Be The Change You Want To See

“Be the change you want to see in the world” - Mahatma Gandhi  

Reston is full of people who try to live by that, but did you know that in order to “be” a change, it is important to “be” informed? This is where your library comes in very handy.

For several months before they broke for summer, an always-varying group of Restonians met once a month to discuss topics in the Great Decisions Roundtable.  Great Decisions is a curriculum developed by the Foreign Policy Association. Adults from a variety of backgrounds and experiences meet to ponder the readings and discuss what might be done about very challenging real-world issues.

In the Spring they discussed Rebuilding Haiti, National Security, the Horn of Africa, the Financial Crisis, and Germany Ascendant.

The group will start up again Sept. 13 at 2 p.m., discussing Sanctions and Nonproliferation.  New participants are welcome; you can get a copy of the reading materials at the Information Desk at the library.

Future topics include The Caucusus, and Making Sense of Multilateralism. Come be part of the facilitated discussion and prepare to be the change you would like to see. Register by visiting the Events page of the Fairfax County Public Library System.

While you’re here, be sure to look in the Friends’ Display Case between the entrance/exit doors. This is where the Friends highlight special books, sometimes based on topic or holiday. Leading into the Semi-Annual Book Sale, this case will have many books from our Toplist. This list contains some of the niche items that you just won’t normally find sitting around waiting for a home.

Some of the titles to look forward to, featured in photographs above, are:

• Guerre morte  $75; "Supplement a la Revue Indochine Sud-Est Asiatique" in hardcover / published in 1954 / text and b/w photographs of the 1954 war in Indochina / in French / scarce

• Alice's Adventures Under Ground: After Lewis Carroll's Original Manuscript Which Later Became Alice in Wonderland  $100 by Lewis Carroll / Panda Prints / 2nd ed 1960 / hardcover in slipcase

• Gamma Radiation Exposure Calculator   $20  Jem Penetrameter Mfg Corporation [Natick, MA] / copyr 1962 / 2/C slide rule style calculator / 2 sliders / approx 8 3/8" long x 3 1/8" wide / in original clear plastic sleeve

Many of the Toplist items sell on Friends Night – the Members Only first night of the booksale. A membership is only $15/$5 (Seniors) and is good for a year (2 Friends’ Nights). While it's true that the Friends restock the sale all weekend, the items from the Toplist are unique and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Friends Night is Sept. 21, from 5-7:30 p.m.  We start a numbered entry system in the afternoon preceding the sale by putting tape on the floor, but everyone must have a current membership.

Two FAQ’s
Q: Can I buy something from the Toplist before the sale? I’m willing to pay cash or a premium? 

A: No.  The best chance to get one is to come to Friends Night. That way every member has the same chance.

Q:  But I really, really, really, really want this book.

A:  Come in the afternoon and get your name on a piece of tape on the floor.  If you’re first in line to ask for the book you want, and your membership is current, you’ll be the first one with the opportunity to purchase it.

Watch this space so you can see some more of these treasures.  The entire Toplist will be available at the Friends website soon.