Getting Outside More with The Kids

October 23, 2015October 13, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Now that the weather is cooler and the schedules for school and other activities are fairly stable, it is a great time to get out and more active with the kids. Whether this means hiking and exploring our state parks (don’t forget to check out the pass for free parking!) or just enjoying your own yard is not important.

My son loves playing I Spy as we take a walk, my daughter loves to have nature scavenger hunts, and they both love to make a mess in the dirt or by crafting with bits of nature that they discovered. I like just enjoying a walk on one of the linear trails, which often also includes chasing after the kids on their bikes. Whatever outdoor activities you like most, sometimes we all need some ideas for new activities that we just haven’t thought of yet.

Here are some books that might offer just the thing that will make your whole family happy.

Get Out!: Outdoor Activities Kids Can Enjoy Everywhere (Except Indoors) by Hallie Warshaw with Jake Miller

Go Outside!: Over 130 Activities for Outdoor Adventures by Nancy Blakey

Nature for the Very Young: a Handbook of Indoor and Outdoor Activities by Marcia Bowden

Outdoor Games! by Lisa Regan

Go Out and Play!: Favorite Outdoor Games from Kaboom

How to Raise a Wild Child: the Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature by Scott D. Sampson

The Adventurous Book of Outdoor Games: Classic Fun for Daring Boys and Girls by Scott Strother

Follow the Trail: a Young Person’s Guide to the Great Outdoors by Jessica Loy

And for the soon to be colder days:
The Kids’ Winter Fun Book: Homespun Adventures for Family Fun by Claire Gillman and Sam Martin

October 4th-10th is Fire Prevention Week!

October 5, 2015September 14, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire. This tragic 1871 event killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871. Despite the tragedy of that fire, it was not the biggest that year, or even that week. That sad distinction goes to the Peshtigo Fire, the most devastating forest fire in American history. This fire also started on October 8th, 1871, and roared through Northeast Wisconsin, burning down 16 towns, killing 1,152 people, and scorching 1.2 million acres before it ended. firesafety

Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925. Each year has had a special fire safety theme, this years is; Hear The Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm! For more information on the history of this week of awareness please visit the National Fire Prevention Association website. There is a great deal of helpful information and resources throughout the site, including printable activity sheets for children.

Fire safety is an important topic to share with children, often the younger the better, so they know how to react during a fire drill or an emergency. Here is a selection of books you might want to share with your children to educate and prepare them, while entertaining them.

A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe Around Fire by Maribeth Boelts, Fireboy to the Rescue!: A Fire Safety Book by Edward Miler, Stop Drop and Roll by Margery Cuyler, Fire Safety by Lisa M. Herrington, No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons) by Jean Pendziwol, Fire Safety by Dana Meachen Rau, Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill by Jamie Harper, Fire Safety in Action by Mari Schuh, Firefighters!: Speeding! Spraying! Saving! by Patricia Hubbell,If There is a Fire by Wil Mara, Staying Safe around Fire by Lucia Raatma,Fire Drill by Paul DuBois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender, andThe Firefighters by Sue Whiting.

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What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in October

September 30, 2015September 16, 2015 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

October means falling leaves, picking pumpkins, and shopping for bargains at our Fall Booksale! Not to mention TONS of great programs for kids and adults:

ABC Amigos

Friday, Oct 2, 2015, 10:00 AM

Cheshire Public Library is proud to host ABC Amigos, a bilingual storytime to start teaching Spanish to toddlers and preschoolers. This storytime will be tons of fun with songs, games, activities and stories in both English and Spanish. No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary. Ages 3-6, no registration required.

Drop-in Tech Help

Monday, Oct 5, 2015, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

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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 help 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.

Rick Riordan New Book Release Party

Tuesday, Oct 6, 2015, 6:30 -7:30 PM

Are you a fan of Rick Riordan’s book series, like Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus? Then this is the party for you! October 6th is the day that Rick Riordan releases the first book in a brand-new series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer. We’ll have some fun Norse mythology activities and even a chance for a few lucky kids to win their very own copies of Riordan’s new book! No registration required. For ages 8 and up. [NOTE: We will be meeting upstairs on the 3rd floor of the library.]

Germans to America, 1683-1893

Tuesday, Oct 6, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

German Americans comprise the largest ancestry group in the U.S., having high rates of immigration to the U.S. beginning in the mid-1800s. Genealogist Penelope Hartzell will present an overview of German immigration, which began in 1683, and end in 1892, with the opening of Ellis Island. She will discuss pre-Ellis Island ports of entry, early German settlements before the American Revolution, online resources to access for transcriptions of German records, microfilms of German records in German, helpful online info about German research, and organizations to join. Penelope Hartzell has 20 years of research experience and is a member of numerous genealogical societies. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online at or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Oktoberfest

Thursday, Oct 8, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Join us on October 8th at 7 pm as we celebrate a mini-Oktoberfest! Local beer historian and author Will Siss leads a discussion of the history of beer in Connecticut and provides profiles for nearly all existing breweries. He will discuss his book Connecticut Beer : A History of Nutmeg State Brewing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is required. Come learn about the hoppy history of Connecticut! Please register online at or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Social Security

Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015, 6:15 – 7:45 PM

The Cheshire Public Library presents a series of retirement planning workshops this Fall. The three topics are Social Security, Retirement Income Planning, and Long Term Care. Social Security will be the focus on Tuesday, October 13. After being told for years that Social Security is “going broke,” baby boomers are realizing that it will soon be their turn to collect. But the decisions they make now can have a tremendous impact on the total amount of benefits they stand to receive over their lifetime. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Keep the Stress Out of Holiday Shopping With Coupons

Thursday, Oct 15, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

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Don’t stress about the holidays. Come learn how to save money with tips and tricks with coupons. Presented by Gina Juliano. Please register online or call 203-272-2245 ext. 4.

Book Sale Members Preview

Wednesday Oct 21, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

A preview sale for members of the Friends of the Library. Memberships will be for sale at the door, so you can join and then browse before the sale opens to the general public.

The Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale!

Thursday, October 22 – Sunday, October 25

This bi-annual used book sale, run by Friends of the Cheshire Library, raises money to pay for programming at Cheshire Public Library, among other things. All of the library’s programs are funded through the Friends, and the books sale is their biggest fundraiser. Come support the library and pick up some bargains in the process! See our event calendar for more info.

A Halloween Read-Aloud with the FEA

Thursday Oct 22, 2015, 3:30 – 4:15 PM

Come read with the Future Educators of America from Dodd Middle School!
Dress up in Halloween colors to get into the spirit! We will be reading books, creating crafts, and snacks will be provided. This program will meet on the 3rd floor of the library. Please register online.

Howlarious Halloween Show with Mary Jo Maichack, Storyteller

Monday Oct 26, 2015, 6:00 PM

A guaranteed hoot and a holler, this show of classic ghost stories, songs & jokes will make you jump, giggle & groan like a coffin lid. Once you hear Mary Jo’s opening version of e.e. cummings’s “hist whist,” you’ll understand why MJ has become known for the spookiest, eeriest, snort-your-candy-corn-in-the dark funniest set of Halloween fun. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Retirement Income Planning

Tuesday Oct 27, 2015, 6:15 PM – 7:45 PM

With recent reductions and eliminations in pension plans, an uncertain future for social security, and the shift towards employee-directed retirement plans, the need to plan for your own retirement has never been greater. This class is geared for people within 5 years of retirement to help them determine when they can retire and how to make the most of what they’ve saved. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors

Wednesday Oct 28, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

CCIU – CT Council for Interreligous Understanding, the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, and Hartford Seminary are co-sponsoring a series of conversations throughout Connecticut to inform the public about the American-Muslim experience and to discuss some of the concerns about that community raised by the broader American public since 9/11. Four Muslim neighbors will informally share some of their experiences and respond to questions involving customs, politics, and perspectives on other monotheistic faiths. American Muslims do not have all the answers, but guests will respond out of their own experiences, raising issues that concern all Americans.

Halloween Storytime and Parade

2 sessions:

Thursday Oct 29, 2015, at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM

Join Miss Nicole and her friends for a Halloween Storytime and Parade in the library! We’ll read some stories and then go trick-or-treating around the library!
Be sure to wear your costume! For ages 8 and under. Registration online starting on October 1st.

Celebrate the Freedom to Read with Challenged Children’s and Young Adult Titles

September 25, 2015September 15, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read anything and everything that catches our fancy. This usually happens during the last week of September, and this year it runs from September 27 through October 3 2015. For more information on banned books weeks and challenged books in general, you might want to check out the American Library Association’s dedicated pages on the subject here.

Banned Books Week brings together everyone who loves books, reading, and readers. This includes librarians, book sellers, teachers, and readers of all ages who support the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those that might be uncomfortable or unpopular. To celebrate banned books this year, I am going to read as many of the children’s and young adult books that have faced challenges that I can. This will mean rereading some of my favorites, and reading some books for the first time. I have noted after each book whether it is a young adult book (YA), children’s chapter or poetry book (CB), or picture book (PB). How many of these challenged books have you read and are you surprised by the number of books many consider classics or favorites are on the list?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (YA)

The Witches by Roald Dahl (CB)

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (PB)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (YA)

Blubber by Judy Blume (CB)

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak (PB)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (YA)

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (CB)

1984 by George Orwell (YA)

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (YA)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (and the rest of the series) by J.K. Rowling (CB)

For even more reading you might want to check out other challenged titles: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (YA), The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (CB), Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George (YA), Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (CB), Deenie by Judy Blume (YA), Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (YA), James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (CB), Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (CB), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (CB), Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (YA), Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (YA), Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher (YA), and Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (YA). This is just the tip of the iceberg! For further lists of challenged books, and why they have been challenged visit the ALA’s page of Frequently Challenged Books.

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Behind the Scenes at CPL – Circulation

September 23, 2015September 23, 2015 / Louise / Leave a comment

In previous behind-the-scenes posts, we’ve talked about collection development (acquiring materials), and cataloging (preparing acquired materials for the shelf). You might think that the librarian’s job ends once an item is safely on the shelf. Nope, once we own an item, our next task is to get it into your hands! This is the main objective of the Circulation Department, but really everyone on staff, no matter what department, takes part in promoting and maintaining our collection. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we do this:

Shelving. Having a library full of great materials won’t do us any good if people can’t find them. To that end, shelving is critical. Getting items back to the shelf as quickly as possible after they are returned is the main job responsibility of our Pages. They know our shelves inside and out, and keep them in good order. When they are not shelving, you will often find them shelf-reading, going through the shelves to make sure that books are where they should be and in the proper order. With over 100,000 items in our collection, this is no small task!

Highlighting Materials. With so many items on our shelves, browsing through them can be a bit overwhelming! We often highlight smaller sections, whether it be small displays at the ends of the shelves, or larger separations by genre. For example, you probably know that we keep our newer materials separate from the rest of the collection, but did you also know that we separate Mystery and Science Fiction from the rest of Fiction? Or that Romance Paperbacks have their own section? Classics and Comedies are highlighted within the Feature Films DVD section. And don’t forget to check our Staff Picks section for book recommendations from our staff!

Holds and Reserves. Holds and reserves take up a lot of staff time. We get reports twice daily that list items that patrons request – and that list is long! Any requested item that is on the shelf must be searched for, pulled, and trapped for the patron who requested it. If the patron is from Cheshire Library, we then notify them and place their hold(s) on the Hold Shelf in our Lobby. After 5 days, if the item has not been picked up, it gets returned to the shelf, or passed on to the next person on the waiting list. (You might be shocked to know how many people never pick up their holds – we are!)

Holds for Cheshire patrons are only half the story, though. We also receive requests for inter-library loans from other libraries in our consortium. A lot of them! We get and receive dozens of inter-library loan items every day through the state library’s C-Car delivery system. We pull, wrap and pack boxes full of C-Car items every single day!

Mending. When an item gets checked out over and over again, it can get a little worn. Pages get torn or loose, discs get scratched, cases get broken. Whenever possible, we try to fix these problems and get the items back to the shelves. Several of our staff have received training on book mending, and our A/V catalogers use a disc repair machine for troublesome CDs and DVDs.

Weeding. Nothing lasts forever. To keep adding new materials to our shelves, we must remove other materials, called “weeding”. We begin by checking the condition of older items, if they are too worn or need more repair than is practical, we weed them out. If we have multiple copies of a former bestseller, we keep the one in the best condition and weed the rest out. We run circulation reports, telling us which items have not been checked out in a long period of time (years), and weed them out. We’d love to keep every book forever, but shelf space must determine the amount of items we can offer. Many weeded items get added to our semi-annual book sale to benefit the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library, and many items get donated to charity.

Of course, we’re also here to help you to search for items in our catalog, find out the next book in your favorite series, check items out and back in again, and much more. Circulation means keeping our items moving, and it’s part of everyone’s job at Cheshire Library!

(Animated gif images from gosetawatchman.tumblr.com and the University of Mary Washington Book Repair Dept.)