Kids + Values + Inspiration + Fun = Art

I am always excited to see the artwork created by children at all of the branches of our library system. Here at the Waverly Branch, I am able to watch the creative process over a number of years as our young patrons grow from pre-school storytime crafts to the Crafty Kids Color Outside the Lines art group, to the Teen programs and beyond. There are always beautiful works in progress or on display. The credit for this rests with Julie Reid, the branch's Children's Programming Librarian.

Here is a picture of Ms. Julie at work on the current "Crafty Kids" project:

Ms. Julie and her helper are working on a portable mural made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Morgan County, Inc. The mural will depict positive community values. The project is allowing the children to explore and develop their creative abilities through the design and creation of the individual panels, each illustrating a particular value. As a group project, it not only allows the individual free range to exhibit creative ability, but has the added benefit that comes from group synergy through the exchange of ideas and inspiration among the participants.

And they're also having fun:

 

 

 

Work continues on the mural every Thursday at 3:30 PM at the Waverly Branch. Feel free to come and work on the project - the free flow of a creative community is integral to this work - or just stop by to see a work in progress.

-Chuck

Construction Bunny

Hello friends! 

If you've been to the library recently, you've probably noticed the caution tape and picture of moi on the Story Corner door.

Me, with my toolbox and trusty duct tape.

 

 

I had the librarians close the Story Corner down so I could transform it for Summer Reading!  I have big plans for the Story Corner and it's almost time for me to unveil my masterpiece.  Until then it is top secret.

 

It will be ready for all to see on Saturday, June 1st, the first day of Summer Reading.  Be sure to stop by and see the Story Corner when you sign up for the Summer Reading Program that day. 

 

Time to get back to work!

 

Love, carrots, and duct tape,

 

Morgan

Making the Most Out of Pinterest

Are you hooked on Pinterest yet?  I am!  Have you seen all those funny little e-cards and jokes on Facebook and Pinterest about spending hours pinning but never actually doing any of the things you pin?  Or walking away from the computer (or smart phone or tablet) wanting to makeover your entire family, home and pantry?  Yeah, that’s me they’re talking about.  If you’re a Pinterest junkie like me, or a newbie to the totally addictive fantasy world of domestic goodness, you’re in luck!  The library can help you make the most of Pinterest!

For anyone who is not familiar with Pinterest let’s just quickly go over this fabulous online community.  I used to keep a notebook that I filled with magazine cutouts, paint samples and articles on decorating or party planning that I though someday I might actually try.  Pinterest works kind of the same way.  It’s a sort of online corkboard.  You find things you want to do (or try, or make, or buy, or wear, or fix, or build, or visit, or remember, or say) and you “pin” it.  You can create as many boards as you want to organize what you pin, they can be private or public.  Then you can always go back to the things you pin and follow them to their original link to find out how to make it happen.  It’s free to sign up and open to anyone.  There’s more to it than what’s mentioned here but it’s super easy to use and I think you’ll love it!

Screen Shot of My Board, "Library"

So how can the library help you make the most of Pinterest?  Lots of ways!  Here are a few examples.

 

• Haven’t yet tried Pinterest?  Use a public computer or wifi at any of our six locations to set up your account and start pinning today.
• You found this fabulous picture of a cake you absolutely have to make for your grandson’s birthday but when you get to the directions they’re all in German.  Use the library’s online resource, Mango Languages, to translate the recipe into something you can actually make sense of.
• You find yourself pinning all crochet pattern after crochet pattern but you never seem to take the time to sit down and start a new project.  Join one of our textile groups.  The Morgantown Needlers meet the first at third Thursday of the month at 6:00p.m. and the Brooklyn Yarn Club (participants bring more than yarn to work with) meets every Thursday at 6:00p.m.
• You’ve got a special collection of something, inspired by Pinterst or not, that you want to share with other folks.  Contact the library to see about sharing it here.  Every month we change out the two display cases to showcase something new.
•  You keep seeing all these posts about exercising and you really want to start getting fit.  Consider signing up for the Dewey Dash 5K Walk/Run at the library on June 1^st.  It’s a great way to kick-off a summer of fitness!
• You love cooking but you want someone to try all the recipes you’ve been pinning.  Join one of our newest adult programs, Feed Your Face @ the Library:  Food Lovers Unite!
• You found all these adorable steampunk crafts you want to try but the directions aren’t very clear and you’re just not getting the hang of it.  Checkout one of our steampunk craft books, Steampunk Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos: A Maker’s Guide to Creating Modern Artifacts by Thomas Willeford for example.  And now that you’re totally fascinated by steampunk try a little fiction too!  Maybe Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan or The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross.

  

  Screen Shot of Search Results for "Steampunk Crafts"

  
  

  

  Steampunk Gear, Gadgets and Gizmos by Thomas Willeford

  
  

  

  Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Still struggling with Pinterest or just want a good laugh?  Check out Pinstrosity.  Trust me, you are not the only who can’t quite seem to get these “super easy” projects to turn out as fabulous as they look online.  I nearly cut my finger off trying to saw wine corks in half to make magnets.  Pinstrosity shows you failed attempts ate Pinterest projects (and sometimes how to fix them) so you’ll be feeling better in no time.

Happy pinning,

Cassie Jones

Teen Librarian

cassiej@mail.morg.lib.in.us

Marvelous May!

Happy May Day everyone!  Did you know that our Summer Reading Program begins one month from today?  We're busy getting everything ready for summer, but we still have some awesome things for you do in May.

This month, the Page Turners book club (ages 5-8) will be reading Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.  We'll meet up on Monday, May 6th at 5:30 to talk about the book and create our own Wild Thing! 






The inbeTWEEN the Lines book club (ages 9-12) will be meeting on Monday, May 13th at 5:30 to talk about Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos.  There are still several copies of this book available.  Sign up today to get yours!





As a special treat this month, we'll be having a Puppet Show for all ages on Thursday, May 16th at 10:30am.  Come out to see  "Digga the Dinosaur Digs Reading" and "Digger, the Palentolo-Pup."

Tweens ages 9-12 can get a sneak peek of what we have planned this summer during Tween Wednesdays on May 8th at 4pm.  There will be another summer reading sneak peek during our Evening Storytime for ages 3-8 on Thursday, May 16th at 7pm.

Don't forget to see what's going on our other branches by check out our Events calendar.  I hope you can make it to some of our awesome programs!

Happy Reading!
Alyssa