English-language Library in Angers

The library is proud to announce that the first talk in the Spring 2019 Speaker Series – Explorations in American Culture, is coming soon on Friday, March 8th from 10 to 11:30 am!

In honor of International Women’s Day two remarkably accomplished women, Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier, will be talking about their new, critically-acclaimed English translation of Simone de Beauvoir’s “The Second Sex,” sixty years after its initial publication. (Borrow it from the library catalog here.)

Both women are professors, political activists, writers and intellectuals who have worked together on an astonishing variety of projects. They met while attending Douglass College (Rutgers University) in the 1960s and have been friends and working partners ever since. They have both lived in France for over 40 years, teaching literature and American civilization and writing English grammar and other books for French speakers. In the 70s, they both studied and got degrees in linguistics, one at the university of Vincennes, and the other at Nanterre, in Paris. They both had long and active teaching careers at Sciences Po. They’ve published a series of grammar books, “My English is French”; a video series, “Magic English” for children; “Focus on American Democracy” explaining the American system of government, and several French cookbooks on American food. They also pursued many translation projects, from French to English, covering topics such as social science, art, and feminist writings.

This talk is free and open to the public. No reservations necessary, but seating is limited. The Speaker Series has been made possible by a generous grant from the American Embassy.

Do you have a passion for photography? Would you like to take your photographs to the next level?

Join the library’s Photography Club! Share and exchange with other aspiring photographers and even go on photo shoots together (in English of course!). Learn more about improving your technique, framing your shots, choosing your subject or even understanding the terminology (aperture, shutter speed, iso, etc.).

This activity is free and open to library members. Meetings are once a month in the afternoon, from February to June, either at the library or at a predetermined photo shoot location. Please attend regularly.

The first meeting is Thursday, February 28^th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Future meeting times will be determined as a group. The club is led by Pol Corvez, professional photographer and library volunteer, Peter Bolos, photographer and member of staff, and Annick Gendron, aspiring photographer and library volunteer.

Sign-up at the Front Desk by email info@ellia.org or by phone 02 41 24 97 07.

Drop by the library and check out our newest titles! Every month we add the latest and greatest new releases for your reading pleasure.

This month look out for:

• Less by Andrew Sean Greer, the Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction
• Dante’s Divine Trilogy adapted by Alistair Gray, a beautifully illustrated classic
• Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce
• Lullaby a thriller by Leila Slimani
• The Power by Naomi Alderman, a (predictably titled) novel that explores what would happen if women suddenly possessed a fierce new power
• The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, a medieval tale for children and adults alike that blends historical fiction with magical realism

And many more! There’s always something new & good to read at the English-language Library! Browse the catalog by clicking here. And if you haven’t read them yet, don’t forget to check out January’s New Acquisitions:

When you come into the library, you may be faced with the question, “What should I read next?” The library has a huge collection (about 30,000 books!)… but which books will promise you hours of good reading?

“Books at Heart” will help you with your question.  It’s a new initiative for book lovers, to promote sharing and feedback about books. Now you can tell everyone about the books you love!

Firstly, you’ll find a new noticeboard in the library, called “Our Books of the Year”. There’s already a small selection of truly excellent recommendations. It’s open to everyone… feel free to add YOUR book of the year. Spread the news!

Secondly, we invite people to “curate” their favorite books. A curator will promote a selection of books. It could be a genre (crime, historical, classics…), it could be linked to a country (Sweden, Canada, China…), or a non-fiction range (politics, history, cooking…).

And, we need volunteers! As a curator, you will put an information card on the shelves every month or so, to promote a book or an author. And you will organize a front-of-library display once a year. If you want to become a curator, contact Peter Bolos, Library staff member, at collections@ellia.org.

You might be in Angers and have a little bit of time on your hands, so… stop by and visit the library!

Before you come check out the calendar and What’s Happening to see what events and/or activities might be taking place just for you!