There was a study released this week by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation finding that a full 1/3 of adults in this country use the computers available to them at public libraries. The story was even picked up by NH’s own, WMUR.

“Library technology services have created opportunity for millions of Americans, but public libraries struggle to replace aging computer workstations and increase the speed of their Internet connections,” said Allan Golston, president of the United States Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

This is not big news to us here at MCL. Between 2006 and 2009 we have seen our computer usage increase a whopping 43%. In the same time span:

• we applied for and won an Opportunity Online grant to add six internet workstations between our two buildings,
• our Library Foundation provided the necessary matching funds for the grant and generously purchased new flat-screen monitors,
• thanks to Library Trustees and the Cote Family Estate, we invested in a more stable, easier to maintain system for public library computing to help with this demand,
• this year we are hosting a wonderful volunteer from the Americorp VISTA program to help prepare our staff to meet the demand of supporting folks using these technologies,
• we are working with the city’s Information Systems department to upgrade our network to allow faster connections and make more applications available to those using our workstations.

All-in-all we have been very fortunate to have wonderful partners who help us meet the needs of folks using computers and we all thank them, very deeply.

- Lichen

After being introduced to the capacity crowd in the auditorium, he stepped to the brand new podium that was brought out specifically for his appearance and found himself dwarfed by its sheer bulk and height. He made a comment about the designer of the podium and came around to the side and leaned against it. From then on he kept the audience enthralled with his own brand of rumpled charm. He spoke about writing – he never rewrote – about the characters he wrote about, and who he thought should play those characters in the films made from his books. He approved of Tom Selleck who he said probably was chosen because of his resemblance to Parker.

The question and answer period was lengthy as the audience warmed to him. There was a particularly interesting question from a woman who asked about his novel Appaloosa. She wanted to know how he could write about horses implying that he obviously was lacking in cowboy skills. Although he didn’t say the book was about a town not a horse, he didn’t miss a beat and said that if a person could write they could pretty much write about anything. Then he smiled the old rumpled smile and went on to the next question.

The evening included a book signing. Earlier that week while rummaging through our book sale books, I came across a paperback of his first Spencer novel, The Godwulf Manuscript, and brought it along for him to autograph. I was a little disappointed when he didn’t say anything about it being the first Spencer novel – I suppose he’d written so many by then. But he smiled, autographed the book, and stood up for the next person who wanted her picture taken with him. It was a very special night.

Lilly the Librarian

MCL Notes – Winter 2010

-Amy G.

This event is free and open to the public.

Chicago Tribune has described the Joe Gunther series as “the best police procedurals being written in America.” Mayor is the 2004 winner of the New England Independent Booksellers Association Award for Best Fiction—the first time a writer of crime literature has been so honored—as well as a death investigator for Vermont’s Chief Medical Examiner, and a Deputy Sheriff for Windham County, VT.

- Sponsored by The Manchester City Library Foundation

From Sept. 1st through Sept. 30th, Manchester City Library patrons new and old can enjoy discounts and special offers at these establishments. All you have to do is show your library card to be eligible for the discounts.

Without further ado, we bring you our 2009 Partners:

• Alley Cat Pizzeria, 486 Chestnut St., Tel.669-4533.
  $2. off a 16 or 20 inch Pizza
• Amoskeag Jewelers, 175 Kelley St., Tel. 668-0377, info@amoskeagjewelers.com.
  All watch batteries $5. Or all repairs 20% off
• Angela’s Pasta and Cheese Shop, 815 Chestnut St., Tel. 625-9544.
  10% off except for wine catering
• Ate Doors Down, 967 Elm St., Tel. 518-5008, Kimdunph@yahoo.com.
  Free cup of coffee
• Blakes Creamery, 46 Milford St., Tel. 623-7242.
  Free small sundae with purchase of any entrée, specialty sandwich or burger. (not to be combined with any other discount)
• Chalifours Flowers Gift and Gourmet, 46 Elm St, Tel. 623-8844.
  Free rose for visiting.
• Clam King, 791 Second St., Tel. 669-2868, clamking@comcast.net
  Buy one ice cream & get 1/2 off one of equal or lesser value.
• Copy Express, 923 Elm St., Tel. 625-4960.
  1/2 price on passport photo.
• Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Tel. 669-6144.
  Free poster.
• Debbie’s Barber Shop, 352 So. Main St., Tel. 623-7205.
  20% off any products
• Don Quijote, 333 Valley St., Tel. 792-1110.
  10% off purchase of $7. or more.
• Double Midnight Comics, 245 Maple St., Tel. 669-9636.
  15% off trade paperbacks & graphic novels
• Edible Arrangements, 1000 Elm St., Tel. 625-1010.
  $10. off a box of chocolate covered strawberries or apples (12ct.) or $10. off Little Special Expression.
• Elizabeth’s on Elm, 889 Elm St., Tel. 626-0688.
  20% discount on all jewelry
• Elizas & Weepeats, 950 Elm St., 644-4999
  10% off total purchase
• J. Dubs Coffee, 1000 Elm St., Tel. 622-7944.
  Free flavor shot with purchase of any hot drink.
• Jacques Flower Shop, 712 Mast Rd., Tel. 625-5155.
  Beautiful long stem rose (any color)
• Loft Salon and Day Spa, 250 Commercial St., 622-1186.
  20% off any salon or spa service-offer good for new clients only.
• Manchester Monarchs Pro Shop, 555 Elm St., Tel. 626-7825.
  15% off purchases in pro shop
• Manchester Music Mill, 377 Elm St., Tel. 623-8022.
  Free music lesson.
• Michelle’s Gourmet Pastries and Deli, 819 Union St., Tel. 647-7150.
  Free small coffee with purchase of a breakfast or lunch pastry.
• MJ Catering and Cakes, 87 Elm St., Tel. 264-7331.
  10% off catering w/free dessert for 20 (depending on availability, book in advance).
• Music Connection, 1711 So. Willow St., Tel. 644-0199.
  20% off total purchase.
• Nadeau’s Subs Salads Wraps, 100 Cahill Ave., Tel. 669-7827.
  15% off entire order (Excludes tax. Cannot be used in conjunction w/purchase of Nadeau’s gift cards or any other offers).
• New England Sampler, 42 Hanover St., Tel. 626-4477.
  10% off entire purchase
• Palace Theater, 80 Hanover St., Tel. 668-5588.
  $5. off each ticket for the 2009-2010 season of Palace Prof. Theatre.
• Peking Garden, 967 Elm St., Tel. 623-6767.
  15% off dinner purchase and 10% off take out (pick up only).
• Penuches 96 on Hanover, 96 Hanover St., Tel. 626-9830.
  20% off food.
• Picola Italia Ristorante, 815 Elm St., Tel. 606-5100.
  $7. for Spaghetti Puttanesca, upstairs only, excludes tax.
• Red Arrow Diner, 61 Lowell St., Tel. 626-1118.
  Free slice of our Famous Cream Pie with minimum purchase of $6.
• Rheault Photographers, 72 Hanover St., Tel. 627-7991.
  10% off restoration services.
• Rita Mae’s, 280 No. Main St., Tel. 668-4077.
  Free cup of coffee/hot tea with any entrée.
• Shop Estella, 52 Hanover St., Tel. 315-7627.
  10% off all regular priced items.
• Stadium Ten Pen, 216 Maple St., Tel. 625-9656.
  Buy one game get one free.
• Suddenly Susan’s Gourmet Deli, 87 Hanover St., Tel. 625-1850.
  Free cookie with any $7.50 purchase.
• Vertical Dreams, 250 Commercial St., Tel. 625-6919.
  1/2 off a climbing pass.
• With Heart and Hand, 823 Elm St., Tel. 625-8100.
  10% off regular priced merchandise, Webkinz-buy one get one free!
• Z Restaurant, 860 Elm St., Tel. 629-9383.
  Complimentary Asian nacho.

On top of all the discounts, we are offering a chance to win a grand prize sponsored by the Manchester Monarchs: an Ultimate Monarchs Package, which includes a Monarchs hat and t-shirt, and a Silver Level flex book of ten vouchers. Each voucher is good for one ticket to the Silver Level (upper bowl), so you could plan a big party and take nine friends to one game, or you could spread the vouchers out over the season. To be eligible to enter the raffle, pick up a raffle card at any MCL circulation desk and have it validated at 10 of our business partners listed above.

If you know people who live, work, attend school, or own property in Manchester who do not have a library card, please encourage them to get one. On top of everything mentioned above, we’ll even throw in a cobalt blue travel mug for new members while supplies last. Let us show you the endless possibilities that a library
card represents!

Also as part of the Foundation’s Spring Fundraiser they are raffling two tickets to the April 24th Red Sox-Yankees game at Fenway, which includes a limousine ride! Raffle tickets are $50. Please call Mary at 624-6550 x311 to purchase. Hurry since only 200 of them will be sold!

On Tuesday April 13th we will be celebrating National Library Worker Day. Our library staff is a vital asset in providing library services. The library staff will be having a dress down day and enjoy treats, which are provided by our Library Board of Trustees.

Patron Appreciation day is Friday April 17th so stop in for treats as our way of saying thank you for making your library so popular!

As part of our celebration this year we are asking library users to share what they love about the library with us, forms can be found at public service desks and at the online catalogs. If you care to share your feelings via the comment form below, we’ll be sure they’re included. We will have them on display starting Wednesday.

Come help us celebrate National Library Week April 12th-18th!

The antiques appraisal process is complex. Among other factors that appraisers consider are:

• How many were created in the first place? (rarity)
• How many are extant? (scarcity)
• What condition is it in? (The closer to original condition, the better.)
• If it’s been repaired or cleaned, how has that affected the quality? (Only experts should work on rare objects.)
• What’s the current market for this object? (As in all aspects of design, there are trends in antiques, and the principles of supply and demand rule.)
• How much have others like it sold for, and when, and to whom? (Museums may pay more than a private collector, although sometimes it’s the other way around.)
• Has a celebrity or a historically important figure ever owned it? (association)
• Is it genuine? (authentication)
• Can it be sold with a clear title? (provenance.)
• How well-crafted is it? (Within categories of antiques, even by the same maker, some examples shine brighter than others.)

With the money, status, and beauty associated with these objects, it’s no wonder crimes occur. In the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series, antiques might be:

• Stolen—Have you ever wondered who’s buying art and antiques that can’t be displayed?
• Faked—Artisans create and duplicate counterfeit objects that can (almost) fool antiques experts and scientists alike.
• Lied about—Faking association is easy. The trick is verifying provenance—much easier said than done.

To appraise antiques you need specialized knowledge and a reliable liar-meter to spot deception. What to know more? Try your hand at free, fun antiques appraisals! Every week I post three antiques or collectibles and invite you to pit your antiques appraisal skills against those of the experts: “What’s It Worth? You Be the Judge!” Visit www.janecleland.net and give it a whirl!

Jane K. Cleland writes the multiple-award nominated and IMBA best-selling Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series [St. Martin’s Minotaur], often called an Antiques Roadshow for mystery fans. Jane also chairs the Wolfe Pack’s literary awards and is the former president of Mystery Writers of America, New York Chapter. The “Josie” story, “Killing Time” [Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine], has been nominated for an Agatha award for Best Short Story 2008. Killer Keepsakes, the latest in the series, was reviewed by Publishers Weekly as “absorbing” and “ingenious.”

Jane K. Cleland . “KILLER KEEPSAKES… absorbing … ingenious.” Publishers Weekly . www.janecleland.net . 212.949.0867 . For info about customized business communications training. www.janecleland.com

We are proud to be hosting the official launch of Jane K. Cleland’s fourth in the series Killer Keepsakes at out Seventh Annual Spring Fundraiser on Wednesday, April 15 from 6-9pm. The evening will include Hors d’oeuvres, entree sampling, desserts, and wines and feature renowned storyteller Rebecca Rule interviewing our Guest of Honor. Tickets are now on sale. To purchase contact Mary Gallant at 603.624.6550 x311.

Our technology department has been working hard to plan for a brand new public computing system called Userful. Userful computers are specially designed to meet the needs of library computer users. Since each machine checks in regularly with a central server for changes, all machines will stay consistent. Centrally-located maintenance means far faster troubleshooting and the end of downtime! We hope that out-of-order signs and crashes will become a thing of the past in the library. When one user logs out, the computer reloads the default profile so the next person gets a clean slate.

Of course this will mean changes to the system we are used to. Userful
is a different platform, so while it will do all the things (and more) that our computers do now, there will be differences. Programs like Word, Excel, Internet Explorer will become Word Processor, Spreadsheet, and
Web Browser—they will look and behave slightly differently. There will be an adjustment for everyone, so please be patient while our staff gets trained to handle any questions you may have with the new system.

This change comes courtesy of the Cote Family Estate and represents
commitment and support from our Board of Trustees, our Library Foundation, the city’s Information Systems division, and all library
staff who have worked so hard on its implementation.

Our Library computers will be UNAVAILABLE March 18th through March 20th while we make the change over to Userful. If you have questions, concerns, or would like a preview of the new system please leave a comment below.

For more information about the Foundation please contact Denise van Zanten at 624-6550 ext. 329.

from the latest edition of MCL Notes.

In the 1980s, the former Periodical Room became the Winchell Room and the Library Foundation furnished the room with a kitchen and made it a multi-purpose room for programs and training. But, why name it the Winchell Room? After all, this is the Carpenter Memorial Building, named for Elenora Blood Carpenter, late wife of philanthropist Frank Pierce Carpenter.

The room was named for Miss F. Mabel Winchell, city librarian from 1902 through 1936. Under her direction, the books from the old Franklin street library were moved to the new Carpenter Memorial Building on Pine Street in 1914. The library collection grew and new rules conforming to modern ideas were adopted. During her tenure, the typewriter, telephone, and charging system were installed, a janitor and policeman were hired, the “closed book shelves” were opened to the patrons, the age limit for children was abolished and story hours began. She kept the library alive during WWI and the Depression.

Miss Winchell held many offices and was active in library and literary organizations: the American
Library Association, the National Education Association, the New Hampshire Library Association, and the Public Library Commission. She was an advocate for proper funding of libraries and wrote the standards for certification of all New Hampshire libraries. She brought our library and librarianship into the Twentieth Century.

Miss Winchell traveled abroad extensively and once made the remark that due to her many duties she rarely had time to read. Her life was the library and the staff her “library family”.

from the latest edition of MCL Notes.