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May Programs and Events at Bellingham Public Library

Apr 27, 2018 06:00AM ● By Pamela Johnson

Bellingham Public Library

The Bellingham Public Library is open Mon–Thur, 10 AM–8 PM,  and Fri & Sat, 10 AM–5 PM (closed on Mon , May 29, for Memorial Day). Following is the news for May.

Children’s Room Carpeting Project—The Children’s Room carpeting and renovation project is moving forward. As of Bulletin deadline, the room is closed; we hope to have carpeting installed shortly. Once that’s done, it will take a week or two to put the room back together. There will be a grand opening of the room once it’s completed. In addition to new carpeting (funding approved at the fall town meeting) and a new shelving layout, we will also be updating the preschool play area with funds from a federal Library Services & Technology Act grant called Mind in the Making, to include new furnishings, new educational toys, and a whole new look to the Children’s Room. Visit the library website for updates.

Enlighten Bellingham— Until September, under this program, the library will continue to offer a variety of programs for people of all ages. We are one of six libraries (3 in MA, 3 in ME) that were chosen as pilot libraries because of our science programming by The Maine State Library, The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Cornerstones of Science, a Maine nonprofit. The goal is for the pilot libraries to create a field-tested, replicable science literacy method that can be used to enable their public libraries to become skilled STEM facilitators. The project seeks to empower public libraries to build their science capacity so that they can connect their communities to engaging and meaningful informal science and technology experiences, equipment, books, media and the scientific community. We will continue to offer programs on alternative energy, recycling and water resources. May’s program theme is saving energy.
  • Saving Energy and Money through the Mass Save Residential Energy Efficiency Programs—   Monday, May 15, 6:30 pm. Join National Grid’s Brenda Pike for a presentation and Q&A session on how Mass Save programs can help you save money and energy, while making your home more comfortable. Pike will review the offerings for single-family homes, multi-family homes, income-eligible residents, and new construction. She will also walk you through the home-energy assessment, which installs no-cost LED light bulbs, low-flow showerheads and thermostats, and gives personalized recommendations for rebates on insulation, air sealing, heating systems, and more. Registration preferred but not necessary.
  • Solar for Kids—Tuesdays in May, 2:45—3:45pm, for those in grades 4–9.
  • Solar Electricity for Your Home—Thursday, May 18, 6:30 pm. Join Mike Kelley of Mass Renewables, a Bellingham solar installation company, to learn all about solar energy.  He will discuss solar technology, the growth of the industry and the important things a homeowner should consider before choosing to “go solar,” including installation criteria, purchasing vs. leasing, financing options, tax and other benefits. There will be time for Q&A. Registration is preferred but not necessary.

May Events

  • PJ Masks Party— Thursday, May 24, 4–5 pm, for PJ Masks fans of any age. Join us for a super fun party. Please register.
  •  Writers’ Group for Adults —Monday, May 7, at 6:30 pm. Writers, readers, listeners: join us. The Bellingham Library, in partnership with local writers Amy Bartelloni and Marjorie Turner Hollman, welcomes the public to come join us for monthly evenings of reading and listening. Hear what local writers are working on and share what you’re working on. Reading limit is 9 minutes per reader, with a brief opportunity for positive, personal comments only. Please register.
  • Book a Librarian—Wednesdays, starting May 9, at 5 and 5:45 pm. A library staff member will give undivided attention to patrons who want in-depth help with a wide variety of library services, such as learning to use a computer, tablet, email or the Internet; downloading eBooks and audiobooks; researching a topic; business, nonprofit or genealogy help; or other topics you define. Please register.

Regular Events for Children

  • Mondays, 2:30-4 pm—Mondays in the Middle; for students in grades 4-7. Drop by the Community Room to play video and/or board games, use laptops, do homework, etc.
  • Tuesdays  & Fridays, 10:05 & 10:50 am—Ring-A-Ding; for ages 0–5. (Drop-in; no session May 25.)
  • Tuesdays, 1:15 & 4:15 pm; Wednesdays & Thursdays, 10:10 & 11 am—Alphabits. Please register. Alphabits Graduation during classes the week of May 15th.
  • Tuesdays, 11:35 am, & Wednesdays, 9:35 am—Book Babies; for ages 0-23 mos. Please register.
  • Tuesdays, 2:30–4 pm—Totally Awesome Tuesdays; for grades 4-7. Drop by to play video and/or board games, use laptops and more.
  • Wednesdays, 2:30–4 pm—Wednesday Crafternoons; for grades 4-7. Drop by for a craft, or to play video and/or board games, use laptops and more—meet your friends for a fun afternoon.
  • Wednesdays, 4–5 pm—Lego Club; for all ages. Drop in.
  • Thursdays, 1:15 pm (through May 17)—Wild Things Story Time; for ages 3–5. Featuring a different wild animal each week, incl. 3-4 stories per week along with activities/a craft. Please register.
  • Fridays, 11:35 am & Saturdays, 10 am—Babygarten (through May 13); for pre-walking babies and their caregivers. Reading to babies is one of the most important components of child-rearing; it can contribute to virtually every aspect of growth and development. The emotional bond is nurtured by a reading ritual. Babygarten is an educational curriculum for caregivers and their babies, birth—toddlerhood. Classes involve songs, rhymes and activities that help babies with language acquisition and preliteracy skills. Please register one time for this six-week class. For more information, visit http://www.babygarten.com.
  • Monday, May 21, 4:15 pm—Magic School Bus; for ages 4–8. Each month view a different Magic School Bus video and do a related experiment/craft/activity. Please register.
  • Wednesdays, 12:30 pm (weather permitting)—Picnic Stories on the Town Common (no session on May 31).

Events for Teens

  • Teen Room Activities — (grades 6-12) If you’re looking for something to do, stop by the Teen Room any/every day, 2–5 pm (10:45 am on early release days), Use computers, play on the WiiU and XBox One, play board games, and create craft projects with your friends.
  • Mother/Daughter Book Club—Monday, May 21, 6:30 pm; for mothers and daughters (grades 5-7) Looking for a way to bond? Join the library’s Mother/Daughter Book Club. Each month, a mother/daughter pair will select a book that the group will read. Check library website (www.bellinghamlibrary.org) for details. Please register if this is your first time attending.

Events for Adults

  • Book Discussion Group—Mon., May 7, 6:30pm. New members welcome; drop in. 
  • Friends of the Library Mtg.—Mon., May 7, 7 pm.
  • Coloring for Adults—Mon., May 7, 6 pm; drop in.
  • Library Board of Trustees Mtg.—Thu., May 10, 7 pm.
  • Bellingham Skein Artists Adult Knitting Group—Thursdays, 6:30 pm; drop in.

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