A Correction

Yesterday, I posted about tonight's signing ceremony and re-dedication at Congregation Adath Israel taking place at 6:30 p.m.  I mentioned that Nathan and Shirley Shapiro were the driving forces behind the impressive collection of Judaica - in fact, the impetus for the Museum was from Nathan's father (and founder of Shapiro's department store) Harry and you should also know that Stephen Shapiro (son of Nathan) is currently in charge of acquisitions for the collection.  Thanks to Attorney Debbie Shapiro for setting me straight.

Only the books are being moved to Olin Library's Special Collections & Archives but there is movement afoot to update, re-catalogue and re-organize the entire collection.  The event is open to the public.  Adath Israel is located at 8 Broad Street and there is parking in the rear of the building on the left side of the driveway. 

Shakespeare and Saving Manuscripts

The Middlesex Community College Drama Club presents an abridged version (approximately 60 minutes) of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Wednesday May 11 at 4:30 p.m. and Thursday May 12 at 5 p.m. in the Grove behind Founder's Hall.  The cast, students in MxCC's Theater 121 Class, invite everyone to check out its production - the weather looks to be just fine for a late afternoon theatrical repast.  Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets, probably a jacket (I know from experience that there is always a breeze up at the Grove) and be ready to have a fun time.  The event is free.  MxCC is located on Training Hill Road and there is, usually, plenty of parking.

Also on Wednesday, Congregation Adath Israel and Wesleyan's Olin Library Special Collection & Archives will enter into an agreement in which the rare books from the Middletown synagogue's Museum of Judiaca will be stored in the archive to better preserve them for future generations.  The collection, the life-long passion of Middletown businessman Nathan Shapiro and his wife Shirley, is made up of many fascinating artifacts and books, mostly from Eastern Europe.  The Shapiros have both passed on but the collection has outgrown its home at CAI and the books, many in delicate condition, have been in need of special attention.  Thanks to Wesleyan Associate Professor of History Magda Teter (she's also the Director of the Jewish and Israel Studies Program), the Congregation has agreed to "loan" the books to the Wesleyan's Archives. Not only will the books be in a more hospitable environment, experts from the University will clean, restore and protect the items. Students from Professor Teter's Jewish History classes (and others) will be able to use the books for research.

The agreement will be signed in a ceremony to be held at 6:30 p.m. at Adath Israel, 8 Broad Street.  Both Professor Teter and Head of Special Collections Suzy Taraba will speak about the books and how they will be used and cared for in Special Collections & Archives.The event is free and open to the public. 

Stephen Olesky On Habeus Corpus After Guantanamo

The Friends of the Wesleyan Library are honored to have Stephen Oleskey, Wesleyan ’64, present a talk on "The 'Molten Core' of the Constitution: Habeas Corpus After Guantanamo" on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. in Smith Reading Room, Olin Library, 252 Church Street, Middletown. Oleskey is a partner at WilmerHale in Boston and co-lead counsel in the case of Boumediene v. Bush, which established habeas corpus rights for Guantanamo prisoners. He has been lauded for his international pro bono work and commitment to public service. The talk is free and open to the public.

Professor Richard Adelstein will moderate a post-talk discussion of the constitutional issues raised by Oleskey on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 4:30 in the Develin Room, Olin Library.

For more information, email libfriends@wesleyan.edu, call 860-685-3897, or visit http://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/friends/events.html.

This series is in honor Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17^th.

Turn up the volumes

Avid bookies were lined up early to get into the annual (and this year, postponed) Friends of the Library book sale at Olin Library. I left with a bagfull (made more hefty by a bunch of children's books added by some young bibliophiles). The sale is on until 4, and the bargains increase as closing time approaches.

The Return of the Wesleyan Library Book Sale

From Jennifer Hadley

Friends of the Wesleyan Library Book Sale

The book sale that was postponed from the spring will be held on Saturday Sept. 12 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the lobby of Olin Memorial Library, 252 Church Street, Middletown. There will be over 4000 academic and popular books, most books priced $1-$5, with special books $10-$20+. There will also be a not-to-be missed Silent Auction of collectible titles and older, scarce and unusual items from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.. Cash and checks accepted. For more information or to volunteer for the event, email libfriends@wesleyan.edu, call 860-685-3897, or visit http://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/friends/events.html . A list of silent auction items will be posted by Sept. 8th.

"The 'Molten Core' of the Constitution: Habeas Corpus After Guantanamo"

The Friends are hosting a talk by Stephen Oleskey, Wesleyan '64, entitled "The 'Molten Core' of the Constitution: Habeas Corpus After Guantanamo" on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. Oleskey is a partner at WilmerHale in Boston and co-lead counsel in the case of Boumediene v. Bush, which established habeas corpus rights for Guantanamo prisoners. He has been lauded for his international pro bono work and commitment to public service. The talk is free and open to the public and will be held in Smith Reading Room, Olin Memorial Library, 252 Church Street, Middletown. For more information, email libfriends@wesleyan.edu or call 860-685-3897. This event is part of a series in honor of Constitution Day. It will conclude with a post-talk discussion moderated by Professor Richard Adelstein on Sept. 17 at 4:30 in the Develin Room, Olin Library.

Book sale Cancelled

We just received the following note from Jennifer Hadley, at Wesleyan's library. The book sale is cancelled.

Due to recent campus events, the Friends of the Wesleyan Library Book Sale that was to take place this Saturday has been postponed until the fall, although our ongoing book sale (on the first floor of Olin Library, 252 Church St., Middletown) continues as usual during normal library hours. Thank you to the many people who have donated books so far. Some will be used for our ongoing book sale and the rest will be stored until the big sale.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Hadley at libfriends@wesleyan.edu or 860-685-3897.

We appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing you in the fall.

Jennifer Hadley

Friends of the Wesleyan Library
Olin Library
252 Church Street
Middletown , CT 06459

Friends of the Wesleyan Library Book Sale

I'm a bit reluctant to give this fabulous sale too much publicity. There are so many good books. In the past I've picked up signed first editions and wonderful ancient volumes. Get there early.

Saturday, May 9, 2009 -- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Olin Memorial Library Lobby (Wesleyan University, 252 Church St., Middletown, CT)

3500+ books and other media, from new to gently used and older items in 20 categories. Most books: $1-$5; Special books: $10-$20+.

The sale will also include a not-to-be-missed SILENT AUCTION for collectible titles and older, scarce and unusual items from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. A preliminary list of auction items will be available by Thursday May 7 on the Friends web site at http://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/friends/events.html.

For more information, contact Jennifer Hadley at libfriends@wesleyan.edu or 860-685-3897. This event is open to the public. Cash and checks accepted