Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 6:07pm by eapearce

Mitch Prinstein, the Director of Clinical Pyschology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, explains the science behind popularity—and why it can be so elusive for many—in his new book. Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World explains why whether or not we are “popular” as children plays such a huge role in our development. Whether or not we were popular in elementary school and high school has surprising effects on our careers, family life and friendships later on and, interestingly, it's difficult to change our “popularity level.” Prinstein explains that, although we can control to a certain extent whether we are popular or not, craving popularity and striving for it is part of our biology—it’s the way humans are wired.

Prinstein also delves into the difference between being popular because one is likable and being popular because one has high status. Both types of people are socially powerful, but the way others feel about them is vastly different. It’s interesting to read about the details and the science behind popularity, because it’s an issue that even the happiest among us struggle with from time to time. We can all relate to wanting to be well-liked and well-received, and Prinstein’s book offers useful advice for using and controlling those impulses.

Popular is a particularly interesting read today, as social media becomes ever more prevalent in our lives.

The Unlikelies

Mon, 05/22/2017 - 8:15pm by potterbee

Soon to hit the shelves this June is a story to start the summer about five diverse teens who form an unlikely alliance.

With her best friend headed of to camp and college, high school senior Sadie is bracing herself for a long, lonely, and boring summer. Things take an unexpected turn when she rescues a baby in distress and a video of her good deed goes viral. Suddenly internet-famous, Sadie's summer changes for the better when she's introduced to other "hometown heroes." These very different teens work together to right local wrongs and do good in their community.

This second and anticipated book from Carrie Firestone delves into issues that impact teens daily lives from bullying, body shaming, cyber group behaviors, and addressing the horrors and destruction of heroin addiction. The story maintains positive themes while dealing with such serious issues and is regarded as similar to stories like The Breakfast Club and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. Firestone weaves a rich story using humor and romance in a style consistent with her first novel adored by readers, The Loose Ends List.

A captivating read for fans of Young Adult fiction, readers will find plenty to relate and aspire to as the kids attempt to better the world and confront their own struggles with love, loyalty, and friendship.

Arborwiki Edit Night At Arbor Brewing

Wednesday April 23, 2014: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Arbor Brewing - 114 East Washington

Arborwiki Edit Night

Wednesday March 26, 2014: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Downtown Library: aadlfreespace
Adults And Teens Grade 9 And Up

Over and Under the Snow

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 10:20am by manz

Over and Under the Snow is a cozy picture book written by Kate Messner and beautifully illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. The book is the story of a day on a snowy cross-country ski trek in the woods where a father and child encounter many animals along their tree-lined journey. They find animals that live in “the secret kingdom,” which is “a network of small open spaces and tunnels between the snowpack and the ground.” Red foxes live over, while red squirrels live under. It’s a thoughtful story with beautiful and simple illustrations of the snow and animals on a wintry day. Perfect for sharing while sipping hot cocoa and looking out the window.

Facebook 101

Tue, 07/23/2013 - 12:20pm by Stewart

Wednesday July 24, 2013, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Pittsfield Branch Training Center

We'll help you join Facebook, update your status, upload photos, find your friends and more. Registration is not required and classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Can't make it to class? No problem, check out this tutorial from learnfree.org.

For a complete class schedule, go to aadl.org/classes.

See you in class!

Facebook 101

Wed, 07/25/2012 - 10:10am by Stewart

Wednesday July 25, 2012: 7 to 9 pm Pittsfield Branch

Join us for an introduction to Facebook. You'll walk out of the class knowing more about walls, status updates, pokes, news feeds, timelines, profile pictures, settings, and more. Registration is not required and the classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. See you in class!

Fabulous Fiction Firsts #331

Tue, 05/22/2012 - 4:27pm by muffy

Wife 22 * * is "smart, fresh, entertaining, moving and incredibly funny" (I can't say it any better) and perhaps, one of the best Women's Fiction">Women's Fiction titles this year.

Let's see how YOU would answer the following questions:

#10 Do you believe love can last?
#44 What do you believe should NOT be done in public?
#50 If your spouse gave you one free pass to have sex with another person, who would you choose?
#80 Define passion in one sentence
#88 Has your life turned out the way you would hoped it would?

Like these? Thankfully, debut novelist Melanie Gideon (author of The Slippery Year: A meditation on happily ever after: a memoir, and 2 YA novels: Pucker and The Map That Breathed) provides in an appendix these 110 questions - some survey-generic, some philosophical & probing, some downright invasive but all seriously provocative.

Alice Buckle: spouse of William, mother to Zoe and Peter, part-time drama teacher and Facebook chatter, downloader of memories and Googler of solutions is also "Wife 22". Readers will be privy to her honest and witty response to an anonymous survey on marital satisfaction. Over time, her correspondence with Researcher 101 has taken an unexpectedly personal turn, and soon, she comes dangerously close to making a decision that will affect more than her happiness.

Rights sold to 19 countries and optioned for film. Perfect escapism and a breezy, delightful summer read.

* * = starred reviews

Finding Grant Funding For Community Nonprofits

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 11:14am by hillary dorwart

Monday December 12, 2011: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Looking to up your grant-seeking skills for your community nonprofit organization? Join us for this workshop - which has been so popular that we are offering it for a third time - in a lecture format with plenty of available seating.

Returning to the AADL, Karen Downing, the Foundations and Grants Librarian at the University of Michigan, will discuss and demonstrate the various web-based funding databases currently available. She will illustrate search strategies and discuss how to match sponsor and nonprofit priorities. Resources to help with proposal writing will also be addressed in this informative session.

There is no registration for this event - which will have plenty of seating for all!

What's a Status Update?

Mon, 11/28/2011 - 4:18pm by Stewart

Facebook: Wednesday, November 30, 2011: 1 to 3 pm, Traverwood Branch

Do you need an introduction to Facebook? Come to the Facebook class and you'll learn about status updates, the wall, news feeds, tags, and more. This class is perfect for folks who need a little help getting started. Registration is not required. Click here for a complete class schedule or drop by any branch location to pick up a computer class brochure.

See you in class!