What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in August

The dog days of summer are upon us. Beat the heat and maybe even learn something new with our August lineup of programs!

Storytime at Cheshire Park

Wednesday Aug 5, 12, 19 2015, 11:30 AM  –  12:30 PM

Meet us at the Cheshire Park this summer for a special program in the park! Bring your lunch and we will read stories and have fun with our parachute. Look for our Cheshire Public Library banner. If it’s raining, we will see you on the next sunny Wednesday! All ages welcomed, but stories will be best for kids ages 3 and up. Drop-in, no registration required.

Builders Brigade

Wednesday Aug 12 and 26 2015, 4:00 PM

Kids have the opportunity to use their best creativity to design buildings, creatures, and more using LEGO and Mega Bloks. They can work alone, or in a team with peers. A different theme is picked for each session and kids can build on that theme or build a creation of their own. At the end of each session, we will put photos of all projects on display on our Builders Brigade Blog! Children ages 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult.   No registration required.

 

S.T.E.A.M. Punks

Friday Aug 14, 2015, 3:00 –  4:30 PM

This program will feature a variety of STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math): mainly robotics, circuits & simple electronics, food science, zendoodle, tool box jewelry… you name it- you’ll just have to show up to find out what we’ll be doing! For grades 6 through 12- no registration required. The more the merrier- bring your friends, learn some cool stuff, and have a ball at the library!

 

Music For Kids

Monday Aug 17, 2015, 4:00 PM

Join Buzz Gordo (aka Gary Mezzi) & Tom Smith at a music program just for for kids and their folks.  Buzz strums guitar and ukulele, while Tom keeps a beat that makes it easy for kids to dance around.Throw in some storytelling (Buzz has been a children’s librarian for years) and lots of movement and participation, and kids from 3-10, and maybe even their older siblings, will have a rockin’ time. No registration required.

 

Summer Fab Films: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Wednesday Aug 19, 2015, 6:00  –  8:00 PM

Come enjoy some great box office movies with Summer Fab Film evenings at Cheshire Public Library!  This month we’re showing Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
Running Time 2 hours, 1 minute.  Rated PG-13.
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  Feel free to bring your own snacks!

 

‘Who Was’ Book Club: STAN LEE

Thursday Aug 20, 2015, 4:00  –  5:00 PM

If you love reading books from the ‘Who Was’ series, than this is the book club for you! Our August book is  Who Is Stan Lee?  For all of those super hero fans out there, we’ll talk about the man who launched a comic book empire and have some “super” fun along the way. No registration required – all fans of the series are welcome!

 

Summerreading croppedSummer Reading Finale at ARTSPLACE

Monday Aug 24, 2015, 6:00 PM

Join us for our Summer Reading Finale hosted at Artsplace, 1220 Waterbury Road in Cheshire.  Express your inner artist and learn new art techniques with Artsplace artists, play with art robots, and use our green screen to make funny pictures and videos.  Light refreshments will be served during our Summer Reading Raffle. All Ages, no registration required.

PLEASE NOTE:  this program is not at the library.  It is located at Artsplace: 1220 Waterbury Road in Cheshire. CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS.

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Apps in the Afternoon

Wednesday Aug 26, 2015, 2:00  –  3:00 PM

Beat the summer heat with an interactive hour of apps! Bring your smartphone or tablet, and share your favorite apps while discovering new fun and practical downloads. Please register on our website.

12.jpgTech Open House

Thursday Aug 27, 2015,  1:30  –  2:30 PM

Do you have questions about your computer, smartphone, or iPad? Do you need help navigating Facebook or downloading an ebook? Let our tech gurus help! Bring your technology-related questions and curiosities to Cheshire Public Library’s Tech Open House. Our knowledgeable staff will be available to answer your questions and solve your technology-related problems. No registration required.
NOTE: If you are coming for assistance with your own electronic device, please be sure it is fully charged beforehand. In the event your question or issue is more involved, we may ask you to schedule an appointment and come back for one-on-one help.

 

Leather Craft Class

Thursday Aug 27, 2015, 6:00  –  8:00 PM

Please join Vanessa Fasanella as she teaches how to make a wallet or bracelet, or other project of your choice, out of high quality leather in this adult crafting class . This adult only class is free and all materials will be provided.  Space is limited, so please register on our website or call 203-272-2245 ext. 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Books We’re Looking Forward to in July

Beat the heat! Find yourself some air conditioning (or a spot at the beach) and settle in with one of the new books hitting our shelves in July. Romance, thrills, good eats – the perfect summertime reading!

Every month, librarians from around the country pick the top ten new books they’d most like to share with readers. The results are published on LibraryReads.org. One of the goals of LibraryReads is to highlight the important role public libraries play in building buzz for new books and new authors. Click through to read more about what new and upcoming books librarians consider buzzworthy this month. The top ten titles for July are:

  1. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
  2. Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
  3. Kiss Me by Susan Mallery
  4. Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis
  5. Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs
  6. Those Girls by Chevy Stevens
  7. Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  8. Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans
  9. Love Lies Beneath by Ellen Hopkins
  10. Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/day by Leanne Brown

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in July

A Summer of Learning, that’s what’s happening! Most of our summertime programs are geared towards kids, promoting reading and learning over the summer. There’s still time to sign up for our Summer Reading club, and we’ve got plenty of activities to keep you busy during the summer months. Here’s just a taste:

 

Puppet Making with Artsplace

Tuesdays Jul 7 & 14 2015, 10:00 AM

Learn to make puppets using unique and everyday items.  Robin McCahill, local artist at Artsplace, will be our artist in residence leading this workshop on puppet making.  For grades K-2, Register online starting June 15.

 

Teen Read to Tots

Wednesdays (Jul 8 – Aug 12), 9:30 AM

Teens entering grades 7 and up will be paired with preschoolers (ages 3-5) for stories and a craft. All participants must attend at least 5 sessions. Register online beginning June 1st.

 

Going for the Stars

Thursday Jul 9, 2015, 6:00 PM

Lift-off to learning with this hands-on multimedia presentation. Meet Robo the friendly robot who talks, moves and interacts with the audience. Learn about orbits, microgravity, rockets, living in space and much more. Volunteers from the audience, dressed in astronaut flight suits, perform live demonstrations and experiments. Along with the use of computer aided technology and numerous props, this presentation creates a fun learning experience.Grades K-8, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Summer Fab Film : The  Spongebob Movie – Sponge Out of Water

Wednesday Jul 15, 2015, 6:00  –  8:00 PM

  When a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his nemesis Plankton must team up in order to get it back! Running Time 1 hour, 32 minutes. Rated PG. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  Feel free to bring your own snacks!

 

1Wild Around the World

Thursday Jul 16, 2015, 4:00 PM

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center will be bringing animals from all over the world to visit at the Library.  This program will be both educational and fun! For ages 4 and up.Register online starting July 1.

 

george‘Who Was’ Book Club: GEORGE LUCAS

Thursday Jul 23, 2015, 4:00  –  5:00 PM

If you love reading books from the ‘Who Was’ series, than this is the book club for you! July 2015 book:  Who Is George Lucas?  In honor of the upcoming new Star Wars flick, we’ll talk about the original Star Wars creator himself and have a little surprise fun with some of the library’s new technology. Copies of the book are available in the Children’s Room. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED, all ages are welcome!

 

manueloCreating Musical Readers: Manuelo the Playing Mantis

Tuesday Jul 28, 2015, 10:00 & 10:45 AM 

Literacy and music combine in Creating Musical Readers, designed for kids ages 4-7. A cellist from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra will bring his cello and read Manuelo, the Playing Mantis by Don Freeman. Come see the story come to life through music, a great way to learn about the instruments of the orchestra! This program is best for ages 4-7. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Space is limited, please register online beginning July 1.

 

Storytime at Cheshire Park

Wednesday Jul 29, 2015, 11:30 AM –  12:30 PM

Meet us at the Cheshire Park this summer for a special program in the park! Bring your lunch and we will read stories and have fun with our parachute. Look for our Cheshire Public Library banner. If it’s raining, we will see you on the next sunny Wednesday! All ages welcomed, but stories will be best for kids ages 3 and up. Drop-in, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures

Thursday Jul 30, 2015, 4:00 PM

Let Nature Nick introduce you to the true heroes of the animal kingdom. Learn about falcons used in World War II and even a kangaroo that saved a boy in Australia! For ages 4 and up. Register online starting July 1.

 

 All NEW! Teen Games

Friday Jul 31, 2015, 2:30  –  4:30 PM

We just got a Nintendo WiiU with Super Mario 3D World, NintendoLand, Mario Kart 8, Super Smashbrothers, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, and The Wonderful 101! We’ve got all-new card and board games too- like Channel A, Killer Bunnies, SuperFight! and Munchkin- so come play games and nibble snacks, FTW! For grades 6—12, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in June

There’s lots going on at CPL in June: including our new hours and the start of summer reading! Take a look:

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 Just in time for summer – NEW HOURS!

Beginning June 1st, the library will be open 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM Monday – Thursday, and 9:00 AM 5:00 PM Friday and Saturday (Saturdays 9-1 in July & August).

 

Volunteer Vacations

Tuesday Jun 2, 2015,  6:30  –  7:30 PM

Don’t just take a vacation, immerse yourself in vacations that give back & make a difference! Join Sheryl Kayne, author of several books including Immersion Travel USA, awarded The Society of American Travel Writers Foundations award for Best Travel Guidebook, as she shares with you amazing trips all over the US. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

 

Is This Thing On? with Abby Stokes

Thursday Jun 4, 2015, 6:30  –  8:00 PM

The digital divide widens with the rapid pace of new innovations and gadgets. What is out there and how it might benefit you can be lost in all the tech talk. Should you buy a tablet or a computer? Stick with your PC or move onto an Apple? How do you maximize your searches and why on earth do people want to share on Facebook? Abby helps you understand what everyone is talking about and how to decide what might work best for you. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

 

Online Marketing: Email Campaigns, LinkedIn for Business, Social Media Time Savers

Tuesday Jun 9, 2015,  6:30  –  8:00 PM

This presentation will be a practical look at best practices, tips, and tools for marketing with email campaigns, LinkedIn, and social media. Attendees will come away from this 90 minute session with concrete “to-do” actions that will help them be more effective online marketers. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

 

Fab Film Saturday: Song of the Sea

Saturday Jun 20, 2015, 2:00  –  4:00 PM

From the writer and director of the Academy Award-nominated The Secret of Kells comes an enchanting fable about loss, magic and the love of family. Featuring the voices of Brendan Gleeson (Braveheart) and Fionnula Flanagan (The Others), The Song of the Sea is a “delightful piece of magical animation” (Mark Adams, Screen International)! Running Time 1 hour, 33 minutes.  Rated PG. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  Feel free to bring your own snacks!

 

Summer Reading Signup

Monday Jun 22, 2015

Summer reading has never been easier! Keep up your reading log when you’re at home and when you’re on vacation. Don’t worry about losing your reading record—just print it out when you’re done! See the Kids Page of our website for details!

 

Plant Science

Monday Jun 22, 2015, 2 sessions, 2:00 and 3:15 PM

Explore the growth, reproduction, special features and uses of plants through fun hands-on activities with local naturalist Eric Nelson.  Please register online beginning June 1.

 

Toddler Dance Party

Thursday Jun 25, 2015, 2 sessions, 10:00 and 11:00 AM

Enjoy music and movement in this high energy program. Songs help children develop listening skills and pay attention to the rhythms and rhymes of spoken language.  Clapping along to rhythms helps children hear the syllables in words and helps them improve motor skills. The 10:00 session is for ages 1-2, the 11:00 session is for ages 2-3. Children must be accompanied by a care giver.  NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

Local Author Talk: America, Freedom and Enlightenment

Thursday Jun 25, 2015, 7:00  –  8:00 PM

Cheshire author John White discusses his new book, America, Freedom and Enlightenment: An Open Letter to Americans About Patriotism and Global Society. Join Mr. White and your fellow citizens for a lively discussion about the founding principles of our nation, where our country is today, and what it means to be an American. Please register online.

 

Bedtime Math’s Crazy 8s Club

Friday Jun 26, 2015, 10:00 AM

Crazy 8s is an over-the-top fun math club that helps kids appreciate the math that’s all around them! Each session focuses on a math topic with an engaging activity: like glow in the dark geometry, toliet paper olympics, bouncy dice explosion, and a zip line zoo. The activities are designed for kids entering kindergarten through grade 2. Crazy 8s is funded by the Bedtime Math Foundation, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to putting the fun and discovery back into learning math. This club runs for 8 weeks. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED,  but we will build on math skills week to week, so come to as many sessions as you can! Kids must be accompanied by a caregiver.

LEGO® Brunch at the Library

Saturday Jun 27, 2015, 11:00 AM

Enjoy donuts, coffee, juice and more in this special LEGO® storytime.  We will start with a short storytime focused around building. Kids will then have an opportunity to use their best creativity to design buildings, creatures, and more using LEGO® .  ALL AGES, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

Night Skies Planetarium

Monday Jun 29, 201, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Night Skies is a program featuring Mike Francis using Starlab, the inflatable planetarium dome and projector system.  A remarkably realistic night sky awaits groups of up to 30.  There is no need to worry about the weather, time of day or travel. The experience of entering the giant bubble fascinates.  The excitement of being able to identify that bright red star from last night’s sky or locating an elusive constellation sparks the imagination.

 

Family Drum Circle with Garden of Beats

Tuesday Jun 30, 2015, 10:00  –  10:45 AM

Join us as we create a lively “Garden of Beats” with drum circle leader Conga J.  With hand drums of every size and lots of shaky and percussion toys we introduce the world of rhythm to people of all ages. Drumming encourages creativity, community, individuality, working together, culture, self confidence, and coordination (to name a few). All ages, kids must be accompanied by a caregiver. Space is limited; register on our website beginning June 1.

 

 

 

 

Guest Post: Download FREE Audiobooks May Through August!

Children’s librarian Nicole is an avid audiobook listener. Today, she’s taking to the blog to pass along a great opportunity to listen to some free audiobooks this summer!

 

For its sixth year running, AudioFile is making free downloadable audiobooks available for children, teens and adults. The program is geared towards inspiring teens to discover new books and authors, but the books themselves have great crossover appeal for adults (and some children) as well. Starting in May, two free audiobooks are available each week for downloading. The audiobook pairings are “listen-alikes” – a classic and a popular contemporary titled paired by theme.

A detailed list of the free audiobooks (along with listening clips) is available online at http://www.audiobooksync.com/. If you want to make sure you don’t miss any of the titles, you can also choose to receive text prompts when new audiobooks are available by sending the text message “syncya” to 25827.

Whether you’re new to audiobooks, or you’re a long-time fan, this is definitely an annual event that you don’t want to miss out on! And if you’re new to downloading audiobooks, have no fear – staff members at Cheshire Public Library are available for personal one-on-one tutorial sessions to help you along the way. Call Cheshire Library at 203-272-2245 to make an appointment.

 

Check out the great titles that AudioFile is making available to the masses this season!

 

 

May 21-27

X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz & Kekla Magoon (read by Dion Graham)

Here in Harlem by Walter Dean Myers (read by Muhammad Cunningham, et al.)

 

May 28-June 3

The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz (read by Jennifer Ikeda)

Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan (read by Eloise Oxer & Paul English)

 

June 4-10

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty (read by Fiona Hardingham et al.)

Dracula by Bram Stoker (read by David Horovitch and a full cast)

 

June 11-17

The Living by Matt de la Pena (read by Henry Leyva)

The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger (read by Richard M. Davidson)

 

June 18-24

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein (read by Sasha Pick)

Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies & Alison Leslie Gold (read by Barbara Rosenblat)

 

June 25-July 1

Monster by Walter Dean Myers (read by a full cast)

Lord of the Flies by William Golding (read by William Golding)

 

July 2-July 8

Echoes of an Angel by Aquanetta Gordon & Chris Macias (read by Robin Miles)

Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja (read by Spencer Murphy and a full cast)

 

July 9-15

The Explorers Club by Neil Benjamin (read by Carson Elrod et al.)

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne (read by Michael Prichard)

 

July 16-22

Crows & Cards by Joseph Helgerson (read by MacLeod Andrews)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (read by Robin Field)

 

July 23-29

March by Geraldine Brooks (read by Richard Easton)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (read by Christina Ricci)

 

July 30-August 5

Courage Has No Color, The True Story of the Triple Nickles by Tanya Lee Stone (read by JD Jackson)

John Ball’s In the Heat of the Night by Matt Pelfrey (adapt.) (read by Ryan Vincent Anderson et al.)

 

August 6-12

Under a War-Torn Sky by L.M. Elliot (read by Elizabeth Wiley)

The Old Brown Suitcase by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz (read by Sofia Newman)