Express Yourself @ your library

Memorial Day has come and gone; most of us are back at work. Our kids are finishing up their last full week of school. Next Wednesday school gets out early and the summer fun begins at the library. We used to offer something special that first day of summer vacation…something special to entice the kids and the parents to come into the library to sign up for the summer reading program.

It became apparent that not only was a program or an event unnecessary, it got in the way! We don’t have room for a presenter or a display; the old building is rocking with kiddies, tots, parents, strollers and chaos. We add extra reinforcements to our scheduled staff, we all take our vitamins and prepare to go into the fray armed with books, movies, puppets, games and prizes to amaze and astound young readers. Even those who can’t read yet.

Last year 276 children registered for our summer reading program. Despite declining school enrollment, that number has remained fairly constant from year to year. In June and July last year the children’s library offered 25 separate programs. All together they were attended by 650 kids and parents. Where else would you find 25 FREE children’s activities? Anyone who knows Jean Holste knows that these weren’t just traditional library story hours. Every event is a performance. Last year’s theme was “Catch the Reading Bug”. The programs all revolved around creepy, crawly things.

This year the theme is Be Creative @ your library. Jean has her usual array of not-so-usual programs. Each participant will receive a reading log. This year it is shaped like an artist’s palette. ( I looked that up in the dictionary. Did you know that there are also separate definitions for palet and pallet and pallette?) For each 30 minutes the child reads or is read to, he/she colors in one paint splotch. When all the splotches are colored in, the kiddo receives a prize. Also happening will be Tot Time on Mondays, The Artsy-Smartsy Club (this one is my favorite) and six different Art Starts programs. Also happening are the every-popular Stories & More and Read-To-Me Club. Check with the children’s library for details.

Because kids eventually age-out of the children’s library, but not out of library/reading enthusiasm, we also have a program for tweens and teens. For the 6th-12th grade set, this year’s summer program is entitled Express Yourself @ your library. Every summer Sherri Crowley and I turn the teen corner into something befitting the program theme. In years past we created a haunted house and a castle. Last year’s theme was Metamorphosis. We created a gauzy, floaty-looking scene with lots of color and netting. Not sure what we had in mind at the time. This year, it’s an artist studio, complete with paint brushes and drop cloths. The corner is always adorned with artwork from our “library kids”, the ones who spend lots of time here. Now their artwork has become part of the whole stage set. Sherri and I start planning about February. We decorate and transform because we like to. That there is a summer program with a theme is a bonus for us. Gives us an excuse.

For this group we have one larger prize. No messing around with trinkets for our guys. For every 200 pages read, the kids get an entry for our drawing. The prize this year is a portable DVD player. There will be other assorted programs and activities throughout June and July.

We will also have some contests and activities for grownups. There will be a drawing for some of those reusable, recyclable library bags. They were so popular; I’ve ordered a new batch. We may come up with a large-ish adult prize, too.

Here is a creative endeavor for you to try now: go to www.jacksonpollock.org. Click on “Enter Jackson Pollock. Org. Every move of the mouse will draw. Each click will change the color you are drawing with. The longer you hold the mouse in one place, the bigger paint blob you will make. The faster you move the mouse, the thinner the line you draw. Warning: This website is hypnotizing and addictive!

If you have fun and like your creation, print it out in color and bring it in to the library. We will put it in a picture mat and hang it up. Every work of art from this website wins a prize @ your library.