Need help with your investments?

Morningstar Investment Research Center is a comprehensive online investing database, available free at the Newton Free Library, providing independent opinion and data on more than 30,000 stocks and mutual funds.

To learn more about the database, attend a free online training session from home or office:

WHEN:  Wednesday, September 30th, at 4 p.m. (Eastern Time).

WHERE:  Anywhere with phone and internet access.

HOW:  To register, send an e-mail to librarytraining@morningstar.com, and mention the Newton Free Library.

Or try it out at the Library at your convenience:
Morningstar Investment Research Center*
(In Library Only–also via wireless in the Library)

Newton librarian speaks to Association of Jewish Libraries

Last month, Reference Librarian Cathy Balshone-Becze spoke at the regional conference for the New England chapter of the Association of Jewish Libraries (NEAJL),  held at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Connecticut.  She spoke on “What Public Libraries Can Do For Special Libraries: Presenting an Overview of Services.”  See a report on her talk and view her PowerPoint presentation on the Association’s blog, where you can also read more about the meeting and the other presentations.

Volunteering in Retirement

On Wednesday July 15th at 7:00 p.m., the Library’s Retirement Planning Club for Women will present a talk by Linda Fitzgerald, Massachusetts AARP State President, on Volunteering in Retirement.

She is a life-long advocate, advisor and educator for seniors and their families, and was appointed to the volunteer position in March 2009.
For the past 30 years, Fitzgerald has volunteered with AARP in a variety of roles, including most recently as a member of the AARP Massachusetts Executive Council and as a Congressional key contact.

The talk will be held in Druker Auditorium, and is free and open to the public.  More information about the Retirement Planning Club is available here, or call the Reference Department at (617) 796-1380.

Pension Rights and Benefits

On Wednesday June 17th at 7:00 p.m., the Library’s Retirement Planning Club for Women will present a talk by Ellen A. Bruce, JD:  Understanding Pensions: What Are Your Rights and Benefits?

Ellen Bruce is Director of the Pension Action Center, Gerontology Institute, McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at UMass Boston.

The talk will be held in Druker Auditorium, and is free and open to the public.  More information about the Retirement Planning Club is available here, or call the Reference Department at (617) 796-1380.

Are you saving for retirement, college, or a new home?

Morningstar Investment Research Center is a comprehensive online investing database, available free at the Newton Free Library, providing independent opinion and data on more than 30,000 stocks and mutual funds.

To learn more about the database, attend a free online training session:

WHEN:  Wednesday, April 29th, at 4 p.m. (Eastern Time).

WHERE:  Anywhere with phone and internet access.

HOW:  To register, send an e-mail to librarytraining@morningstar.com, and mention the Newton Free Library.

Morningstar Investment Research Center*
(In Library Only–also via wireless in the Library)

Teen Open Mic event!

Sing a song, read a poem, play an acoustic piece, present a dramatic interpretation–or just bring your friends and come listen, and join us afterwards for snacks and chat!

When?  Saturday, May 2nd, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., in Druker Auditorium

All participants (7th graders and up), must preregister between April 13 and 24th.  Call (617) 796-1380, or email lwoo@minlib.net or skasten@minlib.net.  You can also register at the Young Adult desk on the 2nd floor of the Library.

All presentations must be suitable for a family audience.

Medicare and Disability information

Learn more about Medicare A, B, C and Social Security Disability, at the next meeting of the Library’s Retirement Planning Club for Women, on Wednesday, April 15th at 7:00 p.m., in the Auditorium.  Francine Kollias, the regional Social Security Administration’s Metropolitan Public Affairs Specialist, will be the speaker.  Ms. Kollias presented a lively and informative talk last year on Social Security Basics.  A question and answer session will follow her talk.

This program is open to all, so bring your friends!  If you can’t make it, we’ll post a report on our Club page.  For more information, cal (617) 796-1380, or email newtonretirement@minlib.net.

Celebrate our Young Adult Space!

Join us for cake and teen readings of creative pieces as we celebrate the Library’s young adult space with a birthday party!  Meet in the second floor YA area on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

Newton History Series: Newton’s Historic Burying Grounds

The 2009 History Series continues on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 pm.  Co-sponsored by the Library and the Newton History Museum, the second in the three-part series, entitled Our Imprint on the Land, will be presented by Newton historian Harry O. Lohr, Jr.  He will give a slide presentation called Newton’s Historic Burying Grounds: Out-Door Museums in the 21st Century.

Newton is home to three old burying grounds; the East Parish Burying Ground (1660), site of the first meetinghouse, the West Parish Burying Ground (1781) and South Burying Ground (1802). In these cherished sites rest many of Newton’s most prominent early citizens whose history we see reflected in the names of our streets, parks and public buildings. A closer look not only reveals this local history, but America’s history as well.

Newton resident Harry O. Lohr Jr. has been a volunteer with the Newton History Museum since the early 1990’s. Mr. Lohr is the current Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Jackson Homestead and is Co-chair of the History Museum’s Burying Grounds Committee.

The talk is free and open to the public.

Did you hear us on NPR?

NPR’s Morning Edition Saturday featured the Newton Free Library’s Retirement Planning Club for Women on Saturday, February 28th.  The report by Lynn Neary included interviews with several Club members and Reference Supervisor Nancy Johnson.

If you missed it, a summary is available here, and you can click near the top of the story where it says “Listen Now” to hear the whole thing.

And if you’re retired, thinking about retiring, or just wondering if it will ever be financially possible, come to the next meeting of the Club on March 18th or read more about it here.  It’s never to early or too late!