CHECK IT OUT:Summer doesn’t have to mean laziness

With summer days here in Newport Beach, some may enjoy sunning themselves on the beach or relaxing poolside with a large iced tea in hand. For others, such inactivity is anathema to their lives.

If you experience a longing for meaningful activity and can commit to at least three months of service, the library is a fabulous place to develop new skills while basking in the heady feeling of intellectualism, mystery, awe and a bunch of darn-good stories emanating from the stacks.

Various types of volunteerism abound, such as the need for literacy tutors, serving homebound residents, shelving library materials and working with book processing.

The library holds Volunteer Orientation/Training Programs, so past library experience is not necessary. Besides, what better way to get a peek at the latest bestseller, check out the newest DVD or sign up for a private computer lesson?

While you are mulling the myriad ways of volunteering your talents to help your fellow library enthusiasts, open your mind with poetry. Yes, poetry.

“Good Poems for Hard Times” selected and introduced by Garrison Keillor: The Lake Wobegon radio personality/raconteur presents a poetry collection that inspired the storyteller detailing the doings of the imaginary Minnesota town inhabitants. Included are poetic luminaries such as Emily Dickinson, Raymond Carver, Robert Frost and Billy Collins.

“Howl and Other Poems” by Allen Ginsberg: This collection by one of the best-known Beat Generation poets is introduced by contemporary William Carlos Williams. Find out why this long diatribe from 1956, exhibiting the self-destructive natures of his friends, is considered one of his best and most influential works.

“Beowulf: A New Verse Translation” in English and Old English transliterated by Seamus Heaney: Heaney is a wonderful Irish poet in his own right. Here he shines in a new translation of the classic Anglo-Saxon epic reveling in the hero Beowulf fighting the monster Grendel. Side-by-side English and Old English are fascinating to compare as well as the philosophical questions revealed. Is Grendel really the story’s monster?

“The Best American Poetry”: This annual anthology regularly presents new and contemporary poets who reflect the diversity of American poetry today. Past editors have included Billy Collins, Adrienne Rich, Robert Bly, Louise Gluck and Charles Simic.

“The Essential Rumi” by Maulana Jalal al-Din R{umacronl}mi, translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, A.A. Arberry and Reynold Nicholson: Mysterious, ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) was once known for its cultural and literary achievements. The peak of perfection was reached by the Sufi poet Rumi who lived and wrote from 1207-1273 AD. Immerse yourself in mysticism with the elegant English translation.

“Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair” or “Viente poemas de amor y una canción desesperada” by Pablo Neruda, translated by W. S. Merwin: One of the world’s best-loved poets, Neruda’s graceful lines are presented in a parallel Spanish text and an English translation. Discover why movies, books and articles have dwelt on the image and idea of Neruda.