Rockport Public Library Newsletter
April 2016

Backyard Astronomy:
Learn to use the Library's New Telescope
If you're curious about the night sky over Cape Ann and would like to see it more clearly, join us on Monday night, April 11, at 7 p.m. for an introduction to the library's 4.5 inch Orion Starblast telescope. Learn what objects lie within its reach and how easy it is to use.      Representatives from the Aldrich Astronomical Society will present this family-friendly PowerPoint program. Spacey door prizes will be offered. Weather permitting, there will be an outdoor observing event.
    The telescope, which was generously donated by the Friends of the Rockport Library, will soon be available for adults to check out on their library cards.
Building Blocks to Learning
On Saturday, April 9, at 2 o'clock children will have a chance  to play and learn about the quarries of Cape Ann and how those big blocks were moved. Ages 3 to 6 will build with "Big Blue Blocks" and make their own creations with wood and Legos.
        Incoming Rockport kindergartners will learn about their "passport to kindergarten" and upcoming kindergarten readiness events. For further information and to register, contact Carol Bender at 978-546-6934 x 203.
New Group for Knitters & more
Knitting Needles
On Monday, April 11 at 11 o'clock we are startin g a group for folks who like to knit - or sew or crochet.
A "Which Craft?" Circle, if you will. If you are an experienced crafter who would like to work on project and chat with others, come on down! No instruction--just a relaxed get together. The group will meet twice a month on Monday mornings at 11 o'clock. Dates for future meetings will be set at first session.
School Vacation Activities

Jazzy Children's Music with Sarah Gardner

Tuesday, April 19, 10 a.m.
Children 2 and up, their parents and siblings celebrate spring. 
Club Lego - Tuesday, April 19, 2 p.m. 
An hour of building fun for ages 5 and up.
Earth Celebrations with Storyteller Rona Leventhal 
Wednesday, April 20, 2 p.m.  
Adults and children 5 and up will journey around the world through Rona's multicultural stories. Through her, skies talk, turtles sing and magic happens!   
The Peanuts Movie: a PJ Family Event 
Wednesday, April 20, 6 p.m.  
Laugh along with Charlie Brown and the peanuts gang! Children can wear PJs and robes and bring along a favorite stuffed toy. 
Elinor Teele Author Visit - Thursday, April 21, 1:30 p.m.
Enjoy an action-packed afternoon based on Elinor's new book "The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin" - a Kirkus-starred adventure for ages 8 to 12. Toad Hall will have books for purchase. Bring your Lego skills and join the fun!  
American Picture Book: the Simplest,
Subtlest Art Form of Them All
On Saturday, April 16, at 1:00 o'clock author Anita Silvey will trace the development of the American picture book and will discuss why picture books remain the most important tool we have to develop reading. The author o f 100 Best Books for Children and 500 Great Books for Teens,  Silvey has devoted 40 years to promoting books that will turn the young - and families - into readers.
      This program is part of the year-long Cape Ann Reads project sponsored by the Sawyer Free Library, the Manchester Public Library, the TOHP Burnham Library in Essex, and the Rockport Public Library.
Evening of Folly Cove Designs
Folly Cove
 
In This Issue
Building Blocks to Learning
New Knitting Group
School Vacation Activities
American Picture Book
Folly Cove Designs
Movies
Book Groups
Focus Groups
As part of our long- range planing, we have scheduled the following focus groups to gather your inputs. We  hope you will participate in a group if you are able.
 Fri., April 8, 12:30
Town Employees
Wed., April 13, 7 pm
  Business Owners
Thur., April 14 3:30
Teens @ Teen Center
Mon., April 25, 2 pm
 Senior Citizens @Library
Tue., April 26, 2:30
School  Cafeteria
  Middle/High Teachers
Tue., April 26, 3:30
Elementary Library
Elementary Teachers 
Mon., May 2, 6 p.m.
Parents @ Library
Wed., May 11, 7 p.m.
General Public @ Library
Sat., May 14, Noon
General Public, Library 

This Month's Movies
Wed., April 6
Band Wagon
Fred Astaire
Wed., April 13
Marty
Ernest Borgnine
PJ FAMILY MOVIE
Wed., April 20, 6 pm
The Peanuts Movie
Sat., April 23
The Intern
Robert DeNiro
Wed., April 27
Lust for Life
Kirk Douglas
Sat., April 30
Steve Jobs
Michael Fassbender

BOOK GROUPS
Awesome Book Club
for Grades 3 - 5
Thu., April 7, 3:30

Current Issues
Tue., April 5, 2 p.m.
The Wise Men  
Sunday Book Chat
April 17, 2 p.m.
A Yellow Raft
in Blue Water


Drama Discussion
Mon., April 25, 4 p.m.
The Theater of War

Monday Evening Book Group

April 25, 6 p.m.
If the Oceans were ink

History Book Club

Wed., April 27, 7 p.m.
History of Journalism & the Media

Poetry Readers  Thur., April 28, 4 pm
Walt Whitman

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