What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in June

May 24, 2017May 29, 2017 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Can summer be here already? It’s our busiest time at Cheshire Library – sign up now & don’t miss out on the terrific programs we have lined up. See our June Event Calendar for more!

Vision Board Workshop

Saturday Jun 3, 2017, 2:00 – 4:30 PM

Imagine what it would be like to visualize what you wanted to achieve and then use that visualization to make it happen. Could it really be that simple? How often do you “wish” for things to be different? Vision Boards Help Provide Clarity — By placing your images on a board, you create a bridge between the thoughts in your mind to something tangible-a format you can see and feel. Composing a clear, vivid vision board is an important step in making your goals and dreams a reality. Certified Life Coach Fiona Bain will show us how to create our own Vision Boards. Registration is required.

Introduction to the Internet

PART 1 : Wednesday Jun 7, 2017, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

PART 2 : Wednesday Jun 14, 2017, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

In Part 1, we will introduce you to the Internet and explain the basic elements of a Web page. Learn about Web browsers and how to access different web pages, identify hyperlinks and navigate web pages using the back, forward and refresh buttons. In Part 2, you will learn how to find information on the Web and how to use search engines. Learn how to mark a web site as a Favorite and how to print an entire web page, or a part of a web page using print preview option. Registration is required.

Expert Travel Tips From a Pro

Thursday Jun 8, 2017, 6:00 PM

With so many ways to book travel how do you know the best? What is the difference between booking with a traditional travel agency, an online travel agency or the supplier directly? With over 30 years of travel industry experience, Katie Relkin is the founder of JourneyBusters.com, a consumer friendly travel education company. She will share a wealth of travel tips in this program. Registration is required.

Beyond Death: Medical Facts, Mysticism, and Meditation

Wednesday Jun 14, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Since the 1980s when near death experiences became part of the public consciousness, they have held endless attractions for people. Why do they resonate so powerful within us? Join Dr. Matthew Raider, hear the latest medical research and discover a simple, natural way to connect with the inner light talked about by those who’ve experienced an NDE. Through a simple time-honored method of meditation, you can explore those realms of peace within you. Registration is required.

Passport Fair

Friday Jun 16, 2017, 12:00 – 4:00 PM

Join us for your one stop shop to acquire* or renew your passport.

Please bring the following:

Passport Application
Evidence of Citizenship
Two Forms of ID
Payment (2 checks for renewals)

Please direct all questions regarding Passports to the The National Passport information line at 1-877-487-2778 or visit Travel.State.Gov. This service provided by the United States Postal Service. *Please be advised to receive your completed passport by mail can take several weeks. Please see Travel.State.Gov for more information.

Taste the World: Movie Matinees

Fridays in June, 12:30 – 3:00 PM

Take a tasty tour around the globe with movies associated with international snacks. Please register individually for each movie.

Friday – June 02 – No Reservations
Friday – June 09 – The Mistress of Spices
Friday – June 16 – Julie and Julia
Friday – June 23 – Love’s Kitchen

Cut the Cord – Life Without Cable TV

Saturday Jun 17, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

This seminar presented by James Gifford will discuss how cable customers can get rid of high-priced cable services. Learn how to switch to options that give better entertainment value and review phone service choices at much lower costs, even if you’re not a tech whiz. Registration is required.

Parent Workshop: Helping Your Child Learn

Wednesday Jun 21, 2017, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Join us as we discuss simple, effective ways to get your child ready to use words. This workshop will utilize the best practices from You Make the Difference in Helping Your Child Learn, published by the Hanen Centre. Books will be available for checkout at the end of the program. We’ll go over ways you can incorporate the practices into playtime, reading time, and everyday activities. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Best suited for parents/caregivers of children ages birth to 3.

Dinner 6:00-6:30 pm
Parent class 6:30-7:30 pm
Childcare provided

Registration required. Registration is open to all Cheshire residents starting May 15. Non-residents may register starting June 20.

Brain Fitness

Thursday Jun 22, 2017, 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Come learn how to keep your brain fit. Studies show that those who engage in regular cognitive activities (such as attending educational seminars, discussion groups or learning a new language) had higher levels of brain functioning and lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment. The brain is a muscle like any other and benefits from regular exercise. Light refreshments will be served. Please register early.

Solo Travel Bootcamp

Thursday Jun 22, 2017, 6:30 PM

Get ready for a solo travel adventure! More and more people are heading out on trips alone and they aren’t just singles. Whether you are an experienced solo traveler or new to solo travel, join Travel Artisan Nina Lesiga for an evening of fresh ideas on how to achieve vibrant, authentic and fun experiences. Registration is required.

STEM Coffee Hour: The Impact of DNA-Editing Technology on the Future of Science and Medicine

Thursday Jun 22, 2017, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Facilitator: Dr. Jian Cao, Associate Research Scientist, Yale University. Co-developer of a Gene-Editing Toolbox.

Parenting Workshop: Positive Discipline

Monday Jun 26, 2017, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

This is an eight-session workshop for parents who are looking to learn how to develop relationships with their children based upon mutual respect, personal responsibility, and problem-solving skills for successful living. Come work with other parents finding practical solutions to children’s most challenging behaviors. Open to parents with children ages birth to 5 years old. Free childcare provided.

A Certifed Positive Discipline Parent Educator will conduct 8 weekly evening sessions that include:

Free Dinner 6:00-6:30 pm
Parent class 6:30-7:30 pm
Free children’s books

This program meets 8 times: June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7 and 14. You only need to register once to attend all 8 sessions.

Registration required. This program is open to Cheshire residents to register starting May 22 all others may register starting June 23 if space is available.

Traveling Lantern Theatre Company

Wednesday Jun 28, 2017, 1:00 PM

Play: The Ribbles Build a Residence. Soon after their lovely insect nuptuals Mr. and Mrs. Ribble are expecting a baby Ribblet, and they need a new home for their family! Mr. Ribble wants a to go big with a four grasshopper garage, but Mrs. Ribble convinces him to build a dream home that is more environmentally and neighborhood friendly. Best for ages 4+, No registration required.

Summer Reading Kickoff!

Friday Jun 30, 2017, 5:30 PM

Join us for our adult and children’s summer reading kickoff. The library will be opening at 5:30 pm to host events for children, families, and adults. At 7:00 pm the Lost Acres String Band will be performing. Bring a picnic or purchase pizza (from Cheshire Pizza and Ale) and drinks from our Friends of the Library. All ages welcome, no registration required.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in May

April 26, 2017April 12, 2017 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

MAY we interest you in some programs this month? When you’re done groaning over that terrible pun, check out some of the highlights from May’s event calendar:

Friends of Cheshire Public Library Spring Book Sale

Thursday May 4, 2017, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday May 5, 2017, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday May 6, 2017, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday May 7, 2017, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Bargains! More Bargains! And don’t forget Sunday is Bag of Books Day – fill up a bag of books for one low price (bags provided) – $10 for one bag, $15 for two!

Tuesday Movie Matinees

Tuesdays, May 9, 16, 23, 30 at 1:00 PM

A different movie each week! No registration required.

Mark Twain in Connecticut

Tuesday May 16, 2017, 6:30 PM

Dr. James Golden of the Mark Twain House and Museum explains the importance of Connecticut and Hartford to Twain’s life and work, including his famous neighbors, such as novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, travel writer and journalist Charles Dudley Warner, Civil War hero and senator Joseph Hawley, and female suffrage campaigner Isabella Beecher Hooker. Registration is required.

Writing Workshop: Story First (Plotting your novel)

Wednesday May 17, 2017, 6:00 PM

This workshop takes participants through the process of developing an idea into a workable premise that can generate a full story. From there writers will examine how to build a plot that will keep readers asking questions and turning pages until they reach a powerful and satisfying ending. Presented by author Steve Liskow. Registration required for this adult program.

Pet First Aid with VCA

Thursday May 18, 2017, 6:30 PM

Pet First Aid will teach participants emergency care procedures for your fur babies and provide tips for keeping your pet healthy too. Join us as Doctor Deborah Goul, Director of General Practice at VCA Cheshire Animal Hospital, and other VCA ER doctors, Please be so kind as to leave your fur family at home. Registration required.

Introduction to Microsoft Word

Wednesdays, May 24 & 31, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

This class will provide an introduction to Microsoft Word and is divided into two sessions.You will learn basic navigation skills to effectively use the Microsoft Word program:

Create a simple document.
Edit text and check spelling errors.
Format the document.
Insert a picture; change font formatting and much more.

Please register separately for May 24 and May 31 sessions.

STEM Coffee Hour: Virtual Reality

Thursday May 25, 2017, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

STEM Coffee Hours are designed for adults who are interested in learning more about a particular science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topic. The general format is an informative presentation followed by group discussion. Facilitator: Dr. Tracie Addy, Center for Teaching and Learning, STEM Educator, Yale University. Please be aware that Coffee Hours are first come, first served. Please arrive 10 minutes in advance. If for any reason you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation to open your space. Register here (required).

Above and Beyond

Thursday May 25, 2017, 6:30 – 7:45 PM

Join us for the incredible documentary film of the escape from Nazi-occupied Europe by Jewish-American Pilot Bruce Sundlun and his subsequent return to support the French Resistance. Registration required.

Soccer Shots Mini Demo Class (ages 2-3)

Tuesday May 30, 2017 – Two sessions: 10:30 AM & 11:15 AM

Soccer Shots of Central CT will be hosting a demonstration class for kids ages 2-3 years old. Soccer Shots Mini is a high-energy program introducing young children to fundamental soccer principles, such as using your feet, dribbling and the basic rules of the game. Through fun games, songs and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active. This program is presented by Soccer Shots of Central CT. For ages 2-3 years old with caregiver. Registration begins May 9.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in April

March 29, 2017April 11, 2017 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

We’re springing into April with so many great programs for kids, teens & adults, we can’t fit them all here! Check our event calendar for the full list of programs coming up this month.

Geology of Cheshire

Monday Apr 3, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Ever wonder how Cheshire got its ridges? Learn about the geologic changes that have shaped the diverse and interesting topography of Cheshire. Presented by Dr. Charles Dimmick, Professor of Geology, Emeritus. Sponsored by the Cheshire Planning Department and Cheshire Public Library. Registration is required.

Kids Puppet Making Series

Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

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. Visit www.artsplacecheshirect.org/ to learn more about Artsplace and the other programs artists like Robin McCahill offer. This is a 4-week long series, meeting April 5, 12, 19, and 26. You only need to sign up once to attend all four. Due to the cost of this program please try to attend all four sessions. For students in grades K-2, registration is required beginning March 22 for Cheshire residents and March 29 for all others.

Poetry Open Mic Morning

Saturday Apr 8, 2017, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Celebrate National Poetry Month with an open mic morning! Teens and adults are welcome to bring their own original poetry to share, recite a poem by a classic author, or just sit back and enjoy the verses. We’ll have tea and coffee available, and we’ll set out some poetry books and resources to peruse for inspiration. No registration required.

Pysanky Egg Decorating Workshop

Saturday Apr 8, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Come learn the art of Pysanky Egg decorating from the egg lady Sharon Leonard. This form of Ukrainian egg decorating uses special wax and color to make beautiful eggs. Each participant will be able to go home with one decorated egg. This program is for adults and has limited seating, registration is required.

Curious George Party

Monday Apr 10, 2017, 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Join us for a party to celebrate our favorite little monkey, Curious George! We will sing, dance, and read some stories about George and his adventures. Curious George will make a special appearance and pose for photos with his friends! For children of all ages and their families. Registration required beginning Monday March 20.

Foraging and Eating Invasive Plants

Tuesday Apr 11, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Join The 3 Foragers, a family that forages for wild, natural, organic food. This program will highlight edible invasive plants. Do your part to reduce invasive plants by eating them! The 3 Foragers eat garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, Rugosa roses, autumn olives, wineberry, sheep sorrel, dandelions, black locust blossoms, and yellow groove bamboo. Never eat anything from the wild without first consulting an expert! Please forage responsibly. Educate yourself, and have fun. Registration is required.

Community Connections

Wednesday Apr 19, 2017, 12:00 – 2:00 PM

The Cheshire Public Library is pleased to announce a new program that we have started entitled Community Connections. This program connects civic minded individuals with community agencies to perform skilled volunteer projects. Enjoy lunch provided by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library while you meet other civic minded folks and talk with local non-profits and government agencies about volunteer opportunities available. Please register in advance (so we know how much food to get!).

Exercises to Treat and Manage Low Back Pain

Saturday Apr 22, 2017, 2:00 PM

Whether mild or severe, short-term or long-term, low back pain can greatly affect your daily life. If low back pain is affecting your daily life or if you want to learn the top causes of back pain join Kirsten Albrecht as she explains common causes of back pain and shares exercises to stretch and strengthen your back. Registration is required.

Birds; Their Side of the Story…

Tuesday Apr 25, 2017, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

John Himmelman is a children’s book/natural history author and illustrator, who has written and illustrated about 80 books since 1981. He is an avid bird watcher and served as president of the New Haven Bird Club for two years. He will share light-hearted stories of birds and bird watching – from cuisine to cartoons, ornaments to icons, murmurs to murders. Registration is required.

Taekwondo

Wednesday Apr 26, 2017, 6:00 PM

Join Cheshire resident Master Jonguk Jang for an introductory Tae Kwon Do (also known as Taekwondo) class for adults. Learn about the fascinating history of Taekwondo and its physical and mental benefits such as focus, self-control, confidence, stress release, flexibility and self-defense, as well as an introduction to various fundamental skills and techniques. Registration is required.

Día de Los Niños Celebration

Friday Apr 28, 2017, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Celebrate El día de los niños / El día de los libros (Children’s Day / Book Day) with a multicultural storytime! Día is celebrated on April 30 to emphasize the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

What is the Next Book in This Series?

March 20, 2017February 21, 2017 / Sharon Tyler / 2 Comments

It is extremely frustrating to read a book only to discover it is part of a series, and there is no clear list of reading order. While some series are loosely tied together and allow for skipping around and reading out of order, others can only be fully enjoyed when read in order. To help ease your frustration, I am going to share the tools that I use to help determine the correct reading order. There are several routes to find the answer to this question, some are simple and easy, others require a little work.

The first way to find the answer of reading order is to find the author’s website. Many internet savvy authors, or their publishers, maintain websites with series listings in order and, in the case of multiple series, the suggested reading order for everything. Not all authors do this, but some have very helpful lists to help out their readers. Many include printable lists so you can easily keep track of titles you have read and what you should read next.

Some examples of authors that offer comprehensive lists or tools on their websites to find the reading order include Nora Roberts, Gail Carriger, James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, and many more. I highly suggest checking with the author’s website first before branching out and trying other avenues, because who better to explain the best reading order than the person that wrote them?

If the author fails you, do not lose heart! My second choice for series order, and further reading suggestions, is Goodreads. If you search for a book title, Goodreads will give you a wonderful amount of information. On the book’s page you can follow links to the author page or a list of book in that series (both published and sometimes books that have not been released yet) in order. The bonus is you get suggestions for books that might appeal to you because some authors list what they are currently reading or their own recommendations. For instance, on the author page for one of my current favorites, Maria V. Snyder, you can see her books listed by series, in order, and what she is currently reading.

There are also a few websites dedicated to helping readers find the next book in a series, or the complete reading order of any given series. One website that I often use is well titled as: Book Series in Order which you can search by author or character name. Order of Books is a second site that can help you find the reading order of different authors and series. This site allows you to search by author or main character. If you are looking specifically for children’s series check out Juvenile Series and Sequels, and if you need young adult series listings I would suggest using Series and Sequels.

If you still are not sure about the series order of the books you are reading or want to read, please stop in and visit our Welcome Desk or give the library a call. We are here to help.

Collection Spotlight: Lit Kits

March 1, 2017February 7, 2017 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

When you were growing up was there a subject that you were obsessed with? Perhaps you are a parent or caregiver and a little one in your life has a similar obsession. Maybe you want to teach your little ones about your favorite subject, or you are a teacher and want to introduce a subject or idea. We have a simple answer for all of this, we call them Lit Kits.

A Lit Kit is a box that includes a DVD, CD, book of related activities, picture books, and board books on a given topic. The collection of materials circulate in a blue storage box for the standard 28 day period, the same check out time as out regular books, CD’s, and audiobooks. They are the perfect solution for entertaining and teaching our youngsters. We currently have 40 Lit Kits in our collection, with plans for adding more. You can place holds on the kits if the subject you are looking for is checked out. Our Lit Kits are located on the bottom shelf of the book case that houses our Parenting collection. Our Lit Kits include: Firefighters, Babies, Birds, Apples, Winter, Shoes, Spring, Food, Sleeping, Chickens,Fish, Fish #2, Transportation, Wheels, Rain, Friends, Monsters, Frogs, Summer, Colors, Dinosaurs, Animals, Families, Nursery Rhymes, Circus, Clothing, Pizza, Teeth, Shapes, Monkeys, Cats, Fall/Autumn, Bears, Dogs, Princesses, Bugs, Farms, Sports, Beach, and All About Me.