Non-Fiction Book Club! The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, Thursday, June 2, 2011 @ 6:30PM

The Pollard's Non-Fiction Book Club is officially cooking with gas. Last month we had a smaller group, but no less spirited discussion of Jill Lepore's A is for American: Letters and Other Characters in the Newly United States. And now we turn our sights to June's selection: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The subject of this book first came to my attention last year during a RadioLab podcast episode on Famous Tumors. Ms. Skloot's critically acclaimed bestseller tells the story of Henrietta Lacks and her immortal HeLa cells. Ms. Lacks died in 1951 from cervical cancer, and 60 years later cells from her tumor are still reproducing in petri-dishes around the world. They've been on the moon, and were used to test the effect of cells during a nuclear explosion. If you've ever had a flu shot or a vaccine, you may have gotten some yourself. The most compelling part of this book however, is the fact that Ms. Lack's family only found out that science was using Henrietta's cells 20 years after her death. Ms. Skloot tells a surreal story of the family coming to terms science's use of their mother's cells, the ethical issues surrounding the use of human tissue in research, and the human story of the woman behind the famous HeLa cells. Read up and come down. Join the discussion, Thursday, June 2nd @ 6:30 in the Ground Floor Community Room. Free and open to the public. Snacks served.

MP3 Audiobook CDs

MP3 Audiobook CD's? What does that mean? Well, you probably know that an MP3 is a digital form of audio file that enables us to walk around with thousands of songs held in a device the size of a pack of cards (or smaller). The compactness of this technology has finally transferred to the world of audiobooks. So, instead of a 7 or 8 disc audio CD set, we now have entire books available on 1 MP3 audiobook CD. No more, changing CDs in the car, or carrying around bulky cases. You'll have to make sure your CD player can read MP3s most recently released CD players have the capability to play MP3 CDs, check your owners manual to be sure. The MP3 CDs are interfiled with our traditional audiobooks on the First floor of the library. Ask a library staff member for assistance if you have any questions. Happy listening!

Author Event - Stephen O'Connor - The Spy In the City of Books - Thursday, May 19th 7PM

The Pollard Library is pleased to welcome Stephen O'Connor next Thursday, May 19th @ 7PM to read from his latest book "The Spy In the City of Books" (Sons of Liberty Publishing). Mr. O'Connor is a well known and respected Lowellian and author, and he led a popular writing workshop last year at the Pollard. We're excited to have him back. This event is free and open to the public. For more information please contact the Community Planning Department at 978-970-4118 or email sthibodeau@mvlc.org.

Saturday Matinee - "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" - May 14th @ 1PM

Those of you who celebrated Star Wars Day last Wednesday (May, 4th...as in "May the Fourth Be With You"...) might already know that this Saturday, May 14th is George Lucas's birthday. Did you know it's also Cate Blanchette's. We thought we'd pay homage to both by showing a movie to which they each contributed their talents. So come on down for the latest action packed installment of the Indiana Jones series. Rated PG-13. 122 min. Saturday, May 14th @ 1PM. Ground Floor Community Room. This showing is made possible by The Friends of the Pollard Library.

Independent Film Night This Thursday, May 12th @ 6:30 - How I Ended This Summer - a film by Aleksei Popogrebsky

How I Ended This Summer (2010) - a film by Aleksei Popogrebsky. 130 min. Unrated.

We have a special treat for you this Thursday, May 12th @ 6:30PM. We're taking a trip with us to a place where winter never ceases—The Arctic Circle—and you thought winter was over! This latest film in our Thursday Night Independent Film Series is a psychological drama set in an meteorological station on an island far in the Russian arctic. The station has a staff of two men who have been given the job of recording readings from their radioactive surroundings. One of the men is a gruff seasoned vet and the other a college kid complete with mp3 player. But when the college kid gets some disturbing news that he decides for a while to keep from the vet the consequences of his decision are startling. This is a compelling study in human nature and a stripped down, almost allegorical story for the human condition.

The Pollard Library Independent Film series occurs the 2nd Thursday of every month! Please note: These Independent films are not rated by the MPAA and should be considered for mature audiences.

Snapshot Day Numbers!

The numbers are in for last month's Snapshot Day. On April 13, 2011 the Pollard Library took part in a National Library Week effort to document a day in the life of a library. The numbers and comments below are compiled from observational records from staff and an optional patron survey.

Snapshot Day Numbers:

Total Visits: 502

Total Circulation: 465

Interlibrary Loan Requests: 131

General Reference/Research requests: 142

Reference questions related to computers and printers: 18

Reader’s Advisory Questions answered: 37

Museum Pass Questions answered: 7

Tax Form Questions answered: 4

Attendance at programs: 44

Use of meeting rooms: 44

Use of Internet PC's: 223

Newly registered borrowers: 17

Optional Surveys completed: 95

From the surveys completed here are the number of patrons who listed as a reason for their visit:

Visit General: 45

Check items out: 60

Job Search: 13

Research: 33

Homework: 17

Use Internet/Library computers: 44

Interlibrary Loan: 17

Get a library card: 16

Get tax forms: 4

Attend a Class: 2

Attend a program: 13

Volunteer: 3

Use a quiet room: 2

Read newspaper: 3

Play chess: 1

Here is what people wrote in the feedback portion of the survey. I have corrected obvious spelling and grammatical errors but by and large remained true to the original message. The question on the survey read:

Other feedback is welcome:

1. “The kids programs at the PML are awesome!”
2. “I really like the library – I like the interlibrary loan”
3. “The library is invaluable to me—for research and writing. Great collection and staff.”
4. “Love this library. But the video collection is pathetic.”
5. “I love the library, it helps me give my child an A. When it comes to making memories from the videos, books, down to puppets. Awesome place to be!!! Thank you.”
6. “The library is the best thing Lowell and Massachusetts have to offer”
7. “I have been coming to the library for over 50 years and it remains one of my favorite places in Lowell. Staff are always pleasant and helpful and the general atmosphere is equally pleasurable.”
8. “My visits to the Pollard Memorial Library are always pleasant, as I receive service with a smile!”
9. “More time to computer up to 1 hour. Also some employees are crast [sic]. Most are friendly and very helpful.”
10. “Computer time is short. Cannot complete tasks.”
11. “Enjoy being able to order items from other libraries.”
12. “The workers are very polite”
13. “Outstanding people.”
14. “What ever they decide for the library program. They should keep this option available for current residents and children.”
15. “In general, I have found the staff to be very helpful and informative, not just to me but to others. This is particularly so at the reference/research section.”
16. “I believe the staff here is very friendly, and helpful. Always willing to answer questions and address me politely and professionally.”
17. “Through the Interlibrary Loan section of the library, I was able to borrow the most recent edition of a physics textbook by name Conceptual physics, Paul Hewitt which has been very useful for me. Making use of the Library’s quiet reading room is such a great idea. Thank you, Pollard Memorial Library.”
18. “Staff is pleasant and helpful”
19. “Staff is pleasant and helpful”
20. “The library is of crucial importance to the community. There are some great staff at the library. However recent difficulties expressed in the press are one sided and patrons in general suffer due to mis-perceptions that have been created. There are obvious staff issues that need to be acknowledged and addressed as well as the difficulties with a small percentage of patrons.”
21. “The atmosphere is very pleasant. And the staff is very helpful.”
22. “Great music and other media such as movies / books / DVDs. Great source of community activities and classes/programs. Awesome activities for children. Other historical activities throughout the year are awesome.”
23. “Very quiet and relaxing library. Nice staff.”
24. “This library is very helpful for me in terms of getting on the internet and doing homework.”
25. “We love our public library!!”
26. “Always enjoy working—environment friendly and helpful”
27. “The library is a quiet place, most of the time, where I can go, relax and do my homework, research and studies in peace and serenity. Plus, not many people bother you, unless you’re doing something ridiculous. It’s a students’ paradise.”
28. “Love the Lowell Library. Building is beautiful, librarians are accommodating and you always have what I need. Thank you.”
29. “TTY is very old. We want to you suggest set up for the video phone only deaf people to the communications.”
30. “In restrooms use electric dryers.”
31. “Good place for me, interesting.”
32. “Helpful – professional – informed.”
33. “I like how the library is well ordered and the librarians are helpful and nice. If I could choose anywhere to be, I’d be here to focus on school and such.”
34. “The library is great. Thank you.”
35. “All your employees are very helpful and welcoming always bright and cheery”
36. “Staff are very professional and proactive. They are an enormous asset to one of Lowell’s greatest assets.”
37. “We love the Lowell Library’s history and stately beauty. Have used it since moving to Lowell in 1977. I love to see libraries in other places as well.”
38. “I mostly use the website to get books rather than picking them off the shelf.”
39. “The library is a quiet place to study”
40. “Excellent help.”
41. “The library is invaluable”
42. “I have found the staff to be very helpful and pleasant. Beth is great with the children during youth programs. Love the children’s reference librarian. Thanks to everyone.”
43. “Exceptional architecture. Pleasant staff.”
44. “Parents don’t realize they can check puppets out.”
45. “I love the library. To browse, read, just look….walk through the stacks reading whatever catches your eye.”
46. “Staff is great. Should wear name tags.”
47. “We do a weekly visit, my 2 year old grandson love this library. We also love story time.”
48. “We found that getting DVDs for our small children helped us and them to come back every week without fail to get books also. Now they are older they get several books each a week and they still like the DVDs.”
49. “Huge library fan—love getting items for free. Library staff is friendly and helpful!”

Thank you to everyone for your patronage, and for making 2011 Snapshot Day a success here at the Pollard and across the Commonwealth!

Updates Updates

Don't forget tomorrow is the first Thursday of the month. Which means two things.

1) We will have a delayed opening. The library will not be open to the public until 11AM so the library staff can have meetings and trainings. This delayed opening will happen on the first Thursday of each month. We apologize for any inconvenience.

2) Non Fiction book clubbers will be gathering tomorrow night to discuss the latest non-fiction gem. Jill Lepore's A is for American is up for tomorrow's discussion. The initial reaction to this book has not been warm but that doesn't mean we won't have a great conversation.

Also, Saturday is the last Book Donation Drop Off for the Annual Friends of the Library booksale. Meaning this is the last chance to donate books from your unwieldy collections for a good cause. I know there is a big banner in front of the library advertising this sale but please know: EVERYTHING will be happening at the Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway. So, bring your gently loved tomes this Saturday, May 7th from 9am-12pm to the Senior Center. Then come back to the Senior Center Saturday May 21st to buy some more books you might not need but surely want. And members of the Friends are also invited to a special Friend's Preview sale (with light refreshments) Friday, May 20th from 5:30-7:30 at the Senior Center.