Leach Library

Children's Room Program

2012-01-31T10:03:00.000-08:00

Watch the Disney film “Finding Nemo” at the Leach Library

Celebrate friends and family at the library on Monday, February 13 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. when we host a viewing of the animated classic Finding Nemo. Join Marlin, an anxious clown fish, as he explores the endless ocean to find his son Nemo and bring him home. Along the way he befriends a scatter-brained blue tang named Dory who aides him in his quest. The pair meets vegetarian sharks, poisonous jellyfish, surfing turtles and hungry sea gulls during their hilarious adventures. This program is open to 90 participants and advance registration is required. To register, call 603-437-1127, or stop by the Children’s Room beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 6.

Children's Room Program

2012-01-26T14:55:00.000-08:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room introduces
an exciting new program

The Children’s Room is introducing an exciting new program, Passport to Adventure, which allows families to explore the world through books. Each session, participants will embark on a different adventure around the world. Adventures will draw on stories, songs and activities from our destination. Before embarking, each participant will receive a passport. At each of our weekly destinations, the passport will be stamped. At the conclusion of the session, all participants, both parents and children, who have visited all four destinations, will have a chance to enter into a raffle for a special prize. This exciting program will be held on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Advance registration is required and begins on Monday, January 30 at 9:00 a.m.

A Midwinter Program of Songs and Stories with Kate Chadbourne

2012-01-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will host an evening of traditional Irish tunes and tales in the program “Songs and Stories with Kate Chadbourne.”

Kate Chadbourne is a singer, storyteller, and poet whose performances combine traditional tales with music for voice, harp, flutes and piano. She holds a Ph.D. in Celtic Languages and Literatures from Harvard University where she teaches courses in Irish language and folklore. Her music was recently featured on NPR’s programs “Cartalk” and “All Songs Considered,” and songs from her latest CD, The Irishy Girl, are played on Irish radio programs throughout the country.

In this program, Ms. Chadbourne will present songs on harp and piano, and tunes on Irish flute and whistles. She will be singing in both Irish and English, and she will also tell several traditional Irish tales, some with harp accompaniment, and feature a selection of poetry. Please join us for this moving evening of storytelling and song. CDs will be available for sale following the program.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Children's Room Program

2012-01-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Win books playing Book Bingo in the
Leach Library Children’s Room

Are you looking for a way to pass time on Martin Luther King Day? The library is open and will be hosting two sessions of Book Bingo. Come to the library on Monday, January 16 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to play a fun picture version of the popular game. Every child who participates will win and be able to choose books from our special selection table. Each session is open to 50 participants. Advance registration is required and begins on Monday, January 9 at 9:00 a.m. To register, call 603-432-1127 or come by the Children’s Room.

Leach Library connects you to great museum exhibits

2011-12-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for something fun to do over winter break check out a library museum pass. The library’s museum pass program offers discounts to numerous area museums. If you have an interest in art, history, or science there is a museum for you. Here are some of the current exhibits at museums Leach Library has passes for. To reserve a pass contact the circulation desk at 432-1132.

Boston Museum of Science
A Bird’s World: Take a virtual tour of Acadia National Park in this exhibit, which includes a specimen of every bird found in New England. Interactive exhibits offer insight into bird behavior, and New England birders will also find a useful bird "dictionary." http://www.mos.org/exhibits_shows/current_exhibits&d=215

Peabody Essex Museum
Unbound: highlights from the Phillips Library at PEM: Through over 30 exquisitely rare and storied objects from the library's holdings, this exhibition presents works including: a visually stunning leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, an elaborately detailed sketchbook from the Civil War, 19th-century Japanese teahouse pop-ups, the earliest example of paper currency in the Western world, and a signed first edition of The Scarlet Letter. Equal parts aesthetically and intellectually engaging, the works on view offer a glimpse into historical documents that were acquired for their power to both delight the eye and change the world. http://pem.org/exhibitions/143-unbound_highlights_from_the_phillips_library_at_pem

Museum of Fine Arts
Degas and the Nude: The nude figure was critical to the art of Edgar Degas from the beginning of his career in the 1850s until the end of his working life, but the subject has never before been explored in a Museum exhibition. “Degas and the Nude,” co-organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, features paintings, pastels, drawings, prints, and sculpture, and calls attention to the evolution of the treatment of the nude from Degas’s early years, through his triumphant offerings from the 1880s and 1890s, to the last decades of his working career. http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/degas-and-nude

Boston Children’s Musuem
Construction Zone: Dig, tunnel, build (and tear down!) in Construction Zone! Ride a real Bobcat, grab the jackhammer, deploy a team of trucks in your own construction site. Construction Zone is a kid-sized world of building inspired by the Big Dig. Ramps, tunnels, and bridges give children the tools to imagine a city in transition. A low steel walk lets you balance on a “high beam” and the trailer is a place to experiment with every type of block and construction toy you’ve ever dreamed of. http://www.bostonkids.org

SEE Science Center
Seasons of Change: Does your family visit a maple sugar shack every spring? Do you enjoy a trip to the beach and eating seafood, or visiting a farm stand? How about taking a drive out to a fall fair with beautiful foliage all around? With the Seasons of Change exhibit, families who enjoy outdoor activities will be able to learn about and appreciate the seasons that make them possible. Using graphics, multi-media displays, artifacts, and interactive components the exhibit addresses many areas of New England life including agriculture, forestry, fishing and recreation. Visitors of all ages are introduced to the challenges faced by farmers, fishermen and others. Families can engage in testing how ocean acidity levels affect sea-life, observing how CO2 concentrations affect invasive species and much more. http://www.see-sciencecenter.org/visitors/Seasons.aspx

Children's Room Program

2011-12-12T06:39:00.000-08:00

Make a foam gingerbread friends wreath at the
Leach Library Children’s Room

The library will be hosting two winter craft times during school vacation: Wednesday, December 28 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., or Thursday, December 29 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. During the craft, children will be decorating a foam wreath with adhesive foam shapes featuring various gingerbread friends and glittery candy canes. A festive red ribbon will make this a great door decoration. Each session is limited to 50 children and advance registration is required. To register, stop by or call the Children’s Room beginning on Monday, December 19 at 9:00 a.m.

Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library Holiday Craft Sale

2011-11-28T08:15:00.001-08:00

Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library have holiday crafts on sale at the library. These include spoons with various cocoas, teas, and coffees, along with decorative handmade poinsettias, all available for $2. The ever popular, all natural sweet potato dog treatsare here for your canine. Scandinavian “Good Luck” packets will also be available for $1 after 12/3/11. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. Stop by the table near the front desk to purchase these festive seasonal crafts. And don’t forget, the tote bags make great gifts at $15 each.

Children's Room Program

2011-11-18T09:41:00.001-08:00

Leach Library Children’s Room welcomes Massabesic Audubon Center’s “Fall Frights of Folklore.”

Do bats really get stuck in your hair? Can owls turn their heads all the way around? If you touch a toad, will you really get warts? To find out the answers to these questions, come to the library on Tuesday, November 29 and Wednesday, November 30, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. when the Massabesic Audubon Center will be presenting their “Fall Frights of Folklore” program. Using some live animals and lots of props, you will discover how people throughout history have used these myths to explain the world around them. Each session is open to 20 children and advance registration is required. To register, call 432-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 21. This program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library.

Children's Room Program

2011-11-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

Leach Library Children’s Room to participate in
annual Ladybug Award voting.
The library is pleased to be participating in the Ladybug Award voting this year. Each year, librarians from around the state nominate ten outstanding picture books to be voted on by the children of New Hampshire. Students in preschool through grade 3 can vote on their favorite book from the list of nominated titles. Stop by and read one of the titles and be ready to cast your vote. Ladybug Award Voting begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 14 and concludes at closing on Saturday, November 19.

Children's Room Program

2011-11-05T09:04:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading Program merchandise available for pre-order at the Leach Library Children’s Room.

The library will be pre-ordering t-shirts and bags for next summer’s children’s reading program. The theme for the program is “Dream Big - Read,” and there are several styles of t-shirts for children and adults. Also available are two styles of bags. Stop by the Children’s Room and pick up a brochure and order form. Orders are due to the library by closing on Monday, November 28, with delivery expected early spring of 2012.

“Rob Velella as Nathaniel Hawthorne” at the Leach Library

2011-11-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will host the living history program, “Rob Velella as Nathaniel Hawthorne.”

Rob Velella is an independent literary historian and playwright specializing in American literature of the nineteenth century. As a scholar, he has published articles and presented academic papers on figures such as Margaret Fuller, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Walt Whitman. Additionally, he has lectured at various historical sites, libraries, and colleges from Pennsylvania to Maine on the topic of American literature. He also performs dramatic readings in character for several literary figures, including the young Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

In this theatrical portrayal, Mr. Velella will bring to life the reclusive New England author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Well-known for his novels, including The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne began his writing career as a writer of short tales which explore human nature and history. Born in Salem, Massachusetts and raised partly in Maine, he made his permanent home in Concord, Massachusetts, but he breathed his last breath in New Hampshire attended by his closest friend Franklin Pierce. Join Hawthorne as he reads “Young Goodman Brown” and other short stories and answers questions from the audience.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Veterans' Day Bibliography

2011-10-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

Every year on November 11th the Nation pays tribute to its veterans by observing Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day to honor the veterans of World War I, the name of the holiday was changed in 1954 to acknowledge the service of American veterans of all wars. For more information on the history of Veterans Day visit the web site of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Leach Library has an excellent collection of materials on the wars that America has fought in. Whether you are looking for a detailed history of a war or a novel that puts you in the boots of a soldier, we have something for you. Here are just a few items from the collection:

940.341 HOC
Hochschild, Adam. To end all wars: a story of loyalty and rebellion, 1914-1918. 2011.

940.53 BUR
Burleigh, Michael. Moral combat: good and evil in World War II. 2011.

959.704 MAR
Marlantes, Karl. What it is like to go to war. 2011.

355 GRA
Graser, William R. Story of the Nevins veterans. 2011.

973.71 SMI
Smith, Andrew F. Starving the South: how the North won the Civil War. 2011.

FIC COB
Cobbs Hoffman, Elizabeth. Broken promises: a novel of the Civil War. 2011

FIC SHA
Shaara, Jeff. The final storm: a novel of the war in the Pacific. 2011.

FIC OBR
O'Brien, Tim. The things they carried: a work of fiction. 1998.

FIC MAR
Marlantes, Karl. Matterhorn: a novel of the Vietnam War. 2010.

FIC REM
Remarque, Erich Maria. All quiet on the western front. 1929.

Halloween Fun

2011-10-14T09:33:00.001-07:00

Halloween is upon us and Leach Library can connect you to the books, music, and movies that make this holiday frightfully fun. Whether you are throwing a party, baking some treats, making a costume, or just want to watch a spine-chilling movie, we have something for you. The following are a few items that can help make your Halloween memorable.

Books

394.2646 ARK
Arkins, Diane C. Halloween: romantic art and customs of yesteryear.

394.2646 BAN
Bannatyne, Lesley Pratt. A Halloween how-to: costumes, parties, decorations, and destinations.

394.2646 CLA
Clark, Bridie and Dodd, Ashley. The Halloween handbook: 447 costumes.

646.4 PEL
Peltosaari, Leila. Illegally easy Halloween costumes for kids: 100 costumes with simple patterns, no-sew shortcuts, last-minute solutions, treat bags & accessories.

745.5941 AND
Anderson, Dawn. Creepy crafty Halloween.

745.5941 FUL
Fuller, Cindy. Haunt your house for Halloween: decorating tricks & party treats.

Children’s Books

J HOL 745.5 DAN
Daning, Tom. Fun-To-Make Crafts for Halloween.

J HOL 745.5 KIN
King, Penny. Spooky things.

Movies

DVD HAL
Halloween.

DVD NIG
Tim Burton's the nightmare before Christmas.

DVD SCR
Scream.

DVD NIG
A nightmare on Elm Street.

Music

CD MUS HOL HAL
Halloween hits.

J CD KIT 782.42 WEE
Beall, Pamela Conn and Nipp, Susan Hagen. Wee sing for Halloween.

J CD KIT 810.8 HAL
Halloween howls: spooky sounds, stories & songs.

Children's Room Program

2011-10-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

Leach Library Children’s Room will be hosting a spooktacular Halloween program.

The library will be hosting a fun-filled Halloween program on Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25, 2011, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. During the program participants will watch a short film, hear some not-too-spooky stories and learn about how to stay safe while trick or treating. Those who wish to may participate in a costume parade at the beginning of the program. All children attending the program will receive a trick or treat bag filled with prizes, activities and a simple craft.

The program is open to all ages, and space is limited to 90 people for each session. Advance registration is required and begins on Monday, October 17, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. To register, stop by or call the Children’s Room at 603-437-1127.

Adult Program

2011-10-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host a silent movie performance with pianist Richard Hughes featuring three short comedy films, including Laurel and Hardy’s Habeas Corpus.

Richard Hughes is a classically trained pianist who began playing at the age of seven. For the past ten years, he has studied the silent film industry and compiled a collection of movie scores taken from authentic mood music played during the 1920s. He currently travels throughout New England sharing his knowledge of the film genre while performing hundreds of movie shows a year at a variety of venues.

In this program, Mr. Hughes will provide a glimpse into cinematic history as he discusses the silent film industry and performs a few sample musical pieces of the day. He will then present several short comedy films with their musical accompaniment, including a Buster Keaton film, a Charlie Chaplin film, and the Laurel and Hardy comedy Habeas Corpus, where the silent film stars portray grave-robbers hired by a mad scientist.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

EBooks are now available for check out on the Kindle

2011-10-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Leach Library is a member of the New Hampshire Downloadable Books Consortium which provides our cardholders access to audios and eBooks through the New Hampshire Downloadable Books website, http://nh.lib.overdrive.com. The Amazon Kindle eReader is now compatible with Overdrive so our patrons are able to check out eBooks to a Kindle. The Reference staff is available to answer any questions you may have on how to check out books from the website and transfer them to your Kindle.

• Visit http://nh.lib.overdrive.com
• Sign-in to website by choosing Leach Library and enter you library card number.
• Browse and check out a Kindle book.
• Click the 'Get for Kindle' button. This opens the Amazon.com website. You will be required to sign in with your Amazon.com account if you are not already logged in.
• Select a Kindle device or Kindle reading app. Click the 'Get library book' button and sync your device or app to download the book, or choose to send it to your device via USB.
• An active Wi-Fi connection is required for wireless delivery to a Kindle device. If the Kindle is not Wi-Fi capable or you do not have an active Wi-Fi connection, read Amazon's instructions for transferring files via USB. The books are not delivered via Kindle's 3G connection.
For more information, visit Amazon’s “Public Library Books for Kindle” page, or view this video from Overdrive.

Children's Room Program

2011-10-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room will be participating in the Lady Bug Award Voting this year.

The library is pleased to be participating in the Ladybug Award voting this year. Each year, librarians from around the state nominate ten outstanding picture books to be voted on by the children of New Hampshire. Students in preschool through grade 3 can vote on their favorite book from the list of nominated titles. The books will be on display this month and next. Voting will take place in November. Stop by and read one of the titles and be ready to cast your vote.

Adult Program

2011-09-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

“Susan B. Anthony – the Invincible!” at the Leach Library

On Thursday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host performer Sally Matson as “Susan B. Anthony – the Invincible!” See the great suffragist brought vividly to life in this compelling theatrical event.

Sally Matson has been touring the country as the feisty activist for eight years, appearing at such diverse venues as Time Warner, the Old South Meeting House in Boston, the New Hampshire Political Library, and the Vermont State House. She is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Communication, and has been acting and directing for thirty years.

In this program, letters, speeches and diaries are used to reveal Susan B. Anthony’s wit and fury as she fearlessly campaigned for women’s voting rights. The play highlights Miss Anthony’s interactions with such notables as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, William Lloyd Garrison, Horace Greeley, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Her words transport the audience to the time of the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, fights over Constitutional Amendments, and Westward expansion.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Londonderry Historical Society. Founded in 1956, the Londonderry Historical Society is dedicated to collecting and preserving materials of local historic value and to educating the community about its heritage, from its art and architecture to its local history and oral remembrances.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Children's Room Program

2011-09-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room will be hosting a viewing of “Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel.”

The library will be hosting a showing of the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel” on Monday, September 19 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Come watch singing sensations Alvin, Simon, and Theodore in this encore packed with more action and more nutty fun for the whole family. When a concert mishap lands Dave in the hospital, the Chipmunks take a break from superstardom and enroll in school to fit in with kids their age. But they soon face some stiff competition when they meet the Chipettes, a beautiful, talented trio of chipmunks. Advance registration is required and begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 12. To register, call 603-432-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room

New Science Fiction Titles

2011-09-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

Why do so many people love science fiction? Perhaps because it takes us to places that allow us to explore and think about the world in a manner different from our everyday lives. Leach Library has an outstanding collection of science fiction novels. If you are interested in classics from such luminaries as HG Wells, Philip K Dick, or Isaac Asimov or more recent contributions from the likes of Orson Scott Card, the library has what you are looking for. The following are just a few of the most recent science fiction additions to the collection:

SCI FIC ALL
Allston, Aaron. Conviction. Del Rey/Ballantine Books, 2011.

Though forbidden to intervene in Jedi affairs, Luke is determined to keep history from being repeated. With his son, Ben, at his side, Luke sets out to unravel the shocking truth behind Jacen Solo's corruption and downfall. But the secrets he uncovers among the enigmatic Force mystics of the distant world Dorin may bring his quest--and life as he knows it--to a sudden end. And all the while, another Jedi Knight, consumed by the same madness as Jedi Knight Valin Horn, is headed for Coruscant on a fearsome mission that could doom the Jedi Order...and devastate the entire galaxy.

SCI FIC BOV
Bova, Ben. Leviathans of Jupiter. New York: Tor, 2011.

Several years after his Jupiter ocean exploration team is rescued by a native creature in an act that proved the species' intelligence, physicist Grant Archer prepares for a new expedition that is threatened by both the hostile environment of the giant planet and sabotaging humans.

SCI FIC HAL
Patenaude, Jeremy. Halo: the essential visual guide. New York: DK Pub, 2011.

Explore the locations, characters, creatures, vehicles, and weapons of the bestselling video game Halo in this all-encompassing essential guide.

SCI FIC HER
Herbert, Brian and Anderson, Kevin J. Hellhole. New York: Tor, 2011.

On a colonized planet called Hellhole, defeated and exiled rebel General Tiber Adolphus continues his honorable opposition to the political scheming and selfish machinations of the Crown Jewel worlds and grandmotherly Diadem Michella Duchenet. Adolphus and his companions work in secret to undermine the royal space travel monopoly and form a coalition of Deep Zone planets.

SCI FIC MIE
Miéville, China. Embassytown. New York: Del Rey/Ballantine Books, 2011.

Retaining a tenuous peace on a distant planet in the far future, humans and aliens work together through a mutually beneficial economic arrangement that is threatened by the arrival of a new group of humans that destabilizes the world's balance.

SCI FIC WIL
Wilson, Daniel H. Robopocalypse: a novel. New York: Doubleday, 2011.

Two decades into the future humans are battling for their very survival when a powerful AI computer goes rogue, and all the machines on earth rebel against their human controllers.

SCI FIC AND
Anderson, Taylor. Distant thunders. New York: Roc, 2010.

Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy waits for his destroyer, the Walker, to be repaired after battling alongside their Lemurian allies to repel the savage Grik, and questions the loyalties Commodore Jenks who may be devoted those representing an even greater danger.

SCI FIC HAL
Haldeman, Joe. Starbound. New York: Ace Books, 2010.

While Earth prepares for battle, Carmen Dula and her crew travel to a distant solar system to attempt to forge a truce with a powerful race known as "The Others".

SCI FIC HAL
Nylund, Eric S. Halo: the fall of Reach. New York: Tor, 2010.

Before the Human-Covenant War engulfed Halo, the planet-colony Reach came under attack by the Covenant, and Earth's specially trained and augmented warriors, code-named SPARTANs, stood alone to fight for humanity's survival.

SCI FIC HAM
Hamilton, Peter F. The evolutionary void. New York: Ballantine Books, 2010.

Araminta becomes the target of a galaxywide search by a government agent seeking to prevent the pilgrimage of a cult into the heart of the Void, while Edeard, the Waterwalker, finds himself faced with powerful new enemies.

Celebrate National Friends of the Library Week

2011-09-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

National Friends of the Library Week is coming up October 16 – 22, 2011. The Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library have raised funds to supplement our programs and collections and have also raised awareness in the community regarding library services. In an effort to honor our ‘Friends’, the library would like to enlist your help. Stop by the Leach Library in the next few weeks and write a note of appreciation to The Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library, with the paper we have provided. We will present a collection of these to the group during National Friends of the Library Week.

Young Adult Summer Reading Program

2011-08-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Janice Anagnos Memorial Prize

Keep track of the total books you read this summer and hand in your reading log by closing time on September 3, 2011 to be eligible for the Janice Anagnos Mermorial Summer Reading Ceritifcate, as well as the special Grand Prize for the student who reads the most books from June 1 - September 3.

Young Adult Summer Reading Program

2011-08-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

Pizza Party and Raffle Draw

Join us in the library meeting room on Thursday, August 25, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. It is time to celebrate your achievements at the pizza party and raffle draw. Pizza, chips, and sodas are provided. Feel free to bring cookies, brownies, or other finger desserts.

Children's Summer Reading Program

2011-08-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Visit with Toot & Puddle at the Leach Library Children’s Room.
Everyone’s favorite world traveling pigs, Toot & Puddle, will be stopping by the library to help us wind down our summer. Come and hear tales of far-off lands, do a dance and visit with our porcine friends. There will be plenty of time for a hug and picture. Toot & Puddle will be welcoming visitors on Wednesday, August 17 and Thursday, August 18 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Please come to whichever session is most convenient. Readers who have reached their goals can pick up their prize bags at this fun-filled event. Those who haven’t yet reached their goal are still invited to attend and can pick up their prize bag from the Children’s Room when they have reached their goal, until closing on Saturday, September 10. Registration for the programs is required and begins on Monday, August 15 at 9:00 a.m. To register, call 603-432-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room.

Children’s Summer Reading Program

2011-08-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

The Traveling Storyteller will perform “Nanuk’s Actic Adventure” program at the Leach Library Children’s Room.

The Traveling Storyteller will be at the library on Wednesday, August 10 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with their tale of “Nanuk’s Arctic Adventure.” Nanuk, the little polar bear, and his Arctic friends enjoy a peaceful life together full of games and jokes until one day, an Inuit boy named Nukak comes near their homes to hunt. The animals must join together to save the life of one of their animal friends. Registration is required and begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 8. To register, call 603-432-1127 or come by the Children’s Room.

Children's Summer Reading Program

2011-07-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room will host Critters and Creatures “One World, Many Tails” program.
Come to the library on Wednesday, August 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and travel the world and visit animals along the way with Mona from Critters and Creatures. Each continent will be represented and animals will include a chinchilla, marbled polecat, naked rat and more (live animals). Registration is required and begins on Monday, August 1 at 9:00 a.m. To register, call 603-432-1127 or come by the Children’s Room.

Young Adult Summer Reading Program

2011-07-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

The Leach Library will host the following Young Adult Summer Reading Programs.
All meetings are held in the downstairs meeting room from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and are open to all students entering grades 6 – 12. Snacks and drinks are served at all meetings. You might win one of the door prizes which will be raffled off to lucky participants.

Thursday, July 21: Did You Know?
Bring a novel fact about the fascinating world around us to share with the group, or come and listen and learn all sorts of amazing but true facts.

Thursday, July 28: Book Discussion
Come and discuss Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. All available paperback copies have been picked up but you may still attend if you have read the book or have your own copy.
Keep turning in your raffle tickets until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2011 for a chance to win one of the large raffle prizes.

Adult Summer Reading Program

2011-07-13T14:20:00.000-07:00

The Adult Summer Reading Program is well underway and you can participate by registering at the reference desk. For each book you read you will earn a raffle ticket for weekly chances to win a variety of prizes featuring the Novel Destination logo in addition to gift certificates generously donated by area businesses. In June we traveled by books to North and South America. We’re in Africa, Antarctica, and Australia this month and our destination for August is Europe and Asia. Our display table reflects these locations with travel guides, other nonfiction titles, and novels set in these places. There is also a different trivia quiz on the display table each month to test your knowledge and research skills for another chance to win. There are just a few more weeks to take the Literary Settings quiz before we put out the August’s quiz which features a crossword puzzle based on geographic place names. Please join the over 300 adults who are already taking part in this entertaining program.

Children's Summer Reading Program

2011-07-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

Explore ocean tide pools at the Leach Library Children’s Room.
The Leach Library will host the Blue Ocean Society and their traveling tide pool on Wednesday, July 20 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Participants will experience live tide pool animals and plants including periwinkles, sea stars, sea anemones and more (live animals). This program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. Registration is required and begins on Monday, July 18 at 9:00 a.m. To register, call 603-432-1127 or come by the Children’s Room.

Travel to Russia with Rona Leventhal’s “Tale from Russia” at the Leach Library’s Children’s Room.
Enter a world that is at the same time familiar and uniquely Russian with Rona Leventhal’s “Tales from Russia” on Wednesday, July 27, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Take a journey with a Russian Cinderella, enter into a mitten stuffed with animals, and find out what a wondrous wonder is! What advice does Grandfather have? Find out! This program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. Registration is required and begins on Monday, July 25 at 9:00 a.m. To register, call 603-432-1127 or come by the Children’s Room.

Visit the Peabody Essex Museum at a discount through Leach Library

2011-06-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

The Peabody Essex Museum is a unique New England museum. Located in a spectacular building in the center of Salem, Massachusetts, the collections and exhibitions of the PEM offer visitors of all ages a wide variety of art and history to explore. People with an interest in maritime history and Asian art will find the PEM particularly entertaining. Current exhibits include “Golden: Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection”, which highlights artists such as Rembrandt. Leach Library offers a pass to the PEM that provides entrance to the museum for two adults at a discounted rate of only $5 per person and children under 16 are admitted free of charge. For more information on the PEM, visit their website www.pem.org. For more information on the library’s museum pass program visit our website or call 432-1132.

The Leach Library Children’s Room is kicking off the Summer Reading Program with a series of movies.

2011-06-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

The library will be starting off this summer’s programs with a trip around the world in a series of movies to be shown at the library. Each movie will be shown in two sessions from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Registration is required and begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 27. To register, call 603-437-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room.

Everyone’s Hero: Our trip starts off state side on Tuesday, June 28 as we follow the adventures of Yankee Irving as he tries to recover Babe Ruth’s stolen bat, Darlin’.

Anastasia: On Wednesday, June 29 we will travel across the ocean to meet Anya and follow her journey from Russia to Paris as she tries to discover her true identity and foil the plans of the evil Rasputin.

Ferngully: The journey will end in the rain forest on Thursday, June 30 with a visit to Ferngully. Join Zak, Crysta, Batty Koda and their friends as they battle the evil Hexxus and try to save their forest home.

New Biographies

2011-06-03T06:28:00.000-07:00

Biography is a wonderful way to learn about history on a micro level. Too often history can feel remote but biographies present the past in a way that make things come to life. When people read about the challenges that historical figures’ faced, in addition to their accomplishments, they come to know these figures as more human. Here are some of the latest additions to the biography collection.

BIO DAL
Talty, Stephan. Escape from the land of snows: the young Dalai Lama's harrowing flight to freedom and the making of a spiritual hero. New York: Crown Publishers, 2011.

Drawing from written eyewitness accounts and interviews with survivors, Talty (The Illustrious Dead) describes the events in 1959 that allowed the Dali Lama to flee Tibet for India.

BIO DUB
Dubus, Andre. Townie: a memoir. New York: W.W. Norton, 2011.

Tells the story of the hard scrabble upbringing of Andre Dubus, the author of House of Sand and Fog, and how he managed to persevere and survive his childhood after his father left the family at age 10.

BIO FEY
Fey, Tina. Bossypants. New York: Little, Brown, 2011.

From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon, comedian Tina Fey reveals all, and proves that you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

BIO JUD
Judd, Ashley and Vollers, Maryanne. All that is bitter & sweet: a memoir. 1st ed. New York: Ballantine Books, 2011.

Using her personal journal entries, Ashley Judd creates a highly personal and powerful memoir about change, hope, and human transformation.

BIO X
Marable, Manning. Malcolm X: a life of reinvention. New York: Viking, 2011.

An authoritative biography of Malcolm X draws on new research to trace his life from his troubled youth through his involvement in the Nation of Islam, his activism in the world of Black Nationalism, and his assassination.

Young Adult Summer Reading Program

2011-05-31T06:12:00.001-07:00

The 2011 Young Adult Summer Reading Program theme is You Are Here, exploring the many worlds, ideas, and destinations that books introduce to readers. It is open to any student entering grades 6-12 with registration ongoing from June 1 through August 22 at the Circulation Desk. Weekly meetings will be held in the lower level meeting room on Thursday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The first meeting is on Thursday, June 30 from 5:00 to 7:15 p.m., when the library will be screening Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Snacks and drinks are served at each meeting, and all attendees will receive a raffle ticket for one of various door prizes.

Participants who sign up and read will receive a raffle slip for every book of more than 80 pages read or every group of 3 magazines read. These slips must be turned in by no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22. Raffle slips will be drawn at the wrap-up pizza party on Thursday, August 25 for raffle prizes that include gift certificates to Cinema 12, American Eagle, Barnes and Noble, and Newbury Comics. Attendance at the pizza party is not required to win the raffle prizes.

Participants are also asked to keep a reading log of all books read from June 1 through Saturday, September 3. Every Londonderry Middle School student entering grades 6-8 who turns in a reading log with 12 titles or more listed will receive a certificate that entitles them to an extra credit or homework pass in English. Also, every participant grades 6-12 who turns in a reading log by September 3 will be eligible to win the Janice Anagnos Memorial Certificate and a very special prize. This prize is awarded, in memory of a former library trustee, Janice Anagnos, to the student who reads the most books during the Young Adult Summer Reading Program.

Children’s Summer Reading Program

2011-05-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Children’s Summer Reading Program theme is One World, Many Stories, with the library-wide goal of reading enough books to travel around the world in twenty days: that’s 28,800 minutes, with one book equaling one minute of travel time. The program is open to all children from birth through grade 6. Participants may register in the Children’s Room beginning June 1 where they will receive a packet containing calendars noting the dates and times of all programs.

The library will be starting off this summer’s programs with a trip around the world in a series of movies. Each movie will be shown in two sessions from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The featured movies will be Everyone’s Hero on Tuesday, June 28, Anastasia on Wednesday, June 29, and Ferngully on Thursday, June 30. Registration is required and begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 27.

Weekly activities include Guess It and Trivia Contests. Regular programs include Game Day Monday, Story Time Tuesday, Craft Time Thursdays, and a Saturday Scavenger Hunt. A variety of special programs on Wednesdays include a Luau and the Blue Ocean Society’s Traveling Tide Pool. These programs require prior registration on the Monday before the event.

Adult Summer Reading Program

2011-05-25T13:04:00.001-07:00

This year, the Leach Library will offer our second Adult Summer Reading Program, which will focus on the theme Novel Destinations. Registration for the program will begin on Tuesday, May 31 and run through Saturday, August 27, and is open to any Leach Library adult card-holder. Participants may register at any time at the Reference Desk where they will receive a bookmark and an informational sheet.

For every book read after registering for the program, participants will receive one raffle ticket. These tickets can be completed and returned for entry into weekly raffle drawings. Prizes for the weekly raffle drawings include a variety of items featuring the Novel Destinations logo as well as gift certificates to local businesses. The participant who reads the most books over the summer will receive a Grand Prize gift basket.

Check out our central display each month over the summer for a selection of reading material from around the globe. These will include travel guides and other non-fiction books, as well as fiction featuring novel destinations, for arm-chair and actual travelers alike. Additionally, a trivia contest will be held each month with contest forms available at the central display. Every entry that answers all questions correctly will be entered into a monthly prize drawing.

Dr. Andrew Stangel to Present “Painting Myths and Legends” at the Leach Library

2011-05-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host the program “Painting Myths and Legends” with Dr. Andrew Laurie Stangel. This beautifully illustrated lecture will feature artwork influenced by the Classical traditions of ancient Greece and Rome.

Dr. Stangel is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA and Professor of Art History at the University of New Hampshire in Manchester. A recipient of numerous academic honors and distinguished teaching awards, he has lectured at colleges and universities, museums, and galleries in the United States and Europe. He also created and directed the Art History Tours for the United States Armed Forces in Europe.

Join this seasoned speaker for a fascinating tour through the history of myths and legends in art. Using art-historical slides photographed in museums and galleries throughout Europe and the United States, Dr. Stangel will discuss how the Classical traditions of ancient Greece and Rome have been narrated in paint by some of the world’s greatest artists from the Renaissance to Baroque and modern times.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Children's Room Program

2011-05-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room will host a visit with Mother Goose.
Join Mother Goose and friends at the library Monday, May 16 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. to hear these classic tales as well as some clever retellings. Children may come dressed as their favorite Mother Goose character. This program is open to 90 participants and advance registration is required. To register, call 603-432-1127, or stop by the Children’s Room beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 9.

Criterion Collection

2011-04-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Criterion Collection is a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films, issued on DVD, that offer the highest technical quality and numerous special features. Among the great directors featured in the collection include Akira Kurosawa, Alfred Hitchcock, and Stanley Kubrick. Leach Library currently holds 49 movies from the collection. For more information, visit their web site: http://www.criterion.com/.

To find this collection in the catalog perform a “Keyword” search for “criterion”. Here are a few of the library’s Criterion titles:

DVD BAT
The Battle of Algiers. Director: Gillo Pontecorvo. 1966. An account of the bloodiest revolution in modern history.

DVD BIC
Bicycle Thieves. Director: Vittorio De Sica. 1948. A man and his son search for a stolen bicycle vital for his job.

DVD LA
La Haine. Director: Mathieu Kassovitz. 1995. Abdel, a local hoodlum, is hospitalized after a riot, where a policeman lost his gun. His friend Vinz finds it and claims he will kill a cop if Abdel dies.

DVD RED
The Red Balloon. Director: Albert Lamorisse. 1956. A red balloon with a life of its own follows a little boy around the streets of Paris.

DVD SEV
Seven Samurai. Director: Akira Kurosawa.1954. A poor village under attack by bandits recruits seven unemployed samurai to help them defend themselves.

Children's Room Program

2011-04-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Children’s Book Week with a raffle in the Leach Library Children’s Room.
Children’s Book Week is May 2 - 7 this year. To celebrate, for each book checked out of the Children’s Room during this week, you will earn a raffle ticket for a cool book bag. Raffle tickets may be turned in until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7.

Cakeless Bake Sale

2011-04-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

During the month of May, the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library will be holding their fourth annual cakeless bake sale fundraiser. All funds will be used to sponsor the children, young adult, and adult programs. The Friends will be asking for a donation, but not a cake or cookies. Figure out how much you would spend between baking and buying, and send a donation for that amount to support the Library. Perhaps you could throw in a little extra “frosting on the cake.” It’s a calorie free bake sale.

Your donation would be greatly appreciated to help the Friends. Please make your donation to “Friends of Leach Library”, and mail to Friends of Leach Library, 276 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH 03053, or place your donation in the box at the Library. Your gift is tax deductible.

Children's Room Program

2011-04-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room is having a scavenger hunt during April Vacation.
The Children’s Room will be offering a fun new twist on two classic games during April vacation. From Monday, April 25 through Saturday, April 30 participants can pick up a bingo card in the Children’s Room, then travel the library and collect items that will make bingo: five in a row vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Return the items to the Children’s Room for a special treat and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize bag. For more information call 603-432-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room.

Dale Chihuly: Master Glass Artist

2011-04-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

Dale Chihuly is one of the finest artists working with glass in the world today. Over his 50 year career he has created thousands of pieces that are in over 200 museums across the globe. As one of the founders of the Pilchuck Glass School, he has helped to inspire and teach numerous glass makers through the years. Running April 10th – August 7th, Chihuly brings his masterworks to Boston with an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts. Leach Library allows you to access this world class museum at a reduced rate through its museum pass program. If you are interested in the Chihuly exhibit, and would like to learn more about the artist, check out some of these interesting and entertaining DVDs:

DVD 748 CHI
Chihuly: fire & light. 2010.

DVD 748 CHI
Chihuly in the hotshop. 2008.

DVD 748 CHI
Chihuly at the Royal Botanic Gardens. 2006.

DVD 748 CHI
Chihuly and the masters of Venice. 2004.

DVD 748 CHI
Chihuly at the V & A. 2004.

The Old Man of the Mountain: Substance and Symbol

2011-04-07T07:58:00.001-07:00

On Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host the illustrated presentation “The Old Man of the Mountain: Substance and Symbol” given by Maggie Stier.

Maggie Stier is the author of Into the Mountains: Stories of New England’s Most Celebrated Peaks, which was co-written with Ron McAdow. She has taught at Colby-Sawyer College and Plymouth State University, and holds degrees from Vassar College, Boston University and Antioch New England. She has been affiliated with the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund since 2006, and was appointed by Governor Lynch to the New Hampshire State Parks Advisory Council in 2008.

In this program, Ms. Stier will explore the story of the Old Man of the Mountain and its importance to the story of New Hampshire itself. Utilizing images of paintings, literary passages, souvenirs and film clips of interviews with those closest to the Old Man, Ms. Stier will show how the symbol is reflected in our history, arts, literature, geography, philosophy and even public policy. Over the course of the evening, the audience will be challenged to think about the different and evolving ways that this image has touched the public imagination over its 200 year history.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Children's Room Program

2011-04-06T17:57:00.001-07:00

Great Stone Face voting is being held in the Leach Library Children’s Room.
Raffle tickets for Great Stone Face Award books read by 4-6 graders may be dropped off until 5:00 p.m.
on Saturday, April 9. After reading the books, you may vote for your favorite Great Stone Face nominee beginning Monday, April 11 at 9:00 a.m., and continue to vote through Saturday, April 16 at 5:00 p.m. Be sure to stop in and cast your vote to help select this year’s Great Stone Face book. Everyone who votes will receive a bookmark. For more information call 603-432-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room.

Children's Room Program

2011-04-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Discover Uncommon Critters at the Leach Library Children’s Room program.
The library is pleased to welcome Mona Headen from Critters ‘N Creatures to the library on Monday, April 18 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. with her “Uncommon Critters” program. Come to the library to learn about animals that look just a little different than you would expect. Animals include an albino hedgehog, legless lizard and naked guinea pig. There will even be a special visitor to touch at the end of the presentation. This program is open to 90 participants of all ages. Advance registration is required and begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 11. To register, call 603-432-1127 or come by the Children’s Room

Children's Room Program

2011-04-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Celebrate National Library Week with a raffle in the Leach Library Children’s Room.
National Library Week is April 11- 16 this year. To celebrate, for each children’s item checked out from the library during this week, you will earn a raffle ticket for a cool book bag. Raffle tickets may be turned in until 5:00 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Stop by the display case in the Children’s Room to see what the book bag looks like. For more information call 603-432-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room.

New Musquash/Town Center Map Now Available

2011-03-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

A new double sided map of the Musquash Conservation Area and the Town Center Trails is now available at Leach Library. The new Musquash map, which was produced in cooperation between Londonderry Trailways and the Londonderry Community Development Department, shows four trails which have been constructed since the creation of the previous map in 2007.

The four new trails (named White, Deer, Porcupine Ridge, and Ravine) create access to portions of the Musquash that previously would have only been available through bushwhacking. The White and Ravine Trails open up the northern part, with a trailhead at Faucher Road and the Deer and Porcupine Ridge Trails open up the southeastern portion of the conservation area.

The Town Center Trails are a series of multi-use trails in and around the High School, the town government complex, and Mack’s Apples. Popular uses of these trails include cross-country skiing and walking.

Copies of the map are available at the reference desk. You can view the maps online at the following addresses:

http://www.londonderrynh.org/planning/musquash%20conservation%20area.pdf

http://www.londonderrynh.org/planning/town%20center%20trails%5B1%5D.pdf

The Leach Library Children’s Room will be hosting Food, Science and an Amazing Trip

2011-03-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

Registered dietician Michelle Horan, of the New Hampshire Dietetic Association, will be at the library on Monday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. to read I Will Never, Not Ever, Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child. This program is open to 90 participants and advance registration is required. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 4. To register, call 603-432-1127 or stop by the Children’s Room.

Children's Room Program

2011-03-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room is participating in the annual Great Stone Face voting.
The Great Stone Face raffle is ongoing this month. A list of the nominees can be found on the Children’s Room webpage, under suggested reading. All the raffle tickets will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a great prize. You may earn raffle tickets through Saturday, April 9 at 5:00 p.m. Voting begins Monday April 11 at 9:00 a.m. and concludes Saturday April 16 at 5:00 p.m. The raffle is open to all students in grades 4-6. Stop by the Children’s circulation desk to pick up a list of the nominated books and help us choose this year’s winner!

New Reference Books

2011-03-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

The library’s collection of reference books offers sources of information that may not be easily obtainable in other places. Whether it is writing a report, finding a doctor, or researching a company, you can locate the information you need to accomplish your goals. Here are just a few of our latest titles:

REF 016.8 HER
Teen genreflecting 3: a guide to reading interests. This source helps you answer the classic question . . . what do I read next?

REF 338.7 NEW
New Hampshire business review 2011 book of lists. This yearly guide provides over 30,000 pieces of information on the New Hampshire business community. It is the single most comprehensive source of business information for New Hampshire.

REF 338.7 NEW
N.H. business review business services guide 2011. A sister publication to the “Book of Lists”, this magazine is a valuable source for New Hampshire facts and figures, sales leads, and contacts.

REF 361.1 CAR
Doak, Melissa J. Careers and occupations: looking to the future. One volume in the “Information Plus” series, the purpose of each is to present the latest facts, using a wide range of statistical data, on a topic of pressing concern.

REF 610.12 MED
Medical directory 2011: more than 3,000 Granite State doctors listed by specialty. Trying to find a new doctor? Let this item be one source in your search.

Leach Library to Host “Folk Music: Singing History” with Random Acts of Harmony

2011-03-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host the musical program “Folk Music: Singing History” with Random Acts of Harmony. The acoustic folk trio will treat listeners to a variety of folk songs and the compelling stories behind their origins.

Random Acts of Harmony is comprised of band members Randy Filliger, Rob Becker and Dick Kruppa. They perform traditional and contemporary folk tunes sung with acoustic guitar, 5-string banjo, and stand-up bass accompaniment. Their concerts have been featured throughout New England at a variety of venues, including fairs and festivals, coffeehouses, music clubs, and libraries.

In this program, the trio will present an evening of musical entertainment embellished with historical facts. Before each song is performed, Seacoast actor Rob Becker will tell the interesting events and issues that led to its writing. Please join us for these songs of triumph, sorrow and tragedy as they are performed in beautiful three part harmony with acoustic accompaniment.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Children's Room Program

2011-02-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

The Leach Library Children’s Room will host The Massabesic Audubon’s Fabulous Frogs program.
The Massabesic Audubon will be at the library on Wednesday March 9 and Thursday March 10 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. to present their “Fabulous Frogs” program. Participants will learn all about this interesting amphibian’s life cycle, and anatomy and will have a chance to listen to their calls. They will also have an opportunity to take an up close look at some species that live in New Hampshire. Each session is open to 20 children. Advance registration begins in the Children’s Room on Tuesday March 1at 9:00 a.m.

Children's Room Program

2011-02-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

February vacation scavenger hunt in the Leach Library Children’s Room.
During February vacation, Tuesday, February 22 through Saturday, February 26, the Children’s Room will be offering an in-library scavenger hunt. Stop by the Children’s Room desk for a list of items to find around the building. Turn in the completed hunt for a raffle ticket and chance to win a fun prize.

Children's Room Program

2011-02-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

Leach Library Children’s Room to participate in annual Great Stone Face voting.
The New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award nominees are books selected by librarians for children grades 4-6. Beginning this month, for every book read from the list of nominated titles, students receive one raffle ticket. All the raffle tickets will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a great prize. You may earn raffle tickets through Saturday, April 9 at 5:00 p.m. Voting on your favorite book from the list begins Monday, April 11 at 9:00 a.m. and concludes Saturday, April 16 at 5:00 p.m. The raffle is open to all students in grades 4-6. Stop by the Children’s circulation desk to pick up a list of the nominated books and help us choose this year’s winner!

1040 Form Instructions

2011-02-08T08:57:00.001-08:00

The instructional booklet for IRS form 1040 has arrived and is available in the lobby of the library.

Children's Room Program

2011-02-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

Leach Library Children’s Room host visit with a Wild Thing.
Celebrate award winner books with a visit from a Wild Thing from Maurice Sendak’s Caldecott winning picture book Where the Wild Things Are on Monday, February 28 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. During this program, we will read this classic tale, as well as other award winners, and have a wild rumpus of a good time. This program is open to 90 participants and advance registration is required. To register, call or stop by the Children’s Room beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 14.

Leach Library to Host “Ahoy Pirates!”

2011-02-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host an illustrated talk on the history of piracy with New England folklorist John Horrigan.

John Horrigan is a professional researcher, re-enactor, and lecturer on a wide range of historical and weather-related topics. He has presented programs throughout New England for over fifteen years on historic weather and disasters, economics, astronomy, and the paranormal.

In this program, Mr. Horrigan will transport listeners to the high seas to explore the history of pirates and privateers through paintings, portraits, and maps. Beginning with the Golden Age of Piracy, he will progress through the centuries to the contemporary pirates who lurk off the coast of Somalia today. His talk will include the Pirate Code, pirate myths, buried treasure, pirates in popular culture and many notorious pirates, including Captain Kidd, Redbeard, Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, Henry Morgan, and Blackbeard.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

New Documentaries

2011-01-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

The documentary format can be a great way to learn about, and be introduced to, a particular subject. Leach Library is always on the lookout for the latest documentaries to deliver to you. Documentaries are kept with books of the same subject so, for example, a DVD on World War II will be kept with books on World War II. Here are some of our latest acquisitions to the collection:

DVD 155.92 WE
We live in public. Indiepix Films, 2010. Reveals the complicated effects the web is having on our society as seen through the eyes of artist, futurist, and visionary Josh Harris. Director Ondi Timoner documented more than a decade of Harris' increasingly tumultuous life and experiments, including one that involved living under 24-hour electronic surveillance, which led to his mental collapse.

DVD 200.973 GOD
Sheppard, Philip. God in America. 2010. Tells the sweeping and dramatic story of religious life in America, examining more than 500 years of American religious history, from the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the 2008 presidential election. Examine this history as it has played out in public life, exploring the complex interaction between religion and democracy in the United States; the origins of the American concept of religious liberty; the dynamics of the ever-evolving American religious marketplace; and more.

DVD 305.232 BAB
Babies. 2010. Follows four babies from different parts of the globe as they navigate their first year of life. Features Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia, Hattie who lives in San Francisco, and Mari from Tokyo.

DVD 570.2 LIF
Life. 2010. Four years in the making, and filmed over 3000 days across every continent and in every habitat, see 130 incredible stories from frontiers of the natural world. Discover the glorious variety of life on Earth and the spectacular and extraordinary tactics animals and plants have developed to stay alive.

DVD 782.4216 DOO
When you're strange: a film about the Doors. 2010. The documentary uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock band and provides new insight into the impact of its music and legacy.

DVD 985 GHO
Ghosts of Machu Picchu. 2010. In the years since Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, there have been countless theories about this Lost city of the Incas, yet it remains an enigma. NOVA joins a new generation of archaeologists as they probe areas of Machu Picchu that haven't been touched since the time of the Incas and unearth burials of the people who built the sacred site

Winter Sports

2011-01-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Did you know New Hampshire has a grand winter sports tradition? In 1883 the first hockey game between students was played at Concord’s St. Paul’s School and much of the early history of skiing in the United States takes place in New Hampshire. If you have an interest in winter sports Leach Library has the materials that can help you carry on this New Hampshire tradition. The library’s winter sports collection helps you improve your skills, learn how to coach, figure out the best ski destinations, and appreciate the history of your game of choice. Check out the display of winter sports materials in the center concourse to see the wide variety of items available. Here are just a few of the titles:

796.93 FRY
Fry, John. The story of modern skiing. 2010.

DVD 796.932 NOR
McMahon, David. Nordic skiing technique. 2006.

796.962 DAV
Davidson, Ron. Play better hockey. 2010.

796.93 LEM
LeMaster, Ron. Ultimate skiing. 2010.

796.939 ROT
Rottmann, Alexander and Pederzolli, Nici. Snowboarding: freestyle tricks, skills and techniques. 2010.

“Seasons of the White Mountains” at the Leach Library

2011-01-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host the illustrated talk “Seasons of the White Mountains” presented by nature photographer Dave Smith. Photographs of the region through the changing seasons will be featured along with tales from history and folklore.

Dave Smith is a professional photographer whose interest in capturing the White Mountains on film began as a teenager. He studied photography while in the army and continued to train himself in the digital medium. He became a professional photographer fifteen years ago and has since utilized his photography of the White Mountains region in illustrated presentations on the topic.

In this program, Mr. Smith will take his audience on a visual journey along the trails, brooks, and beautiful vistas of the White Mountains through each season of the year. His talk will feature stories from the region, including the legend of Mount Chocorua, and accounts of the historical figures of Darby Field and the Willey Family. Mr. Smith will also lead listeners through the history of the region during the time of the early settlers.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Leach Library Children’s Room to show Space Chimps the movie.

2011-01-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

When a probe from Earth gets zapped into a wormhole and ends up in the hands of a wannabe tyrant on a distant planet, a team of chimps is sent to try to retrieve it. The team is made up of a by-the-book commander, a brilliant scientist, and a wild card named Ham III, a circus chimp whose grandfather happened to be an astronaut legend in the old space program. To find out if these chimps can save the day, come to the library on Monday, January 17 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and watch the animated film Space Chimps. The program is open to 90 participants and advance registration begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 10 in the Children’s Room.

Holiday Reads

2010-12-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

Looking for a good book to get you into the spirit of things? This holiday season when it is cold outside curl up with a good book from Leach Library. This time of year means different things to different people and the library has a variety of holiday related books for you to enjoy. In addition to romances, cozy mysteries, and classic stories, a wide range of craft and cookbooks are available that will help to make this joyous season quite memorable. Here are just a few of the titles to be had at your library:

296.43 STE
Steinberg, Paul and Potter, Janet Greenstein. Celebrating the Jewish year.

394.26 EHR
Ehrenreich, Barbara. Dancing in the streets: a history of collective joy.

641.5676 GRE
Greene, Gloria Kaufer. The new Jewish holiday cookbook: an international collection of recipes and customs.

641.568 DEE
Deen, Paula H. Christmas with Paula Deen: recipes and stories from my favorite holiday.

745.5941 VED
Vedrenne, Penny. Christmas: a book of stencils.

J 296.4 BER
Berger, Gilda and Catalanotto, Peter. Celebrate!: stories of the Jewish holidays.

FIC MAC
Macomber, Debbie. Call me Mrs. Miracle.

MYS PER
Perry, Anne. A Christmas odyssey: a novel.

YA DIC
Dickens, Charles and Geldart, Bill. A Christmas carol.

Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library Holiday Spoon Sale

2010-11-19T10:44:00.001-08:00

The Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library have holiday spoons and a variety of other gifts available for sale at the library beginning November 20. These spoons contain various cocoas and teas, all available for $2.00 each. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. Stop by the table near the front desk to purchase these warming and soothing drinks!

Explore E-Books Through Learning Express Library

2010-11-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Learning Express Library is known for it’s many types of practice tests but did you know they also have numerous E-Books on topics they provide tests for? Access to E-Books offers users another way to use this website and get ready for the test you need to take. Topics covered by these E-Books include, but are not limited to, academic test prep, civil service, health occupations, and the military. To find the E-Book you need simply browse the topics or perform a keyword search.

Getting started with Learning Express is easy to do. Visit the Library’s database page and click on “Learning Express Library”. First time users will need to set up a username and password but after that you are ready to go. Your username must be the digits “2666666” plus your library card number so your ID should be 14 digits long. The password can be whatever you want. Learning Express Library is a great service so check it out! Contact the reference desk at 603-432-1132 or reference@londonderrynh.org if you have any questions.

Leach Library to Present an Evening of “The American Songbook” on Jazz Guitar

2010-11-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m., jazz guitarist Gerry Johnston will perform jazz and popular standards from “The American Songbook” at the Londonderry Leach Library.

Gerry Johnston is a professional jazz guitarist who has studied at both the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. He specializes in jazz and popular standards, but also performs traditional classical guitar works. He has performed his original arrangements and improvisations on classic tunes for audiences of all ages throughout New England at a variety of venues.

In this program, Mr. Johnston will perform selections from “The American Songbook.” The performance will include jazz and popular standards by such composers as Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Jimmy Van Heusen, and Richard Rodgers. Audience members are invited to request songs from a song list provided at the program. Please join us for this evening of selections from the Golden Age of American music performed on classical guitar.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Children's Room Program

2010-11-09T05:48:00.000-08:00

Ladybug Award voting at the Leach Library Children’s room.

The library is pleased to be participating in the Ladybug Award voting this year. Each year, librarians from around the state nominate ten outstanding picture books to be voted on by the children of New Hampshire. Students in preschool through grade 3 can vote on their favorite book from the list of nominated titles. Stop by and read one of the titles and be ready to cast your vote. Ladybug Award Voting begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 15 and concludes on Saturday, November

Children's Room Program

2010-11-09T05:47:00.000-08:00

A visit with Laura Numeroff’s Pig at the Leach Library Children’s room.
The library is pleased to welcome Pig, from Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Pig a Pancake and If You Give a Pig a Party books, for a visit on Monday, November 22 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Children attending the program will hear Pig’s stories, meet her and have a wonderful time. There will be time after for a hug for Pig and plenty of photo opportunities. This program is limited to 90 people. Advance registration is required and starts on Monday, November 15 at 9:00 a.m. To register, call or stop by the Children’s Room.

T-shirt pre-orders at the Leach Library Children’s Room

2010-11-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

The library will be pre-ordering t-shirts for next summer’s children’s reading program. The theme for the program is “One World, Many Stories,” and there are several styles of t-shirts for children and adults. Also available are two styles of bags. Stop by the Children’s Room and pick up a brochure and order form. Orders are due to the library by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 27, with delivery expected early spring of 2011.

Children's Room Program

2010-10-11T06:10:00.000-07:00

Leach Library Children’s Room welcomes Mr. Phil’s
Happy Hauntings Magic Show.
Mr. Phil will be performing his “Happy Hauntings Magic Show” at the Leach Library on Monday, October 25 and Tuesday, October 26 2010, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. This fun-filled program is full of magic, comedy and stories that help teach children how to stay safe on Halloween. Mr. Phil will be accompanied by his sidekick, a real live bunny. All children attending the program will receive a trick or treat bag which can be filled by “trick or treating” from the library staff during a costume parade following the program, or by visiting the Children’s Room.
The program is open to all ages, and space is limited to 90 people for each session. Advance registration is required and begins on Monday, October 18 2010, at 9:00 a.m. To register stop by or call the Children’s Room.

Leach Library to Host “Haunted Lighthouses of New England”

2010-10-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will host the illustrated presentation “Haunted Lighthouses of New England” with lighthouse historian Jeremy D’Entremont.

Jeremy D’Entremont has been photographing and writing about lighthouses for the past twenty-five years. He is the author of eight books on the topic, including The Lighthouses of Maine and The Lighthouse Handbook: New England. He has been recognized as the leading expert on New England’s historic lighthouses and has appeared on the History Channel, the Travel Channel, Public Television, and National Public Radio speaking on the topic. He is currently the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and the founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse.

In this talk, Mr. D’Entremont will focus on mysterious tales of eerie activities in several New England lighthouses, including Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire. The presentation will feature a slideshow of historic and new photographs of lighthouses in the region, as well as audio clips.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

E-Book News

2010-10-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

According to a recent Harris poll, eight percent of Americans own an e-reader and another twelve percent plan to buy one in the next six months. This surge in popularity is at least in part due to the prices on these devices quickly dropping. It was not too long a go that $259 for an e-reader was considered a good price. These days’ e-book readers go as low as $129. Visit the downloadable book web site for a list of compatible e-book readers with price information.

Are you not interested in purchasing an e-book reader just yet? Just remember that e-books can be read from your computer using Adobe Digital Editions, the free software where one initially downloads the e-book to before transferring the file to an e-reader.

The downloadable e-books website now has 806 titles and is consistently growing. Library patrons have access to the site due to Leach Library’s membership in the New Hampshire Downloadable Books Consortium. Here are just a few of the newest titles:

Author: Ken Follett
Title: Fall of Giants
Link to this record: http://preview.tinyurl.com/3yudkrj

Author: Dean Koontz
Title: Odd Thomas
Link to this record: http://preview.tinyurl.com/36vg4dl

Author: Marcus Zusak
Title: The Book Thief
Link to this record: http://preview.tinyurl.com/34qlu82

Author: Steve Berry
Title: The Venetian Betrayal
Link to this record: http://preview.tinyurl.com/36uqq6t

Author: Harlan Coben
Title: Drop Shot
Link to this record: http://preview.tinyurl.com/3aa9wak

Author: Mary Ann Shaffer
Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Link to this record: http://preview.tinyurl.com/36mc7nl

Children's Room Program

2010-09-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

Leach Library Children’s Room to participate in
annual Ladybug Award voting.

The Leach Library Children’s Room is pleased to be participating in the Ladybug Award voting this year. Each year, librarians from around the state nominate ten outstanding picture books to be voted on by the children of New Hampshire. Students in preschool through grade 3 can vote on their favorite book from the list of nominated titles. The books will be on display this month and next. Voting will take place in November. Stop by and read one of the titles and be ready to cast your vote.

Children's Room Program

2010-09-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

Leach Library Children’s Room to host American Red Cross’

The Leach Library Children’s Room will welcome the American Red Cross on Monday, October 11, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to present their Scrubby Bear program. Children, ages 4 -7, will learn the importance of hand washing and how to stay healthy during the flu season. Advance registration begins on Monday, October 4, at 9:00 a.m. in the Children’s Room.

Major upgrade to Biography Resource Center now complete

2010-09-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

Biography Resource Center has recently received a major upgrade in content and a new name. Now known as Biography In Context (BIC), the database has 160,000 more biographies than the previous version. In addition to providing access to the reference books they always have, users are now able to use journal articles, newspaper stories, and audio and video clips thus giving you a broader array of sources to choose from and providing a more nuanced understanding of the subject at hand. In addition to the increased content, BIC now has an improved, user-friendly, layout that provides the user with more of a website feel than a database. A link to BIC can be found on the libraries database page, http://www.londonderrynh.org/library/library_005.htm. BIC is password protected so contact the reference desk at 432-1132 or reference@londonderrynh.org for that information.

Free Admission to Local Museums on September 25th

2010-09-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

Smithsonian Magazine is presenting its 6th annual Museum Day on September 25, 2010. On that day museums across the country and right here in New Hampshire are offering free admission for two people. Some of the museums in New Hampshire offering free admission that day include the Squam Lake Science Center and the New Hampshire Historical Society Museum. Getting your ticket is easy. Visit the Smithsonian Magazine web site, http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010, enter your information in the form provided and within minutes you will have your ticket emailed to you. Don’t have a printer at home? No problem. Just visit the library and you can print it off on one of our eight public computers.

Music at the Library

2010-09-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

Did you know Leach Library holds a collection of over 3,000 music CDs? From rock and pop to country, classical, jazz, and the blues, the collection is constantly updated to bring you the newest releases and classic oldies. The following is just a small sample of the newest items to the collection:

CD MUS ALT GOR
Gorillaz (Musical group) and Reed, Lou. Plastic Beach. New York: Virgin,
[p2010].

CD MUS CTY BUN
Bundy, Laura Bell. Achin' and shakin'. Nashville, TN: Mercury Records, [p2010].

CD MUS ESY SIN
Sinatra, Frank and Jobim, Antonio Carlos. The complete Reprise Recordings.
[Burbank, Calif.]: Reprise/Concord Records, [2010].

CD MUS INS GRA
Grant, Amy and Chapman, Sarah. Somewhere down the road. [S.l.]: Sparrow Records,
[2010].

CD MUS JZZ SCO
Scott-Heron, Gil. I'm new here. New York, NY: XL Recordings, [p2010].

CD MUS POP BIE
Bieber, Justin. My world 2.0. New York: Island Records, [p2010].

CD MUS POP LAN
Lang, K. D and Siberry, Jane. Recollection. [S.l.]: Nonesuch, [2010].

CD MUS RAP MET
Method Man and Raekwon. Wu massacre. New York: Def Jam, [p2010].

CD MUS RB USH
Usher. Raymond v Raymond. [S.l.]: LaFace Records/Jive, [p2010].

CD MUS RCK CRO
Crow, Sheryl. 100 miles from Memphis. [S.l.]: A&M, [p2010].

CD MUS RCK DAV
Matthews, Dave and Reynolds, Tim. Live in Las Vegas. New York: RCA, [p2010].

CD MUS RCK ETH
Etheridge, Melissa. Fearless love. New York, N.Y: Distributed by Universal
Music, [p2010].

CD MUS SHW GLE
Menzel, Idina. Glee : the music. New York, NY: Columbia, [p2010].

CD MUS WRM SHA
Shankar, Ravi. Rare and glorious. [S.l.]: Times Square Records, [2010].

“Granite State Sacrifice during the American Civil War” at the Leach Library

2010-09-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will host the program “Granite State Sacrifice during the American Civil War” presented by Steven Closs. The program is being sponsored by the Londonderry Historical Society.

Steven Closs is a New Hampshire Civil War historian and author who has studied the American Civil War for the past twenty years. He has written two books on the subject, Granite State Sacrifice for Union: 1861-1865 and Willing Sacrifice: Granite State Valor during the American Civil War, both forthcoming. He is currently traveling around the state presenting locally tailored versions of his program on the topic.

In this program, Mr. Closs will discuss the soldiers of New Hampshire who made the ultimate sacrifice during the American Civil War. Through his research, he has compiled sketches and profiles of the Granite State soldiers who died, and he will pay particular attention to the twelve fallen soldiers from Londonderry at this event.

The event is being sponsored by the Londonderry Historical Society. Founded in 1956, the Londonderry Historical Society is dedicated to collecting and preserving materials of local historic value and to educating the community about its heritage, from its art and architecture to its local history and oral remembrances.

The program is free and open to the public and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

The Leach Library Children’s Room to host “New Hampshire Wildlife” with the McLane Audubon Society.

2010-09-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

The library is pleased to welcome the McLane Audubon Society to present their program “New Hampshire Wildlife” at the library on Monday, September 20th from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Children will learn about the diverse animals of New Hampshire through visits with a live snake, turtle, frog and bird. Space is limited to 50 children and advance registration is required. To register, call or stop by the Children’s Room beginning on Monday, September 13th at 9:00 a.m.

Novelist is Better Than Ever

2010-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Novelist is an outstanding web site dedicated to works of fiction. It is a very useful tool which helps readers with that constant dilemma . . . What do I read next?

Recent changes to the site now make it more effective than ever. According to Ebscohost, the creators of the site, the redesign will “make searching more intuitive, reading recommendations easier to obtain, and allow quicker access to more content than ever.” Amongst the new features in the redesign is the ability to search by “appeal factors” such as genre, storyline, pace, tone, and writing style. Users will also have easier access to the “author read-alike” and “recommended reads” sections, which helps people figure out what to read next. To get to Novelist visit the libraries database page, http://www.londonderrynh.org/library/library_005.htm, and click on Novelist. Novelist is password protected so the library username and password is required. Contact the reference desk at 432-1132 or reference@londonderrynh.org for that information

Researching the History of your Home

2010-08-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

In addition to its agricultural heritage, another way to understand the history of Londonderry is through its architecture. Londonderry is replete with old homes that tell stories of bygone times. For a list of homes in Londonderry over 100 years old, take a look at the report produced by the Londonderry Historic Properties Preservation Task Force available online at http://bit.ly/dcdlT7.

Are you interested in researching the history of your home? Here are a few books that might help you get started:

690.837 GAR
Garvin, James L. A building history of northern New England. Hanover: University Press of New England, [2001].

728.37 GRE
Green, Betsy. Discovering the history of your house and your neighborhood
Santa Monica, CA: Santa Monica Press, [2002].

HIS REF 728 SUR
Survey of selected historic properties, Londonderry, New Hampshire: including a Londonderry town-wide area forum (Area BL) and 4 individual inventory forms. [1996].

If you would like to go beyond these books, here are some New Hampshire institutions that might be useful in your research:

New Hampshire State Library – Genealogy and NH History
http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/public/genealogy.html

New Hampshire State Archives
http://www.sos.nh.gov/archives/

New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources
http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr/

New Hampshire Historical Society
http://www.nhhistory.org/

Rockingham County Registry of Deeds
http://www.nhdeeds.com/rockingham/RoHome.html

Children's Summer Reading Program

2010-08-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Fantastic Finale!

This year’s fabulous finale show will feature the interactive entertainment of Todd Wellington, The King of Silly. Using a variety of tools of the trade including juggling, unicycling, balloons and physical comedy, the King of Silly will keep you laughing. Join us for one of two sessions at the Londonderry Town Common on Wednesday, August 18th at 11:00 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m. Every participant is invited to attend one of the performances --- come to whichever time is more convenient. For your convenience, parking will be available at the Lion’s Hall, the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church. There is no parking allowed along Mammoth and Pillsbury Roads. In the case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved to the Grange 44 Building. If you have not completed your reading, you may still attend the finale; your prize bag may be claimed when you reach your goal. Everyone who attends one of the performances will have a chance to enter a raffle for gift certificates donated by local restaurants. No registration is required.

Children’s Summer Reading Program

2010-08-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Reptiles on the Move

The Leach Library is pleased to welcome Reptiles on the Move to the library on Wednesday, August 11th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This interactive presentation allows children of all ages to learn about reptiles by seeing, holding and touching them. (live animals) Registration is required

Children’s Summer Reading Program

2010-07-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

Campfire Stories

Snuggle up around our “campfire” and listen to some entertaining campfire stories on Wednesday, August 4th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring a blanket and stretch out on the floor and listen to stories that will leave you wanting “s’more!” Registration is required.

The Summer’s Hottest Reads

2010-07-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

Oh the joys of summer: cookouts and picnics, trips to the beach, long, lazy days lost in the pages of a good book. As you plan your summer vacation, whether you will be heading out or staying in, be sure to include a stop at the library. We have a fresh crop of titles that are perfect fare for a summer day. Here are just a few:

Nora Roberts can be counted on for her riveting romances, and her latest is up to her usual standards and out just in time for summer. In The Search, Fiona Bristow begins to put the pieces of her life back together after losing her fiancé to a serial killer who nearly killed her as well. As her heart begins to warm to someone new, a copycat killer emerges who is dead set on killing the one woman who escaped his predecessor. With enough thrills to keep the pages turning, this one is sure to ratchet up the heat on a summer’s day.

Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath series has provided plenty of adventure and page-flying reading for a number of years now, and his latest entry, Foreign Influence, is certain to please. In this outing, the ex-Navy SEAL finds himself in Europe on the trail of terrorists attacking Americans abroad. An alternating storyline introduces Vaughn, a Chicago investigator and ex-marine, who has discovered a deadly plot to attack on home soil. Thor has yet again created an intricately woven plot that comes to an explosive conclusion. If you haven’t met Scot Harvath yet, begin at the beginning with The Lions of Lucerne.

Three sisters, each with their own unique voice, share the narration of Nancy Thayer’s latest heart-wrenching read, Beachcombers. After years of growing apart, Abbie, Emma and Lily find themselves in their childhood home on Nantucket during a life-changing summer. Renting a cottage near their house is Marina, a widow seeking a new start, who finds her heart awakening to the sisters’ father. At each new challenge, these four women learn to face what their futures have in store for them.

The hilarious Stephanie Plum is back for another adventure in Janet Evanovich’s latest, Sizzling Sixteen. After her cousin Vinnie is kidnapped, the bounty hunter puts her luck and skills to the test as she tries to rescue him and raise the money to pay off his gambling debts. Love interests Ranger and Morelli are never far away as Stephanie dashes around Trenton in one raucously funny escapade after another. While Evanovich makes sure first-time readers of the series are brought up to snuff, you won’t want to miss the madcap adventures that fill the first fifteen installments. Start with One for the Money for an introduction to the zaniest bail bondswoman you’ll ever meet.

Readers will find Elin Hilderbrand’s The Island to be yet another perfectly timed summer escape from this expert author. Isolated Tuckernuck Island provides the setting for this novel about two sets of sisters: Chess and Tate, and their mother, Birdie, and aunt, India. After Chess calls off her engagement and then suffers the loss of her ex-fiancé, she escapes to the secluded family estate on a private island. There the four women spend a month together as each discovers the importance of family and learns to navigate the waters of the heart.

Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library Fall Bulb Sale

2010-07-14T11:04:00.001-07:00

The Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library will be conducting their annual Fall Bulb Sale beginning Monday, August 2, 2010. These spring and summer blooming bulbs include Pink Impression Tulips, Stargazer Lilies, and Rhapsody Irises, as well as a variety of mixtures featuring Daffodils, Crocuses and Hyacinths. New this year, the Bulb Sale will also feature indoor plants, including Grand Soleil D’Ors, Paperwhites, and several varieties of Amaryllis. Orders can be placed at the Library’s main desk until Saturday, September 25, 2010.

Children's Summer Reading Programs

2010-07-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Simon Brooks, Storyteller at the Leach Library Children’s Room

Come and enjoy a morning of tales from around the world on Wednesday, July 14th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Hear tales of love, long journeys, shape-shifting girls battling dragons and how Ananzi gave us stories. Registration is required and begins on Monday, July 12, 2010.

The Leach Library Children’s Room welcomes Martha Dana & Puppets

Join Martha Dana and her puppets at the library on Wednesday, July 21st from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., for a morning of puppet fun and exciting stories. Registration is required and begins on Monday, July 19, 2010.

Junior Zookeeper Encounter with the Granite State Zoo at the Leach Library Children’s Room

Get up close and personal with a variety of animals on Wednesday, July 28th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., with the Granite State Zoo. This hands-on program will allow children to touch and hold animals while teaching them to be safe and respectful around them. (live animals) Registration is required and begins on Monday, July 26, 2010.

Leach Library to Host Program on Best Plants for New Hampshire Landscapes

2010-07-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host “The Best Plants for New Hampshire Landscapes” with University of New Hampshire Professor Cathy Neal. This illustrated presentation will cover a variety of landscapes and the plants that best suit them. The program is being held as part of the library’s new Adult Summer Reading Program focused on the theme Water Your Mind – Read.

Dr. Cathy Neal is a specialist in landscape horticulture and one of the authors of The Best Plants for New Hampshire Gardens and Landscapes and several other publications. As a professor for the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Program, she teaches horticulture and conducts research and programs on plant selection and maintenance for northern New England. She will have copies of her book available for sale following the program.

In this program, Dr. Neal will instruct attendees in how to identify the landscape they are working with, and how to choose appropriate trees, shrubs and perennials that will thrive there. The presentation will explore such landscapes as woodlands, woods’ edges, sunny borders and water’s edge gardens with beautiful photos and plant reference lists. A gardening themed door prize will be raffled off at the program.

The program is being coordinated through the University of New Hampshire Speakers Bureau which connects faculty and staff speakers with non-profit organizations to share the research and knowledge of the university with the people and communities of New Hampshire. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

Children's Summer Reading Program Kick-off Show

2010-06-28T08:51:00.001-07:00

This is a reminder that the children’s summer reading program kick-off show is Wednesday, June 30, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join us at the Middle School cafeteria for a performance of “Story Songs and Sing Alongs” by Debbie and Friends. A raffle for a chance to win gift certificates donated by local businesses will follow the performance. There is no registration required for this program. If you have any questions please contact the Children’s Room at 432-1127.

Leach Library to Close for Sidewalk Repair

2010-06-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

The Londonderry Leach Library will be having the front sidewalk repaired beginning Sunday, June 27, 2010. The Book Drop will not be accessible on Sunday, June 27 and Monday, June 28, 2010. The library will be closed to the public on Monday, June 28, 2010. Patrons will be able to call and renew items, register for programs, or ask for information on that day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

If the repair takes longer than anticipated, the library will also be closed on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. If the weather does not cooperate, these dates may change. Please call the library at 432-1132 or 432-1127 with any questions regarding the closures.

Nordic Noir

2010-06-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

With 6 million copies sold in the United States and 35 million copies worldwide, Steig Larsson’s Millennium trilogy has become an international sensation. Book 3 of the series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, has recently been published in the Unites States and is destined to stay on best seller lists for a long time. Mr. Larsson has captivated readers with the exploits of Lisabeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist as they track down killers, expose corruption, and uncover the dark underbelly of Swedish society.

Have you not read any of the books and are wondering what the fuss is all about? To get started check out The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Book 1) and then move on to The Girl Who Played With Fire (Book 2). Dragon Tattoo is now a motion picture and will be available for viewing from Leach Library on DVD later this summer.

With Mr. Larsson’s death at the age of 50 in 2004, what is a fan of this genre to do? There is word that Mr. Larsson’s unfinished fourth manuscript may, one day, be published but what until then? With the success of the Millennium trilogy, other Scandinavian mystery writers are becoming more popular in the United States. Here are just a few, all available at Leach Library:

FIC ALV
Alvtegen, Karin. Missing. New York: Felony & Mayhem Press, [2008].

MYS ERI
Eriksson, Kjell and Segerberg, Ebba. The princess of Burundi. 1st ed. New York: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Minotaur, [2006].

MYS FOS
Fossum, Karin and David, Felicity. Don't look back : an Inspector Sejer mystery. 1st U.S. ed. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, [2003].

MYS HOL
Holt, Anne and Dickson, Kari. What never happens. 1st American ed. New York: Grand Central Pub, [2008].

MYS JUN
Jungstedt, Mari and Nunnally, Tiina. The inner circle. 1st U.S. ed. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, [2008].

MYS MAN
Mankell, Henning and Thompson, Laurie. The man from Beijing. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, [2010].

CD BK MAN
Mankell, Henning and Hill, Dick. The dogs of Riga. Ashland, Or: Blackstone Audiobooks, [2006].

MYS NES
Nesbø, Jo and Bartlett, Don. The devil's star. 1st U.S. ed. New York: Harper,[2010].

FIC THE
Theorin, Johan. Echoes from the dead. New York: Delta Trade Paperbacks, [2008].

Summer Reading Programs

2010-06-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Adult Summer Reading

This year, the Leach Library will launch a new Adult Summer Reading Program, run in conjunction with the Children’s and Young Adult Summer Reading Programs. The 2010 Adult Summer Reading Program theme is Water Your Mind – Read! Registration for the program will begin Tuesday, June 1 and run through Saturday, August 28. Participants may register at any time at the Reference Desk where they will receive a bookmark and an informational sheet. Those who register early will also receive a seed packet to grow beautiful, butterfly-attracting Texas bluebonnets available while supplies last.

For every book read, participants will receive one raffle ticket. These tickets can be completed for entry into weekly raffle drawings. Prizes for the weekly raffle drawings include a variety of gardening themed items. Additionally, gift certificates will be raffled off that have been generously donated by Giovanni’s, Vincenzo’s, Shady Hill Greenhouses, and an item from the Home Depot of Londonderry. The participant who reads the most books over the summer will receive a Grand Prize gift basket.

The library will also be offering two gardening-themed evening programs. The first will be held on Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. when University of New Hampshire Professor Cathy Neal will present a program on “The Best Plants for New Hampshire Landscapes.” On Thursday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m., Cheryl Smith of the University of New Hampshire will present the program “Tips for Growing Healthy Indoor Plants.” These events are free and open to the public and will be held in the library’s meeting room. A gardening themed door prize will be raffled off at each program. Light refreshments will be served.

Young Adult Summer Reading

The 2010 Young Adult Summer Reading Program theme is You Are Here, and the program explores the impact of a person’s carbon footprint on the world. It is open to any student entering grades 6-12 with registration ongoing from June 1 through August 16 at the Circulation Desk. Weekly meetings will be held in the lower level meeting room on Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The first meeting is Tuesday, June 29, and the theme is poetry. Other meetings include Movie Night, Games Nights, Did You Know?, Music and Crafts Night, and a book discussion. The book discussion will feature City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau, with paperback copies available to the first thirty participants who sign up for this discussion. Snacks and drinks are served at each meeting, and all attendees will receive a raffle ticket for one of various door prizes, including a $20.00 gift certificate.

Participants who sign up and read will receive a raffle slip for every book of more than 80 pages read or every group of 3 magazines read. These slips must be turned in by no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 16. Raffle slips will be drawn at the wrap-up pizza party on Tuesday, August 17 for the following Grand Prizes: passes to Canobie Lake, passes to Water Country in Portsmouth, a free 18-hole round of golf from the Londonderry Country Club, and gift certificates to Cinema 12, American Eagle, Barnes and Noble, and Newbury Comics. Attendance at the pizza party is not required to win the Grand Prizes.

Participants are also asked to keep a reading log of all books read from June 1 through Saturday, September 4. Every student entering grades 6-8 who turns in a reading log with 12 titles or more listed will receive a certificate that entitles them to an extra credit or homework pass in English. Also, every participant grades 6-12 who turns in a reading log by September 4 will be eligible to win the Janice Anagnos Memorial Certificate and a very special prize. This prize is awarded, in memory of a former library trustee, Janice Anagnos, to the student who reads the most books during the Young Adult Summer Reading Program.

Children’s Summer Reading

The 2010 Children’s Summer Reading Program theme is Make a Splash – Read, with the library-wide goal of reading enough books to splash the coast from New Hampshire to Alaska and back again. The program is open to all children from birth through grade 6. Participants may register in the Children’s Room beginning June 1 where they will receive a packet containing calendars noting the dates and times of all programs.

A kick off show will take place on Wednesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m. at the Londonderry Middle School with a performance by Debbie and Friends. Everyone who attends the program will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a gift certificate donated by local restaurants that will be drawn immediately following the show.

Weekly activities include Guess It and Trivia Contests. Regular programs include Game Day Monday, Story Time Tuesday, Craft Time Thursdays, and a Saturday Scavenger Hunt. A variety of special programs on Wednesdays include a visit with Tacky the Penguin, A World of Tales with storyteller Simon Brooks, Martha Dana and her puppet friends, Junior Zookeeper Encounter with the Wildlife Encounters Zoo, Campfire Stories, and Reptiles on the Move. These programs require prior registration on the Monday before the event.

The finale show will take place in two sessions on Wednesday, August 18 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., at the Londonderry Town Common. The featured performer will be Todd Wellington, The King of Silly. Participants at both performances will have the chance to enter a raffle to win a gift certificate donated by local restaurants that will be drawn immediately following each show. Children who reach their reading goal may pick up prize bags at this event or at any time in the Children’s Room from August 9 through 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11.

For more information on the 2010 Summer Reading Programs, please visit the library’s website at www.londonderrynh.org/library/library.htm, or call the library at 432-1132 or the children’s room at 432-1127.

Leach Library to Host Musical History of “Your Hit Parade”

2010-06-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will host the talk “Your Hit Parade—25 Years Presenting America’s Top Popular Songs.” Presenter Calvin Knickerbocker will cover the history of the popular music program while featuring original recordings of the songs showcased on its weekly Saturday night show.

Calvin Knickerbocker is an independent scholar with over twenty years of experience in the field of education, sixteen of which were spent managing education programs. He has developed and taught fourteen courses for Nashua’s Rivier College RISE (Rivier Institute of Senior Education) program on such topics as big bands, folk music, and the music of Broadway. He currently travels around the state presenting similarly-themed programs in conjunction with the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

In this program, Mr. Knickerbocker will focus on the radio and television show “Your Hit Parade” that ran from 1935 until 1959. He will discuss the origin of the show, its evolution over time, and the well-known vocalists whose careers it helped launch, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis. Much of the program will be devoted to playing excerpts from original recordings of top hits featured over the years, displaying the transitions in musical trends from the big band years to the early rock period.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Biking Information

2010-05-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for new and interesting places to ride your bicycle whether it is a mountain or road bike? Be it in print or digital, there are plenty of places to find biking information. Google Maps (GM) now allows you to chart a bicycle path between two points and has incorporated some rail trail data courtesy of traillink.com onto its maps.

Using the traillink data in Google Maps, you can figure out how far two points within a rail trail are from each other. For example, let’s say you want to bike the 25 mile long Rockingham Recreation Trail (RRT), which begins at the Massabesic traffic circle. Most people would not want to bike the entire trail in a day so you need to figure out where to turn around. Using “placemarks” you can pinpoint two locations along the trail and GM will give you the distance.

Traillink.com is one of the finest websites for rail trail information. The information on the site is nation wide and includes numerous spots in New Hampshire. The site provides maps and driving directions to rail trails and registered users can post trail descriptions, conditions, and photos. Users are also encouraged to submit information on trails not described on the site.

Looking for a good book on the subject? Leach Library has plenty. Here are just a few:

917.4 MAS
Mascott, Cynthia. Best rail trails, New England: more than 40 rail trails from
Maine to Connecticut. Guilford, Ct: Falcon, [2009].

796.64 DUL
Duling, Sandy. Road biking northern New England: a guide to the greatest
bicycle rides in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Guilford, Conn:
FalconGuides, [2008].

917.42 MAR
Martin, Charles Fontaine. New Hampshire rail trails. Pepperell, Mass: Branch
Line Press, [2008].

796.64 TUR
Turner, Roger L. Bicycling on Boston's North Shore. Hanover, NH: University
Press of New England, [2007].

Leach Library Children’s Room to host “The Speed of Seeds”

2010-05-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

Join the Massabesic Audubon Society on Wednesday, May 26 or Thursday, May 27 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. to explore the world of seeds. Participants will learn how seeds get around and what they turn into. Each session is open to 20 children of all ages and advance registration is required. To register, call or stop by the Children’s Room beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17.

Leach Library to Host “Birds of the White Mountains”

2010-05-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host “Birds of the White Mountains” with Professor Stephen Hale. This presentation will feature the variety of birds living in the White Mountains and will include a colorful slideshow and audio recordings.

Professor Stephen Hale is a research associate at the Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education at the University of New Hampshire. His research interests include climate change and vertebrate distribution modeling and mapping using satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems.

The program is being coordinated through the University of New Hampshire Speakers Bureau which connects faculty and staff speakers with non-profit organizations to share the research and knowledge of the university with the people and communities of New Hampshire.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

New Reference Book: State Rankings 2010 by CQ Press

2010-04-30T06:10:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered how New Hampshire rates against other States? How does our economy compare to other places? How healthy a State are we? If you have, then you might find State Rankings 2010 by CQ Press to be very interesting. In one easy-to-use volume this book contains over 500 tables that create a portrait of each State and allows for easy comparisons. Topics covered include agriculture, crime, education, health, housing, taxes, and transportation. Looking for even more information on the States? This volume combined with State Profiles by Bernan Press will create a detailed picture of every State. Rankings and Profiles are available in the reference area for your enlightenment. The call # for both is REF 317.3.

Leach Library to Host Program on the Great Sheep Boom and Its Enduring Legacy

2010-04-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host a talk given by New Hampshire’s former Commissioner of Agriculture, Stephen Taylor, on the impact of the brief 30-year period in the early nineteenth century when the New Hampshire countryside became home to hundreds of thousands of sheep.

Stephen Taylor lives in the Meriden Village section of Plainfield, New Hampshire, on a family farm that has been operating since 1970. Prior to serving as the state Commissioner of Agriculture from 1982 to 2007, he spent many years as a daily newspaper reporter and freelance writer for agricultural, forestry and other publications.

In this program, Mr. Taylor will discuss the importance of the great sheep boom of the early nineteenth century to the industry and landscape of New Hampshire. During this 30-year period, production of wool became a lucrative business, generating fortunes and providing the only era of true agricultural prosperity in the state’s history. Though farmers overcame enormous challenges to make sheep husbandry succeed, forces from beyond New Hampshire were to doom the industry. Mr. Taylor will discuss the social consequences that would last a century, as well as the legacy of fine architecture and thousands of miles of rugged stone walls that endure today.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

E-Books now available to Londonderry Leach Library patrons through the NH Downloadable Books website

2010-03-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

The New Hampshire Downloadable Books website is now providing access to e-books in addition to their current offering of audio books. James Patterson, Stuart Woods, Nora Roberts, Stephanie Meyer, Dean Koontz, Barbara Kingsolver, and Michael Pollan are just a few of the many famous authors whose works are available for check out. Looking for a certain style of book instead of a particular author? No problem! Browsing by genre is also available so you can always find a good mystery or romance title.

The e-book files downloaded from the site are in the open source EPUB format. Compatible devices include the various Sony readers and the Barnes and Noble Nook. The Amazon Kindle, due to the fact that it uses a proprietary file format, will not work with this website. For additional information on compatibility issues, visit the Overdrive web site http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/compatibleebookdevices.aspx.

A few other things to know about this exciting new service:

You can use your computer (PC or MAC) as an e-reader without purchasing a separate device.

The checkout time will be 14 days with the ability to return titles early.

You can have three items checked out at one time.

None of the titles are in the public domain as these are already available for free through web sites such as Google Books and Project Gutenberg.

If you have any questions about e-books please feel free to contact the reference desk at 432-1132 or reference@londonderrynh.org.

Nightmare on Elm Street is Back!

2010-03-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

Attention horror fans! Freddy Krueger is back and invading your dreams again in the new Nightmare on Elm Street, which hits theaters on April 30th. If you want to see all the damage Freddy has done in the past, you can check out all six previous Nightmare films at Leach Library. To see the trailer for the new film visit the movie’s web site http://www.nightmareonelmstreet.com/

Looking for a book, not just a movie, to give you a fright? Check out some of our latest selections in the horror fiction genre:

FIC HIL
Hill, Joe. Horns. 1st ed. New York: William Morrow, [2010].

FIC STR
Straub, Peter. A dark matter : a novel. 1st ed. New York: Doubleday, [2010].

FIC MAN
Kelner, Toni L. P. Many bloody returns. New York: Ace Books, [2009].

FIC SAU
Saul, John. House of reckoning : a novel. 1st ed. New York: Ballantine Books, [2009].

FIC SCH
Schreiber, Joe. No doors, no windows : a novel. 1st ed. New York: Ballantine Books, [2009].

FIC STO
Stoker, Dacre and Holt, Ian. Dracula : the un-dead. New York: Dutton, [2009].

FIC WAT
Waters, Sarah. The little stranger. New York: Riverhead Books, [2009].

Meet Atticus Finch at the Leach Library

2010-02-25T10:19:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will kick off their month long participation in The Big Read: New Hampshire Reads To Kill a Mockingbird as Atticus Finch steps from the pages of Harper Lee’s classic novel.

Atticus will be portrayed by Richard Clark, an actor with over thirty years of experience in New England regional theater, New York Theater and television. His Keeping History Alive series brings such historical figures as Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and William Shakespeare vividly to life.

This compelling theatrical event will feature the courtroom drama, poignant interactions between father and children, and the harsh realities of bigotry and hatred that were so memorably portrayed in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Travel back to 1930’s Alabama to meet this loving father, compassionate friend and uncompromising attorney who remains an iconic fictional figure fifty years after he was created.

The program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) that gives communities the opportunity to come together and read, discuss and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. In New Hampshire, the program is organized by the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library, which received a grant to coordinate the statewide effort.