Saturday, December 30, 2017

New Books to Read during the Cold Snap.

Here are a couple of our newest additions.  Happy reading!



"Y" is Now the End of the Alphabet

Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone mysteries, passed away on Thursday, December 28 at the age of 77.  Each of the novels in Grafton's "alphabet series," featuring private investigator Millhone, have enjoyed enormous popularity since the publication of "A" is for Alibi in 1982.  The series has been translated into 26 different languages.  Her last novel, "Y" is for Yesterday, was published in August 2017.  Grafton would not allow ghost writers to publish in her name, so there will be no "Z" to complete the series.

"The mystery novel offers a world in which justice is served. Maybe not in a court of law, but people do get their just desserts." (Sue Grafton)



Saturday, December 16, 2017

Happy Birthday, Jane!


Happy 242nd Birthday, Miss Jane!  What is your favorite Jane Austen book/movie?

"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library."
JANE AUSTEN, Pride and Prejudice

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

A Blast from the Past


Back in 1954, the centennial of Windsor Locks, running a library was a simpler, but just as important, task as it is today.  Pictured below are the Library Board officers and Librarian Mae Egan, who served in that capacity for many years.



Saturday, December 9, 2017

Closing early!

We are closing at 2:30 PM on Saturday to to inclement weather.  Drive safely!

New book bonanza!

We have quite a few new books this week, fiction and nonfiction, including these!  It's great reading weather!






Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Thank you!


The funding for our roof repairs has been approved!  Our sincere thanks to all of you who ventured out in the rain to attend the town meeting and vote on Tuesday night, including members of the Library Board, who were there in force to support this much needed project.  We also appreciate all of you who were there in spirit and support us in every way that you can.  THANK YOU!

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

IMPORTANT TOWN MEETING 12/5/17

A town meeting will be held in the Ella Grasso Conference Room at the town hall this evening 12/5, 7:30-8:30 pm. 

The topic? Appropriating funds for desperately needed repairs for the leaking library roof! If you are a registered voter in Windsor Locks, please plan to attend and vote YES

If you need more information on the state of the roof we will be happy to provide you with visuals and anecdotes about many soaked and collapsing ceiling tiles and dripping and falling light fixtures! We appreciate your support!

Monday, December 4, 2017

Wndsor Locks History

Many of you may be waiting anxiously for your copy of the recently published Windsor Locks History by Melvin D. Montemerlo.  Mel, the son of Lena and Leo Montermerlo, was born in 1943 and grew up on Grove Street in Windsor Locks.  He earned his PhD in Educational Psychology from Penn State in 1969, then worked as a psychologist and in other capacities in the aerospace industry for 10 years.  The remainder of his career was spent at NASA.

After retiring Mel was able to indulge in his favorite hobbies: woodworking,  antique clock restoration, and genealogy, eventually taking up the ukulele as well.  During  his annual trips to Windsor Locks with his wife, Mary Beth, Mel enjoyed revisiting happy memories of the 40's, 50's, and 60's.  When he started researching the town's history he realized that not much had been written about Windsor Locks in the 20th century.  This inspired him to begin writing a series of nostalgic articles about the people, places, and events that have made Windsor Locks what it is today.  These articles eventually led to this memory-packed book, Windsor Locks History.

Mel has generously made a digitized copy of his book available to Windsor Locks Public Library.  The book, in three parts, is available for free download from the library's history site, http://www.windsorlockshistory.org. All you need is Adobe Acrobat Reader and some time to sit down and enjoy this wonderful compendium of memories.  The three parts of the book can be accessed through the BOOKS or LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS links at the top of the page.  If you didn't grow up in Windsor Locks this book might make you wish you had!

We would like to thank Mel Montemerlo for allowing us to offer Windsor Locks History to our library patrons and friends!  Be sure to visit http://www.windsorlockshistory.org and take a look!

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Danielle Steel

Danielle Steel, author of more than 100 novels, has a new one out this week!  It's the story of 2 families living in the same house 100 years apart, yet somehow they become friends.

DIY Holiday Crafts



Ho Ho Ho!  It’s time for the Windsor Locks Public Library DIY Holiday Crafts program!  Join us for fun and easy crafts for adults to enjoy!  All materials will be provided.  Make sure to bring your festive holiday mood to this program on Wednesday, December 6th at 6:30 pm in the Haskell Homestead Room.  Space is limited.  To register, go online to www.windsorlockslibrary.org or call the library at 860-627-1495.  Any questions contact the library or visit us at 28 Main St Windsor Locks, CT 06096.


Monday, November 27, 2017

The First American Christmas Tree...In Windsor Locks!

Legend has it that the first decorated Christmas tree in America was set up right here in Windsor Locks!  When you visit the Noden-Reed Museum on West Street, take a walk up the road behind the museum and take a look at the evergreen grove over to the left, where a plaque reading "SITE OF THE FIRST DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE IN NEW ENGLAND 1777" commemorates the event.  The Christmas tree was set up by a Hessian soldier named Hendrick Roddemore, who was captured at the battle of Bennington in August 1777 and sent to Windsor Locks (then called Pine Meadow) to work for Samual Denslow, a farmer. During the winter of 1777,  Roddemore lived in a cabin at the site where the stone has been placed and almost certainly would have set up his tree there in the German Christmas tradition

While there is no proof that the Windsor Locks Christmas tree was the first in America, it is certainly a strong possibility since the presence of Hendrick Roddemore is documented and the Hessians did introduce the popular custom to our country!  Whether or not you believe the legend, it's a wonderful story and, after all, there is no proof that it didn't happen right here in Windsor Locks!

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

More new books...

Great reading for Thanksgiving weekend, hot off the presses!




HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The staff of the Windsor Locks Public Library wishes all of you a happy Thanksgiving!


We will be closing at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 22, 
and closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 for the holiday.
We will be open on Saturday, November 25, 10 AM-5 PM.

Don't eat too much!

Monday, November 20, 2017

Can You Believe It?

If you are a big fan of James Patterson you must be happier than a pig in mud!  For the second time this month, a new James Patterson novel has just been released.  Place your holds now!


Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Big Week for Best-Selling Authors

If you are a devoted best-seller reader, this is the week for you!  Four of our biggest authors have books coming out this week, just in time for the holidays.  Happy reading!





Tuesday, November 7, 2017

What Happened to the Past Week?

I have no idea how it got to be Tuesday again so quickly, but it is!  We again have new bestsellers ready for circulation and your reading pleasure!







Wednesday, November 1, 2017

And MORE new books!

We had a big delivery from our book vendor this week!  Here are some of the new books that are ready for circulation today.






Tuesday, October 31, 2017

New Books for Tuesday

Here are some of our latest acquisitions!  Happy reading!




Happy Halloween!


 Library staff had fun today dressing up as some of our favorite literary characters, including Dorothy Gale and the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz, The Cat In the Hat, Anne of Green Gables, and Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.  We even had treats!  Happy Halloween!









Friday, October 27, 2017

Update on Internet & Wi-Fi

We have 6 Internet-accessible computers available for public use.  A library card in good standing is required to log on.  If you are from out of state or do not have a library card, we can issue you a guest pass, but Connecticut residents are limited to one guest pass only and are expected to have a library card from their town of residence for future computer use.  Those with lost items or fines exceeding $9.99 on their cards will be blocked from computer use until the charges are cleared up.  Please talk to us if your card is blocked so we can help figure out how to get your record back on track!

Right now we are not offering wi-fi for the public.  We greatly regret this decision, but our bandwidth cannot support streaming movies or downloading large files.  Engaging in these activities results in loss of Internet speed for everyone, sometimes leaving staff unable to perform basic library functions.  We expect to convert to fiber optic cable Internet early in 2018 and at that point, we will be able to offer full Internet and Wi-Fi access for the public.

We appreciate your patience during this transitional period and hope that when our fiber-optic is activated we will see our wi-fi users back in the library.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Tuesday, October 17, 2017