April 2 - Library Legislation Day

Library Legislation Day is April 2 at the State House. This annual event, sponsored by the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) and the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA), is especially important this year as many MA libraries continue to sustain serious budget cuts. This is the group's opportunity to explain to legislators face-to-face why libraries are essential to the lives of their constituents. For full details and info on how to participate, please log onto:

www.masslib.org/legislative/2009LegislativeDay.htm

Barney Levitt - April Artist of the Month

"Spring Awakening: Contemporary Realism with a Twist" Comes to Dover Library in April

The Friends is pleased to announce that Boston-based Barney Levitt is the April Artist of the Month. His show, titled "Spring Awakening: Contemporary Realism with a Twist", will feature Levitt's often tongue-in-cheek oil paintings, which are executed in the style and tradition of Dutch Masters. The exhibit will be on display for the entire month.

"I've always been drawn to detail and a dramatic use of light," said Levitt. "In my still life paintings, I prefer to work from real life set-ups and choose objects that relate to my life. I try to create a narrative that will elevate and give new meaning to their ordinariness. Humor often creeps in, and sometimes there's an implicit smirk or wink I am trying to convey to my audience." 

Levitt has shown nationally as well as internationally, and he is a member of the Copley Society of Art; the Addison Art Gallery, Orleans; the International Guild of Realism; Oil Painters of America; United South End Artists; and the Jamaica Plain Artists Association.

For more information on Levitt, please visit his web site at www.barneylevitt.com.

April Meeting

The Friends will hold its next meeting on Monday, April 6, at 9 am in the library's Community Room. Topics to discuss include a recap of the Bee, upcoming children's events and plans for next year's membership materials.

NY Times Article on libraries

And Kate saw a similar one this weekend in the NY Times. Strong reminders of why what the Friends does is so important.

www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/nyregion/new-jersey/15librarynj.html?pagewanted=1

Globe article on libraries' funding issues

A great article in today's Globe explaining the funding issues libraries are facing and how they affect patrons. This is why the Friends' fundraising is more crucial than ever.

www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/16/library_budget_cuts_put_book_borrowing_at_risk/

Fun at Feb Wine Tasting

"A Champagne, Wine and Chocolate Affair" was a big hit in Feb. Bob Harkey (above, top right; of Harkey's Wine and Spirits in Millis) came again to share his knowledge of wines - in this instance champagnes and ports - and the group also enjoyed chocolates donated by Nirvana Chocolates, Belgium's Best Chocolates, Inc. in Wellesley (above, left). Mary Yanke also came to display he lovely plates (right) and generously donated a percentage of sales that night to the Friends. The auction baskets were also popular so many thanks to all who came and helped make it a success!

April Series for Children "Bringing History to Life"

The Friends is pleased to announce a three-program series for children entitled, "Bringing History to Life." Each program will be held on a Wednesday in April from 1:30 to 2:30 pm in the library's Community Room. The programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required and children may attend any or all of the events.

On April 1, a Ben Franklin impersonator will speak to the children in his performance of "The Adventured of Benjamin Franklin." The following week, on April 8, a performance of "Abigail Adams: Mother, Daughter & Wife of the Revolution" will be held. Last, on April 15, the children will watch a video titled "Settling the New World," part of the Colonial Life for Children Series. Following the video, in conjunction with the Dover Historical Society, the children will participate in a craft or activity.

The program series is coordinated by the Friends of the Dover Library and supported in part by a grant from the Dover Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). For more info on the MCC, please visit www.massculturalcouncil.org.

"We are so thrilled to be able to bring these events to the library for our children, and we are grateful to the Dover Cultural Council, whose grant made it possible," said Lorie Linnell, president, Friends of the Dover Library.