Library news

Book sale planned Dec. 2-5

Preparations are underway for the Friends of New Canaan Library's semi-annual John Randolph Book Sale, which will take place at the library on Friday, Dec. 2, through Monday, Dec. 5. The sale of used books is the Friends' principal fundraising activity, which raises money for a variety programs at the library, including summer reading programs, art exhibits, film discussions, and concerts. The book sale is named in honor of longtime volunteer and Friend of the Library, John Randolph.

Motor development talk

Motor development, sensory processing -- these are but some of the topics that are major focuses in the educational realm. But what is our understanding of the subjects, and are our assumptions correct?

Author and occupational therapist Jill Mays will appear at the New Canaan Library on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to discuss her first book, Your Child's Motor Development Story: Understanding and Enhancing Development from Birth to Their First Sport."

Cancer program

Dr. Robert Zembroski is the director of the Darien Center for Integrative Medicine and founder of the program Cancer Victor -- Beyond Survivor. Join Dr. Zembroski on Monday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. as he speaks about his landmark program and explains how to adopt the Cancer Victor lifestyle. The event will take place in the Adrian Lamb Room of New Canaan Library.

Author to speak on economy

Bailouts in Greece and Ireland and Chinese currency manipulation are just some of the headline-grabbing news that signal the dawn of currency wars. This serious economic trend is the subject of economist James Rickards' compelling new book, "Currency Wars." Rickards will speak as part of the Authors on Stage series on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m. in the Lamb Room.

Great Decisions Group

New Canaan Library and Stamford-based World Affairs Forum, in conjunction with HSBC Bank USA, presents the final session of Great Decisions on Monday, Nov. 21.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Nayan Chanda, director of publications and editor of YaleGlobal Online Magazine at the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization.

For nearly 30 years prior to joining Yale Chanda was with the Hong Kong-based magazine Far Eastern Economic Review as its editor, editor-at-large and correspondent. In 1989-90 Chanda was a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. From 1990-1992 Chanda was editor of the Asian Wall Street Journal Weekly, published from New York.

Author Prud'homme to speak

Author Alex Prud'homme will deliver the 2011 Anita Houston Memorial Lecture. Alex Prud'homme is the author of "The Ripple Effect: The Fate Of Freshwater in the 21st Century," and will speak on the topic.

The Anita Houston Memorial Lecture is an annual event and is co-sponsored by the Library and the UN Committee of New Canaan. The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m., in the Adrian Lamb Room of the library.

Book discussions at Lapham

Get ready for the long winter ahead with some superb reading and stimulating book discussions at Lapham Center's Exploding Book Group. Led by Cynde Bloom Lahey, director of Library Services for New Canaan Library, the group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Lapham Center in Waveny Park.

The schedule of upcoming book discussions:

Dec. 13: "Angelina's Bachelor's: A Novel With Food" by Brian O'Reilly

Jan. 10: "Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II" by Mitchell Zuckoff

Feb. 14: "Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks

March 13: "The Girl in the Blue Beret" by Bobbie Ann Mason

Norma Minkowitz art on view

The tactile art of Norma Minkowitz will be on view in the Library's H. Pelham Curtis Gallery.

The exhibit, "Drawn to the Edge: Sculpture and Drawings," will be on view through Nov. 20. Minkowitz works with fiber, wire, resin, hog gut and found materials, using the traditional crafts of crochet and weaving and shellac-stiffened and painted fibers to produce works that are ethereal in their beauty, yet dynamic in their presence.

Minkowitz creates exquisite forms that transcend the objects they represent. She has translated her two-dimensional vision into the three-dimensional world.

Therapist to discuss book

Motor development, sensory processing -- these are but some of the topics that are major focuses in the educational realm. But what is our understanding of the subjects, and are our assumptions correct? Author and occupational therapist Jill Mays will appear at the New Canaan Library on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to discuss her first book, "Your Child's Motor Development Story: Understanding and Enhancing Development from Birth to Their First Sport."

Children's programs

The library's Children's Area offers a full roster of educational and interactive programs for children and their parents or caregivers.

Following are some upcoming programs:

Tuesday 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Young Critics Book Discussion for grades 4 to 6 in the children's program room. "Born To Fly" by Michael Ferrari will be discussed. Children's Librarian Cathy Townsend will lead the discussion. Pizza supper will be served. Call 230-594-5002 to register.

Thursday, 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.: Creative Writing Workshop for grades 3 to 5 in the children's program room.

Saturday, Nov. 19, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m: Moon Landing: an exciting science program for ages 4 to 9 and their parents. Presented by Astrophysicist Tom Herbig. A fun, engaging science program which will include fascinating video clips and toys. Limited to 15 children.

Monday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m.: Preschool Sing-along with Diane Wells.

All programs are free. Registration is recommended. For more information, visit www.newcanaanlibrary.org.