Meet Your Legislators! on Friday at 7:30 a.m. at the library. The library will host a legislative breakfast where state legislators, librarians, trustees, members of the Friends and the public can hear about the importance of libraries, library services and library programs to our community.
Registration and refreshments will begin at 7:30. The program of speakers will begin at 8. Currently scheduled speakers include Library Director Jean Shaughnessy, Sen. Anne Gobi, Rep. Susannah Whipps, Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, Executive Director C/W MARS Tim Spindler, Executive Director Massachusetts Library System Greg Pronevitz, Diane Kane and Helen Franchi.
This year’s theme is “Free, equal and open to all.” Massachusetts libraries were first in the world to offer residents this kind of access, and our public libraries are still the only place that levels the playing field for all ages, backgrounds, education level or ability. Through the heavily used statewide resource sharing system, every resident has equal access to resources that can transform their lives, no matter what street they live on.
State funding to support Massachusetts libraries is lower than it was in 1998. Yet, libraries manage to offer more services now than then, including e-books, downloadable audio and magazines, wireless internet, computer tutoring and more. It is growing more difficult to give patrons the tools they need and deserve with ever-shrinking financial resources, so patrons are encouraged to connect with their legislators and let them know all the ways libraries are important to their daily lives.
The event is free and open to the public. Call the library to register so there is enough food.
Exhibit
There is an exhibit of landscape oil paintings by Mari Rovang going on now through April 30 at the library.
The display of 10 landscape oil paintings is in the conference room. Rovang recently had a show of her works at the Wendell Library. Exhibit coordinator Richard Baldwin said, “Rovang has a long history of being involved in creative work. After majoring in art in college, she worked professionally in theater in Minneapolis. And, after moving to Massachusetts, she worked at Main Street Millwork in Greenfield, and then worked in mediation services. During that time she painted intermittently.
Since retiring in 2011, she has been studying with Penne Krol at Greenfield Community College’s art department and spending weekdays painting. The paintings present a wide range of contrasting pictorial elements. Edge treatment varies from sharp to soft, colors run the gamut from cool to warm, and there is a wide range of values from black to almost white. The medium-sized works are simply presented with beautiful frames built by her husband Howard Mathison.
One element all the paintings share is a painterly approach to image making. She applies paint in a loose manner with brush strokes plainly visible. In some, the brush marks of under-painting show through. Details are often only suggested, for example the buildings in the Norway painting “Sognefjord, Norway,” and the trees and the foliage in all of the works. The edges of shapes are often softened, resulting in cloud-like shapes that seem to move or vibrate. This treatment results in lively images which mirror the vitality we experience in nature.
Rovang has continued painting at GCC and exhibiting in group shows throughout the area. She can be reached at 978-544-7693.
Athol Public Library hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The movie “Coco” (PG) will be shown today from 1 to 3 p.m. Patrons of all ages are welcome to watch. Light refreshments will be available. No registration is necessary.
On Monday, March 26, from 3 to 4 p.m., the children’s Book Club will discuss Hope Larson’s graphic novel interpretation of “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’Engle. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required by calling the library.
On Wednesday, March 28, from 4 to 5 p.m. Craftastic Kids will be offered to children in grades 2 through 5. You can register the to make a Northern Lights landscape.
All children’s programs are free and open to the public.
Fiction
“The Immortalists” by Chloe Benjamin, “White Houses” by Amy Bloom, “Love and Other Consolation Prizes” by Jamie Ford, “A Death in Live Oak” by James Grippando, “Where the Dead Sit Talking” by Brandon Hobson, “Pride and Prometheus” by John Kessel, “Sunburn” by Laura Lippman, “Self-Portrait with Boy” by Rachel Lyon, “Chicago” by David Mame, “Staying” by Molly McCloskey.
Young adult fiction
“Wonder Woman: Warbringer” by Leigh Bardugo, “Tess of the Road” by Rachel Hartman, “The Queen of Tearling” by Erika Johansen, “Illuminae” by Amie Kaufman, “Oliver Twist” by Lorie Langdon, “Batman: Nightwalker” by Marie Lu, “Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas, “Big Lie” by Julie Mayhew.
Mystery
Beaton, M. C. — “Death of an Honest Man” by M.C. Beaton, “The French Girl” by Lexie Elliott, “Raspberry Danish Murder” by Joanne Fluke, “Sunday Silence” by Nicci French, “Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake” by Sarah Graves, “The Hush” by John Hart, “A Time of Love and Tartan” by Alexander McCall Smith.
YA graphic novels and manga
Anderson, Laurie Halse — “Speak: The Graphic Novel” by Laurie Halse Anderson, “Defenders Vol. 1: Diamonds Are Forever” by Brian Michael Bendis, “Anya’s Ghost” by Vera Brosgol, “Turf Wars Part Two” by Michael Dante DiMartino, “Land of the Lustrous” by Haruko Ichikawa, “Your Name, Vol. Two” by Makoto Shinkai, “Black Butler, Vol. Five” by Yana Toboso.
Large print
All given in memory of Doris P. (DeLisle) Valois
Bradley, Alan — “The Grave’s a Fine and Private Place” by Alan Bradley (the LaForge family)
“Once Upon a Spine” by Kate Carlisle (Leshmi and Neil Nair)
“The View from Rainshadow Bay” by Colleen Coble (the LaForge family)
“Into the Black Nowhere” by Meg Gardiner (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
Gardner — Lisa — “Look for Me” by Lisa Gardner (Susan B. Andrews and John Creed)
Harper, Jane — “The Dry” by Jane Harper (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
Harper, Jane — “Force of Nature” by Jane Harper (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
Hendricks, Greer — “The Wife Between Us” by Greer Hendricks (Susan B. Andrews and John Creed)
“Hellbent” by Greg Hurwitz (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
“Sisters Like Us” Susan Mallery (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
Novak, Brenda — “Hello Again” by Brenda Novak (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
Shalvis, Jill — “Accidentally on Purpose” by Jill Shalvis (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
Shalvis, Jill — “Chasing Christmas Eve” by Jill Shalvis (Linda and Jonathan Daube)
DVDS
“Daddy’s Home 2”
“Murder on the Orient Express”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MO”
“Wonder”