Online Zoom Book Talk

Wednesday, February 3, 10:30 a.m.
Discuss books you have been reading and get recommendations from staff and information about new releases. There is no assigned book for these events; everyone will discuss whatever they have been reading, or just listen and get ideas for their next read. All are welcome. Please email ckaufmann@clamsnet.org, or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions.

If you need Zoom assistance, please call 508-760-4820 X 1315 or email ckaufmann@clamsnet.org to set up a troubleshooting session.

Take Your Child to the Library Day

Saturday, February 6
This year will be a change from our usual celebrations. 
We’re asking you to visit us virtually! All ages are invited to take a photo of yourself, your family, or pets while reading and send us something to post on the Library’s social media. It’s a great way to share the love of reading with others in our community. We will welcome your submissions throughout the month of February and Ms. Mindy will create a slideshow to include everyone. Let’s get Yarmouth reading together in a new way.

Take and Make Kits

Kits, appropriate for children 5 and up, will be available for pickup at West Yarmouth and South Yarmouth Libraries on Saturdays from 10:00-3:00 p.m. Supply is limited. Please pre-register on the Library’s calendar of events or give us a call at 508-760-4820 X 1316 to reserve your kits.

• February 6: Love the Birds
• February 13: Love Bugs
• February 20: Story Quilt Squares
• February 27: Chinese New Year Lanterns

Mystery Book Club on Zoom

Thursday, February 11, 6:00 p.m.
This month we will be discussing Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers. Dashing detective Lord Peter Wimsey is caught up in the murder trial of mystery writer Harriet Vane. Her fiance has died of poisoning exactly as described in one of Harriet's novels, so naturally she is the prime suspect. As Peter looks on, he not only falls in love with the accused but eagerly helps with Harriet's defense. Will Harriet be convicted and executed for the crime, or can he save her life and win her hand in marriage?
 
Copies of the book are available at the South Yarmouth Library and West Yarmouth Library circulation desks, or you can check out the ebook or audiobook on the Hoopla app with no wait. Please email ckaufmann@clamsnet.org  or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions.
 
If you need Zoom assistance, please call 508-760-4820 x1315 or email ckaufmann@clamsnet.org to set up a troubleshooting session.

The Yarmouth Town Libraries will be closed on
Monday, February 15,
for the
Presidents Day holiday.
 

Barnstable and Yarmouth
Libraries present Bright Star Touring Theater: George Washington Carver and Friends

On Zoom, Wednesday, February 17, 2:00 p.m. 
This program is part of Celebrating Diversity: African American STEM Leaders, a collaboration among all the libraries of Barnstable and Yarmouth to celebrate African American achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that runs February 15-19, 2021, during the school vacation week. In addition to this performance, there will be virtual story hours and grab-and-go kits created by each library throughout the week. Call your library for more information! To register and to receive the URL for the Zoom performance, send an email to sevans@clamsnet.org. 

Zoom Good Stories, Well Read

Saturday, February 20, 2:00 p.m. Online
A Good Stories, Well Read event, usually held at the West Yarmouth Library, is entertainment and enrichment at its finest. Listen to classic stories read with feeling by local Cape Cod actors. Please email Toby Wilson at 
twilson@yarmouth.ma.us or call the library at 508-760-4820 X 1317 to register and receive a Zoom link or with any questions. Sponsored by the West Yarmouth Library Association. Tell all your friends and neighbors to register and join the fun. 

Book Discussion Group on Zoom

Thursday, February 25, 6:30 p.m.
This month we will be discussing the classic 1938 novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Poor, plain, and alone, a young woman marries a rich widower, but in his great English country house she feels she can't live up to his dazzling first wife, Rebecca ^_ and then a 
terrible secret is revealed. Copies of the book are available at the South Yarmouth Library and West Yarmouth Library circulation desks, or you can read the ebook on Overdrive/Libby or listen to the audiobook on Hoopla with no wait. Please email   ckaufmann@clamsnet.org or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions.
 
If you need Zoom assistance, please call 508-760-4820 x1315 or email  ckaufmann@clamsnet.org to set up a troubleshooting session.

Virtual Author Talk

Friday, February 26,  6:00 p.m.
Take a fun and enlightening journey through Boston Red Sox history with Martin Gitlin, the author of The Ultimate Boston Red Sox Time Machine Book. This presentation features videos and photographs of the greatest and most fascinating players, teams, and moments in franchise history. The program also includes trivia questions and covers Sox history from the Royal Rooters, who launched Red Sox Nation. It will conclude with a question-and answer period.Please email tcassisi@clamsnet.org, or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link. Go, Sox!

Virtual Storytimes for Babies and Preschoolers

Ms. Mindy delights with stories, songs and rhymes, and an at-home activity or craft. Each week there will be two prerecorded storytime videos that we will email you on Tuesday mornings. Preregister for Baby Storytime or Preschool Storytime, or both, on the Library calendar of events to receive the links for our YouTube recordings. Enjoy these storytimes at your convenience.

Book Bundles to Go! 

Send us an email or give us a call to let us know what topics you are interested in, or who your favorite authors are and we will put together a bundle of 5-10 items for you to take home to enjoy. We will gladly schedule a pick up time at your convenience.

ALA Youth Media Awards

Youth Media Awards were announced on Monday, January 25. The 2021 winners for the four top categories include:

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
When You Trap a Tiger, written by Tae Keller.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade; written by Carole Lindstrom.

Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award: Before the Ever After, written by Jacqueline Woodson.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, illustrated by Frank Morrison; written by Carole Boston Weatherford. 
 
For a complete list of all awards and honorees visit https://ala.unikron.com/

Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month! The 2021 theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. For details, visit https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/ 
We created a brochure with resources and booklists. Please call 508-760-4820 X 1316 or email cmarr@clamsnet.org to request a copy. 

Staff Pick:
Modern Comfort Food by Ina Garten

Ina's latest cookbook is filled with delicious comfort food recipes with a modern twist that helps to deal with staying at home and cooking the same dishes week after week. 
Try the Lemon Orzo with Feta recipe ^_  it is so simple and needs only a few ingredients. Find this book on CLAMS and Libby.

Database Spotlight:
Castonguay Carved Bird Collection

Need a taste of spring? Donated in memory of Mr. and Mrs. A. Harold Castonguay's daughter Ann, the collection includes 40 intricately carved and painted figures of waterfowl, songbirds, and shorebirds. Carved by Russell Pratt Burr of Hingham, the birds are in miniature and mounted on pieces of driftwood. See 
www.yarmouthlibraries.org/ebranch/  

Siemen’s Scholarship in
the Visual Arts
Application Review now
Open for 2021

The South Yarmouth Library Association has sponsored the Cecelia Siemen Scholarship since 2002. This award provides $5,000 to a student enrolled in good standing in a visual arts curriculum at an accredited college, university or art institute for at least two (2) semesters or one academic year. Visual arts include, but are not limited to, painting, graphic arts, sculpture, photography, animation, film and textile art. The award advances the study and knowledge of someone who is likely to make future contributions in the visual arts field. There are no residency requirements. See the Library’s or the Association's website at
https://www.sylassoc.org/siemen-scholarship for application and other information. 

Little Free Libraries at the Beaches in Yarmouth are in need of replacement

As we mentioned at this time last year, the containers for our LFL at the Bass River/Smugglers and Seagull Beach locations need to be replaced. If you or anyone you know have little free library boxes to donate, or ideas on how to replace the boxes, please contact either Chris Kaufmann (ext. 1315) or Jane Cain at 508-760-4820 (ext. 1312) at the Yarmouth Town Libraries. Thank you!

Online Library Events Calendars 

Learn about virtual library programs across Massachusetts all from one easy place! Since so many libraries have moved their programs online, there are many offerings to choose from. Check out the eight calendars spanning Massachusetts. But you don't need to be nearby, so feel free to explore them all. You can find library events at https://libraries.state.ma.us/calendar   

Yarmouth Connects
January 1 – March 31, 2020

Yarmouth Senior Services, Yarmouth Age-Friendly Community Team and the D-Y School system are collaborating on a community-wide project called Yarmouth Connects.
 
Our goal is for Yarmouth residents to build our community while physical distancing in these winter months.  We hope to reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness in our community by encouraging human connection when social isolation might peak. We strongly believe that the power of connection has the ability to boost the daily wellness and human spirit of our beloved Town.
 
Think back to days past.  Do you remember the feeling when the children playing in the street would stop what they are doing to move out of the way and wave at you as you drove by? Or maybe the warmth you felt when you received an unexpected card in the mail from a long lost friend. Perhaps it was the kindness you felt from a stranger who complimented your style as you walked by. We would like to bring those positive feelings back into our Yarmouth community.
 
In taking the Yarmouth Connects Challenge, you have the opportunity to reach out to family, friends, neighbors and even strangers, and improve the mental well-being throughout our community.

Efforts to reach out include actions that can be completed while physical distancing:

• Waving to a neighbor
• Smiling at a stranger
• Complimenting someone
• Calling/Texting/Messaging a friend or neighbor
• Checking in on an older person to make sure they have everything they need or random acts of kindness such as shoveling or bringing the newspaper to their door
• Writing a card or a letter to someone. We have launched a card and letter writing campaign to people in nursing facilities, where you can drop off cards and letters in a drop box at the Senior Center and we will quarantine them prior to delivery.

If you have any questions about this challenge, please reach out to Yarmouth Senior Services at 508-394-7606 x 1338 or   YarmouthSeniorServices@gmail.com