Adult programs

Coming-of-age Novels for adults

This type of novel, called bildungsroman,  deals with a character's formative years and spiritual education. The years of youth often are painful to recall, but very satisfying to read about when the events happen to a fictional character.

What similarities or differences reminded you of your own youth?  Did the characters' struggles seem real and true?

Bring along a brownbag lunch and a book on the theme.  A selection is on display, or you may bring another favorite to discuss.

American Families in Fiction

The Maid’s Version by Daniel Woodrell  A Depression-era tragedy in the Missouri Ozarks shapes a hard-working grandmother  and the grandson sent to spend a summer with her.

Copies available at the Reference Desk for check out.

My Story: Autobiographical fiction

Novelists write what they know-- and often their imaginings are rooted in their own experience. 

Why are these books novels and not memoirs?  What kind of truth does fiction allow that straight autobiography does not?

Which do you prefer?

Bring along a brownbag lunch and a book on the theme.  A selection is on display, or you may bring another favorite to discuss

The final class in our Online Self Defense Series. We will discuss a variety of secure operating systems for the ultimate in privacy and security.

They include: 

• The Tails operating system

• Subgraph OS

• Qubes

American Families in Fiction

They May Not Mean to, but They Do  by Cathleen Schine  A Jewish family in New York copes with their widowed mother, and she with her children and extended family.

Copies available at the Reference Desk to check out.

This class is the fourth in our ongoing Online Self Defense series.

Encryption is everywhere on the internet, but most people do not have even a basic understanding of what it is or how it works. Come learn about this vital technology including:

• The basics of encryption and the terminology used in encryption

• How HTTPS secures your internet connections

Singular Perspectives: Nonfiction & the Author’s Experience

A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley

 Amazing journeys-- the 4-year-old transported 1,000 miles  to Kolkata and then adopted in Australia becomes the searcher trying to find his way back 25 years later.

Copies to checkout are available at the Reference Desk.

This class is the second in our ongoing Online Self Defense series.

It covers online threats to privacy and what to do about them. Including:

• Alternative online search providers such as DuckDuckgo.

• Using Ad blockers to avoid malvertising and cross site tracking.

• The importance of HTTPS.

• Using VPN’s to increase your privacy and security.

This class is the third in our ongoing Online Self Defense series.

It will cover s security on mobile devices.  Learn to secure your smartphones and tablets. Topics include

• How to avoid malicious apps.

• The dangers of leaving connections turned on.

• The importance of security updates.

• How to encrypt your devices.

Singular Perspectives: Nonfiction & the Author’s Experience

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

A geobiologist weaves a tale about growth of all kinds, including her own, as a scientist, teacher, and human being.

Copies to checkout are available at the Reference Desk.