Library Word of the Week

The library word of the week is cancelled today to introduce (or re-introduce) you to Grumpy Cat: real name Tardar Sauce. She has taken over grumpy memes due to her perpetually grumpy look (due to an under-bite). 

This would be mean if Ms. D gave out spoilers!

Grumpy Cat never looks optimistic:

But sometimes, it's OK to have a little fun. 

Teen events at the Springfield City Library -- March

Friends,

 

March is upon us and with it a round of new programs for teens at the City Library.

 

Teen Chess Club at Forest Park

Introducing our new Chess Club for teens and tweens! Beginners and advanced players are welcome! The club

will meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month, 3:00-4:00 PM. Call 263-6843 for info.

 

Zumba Fitness at Brightwood

Zumba! Come join us for an hour-long fitness program with a licensed Zumba instructor. 5:15 on the first Tuesday of the month. This program is for all ages and classes will be taught at appropriate levels of exertion. Call 263-6805 for info.

 

DIY: Celebrate Teen Tech Week!

Try out our new mobile lab of MacPro laptops and learn to do a fun creative project using Photoshop Elements, iMovie, or another application. East Springfield – Wed. March 12, 5:00-6:30; Forest Park – Thurs. March 13, 3:00-5:00; Mason Square – Fri. March 14, 3:00-5:00; Central Library – Sat. March 15, 1:30-3:00. Call the branch or Martha at 263-6828 x425 for info.

 

Anime and Manga Club at Indian Orchard

Chat about your favorite manga and anime! Crafts, snacks and conversation. Drop in at any time. Open to tweens and teens; suggested ages 10 to 14. Second Thursday of the month (March 13) 4:00-5:00. Call 263-6846 for info.

 

Chess Meet-and-Greet at Mason Square

Are you a chess grandmaster, new to the game, or don’t know a knight from a pawn? All ages and levels of players are welcome at our Chess Meet-and-Greet. Newcomers can learn the basic rules of the game, and more experienced players can learn openings to improve their play. We’ll be raffling off 7 chess sets, and will have exotic boards on display. Saturday March 15, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Call 263-6853 for info.

 

Teen Spa at the Library!

If you can’t visit an expensive spa to revive your winter spirits, spend an afternoon at our teen spa at the library! Perhaps you

can create a scented spray for your hair or a soothing lotion or gentle scrub for dry skin; you will be able to enjoy a refreshing smoothie made with fresh, tasty ingredients. Central Library – Wed. March 19, 4:00-5:30; Brightwood – Thurs. March 20, 3:00-5:00; Indian Orchard – Sat. March 22, 1:00-2:30 PM. Call 263-6828 x425 for info.

 

Explore Unseen Realms with Psychic Kathi Munson – Sixteen Acres Branch Library

Meet a local psychic and medium and hear about her experiences. Explore the world of spirits, spirit animals, the Tarot, and angels and find out if you might have a gift of psychic insight. Sat. March 22, 11:30-1:00. Call 263-6858 for info.

 

Sci-Fi Book Club at East Forest Park

Are you a teen or tween who likes to read science fiction? Come join other sci-fi fans once a month to discuss your favorite books. First up is Divergent by Veronica Roth. You can sign up ahead of time or just drop in. Copies of the book will be available at the circulation desk. Fourth Saturday of the month starting March 22, 12:00 – 1:00 PM. Call 263-6836 for info.

Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament at Mason Square Branch Library

Saturday March 1, 2014 11:00 AM  -  2:30 PM       

                                                           

Join us this Saturday for a Normal Monster Tournament (no effect monsters, no chain burn decks). We’ll be giving away two booster boxes worth of Yu-Gi-Oh cards. If you’re bringing your own deck, please limit it to 40 cards (20 Normal Monster cards, 10 Spell Cards, 10 Trap Cards). Lunch will be provided.

 

For info call the branch library at 413-263-6853   or email jlambert@springfieldlibrary.org.

Art in the Library

The art teachers have put up student artwork in the library. Come on down and see!

Close up of one piece: 

MCAS Days

 Please be aware of upcoming MCAS test days. The library MAY BE CLOSED during these testing days:   

March 2014
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
						1
2	3 MCAS Retest: Long comp. A & B	4 MCAS Retest: Reading comp. 1 & 2	5 MCAS Retest: Reading comp. 3	6 MCAS Retest: Math Session 1	7 MCAS Retest: Math Session 2	8
9	10 MCAS Retest: Make-up	11 MCAS Retest: Make-up	12	13	14	15
16	17	18 MCAS ELA Long Comp A & B	19 MCAS ELA Reading Comp Session 1 & 2	20	21 MCAS ELA Reading Comp Session 3	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31 MCAS ELA Make-up SCIENCE DBA 3

Teen Poetry Workshop at the City Library

"Find your voice in the workshop for ages 12-18." 

Weds, Feb 19th, 2-4pm at Forest Park Library and Thurs, Feb 20th, 2-4pm at the Central Library. 

The Librarian of Basra

The Librarian of Basra is a picture book by Jeanette Winter.

In the library, the Life Skills students listened to the story. Then, they wrote one sentence either from the story or what they thought could happen afterwards and drew a picture. 

Here are a few student works!

This one is during the story: 

And here is what one student thought would happen afterwards: 

Everyone thinks Alia will have a new library!

(Spoiler: The library was rebuilt in 2004 and Baker was reinstated as chief librarian.)

The other drawings will be put up in the library soon. Come down and see! 

Library Word of the Week

This week's library word is also a history lesson.

McCarthyism

Definition: Unscrupulously accusing people of disloyalty; use of unfair investigatory or accusatory methods in order to suppress opposition.

Pronunciation: muh-KAHR-thee-iz-uhm

Origin:

The term McCarthyism came into use with the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. He was a relentless campaigner against the communists in America. First seen in a cartoon published in the Washington Post made by Washington post’s editorial cartoonist Herbert Block, the cartoonist depicted four leading Republicans trying to push an elephant (the traditional symbol of the Republican Party) to stand on a teetering stack of ten tar buckets, the topmost of which was labeled “McCarthyism”.

Why this word?

McCarthyism is pretty commonplace in political realm. McCarthyism is usually practiced to deceive the hoi-polloi by etching a negative image of adversaries in people’s mind, which eventually helps in extracting votes out of the gullible people. Since Politicians are familiar with this act, they don’t give much heed to it, but McCarthyism, when practiced on an innocent person, usually leaves a huge effect on the psychological aspect of life. Innocuous people have to go through the trauma of calumny, relationships are destroyed because one could never know who to trust or who would turn you in. There are just so many ways for a person to get shattered by the impact of McCarthyism.

How to use the word McCarthyism in sentence?

Although everyone believes that the battle against terrorists has to be waged, few want to see a new wave of McCarthyism wash over the country.

It is no easier to measure the impact of McCarthyism on culture than on politics, although emblems of the terror were ever on display.

- See more at: http://unusedwords.com/2014/01/12/mccarthyism/#sthash.ytHGy2k2.dpuf

MCAS days

As students should know, the library has been closed for MCAS Bio re-tests. Please be aware that any books DUE from 1/31 until tomorrow 2/7 will not be considered late. Please return them when you can, but don't stress if they were due during any MCAS day or the snow day. We should be returning to normal library hours tomorrow, Feb 7th.

Thank you!