Teachers of Morgan County, the library wants to help you and your classes! Many of you know that you can send your students here to find information for school projects or books to read, but did you know that we can do much more than that? I can break down our special school services into two categories: We Come to You and You Come to Us.
We Come to You
-Storytime- We can come to your classroom for Storytime. We currently provide this service for two Kindergarten classes and three fifth grade classes. The program lasts around 30 minutes and we can tailor our reading selections to what you're going over in class.
-Book Talks- Book Talks are commercials for books! We come in and tell your students about different books and why they should read them. This is a super quick program that can be done in 15 minutes.
-Special Collections- Have a special project coming up? The library can work with you to put together a collection of books on a special topic and deliver them to your class. The collections will check out to your library card for three weeks.
You Come to Us
-Storytime and Check-Out- We can set up a time for your class to come to the library for a story and to check out books. There are three classes who come to the library for this program and we love having them! Please note, children will need to have their own library card in order to check out books.
-Field Trip- Bring your class for a tour of the library and a chat about all the cool things going on at the library! This is a very popular program with many preschool classes, but we even have fifth graders come for their own tour.
Ready to schedule a visit? Have questions or other ideas on how we can work together? Please contact me at alyssam@mail.morg.lib.in.us or at 765-342-3451 ex16.
Looking forward to working with you,
Alyssa
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Summer: So Close, Yet So Far!
It has been one crazy winter! Almost everyone who has come in to the library recently has been longing for summer. I'm ready for summer (just remember, I will be whining the first day it is over 85 degrees), and I'm already working on the Summer Reading Program
Yes, it's February, and the library been getting ready for Summer Reading since November.
From scheduling programs, to ordering prizes, and creating advertisements and more, it takes several months of planning and plotting to get Summer Reading ready to go by June 1st. In November, thanks to the Indiana State Library, we received a planning packet from the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), including a CD of some fabulous programming ideas and artwork.
Would you like to see the logos for this year? Of course you would!
It's going to be a Summer full of Science, with "Fizz, Boom, READ!" for children, "Spark a Reaction" for teens, and "Literary Elements" for adults. We're working on some great programs for everyone, including a kick-off event featuring WonderLab! I don't want to reveal all of our secrets but I think we'll have a really great summer.
So as we prepare for (another) snowstorm, just remember that Summer Reading (and summer!) will be here soon! I hope....
Stay warm and keep reading,
Alyssa
Yes, it's February, and the library been getting ready for Summer Reading since November.
From scheduling programs, to ordering prizes, and creating advertisements and more, it takes several months of planning and plotting to get Summer Reading ready to go by June 1st. In November, thanks to the Indiana State Library, we received a planning packet from the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), including a CD of some fabulous programming ideas and artwork.
Would you like to see the logos for this year? Of course you would!
It's going to be a Summer full of Science, with "Fizz, Boom, READ!" for children, "Spark a Reaction" for teens, and "Literary Elements" for adults. We're working on some great programs for everyone, including a kick-off event featuring WonderLab! I don't want to reveal all of our secrets but I think we'll have a really great summer.
So as we prepare for (another) snowstorm, just remember that Summer Reading (and summer!) will be here soon! I hope....
Stay warm and keep reading,
Alyssa
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The 2013 Review!
Can you believe it's almost the end of the year?! It doesn't seem like it but another year has come and gone. Do you remember some of the things we did this year?
What is your favorite library memory from 2013?
Looking forward to a new year and new fun,
Alyssa
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| The Game Truck came for Teen Tech Week in March. |
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| Bookmaking Workshop over Spring Break. |
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| Fairy Houses during Summer Reading. |
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| Morgan celebrated her fourth birthday! |
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| A visit from Stick Dog author Tom Watson. |
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| WonderLab! |
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| Learning all about worms! |
What is your favorite library memory from 2013?
Looking forward to a new year and new fun,
Alyssa
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
A Day in the Life of a Children's Librarian
Have you ever wondered what a day is like for a librarian? For me, every day is very different depending on what is going on at the library. Here is what my day looked like on Monday, October 14th.
8:40am- Arrive at library. Fill up my coffee cup (a VERY important part of my day) and help give Morgan LibraryBunny her medicine. The poor thing has been under the weather. :(
9:00am- We are open!
9:40am- Go to local elementary school to read to the 5th grade classes and the Kindergarten classes. The 5th graders enjoyed hearing The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton and the Kindergarteners loved Monster Needs a Costume by Paul Czajak. I also talked to the 5th graders about what types of books they wanted me to Book Talk during my next visit. They want funny and scary! Suggestions?
11:30am- Arrive back at the library. Check e-mails and talk to a staff member about Storytimes for 2014.
12:00pm- Lunch!
1:00pm- Work on some program scheduling. Talk to Cassie about tonight's inbeTWEEN the Lines book club.
2:00pm- Two Kindergarten classes stop by to check out books. Am informed by one Kindergartener that we are in desperate need of more Power Rangers books.
3:00pm- Practice magic tricks for the Afterschool Adventures program. Scare staff members and Morgan with popping balloons.
4:00pm- Give Morgan her afternoon snack. Start gathering books for next Thursday's Imagination Storytime.
4:25pm- Realize my Evening Storytime is this week (Thursday, 10/17 at 7:00pm!) and switch to working on that program. Luckily, many of the books I took to read to the classes this morning will work for my program!
5:00pm- Check e-mails again. I still haven't put away the leftover crafts from Morgan's birthday party, but I decide that can wait until tomorrow....
5:30pm- I'm done for the day!
8:40am- Arrive at library. Fill up my coffee cup (a VERY important part of my day) and help give Morgan LibraryBunny her medicine. The poor thing has been under the weather. :(
9:00am- We are open!
9:40am- Go to local elementary school to read to the 5th grade classes and the Kindergarten classes. The 5th graders enjoyed hearing The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton and the Kindergarteners loved Monster Needs a Costume by Paul Czajak. I also talked to the 5th graders about what types of books they wanted me to Book Talk during my next visit. They want funny and scary! Suggestions?
11:30am- Arrive back at the library. Check e-mails and talk to a staff member about Storytimes for 2014.
12:00pm- Lunch!
1:00pm- Work on some program scheduling. Talk to Cassie about tonight's inbeTWEEN the Lines book club.
2:00pm- Two Kindergarten classes stop by to check out books. Am informed by one Kindergartener that we are in desperate need of more Power Rangers books.
3:00pm- Practice magic tricks for the Afterschool Adventures program. Scare staff members and Morgan with popping balloons.
4:00pm- Give Morgan her afternoon snack. Start gathering books for next Thursday's Imagination Storytime.
4:25pm- Realize my Evening Storytime is this week (Thursday, 10/17 at 7:00pm!) and switch to working on that program. Luckily, many of the books I took to read to the classes this morning will work for my program!
5:00pm- Check e-mails again. I still haven't put away the leftover crafts from Morgan's birthday party, but I decide that can wait until tomorrow....
5:30pm- I'm done for the day!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Summer Reading Wrap-Up
This year was a great year for our Summer Reading Program! Our patrons and staff had a great time digging into reading, looking beneath the surface, and exploring groundbreaking reads. Let's take a look back at our summer.
Early Literacy and Children's Summer Reading
Teen Summer Reading
It was also a big summer for Teens with 290 teens participating in Summer Reading. Like the children, they kept track of how many minutes they read and came into the library to collect prizes along the way. They were earning entries for the chance to win a Kindle Fire HD or a $100 gift certificate! The grand prize winner, Blake, chose a Kindle Fire HD.
Adult Summer Reading
This year we had 335 participants and 1718 books read! This averages out to around 5 books read per adult. The grand prize winner, Emma W. chose a $100 gift card as her prize. Other prizes of a Starbuck’s gift card & reading mug went to Patti O., Pat S., Tammy S., Angel M., Sarah N., and Tamara B.
But We Didn't Just Read....
Thank you again to everyone who participated in Summer Reading. We're already planning for next year and hope you'll join us again!
Keep Reading,
Alyssa
Early Literacy and Children's Summer Reading
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| Abigail is ready to rule the road! |
This year, we had a total of 821 children participate in Summer Reading. We had our first ever Early Literacy Summer Reading Program for ages birth to 4 years, with 150 children participating. These little ones worked on activities to help them get ready to read!
There were 671 children in grades Kindergarten to 5 who participated in our Children's Summer Reading Program. The children kept track of how many minutes they read this summer and could come to the library for a prize when they had completed 250, 500, 750, and 1000 minutes of reading. They also earned entries for our grand prize, a new bicycle. There were 176 children who completed 1000 minutes of reading; we also had 64 children read a total of 2000 minutes to earn extra entries for the grand prize drawing. Here's our winner, Abigail, with her brand new bike!
Teen Summer Reading
It was also a big summer for Teens with 290 teens participating in Summer Reading. Like the children, they kept track of how many minutes they read and came into the library to collect prizes along the way. They were earning entries for the chance to win a Kindle Fire HD or a $100 gift certificate! The grand prize winner, Blake, chose a Kindle Fire HD.
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| Blake and her prize |
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| Emma and her gift card |
This year we had 335 participants and 1718 books read! This averages out to around 5 books read per adult. The grand prize winner, Emma W. chose a $100 gift card as her prize. Other prizes of a Starbuck’s gift card & reading mug went to Patti O., Pat S., Tammy S., Angel M., Sarah N., and Tamara B.
But We Didn't Just Read....
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| Down the Rabbit Hole to Summer Reading! |
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| Summer Reading Kick-Off with Tom Sieling |
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| Worm Composting with Carla Allen |
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| Make Your Own Book Planters |
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| Masquerade Ball |
Thank you again to everyone who participated in Summer Reading. We're already planning for next year and hope you'll join us again!
Keep Reading,
Alyssa
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The Chemistry Cave
This summer, I've turned one of our display cases into the Chemistry Cave. I've been placing different experiments in the "cave" throughout the summer. The experiments have come from the book Cool Chemistry Concoctions: 50 Formulas that Fizz, Foam, Splatter, and Ooze by Joe Rhatigan and Veronika Alice Gunter.
The first experiment, growing stalactites and stalagmites, was an EPIC FAIL. It seemed simple enough: mix epsom salt and hot water in a cup, let a string tied to two paper clips soak in the solution, get another cup to place one of the paper clips in, and wait for the stalactites and stalagmites to form. I waited a whole week and NOTHING happened!
I tried the experiment again and, once again, nothing happened. I went to take the cups out of the case and found a surprise.
A crystal had formed in one of the cups! Instead of traveling down the suspended string to make stalactites, the solution stayed in the cup and formed this lovely crystal.
Inspired by the crystal, I decided to grow crystals for the next experiment. This experiment involved dissolving alum (found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores) in hot water and letting it set overnight to form seed crystals. Then, you tie one end of a string to a crystal and the other to a pencil and hang the crystal in the jar to let it keep growing. I forgot about the whole string and pencil bit and just left everything in the jar. A week has gone by and here's what we have.
The first experiment, growing stalactites and stalagmites, was an EPIC FAIL. It seemed simple enough: mix epsom salt and hot water in a cup, let a string tied to two paper clips soak in the solution, get another cup to place one of the paper clips in, and wait for the stalactites and stalagmites to form. I waited a whole week and NOTHING happened!
I tried the experiment again and, once again, nothing happened. I went to take the cups out of the case and found a surprise.
A crystal had formed in one of the cups! Instead of traveling down the suspended string to make stalactites, the solution stayed in the cup and formed this lovely crystal.
Inspired by the crystal, I decided to grow crystals for the next experiment. This experiment involved dissolving alum (found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores) in hot water and letting it set overnight to form seed crystals. Then, you tie one end of a string to a crystal and the other to a pencil and hang the crystal in the jar to let it keep growing. I forgot about the whole string and pencil bit and just left everything in the jar. A week has gone by and here's what we have.
Lots of tiny crystals!
I've added the crystals to another mixture of alum and water. What do you think will happen now? Stop by the library to see what the crystals do next!
Enjoy Summer Reading!
Alyssa
Monday, May 20, 2013
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.
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
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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
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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
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Bookmaking Workshops for Kids and Teens
Staying in town for Spring Break? Looking for something to do? Sign up for our Bookmaking Workshops! Book artist Bonnie Stahlecker will be here to talk about the art of bookmaking and you'll get to make your own book.
The programs will be held on Monday, March 25th at the Main Branch in Martinsville. Children ages 5-10 will have a program from 1pm-2pm; the program for teens, ages 11-15, will be from 2pm-3pm. Due to limited space, participants will need to preregister for this program. Sign up online, or here at the library!
These programs are made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Morgan County.
The programs will be held on Monday, March 25th at the Main Branch in Martinsville. Children ages 5-10 will have a program from 1pm-2pm; the program for teens, ages 11-15, will be from 2pm-3pm. Due to limited space, participants will need to preregister for this program. Sign up online, or here at the library!
These programs are made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Morgan County.
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