Support Teen Literature Day

Support Teen Literature Day

As part of National Library Week, today, April 15th, is Support Teen Literature Day! While you're in the library today, help celebrate by picking out a book from either our YAF or JF sections. There are many amazing authors to chose from, not to mention some of today's classics, and who knows - you may even find yourself hooked on teen literature!

National Library Week!

National Library Week, April 11th - 17th!

Just a reminder that National Library Week is this week! Now more than ever, libraries are becoming an essential asset to the community, whether it's free computer access, doing research, or just finding your next favorite book.

"National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate." (ALA)

Make sure to also stop in and check out the gorgeous billboard that some of our young adult volunteers made for us!

ALA's Most Challenged Books of 2009!

Most Challenged Books of 2009

In anticipation of Banned Book Week later in the year, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom has released the books that received the most formal complaints within libraries and schools for 2009.

“Even though not every book will be right for every reader, the ability to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values,” said Barbara Jones, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “Protecting one of our most fundamental rights – the freedom to read – means respecting each other’s differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read.”

And the winners are:

1.) “TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle

2.) And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

3.) “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky

4.) “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee

5.) Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer

6.) “Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger

7.) “My Sister’s Keeper,” by Jodi Picoult

8.) “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things,” by Carolyn Mackler

9.) “The Color Purple,” Alice Walker

10.) “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier

For the reasons behind the complaints on these books, take a peek at the official article.

Also be sure to check out the Top 100 Challenged Books of the Decade.

For more information about Banned Books Week, the OIF, and how you can get involved, make sure to visit their official site.

Celebrate Hans Christian Anderson on April 16th!

The Little Mermaid, April 16th, 2010, at 4 p.m.!

In honor of the brithday of the world famous fairytale author, Hans Christian Anderson, Brown Library is hosting a party to celebrate him, and the many fairytales he wrote. On Friday, April 16th, 2010, at 4 p.m., we will be showing the Disney adaptation of his most famous story, "The Little Mermaid". The film is about a mermaid princess who is unhappy with her life below the sea and longs to join the human world on land. She falls in love with a human prince, and makes a deal with the evil seawitch to gain human legs for three days. If the princess does not receive a kiss of "true love" from the prince within those three days, her soul will belong to the seawitch forever.

"“The Little Mermaid” is a 1989 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the film was originally released to theaters on November 17, 1989 and is the twenty-eighth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. During its initial release, The Little Mermaid grossed over $110 million in the United States and an additional $99 million internationally.

After the success of the 1988 Disney/Amblin film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, “The Little Mermaid” is given credit for breathing life back into the animated feature film genre after a string of critical or commercial failures that dated back to the early 1980s. It also marked the start of the era known as the “Disney Renaissance”."

To go along with the movie, there is also a coloring contest with fun prizes! Be sure to pick up a coloring sheet before the 16th! The contest will be judged by age groups: 3 - 5 years old; 6 - 8 years old; and 9 - 12 years old. There will be no sign up for this event, but please make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early to guarantee yourself a spot! This film is rated G.

A Little About Hans Christian Anderson

"Hans Christian Andersen (in Denmark he is referred to using the initials: H. C. Andersen) (April 2, 1805 – August 4, 1875) was a Danish author and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Snow Queen", "The Little Mermaid", "Thumbelina", "The Little Match Girl", and "The Ugly Duckling".

During his lifetime he was acclaimed for having delighted children worldwide, and was feted by royalty. His poetry and stories have been translated into more than 150 languages. They have inspired motion pictures, plays, ballets, and animated films. "

(images from google images; "The Little Mermaid" info and Anderson bio from wikipedia.com)

Easter Party Today!

Easter Party, Today, March 30th, at 3 pm!

This is just a reminder that our Easter Party is this afternoon! There are a few spots still available, so make sure to call in and sign up before it's too late! We will have a fun Easter-themed movie, an arts and crafts session, a special story time, refreshments, and even our very own Easter Egg Hunt!

The festivities start at 3 pm this afternoon, so don't be late!

April Movie Madness - The Blind Side

The Blind Side, Saturday, April 3rd, 2010, at 12:15 pm!

To start off April, Brown Library will be showing The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock, on Saturday, April 3rd, starting at 12:15 pm!

The Blind Side is a 2009 American drama–sports film written and directed by John Lee Hancock, and based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The storyline features Michael Oher, an offensive lineman who plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. The film follows Oher from his impoverished upbringing, through his years at Wingate Christian School (a fictional representation of Briarcrest Christian School in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee), his adoption by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, and on to his position as one of the most highly coveted prospects in college football. For her performance, Sandra Bullock won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role and an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film itself also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

As always, there is no sign-up required, but there is limited seating! Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early! Rated PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references. (image from google image; summary from wikipedia.com)

Closed Friday, April 2nd, 2010

Brown Library will be closed Friday, April 2nd, 2010 in observance of Good Friday. We will resume our normal schedule on Saturday, April 3rd, 2010.

Happy Easter!

March Movie Madness - New Moon

New Moon, Friday, March 26th, 2010, at 4 pm!

You may remember our Twilight parties from last year, but don't worry if you missed them, because we're doing it again! To celebrate the release of the DVD of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Brown Library will be showing the movie on March 26th, starting at 4 p.m.

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon is a 2009 American romantic fantasy film based on Stephenie Meyer's 2006 novel New Moon. It is the second film in The Twilight Saga film series and is the sequel to 2008's Twilight, which is also based on Meyer's previous novel. Summit Entertainment greenlit the sequel in late November 2008, following the early success of Twilight. Directed by Chris Weitz, the film stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, reprising their roles as Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, and Jacob Black."

There is no signup required, but the seating is limited, so it's first come first serve! Make sure you arrive earlier to guarantee yourself a spot. This film is rated PG-13. (image from google image; summary from wikipedia.com)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Release Party!

On March 19th, 2010, Brown Library is going to celebrate the release of a movie adaptation of the hit children's series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. From 4 - 6 p.m. we'll have games, refreshments, and a whole lotta fun!

A film adaptation of the book, the film chronicles the adventures of middle school student Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) and his best friend Rowley Jefferson (Robert Capron) over the course of an academic year, as told through Greg's journal and hand-drawn cartoons. The two best friends also have to get through some obstacles to get through middle school, such as surviving their weird neighborhood kid Fregley (Grayson Russell), having to wrestle a very tough girl named Patty Farrell (Laine MacNeil), having to play outdoor Phys Ed without shirts on, avoiding being killed by Greg's older brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick), getting very embarrassed by Greg's mother, Susan (Rachael Harris), and, worst of all, trying to avoid getting the infamous cheese touch, which was started by Darren Walsh (Harrison Houde), and Greg would have gotten it if it weren't for Chirag Gupta.

This is a special event, so sign up will be required. Make sure to stop by the Circulation Desk and ask about it starting next week!

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party!

Happy 106th Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Brown Library is celebrating the birthday of one of the most influential authors of our time: Dr. Seuss! We’re throwing a party in his honor on March 12th, 2010, and everyone is welcome! From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., we’ll have a special story time, refreshments, and we’ll even be showing The Cat in the Hat movie starring Mike Myers (rated PG)! Registration is required for this event, and children will even be given their own special movie ticket upon sign up. There is a limited amount of slots, so make sure you come down to the library and sign up today!

(images from google image)