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News/Announcements
Women's National Book Association Award Winner Nancy Pearl To Speak at Area Libraries
Nancy Pearl is a real doll. Really. Since the release of her 2003 bestseller, Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Reason and the Librarian Action Figure doll modeled in her likeness, Nancy Pearl has become a rock star among booklovers. Readers can't get enough of her recommendations and bookstores and libraries often have standing room only status when she visits. Having worked as both a librarian and bookseller, Pearl's knowledge of and love for books is renowned.
In 1998, Pearl developed the program "If All of Seattle Read the Same Book," which spread across the country and made it's way to NY, to be interpreted locally in Schenectady with the One County, One Book program and in Saratoga Springs with the Saratoga Reads program.
Pearl is the former Executive Director of the Washington Center for the Book. She is a regular commentator about books on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition," and is scheduled for a local, on-air interview on WAMC's Roundtable, Tues., May 20, during her visit to the Capital District. Pearl will be coming to the area during the week of May 19, and will be speaking to the public and to library professionals, free of charge, at local libraries.
On Tues., May 20, 7-8pm, Pearl will speak to the public at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, on "The Pleasures and Perils of a Life of Reading," presented by the Friends of the SSPL. Seating is limited and tickets are required, and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the SSPL's Information Desk, beginning May 1. For more information, please call the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 584-7860.
On Wed., May 21, 2-3:30pm, at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Rd., Clifton Park, Pearl will address Adult Service Librarians with the topic "Opening Books, Opening Doors: Providing Effective Reader's Advisory Service." At 7-8:30pm, also on May 21, Pearl will talk to Youth Services Librarians, again with the topic "Opening Books, Opening Doors: Providing Effective Reader's Advisory Service," but geared toward young and YA readers. Although Pearl's target audience on May 21 is library professionals, these sessions are open to the public.
Registration for programs at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library began on Fri., April 18 and is required for either session, in person at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library Welcome Desk or by phoning the Library at 371-8622. Please specify which session you are interested in attending. Last day to register is Mon., May 19. Doors will open to the Program Rooms 30 minutes prior to the start of the program.
Nancy Pearl's book reviews appear in the "Readers Shelf" column of Library Journal. She has also gone on to write additional titles for the wildly popular Book Lust series, including Book Crush: For Kids and Teens- Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Interest.
In 2004, Pearl became the 50th winner of the Women's National Book Association Award for her exceptional contribution to the world of books. She continues to bring her knowledge of books to students of her "Book Lust 101" course at the University of Washington.
In the moments when Pearl finds herself without a book, she is an avid bicyclist and at all times, a happy grandmother of two. She also serves on the Boards of Humanities Washington and the Seattle Public Library. She resides in Seattle with her husband, Joe. For more information on Nancy Pearl, log on to her website at www.nancypearl.com
Library Board Names New Director
May 6, 2008--The Board of Trustees of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library announce the appointment of Mrs. Alexandra Gutelius as Library Director, filling a vacancy created by the planned retirement of Mrs. Josephine Piracci after 32 years of service.
Mrs. Gutelius has 18 years of experience in a wide range of public library positions in Ontario, Canada. Her most recent assignment was Director of Service Delivery for the Vaughan Public Libraries, serving 250,000 citizens in communities near Toronto. Her experience includes overseeing day-to-day operations of seven branches of the Vaughan Public Libraries; including the preparation and administration of budgets, recruitment and staffing, managing collections and establishing policies.
In accepting the director's position Mrs. Gutelius said, "I look forward to sharing my passion and commitment to superior customer service with the Library staff and residents of Clifton Park and Halfmoon." David Golden, President of the Board of Trustees commented, "We are very pleased to have Alex join us as Library Director. She brings the perfect mix of executive and library experience we need at this stage of our development." Her appointment is effective July 1, 2008.
Mrs. Gutelius holds a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario and a BA in History and English from Carleton University. She will be relocating to the area along with her husband Bill and their three children.