Community Notes

Library to host middle school book discussion group

Townsend Public Library will host a Middle School Book Discussion Group at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, in the lunch room of Memorial Hall. The group will talk about "The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray," by Chris Wooding. In a world similar to Victorian London, Thaniel, a 17-year-old hunter of deadly, demonic creatures call Wych-kin, takes in a lost, possessed girl, and becomes embroiled in a plot to unleash evil on the world. The group is open to sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders. Stop by the library to sign up and pick up your copy of the book. Refreshments served. For information, call (978) 597- 1714.

"Catch the Beat for Your Library" at Barnes & Noble

The Massachusetts Regional Library Systems (MRLS), Massachusetts Library Association (MLA), Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA), the Townsend Public Library, and Barnes & Noble (B&N) have teamed up for a two-day event scheduled for Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, sure to please families throughout Massachusetts. The event, Catch the Beat for Your Library at Barnes & Noble, will raise much-needed funding for Summer Reading Programs in Massachusetts libraries. Barnes & Noble will donate a percentage of every sale from every customer who presents a book fair voucher at any Massachusetts Barnes and Noble store on those two days. The collaboration represents a growing trend in libraries to seek out partners to help fund programs that improve the quality of life for residents.

Customers can present a book fair voucher at any Barnes & Noble retail store in Massachusetts on April 20 and 21 when they purchase books, CDs, DVDs, cafe items, toys and more (gift cards are excluded). Vouchers are available from local libraries and by request at any Massachusetts Barnes & Noble cash register on those two days.

Patrons can also help their library win big. Barnes & Noble has generously offered a $500 gift card to be given to the library whose patrons bring in the most vouchers.

Most stores will feature special programs during the event, including appearances by state officials, author visits, story times, book discussions and more. For more information on this special library event, contact the Townsend Public Library at (978) 597-1714.

Try your chance at a wonderful quilt

A machine-pieced, hand-quilted friendship sampler, created as a fund-raiser for the Friends of the Townsend Public Library by the Quiltteas, will be raffled off April 21.

Members of the Quiltteas are Lucille Forest, Beverly Johnson, Joan Landry, Mae Larson, Lillian Martin, Nancy Martin, and Irene Nicholson.

Tickets may be purchased for $1 each or six for $5. In addition to being available at the Townsend Public Library, tickets may be purchased at special demonstrations at selected locations. For information, contact the Townsend Public Library, at (978) 597-1714.