September 2014 Bookmark: Kindergarten “K-Day,” An Author Talk, A Book Battle, Novel Night: It’s All Part of Fall at the Library!

Fall is a season full of rituals, be it that last Labor Day barbecue, the opening of school, the beginning of the football season or the spectacle of the changing leaves.

At the Town of Pelham Public Library, it means renewed activity and events for all ages, and this fall is no exception. In this Bookmark, we’ll cover some of the sights, sounds and events you can expect at the Library starting in September and into the fall, from “K-Day”—the annual event when Pelham kindergartners can get their first library cards—to Novel Night and more.

“K-Day” And Children’s Book Swap on Saturday, September 20

Entering kindergarten in Pelham means a number of things besides going to school with the big kids. One of them is the opportunity—finally—to get your own library card at K-Day, a special event held every fall to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Pelham Public Library, it will be held on Saturday, September 20 from 12 to 3 p.m. (Please note this date is different from the previously announced date.)

K-Day includes balloon sculptures for these newest, youngest library members, face painting, snacks and even a goody bag! Parents, please be sure to bring a photo ID showing your Pelham address so your children can get their cards.

There will also be a children’s book swap at the Library that day— leave a gently loved book and take one that you’ve never read before!

If you’re a teenager and would like to fill one of the remaining volunteer slots for K-Day, send an email to: joanbrisson@aol.com.

Meet the Author: Lorenzo Carcaterra Discusses The Wolf

Author and former Pelham resident Lorenzo Carcaterra comes to the Library on Tuesday, September 9, at 7 p.m. to talk about his latest novel, The Wolf (Ballantine Books, 2014). It follows the vengeful path of Vincent Marelli, the world’s most powerful crime boss, who goes up against international terrorists following the death of his wife and daughters in an attack. Carcaterra may be best known for 1995’s Sleepers, which was later turned into a movie directed by Barry Levinson. Books will be on hand for purchase and signing. Registration is not required.

Young Readers Can Still Join “The Battle of the Books”

There are still a few spots left on the Library’s team for “The Battle of the Books,” the county-wide competition that will pit a group of Pelham kids, in grades four through six, against almost two dozen teams from all over Westchester. The “Battle” is a nationally recognized literature contest in which young people answer trivia questions based on specific books they have read. A series of intense weekly practices will be held in the fall, leading up to the competition, which is on Saturday, October 18, at Scarsdale Middle School. For more information and the list of five books that will be part of the competition, call Augusta Turner at the Library, 738-1234.

Welcome Maureen Annunziata, New Library Clerk

Next time you’re at the Library, say hello to Maureen Annunziata, who was just hired as a part-time clerk to work about three days per week. Pelham resident Annunziata is assuredly a familiar face to many local residents. She has worked for the past seven years at Provisions Bake Shop on Wolf’s Lane and has been a volunteer at Accent on Antiques. She applied for the position at the Library after working as a clerk at the Scarsdale Public Library; she’s been at that library one day a week since last September. When the Pelham job opened up, she jumped at the opportunity to apply. “Since I live in Pelham, I wanted to work in Pelham,” she said. “I’m happy to be here.” Annunziata holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Manhattan College, and earlier in her career she worked at Price Waterhouse and Bankers Trust Company.

Look for Your Invitation to November’s Novel Night!

It’s that time again—time for Novel Night, the every-other-year event that is the major fundraiser for the Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library; it will be held on Saturday, November 15. This year, Novel Night has a website that will provide information and answers to frequently asked questions for both hosts and guests. It will also give greater exposure to Novel Night’s sponsors and features an amusing gallery of costumed Pelhamites from Novel Night 2012. To keep up with breaking news and changes, go to pelhamnovelnight.com.

For those unfamiliar with Novel Night, guests—who come in costume— can reserve a spot at any of a number of novel-themed dinners throughout Pelham. After dinner, everyone gathers at the New York Athletic Club for dessert, drinks and dancing. Tickets are $200 per person for both dinner and after-party or $95 for after-party only. (This year, there will be a number of dinners in venues around town in addition to those being held in private homes.)

Watch out for your invitation, which will be sent to all Pelham residents early in September; dinners can fill up quickly. While the Novel Night Committee is not divulging the books yet, they are saying costumes can range from medieval to Victorian to modern cocktail dress—and more.

Upcoming Programs

Children’s Programs

Storytime: Tuesdays for ages 3-5, 10:30 – 11 a.m.; Wednesdays, two and under, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Attendance is limited to the first 40 people who sign in, children and caregivers included. Sign-in begins at 10:15 a.m.

K-Day: Saturday, September 20, 12 – 3 p.m. Kindergartners can come to the Library and get their first Library card. (For details, see above.)

Adult Programs

Book Club Resumes: Thursday, September 4, 7:30 p.m. The Club will discuss Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. (The October selection is Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson.)

Lorenzo Carcaterra Discusses The Wolf: Tuesday, September 9, 7 p.m. Sleepers author Carcaterra comes to the Library to discuss his latest novel. (For details, see above.)

Individualized Computer and Device Instruction: Call the Library to make an appointment for individualized instruction in popular computer programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel, or bring your smartphone or tablet to the Library and learn how to get started with apps that give library patrons access to free e-books, e-audiobooks, e-music and more.

(All Library programs are free and open to the public. To sign up for programs that require pre-registration, call the Library at 738-1234. Out of courtesy to fellow attendees, please be on time.)

Library Notes

Library Hours: The Library resumes its normal 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday hours on September 6. It will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Free Tickets to Katonah Museum of Art: The Library has free tickets for admission to this renowned Westchester art museum. Tickets are for use during regular museum hours, not special events and programs. There are two types of tickets: one is valid for two adults with unlimited children, and the other is valid for one adult. They can be picked up at the circulation desk.

Tips About Holds: Did you know it’s possible to suspend a “hold” you have on library materials when you’re away and also that you can sign up for email notifications to let you know when your hold is about to expire? To suspend your hold, call the circulation desk, which will hold your place in the queue until you return. For email notifications, make sure your email address is on file with the Library and you will receive a notification two days before your hold is returned to the owning library. Don’t miss your hold!