Sunday Discoveries for Everyone: Flower Arranging
Sunday, September 30 at 3:15 p.m.

A new spin on one of our most popular programs! People of all ages are welcome to register for our next Sunday Discoveries when we will explore the art of flower arranging. The program, which will meet on Sunday, September 30 at 3:15 p.m. will be led by Anne Schomaker. Anne is a new resident of our community, is a member of the Garden Club of Kinderhook, and is active with the Columbia County Historical Society. She was an elementary school teacher for 35 years and has taught Basic Flower Arranging for Cornell Cooperative's Master Gardeners.

During the program, we will talk about cut flowers, their care and maintenance, and basic arrangements. Participants will come away with a flower arrangement of their own. All adults and children are encouraged to register. Space is limited to 30 participants.

Banned Books Week
Saturday, September 29 through October 6
Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

Banned Books Week, which this year runs from Saturday, September 29 through October 6, is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Association of College Stores. The Library of Congress Center for the Book endorses it.

This list of banned and threatened books is compiled each year by the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. The ALA estimates that their list represents only about a quarter of the actual challenges. "Most Challenged" titles include the popular Harry Potter series of fantasy books for children by J.K. Rowling. The series drew complaints from parents and others who believe the books promote witchcraft to children.

Many bookstores and libraries across the nation join in the celebration with displays and readings of books. These include works ranging from the Bible to John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. During Banned Books Week, the Kinderhook Library will once again have a selection of books on display that have been banned or threatened within the last year. In addition to the display, we will hold a contest for middle school students to create a poster celebrating the freedom to read. The posters will be on display at the library as they are submitted and can be voted on by our patrons during the week. The winning artist will receive a prize. We will also host a Banned Books Week raffle for other prizes and a screening of the documentary The First Amendment Project on Thursday, October 4 at 8:00 p.m.

Friends of the Library Annual Meeting
Sunday, September 23 at 3:00 p.m. The annual meeting of the Friends of the Kinderhook Memorial Library will be held on Sunday, September 23 at 3:00 p.m. At that time, the Friends will approve the proposed 2008 budget and elect officers for the upcoming year. Although current officers have agreed to serve again, the Friends welcome nominations from the floor. Anyone wanting to become more involved with the Friends or who need more information should contact Bonnie Shannon at bshan@berk.com or 758-9852.

Documentary Film Series: Our Brand Is Crisis
Saturday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us on Saturday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. for the last installment in our Documentary Film Series, Our Brand Is Crisis.

For decades, U.S. strategists-for-hire have been quietly molding the opinions of voters and the messages of candidates in elections around the world. They have worked for presidential candidates on every continent (in Britain, Israel, India, Korea, South Africa, Venezuela, Brazil, to name a few...) Without the noise of tanks or troops, these Americans have been spreading our brand of democracy from the Middle East to the middle of the South American jungle. Our Brand Is Crisis is an astounding look at one of their campaigns and its earth-shattering aftermath. With flabbergasting access to think sessions, media training and the making of smear campaigns, we watch how the consultants' marketing strategies shape the relationship between a leader and his people. And we see a shocking example of how the all-American art of branding can affect the "spreading of democracy" overseas.

Bagels and Books Reception for We the People Bookshelf
Saturday, September 15 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Earlier this year, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded free copies of classic books to 2,000 public and school libraries throughout the United States. Kinderhook Library was one of the libraries selected as a winner of this grant. As part of the award, Kinderhook received 15 classic books for children and young adults on the theme of the "Pursuit of Happiness." Four of the titles were also provided in Spanish translation. Join the festivities as the library celebrates this honor during a "Bagels and Books" reception the morning of our annual fall book sale. Come in and browse the display of titles and help yourself to light refreshments before or after you shop at the sale.

The Bookshelf program is part of the Endowment's We the People initiative, which supports projects that strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. Exciting programs based on these titles are currently being planned; watch for details in the future.

Create a Graphic Novel: A Workshop for Teens
Six Wednesdays starting September 12

If you haven't heard of her either, it could be because she's been busy creating her latest graphic novel. (Graphic Novels are really comic books, only longer!) Barbara Slate is a cartoonist who has written, drawn and created over 300 stories--for Marvel, DC Comics, and Archie Comics, where she currently writes Betty and Veronica. Barbara's art has been described by The New York Times as "Bold, imaginative figurative work, somewhat quirky and offbeat." She is featured as one of the century's most important women cartoonists in A Century of Women Cartoonists.

Maybe your interest is a Super Hero, your own life story, or you-know-it's-in there-somewhere-dying to get out. Barbara will teach you how to develop characters, plot stories and offer tips on the creative process. At the end of the series, workshop participants will have created a 6-24 page graphic novel/comic book of their own. "Bring your work!" Barbara says, "And if you don't have any, let's get started!"

Space in this program is limited to 15 teenagers! The program will meet on Wednesdays from September 12 through October 17 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Sign up now by stopping by the library or by calling 758-6192.

The library would like to thank Stewart's Shops for the generous donation of funds to make this program possible.

Book Clubs at the Library
Fiction or Non-Fiction, We've Got You Covered!

The Readers Circle will meet on Monday, September 10 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the book Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Kearns Goodwin illuminates Lincoln's political genius in her #1 "New York Times" bestseller, as she chronicles the rise of the the one-term congressman/prairie lawyer from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president.

The Next Page Book Club will meet on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Join Huck and Jim as their boyhood adventures along the Mississippi River lead them into a world of excitement, danger and self-discovery. A humorous narrative, lyrical descriptions of the Mississippi valley, and memorable characters make this a classic you don't want to miss.

The Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Monday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the book A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, A People's History of the United States is the only volume to tell America's story from the point of view of -- and in the words of -- America's women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, working poor, and immigrant laborers.

Backyard Book Sale
Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16

The annual fall book sale of the Friends of the Kinderhook Memorial Library will be held at the library on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16 in conjunction with the Village Wide Yard Sale.

On Saturday, a special Early Bird admission of $5 will be available from 8:00 until 9:00 a.m. Entrance to the sale at all other times will be free. The general sale extends from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. During the final hour of the Saturday sale, from 1:00 until 2:00, books will be half-price.

On Sunday, the sale will be "Buck-A-Bag" from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Go home with a whole bag of books for only $1.00!

The sale features many carefully selected books. Proceeds are used by the Firends to support the work of the Kinderhook Library which serves both Kinderhook and Stuyvesant.