New Year's Week schedule

Monday, December 28, 2009 - 10AM-1PM & 3-8PM

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 3-8PM

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 10AM-8PM

Thursday, December 31, 2009 - SPECIAL HOURS: noon-3PM

Friday, January 1, 2010 - CLOSED -- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 10AM-4PM

Library Christmas closings

The library will be closed on the following days for Christmas:

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Friday, December 25, 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Merry Christmas to you from all of us at the Andover Public Library!

Guess who's coming to town?

Be sure to join Santa & Mrs. Claus as they make their annual library visit this Saturday, December 12th. The Clauses will be here from noon to 2PM, but parents can bring the kids anytime during that timeframe. Mrs. Claus will read one of her favorite stories, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, and there will be cookies for everyone. Stop by!

In addition to Santa & Mrs. Claus visiting on Saturday, we'll also welcome teacher and singer, Kenneth Quesnel, who will entertain those children waiting downstairs for their turn to visit with the Clauses. He will start singing about 11:45AM.

Please remember that once Santa & the Mrs. arrive, the library will be closed for "regular" library usage. If you're planning on bringing your kids, please be aware that you should enter the library through the downstairs door.

Library schedule for Thanksgiving Week...

Monday, November 23, 2009 - 10AM-1PM & 3-8PM

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 3-8PM

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 10AM-4PM only

Thursday, November 26, 2009 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Friday, November 27, 2009 - CLOSED

Saturday, November 28, 2009 - CLOSED

Best wishes to you and yours for a very happy Thanksgiving!!

Coming soon...new library cards!

Beginning on September 8, 2009, we will begin issuing new library cards to new patrons of the Andover Public Library. These cards are plastic and include a card you can keep in your wallet, as well as a key tag card (similar to those you've probably received from various grocery store chains, CVS, etc., etc.) Our fabulous Friends of the Library group has purchased these cards which feature a very handsome image of the library taken by Andover resident (and Friends' member) Roger Maynard.

Plastic cards will be issued to new patrons who are residents of Andover, as well as to "old" patrons (that is, those patrons who already have the blue paper library cards) beginning September 8th.

FREE Bluegrass event -- Friday, August 14th

The Andover Friends of the Library present an evening of Bluegrass music for the whole family with

GRASS ROUTES

Friday, August 14, 2009

6:30PM

Andover Gazebo (in front of the Andover Elementary School)

35 School Road, Andover

Show will held inside the town hall community room in the event of rain.

Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy music from this veteran Connecticut band. For nearly 30 years, Grass Routes has been performing a broad repetoire of songs ranging from straight-ahead traditional Bluegrass to more contemporary folk and country music. They have appeared on radio and television, and have performed throughout the Northeast.

The library's 7/15/2009 HOMETOWN NEWS submission...

Is summer finally here? It hasn’t really felt much like summer, but the calendar tells us it is! In the library, that means summer reading and summer reading programs have arrived. If you’re not sure what’s going on, here’s a little refresher:

• Wednesday, July 22nd – 7PM : THE HISTORY OF JAZZ
  Join CT musician, Vincent Cassotta, as he delivers an educational and entertaining concert for the whole family featuring all types of jazz, from Dixieland through modern jazz and jazz rock. Please note that this program will be held in the Andover Congregational Church’s air-conditioned sanctuary (across the street from the library).
• Friday, August 14th – 6:30PM : GRASS ROUTES BLUEGRASS
  Celebrate summer with a free concert from one of Connecticut’s premier Bluegrass bands, GrassRoutes (http://www.grassroutesbluegrass.com/). For nearly 30 years, this group has been performing all over New England, and has appeared on many radio and TV programs, and at concerts in coffee houses, festivals, and other venues. GrassRoutes performs a broad range of songs from traditional Bluegrass to more contemporary
  folk and country material. Bring your chair, blanket, and lots of family and friends to this fine, free concert. Location: the Town Gazebo on School Road (in front of Andover Elementary School). In the event of rain, the show will be held in the new Community Room in the Town Hall.
  
  In addition to these events, we have several reading programs (with incentives) for both children and adults. Our challenge for the family is the program known as ICE CREAM FOR BOOKS. Read this summer, and keep count of the number of pages you’ve read – 2,000 pages for kids up to age 14, and 4,000 pages for those older than 14. Read what you like, but books must be borrowed from the Andover Public Library. If you’re able to reach the goal, you’ll get a voucher for a free ice cream sundae at the GrassRoutes Bluegrass show on August 14th. When you visit the library, be sure to note the sizes of the two “cones” we’re building, as our challenge is to see who can make a bigger ice cream by reading this summer – the adults or the kids. Thanks to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring the Bluegrass show and the ice cream goodies that will be available.
  
  Other reading incentives for kids include programs from the Connecticut Defenders, as well as Applebee’s.
  
  Don’t forget that there are lots of museum passes available for you to borrow this summer from places as varied as the Basketball Hall of Fame, Mystic Aquarium, the Roger Williams Zoo, and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Passes may be borrowed and used to receive discounted or free admission to these and other area museums. A complete list of available museum passes is posted in the library. If you have any questions about borrowing procedures, please visit the library or call us at 742-7428.
  
  On June 22nd, we hosted a very nice book discussion featuring Rhode Island author, Edward Hardy, and his second novel, Keeper And Kid. Twelve lively and enthusiastic patrons kept the discussion rolling, and it’s safe to say that a fine time was had by all. Our next book discussion will be held on Monday, July 27th, and will feature Bill Bryson’s recap of his travels along the Appalachian Trail in A Walk In The Woods. Copies of the book are available at the desk – please ask for one, and be sure to join us at 6:30PM on July 27th.
  
  Don’t forget that the library is not open on Saturdays from July 1st through Labor Day. We’ll be open again on Saturdays beginning on September 12th.
  
  Have a great summer, and be sure to visit us at the library soon!
  
  
  
  
  
  

Lots of museum passes to borrow...

We have a variety of museum passes available to patrons, and these will grant you free or reduced admission to a lot of area museums. To check one out, you need a valid Andover PL card with no outstanding fines. Here's the rundown of what we have:

• Basketball Hall Of Fame – Springfield, MA – Pass allows for discounted admission of $12 Adults & $8 Children for up to 6 people. [Regular admission prices: Adults $16.99; Seniors (65+) $13.99; Youth (ages 5-15) $11.99; free (age 4 & younger)]. FRIENDS OF ANDOVER LIBRARY GIFT.
• The Children’s Museum – West Hartford – Pass allows for one free admission for every paid admission, adults or children. [Regular admission prices: $11 (ages 2-62); $10 (age 63+); free (under age 2)]. FRIENDS OF ANDOVER LIBRARY GIFT.
• Connecticut River Museum – Essex – Pass allows for free admission for 2 Adults & their Children or Grandchildren. [Regular admission prices: $8 Adults; $7 Seniors; $5 Children (ages 6-12)]. FRIENDS OF ANDOVER LIBRARY GIFT.
• Connecticut State Parks & Forests – Waives parking fees at any of the state’s 137 parks and forests. The pass is valid for any private passenger vehicle carrying fewer than 12 passengers. Also valid for free admission for 2 Adults & 4 Children at Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull, and Gillette Castle State Parks.
• Eric Carle Museum Of Picture Book Art – Amherst, MA – Pass allows for free admission for 2 Adults & 4 Children. [Regular admission prices: $9 Adults; $6 Seniors (age 65+); $6 Youth (ages 1-18); $6 Students & Teachers with current ID]. FRIENDS OF ANDOVER LIBRARY GIFT.
• Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center – Mashantucket – Pass is valid for $5 off admission for up to 2 Adults & 2 Children OR 1 Adult & 3 Children. [Regular admission prices: $15 Adults (ages 16-54); $13 Seniors (age 55+); $13 Children (ages 6-15); free (age 5 & younger)]. FRIENDS OF ANDOVER LIBRARY GIFT.
• Mystic Aquarium Institute for Exploration – Mystic – Discounts for admission for 2 Adults & 2 Children. With the pass, save $4 off Adult admission (limit of 2) and $3 off Child (ages 3-17) admission (limit of 2). [Regular admission prices: $24 Adults; $21 Seniors (age 60+); $18 Children (ages 3-17); free admission for Children ages 2 & younger].
• New Britain Museum Of American Art – New Britain – Free admission for any 4 people (no age restrictions). [Regular admission prices: $9 Adults; $8 Seniors; $7 Students; Admission for Children ages 11 & younger is free]. FRIENDS OF ANDOVER LIBRARY GIFT.
• New England Air Museum – Windsor Locks – Reduced admission of $5 each for 2 Adults or Seniors and free admission for 2 Children (ages 4-11). Children age 3 and younger always receive free admission. [Regular admission prices: $10 Adults; $9 Seniors (age 65+); $5 Children (ages 4-11); free admission for Children ages 3 & younger].
• Roger Williams Park Zoo – Providence, RI – Reduced discounted admission of 50% off for up to 4 Adults, Seniors, and/or Children. During January-June & September-December, the discounted rate is $6 Adults; $4 Seniors; $3 Children. During July & August, the discounted rate is $9 Adults; $6 Seniors; $5 Children. [Regular admission prices: $12 Adults; $8 Seniors (age 62+); $6 Children (ages 3-12)].
• Wadsworth Atheneum – Hartford – Free general admission to the museum for 2 Adults & 2 Children (ages 6-17). [Regular admission prices: $10 Adults; $8 Seniors (age 62+); $5 Students (ages 13 through college students with ID); Free admission for children age 12 and under].

THANKS!

The Andover Friends of the Library met last night, and voted to give the library a total of $6,767. This money was raised through the efforts of the Friends with their May 1st Goods & Services Auction, as well as other fundraising endeavors over the past year, and will be used for all sorts of great things for the library. Specifically, we'll use some of the money to buy or renew our many museum passes, produce more programming for kids as well as the whole family, and buy more books on CD and DVDs. Life for the library would be a lot more difficult without the Friends, so if you're not currently a member of the group, won't you consider joining?

Friends' Goods & Services Auction - Friday, May 1st

Your support of the Friends of the Andover Library's Goods & Services Auction is much appreciated. Come to the A.E.S. Cafeteria on May 1st, and place a bid on one or more of many great donated items. The auction starts at 6:30PM; the preview begins at 6PM. All proceeds benefit the library in many ways -- programs, purchase of new books on CD & DVDs, museum passes, lots of great stuff. Here's a partial list of what will be available:

• Admission for a family of 4 to Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT (donor value: $40)
• Two tickets to see "The Remarkable Thing About Stardust" at the Little Theater of Manchester, August 7-9 or 13-16 (donor value: $36)
• Family membership to U.S.S. Constitution Museum in Boston (donor value: $50)
• Companion membership for 2 and 2 one-time guest passes to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY (donor value: $65)
• Family membership to the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, MA, as well as an heirloom pouch (donor value: $125)
• Water bottles, pencil, key chains, lanyards, and free combo meals & 2 kids meals at Wendy's (donor value: $28)
• Admission for a family of 4 to EcoTarium in Worcester, MA (donor value: $36)
• Family membership to the New Bedford Whaling Museum in New Bedford, MA (donor value: $75)
• Full day water park access for 4 to the CoCo Key Water Resort in Danvers, MA (donor value: ?)
• Backstage tour of the Bushnell Theatre and breakfast for 2 at the Shady Glen with Dianne Grenier (donor value: ?)
• Three-day, two-night stay at the Patriot Suites in Pittsfield, MA, donated by Dawn & Pam Quint. (donor value: ?)
• Apple pie baked by Jean Gasper.
• Professional installation of 2 cubic yards of mulch at your residence or business, donated by Bradley Enterprises Landscaping Services of Andover. (donor value: $150)
• $50 gift card for Bob's Discount Furniture.
• Admission for 2 to the Mystic Aquarium (donor value: $48)
• Gift certificate to Bolton Veterinary Hospital (donor value: $75)
• Gift certificate to Casey Chiropractic in Colchester for a new patient exam (donor value: $225)
• Admission for family of 4 to the Children's Museum in West Hartford (donor value: $44)
• Admission for family of 4 to the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol, CT (donor value: $40)
• Oil change & 50-point inspection at Columbia Car Care Center (donor value: $49)
• Ten rounds of miniature golf at Connecticut Golf Land in Vernon (donor value: $30)
• Admission for 4 to the WILD Center in Tupper Lake, NY (donor value: $60)
• Admission for 4 to the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor (donor value: $38)
• Four tickets to Historic Deerfield (donor value: $56)
• Admission for 4 to the KidCity Museum in Middletown (donor value: $28)
• Four reserved seats to a Connecticut Defenders game (donor value: $32)
• Admission for 5 to the U.S.S. Slater in Albany, NY (donor value: $35)
• Two lawn tickets to any Talcott Mountain Museum Festival Concert for the 2009/2010 season (donor value: ?)
• Three games of bowling at Holiday Lanes in Manchester (donor value: $18)
• Two tickets to any performance at the Majestic Theater in Springfield, MA (donor value: $50)
• Admission for 2 to the Mark Twain House & Museum in West Hartford (donor value: $28)
• Admission for 2 to the MASS MoCA Museum in North Adams, MA (donor value: $30)
• Two adult all-day lift tickets at Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, CT (donor value: $100)
• Admission for 4 to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum (donor value: $60)
• Admission for 2 to Mystic Seaport (donor value: $37)
• Admission for 2 to the New England Air Museum (donor value: $20)
• Admission for 2 to Plimoth Plantation (donor value: $20)
• Two day passes to Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT (donor value: $42)
• Admission for 5 to the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven (donor value: $40)
• Two one-day passes to Six Flags New England (donor value: $84)
• Four loge seats to any 2009 regular season Bridgeport Bluefish baseball game (donor value: $36)
• Two boulder pass & gear for Stone Age Rock Gym in Manchester donated by a Friend of the Library (donor value: $50)
• Admission for 4 with 4 ice cream cones at Imagine Nation in Bristol, CT (donor value: $30)
• Admission for a family of 4 to the Springfield Museums (donor value: ?)
• Family admission to the Golden Age of Trucking Museum in Middlebury (donor value: ?)
• ShopRite gift card (donor value: $25)
• Gift certificate to Willington Pizza House (donor value: $50)
• Two-week session of 2009 swim lessons at ALPOA Beach donated by ALPOA
• Eight-week Tae San yoga session at Tae San Taekwondo & Yoga in Hebron (donor value: $96)
• Beginner membership with 2 months of unlimited training & uniform at Tae San Taekwondo & Yoga in Hebron
• Family membership to the Connecticut Historical Society Museum & Library in Hartford (donor value: $50)
• Autographed picture of Pittsburgh Steelers' #43, Troy Polamulu
• Autographed picture of Pittsburgh Steelers' #86, Hines Ward
• Admission for 2 adults to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY (donor value: $66)
• 10 x 12 Harbor Scene oil painting
• Handmade jewelry donated by Lillian Tebbets
• Green afghan donated by Hank & Louise Parkington
• Barbie doll on stand with handmade green dress donated by Hank & Louise Parkington
• Barbie doll on stand with handmade pink dress donated by Hank & Louise Parkington
• Brown afghan donated by Hank & Louise Parkington
• Two cookbooks donated by Hank & Louise Parkington
• Two simple wills donated by Attorney Bill Dakin (donor value: $650)
• Tour of the Capitol and lunch for 2 in the members-only dining hall with U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney

Book discussions in March

There will be two book discussions at the Andover PL on Monday, March 23rd. The morning session starts about 10:15AM, and the chosen book is Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The evening group meets at 6:30PM, and the book to be discussed is A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. Copies of both of these books are available at the library's circulation desk -- please ask for a copy. Book discussions are free and open to the public. Join us!

Andover PL closed for snow Monday, March 2, 2009....

We will be open on Tuesday, March 3rd at our regular time: 3PM-8PM.

The Big Read 2009 -- To Kill A Mockingbird

As you may have heard, the book chosen for the Hartford Region's BIG READ for 2009 is Harper Lee's classic, To Kill A Mockingbird. We invite you to join in our book discussion here at Andover PL on Monday, February 23rd. We will have two sessions for our Mockingbird discussion: one at 10:15AM and the other at 6:30PM. Please choose one, and join us! Ask at the circulation desk for a copy today!

Library closed Wednesday, January 28, 2009...

No January book discussion for adults...

As we couldn't borrow enough copies from other libraries of The Widows Of Eden by George Shaffner at this time, we have canceled that discussion group which was tentatively scheduled for Monday, January 26th. We are participating in the Hartford Region's BIG READ 2009 campaign, though. Our book discussion of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird will be held on Monday, February 23rd at 6:30PM.

The Senior Discussion Group will be discussing Keeper And Kid by Andrew Hardy on Monday, January 26th at 10:15AM. Cathy Campen is the discussion leader.

Copies of these two books are available the library's circulation desk.