Coming This Week in Children's Services

Here's what's happening this week at the downtown library -- to see what's going on at your local branch library, click here!

Monday, June 27, 2011
6:30 -7:00 p.m.: Butterfly Storytime and Release
All month, we've been watching our Painted Lady caterpillars grow and change into butterflies.  Join us for this special storytime -- at the end we'll go outside to release the butterflies!

Wednesday, June 28, 2011
9:30 -10:00 a.m. : Smart Start Preschool Storytime for Daycares and Groups
Please call 421-1220 to register your group!
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.: Smart Start Preschool Storytime for Families
No need to register -- just come and have fun!
2 - 4:00 p.m.: Lego Club
Come and join a group of Lego-loving kids, sprawl on the floor, and build!

Thursday, June 30, 2011
2-3:00 p.m. AND 7-8:00 p.m.: Magician Daniel Lusk: Magic, Friends, and Laughter Around the World
Magician Daniel Lusk brings magic from around the world to share the amazement and teach us that no matter where you come from, we can all be friends.

Friday, July 1, 2011
10 - 10:20 a.m.: Babies and Books
Bring in those little babies for stories, rhymes and songs. 
10:30-10:50 AND 11-11:20: Toddler Time
Stories, songs and rhymes for those active toddlers.

Fun for Kids This Week

Don't miss the fun at YOUR library this week:
To see the Program Schedule for a branch close to your house click here.
Programs at the Main Library this week:
Monday, 2-4 p.m., Wii READ, Wii PLAY  Read 20 minutes and get a ticket to play Wii or an assortment of board games for 20 minutes. 
Tuesday, 2-3 p.m. and 7-8 p.m., STORIES IN CHALK  Create your story in chalk on our Library Plaza Sidewalks!
Wednesday, 9:30-10 a.m., STORYTIME for PRESCHOOLS and DAYCARES (please call us at 421-1220 to register).
Wednesday, 10:30-11 a.m., SMART START STORYTIME for FAMILIES (no registration required).
Wednesday, 2-4 p.m., LEGO CLUB We have the LEGOs, you have the building talent, join us and create!
Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 2-3 p.m. & 7-8 p.m. MARK'S ARK Get to know a menagerie of animals with Mark as your guide in this interactive program.
Friday, 10 a.m., Babies and Books  Stories, music, and other fun for babies birth through 18 months or so, and their grownup(s).
Friday, 10:30 & 11 a.m., Toddler Time  Lots of stories, music and toddling around for toddlers from around 18 months to around three years old, and their grownup(s), of course.

Roz Puppets Photos

A fun time was had by all when Roz Puppets visited the Allen County Public Library to perform "The Emperor's New Clothes", part of this year's Summer Reading Program!



Have you read the story of the Emperor's New Clothes? Originally written by Hans Christian Andersen, there are many adaptations available. Visit the library soon to check out some out today!

Share Your Stories and Artwork -- Online!

Kids -- have you checked out the library's Summer Reading Program website, yet? You'll find some fun new things there, like...

...stories to read online... (don't forget to keep track of your reading time on your Summer Reading Program timesheet!)

...and a place to write your own stories and submit them to be published online...

...and a place to upload your own artwork that you've created on a computer, or that you've photographed with a digital camera, and submit it to be published online.

We'd love to see what you have to share!

Babies and Toddlers and Books!!

Fridays are exciting days in Children's Services. Why? Because it's Baby & Toddler Storytime day! We have storytime for Babies -- newborn through 18 months -- at 10:00 a.m. on Friday mornings, AND we have storytime for Toddlers -- 18 months through 3 years of age -- at 10:30 and 11:00 a.m.

If you have a baby or toddler, we hope you'll join us for storytime. And be sure to get them started on the Summer Reading Program! Sharing books with babies is important -- and fun!

Roz Puppets are Coming to the Main Library!

This morning at 10:00, the Children's Services department of the Main Library will have a special puppet show featuring the Roz Puppets. The program will be repeated at the Main Library at 2:00 this afternoon and 7:00 tonight. Come and enjoy this creative interpretation as the puppets bring the classic story, The Emperor's New Clothes, to life.

Roz Puppets are traveling around the Allen County Public Library system as part of this year's Summer Reading Program. Want to know dates and library locations for all of their performances? Click here.

Saying Farewell

Today we need to say "fare thee well" to one of our staff who is leaving the Allen County Public Library. 

Heather Acerro joined the Children's Services team just over six years ago.  Since that time she has worked with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age kids, and all types of adults - teachers, parents, college students, children's literature enthusiasts - in a wide variety of programs. She has presented arts, sciences, reading, and homeschool programs. She has been a strong advocate for early literacy, reading in general, kids of all ages, and the Library. She has helped the Children's Services department make many positive connections within our community. She has served not only as a supervisor, but also as a mentor, coach, and friend to staff. Offering excellent customer service has always been the cornerstone of Heather's work at the Library.

Join us between 3:00 and 5:00 pm today in the Globe Room at the Main Library to share some time with Heather, to thank her for her years of service to the Children's Services department & to the Allen County Public Library, and to wish her well wherever her life journeys take her.

Are You Looking for Great Kids Books...?

Then don't miss our Mock Election Kick-off, coming up soon! School-age children and adults are invited to attend and hear some stories from award-winning books...find out how to find great books for kids...and learn more about our Mock Elections, in which you are invited to vote for YOUR favorite children's books.

It's all happening on Tuesday, June 14, from 2:00-3:00.

Hope to see you there!

Team Read!

Reading through the summer time is important and fun -- in addition to the FREE Summer Reading Program offered at the library, parents will also want to explore Team Read. Team Read is a FREE reading program for children entering 1st - 3rd grade next year. Children are paired up with trained teen reading coaches for weekly summer reading activities.

Team Read runs from June 20 - July 28, 2011.

Fill out an application and turn it in at any Allen County Public Library location to attend the program at the New Haven or Georgetown branch libraries. There is limited space at library locations for this program, so turn in your application early!

Team Read will also be offered at local Boys & Girls Clubs, Old Fort YMCA and several local parks. For more information about Team Read, contact Nancy Magi at 260-421-1260.