Photo by Matt Artz on Unsplash

Newsletter will be on a new schedule!

We hope you love getting this newsletter about library events as much as we love providing it for you. But, we want it to be even more helpful for you, so we are going to change when you receive it. Instead of getting it in the middle of the month, like you do now, we are going to start sending it at the end of the month, so you can plan for the next month more easily. The May newsletter will be in your inbox April 29, loaded with everything you need to know to plan your May activities!

Paper, Pencil, Paint

Paper, Pencil, Paint, a collection of drawings and paintings from Derby resident Shirley Schwartz, is now on exhibit in the High Wall Gallery. Schwartz's range of work speaks to her more than 50 years of studying art, including time spent in studies at the Honolulu Academy of Art and the Art Institute of Arizona.

Schwartz's parents encouraged her to pursue art. Her father built her an easel out of an old orange crate, and her mother bought her a set of dime-store paints. Schwartz's work has been inspired by her travels and her more than 50 moves. Aspens in Wyoming, Dust Bowl memories, and a classic pay phone are all subjects she has explored. Schwartz remains an active artist and works today mainly in colored pencils and acrylics.

Please join us for a public reception:
6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, in the High Wall Gallery

Join us for a yoga class designed especially for readers!

Strengthen your body, relax your mind, and invigorate your creativity at this free, 45-minute all-levels yoga class. Beginners, athletes, post-natal and seasoned yogis are welcome. This class will be instructed by a 200HR registered yoga teacher and is recommended for teens and adults.

6:30 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the Community Room
(no registration is necessary)

*A limited number of yoga mats will be available, but we encourage you to bring your own yoga mat, towel and water bottle.

Volunteer application deadline extended!

Derby Library rocks and summer reading rocks too! But we need some great teens to help us run the program. Applications are available on the library website or in the library and are due April 16 they are now due April 23. To apply online, please click on the "Teen Volunteers" page under the Kids & Teens tab on our website. Or, pick up an application when you are in the library. Teens must be at least 13 to volunteer.

Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash

"Letters at Elevenses"

Travel to Jane Austen's Regency era at this morning mystery tea event. With no knowledge of the suspects or location of death, you must comb through a series of letters to find the truth and perhaps save a life. You won't be able to trust anyone, even yourself, at this classy yet dastardly murder mystery experience. Registration is required and opens at 9 a.m., April 21.

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

First line: The blood underneath her nails bothered her.

Summary: As 18-year-old Bruce Wayne is graduating from high school and inheriting his family's company and fortune, he becomes entangled in the crimes of Gotham City. While trying to stop an escaped criminal, Bruce lands himself on probation at Arkham Asylum. In the asylum, he meets member of an elusive group called the Nightwalkers, who are determined to kill the rich of the city and use their money to help the underprivileged.

My thoughts: Lu's description of Bruce reminded me a lot of the boy in the TV series Gotham. She does a great job bringing him to life and carefully crafting the superhero he is to become. I really enjoyed the relationship between Bruce and his protector and guardian, Alfred. The story also touches on the themes of the struggle between upper and lower classes, racial tensions, and the need for equal rights for all. Batman is a symbol that something good can live in a dark place.

Ashley's rating:                                                       

Having trouble submitting your interlibrary loan form online?

We've discovered there is a little glitch with our online interlibrary loan submission form. If you are having trouble getting the form to submit your requests, please clear your browser cache and try again. Sometimes a browser will save a cached form, and not reset the form to be able to be submitted again. If you find that you are experiencing this issue, clearing your cache and submitting the form again should solve the problem.