Young Adult Librarian Retires from Northborough Library

A farewell to Sandra Stafford.

The Northborough Free Library announced that Sandra Stafford, its Young Adult Librarian, will be retiring at the end of March. Stafford started at the library in March of 1999. She introduced a number of new materials and services for teens, including manga, anime, graphic novels, video games, and the Wii game system for use by teens in the library. She has also been a regular member of the reference staff. "We wish Sandy lots of new adventures in her post-library life," read the announcement.

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The Backpack: Northborough School Notes

Drama at Zeh, Fun Morning Music at Proctor and Summer Reading

Nine more days of school left until summer vacation begins and the schools are winding down with fun programs and events, and the library wants kids to keep reading over the summer.

Zeh’s Drama Club, Take Two: The first year Drama Club at Zeh School has been working hard again. After 14 weeks of dedicated practice and rehearsals, a cast of  30 students in grades one through four performed its second fantastic production showcasing the students’ acting and voice talents. Following the winter production of The One Hundred Year Snooze in February, the spring production was The Emperor’s New Clothes. The script, music and lyrics are by Dave and Jean Perry and the play is based on the story by Hans Christian Anderson. The story is based on a very vain emperor who only cares about his appearance until two tailors swindle the Emperor into believing that they have used a fabric for his latest outfit, which is invisible to …

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Olympics, Folktales, the Feinstein Challenge, and a Children's Book Award

Students are busy learning about the Olympics at Peaslee, performing folktales at Proctor, donating food for the food pantry, and reading the nominees for the Children's Book Award.

Olympics at Peaslee: It’s an Olympic year and Peaslee School is Going for the Gold. That is the theme of this year’s school fair, which will be held on March 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Peaslee School. Jackie Barnes, PTO co-chair, said the excitement is growing among the students as each class will have the opportunity to pass the Olympic torch starting with the fifth graders and working its way to the Kindergarten classes. The main office will receive the torch on March 23, the day before the fair, and if weather permits an outdoor ceremony will be held with the entire school. This year, local businesses have the opportunity to become sponsors of the fair. In continuing with the Olympic theme, sponsorship levels are Bronze ($25-$49), …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 1

Happy hump day.

Our morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. In a cooking program for kids 7 and up, making some cheesy appetizers and mini salads at the Northborough Free Library today. 2. The Tomahawks attempt to flip over Marlborough in the gymnastics triangular today at Algonquin Regional High School. 3. The Northborough School Commitee meets at 7 p.m. at the Melican Middle School's library. 4. The governor's estimated state budget is in, and so are the estimates for Northborough. Take a look today at Northborough's figures, and Town Administrator John Coderre's reaction to them. 5. Northborough photographer Ron Goodenow's got a …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 18

Meet your Republican candidates tonight at a forum at the Celtic Tavern.

Our morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. The Northborough Republican Town Committee hosts a Northborough Candidates Night at the Celtic Tavern. 2. The Regional School Committee meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the Algonuin Regional High School library. 3. The Reading Ambassadors Club is discussing the book Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm at the Northborough Free Library. 4. It's Thesaurus Day, according to brownielocks.com, otherwise known as Synonym Day. 5. Friends of the Northborough Senior Center are selling quilt raffle tickets, with the drawing to take place at the Annual Chocolate Spectacular. Take a chance …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 9

Yowza! It's Friday.

Our morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Sing, Say and Play at the Northborough Free Libary today. This program for kids gives 'em a chance to read stories, play instruments...and play. 2. Santa's going to be visiting Northborough and surrounding towns now through Christmas. Check out the Patch regional Santa map to find out when and where. 3. You asked for it, and it's back. The Friday Night PJ Party at the Rec Center is for ages 5-10, and includes playtime and pizza. 4. Usually Normal rocks JJ's tonight. 5. It's National Salesperson's Day, according to holidays.net.

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Evanovich Novel and Bridesmaids DVD Still Lead

Here's a list of the top ten checkouts from Central Massachusetts libraries.

1. Bridesmaids (Video, DVD) 2. Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich 3. The Litigators by John Grisham 4. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson 5. The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks 6. Bad Teacher (Video, DVD) 7. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan 8. The Affair: A Reacher Novel by Lee Child 9. Water for Elephants (Video, DVD) 10. Green Lantern (Video, DVD)

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Top Ten Checkouts at the Library

Bridesmaids DVD and Explosive Eighteen at Top

Here's a list of the top ten checkouts from Central Massachusetts libraries.

1. Bridesmaids (Video, DVD) 2. Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich 3. The Litigators by John Grisham 4. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson 5. The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks 6. Bad Teacher (Video, DVD) 7. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan 8. The Affair: A Reacher Novel by Lee Child 9. Water for Elephants (Video, DVD) 10. Green Lantern (Video, DVD)

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Grisham Novel Among Most Requested Books

Here's a list of the top ten checkouts from Central Massachusetts libraries.

1. Bridesmaids (Video, DVD) 2. Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich 3. The Litigators by John Grisham 4. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson 5. The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks 6. Bad Teacher (Video, DVD) 7. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan 8. The Affair: A Reacher Novel by Lee Child 9. Water for Elephants (Video, DVD) 10. Green Lantern (Video, DVD)

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Sometimes It's Necessary to Ditch the Accent

A speech-language pathologist presents information on accent reduction Monday, Nov. 7, at the library.

Many people who come to this country are foreign-born professionals who read and write English well, but have difficulty speaking the langugage. Laura Larsen-Stevovich has developed a program to help these professionals reduce that accent, and brings the program to the Northborough Free Library on Monday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.  "[These professionals] have often studied English extensively and have a good command of grammar, writing and reading," said Larsen-Stevovich. "However because of their accents, they have difficulty with being understood. This causes confusion and frustration in many areas of their lives, especially in the workplace." There is a common misconception, said Larsen-Stevovick, that is someone has trouble speaking the …

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