Friends' auction a big success...

Thanks to everyone who donated an item, baked a cookie or other goody, purchased a 50/50 ticket, a baked good, or some pizza, or successfully bid on an item at last Friday's Friends of the Library's annual fundraising auction. The totals have been added, and it looks like the Friends made a total of $2,750! At their annual meeting coming up on May 17th, the group will decide how to spend the money. We'll keep you posted on how that goes...

Big Friends' fundraiser...this Friday, 4/30...

Be sure to support the Andover Friends of the Library's annual GOODS & SERVICES AUCTION. It happens this Friday, April 30th at the Andover Elementary School Cafeteria beginning at 6:30PM (preview starts at 6PM). Each year, this Friends' fundraiser raises money to support the library's purchases of things like museum passes, books on CD, DVDs, and a whole lot more. Won't you consider stopping by? You may even find an amazing bargain...and you'll feel good about your purchase, too.

A list of some of the items up for bid can be found by clicking here.

See you there!

Talkin' 'bout Tom Sawyer -- Monday, April 19th...

2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain's death, and so, The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer was chosen as the Hartford region's BIG READ pick for 2010. If you've not read any Twain since high school (or, perhaps, even since childhood), consider joining in our book discussion of the adventures of Tom, Huck, and Becky on Monday, April 19th @ 6:30PM. We'll provide the snacks -- you bring your own beverage.

Snapshot Day -- the results

As you probably know, Andover PL participated in Connecticut's Snapshot Day for libraries last month. The folks who organized all of this picture-taking and surveying of patrons (namely, the CT State Library, along with the CT Library Consortium and the CT Library Association) will soon be launching a website compiling a lot of the data and photos taken at various libraries. In the meantime, though, here are a couple of snapshots taken here at Andover PL:

Here's a link to see all of our Andover PL snapshots as posted to the State Library's Flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctlibrariessnapshot2010/sets/72157623501305848/show/

Smile! Snapshot Day is coming...

On Wednesday, February 17th, the Andover Public Library will be taking a 'snapshot' of our activities. From now 'til next Wednesday, we invite you to fill out a brief questionnaire each time you visit the library. There is a checklist of choices on each form, but also a space where you can leave some commentary, if you'd like. Libraries in other CT towns and communities will also be conducting their own "Snapshot" days in February. The purpose is to gather information which may be used to support CT libraries in the upcoming legislative session, and this project is a joint effort of the Connecticut Library Association, the Connecticut State Libary, and the Connecticut Library Consortium. Results and pictures gathered by the state's libraries will be posted online at http://snapshotctlib.wordpress.com after March 10th. Be sure to visit the library anytime, but especially on February 17th!

Library closed - Monday, 2/15/2010

In observance of Presidents Day, the Andover Public Library will be closed on Monday, February 15, 2010. We'll reopen at 3PM on Tuesday, February 16th.

LIBRARY CLOSED TODAY -- Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Looks like we're going to join the rest of the State today and close the library. We hope to reopen on Thursday, February 11th at 3PM.

Andover PL welcomes author Christine M. Whitehead...

Join us on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 as the Andover Public Library welcomes local author, Christine M. Whitehead, whose novel called Tell Me When It Hurts was recently published. We'll begin with a question & answer session about 6:30PM, and after, Ms. Whitehead will have copies of her book available for sale (and signature). No need to RSVP. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Andover Public Library.

For more information, call the library at 860-742-7428, or visit our website: www.andoverctlibrary.org

Library closed - Monday, 1/18/2010

The library will be closed Monday, January 18th, 2010 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We'll reopen on Tuesday, January 19th at 3PM.

LIBRARY CLOSED TODAY -- January 2, 2010

As the snow continues to fall in eastern CT, the library will not be opening at 10AM. There is a slight possibility that we'll be able to open the library by 1PM, but we'll have to reassess the situation around noon.

UPDATE: as of 12:43PM, it is still snowing. The library WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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