NEWS FROM

Concord Public Library - This year's Concord Reads book is Water Witches by popular Vermont author Chris Bohjalian. "Set in the Vermont countryside, Water Witches is the tale of the clash between progress and tradition, science and magic. In the midst of a nightmarish New England drought, cynical ski industry lobbyist Scottie Winston is trying to get a large ski resort the permits it needs to tap an already beleaguered river for snow. His wife, his little girl, and his sister-in-law - dowsers or water witches - all hope to stop him, however, in this gentle, comic, life-affirming novel." (retrieved April 7, 2005 from: www.chrisbohjalian.com). Water Witches offers many subjects to talk about, including dowsing, environmental issues, small town and capital city politics, and family relationships. This refreshing well-written novel should provide us with lively and interesting discussions throughout the fall.

Concord Reads is a program supported by the Concord Public Library and the Concord Public Library Foundation and its partners to build community by reading and discussing the same book. Copies of Water Witches can be found at the Concord Public Library or at your local library or bookstore. We encourage you to read Water Witches over the summer and to join us for program sin the fall: September 28 - Robert Pingree, Concord High School English teacher (retired) and Jennifer Lee, UNH Professor of English (retired) will lead a book discussion on Water Witches, Concord Public Library Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. October 13, 2005 - Brown Bag Lunch in the library auditorium at 12:15 p.m. with author Chris Bohjalian "Dowsing for a Scene." Bring your lunch and questions for the author. There will also be an event with Chris Bohjalian at the Concord City Auditorium on October 13 at 7:00 p.m. A demonstration of dowsing will be held at Merrill Park in Concord at the end of September. So dive into a great book this summer - read Water Witches!

Hill Library, Center Strafford - will hold a 35th anniversary celebration of its Library Association which formed to privately build a library to house a town library. The celebration will take place August 20th at the library from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the grounds of the library. A tent will provide outside shelter and food and drink will be available at noon. Michael Sullivan from Stratham will do storytelling at 11:00 a.m. Clowns, face-painting and balloons will be included. Awards and dedications will be at 1:00 p.m. followed by bluegrass music.

Also at the library, the 1995 revised History of Strafford may be purchased through the Hill Library at a price of $25.00. The revision includes additional photographs and genealogical information.

Lane Memorial Library, Hampton - Welcomes Darrell Eifert to the position of Head of Adult Services. One of his first tasks was to write his own bio for Granite State Libraries. "Like many who decided to become librarians, I grew up with a voracious appetite for books. During my early teens in Clearwater, Florida, I would borrow the shoulder sling my brother used to deliver newspapers and fill it full of library books to take home and devour at my leisure. At one point, my mother resorted to a "no reading at the dinner table!" rule to insure that at least a small slice of time would be available for family interaction. After completing a bachelor's degree in English literature (what else?) and a Master's in theological studies, I spent several years in Gloucester, MA as Head of Audio-Visual Services, then 10 years as Head of Circulation at the J.V. Fletcher Library in Westford, MA. Now that my wife and I are renovating a summer beach cottage into a full-time residence here in Hampton, I am very pleased to join the great team at Lane Memorial Library as Head of Adult Services. I look forward to meeting all those in the library community who share my passion for reading and lifelong education."

Nashua Public Library - Several departments at the Nashua Public Library were recently outfitted with TextNet, a new Internet-based telecommunications service for people who are TTY/TDD users. Members of the public who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech restricted may contact library departments directly using their TTY machines by dialing 888-692-1403 or, after downloading free software, from any computer with Internet access. Using TextNet from a computer is similar to using chart or instant messaging, so it's faster and easier to use than traditional TTY. The new service is more efficient and private than relay services because no third party is involved.