Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Children's Update: West Columbia

February preschool storytimes featured stories about teeth, Mardi Gras, weather and, again, Valentine’s Day. Nearly 60 people attended this month. The children enjoyed making a happy teeth puppet, Valentine holder, masks, and cloud and sun puppets.

Andrea Hypolite, a representative from Community Outreach & Assistance Program, spoke briefly at one our storytimes. Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your information!

During Spring Break, we’ll be showing a movie on March 16. Come down to the library to watch a free movie!

Melissa, branch manager

Children's Update: Manvel

Our February preschool storytimes saw more than 100 people visit to hear stories about love, moose, noses and opposites. We made heart flowers, moose antler headbands and noses. Children could create their own nose out of mini paper plates, and we saw all kinds of noses from alligators to dogs to clowns.

We had six teens discuss recently read books during Teen Read.

Heritage Christian Academy came to the branch for a tour. They made birthday cards for Abraham Lincoln in honor of his 200th birthday, and we mailed them to Illinois.

Kids R Kids came for a monthly visit and storytime.

Kathryn was invited to Manvel Junior High to read as part of the Read Across America celebration.

Ruby Lewis will present a special storytime about reptiles on March 18.

The employees from the Pearland branch have returned to their library. We miss them; it was great working with them while they were here.

Geri, children's librarian

Children's Update: Lake Jackson

Preschool storytimes in February featured numerous stories about hugs and kisses. Parents and children made a “hug card” for Valentine’s Day using the children’s hands as templates. We finished the month with stories declaring no more hugs and no more kisses.

Storytimes in March will feature musical stories. On March 24, there will be a special preview of the upcoming concert “Tubby the Tuba” by Philip Walker and members of the Brazosport Symphony League.

The You + Me = Wii gaming program continues to attract teens to the library. The program continues in March.

Love Your Library was the theme for February. Events included a “Tell Us Why You Love Our Library” contest for adults and children with the winners receiving boxes of candy.

The heavy rains put a damper on the planned “group hug” around the library on Valentine’s Day, but 45 people visited the craft tables set up in the library. Thanks to H.E.B. and Walmart for providing refreshments, and thanks to the Friends for providing craft kits and materials.

As part of their annual membership drive, the Friends of the Library held a Sweetheart Raffle. The winner received an overnight stay and breakfast from Cherotel, dinner for two from Johnny Carino’s, flowers from Carriage Flowers & Gifts, and movie tickets for two from Brazos Stadium 14. Thanks to all the local businesses that support the Friends!

The Readers Circle for Grades 1-3 read and discussed Sam and the Tigers by Julius Lester. We made a dangling tiger craft. In March, readers have a choice of several books with leprechauns as the main character.

The Bookaneers read and discussed the historical novel Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. We also discussed some of the real-life characters they had learned about in history class. In March, we’ll read Punished by David Lubar.

A Fancy Nancy Fashion Show is planned for March 14. Registration and entry forms are available at the library.

Applications for Summer Student Aides will be accepted March 9 through March 27.

The third Media Swap is scheduled for March 18 during Spring Break. Items to be swapped must be brought to the library between March 9 and March 13.

Susan, children's librarian

Children's Update: Freeport

Our preschool storytimes in February featured books about Valentine’s Day, mothers and love. We made special Valentine’s cards for the important people in our lives. We also presented a silly felt board story that had the children howling with laughter.

Memorial Childcare comes to visit us every Tuesday for a special storytime. We are so happy to have them around.

On March 3, we’ll celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Anyone can celebrate with us. All you have to do is walk through the front door to receive a homemade cupcake.

Dawn, children's specialist

Children's Update: Danbury

Thirty-two children attended preschool storytime in February. Ruby Lewis prepared a special storytime all about hermit crabs.

Our Valentine’s Craft Night saw thirty-four people attend. They enjoyed making their craft.

Tom, adult program coordinator

Children's Update: Clute

At preschool storytime in March, we will be focusing on Dr. Seuss, St. Patrick’s Day, spring and the ocean.

We have lots of programs planned for Spring Break. We will be having a Board Game Day on March 19. Teens can take this opportunity to prepare for the Monopoly Tournament we’ll host this summer. We’re also having crafts, a St. Patrick’s Day party and a movie.

Our third AWE Early Literacy computer has arrived and looks great on our new computer table. Children of all ages are enjoying the games available on the machine.

I was invited to read to the children in the Awana Club at Clute First Baptist Church. We all enjoyed hearing about The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel.

Carolyn, branch manager

Children's Update: Brazoria

We can’t believe how fast the year is passing! We finished our Let’s Go storytimes with books about airplanes. We talked about machines that fly and our own flying experiences. Many of our storytime attendees are frequent flyers.

Other storytimes featured celebrations for Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. We made cards and masks, respectively. We finished up the month with stories about birds and made 3-D birds for our craft.

Bedtime Stories featured monsters under the bed. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed the milk and cookies, too.

I went to Head Start two Fridays in February and read to the students. I have noticed their listening skills and their ability to sit through more stories has improved greatly since they began school in September.

March 7 is Heritage Days in Brazoria, and the branch library will have a float in the parade. Melissa and I are organizing this, and we’ll have children on the float.

We love being open on Fridays! Our displays look great, and we hope you come out to see them.

Jo, children's specialist

Children's Update: Angleton

Miss Emmy’s preschool storytimes continue to be successful. People drive from all over the county to attend. During February, she featured Peter and the Wolf and Dr. Seuss.

Kids Kraft featured a Valentine’s Day craft that everyone enjoyed. Pajama Storytime kept children entertained.

Brazosport College invited Miss Emmy to come to their daycare and read to about 60 children. She will also be going to Frontier Elementary for a special storytime.

Emma Lou, children's specialist

Children's Update: Alvin

One hundred people attended preschool storytime in February. We featured stories about bubble gum, dogs, reading and, of course, Valentine’s Day.

Our Valentine’s Day Craft didn’t see as many people as other craft events. Only seven came to create their own work. Thank you to Laura for filling in and hosting this event while I was at jury duty.

The Next Generation Learning Center came to storytime this month. We were glad to have them at the library and hope they return again soon.

We will be having our premiere Family Movie Night on March 24. Come down and enjoy a free movie at the library!

Carol, children's specialist