Reading In Friendship, Reading In Joy

Pauline Robinson Library Book Club Closing In On 20 Years

By Becky Corning

Librarian, Pauline Robinson Branch Library

“It was a good book,” noted one club member. “I liked it, I read it all,” she said with a grin.

“It was a little soap opera-y, but the author shows promise,” added another.

“I’d call it a duty read,” said a third woman. “It was like a Lifetime movie, where you already know the ending.”

These snippets of conversation are a few remarks captured during the September meeting of the Pauline Robinson Library Book Club, where members were discussing The Mothers by Britt Bennett.

Along with good reading material and friendships, monthly book club meetings offer a chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes, club members noted.

One of the most important things about the club is that members keep an open mind about new topics, said club member Phyllis Kadison. Members take turns choosing the book for each month.

This opens new avenues of conversation, Kadison said. Families, politics, and other sensitive topics can be discussed in a trusting environment.

Someone might pick a book others wouldn’t normally like or choose, but this “opens up conversations we might not otherwise have. There is trust. We still come back the next month.”

The book club was started in 1999 by then-librarian Deborah Hogue. Members have been coming together despite difficulties, including once having to temporarily move to another library branch to meet. When funding dictated Saturday closures for Pauline Robinson, the group met at the Park Hill branch, but moved back to Pauline Robinson once the branch reopened on Saturdays.

“Members have moved into different cities and still we come back,” said club member Harriet Hogue. “We have lost two members to death. We gained a male reader and at one time had a millennial or two, so we are not just senior ladies.

“Pauline Robinson Library Book Club has had members of all races, genders and ages,” Hogue continued, “and we are willing to read just about anything, written by anyone that is recommended as a good story: fact or fiction, romance or murder, sci-fi/fantasy or classic literature. We always welcome potential new members, even if only for a visit or one or two books. Come and get a cookie. Read in joy.”

“It’s not often that libraries can sustain a book club for as many years as these ladies,” said Pauline Robinson Senior Librarian Leslie Williams. “So we thank them, and encourage others to come out. Even if they haven’t read the book. They will really enjoy the conversation, and want to read that book.”

November’s book selection is Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson. Call the library for other upcoming titles, 720-865-0290. If you would like to attend a meeting, book club members stressed that they are open to having new members or drop-in attendees. Book club meets at noon on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Pauline Robinson Branch – November Programs

Tech Help Appointments | Mondays and Tuesdays, 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

Get technology assistance from one of our in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. Call the library at 720-865-0290 to schedule an appointment for Monday or Tuesday.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.

Saturday Storytime | Saturday, Nov. 4, 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for everyone.

STEM: Paper Circuit Popup Cards | Monday, Nov. 20, 2-3:30 p.m.

Learn how circuits work while you create a greeting card that lights up.

The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, Nov. 25, 12 p.m.

This month’s selection: Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson. Drop-ins are welcome.

Park Hill Branch – November Programs

All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program.

Baby Storytime | Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Play and social time immediately follow the program.

Toddler Storytime | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers.

The Wriggling Book | Friday, Nov. 3, 3 p.m.

Children, bring your adults to this fun workshop. Grown-ups and children will learn how to act out stories TOGETHER. Let’s turn off the TV and let “The End” (of a good book) ignite the beginning of adventure – right in the library. Ideal for ages 3-8 with an adult helper.

Can You Pass Your OWLS? | Friday, Nov. 3, 6:30-8 p.m.

Find out if you can pass your Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s) along with the rest of Hogwarts’ best and brightest. Organize a team, or sign up as an individual, to complete a series of puzzles and tests to determine if you have what it takes to become a certified witch or wizard. Ideal for ages 11-18. Registration and a permission slip are required, call or stop by.

Gratitude Rocks! | Saturday, Nov. 4, 10:30 a.m.

Spread some kindness or express your gratitude by painting rocks. Rocks can be left around the neighborhood to be found by others or given as a gift. Great family activity.

Storytime Yoga | Monday, Nov. 6, 10:30-11 a.m.

Join us for a unique and fun program that combines preschool storytime with yoga. Get ready to move and groove to songs and stories.

Laughter Yoga | Tuesday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m.

Enjoy playful laughter exercises interspersed with gentle breathing and stretching. During this joyful practice, you’ll strengthen the immune system, increase tolerance to pain and combat the negative effects of stress. Simple, fun and accessible to people of all fitness levels.

Shelvis Is In the Building! | Wednesday, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m.

Lori Muha, aka “Shelvis” transforms into the rock and roll superstar Elvis. Her tribute performance of Elvis gets the audience dancing and singing, and you are guaranteed to leave with a smile.

Magic Club | Monday, November 13 and Monday, Nov. 27, 4:30 p.m.

Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are you interested in learning? Stop by two afternoons a month to play and meet other teens. Ideal for ages 10-17. *Join us for a special Draft Day on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 1-4 p.m.*

The Holiday Blues | Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4 p.m.

Although the holidays are portrayed as the most joyous season of the year, the holidays are anything but joyous for those grieving the death of a loved one or another significant loss. Instead the holidays highlight the losses and intensify the subsequent grief. Please join us to explore ways to effectively navigate the holidays. Perhaps the best advice is to have realistic expectations of the holidays, yourself and others.

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, Nov. 14 and Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m.

Join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan events and projects, talk about your favorite books, music, movies and make your opinion count. Plus snacks. Ideal for ages 13-18.

Planned Parenthood: Healthy Relationships | Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.

Join us for a valuable presentation from Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains about healthy relationships. You’ll learn what healthy (and unhealthy) relationships look like, think about relationships in your own life, and learn how to assist someone who may be involved in an unhealthy relationship. Pizza provided. Ideal for ages 13-18.

Tween Book Club | Thursday, Nov. 16, 4:30 p.m.

Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

Activity: Design a pencil bag

No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m.

Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.

The Great Divide, Documentary and Discussion | Saturday, Nov. 18, 2:30-5 p.m.

The Great Divide raises public understanding and appreciation of Colorado’s water heritage while inspiring personal responsibility and informed discussion concerning the vital challenge confronting the state and region with increasing urgency — forging collaborative solutions for managing this most precious resource for a prosperous and sustainable future. Stay for the discussion following the film.

Animals of the Wizarding World | Monday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m.

Some of the fantastical beasts from the popular books and movies are real life creatures. Nature’s Educators will introduce you to some of the animals featured in the stories. Learn about their role in the story, but also their habitat, diet and natural history. Ideal for ages 8-12 and their adults.

Kids’ Book Club | Tuesday, Nov. 21, 3:30 p.m.

Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami

Activity: Decorate a book bag, Ideal for grades 2-3.

Jim Butcher: Author Talk and Book Signing | Tuesday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Jim Butcher, New York Times bestselling author, is famous for his contemporary fantasy and science fiction novels that are full of thrills and excitement. Butcher is the author of The Aeronaut’s Windlass, Dresden Files, The Codex Alera and more. Readers can’t get enough of the heroes, magic and warriors that exist in his Cinder Spires series.

This program is co-sponsored by Colorado State University and Barnes & Noble. Books will be available for purchase and signing.