Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, June 25, 2014
By Mark Curiale
“It’s about sparking the love of reading in kids” said Tim Wiles, Director of the Guilderland Public Library, as he announced the start of the Guilderland Public Library’s 2014 Summer Reading Club for Children and Teens on June 23. “Yes, these activities are fun, but at their core, they’re designed to inspire questions … and the answers can be found by reading.”
There’s a lot of fun to be had in GPL’s reading clubs. Events include special programs by amazing guests – notably meteorologist Hurricane Howie Altschule (formerly of WNYT), former All American Girls Professional Baseball League player Dolly Konwinski, and professionals from CNSE CMOST – and a host of awesome activities such as Social Robotics and The Fizz, Boom, Read Game Show!
There are two reading clubs: “Fizz, Boom, Read!” is tailored to young readers from pre-kindergarten to grade six; you can find out about all the great things going on by visiting your SRC website at www.guilpl.org/src.
The other club is “Spark a Reaction!” the theme of the Teens’ Reading Club; details on all that excitement are waiting for you at www.guilpl.org/teensread; check it out. One special activity for teens is the “Games of Hunger” marathon on Friday, July 25; there will be pizza.
At those sites, you can download a printable club brochure if you did not receive one at school or at the library.
Family Fun day
It would not be GPL’s Summer Reading Club without the annual Family Fun Day, which is slated for Saturday, July 26. It starts early this year at 11 a.m., because Southpaw, the Tri-City Valley Cats mascot, will lead a special story time. Then at noon, the games, window painting, chalk art, snacks, prizes, and other awesome fun stuff begins. And it all happens in the Community Literary Garden. By the way, the staff invites your participation in the very special activity called “Dunk the Director”. You get the idea! No registration is required for Family Fun Day; just be there.
Registration for the clubs is easy, just go to either www.guilpl.org/src or www.guilpl.org/teensread, and sign up online. Also, find the events you want to attend, and use the events’ online registration links to let us know you’re coming. As always, you can register online, in person, or by calling 456-2400, ext. 4.
One aspect of the club that’s new is rolling registration. Programs open for registration four weeks prior to the start of each program; be sure to register as soon as you can.
Summertime Dreams
If you loved the movie A League of Their Own which told the story of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League then you’re going to love the Summertime Dreams event at GPL on Thursday, July 10, at noon.
That’s when you’ll have a chance to meet one of the players, Dolly Konwinski, who was an AAGPBL player during the 1947 to 1952 seasons. She will read from her book, Summertime Dreams: Yes – Girls Can Play Baseball. Konwinski will then participate in a question and answer session.
Konwinski will have her books available for sale, and she will autograph your own baseball memorabilia for a small donation to the Guilderland Library Foundation.
Do you collage?
Adults need creative outlets, too, Kids have the Summer Reading Club, and now adults have Collage on Saturday, June 28, at 11 a.m. This program requires no artistic knowledge, and only a bit of inspiration. Collaging is a great way to find your unique creative voice.
We supply the materials and adhesives; all you need to do is bring your imagination. Once you get into making a collage, it just carries you away. You’ll be amazed at what you create.
Please call 456-2400, ext. 2 to register, and do it soon. Space is limited.
Quirky QR treasure hunt
When you’re at GPL on Monday thru Thursday, June 30 thru July, and you’ll probably spot a bunch of little boxes that look like some sort of graphic code, Eureka! You’ve found a QR (Quick Response) code. That little coded box will lead you to a trove of treasures throughout the library!
Teens and tweens who successfully complete the treasure hunt form will be entered into a drawing for a great prize. No registration is required; just stop by with your smart phone.
If you don’t have a smart phone, no problem, borrow one of the library’s iPads to participate.
Library info
The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Ave. in Guilderland. Visit the library's website at www.guilpl.org. Check out the unofficial library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib).