by Leslie McDonnell
2/20/2010

The Holliston Library will present a poetry workshop at the library on Thursday, March 11 from 7 – 9 pm for adults and teens.  The workshop will feature a reading by local poet Jennifer LeBlanc who is the author of two books, Coloring the Shadows, winner of the Mary C. Bryan Women’s Studies award, and Unrestrained. 

The workshop is free and recommended for ages 13 and up.  Participants will have the chance to hear some of Jennifer’s work and explore ideas from their past and from literature they have read to create some of their own poems. Attendees may sign up beforehand at the library or drop in that night. The first fifteen participants will receive a free journal and refreshments will be served.  This workshop was organized by Heidi Finnegan and Kate Meo from Holliston High School through a grant from the Holliston Education Foundation and funds from the Friends of the Holliston Library.  For more information call the library at 508-429-0617 or email lmcdonnell@minlib.net. 
 

The History Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 23 at 6:30 pm.  This month’s selection is Polio: An American Story by David Oshinsky.  Oshinsky exams the horrific history of polio in American life through the lives of two men who vowed to eradicate it by developing an effective vacine—Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. 
 The history book club is open to everyone and welcomes new members.  It is led by Mary Miley.  Participants are asked to read the selected book, which can be borrowed from the library at no charge, and attend a discussion.  Readers may bring their own ideas and questions or simply sit and listen.  The group meets monthly in the Gilman Room on the lower level and readers may attend as many sessions as they choose.   For more information, visit www.hollistonlibrary.org or call the library at 429-0617 or email lmcdonnell@minlib.net.
 

Holliston Public Library has added a self-checkout station to its main circulation desk.  The new station allows readers to check out their own materials with a valid library card and print a receipt with due dates.  Traditional circulation assistance is always available as well.  The library has seen a 12% increase in its circulation in the last year and self-checkout is designed to help patrons avoid long lines.  Self-checkout is made possible by a gift from the Friends of the Holliston Public Library, a non-profit organization that funds services and materials not included in the town budget.  Membership in the Friends is open to everyone and costs $10 for individuals and $15 for families.  Forms to join are available at www.hollistonlibrary.org.  A discount on insurance is provided by the Jensen-Sheehan Insurance Agency for patrons who become Friends members.   For more information call the library at 429-0617 or email lmcdonnell@minlib.net.