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Hingham Public Library News News Updated 9/4/08
Joan R. Gasparello Memorial Lecture
About the Joan R. Gasparello Memorial Lecture Series The Joan R. Gasparello Memorial Lecture honors the memory of a dynamic Hingham resident who worked tirelessly in support of Hingham 's educational institutions including Wilder Memorial Nursery School and the Hingham Public Library . Mrs. Gasparello died at the age of 75 on August 7, 2005.
Guitar & flute duo opens the 2008/2009 Sunday Sounds Special series on 10/19 @ 3:30 PM Guitarist Logan Gabriel and flutist Rebecca Jeffreys will open the Boston Classical Guitar Society's 2008/2009 Sunday Sounds Special Series at the Hingham Public Library on October 19 at 3:30 PM. The free concerts are held in the Whiton Room. No tickets are required. About Logan Gabriel Logan
Gabriel graduated as a music major at Keene State College in New
Hampshire. Logan studied with Benjamin Verdery, Frank Wallace, and Berit Strong. He has performed in master classes for: Paul Galbraith, Everton Gloedon, Lily Afshar, Antigoni Goni, and William Feasely. In 2004 Productions d'Oz published Logan 's arrangements of 120 Bach Chorales for four guitars. In 2005 Quantz Music has published many of Logan 's arrangements for solo guitar, guitar duet, trio and quartet. They also publish Logan 's arrangements for flute and guitar as well as his original compositions for guitar and flute with guitar. Logan teaches at the Manchester Community Music School in Manchester NH , and lives in Nashua New Hampshire with his wife and two children. About Rebecca Jeffreys Rebecca
Jeffreys , founding director, holds degrees in music from the Crane
School of Music and Catholic
University of America . Her solo career has included a concerto
Rebecca Jeffreys, flutist , is based near Boston, Massachusetts. As a founding director and member of the nationally recognized Woodbridge (VA) Flute Choir, Rebecca gave concerto performances at the Kennedy Center and White House. Under Rebecca's direction, the Woodbridge Flute Choir commissioned numerous original works for flute choir, and produced two CDs. Her solo career has included a concerto performance in a private audience to Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy and guest concerto performances with various orchestras and wind ensembles. She is a former member of the Jeffreys and Miller Latin Flute and Guitar Duo which made two East Coast tours. Additional concerts have included ensemble performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Phillips Collection, and other prestigious East Coast locations. In 2000 she played in the NFA Professional Flute Choir at the National Flute Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Rebecca was the 2000-2002 President for the Washington Flute Society and the local arrangements chair for the 2002 National Flute Convention in Washington, DC. She performed Baikal Journey by Catherine McMichael at the 2002 Convention and lead a flute choir reading session. In March of 2003, she was guest soloist with the Selingsgrove (PA) Area High School Concert band playing Concertino by Chaminade. Recently, she returned to the Woodbridge Flute choir as guest performer to celebrate the choir's ten year anniversary. Currently, she performs flute trio concerts with Elise MacDonald and Marjorie Bollinger Hogan. Additionally, she is in the process of recording a CD with guitarist, Logan Gabriel. Rebecca has studied with Camilla Hoitenga, Ken Andrews and Kazuo Tokito and she holds music degrees from the Crane School of Music and Catholic University. She performs on a 10K gold flute with silver keys made by Nagahara Flutes of Chelmsford, MA.
Aurora Borealis Duo to perform a special concert 10/26 @ 3 PM
Their concert at the Hingham Library is a family-friendly event that adults and children alike are sure to enjoy.
Boston Classical Guitar Society/Hingham Public Library 10th Anniversary CD on sale now
Produced by the BCGS with 12 tracks featuring music performed by: Providence Mandolin Orchestra, Robert Margo and Wendy Silverberg, The Back Bay Guitar Trio, Aaron Larget-Caplan, Sharon Wayne and Jenifer Schiller, David Newsam, Frank Wallace, and Gerry Johnston. To purchase your copy for $10/CD visit the Library's Circulation Desk or the AV Desk.
If you wish to order by mail, please visit www.bostonguitar.org .
Proceeds support the Sunday Sounds Special music series at the Hingham Public Library.
We gratefully
acknowledge additional support from: The Forgotten Joys of Summer Reading by Mary Jane Hanron Guest feature by Mary Jane Hanron courtesy of Gatehouse Media, Mariner Newspaper Group. Mary Jane Hanron is a freelance writer living in Hingham and a regular contributor to the Hingham Journal. The Forgotten Joy of Summer Reading
It was once thought that summer was a time to vacation, enjoy life at a slower pace, become rejuvenated and spend the days lazing, lounging and daydreaming. On the contrary, today life speeds by with alarming alacrity all year long, even as temperatures soar above ninety degrees, the beaches beckon and the soft afternoon breezes caress the earth. Convertibles zoom by the harbor with drivers screaming into cell phones. Sun worshipers sit in beach chairs with blackberries in hand. Children appear lost on playgrounds, at the ocean's edge and poolside somehow shocked by the experience of being in a place that is supposed to be fun but is not a chair facing a computer screen. We find ourselves questioning how we managed to exist without cell phones, pagers, blackberries, ipods, laptops and any other technological gadget. Yes, in many ways these new methods of communication are helpful and effective. But have we become so dependent on them that we are missing the most straightforward and timeless treasures? A simple, joyful relaxing pleasure that still is as rewarding as ever is the contentment of reading a book. What ever experience is sought, it can be found in the endless shelves of the public library. We are so fortunate to have this rich destination at our fingertips. A fascinating collection of books can be found in many homes as well. At times, there can be no more diverse, exhilarating and adventurous past time than reading a riveting mystery or science fiction tale. To be lost in a world of fantasy, a far away place or a heart wrenching romance can provide hours of escape and respite. For those who never can separate from the present completely, even when “relaxing,” the long summer days and sultry evenings provide hours to read the latest accounts of the day. Best sellers by political pundits, memoirs of the famous and powerful and the countless pages written to persuade, redefine and clarify the complexities of our world await the curious eyes and minds of us all. Becoming more intensely informed about current events places one ahead of most when Labor Day approaches and attention becomes focused on the election season. Having read the latest nonfiction is superb preparation for discussing the environment, the threat of terror, the spread of democracy, economic conditions and ways to ensure that our country's strength remains intact. Returning to the great classics and pondering words of the authors of yesterday is another journey well worth taking. Absorbing the thoughts of Hemingway, Orwell, Dreiser or Alcott unveils an entirely new perspective of the complexities of life in 2008. Expressions in poetry like the simple beauty of images created by Robert Frost or the often bold, sometimes heartbreaking always exquisitely rendered verses of Longfellow are timelessly meaningful. During this summer of high gas prices, escalating food costs, Wall Street worries and environmental frenzy, many are searching for conservative and reasonable answers to complex questions. Accomplishing this while keeping life entertaining and fun is a challenge. For a few hours each day, the joy of a book can provide a solution. As the children complete their summer reading for school, seeing adults also find pleasure in perusing pages reinforces the value of this good habit and pleasant hobby. A love of books can last a life time. Delights in the smallest details of the reading experience become the deepest of memories. In addition to the content of the chapters themselves, the crackle of the pages and binding of a brand new book when it is first opened, the smell of the worn pages of a beloved novel when removed from the shelf and a loving inscription written inside a book cover evoke emotions and images that transcend time. A pressed flower from years ago sometimes falls from within the pages of a family tome. News clippings of weddings, births and special occasions can remain in place as bookmarks only to be found by a reader of another generation to renew a personal story long forgotten. Under the shade of a tree, in the unyielding sun on a searing sandy beach or cuddled in a cozy spot at home, the joyfulness of a journey with a book should hold a familiar place in the experience of summer leisure. Words first written by John Adams and often quoted by magnificent author, David Mc Cullough, convey the value of books and reading quite succinctly. In a letter to his son, John Quincy, Adams wrote, “You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket.” Centuries later, this thought still rings true.
* * * * * Read another column by Mary Jane Hanron featuring the Hingham Public Library as a setting for inspiration. "American Thoughts: Extraordinary moment on an ordinary day" What is the 21st Century Mission for Our Public Schools?
Please join us for a stimulating National Issues Forum on Saturday, October 21st at 2 PM in the Library's Whiton Meeting Room. Our topic is “What is the 21st Century Mission of our Public Schools? ”.
Underlying all of these questions is a more basic one: what is the mission of our public schools? National Issues Forums bring people together to talk about important issues. They range from small study circles held in peoples' homes to large community gatherings modeled on New England town meetings. The Hingham Public Library anticipates approximately 30 participants per session but welcomes a larger audience. Each forum focuses on a specific issue such as illegal drugs, Social Security, or juvenile crime. The forums
help people of diverse views find common ground for action on issues
In our October 18th discussion on the 21st century mission of our public schools we'll deliberate the approaches below. If you wish to have a copy of the background booklet for the issue, contact the Library Director at 781-741-1405 x 2600. It isn't a requirement to read the booklet for participation but you'll find it provides background to enrich and to inform the conversations. Approach one: Prepare Students to be Successful in the Workplace There are alarming signs that the United States is losing its competitive edge in a burgeoning global economy. If we are to continue to prosper as a nation, the guiding purpose of our public schools must be to prepare students for an increasingly complex workplace. Approach two: Prepare Students to be Active and Responsible Citizens Public schools were founded to foster the skills and behaviors citizens need to govern themselves and contribute to the public good. A 40-year decline in civic education has taken its toll on the citizen participation our democracy depends on. Instilling civic values is the most important contribution public schools make to society. Approach three: Help Students Discover and Develop their Talents A one-size-fits-all model does not serve our children or our society. The mission of public schools should be to help each child make the most of his or her abilities and inclinations. Schools must be able to respond to the variety of ways children learn.
Library Trustees dedicated a sculpture created by Susan Luery on Sunday, January 13, 2008 The Trustees of the Hingham Public Library dedicated a sculpture created by internationally recognized sculptor Susan Luery . The dedication ceremony took place at the main entrance of the Library on Sunday, January 13, 2008. Hingham Town Moderator Thomas L. P. O'Donnell was the event's keynote speaker. Shown below are sculptor Susan Luery [seated left] and the models who sat for the sculpture. Photos courtesy of Library Trustee Edward Boylan.
The Trustees of the Library commissioned Hingham resident Susan Luery to create a life-sized bronze sculpture depicting a young mother and her daughter enjoying a “story-time” while seated on a two-tiered base formed from Deer Isle, Maine granite. The sculpture is located adjacent to the Library's main entrance.
Susan
Luery was born in Baltimore and attended the Maryland Institute
College of Art. Her gift for sculpting was refined in Carrara, Italy,
where she worked with Alberto
The Book Club of the Hingham Public Library
Next Book Club Meeting: September 29th-The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich Newcomers are welcome to drop in at any meeting. Library staff will be pleased to help readers place reserves on current book selections. For more information, call the library. reference desk (781-741-1405, x2650).
Library now offers Value Line Research Center The Value Line Research Center includes on-line access to Value Line's leading publications covering stocks, mutual funds, options and convertible securities as well as special situation stocks. Visit the Library's database options to use this service in the Library or from your home or office. A Hingham Public Library card is required for access to this service from outside the library. This service is available through Value Line's Web site only and includes full subscriptions to:
Subscriptions Included in the Value Line Research Center: The Value Line Investment Survey , recently rated by Hulbert number 1 among 165 research newsletters for risk adjusted gains during the last 20 years, is one of the most widely used independent investment information services in the world. Its up-to-date issues are a comprehensive reference that has useful information for virtually every investor. In breadth of coverage it is encyclopedic, covering some 1,700 equity issues. Every week, about 135 stocks in seven or eight industries are covered. The Value Line Investment Survey – Small and Mid-Cap Edition complements The Value Line Investment Survey and covers approximately 1,800 additional, mostly small-capitalization, issues. The Small and Mid-Cap Edition features consensus earning estimates for many companies, a business description of each company, including recent corporate developments, and Value Line's Performance Ranks, designed to predict relative price performance over the next six to 12 months. The publication does not include analysts' commentaries. The Value Line Mutual Fund Survey gives you full-page reports on about 700 leading equity funds, and abbreviated reports on over 1,200 additional equity and bond funds. We also provide summary data reports on all of the funds in the Value Line Mutual Fund database, which contains about 13,000 mutual funds. Additionally, you can use online screening tools to search the database for funds that meet your specific investment objectives. Access The Value Line Daily Options Survey for daily evaluations and ranks on over 130,000 options, on about 2,000 stocks, and 11,000 longer-term options (LEAPS). You'll also get The Option Strategist, an online publication offering advice about investing with options. The Value Line Special Situations Service opens the world of emerging companies with bright futures to the more aggressive investor. Our analysts are constantly on the lookout for lesser-known stocks where unusual developments may pave the way for extraordinary rewards. Stocks covered in this publication may well include another Computer Associates or ADP.
Wireless Internet access available
Library ELF helps users track their library accounts
Hingham Public Library cardholders may register with Library ELF, a free service that helps you track your library loans and holds. It is similar to HPL's OCLN Email notification service (which sends holds, overdue and bill notices to you by email rather than by mail or telephone) but with some important differences:
Although this is a great, user-friendly service, we wish you to understand that Library ELF is a private service that is not affiliated with the Hingham Public Library or the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN). Please read Library ELF's FAQ and Privacy Policy before deciding to sign up for the service. Card holders will be using the ELF service at their option. If you choose to sign up, it's easy. Have your Hingham Public Library card number and PIN ready, then create an account on Library ELF's website. Be sure that the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) is selected from the list of libraries when you go to add your library card. You also will find links on the Library ELF site to ask questions. Set up is quick and easy and you may close out the account at any time if it does not meet your expectations or needs. Herman and Henrietta Denzler Charitable Trust helps library purchase a drive-up book-drop The Herman and Henrietta Denzler Charitable Trust recently made a gift to the HPL for the purchase of a drive-up book-drop. Hingham resident Maryann Boyd Shafter was instrumental in securing the gift from the Trust. Ms. Shafter
believed the drive-up drop was an important amenity library patrons The library's other book drops will remain in use and visitors with returns are encouraged to use them at any time and especially when the drive-up book-drop is full. TumbleTalkingBooks streaming audio book collection is now available 24/7!
TumbleTalkingBooks:
Your Online Audio Library
is an online audio book collection of streaming audio books.
Titles include unabridged high quality audio versions of classics
of American and world literature, non-fiction, fiction, and children
and teen books. We have Please note: These books are not downloadable to MP3 digital audioplayers.
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Joan's
husband, Ralph Gasparello [shown right], approached the Library
Board of Trustees in 2006 about the prospect of endowing a lecture
series in Joan's memory. The Trustees were delighted with his offer
and enthusiastically accepted. The series aspires to bring world
issues and culture to our residents by presenting leading writers
and thinkers in a local forum organized by the Hingham public Library.
The Trustees of the Library plan to present one or possibly two
major events each year through the Joan R. Gasparello Memorial Lecture
Series. 
performance
in a private audience to Pope John Paul II in Rome , Italy . Additional
concerts have included performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy
Center , the White House, the Phillips Collection and other prestigious
east coast locations. Rebecca has held positions with the Prince
Georges Philharmonic, The Summer Opera Orchestra, and the Montgomery
Symphony Orchestra. She is a former member of the Jeffreys and Miller
Latin flute and guitar duo which has made television appearances
on Albany Public Television and Maryland Community Cable. In addition,
they have taken two East coast tours, featuring their popular "Music
of the Americas " programs. In 2000, Rebecca won a position
with the National Flute Association Professional Flute Choir which
performed at the National Flute Convention. Rebecca is President
of the Washington Flute Society for the 2000-2002 term. Rebecca
has studied with Camilla Hoitenga, Ken Andrews and Kazuo Tokito.
The
Aurora Borealis Duo is a NYC based ensemble featuring
soprano, Tiffany Du Mouchelle and percussionist,
Stephen Solook. Aurora Borealis offers
a unique repertoire diverse in nature, an eclectic mixture of newly
composed works and arrangements of traditional songs, arias, and
folksongs, which are accompanied primarily on the marimba (“the
wood that sings”). A compelling variety of musical traditions from
diverse cultures is integrated into their repertoire, from western
classical traditions, to South Indian Konnokol (Rhythm Singing),
to Native American, Japanese, and Spanish influences. It is through
combining such a wide spectrum of colors through ethnic and musical
diversity that Aurora Borealis hopes to educate
their audience from both a social and musical perspective. Recent
performances have included concerts in Papua New Guinea and Mexico,
benefit concerts for Autism Speaks and Amnesty International, and
performances throughout New England, the Midwest, and New York City.
From
the very start, Americans have held widely divergent views on issues
related to public schools. Many of these have to do with the
methods by which we achieve an educated society. How do we
ensure that our schools are accessible to all children? By
what means do we hold students accountable for learning and schools
accountable for teaching them? What is the role of families
in the education of their children? What is the responsibility
of schools in addressing social issues that affect their students?
What is the most efficient and fair way to fund public education?
The
sculpture is a gift to the Library from Hingham residents Pat and
Jim MacAllen . The MacAllen family has a four-generation association
with Hingham and its public library. The sculpture is dedicated
to the memory of “Thelma and William MacAllen and their love of
Hingham”. The MacAllens selected the Hingham Public Library for
their gift because they believe “the Library fosters a celebration
and love of reading that can be shared by parents and their children
throughout their lives”. 
Sparapani,
Maestro sculptor of Italy's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Luery's
best known sculptural works may be Babe's Dream”, the 16-foot monument
to Babe Ruth located in front of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in
Baltimore and the Cal Ripken, Jr. monument that welcomes fans to
his museum in Aberdeen, Maryland. Her works also can be found in
private, public and museum collections throughout the world. 
The
Book Club of the Hingham Public Library meets at 7:30 pm on the
last Tuesday of each month in the Fearing Meeting Room. The building
is fully handicapped-accessible. 
Wireless
equipped laptop users will find they can obtain wireless Internet
access throughout most of the Library's lower level, Reference area,
the Cafe and the Courtyard (currently closed for the season). The
Library provides a wireless 'G" network.
should have and approached Library Director Dennis R. Corcoran with
the idea. Corcoran indicated he had it on his wish list but was
having difficulty getting one funded through his municipal budget.
Ms. Shafter used her influence with the Trust and came to the rescue.
The new drop, which is open at all times, is shown here. Drivers
seeking to use the drop will be best served by approaching it from
the Leavitt Street entrance and making a left turn at the U.S. Postal
mailbox near the Library's main entrance. The book-drop's in-take
receptacle is optimized for use by cars and as a result, drivers
of larger SUVs may not be able to reach the in-take receptacle as
easily.