Letter to the Editor: Support for Public Libraries

Libraries are the cornerstone of a democratic society. Free access for all to technology and ideas is crucial, and vibrant libraries are critical in developing life-long learners and readers.

  I am writing to urge you and my fellow citizens to voice support for the following recent amendments regarding public libraries to the Senate budget as it is debated in the coming days. The amendments were filed by the senators named: 7000-9401--State Aid to Regional Libraries filed by Sen. Petruccelli 7000-9501--State Aid to Public LIbraries filed by Sen Eldridge  7000-9506 -- Library Technology and Resource Sharing filed by Sen. Clark Libraries are the cornerstone of a democratic society. Free access for all to technology and ideas is crucial, and vibrant libraries are critical in developing life-long learners and readers.  Yet state funding has been reduced 37% since 2001, in spite of the increase in usage by residents. According to …

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Dedham Library Spring Programs

Dedham Library programs for April and May.

  Book Crafters – Book reading and related craft for Ages 3-6 Mondays:  April 8, April 22, May 6, and May 20, 4:00 p.m., Main Library   Story Sleuths – Book Discussion Group for Grades 2-4 Tuesdays:  April 9, April 23, May 7, and May 21, 3:30 p.m., Main Library Book for April 9 Meeting:  George Speaks by Dick King-Smith; Copies available.   Reading Matters – Book Discussion Group for Grades 4-6 Thursdays:  April 11, April 25, and May 9, 3:45 p.m., Endicott Branch Library Book for April 11 Meeting:  Love That Dog by Sharon Creech; Copies available.   Registration is required for the above programs.  Please register at either the Dedham Main Library (781-751-9283) or Endicott Branch Library (781-751-9178).  Enrollment is limited.  Dedham …

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Dedham Public Library Spring 2013 Storytimes for Young Children

These programs will meet weekly from March through the end of May and are open to children of all ages.

  The Dedham Public Library will offer a series of four storytime sessions, as follows: Mondays, 10:30 a.m. at Endicott Branch Library, 257 Mt. Vernon Street; Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. at Main Library, 43 Church Street; Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. at Endicott Branch Library, 257 Mt. Vernon Street; and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. at Main Library, 43 Church Street. Please call the Main Library Children’s Room at 781-751-9283 or the Endicott Branch Library at 781-751-9178 for more information or to express your interest in attending.  Registration is not required.

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Dedham Public Library February School Break Programs

The Library will offer several programs for school-aged children during February break.

  Wednesday, February 20, 10:30 a.m. – Story/Craft Program for Ages 5 and Older at Endicott Library – A great chance to meet our new Endicott Children’s Librarian, Danielle Conklin. Wednesday, February 20, 2:00 p.m. – Craft Program for Ages 6 and Older at Main Library; Thursday, February 21, 10:30 a.m. – Craft Program for Ages 3-6 at Main Library; Thursday, February 21, 2:00 p.m. – Newbery Book Award Program for Ages 8 and Older at Main Library; Friday, February 22, 2:00 p.m. – Caldecott Program for Ages 6 and Older at Main Library. The Friday Program will feature the 2013 Caldecott Medal Winner, “This Is Not My Hat” by Jon Klassen.  Each participant is encouraged to don a hat for the occasion, one inspired by children’s literature or …

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Dedham Library to Host 'Murder in Movieland'

Discover your inner detective in this year's "Murder at the Main."

If you love murder mysteries or even like a good game of "Clue," then you will love "Murder at the Main- Holywood Style." The Dedham Library Innovation Team will be holding the event on Oct. 27, just in time for Halloween.  Those who attend will walk down the red carpet and chat with the starlets that are seen in the documentary "Women on the Screen."  This would include Rose S. Wither, Hera Wynn, and Scarlet Phire. "The event will be a fun opportunity to show off your inner detective while working together with old friends and new acquaintances to solve the 'heinous' crime," Julia Prentice, one of the organizers, said. "You'll also have an opportunity to get a sneak peek of the Dedham Reads program coming up this spring while helping to …

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Summer Reading 2012: James Patterson Picks

Dedham Patch has compiled a summer reading guide for local youths.

With the 2011-2012 school year set to end on Monday, young bibliophiles will be looking to compile their own summer reading lists.  To get you started, we've copiled a 2012 Summer Reading Guide for students and avid readers in Dedham. Thanks to a partnership between Patch and author James Patterson's ReadKiddoRead program, we're able to offer a wide variety of reading options to keep your minds entertained all summer long.  Be sure to check out our guide, which includes lists for the following age groups: Got your own suggestions for a great summer reading list? Have a special book you're excited for this summer? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Town Meeting 2012 By The Numbers

Town Meeting approved an operating budget of more than $85 million.

  Dedham Town Meeting members voted Monday to apporve a Fiscal Year 2013 operating budget of $85,060,161, an increase of about $2.5 million from this year's budget. Members also supported a $6.2 million capital campaign. The operating budget vote came after Town Meeting member Russ Poole said budget-makers were out of touch with the "real world" that's still feeling the Great Recession. "This sort of spending is not sustainable. We are partly to blame because of our consistent approval," said Poole, who also blamed the Finance Committee for their approvals and the school and town administrator for their treatment of the budget like a "blank check." Since Fiscal Year 2006, the town's operating budget has grown by 21.1 million, Poole said …

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Get Out

5 Things To Do This Weekend: March 30-April 1

There are plenty of ways to have fun this weekend - and help a slew of great causes.

  It's Thursday, and you've got no idea what you'll do for the weekend. Dedham Patch is coming to the rescue.

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Selectmen 'Excited' Over Library Director Pick

Dr. Mary Ann Tricarico, five weeks in, has eyes on a strategic plan.

  You're only new in a job for so long. That's what Dedham Library director Dr. Mary Ann Tricarico is finding out as she has begun to navigate the waters of budget season and looks to create a team atmosphere amongst her staff. "I don't know where we are going to go with the strategic plan. I don't know what we are going to see the future of the library become, but I think we are in a very positive direction," Tricarico said. Tricarico, a veteran of public libraries in Peabody, Lincoln, Newton and Lynn, worked for the past 15 years in academia, before taking over as Dedham's director on Feb. 13. "Coming back to a public library, I'm smiling everyday," she told selectmen Thursday evening. Five weeks in, Tricarico soon plans to begin a …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 13

Today's weather, Oakdale parents will meet and an Oakdale Square Alliance meeting.

  "Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. 

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