Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie's older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon's arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon, Valerie begins to suspect that the werewolf could be someone she loves. As panic grips the town, Valerie discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast--one that inexorably draws them together, making her both suspect...and bait." (Written by Warner Bros. Pictures @ imdb.com)

There is no sign up to attend the movie, but we do encourage any teen patrons to attend! There is limited seating however, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. This film is rated PG-13 for violence and creature terror, and some sensuality.

(image from google image; summary from imdb.com)

Brown Library Receives Brownstone Book Fund

Brown Library Receives Gift from Brownstone Book Fund

We are happy to announce that Brown Library has just received a gift of 100 new children's books, ranging from pre-kindergarten through early readers. These books are a donation from the Brownstone Book Fund, a private foundation in New York City, interested in fostering early reading, a love of books and encouraging parents and children to read together.

Each donated book has a golden Brownstone seal on the cover. We are absolutely honored to receive such a wonderful donation, and we hope you will enjoy the new additions to the collection. 

Brown Library Celebrates Teen Read Week

October Young Adult Display:
Teen Read Week, Oct 16 - 22

This month, Brown Library is celebrating Teen Read Week with a special display in our Young Adult area, complete with themed books for check-out, and free bookmarks and pencils to snag!

"Teen Read Week is an initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Teen Read Week started in 1998. This year's theme is Picture It @ your library®, which encourages teens to read graphic novels and other illustrated materials, seek out creative books, or imagine the world through literature, just for the fun of it. Libraries across the world celebrate Teen Read Week with a variety of special events and programs aimed at encouraging teens to read for pleasure and to visit their libraries for free reading materials." (from YALSA website)

In keeping with this year's theme, we've displayed art and photography collections, graphic novels, and a few how-to-draw titles. Be sure to swing by the display, and get inspired!

For more information on Teen Read Week, and YALSA, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/yalsa.cfm.

Friends of the Library Week, October 16 - 22

Friends of the Library Week, October 16 - 22, 2011

You may have noticed a few thank you notes littered around the "New Titles" shelves. This week, Brown Library is celebrating National Friends of the Library Week, and letting our own Friends of the Brown Library know just how much we appreciate them.

The Friends of the Brown Library is a wonderful volunteer organiztion that supports programs, purchasing, and operations at our library. They have provided so many things for us, from fun-filled children's computers, to music, to even our ability to show movies for free to our patrons.

For more information on the Friends, or how to become a member, you can ask at the circulation desk, or visit their website at http://www.friendsofbrownlibrary.com/.

Thank you, from all of the Brown Library staff, for everything!

Brown Library Celebrates Banned Book Week

September Young Adult Display:

Banned Book Week

Every year during the last week of September, "Banned Book Week" rolls around. This is the time of year to celebrate your right to read, and to stand up for our First Amendment rights of freedom of speech.

For years, books have been challenged and even banned from public facilities, such as schools and libraries. The American Library Association works year-round to prevent the banning of books.

During this week, challenge yourself to pick up a classic challenged book from our shelves, and celebrate your right to read whatever you want.

For more information on Banned Book Week, and to see lists of banned and challenged books through the years, please visit:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/index.cfm

Don't be a robot! Disconnect and think for yourself!

Snapshots from the Teen Summer Reading Program Finale!

Snapshots!

from the Teen Summer Reading Program Finale

The prize table!

The snack table!

Who doesn't love a tiny cupcake?

 

Thank you again to all of our teenagers that participated and made it out to the finale, with special congratulation to Taylor Abele for winning the top prize! We can't wait to host another reading program next year. 



2011 Summer Reading Program Top Readers

Top Readers of the 2011 Summer Reading Program

"Most Books Read" for ages 3 to 9-year-olds

Logan Alligood (left) and Kendall Bailey (right)

"Most Pages Read" (chapter books) for ages 10 to 12-year-olds

Austin Clark (left) and Rhianna Clipperton (right)

Each winner received a very special bag of goodies from our Children's Librarian, Terry Rollins! Congrats to the winners, and we can't wait to see ya'll again next summer!

Brown Library: Bringing Back the Monarchs

Bring Back the Monarchs!

Brown Library is supporting the Cornerstone of Science and University of Kansas campaign to "Bring Back the Monarchs". All month long, you may see our staff sporting T-shirts with their campaign logo. Also, be sure to check out the bulletin board in the entry of the library for facts and information on butterflies, and how you can help to restore these beautiful creatures to our area.

For more information, please visit their website at: http://www.monarchwatch.org/.

Closed Monday, September 5th, 2011

Brown Library Closed for Labor Day

In observance of Labor Day, Brown Library will be closed on Monday, September 5th, 2011, all day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 at 10 a.m. and resume normal operating hours. 

Teen Summer Reading Program: Finale!

Teen Summer Reading Finale

Prizes & Snacks!

Friday, August 5 @ 4 p.m. @ Brown Library, upstairs

You've read the books, entered the drawing, and now it is time to see who wins!

Come celebrate the first Brown Library Summer Reading Program for teens. We will have a prize drawing and lots of yummy snacks.

We look forward to seeing you! Thanks for all your interest in our reading programs this year. You all made it a great success!

Summer Reading Program Finale: Estuary Program

Summer Reading Program Finale!

Estuary Program with the NC Aquarium of Roanoke Island!

Friday, August 5, @ 11 a.m. @ the First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall

Folks from the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island will be on hand for our final program of the Summer Reading Program. They will present "Estuary Essentials", an outreach program which focuses on the physical characteristics and animals found in the estuary waters of the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds region. Be prepared for audience participation, live animals, and more!

For more information on the aquarium, and its sister branches, check out their website at:

http://www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island.

Children's Summer Movies: Surf's Up

 Children's Summer Movies Presents:

Surf's Up

Wednesday, August 3 @ 2 p.m. upstairs

Join us for our last Children's Summer Movies presentation, "Surf's Up"!

"This story follows a teenage rock hopper penguin named Cody Maverick from his hometown of Shiverpool, Antarctica, where all of the other penguins think he's nothing but a surfing fool, to the "Big Z Memorial Surf Off" on Pen Gu Island. Young Cody is determined to win the most important competition in the world of penguin surfing in honor of "Big Z," a deceased surfing legend whom he has idolized since childhood. But the waves in Pen Gu are different than in Shiverpool, and the competition is steep. The current champ, egotistical Tank Evans, isn't just about to let this little penguin knock him from first place without a fight. When Cody wipes out and encounters Geek, a recluse aging former surfer, living in the jungle, he learns some important lessons about life and surfing, and even teaches Geek a thing or two."

There is no sign up to attend the movie, but we do encourage any kids signed up with the Summer Reading Program to attend! There is limited seating however, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. This film is rated PG for mild language and rude humor.

(image from google image; summary from imdb.com)

Summer Reading Program: Appalachian Storyteller, Dianne Hackworth

Summer Reading Program Event!

Appalachian Storyteller

Dianne Hackworth

Friday, July 29, @ 11 a.m. @ the First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall

Dianne Hackworth will come down from the mountains of Tennessee to share some of her favorite stories with us in Washington. Dianne came by storytelling naturally, having grown up in a family of storytellers. But she didn't stop there. She went on to receive a Master's degree in storytelling from East Tennessee State Univeristy. She is a co-founder and past president of the North Carolina Storytelling Guild, a member of the National Storytelling Network, and the creator of numerous storytelling events in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Dianne will bring to life traditional Appalachian folktales, ballads, and storied from around the world.

For more information on Dianne Hackworth, check out her website at:

http://www.diannehackworth.com/.

Children's Summer Movies: Madagascar

Children's Summer Movies Presents:

Madagascar

Wednesday, July 27

@ 2 p.m. upstairs

The Summer Reading Program may be halfway over, but we still have a few events for you to participate in! Join us on Wednesday as we travel to exotic Africa with the film "Madagascar".

"At New York's Central Park Zoo, a lion, a zebra, a giraffe, and a hippo are best friends and stars of the show. But when one of the animals goes missing from their cage, the other three break free to look for him, only to find themselves reunited ... on a ship en route to Africa. When their vessel is hijacked, however, the friends, who have all been raised in captivity, learn first-hand what life can be like in the wild." (Anonymous @ imdb.com)

There is no sign up to attend the movie, but we do encourage any kids signed up with the Summer Reading Program to attend! There is limited seating however, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. This film is rated PG for mild language, crude humor and some thematic elements.

(image from google image, summary from imdb.com)

Summer Reading Program: Magic Show with Rob Westcott

Summer Reading Program Event!

Magic Show with Rob Westcott

Friday, July 22nd, @ 11 a.m. @ the First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall

Rob Westcott is an award-winning comedy magician and family entertainer from Virgina Beach. He is happy to join us this summer to inspire children to read more books through his special program of magic tricks, puppetry, storytelling and audience participation. Rob will be dressed in full magical regalia, including tuxedo, top hat and cape. Each child is a star in Rob's show and everyone will go home with a special prize!

For more information on Rob Westcott, check out his website at:

http://www.robwestcottmagic.com/.

Children's Summer Movies: The Jungle Book

Children's Summer Movies Presents:



The Jungle Book

Wednesday, July 20, @ 2 p.m. upstairs

Join us for our next installment of Summer Reading Program films where we journey to the jungles of India!

"Disney animation inspired by Rudyard Kiplings "Mowgli" story. Mowgli is a boy who has been raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. When the wolves hear that the fierce tiger, Shere Kahn, is nearby, they decide to send Mowgli to a local "man tribe". On his way to the village, Mowgli meets many animal characters in this musical tale. When Shere Kahn learns of Mowgli's presence, he tracks him down." (Rob Hartill @ imdb.com)

There is no sign up to attend the movie, but we do encourage any kids signed up with the Summer Reading Program to attend! There is limited seating however, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. This film is rated G.

(image from google image, summary from imdb.com)

July Young Adult Display: Harry Potter

July Young Adult Display:
Harry Potter

It's the end of an era. This month for our display, we've chosen to pay a small commemoration to the world of Harry Potter. On July 15th, the final film in the Harry Potter saga will be released, ending an adventure that's been topping the sales charts since 1997.

Stop by our display and check out our magical timeline, tracking the progress of all the book and film releases. Also, for those devout Potter fans, after the final film you may experience something that we like to call "Post-Potter Depression". We have a couple of solutions avaible for you, including some fantastic series that, while they may not replace Harry, can maybe help fill the gap.

In preperation for the final film, we will be showing the movie "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" on Friday, July 15th, at 4 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room. All ages are welcome! See our previous posts for more details on the movie!

Teen Summer Reading Program: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Friday, July 15th, @ 4 p.m.!

While this film may be part of our Teen Summer Reading Program, we welcome any and everyone to enjoy the next-to-last Harry Potter movie! Come and watch Part 1 with us at the library, then swing out to your nearest theater to catch Part 2, which releases the same day!

"Voldemort's power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for the Trio, and the rest of the Wizarding World, so everything they do must go as planned." (Chris @ imdb.com)

There is no sign up to attend the movie, but we do encourage any teens signed up with the Summer Reading Program to attend! There is limited seating however, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. This film is rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality.

(image from google image, summary from imdb.com)

Summer Reading Program: Ron Jones, Storyteller and Musician

Summer Reading Program

Ron Jones, Storyteller and Musician

Friday, July 15th, @ 11 a.m. @ the First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall

We are happy to welcome back Ron Jones, of Durham, for a fun program of stories and songs. Ron grew up on a dairy farm in central North Carolina, and worked for many years as a library adminstrator and consultant. Ron organized the Wake County Storytelling Festival, one of the oldest such events in our state. From traditional folktales to personal stories to funny songs on the guitar, Ron will take us on a high energy ride that is sure to delight listeners of all ages. This performance will provide the opportunity to enjoy English/Spanish bilingual stories!

For more information on Ron Jones, check out his website at http://rijones.com/.