June Newsletter from the Yarmouth Town Libraries

From the Director

To cope with the daily stresses of life, it may come as no surprise that I do a lot of reading. This past month, I read Painting the Light, by Sally Cabot Gunning – it was very good; I listened to a charming England-based family story called The Switch by Beth O’Leary (who also wrote The Flatshare, also good); and just finished listening to Nora Ephron’s charming and witty I Remember Nothing, and she read it – may she rest in peace. It was great. I read Elie Mystal’s, Allow Me to Retort, (outstanding and thought-provoking) and listened to Madeleine Albright’s last book on the history of Fascism. That one was slightly terrifying. I am in the middle of a true-crime non-fiction work called Murder in the Stacks by David DeKok. Not sure about that one, since it is rather long, and obviously, a bit morbid. I read a daily newspaper and subscribe to about 8 online newsletters – mostly about books – and read much of those when I receive them. I have also been reading a lot of Revolutionary War history, as I am part of a group researching the Cape’s involvement in our country’s war of independence. Most of the time, like a lot of librarians I follow on social media, if you ask me what my favorite book is, I will answer, “the one I am reading now.” Enjoy this lovely month of June – come, summer!

-Jane Cain
Library Director

Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program Open House

South Yarmouth Library
Wednesday, June 1, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

West Yarmouth Library
Thursday, June 2, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Join us to learn details about how to participate in this Summer's Reading Program. Information, some goodies, and surprises will be provided.

Highlights this summer:

Toe Jam Puppet Band
Ocean-themed crafts
Sea Chanteys
Tide Pool Exploration
Musical Discoveries
Reading Challenges
Companion Animals
Trevor the Juggler
Pitter Patter Puppets
And more!

Registration begins Monday, June 6. You can sign up online for Beanstack or pick up your reading logs to get started.

Logging your minutes and meeting the challenges begins on Tuesday, July 5. Each time you meet a challenge you will be entered into a weekly drawing for some great prizes.

Musical Discoveries with Ms. Rachael at the West Yarmouth Library

Saturday, June 4 and June 18, at 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy stories, songs, movement and musical instruments.
Appropriate for babies to 5 years old and their caregivers.

*(Outside, weather permitting. We will gather in the Children’s Room if the weather is bad.)

Oceans of Possibilities
Bookmark Challenge

Children in Kindergarten through Grade 12 are invited to design a bookmark, based on the Oceans of Possibilities theme. One design will be selected from students in the Dennis Yarmouth schools, including homeschoolers.
The winning design will be featured as our bookmark for the summer.

Only one entry per child, please. Use original artwork in pencil, pen, crayon, colored pencils or markers.

Oceans of Possibilities
Summer Reading Program
- for Grownups

Highlights include:

Scavenger Hunt for Sea Captains' Homes in Yarmouth
Sea Chanteys
Author Eric Jay Dolin on Maritime History

Registration will begin on Monday, June 27. You can sign up online with the Beanstack app or pick up your reading logs to get started. If you log your reading minutes starting on Tuesday, July 5, you’ll be entered into our summer drawing for some great prizes.

Drop in near the end of June to learn how to register and keep track of your reading using the Beanstack app and hear about what’s planned for the Summer Reading Program.

Lego Club at the South Yarmouth Library in the Gazebo*

Monday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Appropriate for ages 5 and up.
Children under 10 years old need to bring a grownup.
This is a free-build club, where the children engineer their ideas. We will display their structures in the glass case downstairs, for all to enjoy.

*(Weather permitting; we will gather in the Leonard Room if the weather is bad.)

Yarmouth Dennis Red Sox at
The Dennis/Yarmouth High School Baseball Field

Stop by the Library "Information Station" at these home games:

Tuesday, June 14
Friday, June 17
Tuesday, June 21
Wednesday, June 22
Friday, June 24

Pick up info packets, calendars, reading challenges, registration details, and play "Flying Fish" for fun! Hear about Library events and activities this summer. Learn about the great prizes provided by many generous local business owners.

Storytimes at South Yarmouth Library, Outside in the Gazebo.*

Thursday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m.
For babies to 4 years old and their caregivers.

*(Weather permitting; we will gather in the Leonard Room if the weather is bad.)

The Yarmouth Town Libraries
will be closed on
Monday, June 20,
for the Juneteenth Holiday.

Monthly Book Discussion Group

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Tuesday, June 21, 10:30 a.m.
at the West Yarmouth Library & on Zoom

Tuesday, June 21, 6:00 p.m. on Zoom

Join us for either the morning or evening book discussion groups as we discuss Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he's never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. Unfortunately, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. (Librarian Note: this is a very funny book and we highly recommend the audiobook version to get full comedic effect!)

The morning group will meet in the West Yarmouth Library, while it is closed to the public, and over Zoom, in a hybrid format.

Copies of the book are available at both libraries. You can also listen to the audiobook on the Hoopla app or read the ebook on Overdrive/Libby through CLAMS or another consortium in Massachusetts with your CLAMS card. Please email ckaufmann@clamsnet.org or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions.

If you need Zoom help, please call 508-760-4820 to set up a troubleshooting session or if you need any other assistance.

Storytime at the West Yarmouth Library, Outside on the Lawn*

Saturday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m.
Eric Carle’s Birthday
For all ages and their caregivers.

*(Weather permitting; we will gather in the children’s room if the weather is bad.)

Staff Pick J Fiction
My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk

Set in 1944, one year after her Newbery Honor-winning Wolf Hollow, in the same rural Pennsylvania community, Wolk crafts an exceptional sequel that both builds on the complexity of the previous installment and also stands on its own merit. With a memorable heroine, a finely honed voice, a distinctive setting, and deeply grounded relationships, this thought-provoking novel raises ethical issues about personal flaws and forgiveness.

Staff Pick

The Storyteller by David Grohl

"A collection of memories of a life lived loud. From my early days growing up in the suburbs of Washington, DC, to hitting the road at the age of 18, and all the music that followed, I can now share these adventures with the world, as seen and heard from behind the microphone. Turn it up!" Dave Grohl might just be one of the most likable rock stars I have ever read about. The drummer for illustrious grunge trio Nirvana and the founder and frontman of 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee The Foo Fighters has managed to remain soulful, humble, warm, and good-natured despite his status as a bona fide musical icon. And that humor and heart are what make his new memoir, The Storyteller, a standout. Read by the author. Available in audio in Libby and in print in CLAMS.

Database Highlight - Hoopla

Craftsy Video Series, Colored Pencil Drawing - Series 1

Start drawing confidently and beautifully in colored pencil with lessons from artist and instructor Susan Rubin. Get set up for success as you learn to choose the perfect materials for your skill level, budget and preferred subject matter. Susan simplifies color mixing with luminous color "recipes" you can recreate again and again. Enhance your drawings with methods for blending colored pencils and using everyday items to add texture and detail. Move on to drawing a still life of cherries using techniques for underpainting, drawing shadows, creating an atmospheric background and more. You'll even get step-by-step guidance for drawing a bright and beautiful flower using a new layering method and tips for achieving true-to-life shading. Visit www.yarmouthlibraries.org/ebranch/ then scroll down to Hoopla.

Town of Yarmouth
Seeking Volunteers for
Town Seal Review Committee

At the April 26 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved establishing a Town Seal Review Committee to be appointed by the Town Moderator. The charge of this Committee is to:

Evaluate whether a new seal should be created, and if so;
Develop a new Town Seal for consideration;
Conduct community outreach to solicit all points of view;
Inventory current uses of the Town Seal;
Consider the logistics and budget impacts of establishing a new Town Seal.

The Committee will present their findings to the Board of Selectman and any changes will be considered at a subsequent Town Meeting.

The Committee will include up to seven (7) members who are suited to the charge by their demonstrated interest and familiarity with history, design, and civic participation.

To apply, please complete the Town of Yarmouth Talent Bank form located at:
http://www.yarmouth.ma.us/FormCenter/Talent-Bank-2/Interested-in-joining-a-Committee-Commis-33

Please select “Other” from the list of Committees, noting your interest in the Town Seal Committee as well as why you are interested in joining the Town Seal Review Committee.

Applications are due by June 8. Town Moderator Ken Mudie will review applications and schedule interviews.

Book Donations Welcome

It is “little free library” season, and we could always use your gently used recent fiction, children’s books and more for our very popular take-a-book-leave-a-book libraries at the Bass River/Smugglers’ Beach and Seagull Beach. Paperback books are especially in demand. Bring your book donations to either the South Yarmouth Library or the West Yarmouth Library. We have volunteers who will sort through and select items for our beach little free libraries. We thank you, in advance.