• Lifestyle

    Family Place Free Play

    My library became a Family Place Library almost  two years ago and although it’s been a very busy time – it’s been a great way to get to know a number of our patrons.  Not only do we know more families in our community, but they als0 know us and…

  • Activities

    Story Time Theme: Chicks

    My story time kids seem to have a little spring fever recently so getting them to sit quietly (just to read the stories) has been difficult.  But they have absolutely loved singing and dancing and can’t get enough of the 5 Little Monkeys!  I think next week we’ll add some…

  • Activities

    Spring Play – Costumes and Props

    As I’ve posted over the past couple of weeks, some of the middle school students are putting together three short reader’s theatre plays for the younger children.  The play date is set for next Wednesday, which means I need to get my act together and finish up all the costumes…

  • Lifestyle

    Reader’s Advisory for Kids

    More often than not, my reader’s advisory questions come from kids who don’t like reading, are uninterested, or at a loss as to where to find a book they might like.  When asked, “What is your favorite book?” or “What do you like to read about?” you’ll often receive the…

  • Activities

    Story Time Theme: Bunny Rabbits

    Rather than creating a strictly “Easter” story time, I went with a much broader spring theme for this week with books all about bunny rabbits.  Little White Rabbit and Rhyming Dust Bunnies were both really big hits in each of the classes.  I chose Rhyming Dust Bunnies for my older…

  • Activities

    And now, Financial Literacy for the older kids

    Last night’s program was definitely not as well attended as I had hoped.  I only had five middle schoolers show up – all boys which is definitely a bonus, but only five.  The show still went on and I think the boys learned a lot and still had some fun…

  • Activities

    Fun Friday: Financial Literacy

    fun friday money

    Our Fun Friday program was (of course!) a lot of FUN! Last week we focused on financial literacy – important information that even young kids should start discussing with their adults.  In Pennsylvania, the state library has created 5 literacies they have labeled as PA Forward. These initiatives are to…

  • Activities

    Sensory-Friendly Story Time Theme: Snakes

    I love having the opportunity to outreach to the Early Intervention classrooms in our community.  I got the chance to visit four classrooms yesterday – reaching out to 50 children and 31 adults.  The classroom children have a range of disabilities from visual impairments, to developmental disabilities, to the autism…

  • Activities

    Story Time Theme: Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child

    Pennsylvania is trying to encourage early literacy by providing copies of the same book to libraries, child care centers, and families across the state every April with a program called Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child.  This year’s book was Stripes of All Types by Susan Stockdale.  At our library,…

  • Activities

    Environmental Jeopardy

    During April we try to provide a few events focused around Earth Day – this year we’re offering a story time, a recycled jewelry program, a story stroll at the park during the Park & Rec Department Earth Day celebration, and Environmental Jeopardy for the middle schoolers. We give the…