Free language instruction!

Holy Moly! I forgot about the audio language programs you can download right from ListenUp Vermont with your patron barcode #!

Let's go... global!

How about trying a language? Just try one. There won't be a test. I actually made it to the second level of Italian. Recently I tried Arabic. OK, I barely got through the first cd, but I'll try it again sometime, and I picked out the phrase "excuse me" in the movie Body of Lies. Che bello!

We have some videos for basic French, Spanish and Italian, lots of travel videos and dvds, you could sing along with "Marriage of Figaro", or come to one of our "language lunches" for some real immersion. (Again, no pressure; just come and listen, if you'd like.)

Oh sure, you could try one of those internet translation sites, but....

The closing of the year

The economy seems to be in freefall, but the streets of Montpelier are packed with throngs of shoppers. In this storm, it feels as though we are holding on to the things that are closest to us: our shops, our local charities, our traditions, and yes, our library. The "Evening at the Library" on December 6th saw an unprecedented turnout, and people are still stopping us on the street to tell us what a great time they had. Our guest of honor, Tom Slayton and our hosts, Chris and Nancy Graff made it a special night for all of us.

We are so grateful for your support as we work to make sure that the library doors remain open to the some 850 children and adults who walk through them each day. In tough economic times, people who come to the desk are telling us that the library is more important to them than ever. We will continue to do everything we can to give you the best possible service.

As the year draws to a close, it's good to reflect on all of the things that make our lives worthwhile, even in times of scarcity: friends, family, good food, a place to gather, a good book.

02

Was listening to a very good cd, DAUGHTER OF TIME by Josephine Tey. (Well, actually required alot of jumping back a track or two to try and keep all those
British royals straight.) Excellent reader. There was a great quote about libraries which I
didn't jot down while driving, so got to work, ran upstairs, got the book, here it is. The character was sent to buy a book by Sir Thomas More. However-
"No T. More in any of the bookshops, so tried Public Library. Can't think why one never thinks of Public Libraries. Probably because books expected to be soupy. Think this looks quite clean and unsoupy. You get fourteen days. Sounds like a sentence rather than a loan." Scribner paperback ed, 1995, p.70.

Where do you enjoy audiobooks- driving, walking, knitting, painting, ...? Has to be a good reader, though.

Want to see what you have checked out and when it's due? Go to our online card catalog, click the My Info tab, type in your entire patron barcode number (on back of your library card) and the password is your last name.

BTW, wonder what all those IM and text messages SAY? Here's a list of internet acronyms and text messaging shorthand.

Last but not least, take a stroll down School St during the day sometime and enjoy the aroma coming from Manghi's. OML