Poetry Reading @ your library

Patrons were treated to a special event on Thursday, April 11th, to celebrate April as National Poetry Month.  Members of the Tumblewords Project presented patrons with their original work. They read from their published books to a poem composed on the way to the library. Our poetry readers were the following: Gene Keller, Julia Quintanar, Leslie Council and Robin Scofield.

Ready to Read Celebrates Poetry Month with Nursery Rhyme

Not only was letter V the theme of our Ready to Read Family Storytime but Humpty Dumpty also had a starring role. To celebrate April as National Poetry Month, our children's Ready to Read programs are incorporating poetry in our activities.

This past Saturday, after reading a couple stories and activities inspired by the letter V, our student volunteer from Montwood High School presented the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. Nursery rhymes teach children how language works, builds their vocabulary and memory.

The nursery rhyme was brought to life with the beautiful felt board figures created by our staff member, Daniel. Parents and children accompanied our volunteer with their own Humpty Dumpty puppet. Afterwards, children demonstrated their mastery of the nursery rhyme by putting in order images of the Humpty Dumpty story. Some children proudly posted their work in our children's area!



Join us this week for another opportunity to share poetry with other parents and children.

Easter Celebrations @ your Library

Our Ready to Read programs celebrated Easter this past week with an egg hunt, cookies and refreshments, and fun activities.  Easter basket prizes and any other supplies needed for our celebrations were funded by our generous Friends of the Irving Schwartz Library. Also, we would like to recognize the help of students from Montwood High School at our Family Storytime. Thank you! Take a look at the pics below of our Easter themed storytimes.

Babies and Books Storytime @ 11am Tuesdays
(Birth - 18 months)

Easter Basket Winner - Caitlin Gawason 

Egg Hunt in our Meeting Room.







Preschool Storytime @ 11am Wednesdays (3 - 5 years)

Easter Basket Winner - Ashley Chaffin

Easter Egg Hunt in our Children's Area.











Family Storytime @ 11am Saturdays 
(All ages and the young at heart!)



Easter Basket Winner - Amy Isabel Mena












Egg Hunt in our Children's Area.








Animals balloons with Aimee Camp.

Children play a game of "Where are You Baby Chick?" and pick prizes from baskets.

Children learn to make paper flowers.

Children receive Easter stickers and a Bunny Mask @ the Check-out Counter.

Congressman Beto O'Rourke Representative @ your Library

..Come to your library to visit with District Representative, Esteban Terrazas, M.A., from the office of Congressman Beto O'Rourke. He's here to listen to your concerns and answer your questions.

Books to Movies April 2013

OBLIVION
A veteran soldier is shipped to a far-off planet where he is assigned to destroy the planet's native race.

Based On: Oblivion by Arvid Nelson
Release Date: 19 April 2013
Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP

A former activist goes on the run to evade a journalist who has uncovered his real identity.

Based On: The Company You Keep by Neil Gordon
Release Date: 5 April 2013 
Starring: Robert Redford, Shia Labeouf

Your Library is an Energy Challenge Winner!

Last week, your library was awarded First Place in the 2012 Library Energy Challenge. For about six months, local libraries made the commitment to reduce their usage of energy. Simple things such as turning off lights and computer monitors made a difference at our library. Our library reduced its energy usage by 19%! 

Are you doing anything to reduce your energy use?

Explore the following website on ways to save energy and money:
http://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-efficiency

 

New Storytellers @ your Library

Baby Storytime @ 11am Tuesdays

Experienced storyteller, Gabby, guides parents in learning new ways to help their babies get Ready to Read. Children from birth to 18 months experience books, songs, fingerplays and much more! The program is FREE and is approximately 20-30 minutes long.  
 

Preschool Storytime @ 11am Wednesdays

Daniel is also an experienced storyteller and a great role model for dads and boys.  Letters are the theme of his storytimes which help preschoolers to be Ready to Read. He shares new and classic picture books with parents and children. The program is FREE and is approximately 30 minutes long. 

 

Reduce Stress Through Meditation Workshop

 

With the workshop conducted by William Smith, our patrons had the opportunity to learn a meditation technique to reduce stress and improve their concentration. They were able to discuss and ask questions of the long-time meditator retired Army Lt. Colonel.

Those in attendance enjoyed the workshop and plan to return next week for another informative workshop titled, "Deeper Into Meditation." It aims to provide more direction for deepening and stabilizing meditation practices for experienced and new meditators.

Join us on Wednesday, March 13th @ 5:30pm. The workshop is FREE and everyone is welcome to attend. Attendance of the prior workshop is not required.
 

Little Nutbrown Hare Spotted @ your library

 

Today, plenty of rabbits were spotted at our library from the Check-out Counter to our Family Storytime.  

We had a special guest visit our library. "Guess How Much I Love You" character, Little Nutbrown Hare, hopped and danced at our Family Storytime.

 

Also, three Montwood High School students assisted with our Family Storytime. They read books and participated in activities with parents and children. 

Parents had the opportunity to take a picture of their child with our special guest. Children received a goodie bag and a treat at our Check-out Counter when they presented their rabbit ears.





At the end of the month, joins us for a special Easter program at our Saturday Family Storytime.

Library Director Visits your Library

Yesterday, our patrons had the opportunity to meet our library director, Dionne Mack. She helped patrons at the Information Desk and Check-out Counter. Also, Dionne read a story for parents and children attending our Preschool Storytime.

 

 

Join us this upcoming Saturday @ our 11am Family Storytime for another special guest, Little Nutbrown Hare. He's an adorable character in the book titled, "Guess How Much I Love You," by Sam McBratney. Don't forget your camera!