RestonFriends

Odd Lots #8

2012-01-07T13:37:00.001-05:00

With the holidays now over, it's time to treat yourself with a purchase from our latest Odd Lots sale!

You must have an active Friends membership to participate, and we process on a first come, first served basis. If you are interested or have questions, email us at restonfriendspr@gmail.com (ask for Pamela).

ODD LOTS #8

a) $30 lot of 29 / Jane's Fighting Ships / annual volumes 1975-76 thru 2003-2004 / ex-RRL, fair condition

b) $25 lot of 29 / Jane's All the World's Aircraft / annual volumes 1975-1976 thru 2003-2004 / ex-RRL, fair condition

c) $12 lot of 9 / The New Cambridge Modern History / publ by Cambridge at the University Press / ex-RRL, well worn condition / volumes II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, XI, XII, XIV

d) $5 lot of 4 / The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers / publ by Eerdmans / second series volumes II, XI, XII, XIII

e) $3 lot of 13 / Quilting Arts magazine / quarterly issues spanning 2003-2009

f) $6 lot of 18 / Taunton's Fine Woodworking magazine / spanning 1998-2009, most from early 2000's

g) $4 lot of 10 / glossy 4/C booklets on Hawaiian flowers, plants and trees / most from 1950's, 1960's

h) $15 lot of 12 / Imperial Visions history series / publ HBJ Press [imprint of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich] / copyr 1980 / printed in Italy

i) $10 set of 6 / The Chelsea House Library of Literary Criticism: Twentieth-Century British Literature / copyr 1985-1987 / ex-RRL

j) $5 set of 5 / Dictionary of the History of Ideas / publ by Charles Scribner's Sons / copyr 1973 / ex-RRL

k) $10 set of 5 / Encyclopedia of Sociology / 2nd ed / copyr 2000 / publ Macmillan Reference USA / ex-RRL

l) $10 lot of 10 / World Topics Year Book / separate annuals for years 1999 thru 2008 / publ by World Book, Inc [Chicago, IL]

m) $25 set of 12 / Masterplots 1,801 Plot Stories and Critical Evaluations of the World's Finest Literature / revised 2nd ed, copyr 1996 / ex-RRL, as unread / red bindings

n) $15 set of 6 / Masterplots II American Fiction Series / copyr 2000 / ex-RRL, as unread / green bindings

o) $2 lot of 5 / Tin House literary magazine / quarterly issues spanning 2004-2011 / #19, 20, 28, 32, 46

p) $10 lot of 41 / Linux Journal monthly magazine / issues spanning 2007-2010 / publ by Belltown Media (TX)

q) $8 lot of 7 out of 8 / Manhattan GMAT Prep / year 2007 ed

r) ~~$50 boxful of Becker CPA Exam study materials / year 2011 plus 2010, 2009 / books and cd's, plus flash cards (decks still in shrinkwrap) / full details upon request~~ Cancelled.

s) $10 software / Maple 13 (year 2009 for Windows) / on cd plus 3 manuals/guides

t) $18 lot of 10 / Lone Wolf and Cub / by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima / cover art by Frank Miller / publ by Dark Horse Comics / graphic novel paperbacks / # 2-11

u) $5 lot of 9 / Ceres Celestial Legend / by Yuu Watase / publ by Shojo / manga paperbacks, rated T+ (older teens) / # 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 / as unread

v) $4 lot of 8 / Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play / by Yu Watase / publ by Shojo / manga paperbacks, rated T+ (older teens) / # 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 / as unread

Holiday Shopping Found Here

2011-11-18T15:18:00.000-05:00

The Friends' annual Holiday Sale will be held December 1-4 at the Reston Regional Library during regular hours. Be the first to finish your list. We'll have gift quality books for people of all ages.

Don't miss it!

Puzzle Up!

2011-09-26T12:45:00.001-04:00

The next sale at Reston Regional Library is the

PUZZLE SALE

Nov 3-7

Right now, we're accepting donations of your gently used puzzles. Please:

1. tape the sides
2. hand them in at the circulation desk (unless you have large quantity, in which case bring them to the side door)
3. mark your calendars for the event!

Thank you!

HUGE Book Sale Weekend coming up

2011-09-12T07:14:00.000-04:00

FAIRFAX COUNTY USED BOOK SALES

Weekend of Sept 23-25

Reston Regional Library

11925 Bowman Towne Dr. 703-689-2700

Thursday, Sept. 22, 10 am-5 pm

Friday, Sept. 23, 10 am-5 pm

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 am-4 pm

Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 pm-3:30 pm

Burke Center Library

5935 Freds Oak Rd. 703-249-1520

Thursday, Sept. 22, 1 pm-9 pm

Friday, Sept. 23, 10 am-6 pm

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 am-5 pm

George Mason Regional Library

7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. 703-256-3800.

Thursday, Sept. 22, 5 pm- 9 pm

Friday, Sept. 23, 10 am- 6 pm

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 am- 5 pm

Sunday, Sept. 25, noon – 5 pm

Oakton Library

10304 Lynnhaven Pl. 703-242-4020.

Thursday, Sept. 22, 1 pm-7:30 pm

Friday, Sept. 23, 10 am-6 pm

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 am-4 pm

City of Fairfax Regional Library

10360 North St. 703-293-6227

Friday, Sept. 23, 10 am-5 pm

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 am-5 pm

Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 pm-4 pm

2011 Fall Sale Toplist

2011-09-09T08:23:00.003-04:00

Toplist books are specials -- ones that can command a premium price because of their rarity, condition, and/or higher demand. Our price on them is still less than you'll pay on the open market. Many of the books are unique, and are just a taste of what you can find in our Specials Room. Please e-mail us and we will send you a .pdf of the list. We are having some technical difficulties posting it.

Please observe the following policies pertaining to the Toplist:

1) A paid up Friends member may reserve a single item off the toplist for purchase on Friends night on Wednesday September 21. Please submit a request by email HERE. Requests for books made in this manner will be tracked by date and time -- first come, first reserved.

2) The Friends display case at the library will be stocked on either Mon or Tue of setup week with "goodies of all kinds" (toplist or not). First come, first serve. The Friends reserve the right to place a limit on the number of items that a patron can purchase per day from the display case. As long as they are not Toplist books (which will be released Wednesday at 5:30), you may purchase them.

3) The Friends never have enough space to show off everything that's up for sale, so please feel free to ask if you have a particular interest but can't seem to find what you want.

4) The Friends are very grateful for all the donations from our community that make the sale possible..... so many books, dvds and cds! (of course, cash is nice, too).

As an aside, many people ask how we decide what to list on our RestonFriends site.Donations that come in that can command a good price (over $15) in the used book marketplace are considered for RestonFriends. The reason is that while we can save them for the Specials Room during the Semi-Annual Book Sale, often many of these are so unique, or the demand for them is so timely, that by the time we get to the Semi-Annual Sale, we will have lost the edge to sell them.

BUT, for many, if they have NOT sold on Amazon prior to the sale, we pull them back in, put them in the Specials Room, often add them to the "Toplist" and give you a price break.

So, it is a test of your gambling stamina: are you willing to wait and see if you're the first one to get them on Friends Night, or do you want to put in a reservation now, while it is available?

ODD LOTS #7

2011-08-27T21:10:00.004-04:00

We’re trying to clear out some space in anticipation of the HUGE Semi-Annual sale starting September 21 (FRIENDS NIGHT), so another ODD LOTS SALE is in store!

Rules of the game:

Buyers must be paid up Friends members.
First come, first serve.
All items as is, no returns.
Pickups by appointment.
Send an e-mail to restonfriendspr@gmail.com or call 703-729-5467

~~A)      $20      23 volumes      Time Life / Great Cities      glossy 4/C covers, late 1970's~~

B)      $5        8 volumes       Time Life / Great Ages of Man

C)      $6      13 volumes      Time Life / Library of America / 1960's

D)      $5      8 volumes       Time Life / The American Wilderness / set "A"
E)     $5      approx all weekly issues for year 2010      Science & Science News magazines / a whole boxful

F)      $12      23 volumes      The Illustrated Science and Invention Encyclopedia / publ by H S Stuttman

G)      $4        6 volumes      The New Book of Popular Science / publ by Grolier, 1987 / not children's set

~~H)      $12      14 volumes      Art of the World / publ by Greystone Press / hardcovers in dj's / 1960's~~

I)      $12      20 volumes      Encyclopedia of Photography / publ by Greystone Press / 1963-1964

~~J)       $6        24 volumes plus index      Horizon magazines / hardbound issues / early 1960's~~
K)       $5        9 volumes      Time Life / The American Wilderness / set "B"

L)      $4        2 volumes      Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years / BCE / nice hardcovers, no dj's

M)       $7        4 volumes      Abraham Lincoln: The War Years / BCE / nice hardcovers, no dj's

N)       $4        6 volumes      The Second World War / set "B" / by Churchill / BCE / hardcovers, no dj's

~~O)      $6        20 volumes     The Annals of America / publ by Encycl Britannica / attractive blue hardcovers~~

P)      $8        lot of 8 hardcovers in dj's      Kahlil Gihbran / publ by Knopf / trade ed's in dj's

Q)     $4        6 volume boxed set      Braziller religion boxed set / BCE / hardcovers, no dj's

~~R)      $20      lot of 12 softcovers      The Howdunit Series writing guides / publ by Writer's Digest Books / as new, unread~~

S)      $4        lot of 4 paperbacks      Michael Connelley thrillers / fresh reprints of older titles / as new, unread

T)      $4        lot of 4 paperbacks      Stephen Cannell thrillers / fresh reprints of older titles / as new, unread

~~U)      $12      12 volumes plus 3 annuals      Cooking with Bon Appetit / publ by Knapp / hardcovers / annuals for 1988-1990~~

V)      $9      lot of 6 annuals      Cooking Light annuals for 1990-1994, 1996 / Oxmoor House / as new, unread

~~W)      $9      lot of 5 volumes      Cook's Illustrated / hardbound volumes of 6 issues per year for 2001-2005 / clean, as new~~

~~X)     $2.50      lot of 3 issues      Porsche Panorama magazines / 2003-2004 / they're about Porsches! enough said!~~

Y)      $15       lot of 12 volumes (titles 1-40)      Left Behind: The Young Trib Force / trade ed hardcovers in dj's / appear as new, unread / for teens

Huge Semi-Annual Book Sale Just Around the Corner

2011-08-22T07:56:00.002-04:00

The Friends of Reston Regional Library will hold our huge Semi-Annual Book Sale with

Friends Night

September 21, 2011 at 5:00 – 7:30pm.

Memberships, available for purchase at the door, will be required that night.

The Sale will be open to the General Public (no membership required):

September 22 -23, 10am – 5pm;

September 24, 10am - 4pm,

September 25, 1pm-3:30pm.

The booksale will feature thousands of books and is restocked daily.

QUESTIONS?

E-mail or call us 703-829-5467.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

E-mail or call us 703-829-5467.

NOTES: There will be no children’s books at this sale.

Disabled patrons are encouraged to call ahead to arrange access.

Educator & Parent Book Alert

2011-07-28T22:09:00.001-04:00

We know you've been waiting for it, so here's the scoop on the upcoming Children, Teen, & Education (K-12) Sale!

Even better -- there are two in August -- ours and one at Pohick

(oh come on, it's only in Burke -- worth driving!)

RESTON REGIONAL LIBRARY

Thursday, August 18 - Sunday, August 21

10-4, Th-Sat
1-4 Sunday

POHICK REGIONAL LIBRARY

Friday, August 26 - Saturday, August 27

Of course, you know that for the Reston Friends, this is a smaller sale and we like to keep it FRIENDLY.

So leave your scanner in your car and prepare to limit your purchases for the first several hours.

Cash or checks -- no credit cards (ATM on site).

And be nice. There will be children learning from your behavior!

VERDICT -- SUCCESS

2011-07-25T12:29:00.000-04:00

By all measures, the Charly's Attic Sale was a success. We made some money (over $1300) and cleared out a lot of space for more donations. It was interesting to us that some patrons cared not a whit that some books were old and broken -- if it happened to be something that interested them, they snapped it up!

Thanks to the volunteers (Chloe, Dave, Julia, Valerie, Kari, Maureen, Nan, Mary Ann, Helen, Pam), the library staff, and the patrons!

Thank you also to the artists of Altered Artist and to the folks who came from Art Attack of Prince William County.

It might take us another eighteen months to accumulate enough stuff to do this again, but we'll let you know!

Get Thee to The Library!

2011-07-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

This Friday, July 15, at 10am we will begin our grand experiment -- the first EVER Charly's Attic Sale.

This sale features all kinds of things that have been donated over the last eighteen months that aren't suitable for our regular book sale, but just might have some value to you, our discerning patrons!

Come join us to investigate the treasures. Let your imaginations run wild as you consider how to use these bits and pieces in your art work, scrapbooking and who knows what ...

The sale will run Friday and Saturday, 10-5 and Sunday 1-4.

ODD LOTS #6

2011-06-27T09:31:00.001-04:00

IT'S TIME AGAIN for OOOOOOODDDDDD LLLLLLOOOOOOTTTTTTSSSSS! (Think Echo Chamber here)

Yep, we have an assortment of things that go together but don't necessarily make a complete collection. We need to make room, so an Odd Lots sale must occur. While we make more shelf room, you get to pick up great bargains.

If any of these interest you, you must have a current Friends of Reston Library membership to purchase. If you don't have one, they're easy to get. Just click on the sidebar where it says "JOIN".

To let us know that you're interested, E-MAIL US, or call us at 703-829-5467. First come, first served.

Here are 16 special bargains available first to Friends members in good standing! (all items as is, no returns)

A)       $10       Professional Financial Planning Course / published by the College for Financial Planning

instructional / assumed copyright circa 2004
12 volumes in original shrink wrap plus 3 additional volumes spiral bound

B)    $10   Studies in Intelligence: Journal of the American Intelligence Professional / and related items

for the layman as well as for the professional
10 glossy 4/C publications spanning 1986-2002 / stapled wraps, plus 1 perfect bound
most published by The Office of Strategic Services (CIA)

C)        $10        The New England Journal of Medicine

professional journals
51 issues spanning Oct 23 2008 - Oct 8 2009

D)        $15        Sporty's Complete Pilot Course

14 instructional VHS tapes plus 1 VHS tape "Finding the Best Flight Instruction"
comes complete in its original carton / contents as new, unused
published by Sporty's Pilot Shop [Batavia, Ohio] / copyright circa 2000

E)        $5        Fordham Law Review

professional journals / perfect bound
4 issues spanning 2009-2010

F)        $8        lot of 10 issues of Foreign Affairs magazine

scholarly magazine published by Council on Foreign Relations
spanning 2005-2009

G)        $8        The Great Ideas of Psychology / Great Courses / The Teaching Company

48 lectures on 24 audio cassette tapes, with course books

H)        $6        William Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies / Great Courses / The Teaching Company

36 lectures on 18 audio cassette tapes, with course books

I)        $4        Buddhism / Great Courses / The Teaching Company

24 lectures on 12 audio cassette tapes, with course books

****    special offer! all 3 Great Courses above on audio cassette for just $12
          [as is, no returns]

~~J) $5 10 volume set / A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents 1789-1897~~

~~by James D Richardson, a Representative from the State of Tennessee~~

~~published by authority of Congress, Government Printing Office (1896)~~

~~hardcover volumes have been stripped of steel engravings of the various presidents~~

~~but steel engravings remain for various Federal government buildings,~~

~~including the Executive Mansion, the US Post Office Department, and the State and Navy Department~~

~~text blocks are probably complete~~

~~1 volume has water damage~~

K) $5 lot of 19 magazines related to American History

assortment of issues of American History (7), American History Illustrated (9)
and American Heritage magazines (3)

L) $10 lot of 77 issues of Popular Mechanics magazine / spanning 2000 - 2011

M) $5 lot of 11 romance-related magazines / year 2010

issues of Romance Writers Report (6), RT Book Reviews (5)

N) $3 lot of 7 issues / dog-related magazines / year 2010

issues of Dogfancy (4), Healthy Pet (1), Gun Dog (2)

O) $8 lot of 20 issues Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine / years 2010 and 2009

P) $10 lot of 28 gun-related magazines / year 2011

Guns / Gun Digest / Guns & Ammo / Gun Tests / Gun World / American Rifleman /

American Cop / Shooting Illustrated

A Book Worth Reading

2011-06-17T06:56:00.000-04:00

The blogger tends to be anti-trend. If everyone else is reading a book, she tends to put that book at the very bottom of her list. But for some reason, this year the All Fairfax Reads book came to the top of the list, and the blogger came to the top of the "holds" list. (Yes, she has to wait like everyone else).

The book is "The Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Children of Nepal." Fully expecting another heart wrenching book about how the US involvement overseas ruins people's lives, the blogger opened the first page reluctantly. And . . .

FINALLY, a book that lives up to its hype. This book is a beautiful testimony of how cluelessness and no sense of purpose can be transformed into a love that knows no bounds.

One might think from the title that this book is about children who have been taken out of the home country by nefarious means, and the author's quest to return them. The truth is worse. In the midst of the Civil War in Nepal, when parents were desperate to keep their children from ending up in the Maoist army, child traffickers promised the parents a future for the child in exchange for a lot of money. Once the children were in the system, the traffickers sold them to other Nepalese for use as beggars, servants, or worse.

Conor Grennan went to Nepal with no more than a vague idea that he would volunteer in an orphanage for three months and then get on with backpacking around the region. When he got to the orphanage, Little Princes, he discovered that these children were probably not orphans; instead, they were unable to be reunited with their families due to distance and war. The children at Little Princes were the lucky ones who had been rescued from the child traffickers pipeline. They were living in comparative luxury, with clothes and the opportunity to go to school.

In those three short months at Little Princes, Grennan was changed forever. In addition to caring for the boys at Little Princes, he was involved in trying to rescue seven more children whom he visited with and helped feed. Unfortunately, when the authorities went to rescue the children, they had been spirited away by the traffickers. Grennan left Nepal feeling he had been responsible for their fate, and resolved to return to make it right.

Grennan went from being a self-indulgent Westerner with little thought about the plight of others to a man determined to find out if he could return the children to their families some day. When he returned to Nepal with this goal in mind, the story he tells is gripping enough to stay up late at night turning pages.

Conor Grennan's writing is superb. He is honest about his humanity and selfishness, just as he is honest about the cold, the fear, and the joy. The way he writes about the interactions with the children conveys love and great respect for his little charges who had endured so much. A particularly interesting part of the book is the moral dilemma set up by his contacting parents of these children. This white foreigner was telling them that their children were safe, well, and getting to go to school but that it was wrong to have let them go with the child traffickers (who of course did not represent themselves that way). Although they missed their children, they were delighted that they were doing so well, and feared that Grennan would change that in some way. It must have seemed odd to them for him to say they should not have done something that had benefited their child so much.

The blogger highly recommends this book. Even if you're not a trend follower, this All Fairfax Reads selection is worth being a lemming.

Grennan will present a program on September 21 as part of the Fall for the Book Festival. Watch for more details!

More Treasures From the Attic

2011-06-14T07:22:00.000-04:00

So it's written in -- how about using that cover for something?

Music and sweet illustrations! What a find!
Art for a child's room?

An incomplete game with map blocks, cards, and a round spinner type thing.

The cover alone has texture and bling!

And this is an example of the illustrations contained therein.

Individually mounted ... who knows?

Charly's Attic Sale

July 15 & 16

(10-4)

July 17

(1-4)

at the Reston Regional Library

11925 Bowman Towne Dr.

Altered Art

2011-06-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

Did you know there's a group of local artists who turn found objects into sculpture and other art forms? They refer to their group as Altered Artists and here's a sample of their work. They will be featured in during our Charly's Attic sale, so please stop by to appreciate the ingenuity and creativity they display!

Linda Yeatman, Patty Szymkowicz,Linda Scimeca

Patty Szymkowicz, Linda Yeatman & Linda Scimeca

Fran Podlesney, Sandy Argall, Linda Yeatman, Linda Scimeca, Andrea Jennings-Taylor, Patty Szymkowicz

Lisa Murphy, Sandy Argall & Linda Yeatman

Fran Podlesney

Halloween box by Lisa Murphy

Leiann Quesnel

Jello Janes by Patty Szymkowicz

Sandy Argall

Linda Scimeca

Photos by

Patty Szymkowicz, Linda Scimeca, Lisa Murphy, Fran Podlesney, Sandy Argall, Leiann Quesnel

Charly's Attic Sale

July 15 & 16

(10-4)

July 17

(1-4)

at the Reston Regional Library

11925 Bowman Towne Dr.

Charly's Attic Mini-Sale

2011-06-09T16:05:00.000-04:00

If you know our dear Charly, you might be a little nervous about what's coming out of her attic to sell . . .

but don't worry, these aren't things from her actual attic. Rather, they are things that have been donated in the last 18 months or so that are not books or are books but not saleable.

People donate all kinds of things, often things they've used as bookmarks. Other times, they donate books that have cracked spines or are faded and worn. Our Semi-Annual used book sale standards are high, so these don't make the cut.

HOWEVER, they might just be what a collector or an artist or crafter is looking for! This is the one time when tearing a book apart to use its contents, boards, end papers, illustrations or something else is not only approved, but encouraged!

So, enjoy these photos of some of our representative items and put this mini-sale on your calendar. We'll be displaying some of the artwork a group called "Altered Artists" makes using found objects. Perhaps this will stimulate your creative or whimsical bone!

Molded, gilded cardboard Bible cover

We have no idea if this set is complete, but
the constituent parts are cool, too

The football legends - Ditka, Starr, Jurgensen, Namath

From an old LIFE magazine, great advertising
artwork, including this actor who went on to bigger jobs.

The binding is kaput, but the endpapers
are beautiful.

Charly's Attic Sale

July 15 & 16

(10-4)

July 17

(1-4)

at the Reston Regional Library

11925 Bowman Towne Dr.

Gifts for Dad

2011-06-06T07:03:00.000-04:00

We haven't showcased our Amazon site lately. Here are some good gifts for Dad. You do know Father's Day is coming up, right? In just under 2 weeks?

Does he like jazz? This book has some great reviews by jazz aficionados.

John Coltrane: His Life and Music (The Michigan American Music Series) . Says one, "Porter's is the first jazz biography I've read that is a really musicological biography and worthy to stand up to the biographies written about classical music figures. Rather than create a portrait with personal meditations, as J.C. Thomas did in Chasin' the Trane, or beating a predetermined ideological drum, as Frank Kofsky did in John Coltrane and the Jazz Revolution of the `60s, or create a fanzine kind of portrait, as Bill Cole did (by far the best of the pre-Porter bios, but still lightweight musically) or create a sort of modern day hagiography, as Eric Nisenson did in Ascension, John Coltrane's Quest, Porter gives us a straight biography, with little personal interjection, and a lot of penetrating insights based on the actual music Coltrane produced."

Now, how can you resist that?

$22.50

Maybe dad needs more peace and tranquility in his life. This book, The Jewel Tree of Tibet: A Complete Course on Essential Tibetan Buddhism, is a deal at $18.

Or perhaps he's a history buff. This interesting rare book might appeal to a sailor, a historian or someone who just enjoys a good adventure read. It's $52. There's also another book about the 1938 hurricane, "The Long Island Express." Check it out!

All of these books and many more are available at the Friends of Reston Regional Library site at Amazon.com. If you're a current local member, we'll save you the shipping and you can pick it up at the library. Just e-mail or call us to arrange it. Our number is at the top of the page.

Saving Money on Audiobooks

2011-06-04T21:31:00.000-04:00

Fairfax Bibliophiles issues the invitation to their last meeting and passes on info about a sale on audiobooks!

Aloha everyone. Our last meeting for the 2010-2011 Biblio Year (BY) is fast approaching. We will meet at the library, as usual, at 730pm on Tuesday, 14 June. This meeting is BYOB—bring your own book, or books—to share with the group. What prompted you to buy that book? Is there something special about it? Did you get it in some unusual situation? Whatever the reason that this or that particular book is special, bring it and share with the group.

ALL TANTOR AUDIOBOOKS

ON CD OR MP-3

50% OFF FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE

DETAILS

Our New Friends at Patch

2011-06-03T07:40:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't discovered it, we want to alert you to the Reston Patch, an on-line newspaper that concentrates on the local things. You know, the kids from YOUR area who are doing amazing things and the adults from YOUR area who are making this a better place to live? Or how often do you hear sirens and want to know just what happened?

If it's happening in and around Reston, Patch will cover it. And starting today, Patch is allowing our blogger to blog there as well. Hopefully, we'll get people excited about the library and becoming a Friend of the library. If you haven't done so yet, how about clicking on the sidebar? We'd love to have you join us!

And don't just click and give money (although we really appreciate that), get involved! We have so much fun every book sale -- come be a part of it!

Buka Passage Rare Book

2011-05-26T06:14:00.001-04:00

Buka (in Papua New Guinea, part of the Solomon Islands) is a famous place in anthropological literature. This book of research by Beatrice Blackwood represents the first field study of the people there. Beatrice Blackwood was a noted anthropologist at Oxford University. Her study was conducted well before World War II.

A copy of her book, Both Sides of Buka Passage, has been donated for our book sale.

$425

How do we sell such rare books? We have an Amazon site See this book by clicking HERE and many other excellent choices (remember Father's Day is coming), by clicking HERE.

If you are a local, current Friends member, you can save postage!

We offer the option of you picking up your books purchased from our Amazon site at the library. Just tell us that you want that option by clicking HERE.

Updating Friends News

2011-05-19T07:07:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to our new board! At our annual meeting yesterday evening, the following individuals agreed to serve for the next term.

Brian Jacoby, President

Michael Kenney, Vice President (Membership Chair)

Jen Scutella, Treasurer

Judy Konnert, Secretary

Rik Karlsson, Member At Large

David Little, Member At Large

Helen Fedor, Member At Large

Additionally serving (non-voting)

Charly Karlsson, Book Sale Chair

Kelley Westenhoff, Publicity Chair

Our next board meeting will be August 17, 2011.

Writing Children's Books

Are you interested in writing and/or illustrating Children's books? Come to a program at Reston Regional Librayr at 2pm on May 21 to find out more about that. Registration is required, but we'd love to see you! (This is for adults only)

Preservation Ideas

2011-04-18T19:30:00.002-04:00

The good folks at George Mason University are having an expert in the field of preserving family documents come talk this Thursday. You can bring 2 items to be assessed.

George Mason University Libraries

Celebrate National

Preservation Awareness Week:

How To Preserve

Fragile Books

Family Papers

& Photographs

Johnson Center Library Instruction Room

George Mason University

4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

Conservator Bryan Draper, with many years experience from the well-known Etherington Conservation Center of North Carolina and currently at University of Maryland, will discuss techniques and materials used in proper storage and conservation of books, documents and photographs. The presentation will include examples of materials, storage enclosures and slides of conservation projects.

You may bring in fragile books, family papers, scrapbooks or photographs for treatment evaluation and storage recommendations. Please note that no work can be done on your items at this session.

Limit of two items per person, please.

For more information or to RSVP: There is no charge for

Deb Hogan: dhogan1@gmu.edu or 703-993-2491 attending, but the session

Lene Palmer: lenep@gmu.edu or 703-993-2667 is limited to 60 people

ANOTHER BIG THANKS!

2011-04-13T16:33:00.002-04:00

THANK YOU

to our corporate sponsors

for their support of the Spring 2011 Semi Annual Used Book Sale!

Cheesecake Factory, Fair Oaks Mall

Harris Teeter, Reston

Harris Teeter, Highland Crossing Drive - Herndon

Chantilly Donuts, Chantilly

Corner Bakery, Fair Oaks Mall

Target, Reston

Safeway, South Lakes

Safeway, Hunters Woods

Safeway, West Ox Road

Trader Joes, Reston

Office Depot, Reston

Shoppers Food Warehouse, Herndon

Home Depot, Reston

Starbucks, South Lakes

KSB Bagels, Fox Mill

Famous Dave's, Chantilly

Baja Fresh, Plaza America - Reston

Popeye's, Reston

Rio Grande, Reston Town Center - Reston

Chili's, Reston

Ledo Pizza, Reston

Vocelli Pizza, Reston

Rubino Pizzeria, Herndon

Lucia's, Herndon

Spring Semi-Annual Sale Closes

2011-04-11T07:34:00.001-04:00

MERCI! GRACIAS! DANKE! ARIGATO!

Our Spring 2011 sale is finished and all of our volunteers deserve a HUGE thank you!

We want to tell you that our overall numbers were down -- attendance and sales. We think there are a couple of reasons for that:

1. COMPETITION - There were two huge regional sales going on at the same time -- the kind that dealers come from far and wide to attend. Many of our regular dealers shopped with us the first day, but then headed over to those events.

2. TIMING - That should have given our local shoppers a much less congested and frenetic sale, but the numbers just didn't turn up. This is probably due to our second reason -- the date change. Normally our sale is at the end of April but due to the religious holidays, we had to shift. People are creatures of habit. We suspect that some of the 'regulars' will show up at the end of April asking how they could have possibly missed it.

3. DONATIONS-- to be honest, the quality and quantity of our donations has been down. Is this due to the economy? Or the rise in e-books? We think a combination of both. People are buying fewer physical books, and thus donating fewer as well. What do you think? How can we make donating easier/more attractive for you?

But, overall, we cannot fault the energy, drive, and dedication of our great volunteers who sort, plan, set-up, restock, sell, tear-down, and distribute donations. Without them, all of this is meaningless.

And we mustn't forget the support of many local merchants who donate food and other items to contribute to our success. That list will be posted in a couple of days.

Thank you, Reston and surrounding areas!

Finally, a HUGE thank you to the library staff who puts up with the disruption, and particularly, to Andrew Pendergrass, our Branch Manager. He leads the staff in a positive attitude, and physically puts his hands on to help wherever needed. And our KUDOS as well to Fairfax County Public Library Director who is a great supporter of pretty much everything the Friends of Reston Regional Library attempt to do! It's easy to be a volunteer with an organization that appreciates your efforts!

Supervisor Packs It In

2011-04-08T06:10:00.000-04:00

In support of our Semi-Annual Book Sale (going on now at Reston Regional Library), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins came to help pack books for customers Thursday afternoon. We are grateful for her attention and assistance!

The sale is going well considering the lure of absolutely beautiful weather that is drawing people outside rather than inside! If you want more details, see this article in Reston Patch.

We are restocking constantly, so if you haven't made it over yet, it's NOT TOO LATE!

Hours of remaining book sale days:

TODAY (Friday)

10-5

SATURDAY (April 9)

10-4

SUNDAY

1-3:30

EXTRA! EXTRA!

2011-04-01T15:59:00.000-04:00

Don't miss the HUGE Semi-Annual Book Sale NEXT WEEK at Reston Regional Library. You will be amazed at what's offered for sale, and how nice the condition of the books we offer is, and how inexpensive they are.

If you want first crack at the neatly laid out tables, and particularly, the goodies in the Specials Room and on the Toplist, you need to be a member. What? Not a member? You can take care of that by joining, using the button on the sidebar, or by purchasing a membership on Friends' Night, April 6. The booksale will start at 5, but we will be there earlier so you can purchase or check-in.

Hours of Operation:

FRIENDS' NIGHT

WEDNESDAY,

APRIL 6

5-7:30pm

GENERAL PUBLIC

THURSDAY & FRIDAY

April 7-8

10am - 5pm

SATURDAY

April 9

10am - 4pm

SUNDAY

April 10

1pm - 3:30pm

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?

E-MAIL US

CALL US! 703-829-5467

How Far Back?

2011-03-25T11:59:00.000-04:00

In light of the celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival, it seems only appropriate to tell you about a really cool donation the Friends of Reston Regional Library received. Both items are for sale this spring.

We have two huge books of bound newspapers. They are described this way in our TOPLIST:

Item 1:
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper

weekly newspaper publ in New York / 51 weekly issues spanning 7 Jan 1860 - 29 Dec 1860 /
issue for 10 Nov 1860 (probable Presidential election results) was never bound in the volume /
custom binding in full leather has separated from the huge oversize text block / gilt label pasted
on spine / half of front endpaper is missing, half of back endpaper is also missing / some
damaged pages (with tears and signs of water damage at the page corners) appear to have
been bound in as is by the owner / free of internal marks, remarkably free of foxing for its age /
incredible reading copy for history buffs or for a library collection

Item 2:
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper / Ballou's

Pictorial / New York Illustrated News
collection of three different US weekly newspapers spanning 1856-1861 / Leslie 26 issues 1858-
1859 / Ballou 11 issues 1856 / New York 6 issues 1860-1861 / huge oversize bound volume in
marbled boards with leather spine / gilt label pasted on spine / small estate seller's label on front
endpaper / an owner's name in script on front endpaper / some issues were not complete when
bound / some pages with tears appear to have been bound in as is by the owner / perfect
companion reading copy to the 1860 Leslie volume above, with fantastic full-page size
illustrations

Now you're asking -- what the heck does this have to do with the Cherry Blossom Festival? Well, Item one has some amazing illustrations in it of the first official delegation to the US from Japan, in 1860. Here is a photo of saddle they brought as a gift (Click on the photo to see it closely):

Item 1 also includes this illustration of a politician that should be familiar to you from history. At this point, he was only a "wanna-be" president.

Don't you wish you could read the whole story illustrated by these illustrations on the left page? The page on the right shows Cyrus Field, the man who laid the first transatlantic cable, and a story about the cable itself.

This is great stuff folks - history buffs, genealogy gurus (just imagine the names and dates!), collectors, writers...

Let us know if you're interested! E-mail or call us at 703-829-5467.

Good Taste is Always In Fashion

2011-03-19T15:40:00.002-04:00

Or should that be, good fashion is always in good taste?

The Friends of Reston Regional Library can confirm the truth of both statements using a recent donation. A generous Friend, like you, gave our Friends group the privilege of marketing her collection of old fashion magazines.

Yes, old. REALLY old. As in 1909. These magazines, on their own, aren't beautiful, and aren't in perfect shape. But WOWZA, the fashions, the artwork, and the glimpse of yesterday revealed in these is priceless.

These are a great find for a fashion design student or professional, an artist, a genealogist, or an author trying to get a sense of time and place.

The magazines are fragile, so they are difficult for us to display and you won't see much of them at the Semi Annual Book Sale**. If you would like to see them, please CALL US at 703-829-5467 to make an appointment to see them or EMAIL US. Here's just a taste:

**Semi-Annual Book Sale starts April 6 at 5:00 pm with Friends Night (membership available for purchase that evening). General Public enthusiastically welcomed April 7-10. See sidebar for hours.

Children/YA Sale Begins Today

2011-03-18T07:53:00.000-04:00

Here's the view from the pre-sale trenches. As you can see, we have quantity and quality, awaiting your purchasing pleasure!

The Childrens and Young Adults Sale begins today, Friday March 18, at 10 a.m. Hurry in, but leave your scanner at home, please!

and here are the leprechauns who made it happen.

Thank you, Ladies!

The Toplist for Spring 2011

2011-03-12T15:24:00.007-05:00

TOP HAT?

TOP KNOT?

TOP GUN?

NO NO NO NO NO!

Friends of Reston Regional Library, Inc. present:

the SPRING 2011 TOPLIST

The anticipation towards the Semi-Annual Sale in April is building. And to whet your appetite and induce you to renew your membership so you can get first crack at these books on Friends Night (April 6; 5-7:30) our TOPLIST is ready for review. There are some really interesting books on here, so be sure to share it with your far-flung friends & family too!

Toplist books are specials -- ones that can command a premium price because of their rarity, condition, and/or higher demand. Our price on them is still less than you'll pay on the open market. Many of the books are unique, and are just a taste of what you can find in our Specials Room. If you cannot view the toplist through this link, please e-mail us and we will send you a .pdf of it.

Please observe the following policies pertaining to the Toplist:

1) A paid up Friends member may reserve a single item off the toplist for purchase on Friends night on Wednesday April 6. Please submit a request by email HERE. Requests for books made in this manner will be tracked by date and time -- first come, first reserved.

3) The Friends never have enough space to show off everything that's up for sale, so please feel free to ask if you have a particular interest but can't seem to find what you want.

4) The Friends are very grateful for all the donations from our community that make the sale possible..... so many books, dvds and cds! (of course, cash is nice, too).

As an aside, many people ask how we decide what to list on our RestonFriends site. Donations that come in that can command a good price (over $15) in the used book marketplace are considered for RestonFriends. The reason is that while we can save them for the Specials Room during the Semi-Annual Book Sale, often many of these are so unique, or the demand for them is so timely, that by the time we get to the Semi-Annual Sale, we will have lost the edge to sell them.

BUT, for many, if they have NOT sold on Amazon prior to the sale, we pull them back in, put them in the Specials Room, often add them to the "Toplist" and give you a price break.

So, it is a test of your gambling stamina: are you willing to wait and see if you're the first one to get them on Friends Night, or do you want to get it now, while it is available?

By Popular Demand!

2011-03-02T07:06:00.001-05:00

When we split out our Children's and Young Adults' Sale from our main sale two years ago, it was an experiment to see if we could better serve our patrons. We were nervous -- would we get enough volunteers to set up and staff? Would we get enough donations to justify using an entire meeting room? Would people want to come to a separate sale?

Well, YOU, our PATRONS, have been amazing! Your response to this semi-annual sale has been so great that this spring, we are able to ADD a day for sales! That's right, instead of confining the sale to the weekend, we'll be starting on Friday.

This is supposed to be a FRIENDLY, LOCAL, MINI-SALE. Most of you know what that means -- be kind, don't be greedy. In order to keep it a friendlier sale, we have established some guidelines that are different than the semi-annual sale.

1. NO SCANNERS
2. Limit on number of books per household in the first few hours on Friday.

We also have a further request. Although this is a friendlier sale for families, it doesn't mean that it's a free-for-all for the children who come with you. Please keep an eye on your children and instruct them to treat the books respectfully. If you don't intend to purchase the book your child is handling, please leave it in a condition that someone else will be interested in doing so.

So, mark your calendars! The Spring 2011 Childrens' & Young Adult Sale (including teacher materials) will be:

Friday, March 18

10-4

Saturday, March 19

10-4

Sunday, March 20

1-4

In the meeting rooms

at Reston Regional Library

Make Your Mystery List

2011-02-09T06:51:00.001-05:00

It's time to make your mystery list. Unlike the mystery list that you work from at the grocery store (you know, the one that's on your kitchen table and it's a mystery to remember what was on it), this mystery list is EASY to make and remember!

First, look at your favorite mystery and adventure authors. Write them down. Second, look at the kind of mysteries you like. Some people don't want the ones with lots of autopsies. Some don't want the ones with lots of cursing. Some want mysteries themed to particular interests. Did you know there are genealogy mysteries, knitting mysteries, and a slew of tea/catering/restaurant mysteries? The latter often have recipes!

Now. Having made that list, tuck it into the jacket, purse, or pocket you're going to wear on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10. Got it?

Good. Now look at your calendar. Rearrange your day so you can stop by the Reston Regional Library some time during the time frame of 10am - 6pm so you can get first crack at the Mystery & Adventure Sale.

Can't make it on a work day? No problem! Grab the list and show up Saturday, 10-5 or Sunday, 1-3. The sale will extend through Valentine's Day, the 14th.

Did you get that? It's VALENTINE'S DAY on the 14th! So you need to make a list of your sweetie's favorite mystery/adventure authors as well!

See you there!

Great Decisions, Meeting 2

2011-01-30T08:44:00.000-05:00

If you missed the Great Decisions Meeting in January, don't think you're off the hook! Each meeting is a stand-alone experience, and the topic is different. This month, Great Decisions will meet at 2pm on February 8. The topic will be National Security.

This program is a discussion roundtable. It is a civil environment in which people can talk about issues that affect us personally, professionally, and as a country.

To join us, please click here to register, or stop by the information desk, or call the library main number, 703-689-2700.

Mystery & Adventure Valentines

2011-01-23T09:23:00.001-05:00

The Mystery & Adventure Sale will start at Reston Regional Library in the new book section soon!

Stop by to pick up books from your favorite authors and discover new ones. At these prices, you can be adventurous yourself and stretch your reading habits!

And this is the PERFECT place to get a Valentine for your sweet baboo. Why? Because you'll save so much money that you'll still be able to take him or her out for a treat together.

Don't miss it!

February 10-14

regular library hours

New Book Section

Do The Math

2011-01-18T10:18:00.000-05:00

For the last several years, people in the Fairfax County Public Library System have been coping with the realities of the harsh budget climate. Even though the library's budget was miniscule compared to most other agencies, it still took a disproportionate hit in the budget battles.

But FCPL has always had an ace up its sleeve in the Friends groups. Each library branch has one, some more active than others, but all dedicated to making their branch a better place for patrons and staff alike. Some, like George Mason, have raised tons of money over the years and used it to underwrite the Summer Reading Program. Others, like Reston Regional, have been raising money steadily, just waiting for the perfect signature project in which to invest.

Enter the electronic book craze. Suddenly, everyone has some kind of e-reader. And everyone wants books for their e-readers. And FCPL has way more demand than supply. Why?

E-books are expensive. If you are the publisher, and you know that the library will not be back for replacement copies (e-books do not wear out), aren't you going to charge as much as you can up front?
Everybody and their mother got an e-reader for Holiday gifts. The Overdrive server that provides e-books from FCPL to patrons went down as all of those new users tried to get in on the new craze.

Realistically, we must accept that e-books are the wave of the future. That means fewer physical books will be published, purchased, and donated. That means book sale revenues will drop. Most of the branches have already seen a drop in donation quantity and quality.

What does that mean for us as a community? It means that we at FCPL must focus on this question:

What is it that libraries do for a community that no other agency does?

And the follow on is that having answered that question,

we must dedicate ourselves to doing it excellently.

What are some of the functions libraries currently provide?

1. Meeting places for ESOL, Tutoring, Hanging Out, Community Activities

2. Programming for all ages

3. Reference services

4. Educating People

5. Computer Access

6. Circulating materials that may be borrowed by community members

Only one of those is unique to libraries. Community Centers, Recreation Centers, Google, Schools and the ease of access to electronic media have created overlap in the others.

So, if your library branch disappeared tomorrow, what would you miss?

Me, I'm a Luddite when it comes to books. I like physical books in my hand. Yes, I have an e-reader, but I would only use it in desperation. When I travel, I take 4-5 paperback books that I've purchased from the used book sale for .50 each, and then leave them wherever I finish them.

However, my children's generation and their children will not have the pleasure of that in terms of quantity and quality and choice. And eventually they won't care, because their experience will have been with e-books. Can you imagine a Children's Program using e-books at the library? As the librarian pages through Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle, each of the toddlers will have their own e-reader and will page through with her -- and some will touch the icon that takes them to a page that tells them more about the author, or the media used, or brown bears...

Where do you think the Friends groups should be putting the money raised from book sales?

Talk to us.

E-mail or call at 703-829-5467

ODD LOTS #5

2011-01-15T21:25:00.000-05:00

Once again, our head squirrel in charge of winnowing the crop has decreed an Odd Lots sale must occur. While we make more shelf room, you get to pick up great bargains.

If any of these interest you, you must have a current Friends of Reston Library membership to purchase. If you don't have one, they're easy to get. Just click on the sidebar where it says "JOIN".

To let us know that you're interested, E-MAIL US, or call us at 703-829-5467.

ODD LOTS #5

SETS that look great on the bookshelf.....

a)        $25    /    Encyclopedia Britannica (1987 ed)
                         padded black bindings
                         33+ volumes complete

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

b) $20 / World Book Encyclopedia (1988 ed)

decorate gilt maroon bindings, top edges gilt

28 volumes complete, incl 6 matching annuals

===========================================

MAGAZINES to savor, to inspire .....

c)        $15    /    lot of 15 issues of fantasy/sci-fi magazines
                       (spanning 1999-2000)
                         9 issues of Asimov's Science Fiction
                        4 issues of Fantasy & Science Fiction
                         2 issues of Analog

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

d)        $3    /    for winter daydreaming!
                       lot of 6 large glossy magazine issues (spanning Sep 09 - Feb 2010)
                       Power & Motor Yacht, Showboats International, etc

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

e)        $4    /    get cooking with Cook's Illustrated magazine
                        lot of 8 issues (spanning 2006-2008)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

f)        $8    /    weave up something beautfiul with Handwoven magazine                      lot of 25 issues (spanning 2002-2008)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

g)        $3    /    armchair visit to France!
                       lot of 9 magazine issues (spanning 2006-2010)
                       France: The Best of Culture, Travel & Art de Vivre                       in English

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

h)        $4    /    lot of 12 recent issues (Jan, Feb 2011)
                       various gun-related titles                       including Gun World, Shooting Illustrated, Gun Digest
                     [must be 18 years or older]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i) $7 / lot of 21 issues (spanning 1999-2008)

mix includes Model Aviation, R/C Modeler Magazine, Model Airplane News

==========================================

JOURNALS on specialty subjects......

j) Wilson Quarterly

"surveying the world of ideas" / non-partisan, non-ideological

published by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

(which is part of the Smithsonian)

take a break from the Uncle John's Bathroom reader.... !
articles on history, sociology, politics, culture, you name it!

spanning the 1970's, 1980's, 1990's

$16 for lot of roughly 75 issues

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

k) US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters (spanning 2001, 2005-2010)

$15 for lot of 18 issues

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2011-01-14T07:35:00.000-05:00

A Friends of the Library Mystery

Last Installment

“Anthony,” began Celia, “please don’t do this. Everything you’ve studied about medicine tells you that these words you are saying are a lie. You know, deep in your heart, that underneath the skin, we are all made of the same blood, bone and sinews.”

As she spoke Celia stepped in front of László and Emajean, trying to form a protective shield. One of the men stepped up and grabbed her by the arm and flung her to the ground. He raised his club to strike László , who had knelt to help Celia back up. Celia saw the club descending towards László ’s unprotected temple, pushed up from the ground and over to the man, ramming into him with all her might. As László fell back on his heels, Celia’s head moved into the downward path of the club. It landed with all of the man’s force upon her occipital bone, crushing it inward, driving the pieces into her brain.

“Celia!” screamed Emajean and dropped to the ground, trying to revive her friend. The two men with clubs took off running out of the quad. László examined Celia and then pulled Emajean into his arms. “It’s no use,” he whispered. “She’s gone.”

Suddenly Anthony Harper was on the ground with them, cradling the lifeless body in his arms. “You were right, Celia. I didn’t listen. But you were right.” Tears ran down his face as he raised it to László and Emajean. “You need to call the police. I am responsible for this.”

László shook his head. “No, Dr. Harper. I have never agreed with you regarding your politics and your views on the races, but I have always admired your skill as a doctor. If you take responsibility for this, you will never practice medicine. It is better for you to use your skill to do good, to promote life. Otherwise, Celia’s death is in vain.”

Anthony Harper looked at Emajean. “Do you agree to cover this up? To give me a chance?” he whispered.

She nodded affirmatively, and then buried her head in László’s shoulder and sobbed. László held her for a moment and then said, “We must agree what has happened here. Two ruffians from town approached us trying to take our money. When Anthony and I tried to defend the ladies, one pulled out a club, but in trying to hit me, hit Celia instead. We are doctors. No one will question this story.

Now go call the authorities, Anthony. Save your outrage at yourself and pour it into your story so it will be convincing!”

Anthony ran towards the Administration building yelling, “Help! Please! Someone, help!”

Celia’s senses returned slowly. A low hum of machinery and that antiseptic smell of hospitals was distressingly familiar. As she peered in the low lighting at the monitors and listened to the buzzes and beeps, she became aware that she although she was again in a hospital setting, it was at least a 21^st century hospital setting. She began to hope that she was back in her own time.

The door to the room opened and her dear Rob came in. When he saw her eyes open he hurried to her side. “Celia?” he asked. “Are you back with us?”

Celia’s eyes filled with tears as she smiled and whispered, “I’m here. What happened?”

Rob answered, “The elevator at the library didn’t stop properly at the doorway so when you stepped out you fell. You hit your head and passed out. They brought you here by ambulance and we’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

Celia asked, “How long have I been out?”

He smiled, “about three hours, but boy am I relieved to see you awake again. You had us worried! I’ll go find the doctor so we can talk about taking you home.”

Celia relaxed and began to smile. She was back! She wasn't stuck in 1933 anymore!

EPILOGUE

Celia was restless. She had been home from the hospital for three days, and had been unable to concentrate. The dream, if that was what it had been, had been so vivid, so lifelike. She had known Emajean and cared about her and László. She felt bereft of that relationship she and the girl from the 1930’s had shared.

After the kids had gone to school and Rob had gone to work, she sat down in her home office comfy chair.

“Emajean,” she said to herself as she lifted the 1933 Loyolan from her bag. Turning to the page with the graduation photo of the young woman, she teared up. “My friend,” she whispered, tracing the photo with her finger. She held the book by its covers and shook it, pages down, to see if there were any more secrets for it to yield. For the first time since the Annual had come into her possession, there were no photos falling out.

She thumbed through the photos that had fallen out before. This time, each one of them had names on them. There were photos of Emajean with some of the other nurses Celia had met. The young man was indeed Walter as the young girl was Frances. When Celia turned the baby's photo over it said "Celia."

Celia turned on the computer and called up her file on Emjean. Rob had been sweet enough to give her a year’s subscription to Ancestry so she wouldn’t have to go back to the library with the broken elevator. She smiled as she logged in, and went to the tree she had started for Emajean.

Suddenly she sat up straight. Something was wrong. After 1930 the file was empty. Emajean Murphy was gone! There were no City Directories and no further entries.

With butterflies in her stomach she tried searching “Emajean Timar” and there, in the Chicago city records for 1935, she saw entries that said:

Husband: Laszlo Timar: Birthplace: Hungary; Occupation: Physician

Wife: Emajean Timar: Birthplace: Michigan; Occupation: Housewife

Mother: Anna Timar; Birthplace: Hungary

Child: Celia Timar; Birthplace: Illinois, 1934

And when Celia saw who was living next door, she laughed out loud.

Husband: Teodor Timar: Birthplace: Hungary; Occupation: Salesman

Wife: Hulda Timar: Birthplace: Hungary; Occupation: Nurse

THE END

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2011-01-06T07:02:00.000-05:00

A Friends of the Library Mystery

Prior Installment

Chapter XIV

The two women arrived in New York in 1933 by way of Bremen, Germany after a long ocean trip. Teodor was at the dock to meet them, and shepherded them to the train station where they would begin the long train ride to Chicago. During the trip Teodor was excruciatingly correct with both women as he audaciously pursued every unaccompanied woman under the age of 30 on the train. By the time they reached Chicago, Hulda and Anna were both convinced that he was a playboy and would not be suitable for Hulda at all.

To all of Anna’s questions about László’s romantic life Teodor was noncommittal. He did not want to deal with the emotion that he feared would ensue if Anna knew that her son was in love with an Irish girl. He spoke instead about the World’s Fair Expo that was going on in Chicago that year. He promised to take them to see the sights once they were settled in the city. The trip was only a week long, but by the time they reached the outskirts of Chicago Teodor felt that he’d done penance enough for not wanting to marry Hulda.

When the morning finally dawned that would finish their journey, Anna anxiously peered out of the windows, searching for her son. Suddenly she saw him and tears filled her eyes. “I must get out!” she said to Teodor.

“In a minute, Anna!” he exclaimed.

“No! I must get out right now! That is my son I must see!”

The porter came by and offered assistance. “Mister, I think you’d better give in to her. Looks like she’ll go right through that window!”

Teodor turned to look at Anna. She had suddenly stopped her frantic noise and was standing with her hands over her mouth and her eyes wide. Teodor leaned over to see what had caught her attention. He saw László there, and on his arm was a pretty Irish girl.

Teodor turned his head and spoke quietly and urgently to his sister-in-law. “Anna,” he said, “in America, boys and girls often marry people not from their own home country. They call this country the melting pot. If you do not act happy to see her, you will hurt your son and you will start your new life in America off on the very wrong foot.”

Anna narrowed her eyes at him, squared her shoulders, summoned her dignity, and said tightly, “Teodor! If my László thinks that he is going to marry an Irish girl, he is not the smartest of the Tímár men as we have always thought. It appears that I arrived here just in time.” Barely looking to the side Anna directed Hulda to join her, and they went to the door to exit the train.

Celia returned to dormitory that evening to find Emajean sobbing on her bed.

“Emajean,” she said softly. “What on earth is the matter?”

“László and I cannot marry. His mother hates me because I’m not Hungarian. Oh Celia, I can’t make him choose between his mother and me. It would be wrong,” Emajean choked out.

“Whoa, back up there. What happened?” Celia asked.

“His mother got off the train, approached him, and received his kiss. He said something to her in Hungarian, and gestured to me as if he was introducing me. She said something back, turned around, and went back toward the train. I’m not stupid. She was telling him that she was going back to Hungary.

He followed her, pleading with her, I guess. I left the platform and went into the station to wait. Teodor came to find me and asked me to meet László later this evening at our usual place. I think it is so he can say good-bye,” Emajean finished. “Will you go with me?”

Celia nodded, almost in tears herself. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to work out. All great stories ended up happily ever after. But remembering the census record, Celia had a feeling that what Emajean feared was about to come true.

They left the dormitory a little while later, with a soft evening breeze accompanying them while they walked to the willow tree. Emajean slowed as they neared the place. As on the previous evening, László was waiting in the long, flowing limbs of the tree.
“Emajean,” he called softly. The caress of his voice on the syllables of her name made her catch her breath. He held out his arms.

“László!” she exclaimed, “do you still want to marry me?”

He buried his head in the softness of her freshly washed hair and inhaled deeply. “Yes,” he said roughly. “My mother just needs some time.”

Emajean almost sobbed in relief. Their lips met and they kissed deeply. She stepped back to look into his eyes to see her joy reflected there.

Her elation was momentary though. Out of the darkness they heard a voice call to them, “Are you really so stupid? Do you really think we would allow a dirty Hungarian to marry one of our girls?”

They all recognized the voice of Anthony Harper as he stepped into the light with two other men. Those men held clubs in their hands and were tapping them menacingly.

And next week, the finale. I promise!

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-12-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

A Friends of the Library Mystery

Prior Installment

“Absolutely not!” Teodor emphatically told his nephew. “I am not going to marry an old fashioned Hungarian woman. I came to America to escape the old fashioned.”

László choked back a laugh. He gazed around his uncle’s study which was strewn with books and pictures from Hungary. Coats of arms of the great houses of Hungary, depictions of nursery rhymes they had both been raised with, paintings of hunting and stags. Even the curtains were heavy damask, as would have been normal in old-fashioned, conservative. Hungarian homes.

Teodor himself gave an air of old fashioned conservatism. He wore a high removable collar, and cuff links showing a family crest. László caught Teodor’s arm and peered more closely.

“Are these your family crests?” he asked his uncle.

“No,” his uncle replied, jerking his arm back. “I helped a friend out with some cash and he insisted that I take them. They’re gold, so they’re worth something. What is it to you?”

László stifled his smile. “Nothing at all. If they’re worth something though, why don’t you sell them and get your money?”

His uncle, chastised him. “László! They are the crest of the man’s family! I cannot treat them as if they are unadorned gold!”

László smiled broadly, “But they’re not your family. Why would you wear them?”

Teodor answered shortly, “My shirt sleeves needed cuff-links. Now stop pestering me. I’m not going to change my mind about this girl!”

“Uncle,” began László, “she is a modern woman. She has even served as a nurse. Look around this place; you need someone to help you.” László gestured to the piles of papers and cups and saucers strewn about the study. It was where Teodor spent most of his time at home. The smart young man added, “she’ll be a fantastic cook, too, and you cannot deny that you miss good home cooking.”

Teodor grimaced. “Nephew,” he said. “I do not want to be dishonest with you. I do not want a woman to cook for me, to clean up after me, or to be dependent on me. If I want the company of women, I can seek them out and leave them when I am bored. ”

László sighed, “Teodor, I don’t know what to do then. I guess I’ll have to go to Hungary myself.”

Teodor was irritated with him. “That is not the only solution! This woman can accompany your mother, but not under the impression she will be keeping house for me or marrying me. I just want to make that clear!”

László smiled. “Okay, I’ll take the train to New York to meet their ship. I’ll spend the entire journey from New York to Chicago telling her what an unpleasant fellow you are.”

Teodor drew himself up to his entire height of 5’7”. “You will not do that! I will go to New York and meet the train. I will make myself an obviously unsuitable bridegroom.” He flashed a smile, “I need to do some business in New York anyway, and you cannot afford to miss out on your studies. I may not like having women around me, but I do love New York, and I know how to handle women when I need to be a charming rogue. I will enjoy the challenge. By the time we reach Chicago she will beg your mother to find her a widower with seven children to care for!” He winked at his nephew and twirled his moustache.

László rolled his eyes, shook his head, and assented to the arrangement.

LOTS of CLOSED DATES

2010-12-20T18:59:00.000-05:00

This is what the library schedule looks like for the next couple of weeks:

The schedule for the next two weeks follows.

Monday, December 20, regionals open at 1pm - 9 pm

Tuesday, December 21, regional branches open 10 am - 9 pm

Wednesday, December 22, open 1 pm - 9 pm

Thursday, December 23 CLOSED

Friday, December 24 CLOSED

Saturday, December 25 CLOSED

Sunday, December 26 CLOSED

Monday, December 27 Reston Regional opens at 1 pm

Tuesday, December 28 open 10 am - 9 pm

Wednesday, December 29 open 1 pm - 9 pm

Thursday, December 30 CLOSED

Friday, December 31 CLOSED

Saturday, January 1 CLOSED

Sunday, January 2 open 1 pm to 5 pm

Thanks to our friends at George Mason for posting this. I borrowed, amended and am giving credit!

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-12-16T13:19:00.000-05:00

A Friends of the Library Mystery

Prior Installment

When they got in that night the young women sat on Celia’s bed and talked quietly. Emajean asked, “Celia, would it be breaking the ‘time-rules’ for you to tell me about your own family? You must miss them.”

Celia teared up. She did miss Rob and her children, and to talk about them was a joy. Without revealing anything about their time they lived in, she was forced to describe her family by who they were, what they looked like, and what was important to them. She found it refreshing.

“My daughter is a lot like you. She is lively and passionate and wants to do everything all at once. My son is more introspective, but because he is a boy, he believes he should be tough. So he holds in his tenderness. I think someday a girl is going to break his heart. As his mother, I’m going to be so angry at her!,” Celia laughed at the prospect.

“Rob,” she started, and she choked up. “Rob is the kindest man alive. I do silly things and I forget to do things that are important to him and he never gets angry. He just laughs and hugs me and says none of that matters. He supports my writing and my volunteer work, and well, just everything.”

“Do you work?” asked Emajean.

“Yes, I’m a lawyer in a small law firm,” answered Celia.

Emajean’s eyes were round and her jaw dropped. “Women can be lawyers?” she asked, incredulous.

“Sure, a few are lawyers in your time. But it’s a hard road for them. I’m very grateful to them for going before me,” Celia said.

Emajean grinned. “I’ll bet you’re going to tell me that women are doctors too.”

“Actually, yes,” said Celia. “The medical schools are over 50% women in my time. There is still a pay disparity, but women are actually getting to where they can really contribute to their families.”

Celia thought for a minute before continuing. “Emajean, in your lifetime, we will have a Roman Catholic president, and you may even live long enough to see a Negro as the president of the United States.”

This was too much for Emajean. “I can’t believe that either one of those things will happen. How can a Negro be president if they can’t even use the same water fountains as we do?”

“That will change too. It will be difficult, and it will take a great deal of courage, but someday, the differences between you and László will be insignificant compared to the changes in society around you. Your children will see even greater changes. Men will walk on the moon, and . . . “ she stopped, realizing her enthusiasm was carrying her away from what she felt was permissible to share.

Emajean’s eyes were shining. She shivered as she said emphatically, “If we can get to the point where László and I raise no comment whatsoever, I’ll die happy!”

The lights dipped to warn the girls in the dormitory that they had only ten minutes to finish their evening toiletries and be in bed. Emajean hugged Celia quickly and slipped from the room.

Celia laid back in bed after brushing her teeth and stared at the ceiling. “God,” she began, “please let me be back with Rob and my children. Please?”

GREAT DECISIONS

2010-12-15T09:08:00.000-05:00

GREAT DECISIONS

A new opportunity for Reston Regional Library

patrons to discuss important issues together

in a facilitated and civil atmosphere.

Once a month, starting January 11
2-4pm

Participation limited to 25

First Discussion Topic

REBUILDING HAITI
Books provided by the Library. You may pick yours up 2 weeks before the group meets.

To Register, CLICK HERE

To find out more about this interesting, nation-wide program
put on by the Foreign Policy Association,

CLICK HERE

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-12-10T08:22:00.001-05:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

A Friends of the Library Mystery

Prior Installment

Released from the hospital wing, Celia was ordered to stay in her dormitory room for another twenty-four hours. She figured that was all the time she had to make this whole situation right because if she had to work as a nurse, they would surely know she was not who they thought she was.

Emajean had shown up to escort her back to her dormitory room. Celia discovered they lived on the same hall. Emajean told her that Celia’s roommate was away taking a semester off to help with a sick family member. After Emajean had fussed over her for a few minutes, Celia told her to go away for a while and come back to get her for dinner. She needed time to think. She sat on the bed and closed her eyes, trying to remember the photos that had fallen out of the Annual.

If this is about Emajean and László, why does she still show up single in the later City Directories? Am I supposed to help them get together? Or is this about Walter and somehow healing that rift? Is the Anthony Harper of this time related to my husband?

Emajean returned as promised and the girls went down to the dining room. Everything was very formal. There were highly polished silver utensils and serving pieces, cloth napkins and beautifully ironed tablecloths. All the formality was in contrast with the food served which was sparse and not very appealing. Celia guessed that even though food was scarce in 1933, the administrators of the university believed that the standards of the establishment should still be maintained, thus the formality.

After the meal Emajean invited Celia to stroll outside to enjoy some fresh air. Taking the hint, Celia agreed and the girls wound their way through the tables to the doors. An older nun fixed them with her forbidding gaze and admonished, “be back by 8:30 p.m!” The girls chorused, “yes, Sister,” and went through the heavy wooden doors, down the front steps, and out into a clear evening.

Emajean peppered Celia with questions about the future as they strolled arm in arm around the quad. Celia dodged most of them, to the point that Emajean was exasperated and burst out, “why don’t you tell me anything?”

Celia answered, “I think I’m supposed to follow some code of not telling you things because it can change how things turn out.”

Emajean countered, “I’m not important enough to matter to the big scheme of history! I’m an average girl from an average family who has few aspirations beyond marrying László and having a decent life here in Chicago. What about me can possible affect the outcome of world events?”

“I’m not sure,” Celia said, “but I don’t want to take any chances. I think I need to err on the side of caution.”

As the girls neared the corner farthest from their dormitory Celia saw a huge willow tree between two buildings. Standing underneath the tree was a shadow of a figure. Emajean began to walk faster, and Celia suspected she knew who was under the tree.

When Emajean threw herself into his arms, Celia sighed. This is all so romantic but all so wrong for this time in history. How can I help them?

Suddenly, she knew. She stepped towards the embracing couple and then stopped, embarrassed. They pulled away from one another, similarly embarrassed. Girding herself, Celia announced, “we don’t have time to be embarrassed with each other. I’ve just thought of a plan.”

They both turned toward her eagerly, with attentive expressions.

“László , are there any young women your mother knows who would be a good wife for Teodor?” she asked.

“Well yes, there is our neighbor’s older daughter, Hulda. She is considered unmarriageable in Hungary because she worked as a nurse during the Great War. She is closer to Teodor’s age,” he answered.

“What do you mean unmarriageable?” Emajean queried. “Simply because she has helped wounded men?”

“There are many things about Hungarian traditional culture that would surprise you Emajean,” he said. “Including that if a woman has seen any part of a man’s body that should only be seen in marriage, she is considered to have been compromised.”

Seeing Emajean begin to wind up for an argument, Celia broke in. “Emajean! We don’t have time for this. Don’t you see? Hulda would be a perfect person for László to suggest to accompany his mother. She is a nurse, so if László ’s mother has any difficulties with the passage, she can minister to her. She’s a bride for Teodor who can help him make money here by helping Hungarian families with small children. I’ll bet László can even find a doctor who serves that community here who is desperate for someone who can talk to the mothers in their own language with their own traditions!”

Celia could see Emajean’s argument deflate and László’s beautiful smile widen. “Celia! This is a stroke of genius! Teodor cannot possibly object! I will not lose any time in my studies, I will be able to take the time I need to prepare for my exams, and I will be on the list to compete for good positions in the city!”

Emajean added, “and we can proceed with plans to marry! Celia, this is why you’re here! It’s brilliant!”

“Now all I have to do is convince Teodor!” said László. “I’ll go see him tonight. Good night, dear ladies!” László gave Emajean a quick kiss and hurried away. The girls heard the tower clock begin to chime the half-hour song and hurried towards their dormitory.

Mystery Lovers - Unite!

2010-12-05T22:57:00.000-05:00

We know we have lots of mystery lovers at Reston Regional Library. We can tell because you always respond so favorably to our Mystery Sale in February. So this is an event we think you'll enjoy!

TUESDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 7

Murder to Mil-Spec, an anthology put together by Sisters in Crime who write books and stories that feature the military or veterans, will be the subject for a discussion at 7 p.m. at Reston Regional Library.

They will have the anthology for sale as well, with proceeds being donated to Homes for Our Troops. You MUST check out this organization. They're doing amazing things to adapt or build adapative homes for our troops who return with disabling wounds. They're working in our own backyard. Two of the homes will be going up soon in Fredericksburg!

The event on Tuesday evening is free, so come support Friends of the Library and visit with these ladies with a great cause and great stories!

Panelists will include Liz Zelvin and Barbara Goffman.

If you are an aspiring writer with military experience of any kind, you don't want to miss this event!

Emajean Continues

2010-12-03T07:06:00.000-05:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

A Friends of the Library Mystery

Prior Installment

Emajean’s background was very different from László's. She was the daughter of a coal merchant. Her father was much older than her mother, and had been married once before. His first wife had died, leaving him a son, Walter, who Emajean’s mother raised as her own. Walter was ten when Emajean was born. Ten years later, baby sister Frances was born. Frances was a sickly child and demanded a great deal of her mother’s attention.

Walter took it upon himself to walk Emajean to and from school each day. Although he was a grown man, in many ways his mind was still that of a child. He was fiercely protective of Emajean and began to interfere with her relationships with her classmates. When she complained to her mother, she was told that she was lucky to have an older brother to look out for her. Overhearing this, Walter appointed himself Emajean’s protector for her own good.

When Emajean was in high school Walter got a job working on a farm just outside the city. Whenever he had an afternoon off, he walked to the street car line and then caught a ride to Emajean’s public school where he waited to walk her home. One afternoon, she came out of the school building and didn’t notice Walter. She and a young man turned to walk down the street together. The young man bent his head to say something to her and took her books from her arms to carry them for her. Walter saw her look at the young man with a sweet smile, and snapped. He rushed over to the couple, seized the boy by the shoulders and threw him into the street. An oncoming truck was unable to stop in time, and the boy’s leg was broken as the truck ran over it. When the police came to the house that night to question Walter, Emajean’s father told them he had sent Walter far away already, where he would not bother anyone anymore.

From that time, no one in the family mentioned Walter. Emajean could sense that her parents wondered what had gone on between Walter and Emajean in those first couple of years when baby Frances was so sick. But instead of asking, they pretended that he did not exist. The denial of his existence was so complete that Emajean began to wonder if she had indeed done something wrong, whether she had encouraged him in some way that was wrong. A feeling of responsibility descended upon her, so she joined in the artifice whenever her parents were around, and gradually, their life went on as if Walter never had been part of it.

Emajean never knew where they had sent him, but once, when she was home sick with a fever, she heard the postman call out to her mother as he brougt her mother the mail. She heard “here’s a letter from the Yukon! That’ll be young Walter telling you he’s discovered gold!” Emajean did not hear her mother’s reply. She heard her mother telling her father about it that evening, angrily declaiming the mailman's nosiness. Emajean tried to find such a letter, but was never successful. In the end, all she had to remember her brother by was an old photo, taken when he was working with his father on the coal wagon. In it he was dressed up, and looked out shyly, as if he was unworthy of the time and expense of a photograph.

Emajean graduated from high school with honors, and received a scholarship to study nursing at Loyola University in Chicago. Her first semester she had been a little homesick, but after the first trip home for Christmas, she knew that Lincoln was not where she wanted to live. She returned to Chicago with a zeal for enjoying the city and her college life, changed her name to Jean, and pursued her studies. Although she hoped to find a husband and start a life in Chicago, she never would have dreamed of meeting a man like László.

Making that list

2010-12-01T21:03:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day of the Holiday Sale and it was a great success! But don't worry -- if you didn't get there today, our elves will be restocking throughout the sale. The last day is December 5.

Also, if you missed Linda McCarthy last night, we're sorry you didn't make it. She was great and there weren't many extra seats!

Don't miss the Sisters in Crime discussing Murder to Mil-Spec, an anthology of mystery stories that feature military personnel or veterans. Proceeds of the anthology go to Homes for Our Troops -- a charity that builds/modifies homes for disabled troops. Register HERE

That will be December 7 ( appropriately enough), so come on out to Reston Library that evening at 7.

Looking ahead to January -- If you want to be part of a new idea here at Reston, join the Great Decisions group. A limited membership will start meeting on January 11 from 2-4. The first topic under discussion is Rebuilding Haiti -- that's no small decision so come join us! Again, please register through the library website. The library will provide you a book, but please preregister HERE and be ready to participate!

EXCITING TIMES AT RESTON REGIONAL

2010-11-20T07:42:00.000-05:00

The next several weeks hold a flurry of great events. Be sure to mark your calendars for these!

CLANDESTINE WOMEN

November 30, 7pm

Linda McCarthy, veteran CIA officer and curator of the CIA museum, will present a talk at Reston Regional Library. She'll have GADGETS!

------------------------------

HOLIDAY SALE

December 1-5, regular library hours

The CREAM of the donations throughout the year will be presented for our HOLIDAY SALE. This sale will feature books about the holidays as well as books suitable for giving! Your loved ones will think you shopped yourself broke at the big book retailers. We won't tell!

------------------------------

MURDER TO MIL-SPEC

December 7, 7pm

A panel of authors discusses Murder to Mil-Spec, an anthology of crime fiction stories each one featuring veterans or active-duty military personnel. Proceeds from book sales benefit Homes For Our Troops.

Panelists will include Liz Zelvin and Barbara Goffman.

If you are an aspiring writer with military experience of any kind, you don't want to miss this event!

------------------------------

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

December 11, 11am-1pm

Please join the staff and Friends of the Reston Regional Library for a holiday open house. Enjoy live music and refreshments. Children can enjoy Chuck's balloon hats and dozens of wonderful balloon creations. All ages.*

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-11-19T07:34:00.002-05:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

A Friends of the Library Mystery

Prior Installment

“Won’t you sit down?” László asked, gesturing to the table.

Emajean was still hesitant as she sat. “Usually at this time the doctors are elsewhere so I come in to have a little quiet cocoa. I really am sorry if I interrupted you.”

“Not at all! Is there some place where I too could get a cup of cocoa? It’s just that it reminds me of home, and for a moment, I had a bit of nostalgia,” László said.

“I bought it at the canteen. We can go there,” she said.

He frowned a little. “No, I don’t think I want to leave this room,” he said quietly.

“Is it because doctors don’t like to be seen in public with nursing students?” she asked.

“No,” he replied. “I like that it is just us here.”

“Then I’ll share. Here,” and she pushed the cocoa to him. The mustache of cocoa that covered his upper lip after he took a deep draught caused her to start giggling.

He took on a look of mock hurt. “Are you laughing at me? A poor foreigner trying to learn American customs?” he asked.

She bit her lip lightly. “No, it’s nothing foreign about you that makes me laugh. Even American boys get cocoa mustaches. It’s just very undignified for a medical student.”

He hung his head in pretend sorrow. “Ah,” he replied. “The stereotype of the doctor being too dignified to be human.”

She smiled, and reached across the table to retrieve her cocoa. László closed his hand around hers on the mug and said, “You may not have it until you tell me your name.”

Her smile grew wider and she said, “Jean. I like to be called Jean.”

He furrowed his brow and answered, “That sounds very American, short and to the point. It doesn’t seem ornate enough for you.”

She said, “Well yes, my parents named me Emajean but it sounds so old fashioned. I wanted to be called Jean once I came here.”

László tried it out, “Emajean.”

She had never heard her name pronounced with such precision wrapped in velvet. It made something inside her warm even more to this man. “All right. You may call me Emajean, but only you. Everyone else has to settle for Jean.”

“And already you have given me another gift,” he said.

“Another?” she inquired.

“Yes, first you started my heart. Second, you shared your cocoa. Third, you gave me exclusive use of your full name, Emajean,” he said.

There was something about the way he declared the gifts and finished with his caress of her name that Emajean knew she’d be a goner if she didn’t leave the room immediately. Suddenly the door flew open and a dark haired girl looked in. “They’re looking for you, Jean! Hurry up!” she called and ran off.

Emajean abandoned the cup, straightened her cap, and fled out the door.

They both knew where they’d be tomorrow at the same time.

Chapter XI

From their beginning with cocoa, László and Emajean tried to progress as if they were colleagues. When others were around, they struggled to ignore the currents of electricity that ran between them. But in their second year, the inevitable occurred and thrown together by long shifts and difficult patients, the electricity matured into a deeper relationship, cemented by friendship and shared challenges.

When László was in his third year of medical school, his father died. This coincided with the world-wide depression so his father’s already small pension from the Hungarian government was worthless. As the only child, László was committed to caring for his mother and was making himself sick trying to decide what was best for her.

Uncle Teodor provided what appeared to be the perfect solution. He offered to pay for his sister-in-law’s passage to America. László agreed that it was a great idea. Unfortunately, his mother refused to get onto a ship that would cross the ocean. Anticipating her answer, Teodor had been urging the young man to finish a semester early, quickly take his exams, and then go to Hungary to bring his mother back to Chicago. Teodor had picked up the current that ran between his nephew and a young Irish nurse, so his additional hope was that the trip would give the young man an opportunity to be immersed in all good things Hungarian, and the Irish girl would no longer appeal to him.

László suspected that his uncle had such an intention, but his suspicion was of no consequence to his decision. He was torn between the duty to his mother, and his love for Emajean. László also knew that if he left immediately following his exams, he would not be considered for further specialization studies, and might even have trouble finding a position practicing medicine when he returned.

Gift Book Bonanza

2010-11-16T07:36:00.000-05:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-11-11T11:22:00.000-05:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

Prior Installment

Chapter X

László Tímár had grown up in Budapest, the only child of a minor official in the government and an intensely dedicated mother. He started school at age four with a local convent school. The nuns who taught the children were from many parts of Europe and it was quickly discovered that the boy had a gift for languages. He picked up the various languages of the sisters, so with the assistance of the priests, they searched for foreigners to bring in to speak their languages to the young prodigy. At the age of twelve his education moved from the sphere of the nuns’ influence completely to that of the priests. It was then that another of László ’s gifts began to shine. There was simply no mathematics or science class that he couldn’t breeze through. By the time he was eighteen he spoke ten languages and had mastered advanced calculus.

With the blessing and financial support of the Church, his parents decided to send László to get a higher education in the United States. Because the Church was helping, it was to be at a Jesuit institution and when it came to choosing a school, they relied on geography and family connection. László’s father had a brother, Teodor, who had emigrated to Chicago ten years earlier. This brother cheerfully welcomed the prospect of his nephew coming to live with him. There were several wealthy Hungarian immigrant families in his circle of acquaintances who had marriageable daughters. Teodor was the consummate bachelor so wasn’t interested in any of them for himself. But for his nephew, Teodor was optimistic that one of the girls would give László a good reason to stay in the United States.

But wealthy Hungarian Catholic families did not send their daughters to study nursing at Loyola. Further, László’s hours were such that he was constantly at the campus surrounded by young women from many backgrounds. With his gift for languages, he quickly found a new community among the other students and made arrangements to move into a dormitory. His easy nature and academic ease made him a favorite study partner for men and women alike.

It was in one of the study sessions that László met the young Irish-American nurse from Michigan. He was explaining a procedure from organic chemistry to one of his male colleagues one day when a young nurse walked into the study area with a cup of hot cocoa. The smell took László back to his early days in Budapest, when he shared hot cocoa and the stories of his day with his mother in the afternoon after school. The aroma made him smile and look up at the girl holding the source of the chocolate bouquet. His dark brown eyes met her lively green ones and it was as if an electric current ran from his body to hers and then back again. Her fair skin blushed dark red and her step faltered. The cocoa teetered in her hand.

László jumped up and steadied the mug by gently cupping his hand beneath it. “I’m a good doctor, but I don’t think I could heal a burn on such perfect skin,” he said.

The girl stared at him a moment longer and then dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’ve disturbed your studying,” she said. “I’ll leave.”

“No, it is fine, we were just finishing, weren’t we?” he turned to his colleague. Aware that something magical had happened, the other man could only answer, “I’d say finished is the word for you, yes.” He gathered his things, nodded at the oblivious pair, and left the room.

Puzzle Sale Finished

2010-11-08T07:50:00.000-05:00

We TOLD you to get there early! This was a VERY POPULAR event this year and things were mostly finished by Saturday evening!

So stay tuned for the Holiday Sale, December 1-5, when the cream of the donations will be offered as suitable holiday gifts for others. We won't tell anyone that you got that awesome gift at a FRACTION of the price!

It will be during regular library hours in the front of the library (New Books area). See you then!

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-11-04T06:00:00.003-04:00

Wherefore Art Thou Emajean?

Prior installment

Celia awoke to that peculiar white noise sound of forced air common in institutional settings. She was lying on a bed that had railing sides. Uh oh. I think I’m in a hospital. The lights were low and she could hear the faint murmur of voices out in the corridor. She did a mental inventory of her senses and everything seemed to be working correctly. Next she started a physical inventory, tensing and relaxing muscles, starting with her wiggling her toes and working up.

She was just starting to lift her left arm when the door of the room pushed open and a young man came in. He had a white coat on and a stethoscope around his neck. She thought he looked vaguely familiar.

“Hi Celia,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

“I guess I’m all right. What happened?” she asked.

“You fainted at the party at Garm’s barn. When you fell you hit your head on a hoe that someone had left out. It cut your scalp. Like all head wounds, it bled pretty badly, but it’s not serious. I put a couple of stitches in, and your hair will grow back,” he said.

“You cut my hair?” she asked.

“Just a little bit. No one will even notice. It is fortunate you weren’t hurt more seriously,” he answered. “When was the last time you had eaten?” he inquired.

Now that was a tough question. In her time, she had been on the way to meet her friend for lunch and had felt hungry then. But she didn’t know how that time translated to now. “I don’t really remember exactly,” she offered.

“Well, that probably explains it. Everyone said you had been acting a little different all evening. I know I was surprised by your attitude when you argued with me,” he said.

In a flash the memory came back to Celia. This was the insufferable bigot from the party! She got ready to give him another piece of her mind when he broke in to her thoughts. His voice was somber. “I don’t know why you’ve suddenly developed these radical ideas, Celia. The races need to each keep to their own,” he said.

Celia couldn’t help but argue, “that’s wrong! It denies people a chance to love whoever they want to spend their lives with!”

Anthony flashed a sad smile at her, “I said last night you were naïve. Now I know you’re stubborn as well. I think this means we’re not as well suited as I had hoped.”

Celia had a sinking sensation. If I’ve traveled back in time somehow, what is this man’s relationship to me? His name is Anthony Harper. Could it be that he’s related to my husband Rob Harper? This is so wrong! He saw the look on her face and interpreted it correctly.

“I know you’re not interested in me romantically, but I hold you in the highest esteem. You’re a beautiful girl, a wonderful nurse, and will make someone a great wife,” he said. “I’m going to let you rest until the morning and then we’ll give you a day of rest in your dormitory. Then we’ll see how you feel about coming back on duty. Your patients miss you,” he said with a smile.

After he left Celia closed her eyes. I don’t understand this and I don’t know how I’m going to get back to my own time. I cannot fake being a nurse and having all this training!

A light tap on the door brought her eyes back open. A familiar face peeked into the room. “Oh good, you’re awake!” said her visitor.

“Emajean!” said Celia. “I’m so glad to see you. I have so much to ask you!”

Emajean looked at her curiously. “It isn’t as if we don’t talk every night. And why on earth are you still calling me Emajean? It’s because of the annual, isn’t it? I told them I didn’t want them to use my entire name but they insisted. But why you’re taking it up, I don’t know! So why are you?” she finished in a rush.

Celia laughed. “To me, you’ve never been anyone else. I guess I wasn’t clear about that before. I have something to explain to you. Come sit down.”

The other girl sat on the end of her bed and folded her long legs atop the covers. Emajean perched her chin in her hands and said, “So give. What do you need to tell me?”

“I’m not the Celia you know. I actually live in 2010 and I only know you through some photographs we found in your 1933 Loyolan,” Celia said.

Emajean didn’t bat an eye. “Where is the Celia who is my classmate then? You look just like her and you sound just like her.”

“I don’t know how it all works. But when I have to do something that involves nursing you’ll see that I’m not the Celia you know. I can’t stand the sight of blood,” Celia replied.

“That’s nothing new. You aren’t good at the blood stuff, but you get through it. You’re still not convincing me. Tell me something that is a surprise,” Emajean said.

“Let’s see. You have a little sister named Frances.”

Emajean rolled her eyes, “she’s been up to visit. You know her. Keep trying.”

“Okay, you have a step brother named Walter and your father was married to Walter’s mother before he married . . . “ Celia’s voice trailed off as she saw the horrified look on the other girl’s face.

“No one here knows about Walter,” said Emajean in an urgent, quiet voice. “He was sent away a long time ago. How do you know about him?”

“I told you. I’m from 2010. You see, I was trying to find out who the photos that fell out of a 1933 Loyolan belonged to. I started using the Census records to trace your family,” she said.

“But Walter hasn’t lived with us for many years. He wasn’t with us when the census taker came,” Emajean said.

“Not with your family, but nearby, and your family name is unique enough in Lincoln that he’s easy to find. I just used the internet,” Celia said.

“The what?” Emajean asked.

“The internet. I can’t explain how it works because the technology is still a long ways away. The point is, I’m in the wrong time, and somehow I’ve got to get back to my time but I don’t know how,” Celia said.

Caught up in the mystery, Emajean ventured, “maybe you’re on a quest and you need to accomplish something to . . . I don’t know, maybe save the world!”

Celia winced inside knowing that if she could change one thing about history it would be to eliminate Adolf Hitler who at this moment in this time was consolidating his power in Europe. “I think saving the world is a bit dramatic, but it is possible that I’m supposed to help someone.”

Emajean bounced up and down, “I know! You’re supposed to help László and me be together!”

Celia paled and clutched her head. Emajean immediately stopped bouncing. Celia said, “thanks,” and thought for a moment. “Yes, that could be right. Tell me more about him and what is going on.”

Stocking Up For Winter!

2010-11-03T17:47:00.000-04:00

Do you remember this?

Just in case, STOCK UP!

Puzzle Sale

Nov 4th-8th

during regular hours

Reston Regional Library

in the New Books Section

Cash or checks only.

TONIGHT AT THE LIBRARY

2010-11-02T06:55:00.002-04:00

TUESDAY

November 2

7-8:30 pm

at the Reston Regional Library,

author Kathleen Kinsolving

will talk about her recently published

biography of her dad, Les Kinsolving,

long time White House press correspondent.

From the book's website:

There have been legendary figures making up the White House press corps, but imagine a harmless-looking Anglican priest with a nose for an administration’s weak spots!

Such a combination of traits perfectly describes Les Kinsolving, a crusader for truth, a confidante, and a Washington fixture for decades. In short, a celebrated gadfly who has bedeviled press spokesmen and amused onlookers.

In this thoroughly engaging biography by Kinsolving’s daughter, Kathleen, the Gadfly’s life, work, and essence mesh to provide readers and lovers of Washington politics a delicious tale that sheds light on a bygone era when journalists loved reporting more than they loved the advancement of their own careers.

There will be copies of the book available for purchase, or you may bring your own for signing.

Light Refreshments will be served

Friends of Reston Regional Library

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-10-28T06:06:00.001-04:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

A Friends of the Library Mystery

prior installment

When she got outside it was dark. Celia leaned against the wall of the barn and gazed up at the clearest stars she had ever seen. The night was cool, but the warmth of the sun lingering on the barn felt good. She just rested there for a while, enjoying the view. Even with the light spilling from the barn, it seemed that the heavens were illuminated more brilliantly than she’d ever seen before. As she stood there she saw a falling star trace its way across the sky.

Star light, star bright, first falling star I see tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. Please, I want to go home.

Celia heard a voice in the darkness. “No!” a girl’s voice was saying. “I’m not going back to Lincoln!”

Celia realized it was Emajean’s voice. She held still, hoping she wouldn’t be noticed. Maybe this way she’d get some answers to this mystery.

“But I won’t be here, and your family needs you. Your father is not well and I need to go to Hungary to bring my mother here to Chicago. When I return I’ll come to Lincoln to get you.” The voice was clearly Lazlo’s.

“I’m afraid you’ll never come back from Hungary,” Celia heard Emajean say quietly.

“I promise, I will,” came the soft reply. Next Celia heard a rustling noise and László continued, “this is my only possession of any value. I’ve put it on a chain for you so you can wear it under your uniform each day, near your heart. So a part of me will be near your beating heart. I like that thought,” his voice rumbled.

Celia could hear the couple kiss and tried to ease away, but to her horror, she heard an awful ripping noise and felt a sudden draft. Lazlo and Emajean stepped into the light spilling through the doorway. Celia tried not to look like an eavesdropper.

“Will you please keep my secret?” Emajean asked. “You know I would be asked to leave school if the nuns find out I’m seeing someone, even one of their own doctors!” Celia started to argue that no school would throw out a good student in her last year, but once again, remembered these times were not her times.

"I won't say anything Emajean," she heard herself promising.

“There, you’ve said it again,” said Emajean. “Rosa said you were strange tonight, and I think I agree with her. But I do know you’ve always been a good friend, so I’ll trust you to not say anything to anyone. Thank you, Celia,” Emajean finished speaking and pressed her hand on Celia’s arm as she leaned close to her. A faint scent of floral perfume wafted up to her nose.

Celia suddenly felt woozy and began to sway. She heard Emajean’s voice as from far, far away, calling her name. Celia wanted to answer but couldn’t get the words out. The edges of her vision were growing gray and she slipped into a faint.

Evening at the Library

2010-10-26T06:08:00.001-04:00

TUESDAY

November 2

7-8:30 pm

at the Reston Regional Library,

author Kathleen Kinsolving

will talk about her recently published

biography of her dad, Les Kinsolving,

long time White House press correspondent.

From the book's website:

There have been legendary figures making up the White House press corps, but imagine a harmless-looking Anglican priest with a nose for an administration’s weak spots!

There will be copies of the book available for purchase, or you may bring your own for signing.

Light Refreshments will be served

Friends of Reston Regional Library

Fun for The Kids

2010-10-22T07:07:00.000-04:00

Easy Reader Book Discussion (Level 2)

Did you know that even the young readers amongst us can have a "book discussion group"? If your child likes to talk, likes books, and likes to make crafts, the Easy Reader Book Discussion (Level 2) might be for her or him. Build the habit of participation in library events in your child at any early age!

Attendee must be between 6 and 7 years old, must register ahead of time, and the parent or caregiver must stay in the building while the program goes on.

Meeting Monday, October 25 at 3pm

Bee Healthy
So your preschooler feels left out? You need reinforcements when you say "brush your teeth and eat your vegetables?"

How about a puppet show that talks about good health practices? Bee Healthy is for the 12months-5 years old group. Tuesday, October 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Mostly Ghostly

And how about a family date on Friday evening?

A program of "Mostly Ghostly" tales will go on from 7-8 p.m. on Friday, October 29. This is for ages 6 months and up!

You can sign up for any of these programs by going on line

Program Sign-Up

call the library

703-689-2700

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-10-21T07:08:00.002-04:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

A Friends of the Library Mystery

prior installment

Celia must have looked horrified because the other woman broke out in peals of laughter. “It’s fake, Celia! Look at my costume!” she cried. Celia looked and realized that the other woman was dressed like a hobo. She had a tattered jacket over a threadbare vest, and under the vest a tunic of some kind. It might have been light blue at some point but it was covered with grayish stains wherever it showed through the vest. The pants were held up with twine around the waist and the girl had mis-matched, striped socks on. Most of her hair was pulled back into a red bandana, but some wild curls escaped around the edges. The only part of the costume that wasn’t authentic was her shoes. They were the same kind of sturdy white nursing shoes that Celia now had on her feet.

“Come on, Celia, I want you to meet our Hungarian. He’s here to give us real authenticity to the party!” The girl dragged Celia over to a table where a bowl with pink punch sat, poured her a cup, and then dragged her over to where a handsome, dark man was talking to several people.

“Hey everyone, Celia’s here now!” she exclaimed happily. “László ,” the girl said, “I’d like you to meet Celia.”

“Another nurse?” The man took Celia’s hand in his, kissed it, and said, “it is my pleasure to be surrounded by so many beautiful women.” Celia blushed and took her hand away. He was tall and thin, with jet black hair combed back from a widow’s peak on his forehead. His eyes were dark and hooded, and his skin was a beautiful olive complexion. He had a generous mouth and even white teeth. His personal magnetism obviously had a pull on every girl around him. As Celia tried to think of something clever to say that would not reveal how out of place she was, another girl came over dressed in nursing whites.

Celia turned to look at the newcomer and was shocked to see the face of the young girl from the 1933 Loyolan! “Why,” she began, “you’re Emajean!”

The girl laughed at her. “Celia, no one around here calls me that and you know it! Ever since I left Lincoln, Michigan I’ve been just Jean! Although some here might refer to me as ‘Maw’.” The other girls all laughed at that. She greeted everyone in the circle and leaned in to give Lazlo a kiss on his cheek. Celia tried to remember the names – especially the name of the first girl she’d encountered. Rosa. Okay, I just have to remember Rosa.

A commotion at the front of the barn revealed that several young men had arrived. A couple of them had more musical instruments. They threw together a few hay bales and began tuning up. Temporarily forgotten by László and the other girls, Celia walked over to the musicians. A drummer started laying down a beat, starting a fast rhythm that the others began to follow. Pretty soon a real tune was getting going with brass and even a clarinet, and couples were starting to dance. Celia looked over to where she had left the others and saw László and Emajean beginning a complicated dance together.

I’ve seen this on an old movie. I think it’s called the Lindy Hop! Celia’s foot began tapping to the rhythm. She thought the poetry of the couple moving together was exciting and energizing! A part of her longed to go out on the dance floor but she resisted.

“They’re really good,” commented a young man at her elbow. Celia opened her mouth to agree enthusiastically but was cut off by a second young man.

“That dance is obscene. White girls should not be doing a dance like that with old Hungarian men,” he snarled. Celia was surprised by the venom in his voice. She couldn’t help herself. She turned to him and asked, “are you upset because the dance is energetic, the girl is white, or because she’s not dancing with you?”

The young man turned to her in fury. “White girls should not dance with foreigners, especially gypsies!” he spat.

Celia was shocked and her mouth fell open. “What is wrong with you?” she cried. And then she suddenly remembered that if this was 1933, the issue of who white girls should dance with was still very much strictly controlled by societal mores. Being Celia, she plunged ahead anyway, “any girl should be free to dance with or date or even marry whoever she falls in love with!” she exclaimed.

The tall blonde athletic looking young man sneered, “if you really believe that, try selling your daddy on a Gypsy son-in-law.” He spun on his heel and marched out the barn door.

“Just ignore him,” said the remaining man, “and enjoy the show.” They both turned back to watch László and Emajean execute a series of swirls and dips that left both of them laughing and breathless and the surrounding watchers clapping and cheering.

Rosa reappeared and asked Celia if she was having fun. “Oh yes!” she answered. “Well, except for that one insufferable man. What a racist!” she said bitterly.

Rosa looked at her askance. “Racist? What does that mean?” she asked. “Oh you know, someone who dislikes other people because of their race and wants to keep the races separate,” Celia answered.

Rosa responded, “I've never heard that word used for people like him." She sighed and added,"it's too bad he's so unpleasant. He’s a brilliant doctor.”
Celia said, "brilliance is more than just brains. What's his name, anyway?"
Rosa stared at her, "Celia, you know that he is Anthony Harper! You have been doing rotations with him these last couple of weeks!"
Celia tried to think of a quick recovery, "oh my, I must be losing my mind. I need to get some air." She turned and went outside, leaving Rosa's puzzled expression behind her.

Don't Miss John Fenzel

2010-10-18T20:25:00.001-04:00

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

OCTOBER 20
7:30pm
Reston Regional Library presents:

John Fenzel talking about his new book

The Lazarus Covenant

If you want to know more about him, go to his website, http://www.johnfenzel.com/.

John will answer questions, sign books, and even sell you a copy if you don't have one! The event is free, light refreshments will be served.

Brought to you with the assistance of the Friends of Reston Regional Library, Inc.

Classy Lady

2010-10-15T07:15:00.000-04:00

For those of you who think the Charly of the Book Sale is the only Charly we know (you know, the person who is somewhere between Field Marshall and Energizer Bunny, wrapped in positive thought), here is a photo of her at the award ceremony on Wednesday night. But to "get this" you have to understand some things about the event.

Charly was part of the nominating committte for the Reston Friends
Charly agreed that we would nominate two people, Jack & Judy
Someone else in our organization nominated Charly surreptitiously because this is her 10th year running the Book Sale!
Charly had NO CLUE until she got there! She thought she was going to "show the FRRL flag."
Our other winners were unable to make it that evening.
A big group had just had their photo taken, and Mike Eaton (Access Services winner) had misunderstood what they were doing and jumped up to join them. They explained they were doing a photo of their group only, and he graciously sat down.
When it was came to Charly's turn for the photo, she insisted that Mike was to join HER, and as you can see, he enthusiastically did.

This is typical Charly -- encouraging, kind, motivating, and the life of any party!

GREAT Friends

2010-10-14T06:11:00.000-04:00

The Friends of Reston Regional Library are pleased to announce our winners of the FCPL 2010 Friends Award.

Jack Waugaman has been serving the Friends of Reston Regional Library for at least ten years as an expert consultant. Jack travels from his home in Maryland on a regular basis to spend a day with our sorters going through books that have caught their eye and instantly pricing them. Throughout his years of helping in this way, he has continuously and generously shared his expertise in unique books with our other volunteers, providing on the job training for anyone interested in learning. This has enabled us to develop a core of local Friends group members who can evaluate donations with confidence, thus maximizing sales of high value books. Jack's gracious and generous nature has provided the confidence the Reston Friends needed in order to launch our highly successful Amazon site.

Judy Konnert has been serving the Friends of Reston Regional Library for six years. She wears many hats. First, Judy is a sorter, coming in on a regular basis to help separate and categorize saleable books. Second, Judy has served on our Board of Directors as Secretary for many years and in that capacity as well as a sorter, works to make each of our Semi Annual booksales the success they are. Finally, in 2006 Judy agreed to take on an experimental idea of selling our higher-value books on Amazon. Navigating the pitfalls of online selling, Judy has turned an experiment into a goldmine. Because of her hard work, our annual Amazon sales now total as much as one of our semi-annual book sales. As a trail-blazer, Judy has been generous in sharing her lessons learned both within our Friends group and with other Friend's groups, helping them launch on-line sales to the extent they're interested.

Charly Karlsson -- what do we say about Charly? She is the glue that holds us together. Her official title is Book Sale Chairperson, but that only scratches the surface. Charly is tireless working to keep the donations moving through our system in order to put on good booksales that produce huge amounts of money to assist Reston Regional Library. Charly's innovative ideas and implementation of same to organize the sorting have streamlined the process. Her insight into human behavior is the key to our booksales being described as "the best" and "the friendliest" by many dealers who go to many sales. She is always looking for ways to let volunteers and staff members know that they are appreciated, and it is often personal regard for her that keeps the rest of us coming back to a challenging job! Just as we say that you can't miss the efforts of the Friends when you look around the library, you can't miss the effect of Charly's indefatigable work when you look at the library as well. Many of the improvements were not only her ideas, but given a goal to fund them, she always comes through -- while taking care of everyone else in the process.

Congratulations to our three outstanding Friends!

NEED PUZZLES!

2010-10-13T08:22:00.002-04:00

We need YOU to donate your used PUZZLES for the puzzle sale! It's that simple...the ultimate recycling.

You work the puzzle,
Enjoy the mental challenge,
Show it off to your friends and family
Get tired of working around it in your family/dining/kitchen area,
Throw it in the box,
Tape the sides!
Donate it to the Friends of Reston Regional Library,
Attend the Puzzle Sale Nov 4-8 and buy more at fabulous prices!
Feel REALLY smart for planning ahead when the weather gets lousy!

Note to self: Do NOT buy the same puzzles I just donated!

Special Ops at Reston Regional Library

2010-10-11T16:51:00.002-04:00

October begins a string of adult programs in which the Reston Regional Library will host local authors to talk about their books. We will kick off the events with John Fenzel on October 19 at 7:30 p.m.

The Lazarus Covenant

John Fenzel

John is an Army Special Forces officer with 25 years in the service. At one time he commanded the special operations teams in Bosnia, working closely with the U.N. to secure indictments and convictions of war criminals in Srebenica. He is the only active duty military officer to testify at the Hague in support of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. "The Lazarus Covenant combines grisly Balkan history with a contemporary tale of nuclear terrorists on the loose."

If you want to know more about him, go to his website, http://www.johnfenzel.com/.

John will answer questions, sign books, and even sell you a copy if you don't have one! The event is free, light refreshments will be served.

Brought to you with the assistance of the Friends of Reston Regional Library, Inc.

Library CLOSED

2010-10-09T19:55:00.000-04:00

The Reston Regional Library will be

CLOSED

OCT 11-12

MONDAY & TUESDAY

Plan Accordingly!

Puzzled Enough?

2010-10-08T09:17:00.000-04:00

It's time for you to donate those puzzles that you've finished, or given up on . . . and to put our Puzzle Sale on your calendar so you can restock! Remember last winter when you were stuck inside and desperate for something to do? STOCK UP!

ACCEPTING PUZZLE DONATIONS

NOW!

PUZZLE SALE DATES:

NOV. 4-8

during regular library hours

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

2010-10-07T05:30:00.000-04:00

Wherefore Art Thou, Emajean?

A Friends of the Library Mystery

prior week

The researcher looked around, hoping to see any kind of structure that would be evidence of people. In the far distance she saw a rectangular shape that might be a shed or even a barn. Squaring her shoulders she began trudging towards it.

The sun overhead was hot and she was grateful for the unfamiliar bonnet. It seemed to her that she had been crossing the fields for a very long time, but she had no time reference without her watch or computer. The tickle in her throat was becoming a roaring thirst, but every time she looked up to see how much farther, it seemed as if the structure was the same size in the distance.

She sank down in the field to rest for a minute. This is not fun anymore. I can’t figure out what has happened. Maybe I’ve gone crazy. Maybe this is a dream. She tried pinching her arm to wake up, but accomplished nothing. She closed her eyes and curled herself into a little ball, with her head down, and arms around her knees. She wasn’t sure how long she had sat there when she began hearing faint music.

The researcher jerked her head up and looked towards the structure. Now it was only about 100 meters away and she could see that it was, indeed a barn, and could hear music emanating from the half-open door. She stood up and began walking resolutely towards the barn. To her relief, she could actually approach it this time.

“Oh, that’s too bad, you’ve torn your stockings!” she heard a woman say. The researcher looked down at her legs and to her surprise, she was wearing a white nursing uniform. Indeed, the stocking on her left leg was torn. She looked up at the person who had commented, and asked, “where are we?” The short, dark-haired beauty laughed and said, “oh come on, Celia, we’re at Garm’s barn! You’ve been here lots of times!”

The researcher (whose name actually was Celia) figured she’d better play along. “Oh, yes . . . I’m just really hot and thirsty,” she offered as an excuse. “Well come on in to the Hard Times party!” the girl responded. “I have to say, though, you didn’t put on much of a costume!” Celia couldn’t help but giggle inside. In my real life this would be quite a costume! I hate the sight of blood! The giggle must have made her face relax into a smile because the other woman smiled at her. When she did her lips parted to reveal a blackened tooth.

Just So You Know

2010-10-04T06:56:00.000-04:00

THIS IS NOT US!

These boxes are springing up all over Fairfax County.

They are NOT in any way connected with ANY of the Friends of the Library Groups at any of FCPL branches.

To ensure that YOUR donations stay in YOUR county and support YOUR library programs, donate your books to YOUR local branch of Fairfax County Public Library.

Keep it LOCAL!

Library Closures/Donations Open

2010-10-01T06:56:00.000-04:00

The Reston Regional Library

11925 Bowman Towne Dr.

will be CLOSED

October 11

for Columbus Day Holiday,

and again on

Tuesday, Oct. 12

in order to resurface the parking lot.

The bookdrop will be closed from

Monday, Oct. 11 when construction begins until 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 when restriping is complete.

The parking lot is likely to be inaccessible through October 13.

For details call the branch at 703-689-2700.

Due dates for items checked out at Reston Regional have been adjusted so no borrowed material is due during their closures. Bookdrops are available at our other branches 24 hours a day. For nearby locations see www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

DONATIONS OPENED UP

Our Donation Bin is hungry again, so starting Monday, please feel free to bring up to two boxes per day per household to either the front lobby bin or to the back door. Please ring the bell at the back door to ensure that the books are received. The weather is supposed to get wet again next week, and wet books are garbage.

For details of our donation policies, please CLICK HERE.