Let's Wrap up Winter and move on to Spring!

I'm sure that you have all had your fill of this crazy winter weather we've been experiencing!  I won't bore you with more talk about icy road conditions, frigid wind chill temperatures, or historic snow falls.  Instead, I'd like to tell you all about some awesome upcoming adult and family library programs.  We've got it all-- from Bigfoot to book club-- and so much more.

This Thursday, (February 20th at 7 p.m.) you can come to the library and Experience Bigfoot with the folks from the Indiana Bigfoot Research Organization.  They will present some of the facts and fiction surrounding Bigfoot, and will bring pictures, foot castings and other fascinating items of interest.  This will be an interesting evening for all, I am sure!

The dynamic duo that is Traveler's Dream will be on hand (Thursday, March 6th at 7 p.m.) to share some tunes that will bring a spring to your step!   With their powerful voices and a wide variety of traditional and modern instruments, Michael Lewis and Denise Wilson will captivate you with some spirited songs from the British Isles and French Canada along with some hard-driving Irish jigs and reels.  We can't to share this exciting musical event with you!

On Saturday, March 15th at our Monrovia Branch, artist Rick Wilson will be teaching a Still Life Painting Workshop for adults and teens over the age of 16.  Participants will learn the basics of still life composition along with tips and techniques for painting from real life along with information about the life and work of Indiana artist T.C. Steel.  Funding for this wonderful program is made possible by a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission.  Space is limited, and the workshop is currently full-- but you could add your name to the waiting list if you are interested.

If you would like to see all of the events we have planned for the months ahead, please visit our Event Calendar.

Happy Reading,

Jennifer

 

 

Hearts, Hats, Bears, and Mice – Oh, My!!!!!

Here's a special guest post from one of our Children's Staff Members, Ms. Janet!
 

What do these four words have in common?  Nothing you think!  Well, they will be the topics for the next four storytimes for ages 3 – 5 in February and March. 

    

Miss Bobbi will begin with reading stories about Valentine’s Day on February 13^th and making a heart wreath to hang on a door or wall.  Her stories will include Valentine Mice, A Circle is Not a Valentine, Mouse’s First Valentine, and more.  Come get your “Valentine” on!

     

For Hats on February 20th, Miss Janet will stylishly wear a variety of hats as she reads Jennie’s Hat, Big Pig’s Hat, This is the Hat, Brimsby’s Hats, and A Hat for Minerva Louise.  The craft you will be making is a winter hat and/or newspaper hat.  There will be a parade of hats and you’ll leave with a one of a kind chapeau!

         

                                                       

 Miss Joyce will then take the next 2 weeks and read stories about polar bears and mice.  On February 27^th, you’ll get to make a polar bear mask after listening to Because I Love You so Much, The Three Snow Bears, The Practically Perfect Pajamas, and I Love You with All my Heart.

Then on March 6^th, Miss Joyce will read Three Blind Mice, The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock, The Girl Who Wouldn’t Brush Her Hair, The Mouse and the Apple, Mouse Paint, and The Lion and the Mouse.  Then you will make a Hickory Dickory Dock clock with mice.

            

So come visit us on the next four Thursdays for Storytime at 10:30 AM. Bring your grandma, mom, or friends with you and learn all you can about hearts, hats, bears, and mice from the  Children’s Department.

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   


  

Wow! It's Wowbrary!

If you've been receiving our monthly newsletters, you may have noticed something a little different about them lately.  The Library has recently subscribed to a service called Wowbrary that automatically scans our online catalog for new items, then generates an e-mail message to tell you all about them, essentially serving as an attractive online version of the new-book shelf, but one that spans all library branches and includes items that are checked out.  By showcasing the latest arrivals and allowing you to click through directly to the library website, Wowbrary makes it easy to scan quickly for what's new and exciting at the Morgan County Public Library.

You'll receive your Wowbrary newsletter every Saturday morning. Each email newsletter shows 20 "Top Choices" selected for popularity and variety, and also links to additional pages of new items, organized by genre (mystery, sci-fi, romance, biography, etc.) and format (book, DVD, audiobook, large print, etc.).  The newsletters also link to previous editions, so if you miss an issue you can go back and see new items from prior weeks. As always, if you no longer want to receive our newsletters, you can unsubscribe with the click of your mouse.

If you are not receiving the Wowbrary newsletters and you would like to, please visit Wowbrary.org to sign up.

Having Fun With Winter Reading Program

You can still sign up for the Winter Reading Program.  It's so easy.  Just stop by any of our library locations and ask about it.  All ages may participate.  Adults need only read 8 books total and have until February 14 to do so.  Yes, audiobooks and young adult books count this year.  There's even a book display at the Main library of "Books to Read in a Flash!"  Why should you do this?  If you read the required number of books by the deadline, you'll get several entries into a drawing for a $50 gift card, choice of a small prize (notebook, pencil, bookmark, or chocolate!) AND choice of a pair of gloves or socks.

For teens and children the program is similar except they read 500 minutes.  The prizes are different, too.  When they complete the program they get their choice of a free book.  They also get several  entries by completing  the required reading minutes by the deadline. 

There will be one $50 gift card offered for each group - children, teens and adult.  So "Resolve to Read" and get those entries in for the drawing.

Are you thinking you can't possibly read that much by February 14?  Not to worry.   A small prize and one drawing entry are offered at the half-way point.  So for children and teens that's only 250 minutes.   And for adults that's only 4 books.  You can do it!

What's more?  There are literally thousands and thousands of books just waiting for you at the library!  You can even see the covers of our newest books online at our website.  Look in the upper right-hand corner for "newest arrivals." 

A New Year

Ah, it's a brand new year and as many people do, I have made some resolutions that I am working toward.  Two that I will mention are to continue learning ballroom dancing and strength training.  The library has many awesome resources that I can check out to help me in keeping these resolutions.  What are your New Year's resolutions and what does the library have for you to help you achieve them?

Click each link for titles that the library has for:

Physical fitness,
Quit smoking,
Personal fiance,
Weight loss,
Organizing your space,
Change careers,
Stress less,
Volunteer,
Travel,
Drink less.

Here are some of the most popular New Year's resolutions according to Time:

• Lose Weight and Get Fit
• Quit Smoking
• Learn Something New
• Eat Healthier and Diet
• Get Out of Debt and Save Money
• Spend More Time with Family
• Travel to New Places
• Be Less Stressed
• Volunteer
• Drink Less 

The good news is that January is not even half over so if you have not made any resolutions now is a good time to start!

Snow Bunny

Hello friends!  Did you survive all of the snow and cold weather of the past few days?  While I was nice and toasty in the library, I was sad because I no one was able to visit me.  When the library mommies came back today, they talked about having something called "Cabin Fever."  I hope it isn't contagious.   

I did use the quite time to catch up on my reading, and I'm halfway through the Winter Reading Program!  If you haven't signed up, you should.  All you have to do is read (500 minutes for children and teens; 8 books for adults) and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card to the location of your choice!  There are also some smaller prizes to pick up along the way.

Friends, what did you do while we were all snowed in?

Love and carrots,
Morgan