Burial rites aren’t normally a topic of conversation for a group meeting, but members of the Dessert and Book Club met at the Morgan Hill library July 27 to discuss just that. “Burial Rites,” a novel by debut author Hannah Kent and inspired by a true story, defines the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.
Every last Monday of the month, Jeff Grubb, adult and teen services librarian, plays host to the monthly gatherings, which began almost 17 years ago.
Beverly Vessa of Morgan Hill worked with former librarian Sarah Flowers when she introduced the book club in August of 1998.
“I really enjoyed when I was doing the group and getting everybody’s input,” Vessa said.
Many of the members, some who’ve been attending since the club’s conception, do not come empty handed. An assortment of cookies, cakes and other baked goods are as much a part of the meetings as are the literary discussions.
“We read things other people enjoy,” said Mary Ringo, an original member of the club and Morgan Hill resident of 52 years. “And we all bring something to snack on.”
Carolyn McCormick, a newcomer to Morgan Hill, made the library her first stop when she moved to town several months ago. She and many of the others found July’s book a bit dark.
“I thought it was sad but good,” McCormick said. “It felt like it was a real story. It was intriguing to me.”
Club members happily welcome new members to the group. The literary selection for August is “Longbourn” by Jo Baker.
Maker Camp keeps kids busy
Throughout summer vacation, parents strive to keep their children active and engaged. Coming up with creative ideas to do just that can be a challenge. But Gilroy library and Maker Camp, a free summer program from Maker Media, the people behind Maker Faire and Make magazine, are here to help.
Sharon Kelly, supervising librarian, said this was the first year the Gilroy library was accepted as an affiliate site for Maker Camp.
“We had this opportunity, and we thought we should seize the day and give it a try,” Kelly said. “We definitely want to keep doing this.”
Maker Camp introduces kids ages 10 to 18 to science-based do-it-yourself crafts through online tutorials and on site summer camps.
“Our hope is that this will be a basis for us to do a lot more stuff in the future,” said Teen Services Librarian Kelly McKean, who along with Adult and Teen Services Librarian Lisa Duff organizes and orchestrates Maker Camp.
The six-week summer camp offers a different theme each week with theme-related crafts and projects. At the third-week session, which had a “farmstead” theme, the kids were introduced to alternative energy. An LED bulb was connected to lemons, galvanized nails and a copper penny, which powered the bulb.
“It’s pretty cool to have a chance to make different things and try new things,” said camper Maria Chang, 12.
Other projects at the third-week session included crafting friendship bracelets using solar beads and making “shake” ice cream.
Campers Kimberly Covarravis, 10, and Diana Nunez, 12, decided to attend the camp session when they heard an announcement about the projects when they were visiting the library.
“I wanted ice cream,” Diana said. “She wanted bracelets.”
For more information about ongoing events at the Gilroy and Morgan Hill libraries go to sccl.org/morganhill or sccl.org/gilroy.
