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The Beverly Public Library selected Rocket Boys as their upcoming Community Reads Book. In anticipation of the events that the Library would sponsor to accompany the book, such as lectures, films, and exhibits, Landmark High School's Prep Program assigned the book as a summer reading requirement for students in all four grade levels. Since the beginning of the school term, events have been scheduled to expand the significance of the book: students in all classes designed and competed in a rocket launch contest, a book discussion panel exchanged ideas and arguments about the author, the authenticity of the memoir, and the resulting impression of the book. Classes viewed a video from The History Channel, "Failure is Not an Option" and a guest speaker, Dr. Richard Seamans, former Deputy Director of NASA, addressed the students. All of this has, most certainly, contributed to the enrichment of the story.
Carol Ann Dumond
Library Media Specialist

Northeastern University's Burlington Campus is now providing access to adaptive and assistive technology to the public. The Burlington Campus Library's assistive technology computer station has software to help individuals with visual impairment and individuals with learning disabilities. The assistive technology computer station is equipped with a 17 inch monitor, a flatbed scanner, and a range of assistive software.

Screen/Text Reader Software Jaws reads aloud text on the computer screen, allowing blind and visually impaired users to access the web, and work with computer programs. Kurzweil 1000 uses Optical Character Recognition and Text to Speech technology to convert printed word into speech. Patrons can scan in material on the library's flatbed scanner.

Screen Magnification Software Magic screen magnification software allows images and text on a computer screen to be magnified. The entire screen can be magnified, or a magnification lens can moved across the screen using the mouse.

Text Reading and Writing Software Kurzweil 3000 is software designed to assist patrons with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and other literacy difficulties. Along with text reading capability, the software includes several features such as decoding, study skills, writing and test taking tools.

Speech to Text Dragon NaturallySpeaking 6.0 is software that turns speech into text. Users can dictate into virtually any Windows-based application at speeds up to 160 words per minute.

Check our website for directions and hours - http://www.lib.neu.edu/Burlington. The Burlington Campus Library is wheelchair accessible. For more information contact the library at 781.238.8410 or email Beth Brassel. We ask that patrons call ahead so that we can be sure to be available to assist them.

Donna Maksian is the new LMS for Lawrence High School.

"Three Eerie Events" at the Nevins Memorial Library, Methuen Come Celebrate Halloween!

The public is invited to enjoy three entertaining evenings of Ghost Stories, New England Ghost Project happenings, and a program featuring bizarre tales of "Funerals of the Rich and Famous". Some of the events will happen on the decorated library grounds of the Nevins Memorial Library 305 Broadway, Methuen MA (weather permitting). The programs may not be suitable for young children.

Program Titles and Dates:

  • Ghost Stories - Tuesday October 14th -- 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  • New England Ghost Project - Monday October 20th -- 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  • Funerals of the Rich and Famous - Tuesday October 28th -- 7:00 - 9:00 PM

    • Please call 978-686-4080 Ext 13 for information and to reserve your free ticket.

    Dorothy LaFrance, Director of the Newburyport Public Library, received a Client Recognition Award by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Massachusetts and the Boston Society of Architects (BSA). She also was awarded the prestigious John I. Carlson Jr. Award. Dottie was pleased to be an invited guest and an award recipient for her work on the Newburyport Public Library Construction Project. For more information, please see http://www.agcmass.org/news.cfm?doc_id=390.

    The Flint Memorial Library is pleased to welcome our new Children's Librarian, Christi Showman. Christi is currently completing her MLS at Simmons. She has worked at the Simmons College Beatley Library and has been an intern at The Center for the Book.