COMMUNITY BOOK

2014 is a Year of Discovery at Cary Memorial Library, and so our Lexington Reads theme is Digital Me, an exploration of how science and technology affects our daily lives. In keeping with this theme, our Lexington Reads book  is Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better by Clive Thompson.

 

In Smarter Than You Think, Clive Thompson explores how the explosion of technology available to the average person is forcing us to adapt and change our behavior.  Featuring both experts and everyday people using these tools in new and unexpected ways, Thompson shows how humans are using technology to create real change. Whether it is students using technology to protest a factory spewing dangerous chemicals or a group of gamers collectively solving a problem that puzzled HIV researchers for a decade, Thompson demonstrates that great opportunities arise from the digital world. Along the way, he stressed the importance of keeping the best of our old ways of life while embracing the new tech that allows for such collaboration and communication.

Throughout the month of March, Cary Library will host a variety of programs focused on the ways technology has become created a “Digital Me.” As 2014 continues, we will continue to explore issues related to science and technology as part of our Year of Discovery. Please watch the library calendar and local media for more information. Please join us!

Stop by or call Cary  Library (781-862-6288 x250) to pick up or reserve a copy of Smarter Than You Think.

 

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Sunday, March 9th at 3pm
An Afternoon with Clive Thompson
Battin Hall in the Cary Building,
1605 Massachusetts Ave.

Author Clive Thompson will discuss how technology is making us smarter, empowering people across the globe, and solving seemingly impossible problems. With a growing number of smart phone users, almost everyone has a computer and a camera accessible at all times. How we use these tools can and should combine the best of the old way of life and the vast opportunities presented by technology.  In this discussion, Clive Thompson will explore the many positive ways technology is changing our lives and impacting the world around us.
Clive Thompson is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, Mother Jones, Smithsonian, and a columnist for Wired. He has also maintained a science-and-technology blog, Collision Detection, since 2002 and speaks frequently on topics relating to the evolution and everyday use of technology.
Clive Thompson’s book Smarter Than You Think is this year’s Lexington Reads Community Book. Library copies of Smarter Than You Think may be reserved online or by calling 781-862-6288 ext 250. Copies of Smarter Than You Think will also be available for purchase and signing at the lecture. No registration necessary.

 

RETRO TECHNOLOGY FAIR

Saturday, March 1, 1-4PM   |   Cary Large Meeting Room

Explore the technological wonders of the past at our Retro Technology Fair! Technology isn’t only social media and big data—it is also rotary phones and manual typewriters! Everyday objects and iconic inventions will demonstrate how people entertained themselves and communicated before smart phones and streaming video. Bring the whole family and learn about the evolution of technology. Some objects may be available for hands-on demonstrations.

 

APPY HOUR

Wednesday, March 12
Cary Commons
5-6PM

Sick of the apps you always use? Looking for something new and fresh? Join us at Appy Hour and learn about the best apps for travel, photography, art, gaming, and more. This will be a social, interactive event, so bring your tablet or smartphone and be ready to discuss with your neighbors. Wi-fi is available throughout the library. No registration required

 

 

SPEAKER

 

Garry Golden
Sunday, March 31
Cary Hall | 3PM
What is the Future?

Join futurist Garry Golden as we look ahead to what the future holds for our digital selves. Technology changes so quickly—how can we adapt and change to integrate these technologies into our daily lives? Garry Golden will discuss how privacy, measurements of intelligence, and our relationship to our physical world might change. Golden is an academically trained futurist who speaks and consults on issues facing 21st century society, including those issues facing libraries. A short question and answer session will follow Garry Golden’s talk. No registration necessary.

 

 

 

 

SPEAKER

Jessamyn West
Saturday, March 22
Cary Large Meeting Room
10:00 AM-Noon
All About Blogging Brunch

Join members of the Friends of the Library as they host this annual event! The All About Blogging Brunch gives blog lovers and computer rookies alike an opportunity to discuss the world of blogging while eating brunch. This year’s special guest is Jessamyn West, an author, librarian, and community manager of MetaFilter.com. Jessamyn West lives in Central Vermont, where she works with small libraries with technology planning and implementation. She has maintained professional and personal blogs at librarian.net and jessamyn.com for over a decade, and speaks nationally on digital divide issues. We hope that all community members interested in communication and social issues attend; use of blogs is not required. Attendance is limited. Advance registration required.

 

 

TEEN TECH SEMINARS

Monday – Friday
4-5 pm in the
Cary Large Meeting Room

• Monday, March 3
• Word Processing
• Tuesday, March 4
• Websites you should know about
• Wednesday, March 5
• Facebook
• Thursday, March 6Skype
• Friday, March 7
• iPhone and iPad/iOS7*

Lexington’s tech savvy teens will demonstrate how they use technology to keep in touch with friends and family, share photos and videos, and navigate the online world.  Each day teens will explain a new topic.

No experience is necessary. *You may bring your iPad or iPhone if you have one.

Teen Tech Seminars are presented by the Cary Memorial Library Teen Advisory Board. Please register for each day you wish to attend. Register by calling Cary Library at 781-862-6288 ext 250 or stopping at the reference desk.