Manchester City Library » West Branch

April in Reykjavik

Mary — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:22 +0000

It was Easter Sunday and instead of the customary egg cracking contest among relatives I was getting pelted by horizontal swaths of hail. This was a typical, late spring day in Reykjavik, Iceland. Despite the rigors of changeable Arctic weather, Iceland proved to be a fascinating vacation destination. And there were practical reasons for visiting as well. For one thing, it’s close—Just 4 ½ hours from Boston on Icelandair. And it is small—roughly the size of Kentucky—so with limited time you can see a good portion of the country.

To see the country’s major highlights we booked a “Golden Circle Tour” with the first stop, Thingvellir National Park. Although it was a blinding snowstorm that April day, our trilingual guide (he spoke French, English and Icelandic) pointed out the valley rift where the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart from each other, adding 2 centimeters to the landmass every year. Because of its precarious geologic position on a major fault line, Iceland is literally seething with constant volcanic activity. That’s not all bad news since the resulting geothermal activity provides 96 % of the country’s energy needs. From the National Park we visited Gullfoss, a spectacular, 2-tiered waterfall. Next up was a warm drenching from Geysir hot spring, as we hadn’t timed its eruption to our casual stroll around the area.

The following day we headed off to the Blue Lagoon—a geothermal spa set in a bleak, lava-strewn landscape. We whiled away the grey afternoon happily floating in the powder blue, 99 degree saltwater. We also popped in and out of saunas, and got our backs massaged by the force of the spa’s waterfall. For good measure we slathered on the white mud lining the pool— It’s a concoction of minerals that are great for your skin, although you look a little odd while it dries to a bright pastiness.

Even though Icelanders speak perfect English you may want to try your hand at Icelandic—a language that resembles the Old Norse spoken by the Viking immigrants over 1100 years ago. Try Teach Yourself Icelandic.

Curious as to why that modest looking lunch costs so much? You might be interested in Michael Lewis’s latest book Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World. The first chapter describes what led up to Iceland’s banking collapse in 2008.

Where should you stay? Start with the Icelandair website for special package deals. Or get a few ideas from Frommer’s Iceland 2011. We stayed at the Hilton Nordica, a 4 star hotel of sleek design with a complimentary full breakfast buffet that included all manner of smoked fish and meats that you wash down with shots of fish oil for good health.

Iceland is intriguing on so many levels—for one thing, its people are all related. Descended from Vikings and their Celtic slaves, this isolated and homogenous population is lately the subject of several genetic studies. Then there is their unflappable belief in “Hidden People”—elves, dwarves, gnomes who inhabit deserted regions—which means that they are pretty much everywhere.

And according to author Eric Weiner in The Geography of Bliss it is one of the happiest places on earth. “There’s no one on the island telling them they’re not good enough, so they just go ahead and sing and paint and write.” If only we all had their confident yet playful perspective on life. Spend a few days on this unusual island and that quality may rub off on you.

Mary O.

Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest

Emily — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:06 +0000

Who do you think you are? Find out by researching your family history! The New Hampshire Room at the Main Library is a treasure-trove of information for anyone hoping to track down long forgotten family members. The New Hampshire Room is a reference collection of materials of interest to the local historian and genealogist, as well as the patron interested in all aspects of New Hampshire history. Included in the collection are city and town histories, biographies of famous N.H. people, books by N.H. authors, N.H. government, Manchester history and government and genealogies of major N.H. families. You can also find New Hampshire vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) on microfilm. Ancestry.com is available for use in the library; with which you can search a massive database of census records, immigration records, and many other resources. Ancestry.com even has census collections from the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Germany. Or, do your searching from home with the plethora of records, books, and articles to be found in Heritage Quest. The library has a professional genealogist on staff to help you get started. So come take a look into the past, your family history is right at your fingertips!

Library to Host Free Financial Aid Program

Kate — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:48:43 +0000

While financial aid can make college more affordable, parents and students are expected to take primary responsibility for paying for post-secondary education. In this session, we will address options for managing college costs, applying for financial aid, and discuss college funding options. Attendees will receive the Financial Aid Organizer and The Essential Pocket Guide to Scholarships. A representative from Granite State Management & Resources will be available to answer your questions.

For more information, contact Kate Norton at 624-6550 ext. 342.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Yvonne — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:00:45 +0000

The Manchester City Library will be closed on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday morning at our normal time. See you then!

N.H. Newspapers

Emily — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:20:15 +0000

Did you know you can access New Hampshire newspapers online? With nothing more than internet access and your library card you can search articles from the Concord Monitor, the NH Union Leader, the NH Sunday News, and America’s News Magazine using the library’s New Hampshire Newspapers database. Also, browse through stories using the Hot Topics and Current Events options. Stay up to date through your favorite newspapers . . . without leaving the comfort of your browser.

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen …

Dawn — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:38 +0000

The literary world bid a sad farewell to many familiar names during the course of 2011. Among them: Dick King-Smith and Florence Parry Heide, known by thousands of children for their memorable characters such as Ace, the very important pig and Princess Hyacinth. The animals of Redwall said a final goodbye to creator Brian Jacques, whose beloved stories have been translated into twenty-eight languages. More recently, adult science fiction/fantasy fans lost Anne McCaffrey, whose Pern series started won her both the Hugo and Nebula award, and earned her the honor of being the first female science fiction author on the New York Times best seller list. And who can forget Mad-Libs? A subtle way to teach parts of speech, pulled out at many a party, geared toward all ages, and guaranteed to cause many laughs. Co-creator Leonard Stern, who passed away in June, was also a television screenwriter for such classic shows as Get Smart and The Honeymooners. Many a budding artist was taught to draw by Lee J. Ames, who wrote 26 books in all as part of his Draw 50 … series. One other notable that has had a huge impact on the literary world was Michael Hart. While he may not have been a household name, his invention certainly is – he invented the electronic book, or ebook. To all the writers we lost this year, on behalf of your many fans throughout the world, thank you for your wonderful stories. You will all be missed.

And The Winner Is…You!

Amy H — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:22:38 +0000

New Audiobook Titles to Look Forward to in 2012:

The following audio book titles have been nominated or have won awards in 2011. They are on order here at Manchester, so be on the look-out to put a hold on these babies, soon!

Author: William Shakespeare

Reader: Full Cast

Blackstone Audio, Inc., 2011.

In this classic Shakespeare play, a tormented prince seeks revenge for his father’s death, facing tragic consequences along the way. 2011 Grammy Nominee for Best Spoken Word Album.

Author: Michael Crummey

Reader: John Lee

Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2011

When a whale beaches itself on the shore of the remote coastal town of Paradise Deep, the last thing any of the townspeople expect to find inside it is a man, silent and reeking of fish but remarkably alive. The discovery of this mysterious person, soon christened Judah, sets the town scrambling for answers as its most prominent citizens weigh in on whether he is man or beast, blessing or curse, miracle or demon. Kirkus Reviews Best fiction of 2011.

Reader: Bronson Pinchot

Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2011

Author: Elizabeth Letts

Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a bleak winter afternoon between the slats of a rickety truck bound for the slaughterhouse. He recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up horse and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, the horse thrived. But the recent Dutch immigrant and his growing family needed money. He reluctantly sold Snowman to a farm a few miles down the road. But Snowman had other ideas about what Harry needed. Goodreads Choice Awards.

Author: Dan Savage & Terry Miller

Reader: Marguerite Gavin, Paul Michael Garcia

Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2011

In the wake of a bullying epidemic that has seen LGBT students targeted with abuse around the world, authors Dan Savage and Terry Miller offer this inspiring collection of essays to help bullying victims overcome their mistreatment. Goodreads Choice Awards.

Author: J. R. Ackerley

Reader: Ralph Cosham

Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2011

J. R. Ackerley never considered himself an animal lover. However, when he came into possession of a German Sheppard, he embarked on a sixteen-year companionship that changed his life and gave him a newfound perspective on relationships. Audible’s Best of 2011: Editor’s Picks & Customer Favorites.

Author: Jean Thompson

Reader: Cassandra Campbell

Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2011

At Anita’s wedding in 1973, fissures start to form within the Erickson family. Her brother Ryan dreams big and plots his escape from Iowa. He is joined by a traumatized veteran who shows him the ups and downs of freedom. Torrie, the youngest daughter, also wants to escape. However, her decisions bring about dire consequences for the entire family. Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction of 2011.

Author: Karleen Koen

Reader: Karleen Koen

Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2011

Karleen Koen chronicles Louis XIV during his first year as King of France. Told through the voices of young Louis and his mistress, Koen’s novel captures the essence of seventeenth century France and its court politics. Library Journal’s Best Books of 2011.

Author: Ben Ryder Howe

Reader: Bronson Pinchot

Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2011

When his wife, the daughter of Korean immigrants, decided to put everything she had in a deli as a gift to her parents, Ben Ryder Howe’s life was forever changed. Now, Howe is living with his in-laws, spending his days at his job with the Paris Review, and spending his nights working at the deli. Here, Howe reveals how owning a deli transformed his life and gave him a new perspective. Amazon.com Best Books of 2011.

~Amy H.~

Auto Repair

Emily — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:18:16 +0000

Whether you’re an experienced mechanic or you don’t know the difference between your spare wheel and your steering wheel, the Auto Repair Reference Center database can help you. The Auto IQ feature gives you basic knowledge about how the parts of an automobile work, with images and videos to make everything more clear. Or, use the vehicle index to look up wiring diagrams and specifications for your vehicle, as well as basic maintenance and repairs. Want to find out what that weird noise coming from your engine is? Use the Troubleshooting tab to diagnose your problem. You can even learn how to save on fuel with tips on driving habits and which cars will get you the most miles for your gallon. The Auto Repair Reference Center is a useful and easy to use resource to get you back on the road (and maybe save you some money at the same time).

Anime at the West Branch Library

Sarah — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 11:00:04 +0000

Want to find out about Japanese animation? On Wednesday Dec. 7 at 7:00 PM Jonathan Beaudette, master of all things Anime, will share his knowledge, his Anime collection & other Japanese animation items. All ages welcome.

Winter Newsletter

Amy Graves — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:00:03 +0000

The winter issue of MCL Notes is now online! Catch up on what’s been happening at the libraries—there is plenty to read about!—and get the scoop on the programs we have planned from now through February.

We welcome you to sign up to receive this quarterly newsletter by email.

Happy holidays!

MCL Notes – Winter 2011-12