Author Archives: Kate Farrish

Introducing MaryAnne Pelletier, the new Tolland Director of Library Services

 

The Tolland Public Library Foundation is celebrating National Library Week from April 7 to 13, and we’ll be posting photos and fun facts about the dedicated staff members of the Tolland Public Library.
We’re starting with our new Director of Library Services MaryAnne Pelletier, who succeeded Barbara Pettijohn on April 1. Barbara has retired after more than a decade of service.
MaryAnne’s favorite book is, “Is This Your Child?” by Doris J. Rapp
Fun fact: She was an elementary school principal for 10 years prior to being a Library Director.

Director of Library Services MaryAnne Pelletier

New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice will discuss her book “Last Night” in Tolland on Feb. 24

Luanne Rice, the New York Times bestselling author of 38 novels, will discuss her latest book, “Last Night,” in a free talk at the Tolland Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m.
The book talk is being sponsored at the library at 21 Tolland Green in Tolland by the Tolland Public Library Foundation as part of its long-running Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Register using the online events calendar at https://www.tollandct.gov/library or by calling the library at 860-871-3620.
Several of Rice’s books, including “Crazy in Love,” “Blue Moon,” Follow the Stars Home,” “Silver Bells” and “Beach Girls,” have been adapted for television by Lifetime, the Hallmark Hall of Fame and other networks.
“Last Night” is a breathtaking thriller about a family shaken by lies, vengeance, and a cold-blooded crime that takes place at the legendary Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. A fierce blizzard is burying the eastern seaboard as renowned artist Maddie Morrison takes refuge at the stately hotel after a contentious divorce. Hours later, her body is found under a blanket of snow and her little daughter, CeCe, has disappeared.
Detective Conor Reid investigates the crime amid an atmosphere of greed, rage, and revenge.
Rice’s books often center on love, family, nature, and the sea. They have been translated into more than 30 languages. Rice, who lives on the Connecticut shoreline, has received honorary degrees from Connecticut College and St. Joseph University. She also received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement as a literary artist.
The Library Foundation has sponsored the authors series since 2011. It has brought Pulitzer Prize winners Dan Barry, Susan Campbell and Steven G. Smith to the Tolland library as well as authors Kristan Higgins, Lucy Neale Hurston, Caragh O’Brien, Jane Haddam, Dawn Metcalf and Susan Schoenberger.

Novelist Luanne Rice

Tolland Public Library Foundation to Hold Free Book Talk with Kristan Higgins on June 12

Kristan Higgins, a New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 novels, will give a free book talk at the Tolland Public Library on June 12 at 7 p.m. as part of the Tolland Public Library Foundation’s Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
The Connecticut author’s books have been translated into two dozen languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. She has appeared on the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling authors list and has received dozens of accolades, including starred reviews from People, Kirkus, The New York Journal of Books and other publications.
Higgins will be discussing her latest novel, “A Little Ray of Sunshine,” during the talk at the library at 21 Tolland Green in Tolland, Connecticut. The book tells the story of Matthew, who walks into a bookstore owned by Harlow and surprises her with the news that he is the adopted son she gave up 18 years before.
It is also a surprise to Monica, Matthew’s adoptive mother, and the two families are redefined over that summer as both women learn that for them, there’s no limit to a mother’s love.
Registration is required for the talk. To register, visit tolland.org/library, scroll down to the events calendar and click on June 12.
Since 2010, the Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series has hosted a number of well-received writers, including Pulitzer Prize winners Dan Barry, Susan Campbell and Steven G. Smith as well as Lucy Neale Hurston, Caragh O’Brien, Dawn Metcalf, Jane Haddam and Susan Schoenberger.

Kristan Higgins

Learn how to take a course for free on Feb. 23!

Introduction to Universal Class is a presentation that will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. in the library’s program room.
It will cover the basics of Universal Class, an online continuing education services with a catalog of over five hundred courses in business, health, test preparation, computer training, homeschooling and more.
Please register at tollandct.gov/libraryand look for the Online Events Calendar.
The classes are free due to funding from the Tolland Public Library Foundation.

 

Ways to support the Tolland Public Library Foundation on Giving Tuesday and Year Round

Here’s a worthy cause to consider supporting on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, or year round: the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
Since 1996, the foundation has made grants to the Tolland Public Library for programs, author visits, computers for public use, databases including Ancestry.com, and technology, including completely outfitting the library’s Maker Space.
Here are six ways you can support the foundation with a tax-deductible gift:
*Use the QR code below to make a donation.
*Donate direct at this website.
*Designate the foundation for a portion of your purchases made at AmazonSmile.
*Designate the foundation through United Way payroll deductions.
*Mail a check to the Tolland Public Library Foundation, 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084.
*Consider a bequest to the foundation in your estate.
Thank you for any donation, large or small.