Closed Monday, May 31, 2010

Brown Library will be closed on Monday, May 31st, 2010, in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume our normal operating hours on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010.

Whether you're going to the beach, grilling out, or snatching up some of the those good holiday sales, Brown Library wishes you a happy Memorial Day weekend!

May Movie Madness!

Hachi, Friday, May 21st, 2010, at 5 p.m.!

For the last movie before our Summer Reading Program begins, Brown Library will be showing the heart-warming Hachi on Friday, May 21st, starting at 5 p.m.

"An American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station. Hachiko faithfully returns to the same spot at the station the very next day, and every day for the next nine years to wait for his beloved master. During his daily visits, Hachiko touches the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion and above all unyielding loyalty. Today, a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya station in Japan as a permanent reminder of his devotion and love."

There is no sign-up required to attend the movie, but there is limited seating, so make sure to arrive at least fifteen minutes early to guarantee yourself a good seat! This film is rated G.

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

May Movie Madness!

Sherlock Holmes, Saturday, May 8th, 2010, at 12:15 p.m.!

Brown Library is kicking off May Movie Madness with a bang! We will be showing the blockbuster action film, Sherlock Holmes, on Saturday, May 8th, 2010, at 12:15 p.m.

"After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler."

"Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 action mystery film based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film was directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. The screenplay by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg was developed from a story by Lionel Wigram and Michael Robert Johnson. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law portray Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, respectively. Holmes investigates a series of murders, apparently connected to occult rituals. Lord Blackwood is the mysterious villain. The story culminates with a confrontation on top of Tower Bridge, still under construction.

The film went on general release in the United States on December 25, 2009, and on December 26, 2009, in the UK, Ireland, and the Pacific. The film was also nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Original Score and Best Art Direction."

There is no sign-up for this movie, as usual, but there is limited seating, so make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early! This film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.

(image from google image; info and summaries from imdb.com and wikipedia.org)

April Movie Madness - The Outsiders

The Outsiders, Friday, April 30th, 2010, at 4 pm!

For the last movie of April, Brown Library will be showing The Outsiders on April 30th, at 4 pm.

"The Outsiders is a 1983 American drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, an adaptation of the 1967 novel of the same name by S. E. Hinton. The movie was released in March 1983. Jo Ellen Misakian, a librarian at Lone Star Elementary School in Fresno, California, and her students were responsible for inspiring Coppola to make the movie.

The Outsiders is noted for being the breakout film of many future stars. The movie earned C. Thomas Howell a Young Artist Award, became the first Brat Pack movie (with Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez cast as supporting Greasers), and further established the careers of Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, and Diane Lane. Both Lane and Dillon went on to appear in Coppola's related film Rumble Fish."

"The tension between two groups: The Greasers and The Socials "Socs" puts Ponyboy Curtis and his best friend Johnny Cade in a bad spot. One night at the movies, Ponyboy and Johnny fall in love with Sherri "Cherry" Valance and Marcia - once they get Dally Winston, the toughest and meanest of the Greasers to stop attempting to "score" with the girls. Cherry and Marcia are from the snobbish, popular, and rich group, the Socs."

There is no sign-up required for this movie showing, but our seating is limited! Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This film is rated PG-13 for violence, teen drinking and smoking, and some sexual reference.

(image from google image; info and plot summaries from wikipedia.org and imdb.com)

Closed Wednesday, April 28th, from 10 - 12.

Brown Library will be closed on Wednesday, April 28th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a little staff training. We will reopen at 12 p.m. and remain open until our normal 7 p.m. closing time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Happy Earth Day!

We at Brown Library wish you all a very happy Earth Day! Celebrate by planting a something beautiful in your garden, check out a book on the environment, or by looking into how you can help the planet through recycling. We couldn't live without her, so give Mother Earth a little love today. ♥

National Volunteer Week

This week is the annual celebration of National Volunteer Week. Brown Library would like to thank all the many dedicated volunteers we have. You all take quite a load off our backs, and we appreciate it dearly. Whether it's shelving books, helping us with parties, going through the History Room, or assisting with the Summer Reading Program, we appreciate the time you give us more than you know. So, from all of us at Brown,

♥ Thank you! ♥

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.