August Newsletter from the Yarmouth Town Libraries

From the Director:

Usually, I save my summer vacation time for August, but, this year, I enjoyed some long-awaited family time during the Fourth of July week. It rained nearly every day…oh, well. I have always said that I love the ocean and the beach in any weather and that was certainly tested in July. The one day that we have gotten to the beach this year, we were all in sweatshirts and wrapped in blankets or towels. But, it was lovely (the water was warmer than the air). The summer is chugging along, with lots of fun and learning for children of all ages, and regular meetings of bookish minds during three different Zoom book groups. Our Library Board and Library Planning Committee provided a summary of this past pandemic year and the Library’s adaptability in tough times, along with a look to the future of library services and facility improvement with a presentation to the Yarmouth Select Board in July. We hope you had a chance to watch the meeting and get caught up. Each group is made up of caring and thoughtful volunteers who make library life better with everything they do. I welcome everyone’s comments and thoughts on this and whatever’s on your mind.

-Jane Cain
Library Director

Tails & Tales
Summer Reading Program

We have two more weeks of Summer Reading! You can still register, participate, and become eligible for giveaways. All ages are welcome. If you’re already registered, remember to bring us your Tails & Tales reading logs, collect your badges, and enter the weekly drawing for goodies. Don’t miss out! When you register for the summer reading program, you will receive a special reading packet with all the information on how to participate. To sign up, please go to https://www.yarmouthlibraries.org/youth-services/ where you will find the link to sign up. Reading every day is the key to knowledge and learning. The Summer Reading Program is designed to help you succeed, have fun and have a chance to win, when you participate.
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Outdoor Story Time with Ms. Mindy

Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
West Yarmouth Library on the lawn
Join us for stories, songs, silly games and more! Weather permitting. For ages birth to 8 years old and their caregivers. Bring a blanket or mat for your comfort.

Online Zoom Book Talk

Wednesday, August 4, 10:30 a.m.
Gather online and discuss books you have been reading or listening to, TV shows or movies you have been watching, books you'd like to be reading, and get recommendations from staff and information about new releases. All are welcome. Please email Chris Kaufmann at ckaufmann@clamsnet.org or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions. If you have not used Zoom in the past or have encountered difficulties using Zoom, please call or email Chris 508-760-4820 X 1315 to set up a troubleshooting session.

There is no assigned book for this event; everyone will discuss whatever they have been reading or watching, or just listen and get ideas for their next read/listen/watch.

Take & Make Kits for
’Tweens and Teens

Pick-up locations at South Yarmouth Library, from
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and West Yarmouth Library from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Please register on the Library’s calendar of events. Supplies are limited. These kits are designated for ages 12-18 years old.

August 4: Stress Ball
August 11: Up-cycled Paperback Hedgehog

Musical Discoveries Outdoors!

Ms. Rachel is back on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. through August 19 at the West Yarmouth Library on the lawn, weather permitting. Appropriate for ages birth to 8 years old and their caregivers. Bring a blanket or mat for your comfort.

Field Day Fun

Saturdays at 11:00 at West Yarmouth Library on the lawn, weather permitting. For all ages. Children under 10 years old need to bring an adult.

Highlights include: Hula Hoops, parachute play, and inflatable frog pond, sack races, bubbles, ball toss and more.

Mystery Book Club on Zoom

Tuesday, August 10, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 11, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for either the evening or morning session this month as we discuss The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman. Homicide is always an abomination, but there is something exceptionally disturbing about the victim discovered in a high, lonely place—a corpse with a mouth full of sand—abandoned at a crime scene seemingly devoid of tracks or useful clues. Though it goes against his better judgment, Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn cannot help but suspect the hand of a supernatural killer.

Copies of the book are available at both libraries. You can also read the ebook or listen to the audiobook in the Hoopla app. Please email Chris Kaufmann at ckaufmann@clamsnet.org or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions and if you need Zoom assistance, please call 508-760-4820 x1315 or email Chris to set up a troubleshooting session or if you need any other assistance.

Summer Reading Wrap-up Event

Saturday, August 14, 5:00 p.m.
West Yarmouth Library
This year’s Summer Reading wrap-up features the popular Toe Jam Puppet Band on Saturday, August 14, at 5:00 p.m. at West Yarmouth Library. All ages are welcome to enjoy a fun-filled hour of laughs and music. Please bring a chair or blanket for your comfort.

Grand Prize Drawing! One lucky family will have a chance to win our Grand Prize, valued at $400.00. This Grizzly Bear cooler features all the gear for some fun in the sun. The cooler was donated by a generous fan of the library! Our thanks, indeed.

Also, many thanks for generous contributions of supplies and prizes go out to the South Yarmouth Library Association, the West Yarmouth Library Association, local sponsors Cape Cod Toy Chest, Ocean State Job Lot, Cape Cod Creamery, Penguins Ice Cream and Pirates Cove. A special thanks goes to Ryan Gillis of Bayside Tent for special pricing for our kick-off event!

Meet-and greet
Popsicle Playdate!

Thursday, August 26, at 5:00 p.m.
West Yarmouth Library on the lawn.
Kindergarten meet-and-greet for parents, caregivers, and students entering Dennis and Yarmouth schools for the first time. Please sign up so we can plan accordingly.

Meet some new friends
Play new games
Kindergarten stories
Hands-on Exploration Centers
School supplies
Get a Library Card
and more!

Ken Gloss On Book Collecting

Thursday, August 19, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
You may know of Ken Gloss, Boston-based antiquarian book collector and second-generation proprietor of the Brattle Book Shop in Boston, from his appraisals on PBS’s Antiques Road Show. He is making the rounds this year, via Zoom, and speaking to a number of New England organizations, including ours. Sign up for this interesting talk on the Library’s homepage, in the Happenings/Calendar of Events section – and we’ll send you a Zoom invite, so you can enjoy this presentation from the comfort of your own home. Ken will talk about his favorite finds and describe some of the joys of the “hunt.” He will explain what makes books and manuscripts rare and what determines whether they increase in value. He has many fascinating anecdotes to share about book collecting, as well as guidelines for starting a collection. There is a Q&A session at the conclusion of his talk. We thank Mr. Gloss for his offer to present for free! Tune in on August 19 and be prepared to learn.

Book Discussion Group on Zoom

Tuesday, August 24, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 25, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for either the evening or morning session this month as we discuss The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede. When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, 2001, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill.

Copies of the book are available at both libraries. You can also read the book online or listen to the audiobook on Overdrive/Libby through CLAMS or another consortium in Massachusetts with your CLAMS card. Please email Chris Kaufmann at ckaufmann@clamsnet.org or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions and if you need Zoom assistance, please call 508-760-4820 x1315 or email Chris to set up a troubleshooting session or if you need any other assistance.

Database Spotlight: Hoopla

Hoopla is a digital media service offered by the Yarmouth Town Libraries that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, electronic books, comics, and TV shows for free to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your smart TV! Download the hoopla app to your device, and sign in with your library card barcode number (no spaces).

STAFF PICKS:
Borgen

Denmark's first female prime minister, Birgitte Nyborg wants to bring progressive legislation to her country but finds there's a high personal price to be paid. There are three seasons of this Danish drama available, each comprising ten episodes with English subtitles. Available on HOOPLA.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father in South Africa during Apartheid, Noah literally spent his earliest days hiding indoors. While the book does include some of his wry humor, this is an emotional, heart-breaking, and educational story of a life which flourished despite the odds stacked against it – and ultimately, a love letter to his mom. Read by the author. Available in CLAMS and HOOPLA.

Featured Museum Pass:

The Edward Gorey House

In 1979, Edward Gorey purchased a 200 year-old sea captain’s home at 8 Strawberry Lane on the Yarmouth Port Common, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After his death in 2000 the house became a museum, dedicated to Gorey’s life, his writing, and quirky illustrations, as well as his devotion to animal welfare. The house and its annual Gorey exhibits are open to the public from April through December. A fun scavenger hunt in the house provides the opportunity to really look at Gorey’s creativity. You’ll want to check that out.

Visit www.yarmouthlibraries.org/museum-passes/ and reserve a pass for reduced price admission to the Edward Gorey House today!