Westerlo Library Notes for Friday, May 20, 2016

The wait is over. Our new book bags are here! These sturdy, but lightweight bags are made of non-woven polypropylene in our signature hunter green printed with the image of the library and dates 1986 – 2016 to celebrate our 30th birthday.

Not only suitable for books, these bags are also great reusable grocery totes.  Every time you use them, you’ll be raising awareness of the Westerlo Public Library.  Only $5 each, all proceeds benefit the library.

Read to Angus the Dog

Angus will be back this Friday, May 20, from 5 to 6 p.m.  Contact the library to register your child for a 15-minute reading session, or just drop in to check it out!  (Librarians love saying, “check it out.”)

If your child is self-conscious about reading aloud or reluctant to read at all, he or she may feel more comfortable reading to a dog.  Because dogs aren’t judgmental, the child relaxes, pats the attentive dog, and focuses on the reading.  Another benefit is the joy children get from being around a dog.

Angus is a registered therapy dog. Our thanks to Laura Tenney for volunteering her time and sharing Angus with us.

Display case

For the month of May the library is displaying Diane Figel’s collection of vintage kitchen utensils. All of the items on display are in good working order, and most are currently in use in Diane’s kitchen.  Those of us “of a certain age” will have no difficulty recognizing the cast iron eggbeater, the galvanized steel flour sifters or the10 different kinds of can and bottle openers.   (We probably have some of them in our own kitchens!)

Kitchen gadgets, even olive forks and those little doodads used to make melon balls, have a place in the heart of a collector.  There’s also something special about taking a gadget out of the drawer to use it and remembering your grandmother, mom, or a favorite aunt, using the tool in her kitchen.

Hang on to them and continue to use them. Your favorite kitchen implements will likely be around for the next generation.

Story time

From 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday mornings Miss Lee presents stories, songs, and movement activities designed for infants to children up to 5 years old.  In addition to developing pre-reading skills, singing, moving to music, and playing instruments all help foster a sense of rhythm and timing that are essential elements in developing the part of a child’s brain that shapes math skills.

Story times are also a great opportunity to meet other parents of small children in Westerlo.

After school at the library

Join Miss Lee on Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for homework help, games, crafts, puzzles, music, and a lot more. Programs will also include storytelling, hands-on demonstrations, and visits from special guests. Lee is also available on Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m. for homework help.

Technology walk-in Wednesday

Do you have a new Kindle or Nook but don’t know how to download books? Need to brush up on your computer skills or obtain basic skills? See Amy on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for free, personalized, one-on-one instruction.

Library info

All library programming is free, unless otherwise noted, and open to the public. For more information, contact the library during business hours at 797-3415, visit westerlolibrary.org, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westerlolibrary.