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On May 14^th Presentarts will be doing a fundraiser for the Louise A. Read Memorial Library in Hancock. There will be two performers doing “I AM War” with John Montgomery and “Pagliacci” with Tony Villecco from Judith Present’s play “Time and Space.” Tickets are $10 and reservations a must because of limited seating. Please call the library at 607-637-2519.

As most of you know, the Library currently offers many things to Hancock residents: a writer’s group, a book club, a knitting group, a chess group, a puzzle group, public access computers and many wonderful things for pre-school and young people. Because of these activities the possibility for enlarging the library has become a focus for the town.

In the 35 years since the last update, what the community demands of its library has enlarged beyond basic book collections, computers and Wi-Fi. Demand for varied and innovative programs continues to increase. Unfortunately, the library has no dedicated program space. Programs take place openly in the main library which is not optimal for the programs or for other library visitors. It also limits the number of participants and the types of programs the library can offer. The library is in the planning process of adding a multipurpose room and completing a redesign of the current space that will allow for additional and more varied program offerings such as yoga, cooking classes, STEM activities and much more. The library would also like to increase access to our local history archives through digital displays and the addition of an elevator to the 2^nd floor museum. Also being considered are tutoring rooms, telecommuting rooms and other high tech facilities such as video production and podcasting. 

In “I Am War” War tells you all about himself and where he will be assigned next. And in “Pagliacci” a young understudy finally gets his chance to sing. Actor John Montgomery has done many performances on the Hancock Opera House stage as well as the Phelps’s Mansion and the Cider Mill Playhouse. Singer Tony Villecco has recently been seen on PBS WSKG “Expressions” from a performance recorded at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Binghamton. So please join us for an evening of drama and song as we bring in money for the expansion of our library.

British Textile Artist, Su Blackwell, also creates book art.

Thanks to all of our friends and neighbors who continue to make our library a special place. For those who came by April 4-9 to order a free book, we hope you will enjoy your selection. The top picks from the Library’s launch of Hancock Reads included:

1) Educated by Tara Westover;

2) Birds of America by Lorrie Moore;

3) The History of America in 100 Maps by Susan Schulten.

April is poetry month. You might enjoy one of the following selections of poetry on a rainy day.

• The Gorgeous Nothings: Emily Dickinson’s Envelope Poems. One of America’s great poets (1830-1886) only had 12 poems published. The rest, some 1,788, were kept in small handmade books that she stored at home. Dickinson wrote envelope poems later in life, considered by some to be her most radical period.
• Dog lovers know how faithful, affectionate, and whimsical dogs can be. The Book of Dog Poems by Ana Sampson (editor) and Sarah Maycock (illustrator) is hard to resist.

• Spring is a season that can make hearts flutter. French Love Poems by Tynan Kogane (editor) presents an over-worn and timeless topic with all of the passion that has inspired poets from the 16^th century on to write verses about something that still makes the world go around.

If poetry is not your thing, here’s something to consider doing on rainy days this month.

Ernest Hemingway once suggested that all it takes to tell a good story is to begin by writing “one true sentence.” If you had to tell your story, what would be the one true sentence you would want a reader to know? Sounds easier than it is. Muster courage. Dribble around with what you really want to say. Scribble thoughts on a piece of paper as they come to mind, wherever they come to mind. Mull them over. Sleep on them. Does anything ring true??? If not, revise, revise, revise.

Have fun this month!

The Library Launches HANCOCK READS in conjunction with National Library Week

April 4-9, 2022

Come see us.

Review seven book descriptions.

Order one and own it for free.

We are excited to post that the Louise Adelia Read Memorial Library is featured this month in the “Building Community” section of the Website “Dawdle—It’s Your World.”

“Dawdle—It’s Your World” is a resource that promotes cultural enrichment and lifelong learning. This season, Dawdle—It’s Your World casts a spotlight on Hancock, NY, a village with a unique sense of place.

Take a moment to check out this special site! https://www.dawdleitsyourworld.com/