Brentwood Library Buzz

Placing holds on library materials

2012-04-01T07:06:00.000-05:00

From Feb. 1 until March 28, it will not be possible for patrons or staff to place holds on library materials. This temporary change is unfortunate, but necessary in order to ensure that library records are migrated accurately. During conversion to Polaris, the hold system will not be stable. We don’t want to promise something we can’t deliver. So the best solution is to briefly suspend holds until the system is operational. We will continue to fill requests for holds that have already been placed. Additionally, the Inter Library Loan service has been suspended until April 1st as this system is also affected by our move to a new system. Thank you for your patience!

Help Wanted - Now Recruiting New Volunteers!

2012-02-24T16:39:00.004-06:00

Volunteering is a wonderful way to stay busy, or improve your college application or resume, or get involved if you're new to the community. Have you been thinking about volunteering, but didn't want to make a big time commitment? Volunteers come in once a week for a two-hour shift, so it's easy to fit volunteering into your schedule.

Right now we're recruiting volunteers to shelve library materials anytime, or to help in our Administration Office on weekday afternoons. For a full description of volunteer jobs and links to our volunteer applications, click here.

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jen Wooters, if you have any questions. Send an e-mail, or call 371-0090 ext. 8860. Volunteer shifts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't delay! All volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

Chakra Talk

2012-02-24T15:50:00.002-06:00

Date: Sunday, March 4
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Place: Meeting Room B
Registration: Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Genealogy Class: Searching the 1940 Census

2012-02-24T15:47:00.003-06:00

Date: Tuesday, March 6
Time: 6:00 - 7:45 PM
Place: Computer Lab
Cost: Free!
Registration: Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Get ready for the release of the 1940 Census, which will be released on April 2, 2012. This census will not be indexed right away, so this class will focus on how to find your ancestors by using E.D. numbers.

Vanderbilt Health Seminar: Is it Memory Loss, or...?

2012-02-24T15:43:00.003-06:00

Date: Tuesday, March 6
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Place: Meeting Room B
Cost: Free

Vanderbilt doctors answer your questions about early signs of Alzheimer's and dementia. This series is designed to be light on lecture and heavy on audience participation and Q & A. So get your questions ready, and be prepared to soak up the answers.

Movie Matinee: Citizen Kane

2012-02-24T15:35:00.003-06:00

Date: Saturday, March 3
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Place: Meeting Room B
Cost: Free
Registration: Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Come see the Academy-Award winning classic starring Orson Welles. Please remember to register in advance!

Mr. Now's Magnificent Moment

2012-02-22T10:57:00.003-06:00

Author, Deanna Williams visited our library and read her book to our After School Explorers!

Mr. Now is magnificent, funny and feels slow and dreary…but here comes the past, Mr. Was Once, who makes him feel important and self confident. He also has a friend, Miss N. Lightning, who happily tries to cheer him up. Author and illustrator Deanna Williams creates a story with whimsical and magical creatures that represent the present, the past, and the future. In this rhythmical story the author sends a message of love, hope, and faith to children of all ages. The full bleed colorful illustrations complement the story gracefully and the peculiar characters highlight the magical significance of living the present moment. (Gr. K-3).

Patricia Rua-Bashir, Reviewer

Teen Theater Thursdays: Frankenstein

2012-02-21T18:41:00.003-06:00

Date: Thursday, March 1
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Place: Fall Room
Registration: Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8130.
Cost: FREE!

Are you in middle school or high school? Then join us for Teen Theater Thursdays. This month we're screening the 75th anniversary edition of Frankenstein. Come see the movie, enjoy some popcorn, bring your own drinks, and have fun. F ollow the link to register, or call Cara at 371-0090 ext. 8130.

Morning Book Club: Daughter of Fortune

2012-02-21T18:37:00.002-06:00

Date: Tuesday, February 28
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Place: Fall Conference Room

Join us next week for an informal discussion of Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. All are welcome, and no registration is necessary.

Movie Event: The Civil War by Ken Burns

2012-02-17T15:50:00.003-06:00

Date: Sunday, February 19
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Place: Meeting Room A
Cost: Free!
Registration: Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Hailed as a film masterpiece and landmark in historical storytelling, Ken Burns' epic documentary brings to life America's most destructive-- and defining--conflict. With digitally enhanced images and new stereo sound, here is the saga of celebrated generals and ordinary soldiers, a heroic and transcendent president and a country that had to divide itself in two in order to become one. Our screening continues this weekend as we show parts two and three.

Painting a Still Life Class

2012-02-10T15:16:00.004-06:00

Date: Saturday, February 18
Time: 12:00 - 2:30 PM
Place: Computer Lab
Cost: $35.00 per student (includes all materials)

No experience necessary! Paint a still life of fruit. The class will include a lecture and demonstrations on the basic principles of color mixing, value and how to "see" like an artist. Students will receive individual assistance while completing an 8"x10" still life painting to take home. Table easels are welcome if you have one to bring. Please wear paint friendly clothing.

Advance registration is required. You can register online, or call Robyn at 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Chess Club

2012-02-10T15:13:00.004-06:00

Date: Friday, February 17
Time: 4:30 - 6:00 PM
Place: Meeting Room B
Cost: Free!

All ages and skill levels are welcome to play in this noncompetitive and fun atmosphere. On-site chess coach Dr. Jim Lech from the Nashville Chess Center teaches beginning fundamentals, as well as advanced strategies. Free of charge. Boards will be provided. No reservations necessary… just come and play!

American Red Cross Blood Drive

2012-02-10T15:09:00.003-06:00

Date: Friday, February 17
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room A

Warm someone's heart this winter. Donate blood! To schedule an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: CityofBrentwood, or contact Robyn at 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Vanderbilt Free Screenings & Health Fair

2012-02-10T15:02:00.004-06:00

Date: Thursday, February 16
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Place: Meeting Rooms A & B

Vanderbilt will offer free screenings for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and BMI. Two Vanderbilt physicians will be on site for consultations to go over your screening results with you. Specialty services from Vanderbilt Heart, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Hearing & Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt Orthopedics, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center will also be present to answer any health questions you have. Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Hearing & Speech Sciences will provide free hearing screenings.

Interlibrary Loan Service Alert

2012-02-10T14:13:00.001-06:00

On April 1, we are switching over to a new computer system replacing our former system that we have used for over 18 years. The new system necessitates some changes in our procedures. As of Feb 13th, we are suspending our Interlibrary Loan borrowing until April 1. In addition, all current interlibrary loans are due on March 1. We regret this inconvenience and in the meantime I hope you will allow us to assist you in finding alternative resources to meet your information needs.

Teen Book Club & Craft - The Call of the Wild

2012-02-10T12:05:00.003-06:00

What are you doing next Thursday? If you're in middle school or high school, and you like to read, join us for our next Teen Book Club! We'll be discussing The Call of the Wild by Jack London and doing a related craft. It's free, but please let us know you're coming so we have enough craft supplies. Register online, or call Cara at 371-0090 ext. 8130.

February is Love Your Library Month.

2012-02-08T15:09:00.003-06:00

Are you a library patron with a story about your library that will warm the heart? Has your library or librarian made a difference in your life? Join library users across the state of Tennessee as we document our stories. Click this link to tell your story.

Evening Book Club: The Book of Bright Ideas

2012-02-07T15:55:00.003-06:00

Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 6:30 - 7:45 PM
Place: Fall Conference Room

Join us for an informal discussion of The Book of Bright Ideas by Sandra Kring. All are welcome, and no registration is necessary.

Civil War Movie Screening: GLORY

2012-02-07T15:50:00.005-06:00

Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Place: Meeting Room A
Cost: Free!

Come see this Academy-Award winning story of African-American soldiers during the Civil War. Starring Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, and Cary Elwes.

Please register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Adam's Journey to 100 books in 1 year, No. 3 - High Fidelity

2012-02-07T10:47:00.005-06:00

In my room, I have two book shelves. Both book-cases are full to capacity, with books spilling over the sides, piled on top, leaking out and underneath. If you haven't figured out that I have a bit of a problem with reading by now, then to say I have issues would be putting it subtly. However, with all that to go through, there are some books that will never, ever leave the shelves, no matter how much weeding I do. “High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby is one of those books.

“High Fidelity” is the story of Rob, full-time owner of Champion Vinyl Record Shop and part-time seeker of relationship justice. His partner, Laura, has just left him and Rob is wondering where it will leave him, what will happen next, and what his top five all-time desert island records should be.

This is a book that has a real charm about it. I read it awhile back and liked it then, but reading it again, for some reason I feel like I can readily identify with it more this time. Insecurity is a major theme here as is the politics that come with relationships and break-ups. This novel was an early one for Hornby, whose writing feels seasoned, like he had been already published several times over. There is a character for just about anyone to identify with; Rob with his self-loathing and insecurity, Laura, dissatisfied with the pace of life, even Barry, the jerk and music snob. Hornby weaves these characters into a mesmerizing story that never really gets dull even though setting and action are minimal . Music fans will appreciate the name-dropping of recording artists and the dedication of what makes a top five list, not to mention how to make the perfect mix-tape. In any case, I found myself using my breaks at work to read the next chapter when I usually just play some game on my ipod. That, in and of itself, is a major feat.

Most people will recognize this title from the movie based on it, starring John Cusack and Jack Black (in his break-out performance). If you've seen this one and knew it was a book first, good on you. As for me, I only discovered the book shortly after I'd seen the flick, but was pleasantly surprised with the screenplay's faithfulness to the original manuscript. I would be remiss not to suggest the novel before the film, but in this case, starting with either first is forgivable. The movie was wonderful, albeit with a few things changed, but managed to stay true to its source material.

I love Nick Hornby's writing style – it's so very sincere and genuine and really puts you right there with the story. It's hard to describe but it's like when you read a novel or see a film you all of sudden feel like the material is speaking directly towards you. As if the story is trying to make you realize something important about your own life and its characters are some sort of vessel for that.

If you consider yourself a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to your preferences in music or if you can appreciate the intricacies of what makes and breaks a relationship, I would recommend checking out “High Fidelity”.

We have one copy of this title, filed under “F HORNB” in the adult fiction section!

Placing holds on library materials

2012-02-07T10:21:00.001-06:00

Local Author Visits The Brentwood Library on Valentines Day!

2012-02-06T22:11:00.002-06:00

Deanna Williams, author and illustrator of the book "Mr. Now's Magnificent Moment" will be visiting The Brentwood Library for Valentines day!

The author will be reading her book to our After School Explorers on Tuesday, February 14th at 4:30 p.m.

Author Deanna Wiliams also will be reading for the Homeschool Explorers on February 17th at 1:30 p.m. To sign up for the Homeschool program please call Patricia Rua-Bashir at 371-0090 X- 8290.

For After School Explorers Sign up here!

Medical Seminar: Dealing with Change

2012-02-03T16:11:00.002-06:00

Date: Monday, February 13
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Place: Meeting Room B
Cost: Free

CHANGE… a constant in life and necessary; however, as human beings we tend to resist change. Even welcomed change can sometimes be painful. Often, changes lead to feeling out of control, vulnerable and apprehensive about the future. Learn how to adjust to change in a way that decreases stress and helps us assimilate it mentally, in order to accommodate to a “new normal.” Specifically, we will discuss the impact of change, as it relates to our beliefs. Strategies will be provided regarding how you can deal with changes successfully in relationship to the body, mind and spirit.

Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Movie Event: The Civil War by Ken Burns

2012-02-03T16:08:00.003-06:00

Date: Sunday, February 12
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Place: Meeting Room A
Cost: Free

The stage is set for war as the nation begins to tear apart. Opposition by the North to slavery in the South fuels a bitter debate, and the country wrestles with conflicts between the Union and states' rights. Commanding center stage are towering figures - Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. From Harper's Ferry to Fort Sumter, the first chapters unfold in a conflict from which there would be no turning back.

Join us for this free movie screening. Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Movie Matinee: Doctor Zhivago

2012-02-03T16:00:00.004-06:00

Date: Saturday, February 11
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Place: Meeting Room
Cost: Free

Come see the Academy-Award winning classic starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie. Please register in advance! You can register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.