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Library Unveis Summer Reading Program Activities for July

Jun 26, 2014 12:59PM ● By Pamela Johnson

Bellingham Public Library

In response to those of you who completed the “hours survey” last month, the library is expanding its hours. Based on your input and generous support of the library budget at Annual Town Meeting, the library will be open 4 more hours per week, starting July 1. New hours will be Mon—Thur, 10 am–8 pm, and Fri, 10 am—5 pm; after Labor Day Saturday hours (10 am—5 pm) will resume.

Library Services Survey: Every five years, the library asks the community about library programs, services, and facilities to get your input on what we should focus on for the next 5 years. It’s that time again, so please take a moment to visit the library website, www.bellinghamlibrary.org, and complete the brief 12-question community survey.  Tell us what is important to you. The survey will be available throughout the month of July. One lucky survey participant will win a $100 AMEX gift card for completing the survey. (See ad on page 7.)

Summer Reading Program: Fizz, Boom, READ
Fizz Boom READ is sponsored by the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, the MA Library System, the Boston Bruins and the MA Board of Library Commissioners.
You can win prizes this summer—here’s how:
• Do science experiments at home.  Kids can take home one science experiment instruction sheet at a time. Email the library a picture or video of the completed experiment and get a prize, as well as a raffle ticket to enter to win one of the bigger prizes.  Take home a different experiment sheet, do it, and get another prize.  We will be handing out a different experiment sheet every week.
• Keep track of your reading hours with one of our reading sheets.  Bring in a completed sheet (10-hour read) for a prize and a raffle ticket.  Then take home another sheet and keep reading for more prizes.  You’ll have lots of opportunities to win.

Fizz, Boom, Read Film Challenge
Calling all inspiring actors & actresses, directors, writers and filmmakers.. We challenge you to make a 3- to 5-minute film somehow incorporating the summer reading theme, Boom, Fizz, READ. Your film can be as creative as you can make it—use your imagination and have fun. All ages may participate. Films must be completed by August 9 and will premiere at the Boom, Fizz, READ Film Festival on Tuesday evening, August 12.  Every person who participates in making a film will receive a raffle ticket to enter to win the summer reading prize pack of their choosing. Register if interested and you’ll receive a sheet with more information.
School summer reading lists are on the library website under the “Summer Reading” tab. Stop by and check out (or reserve) your school reading books in early July, since often there is a wait for these popular titles.

For the first time the library is offering an adult summer reading program. Read one of the MA Book Awards “must read” books of 2014 for adults from the fiction or non-fiction category.  The list and books are on display at the library. A book discussion will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, at 6:30 pm. If you attend the book discussion, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card from Barnes & Noble. Please register by August 15 to participate. Please register by Sept. 22 to attend the book discussion.

Summer Reading Special Programs
• Ryan’s Tall Tales, Wednesday, July 2, 11 am (for families). This 45- to 60-minute program features Big Ryan’s original stories, puppet play, a bit of music and movement and a whole lot of fun. Be ready to laugh. Please register.

• Sidewalk Chalk, Thursday, July 3 (for kids any age). Stop by any time, 10am-12pm, to help create art on the library’s sidewalks (weather permitting). No registration necessary.

• Video Game Tournament, Tuesday, July 8, 1 pm (for grades 5–8) and Thursday, July 10, 1 pm (for grades 9-12).  Play games on an Xbox® and a Wii®; tourney winners will receive a prize. Snacks will be provided. Please register. 

• Super Evening for Superheroes, Tuesday, July 8, 6:30 pm (for kids 4 and older and their parents). Come dressed in your super-est superhero costumes and enjoy a super fun night. Please register.

• Stuffed Animal Vet Checkup and Spa, Thursday, July 10 (for kids and stuffed animals of all ages). The stuffed animal veterinarians are back. Stop by any time, 3–5:30 pm, to make sure your stuffed animal is in great health. This summer, we’re offering spa services as well. Please bring only one stuffy per child. No registration necessary.

• Blue Star Planetarium, Tuesday, July 15, 2 pm (for grades K–2) and at 3 pm (for grades 3–5). Marc Rouleau will bring his blue star planetarium (http://www.bluestarplanetarium.com/) to the library for a program called “Oasis in Space.” Searching for the existence of water in the galaxy is an excellent way to introduce the members of the solar system. Please register. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library.

• Fancy Nancy’s Wedding of the Century, Friday, July 18, 6:30 pm (for kids 4 and older and their parents). You are invited to attend the “Wedding of the Century,” Fancy Nancy-style. Come dressed to impress and to party. Please register.

• Toe Jam Puppet Band, Thursday, July 24, 6:30 pm (for families). The group’s performance is very active, encouraging kids and parents to sing and dance along with their unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry and storytelling. Registration for Bellingham residents begins on July 3; open registration begins on July 10.

• Pete the Cat Visit, Tuesday, July 29, 11:30 am and 6:30 pm (for families). The coolest cat in the country will be here for a groovy story time. You’ll get a chance to meet Pete so bring your cameras. Please register beginning July 8.

• Fort Building,Thursday, July 31, 1 pm (for grades 5–12. Make cool forts out of cardboard boxes and duct tape. Snacks will be provided.  Please register.

• Stuffed Animal Sleepover,Thursday, July 31, 4 pm (for families). The stuffed animals are going to go on a scientific adventure, but you do not need to attend to have your stuffed animal attend the sleepover. Drop off your stuffed animal any time during the day; pick it up on Monday, Aug. 4. Please register.

Shaking Up STEM Programs & Other Events
• Shake it Up—Wednesday, July 9, 2 pm (for grades 7–12) and 4 pm (for grades 3–6). Learn all about the seismograph and other technology, including the 3D printer. Stacy Moulis, a seismologist from the Weston Observatory, and Library Director Bernadette Rivard will be here to do some hands-on teaching.  Please register.

• 3D Printer Training Workshop—Tuesday, July 15,  6:30–8 pm (high-school-age and older). Learn about the operation of the 3D Printer and new Sense 3D Scanner. Classes  limited to 8  people; please register.

• Super Science—Catapults, Thursday, July 17, 2 pm (for grades 3–6) and 3:30 pm (for grades 5–8). Using various materials, make a catapult, then test it. Please register.

• Things that Glow—Tuesday, July 22, 1 pm (for grades 4–7) and 2:30 pm (for grades 8–12). Stop by as we turn everyday items into things that glow.  Play glow-in-the-dark bingo for prizes.  Please register.

• Lego Build—Every Wednesday at 3:30 pm. For all ages, drop in.

• Yoga for Adults—Tuesdays, 8:30–10 am (no class on July 8). Please check the library calendar for details and to see if there is space in the new Tuesday morning yoga class.  Please register.
Ongoing Events

• Ring-A-Ding—Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:15 am, and Thursday, July 17, 6:30 pm (for ages 0–5). A music and play story time. Drop in.

• Book Babies—Tuesdays, 11:30 am,  and Wednesdays 9:30 am (for ages 0–23 months). No class on July 29.

• Picnic Stories—Wednesdays, 12:15 pm (for all ages). Bring a blanket and lunch and meet behind the gazebo at the Town Common for Picnic Stories, weather permitting, for stories, activities and Vitamin D. You need register only once to attend all Picnic Stories.

• Reading with Indy—Mondays at 6:30 pm (for any age). Kids are invited to read with Indy, our certified reading dog. Please register; four 15-minute slots each evening.

• Crayon Box Story Time—Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:15 am (for ages 2-5). Focus on a different color weekly for this chromatic story time. Wear the color of the week. Kids can also bring in one item for show-and-tell that is the color of the week. 

• Magic School Bus—Mondays, 3:30 pm (for ages 4–7). Watch a Magic School Bus video and do a related activity. Please register.

• Lunch Brunch—Fridays, 12:15 pm (for grades 1-3). Concentrate on a different scientific topic weekly. Kids are invited to bring lunch; while eating, watch a video or read a story about the day’s topic, followed by some interactive activities. You need to register only once in order to attend any and all Lunch Bunch programs. 

• Family Book Club—Monday, July 14, 6:30 pm (for families with children in grades 1–3). Read the book of the month at home, then discuss it at the meeting. This month’s book is Lindbergh: the Tale of a Flying Mouse by Torben Kuhlmann. Copies of the book will be available at the library. Please register your family.

• Summer Crafts—Wednesdays, 1 pm, July 16–Aug. 6 (for grades 4–8). Create summer-themed crafts. Be sure to register to ensure adequate supplies.

• Mother Daughter Book Club—date and title TBA.(Check the library website.)

• Storytime Lab—Thursdays, 11:30 am, starting July 10, and Mondays at 1pm (for ages 3-6). In conjunction with the Fizz, Boom, READ theme, each week’s Storytime Lab will have a mixture of stories and science.  Please register.

• Recycled Art—Thursday, July 24, 2 pm (for kids entering grades 3–6. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. See what treasure(s) you can create in this recycled-art program.

• Cupcake Decorating—Tuesday, July 29, 1 pm (for grade 4 and older). Try out various methods of cupcake decorating. Please register.
After School Café—on hiatus for the summer.

Library Events for Adults
• Library Trustees Meeting: Thursday, July 10, 7 pm.

• Friends of the Library Meeting: check library calendar for next meeting date.

• Book Discussion Group: Monday, July 7, 6:30 pm. Following Atticus by Tom Ryan will be discussed. New members always welcomed.

• Bellingham Skein Artists: Adult knitting group meets on Thursdays, 6:30 pm. New members welcomed.
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