The next Reading Roots enrichment program for current Malden kindergartners will take place Saturday, February 4, at 10:30 a.m. For more details, please call the Children’s Room at 781-388-0803 or ask your child’s kindergarten teacher.

Reading Roots is generously funded by the Anna Yaghjian Fund. The goal of this enrichment program is to nurture in kindergartners a love of books, reading, learning and libraries.

If you answered yes to these questions, consider making a video promoting summer reading at your library. Any legal U.S. resident, aged 13-18, can enter the “2012 Teen Video Challenge” in the state where they reside. Videos can be created individually or as a team and there will be one winner chosen for each state.

For complete rules, check out this website.

Entry forms are due by March 16, 2012 and winners will be announced in April.

It’s more than just a catalog; check it out at mpl.bibliocommons.com or click the “New Catalog” link at the top of this page. The new site is simpler, faster, and more fun to use. If you’ve ever used a social website like Goodreads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing, you’ll be instantly familiar with the new interface. If you haven’t used these types of sites before, not to fear! It’s easier than ever to browse and search for items and to place requests.

The search box at the top of the page lets you find movies, books, and other materials with one simple search. If you’d like, you can narrow your results to items for a certain age group (kids’ books only!), or that are currently available. Reserve materials you’d like us to hold for you, rate and review materials you’ve used, and keep virtual “shelves” of your items so you can remember what you’ve read or watched before, and what you want to read or watch later.

The catalog you know isn’t going anywhere yet, but we truly believe you’ll be delighted with the new interface.

Comments? Questions? Let us know!

Contact Ms. Francis at sfrancis@maldenpubliclibrary.org, give us a call at 781-324-0218, or find us on Facebook!

Beginning January 28, the Children’s Room will be offering Song & Rhyme Time every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. (in addition to Tuesday mornings). This early literacy program is appropriate for young children (ages 6 months to 5 years) and features nursery rhymes, songs, and a simple picture book.

THE MONDAY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets at 7:00 p.m. in the library on the first Monday of each month to discuss titles selected by members of the group.
Upcoming Books:

• February 6, 2012 – School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

Summary of School of Essential Ingredients:
The novel follows the lives of eight students who gather in Lillian’s Restaurant every Monday night for cooking class. It soon becomes clear, however, that each one seeks a recipe for something beyond the kitchen. Chef Lillian, a woman whose connection with food is both soulful and exacting, helps her students to create dishes whose flavor and techniques expand beyond the restaurant and into the secret corners of their lives.

• March 5, 2012 – The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
• April 2, 2012 – Dreams of Joy by Lisa See
• May 7, 2012 – The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato

THE BOOKER PRIZE DISCUSSION GROUP meets at 7:00 p.m. in the library on the fourth Wednesday of each month (This is the new schedule beginning in October, 2011). Since 1969 the “Booker Prize” has been awarded to the best full-length novel written in English by a citizen of the UK, the Commonwealth, Eire, Pakistan, or South Africa.
Upcoming Books:

• February 22, 2012 – Black Dogs by Ian McEwan

Summary of Black Dogs:
A finely crafted, compelling examination of evil and grace. Set in late 1980s Europe at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Black Dogs is the intimate story of the crumbling of a marriage, as witnessed by an outsider. Seeking to comprehend how the deep love of Bernard and June Tremaine could be defeated, their son-in-law, Jeremy, undertakes writing June’s memoirs, only to be led back again and again to one terrifying encounter forty years earlier.

• March 28, 2012 – Crossing the River by Caryl Phillips
• April 25, 2012 – Daughters of the House by Michele Roberts
• May 23, 2012 – Knowledge of Angels by Jill Paton Walsh

Just pick a group that’s convenient! New members are always welcome! Copies of books for discussion are available at the information desk.

Still need the book? Come to the library to pick up a copy of this year’s Malden Reads book, Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference. To learn about other Malden Reads events, go to MaldenReads.org.

• Meets every first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.(except holidays)
• Share and discuss your writing and ideas
• Examine and apply various writing techniques
• Develop a greater appreciation for writing
• No need to sign-up, just bring a pen and paper! (or whatever medium you prefer)

Must be 18 or older.

For more information, call 781-324-0218 or go to evangelinevickery.com. You can also follow the group on twitter @MaldenWriters.

Tuesday, January 31, 3:45-5 PM – Program Room
Sparkle Cookie Beading w/ Sharon
Make memory wire bracelets and necklaces and you’ll leave lots of sparkles to show off! Come play with a huge collection of glass beads and make gifts for yourself, your family and your friends. No registration is required, but because of the supplies involved, we can only admit the first 15 teens.

Thursday, February 2, 4-5 PM – Maccario Room
Mario Kart Tournament
The first in a month-long series of mini video game tournaments. Play Mario Kart against your friends for a prize!

Tuesday, February 7, 3:30-5 PM – Program Room
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Plan upcoming teen events, field trips, and more. This activity counts for volunteer hours if you need them.

Wednesday, February 8, 3:30-4:45 – Program Room
Japanese Manga w/ Andy Fish!
Learn about the history of manga and how to illustrate your own manga, from manga illustrator Andy Fish! One more time: MANGA!

Thursday, February 9, 4-5 PM – Maccario Room
Just Dance Tournament
The second in a month-long series of mini video game tournaments. Out-dance each other for a prize. Party rock, anyone?

Tuesday, February 14, 3:30-5 PM – Maccario Room
Teen Valentine Party
Details coming soon!

Thursday, February 16, 4-5 PM – Maccario Room
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament
Outlast your foes in Brawl for a prize! The third in a month-long series of mini video game tournaments. How else would we survive February?

Tuesday, February 21, 4-5 PM – Program Room
Teen Writers Club
This new club meets monthly and gives teen writers the opportunity to meet more of the ilk. This meeting will feature exercises inspired by selections from this year’s Malden Reads youth titles.

Tuesday, February 28, 4-5 PM – Maccario Room
Teen 80′s Party w/ Karaoke
Details T.B.A. Come dressed in your 80s (1980′s, not 1880′s!) best!

Thursday, March 1, 4-5 PM – Maccario Room
Rock Band Tournament
Form a band and rock it out. Prizes go to the last band standing! This is the final tournament of the month-long mini video game tournaments. (Each tournament takes place in a swift hour!)

Outcasts United is the story of a refugee soccer team, a remarkable woman coach and a small southern town turned upside down by the process of refugee resettlement.

Malden Reads is a community reading program that looks to answer that question. Organized by community groups, city leaders, and residents, in collaboration with the Malden Public Library, the program invites the community to read the same book and participate in a series of events related to the book’s themes.

To learn more about the upcoming Malden Reads events, go to MaldenReads.org.

Thursday, November 10, 3:30-5 PM – Anime Club
Watch anime and plan anime-related events with other anime fans.

Tuesday, November 15, 4-5 PM – Teen Writers Club
Meet other teen writers, share your work, improve your craft, and write!

Thursday, November 17, 7-8 PM – College Planning Workshop w/ Jim Femia
Learn college and financial aid planning essentials from expert in the field, Jim Femia.

Tuesday, November 22, 3:30-5 PM - GAME ON: Video Gaming 4 Teens

Saturday, November 26, 1-5 PM – Teen Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament

Tuesday, November 29, 4-5 PM – Teen Cupcake Decorating