July 2008 Library News and Events

Reading Recycled: Wallingford Public Library Accepts Used Book Donations The Wallingford Public Library is now accepting donations of used books, CDs, DVDs, and videos in very good condition for its used books sales. Donations may be brought to the Information Desk when the Library is open; please do not leave them outside the building. For large donations, please notify staff at the Information Desk before bringing the books inside. We cannot accept magazines, National Geographics, record albums, Reader's Digest Condensed Books, textbooks over five years old, or encyclopedias over ten years old. Watch for the opening of our new small, but cozy, book sale shop, located inside the Library, near the back entrance. Information about this shop as well as hours of operation will be available soon. Please call the Library for more information at 203-265-6754. Wallingford Public Library Children’s Room Seeks Students for Summer Volunteers Wallingford students who will be entering grades five, six or seven in fall of 2008 are encouraged to fill out an application and volunteer to help the staff with the Wallingford Public Library 2008 Summer Reading Program entitled, Catch a Dragon by the Tale. Volunteers are needed to help younger children and their families participate in the Summer Reading Program which will run from June 30th to August 9th. This is a great opportunity for students who enjoy both the Library and helping others. Application forms are available in the Children’s Room as well as online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org Applications are due back at the library by June 10th. SUMMER READING PROGRAM: CATCH A DRAGON BY THE TALE This summer the Wallingford Public Library Children’s Library summer reading program is Catch a Dragon by the Tale. This program is for all ages-because being read to does count! Kids can register for this fun, free program full of incentives and special events any time before August 8, when the program ends. They can start logging their reading time starting June 25 and anything kids read for the library, counts for the Governor’s summer reading too! For every two hours kids read, or are read to, they will receive a sticker. Kids start out as a “Page” and work their way up to “Dragon Master”. Along the way they win prizes and lots of cool stuff. There are lots of exciting events happening at the library geared for all ages. Starting in July we have storytime programs for children birth to age five, special events for elementary school age children as well as programs just for preschoolers. The Wallingford Public Library Children’s Library summer reading program runs from June 30 through August 8. So “catch a dragon by the tale” and come have fun this summer at the library. Check us out online at www.wallingford.lioninc.org or come in to visit us. Percy Jackson Trivia Show at the Wallingford Public Library On Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00p.m. all fans of Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief are invited to join us as we welcome Christopher Hurlbert for an evening of Percy Jackson trivia. This free program geared for kids in grade four and up, explores Percy Jackson’s world of Greek Gods and Goddesses. Free tickets for this event will be available starting on Tuesday, June 24 for Wallingford residents. Non-residents can pick up tickets the day before the program if they are available. ROCK AND ROLL AT WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY Wallingford Public Library's Teen Librarian, Jennifer Nash, has orchestrated a summer of "Rock & Roll" for the library. "One of my goals as a librarian is to change teen perception of the library as a place only to visit for homework assignments. Many teens think the library is just for books. The library has so much more to offer," says Nash. With that in mind, Nash has developed a rock and roll themed summer reading program called "Lets Rock & Roll" for teens in grades 6 through 12. The program includes competitions using the Nintendo Wii gaming system. "I was able to convince our director that we needed to go ahead and get into gaming in order to tap into the teen market. We are using the Wii version of 'Guitar Hero' to kick off our summer reading program on June 30th and next month we will be holding a 'Dance Dance Revolution' tournament, explained Nash. The program's culmination will be August 21st when the Detroit rock and roll band, "The High Strung" will perform a free concert in the library's Community Room. "I found the band by listening to National Public Radio one afternoon. The NPR story featured interviews with The High Strung band members and played some of their music. The High Strung is taking part in a national Rock & Roll library tour this summer to help change what people might think of their local library. I was hooked on their mission," says Nash, "I am so excited to be included in their summer concert tour schedule." For more information and to listen to music clips, check out the band's website: http://www.thehighstrung.com/ In addition to the games and music, the Teen Summer Reading Program encourages teens to read their favorite books and enter to win a variety of prizes, including autographed celebrity photographs, gift certificates, and movie tickets. For more information contact Jennifer Nash, jnash@lioninc.org or call the library's Information Desk: 203-265-6754. Wallingford Public Library Announces Adult Summer Reading Program: “Read ‘Em and Eat!” Participate in the Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program and get rewarded for reading your favorite books! Beginning June 26th adults are able to earn chances to win a gift certificate to a local restaurant by participating in our Adult Summer Reading Program, “Read “Em and Eat.” To enter, read any book(s), and fill out a form for each book (available at the Information Desk.) Each week beginning on July 3, forms will be entered into a random drawing and a gift certificate will be awarded to the winner. Subsequent drawings will be held July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7, 14, 21. A grand prize drawing will be held on August 28 when the forms from all the past weeks will be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate to one of the participating restaurants. Look for our “dining display” at the Library! The more you read, the better your chance to win! This year’s participating restaurants are: Archie Moore’s, Gaetano’s Tavern on Main, Half Moon Coffee Café and Grill, Laskara Restaurant, Michael’s Trattoria, 95 Gathering Place, Tata’s Restaurant, and Westbrook Lobster Company. Participants must be a minimum of 18 years old to enter. Author and Connecticut Native, C. Leigh Purtill to Speak at Wallingford Public Library Join the Wallingford Public Library in welcoming author and Connecticut native, C. Leigh Purtill, author of the popular teen novel, Love, Meg on Thursday evening June 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library's Community Room. In addition to her novel, Ms. Purtill has written for television. Her screen writing credits include Gilmore Girls and 7th Heaven. Come and hear Ms. Purtill talk about her writing career, listen to excerpts from her book, and learn what it's like to write for a living. Bring your questions. MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES NEW HOURS The Meriden Public Library announces their new hours. Summer hours (July 7 through August 30) will be Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday. Beginning in September, the Library will be open Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Sunday. The Library will be closed for the holiday on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, and for Labor Day on Monday, September 1. If you have any questions about our hours, please call the Community Services Department at (203) 630-6349. Meriden Public Library Children's Library Is Buzzing About Summer! Spend your summer with us. Professional performers programs will be on Monday evenings at 6:00 &Thursday mornings at 10:30. FREE tickets will be available June 2nd in the Children's Library. Some programs are age restricted of have limited seating. The following programs will be presented: July 3-Dan Bowen-Magic show. Ages 3 and up. July 7-Lion Heart Puppets-Puppet Show. Ages 4 and up. July 10-Wildlife Adventure-Animals include some of the most spectacular reptiles, amphibians and gigantic bugs. Ages 3 and up. July 14-Reptile Program-Ages 4 and up. July 17-Air Borne Jugglers-Ages 4 and up. July 21-Circus Suitcase-All ages. July 24-Les Julian Family Concert-All Ages July 28-Ventriloquist Larry Novia-Ages 4 and up. July 31-Trash to Tunes-All ages We will also be having the following story hours: Mondays at 2:00 PM. for children going into grades 3-5 Tuesdays for 3-4 years old at 11:15 AM., 1:15 PM., and 6:30 PM. Wednesdays at 11:15 AM. and at 6:30 PM. for 2-3 years old with parent or care giver Children going into Kindergarten through second grade at 2:00 PM. For more information call the Children's Library at (203) 630-6347. CHILDREN’S SUMMER PROGRAMS AT MERIDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY MERIDEN-See Our Special Programs At The Meriden Public Library, Children's Library. Dan Bowen will be performing magic at its best on July 3 at 10:30 AM. For children ages 3 and up. Come and enjoy "Lionheart Puppets" on July 7th at 6:00 PM. Puppeteer Matthew Leonard will be performing "The Reluctant Dragon" based on the story by Kenneth Grahame. Lionheart Puppet Company has been entertaining audiences throughout the Northeast with their delightful handpuppet shows. This program is a great way to introduce children to literary adaptations as well as loyalty and the arts. On July 10th at 10:30 AM. we will be presenting "Wildlife Adventures". Come meet a Wallaby and other creatures of the wild. Sue DeFrancesco and her animal show have been appearing for years over a two state area and her animals include some from all over the world. She is certified in archeology, has been an associate zoo editor for a magazine and hosted a cable access TV show, "Animal Talk" for many years. Come to this family program and learn all about animals of the wild. "The World of Reptiles and Amphibians" will be starting off our week on Monday, July 14th at 6:00 PM. Adam Harris will introduce a variety of reptiles and amphibians to the library. See many slithery slimy creatures. For children ages 4 and up. "Airborne Jugglers" on July 17th at 10:30 AM. A special program showing you the art of juggling with Joe Murray and Susan Murray. Watch this Dynamic Duo's perfect timing, and good humor, and unequaled professionalism. This program will be followed by a juggling workshop. For children ages 4 and up. On July 21st 6:00 PM-"Circus Suitcase" is a one man show! This program gives everyone an opportunity to participate in an enthralling, whimsical celebration of the imagination. The show has been performed over 500 times around the globe. From this suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, and the ringmaster. However, the most important performers emerge from the audience. Come have some fun with us. On July 24th 10:30 AM-"Les Julian Family Concert"- Nationally known Les Julian will "delight and transport" you with his songs and music. Les Julian writes along to make you laugh and think. This program is for the whole family. Come get your FREE tickets. Monday, July 28th at 6:00 PM.-Come see a New England Ventriloquist and Comedy Find Larry Noiva Featuring his sidekicks Howie, Rose and Sal Monella also Reggie the Rabbit. Noiva's side-splitting routines are always tropical and well-placed. Watch out for Howie....he's a wise cracker. This program is for ages 4 and up. Thursday, July 31st at 10:30 AM.-"Trash To Tunes"-Dennis Waring is an educational music consultant, musician, instrument maker, author, and professional teacher. His story telling ability using his unusual instruments have thrilled audiences from day care centers to colleges. Join in the fun. This program is for all ages. For more information and free tickets call us in the Children's Library at (203) 630-6347