You can't believe the good stuff going on in the Children's Library

     I mean, it's absolutely great all the things happening in the Children's Library these days.
     On Tuesday there was a great big Dr. Seuss birthday party!  The kids had a big, wild, wonderful time.  And you know, their parents did too!
     Yesterday I had a good chat with the Children's Library Coordinator Michele Croft.  She's lining up all the people for the Summer Reading Program which will begin in June, as well as the programs for the Teens.  Sign-up for Summer Reading will be held all during the month of May, so the kids with their parents just need to come to the Children's Library and get their information.
     (I have to tell you right now, while I'm thinking about it, that the new season for the adult book club will begin also in June - that's the Summer Reading Program for us adults that we decided to make a year-round event.  This current season has been "Novel Destinations" and we read books that took us all over the world - fiction, nonfiction, whatever.  But the new season will be called "Between the Covers" for all months except May and December.  In June "Between the Covers" will meet every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.  Then we'll meet just once a month, the second Tuesday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.   Meetings are held in the auditorium.  Put it on your calendar now to join us.)
    Michele told me they now have a bunch of new mysteries for children:  Nancy Drew for second and third graders, Pirate School by Brian James, and Ghost Detectors by Dottie Enderle.  She's also added NASCAR Graphic Novels and the Miraculous Magic Trick Series by Mike Lane.
     And this morning Michele told me that another Origami Class will be held in April.  Teacher will be Jeff Kininas.  But I'll have to tell you more about that later.
     Michele said a partnership has been formed with Amerigroup Community Care.  Marketing Account Manager Jocelyn Cooper will be available to give five to ten minute talks here at the library to families about health topics.  Since Jocelyn covers the entire Southwest Georgia area, her visits will be scheduled and publicized early enough for people to sign up.
     One of the most amazing things Michele has done is to contact artist John Rocco to see if he'd be willing to give us a couple of his children's book illustrations.  He did even better!  He obtained about twenty prints by various illustrators and sent them for framing and placement in our library.  Now, if you don't know who Mr. Rocco is, you should visit our library and see his books (or visit his website www.roccoart.com).   In the E R section of the Children's Library, you'll find (if they aren't already checked out) his books Blackout, Fu Finds the Way, Moonpowder, and Wolf! Wolf!  The illustrations are just amazing and enchanting.  And before long you'll get to see all the other illustrators' works he sent, too.  But remember it will take a little time to get them matted and framed.
     What else can I tell you?  Well, Michele is planning a family night in May for the first Prime Time Families group.  She's working on a special program for them.  Watch for more about that.
     And June...it will be here before you know it with more specials about the Children's Library.
     Oh, what excitement!  There's lots of good stuff going on in the Children's Library and I can hardly keep up with it all.  Just hang in there with me.  I'll tell you more as it all comes about.

Did you notice? Our adult summer reading club continues.

     If you've gotten this far, then you probably noticed on our home page that the adult summer reading program will continue right on through the year (well, except for December and May).
     Each time we've met, there have been about 14 people.  And each time we've met, we've had a wonderful program.  One time it was about Iceland; another time Italy, and Ireland.  There's no telling where we'll go in the future.  Most everyone wanted to continue the travel theme and that could take us anywhere!
     Tuesday, August 9th, we'll meet for our final summer meeting, before we head into our fall meetings.  We've been promised a great program and it involves cheese.  Plus this will be when a drawing will be held for great grand prizes...different than the ones we've had in previous meetings. 
     Which brings me to this...if you haven't been part of the program, it's not too late.  Just come join us in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on August 9th.  We sign in, are handed a ticket for the drawings, and find a seat among other readers.  We have a short program, talk about what we've been reading, and have the drawing.
     It's been a good way to meet others who love to read and a way to see the world through the eyes of  those who travel.  Just another form of "armchair travels."  And we need people to be part of the group who can tell us where they've traveled.  That might be you!
     Plan to join us now and put the date on your calendar.  Let our "Novel Destinations" become a way for you to see the world from your own back yard.