July 30, 2008 Citizen News Library Column

 

Seven Ways Your Public Library Can Help You During a Bad Economy

1.       Free books – why buy when you can borrow the books for free!  Of course, the caveat is that the books are returned on time and there are no fines!

2.       Free movie rentals.  In New Fairfield, movies may be taken out for three days and if needed, renewed for another three days.

3.       Activities for children.

4.       Programs for adults and children. 

5.       Book discussion groups – a great opportunity to make new friends.

6.       Helpful for finding a new job.

7.       Libraries listen to patrons in order to better understand their needs and desires as far as future purchases are concerned for collection development.  Take advantage of your tax dollars at work and discover your public library.

Summer Reading

   There is one more week left to the summer reading program.  If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time to earn coupons for all kinds of goodies from the local businesses.  Coupons expire August 15th.  The program ends on August 6th with the raffle drawing to be held at Squantz Pond on Friday evening, August 8th at 7:30 pm.  We will be dovetailing our event with the Park and Recreation department’s drive-in movie showing of “Antz” plus entertainment so it should prove to be a fun evening for all. Reading logs may be picked up after August 11th.   Attach the library logs to the Governor’s Reading Challenge logs and send them into school.

Upcoming July and August Programs for Children

   Weds., July 30, Pajama Storytime, 6:30-7:15 pm.  Children age three and up can wear their pj’s, bring a bedtime cuddly and listen to stories.

   Friday, July 31, Wigglers, Tumblers and Suckers, 10:30-11:30 am.  Join Jack Dube and have fun learning about awesome creatures such as whirligig beetles and water bugs that live in our local ponds.  For Grades K-5.

   Monday, August 4,  Arts and Nature Together with Science (ANTS) 10:30-11:15 am.  Elyse Felicione will lead children ages four to six in activities based on science and nature.  Learn about hardworking ants and make a related craft.

   Tuesday, August 5, Interesting Insects, 10:30-11 am.  Storytime and craft for children three years old with Miss Jill.

   Weds., August 6, ANTS, 10:30-11:15 am.  Elyse Felicione will lead children ages four to six in activities based on science and nature.  Create a “cute as a bug” frame.

   Friday, August  8, End of Summer Reading Raffle Prize Drawing at Squantz Pond, 7:30 pm.  Raffle prize winners from the summer reading program will be announced prior to the showing of the movie “Antz” at the Squantz Pond Drive-In.  Readers do not need to be present to win.

   Tuesday, August 12, Buggy Bees, 10:30-11 am.  Storytime and craft for children three years old with Miss Jill.

   Thursday, August 14, Reading Therapy Dog, 10:30 am.  Ginger, a certified therapy dog, will listen to children read.  If the child is not a reader, then parents can read with the child to the dog.  Patrons will be slotted at 15 minute intervals.  Reading to a dog is not intimidating and encourages children to read.

   Tuesday, August 19, Colorful Crickets, 10:30-11 am.  Storytime and craft for children three years old with Miss Jill. 

New Adult Movies

   Mad Men, Season One.

New Children’s Books

   Turnabout by Margaret Haddix; Who was Helen Keller by Gare Thompson; Who was Anne Frank by Ann Abramson; Who was Ferdinand Magellan by S.A. Kramer; The Statue of Liberty by Marion Dane Bauer; The Incredible Hulk: the Hulk Rules by Orli Zuravicky; Katani’s Jamaican Holiday by Annie Bryant; Scooby-Doo Reader: The Camping Caper by Gail Herman;  Who was Albert Einsein by Jess Brallier; Bone, V. 5, Rock Jaw by Jeff Smith; The Incredible Hulk: My Search for a Cure by J.E. Bright.