The Library Times

May and June 2017

Serving Bartonville, Kingston Mines, Mapleton, Norwood, and all of the Illini Bluffs and Limestone High School Districts

Board Meetings Monday, May 15, 7:00 pm Monday, June 19, 7:00 pm The Public is Welcome Library Closings Monday, May 29, 2017

Library Hours Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday: Closed

Forty-five & Counting—Backward, to 1970 As we celebrate 45 years as a library district, I have been digging through files of paper and more paper.  Mostly interesting stuff, too.  Alpha Park became a district in 1972, but even before there was a volunteer library operational in 1971, there was—a library board, busy laying APL’s groundwork in 1970. Yes, even without a building and books, there were people anxious to attend meetings.  That’s dedication.  The library board was a planning committee for a library to serve southwest Peoria County.  I wonder if the folks thought that if they called themselves the “library board,” people would believe that they were serious.  (They were.) A volunteer library opened in 1971, with donated books and volunteer effort.  At some point, there was a person designated “librarian”; with the coming of district library status, there definitely was a librarian, Dorothea Newport.  She was not at APL long.  But I’ve found correspondence bearing her name, so she is part of the history. In 1973, Sue Jackson arrived as director, spending 15 years advancing Alpha Park’s cause.  And other things, too—for instance, traffic control at Garfield Avenue and Airport Road.  There was resistance to improvement of the mostly unguarded intersection, but library staff counted accidents, Ms. Jackson wrote letters, offered testimony, and tenacity worked.  Sue Jackson left in 1988, with an honorable record of having strengthened a library—staff, collections, programs, computer automation, and a new building, vintage 1985. Ms. Jackson was succeeded by Jo Potter, APL’s youth services librarian.  She, too, built up Alpha Park, including the building itself, with a two-story addition.  Senator Paul Simon spoke at the 1996 dedication.  Strangely enough, Ms. Potter and I both grew up in Topeka, KS, attended two of the same schools, and I recognized her family’s name when I found out who she was.  But we did not know one another.  She was here for the advancement of automation, the Internet, and increased children’s programming.  Jo also contributed personal energy to community and professional library organizations.  Jo is memorialized in the sculpture, “The Art of Reading,” created by Preston Jackson.  Real children like to join the sculpted kids on the bench in front of the library.  I suspect that Jo would have been happy. Jo died in 2000; I arrived on July 1, 2001.  Someday someone can fit me into a library anniversary story, if desired.  For now, I am content to say that I inherited a fine staff, with a long-established history of excellent public service and loyalty to APL.  A vital part of any leader’s job is to get out of the way of creative people and let them try just about anything.  If “anything” doesn’t work, then we/they get up and move ahead. We keep hiring creative people, and the fruits of their labors are advertised in this newsletter—and in personal encounters inside the library and beyond its walls.  I have run out of room.  As always, thanks for supporting your public library. John Richmond, Director

Reading By Design: Summer Reading Club KICKOFF PARTY Thursday, June 1, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm   Kick off a great summer adventure by signing the WHOLE FAMILY up for the summer reading club at Alpha Park Library!  Registration begins on Thursday, June 1 at 1:00 pm.  The program will run until July 29.  The kickoff party is a great time to drop in and get signed up, get all the club information and enjoy snacks, a craft and get your face painted!  (The party marks the beginning of registration, but you may sign up anytime the library is open after June 1.)

APL Summer Park Program The Alpha Park Library and the Village of Bartonville have teamed up to bring special events to the Alpha Park weekdays this summer!  Park visitors will be able to check out equipment like puzzles, games, balls, books and much more Monday-Friday from  9:30 am-1:30 pm.  (Equipment must be turned in to attendant by 1:30 pm.)  This family-friendly program is free and open to all ages, kids and adults, but children should be supervised by caregivers. We will offer different games daily led by staff for kids and senior citizens.  Summer Park Days will run June 5 – August 4. Check the library’s summer reading calendar for further details or contact the Information Desk at (309) 697-3822 x.13.

Summer Storytimes are held in six-week sessions throughout the year. Sessions may include books, fingerplays, crafts, songs and games. Children should be the appropriate ages at the first class of each session.

Book Babies Parents/caregivers with babies ages 12-24 months are invited to the library for activities, songs, creative time, and group play Wednesdays, 10:00 to 10:30 am June, 7, 14, 21, 28

Bookworms Storytime for ages 3 to 6 Tuesdays 10:30 to 11:15 am June 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesdays 1:00 to 1:45 pm June 7, 14, 21, 28

Toddlertime Storytime for 2-year-olds with an adult Tuesdays, 10:00 to 10:30 am June 6, 13, 20, 27

Thursday Tales Storytime for 2- and 3-year-olds with an adult Thursdays 10:00 to 10:30 am June 8, 15, 22, 29

STEAM Readers Storytime for ages 4 to 8 that will focus on STEAM topics (Science, Engineering, Art, and Math) Monday Evenings 6:30 to 7:00 pm June 5, 12, 19, 26

Make-It, Take-It Thursday, June 15, 2:00 to 6:00 pm Children ages 4 through 4th grade along with their parent or caregiver are invited to make a special craft in the Youth Services Department anytime between 2:00 and 6:00 pm.

Construction Club Tuesday, May 30, 3:30 to 5:00 pm Attention architects!  Builders can now join us MONTHLY for a building challenge and some free design time.  Materials will be provided.  No registration required.  Come by and join the fun!

Build by Design Mondays, June 5, 12, 19, 26, 2:00 to 3:00 pm Each week, for 6 weeks, will have a new material to use in design challenges.  Some will be expected (Legos), some will be unexpected (spaghetti?!).

Set Design Workshop Friday, June 30, 2:00 to 3:00 pm Join us as we partner with ArcLight Productions to create the set for the production of James and the Giant Peach.  Students will examine what it takes to transform a written work into a stage production.  Then we will create props to be used in the July event.  All ages are welcome, but registration is required.  You may register in person in youth services, by calling the library or email  sara@alphapark.org .

Challenge Accepted! Design Implements of Spitball Warfare Thursday, June 22, 6:00 to 8:00 pm Based on the title in John Austin’s book series of the same name, we will transform junk drawer objects into active tools for a summer arsenal.  Teens will create multiple items and use them to compete in games.

Clothespin Puppets Thursday, June 29, 7:00 pm Come see your favorite books – live on stage!  Clothespin Puppets from Bloomington, IL will bring their picture book show here, for one night only. Chris McBrien Thursday, June 8, 10:30 am Entertainer Chris McBrien returns for his second visit to APL.  Comedy and ventriloquism are some of what you will get in this hilarious, family-friendly show. This event is most appropriate for kids 12 and under.

STEAMplay Saturday Saturday, June 10, 10:00 to 11:00 am Saturday, June 24, 10:00 to 11:00 am   Saturdays are for play!  3-6 graders can join as we play and test out different science principles. Registration required. Call 309-697-3822 x.14 or email Sara, sara@alphapark.org.

Super Stolie Friday, June 23, 10:00 am A Super Stolie show is a music-centered exhibition of creativity to explore and inspire the uniqueness and silliness in all of us! Her highly interactive shows get everyone involved, introducing dance moves to get bodies moving and catchy tunes to get mouths singing. Armed with an acoustic guitar and a fun looping pedal, Super Stolie serves up a batch of her fun, original children’s songs from three albums with sprinkles of traditional nursery rhymes for the little ones and popular cover tunes for the big kids.

Summer Book Club: James and the Giant Peach We will discover the adventures of orphaned James Henry Trotter from misery to life inside a giant peach.  This beloved tale will also be celebrated on stage this summer, presented by Glasford’s ArcLight productions.  Check the Summer Reading Calendar in the Youth Services Department for a full list of dates. Copies of the book can be checked out directly from the circulation desk.  There will also be extra copies available on the dates the book club meets. Have any questions? Call 309-697-3822 x.14

Teen Board Thursday, May 4, 7:30 pm Thursday, June 8, 7:30 pm Teen Board members must be in 7th through 12th grades and have a library card.  Show up or call Youth Services at 697-3822 x.14 for more information.

Manga Club Thursday, June 8, 6:00 to 7:30 pm Enjoy manga and anime? Join this new and exciting program for teens 12 and up. We will share snacks, talk about the manga we have read, and finish it all off with an episode of anime. Each month we will have a different theme. June Theme: Action and Adventure

Comic Art Club Thursday, May 4, 6:00 pm Monday, June 12, 6:00 pm Do you like to draw? Do you like manga or graphic novels? Come join us! Kids 10 and up are invited to enjoy snacks, draw, and socialize. All materials and supplies provided.

Summer Volunteers @ Alpha Park Library Interested volunteers who would like to sign-up for volunteer hours in the children’s department should sign up as soon as possible.  You will be given information about a volunteer training meeting.  Please call 697-3822, ext. 22 for more information.  Volunteers must be entering 7th grade or older.

Attention Artists! Would you like to show off your talent to the entire Alpha Park Library District?  Submit your best interpretation of the summer reading club theme, Reading By Design, on a bookmark by May 22!   A winner will be chosen, and their work will be reproduced as the official summer reading club bookmark.

Seating for all of our classes is limited. Please contact the Information Desk for more details and to register. 309-697-3822 x.13

One-on-One Help Call the Information Desk at (309) 697-3822 x.13 to set up a time to get help with your device or learn how to download free eBooks or audiobooks from the library.  It’s free and we’re way more patient than your kids!   Introduction to Google Drive                                                                                   Monday, May 8, 7:00 pm In a single hour, you will learn some of the different tasks you can complete using Google Drive including cloud storage, word processing, and sharing documents. After this class you will be able to take your work on the road and confidently access your documents from anywhere.   Introduction to Internet Basics          Thursday, May 18, 10:00 am Are you an internet novice in need of more information? In this one-hour class, you will learn basic internet terminology and how to navigate a browser, locate a website, identify common domains and how to stay safe while online.   Introduction to Microsoft Excel                                     Monday, May 22, 7:00 pm During this class, we will cover the basic functions of Microsoft Excel including columns, cells, and formatting. Ideal for beginners or those who just want to brush up on their knowledge.    Introduction to Etsy          Monday, June 19, 7:00 pm Are you crafty? Have you ever thought about selling your wares on the world wide web? Come join us for an introduction to Etsy. We will discuss how to set up your account, how to set up your seller page, and other tips and tricks to get you started. This class is for teens and adults. Questions? Call the Information Desk at 309-697-3822 x.13   Computer Maintenance Basics                                           Thursday, June 22, 1:00 pm Want to learn how to take care of your computer? In this one-hour class, we will discuss how to properly take care of your laptop, desktop, or any computer that you have. We will discuss how to optimize your computer, check for updates, and the proper precautionary measures you can take to ensure your computer lasts as long as possible.   Introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint          Monday, June 26, 7:00 pm In one hour, we will learn some of the basic skills you need to use Microsoft Powerpoint. We will cover transitions, slide design, and basic Microsoft skills.

Concerts in the Park The Alpha Park Library and the Village of Bartonville are proud to bring 3 concerts to the Alpha Park this summer!  Concerts will be from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Alpha Park pavilions.  Bring your blankets and lawn chairs or grab a park picnic table and enjoy a musical sunset.  FREE & open to the public!  Food will be provided by Nacho Mama’s Food Truck and LGSA concessions. June 10 – Unusual Suspects July 8 – SideTracked   August 12 - Bridges

Cookbook Club 1st Monday of  Every Month, 7:00 to 8:00 pm Come join the Cookbook Club and share delicious recipes made by other library members. Bring a copy of your favorite recipe, and a sample if you wish, to the Cookbook Club and share it with the group. All adults are welcome to attend and share their tips and tricks with the rest of the group. Register for this program by calling the library at 697-3822 x.13 May: Picnic Food June: Strawberries

Protect Yourself Against Scams Wednesday, May 3, 10:00 am The price of scams can be much more than financial for seniors saving up for, or currently in, retirement. Join the library as we welcome Humana representative Karen Johnson as she discusses strategies to protect you and your finances from scams. Register for this free program by calling the Information Desk at 309-697-3822 x.13

Peoria State Hospital Cemetery Walk Saturday, May 6, 9:30 am Gary Lisman, author of Bittersweet Memories: A History of the Peoria State Hospital, will begin at the library with a brief overview of the state hospital cemeteries and then patrons will follow Gary in their own vehicles to the state hospital grounds for a guided tour.  Good footwear is essential, as some cemeteries are located on slopes and can be slippery. This event is free and open to the public, but is limited to 35 people. To register, contact the information desk at 309-697-3822, ext.13

APL Yarners and Needlers Every Tuesday at 6:30 pm Come and smile awhile!  The Yarners and Needlers meet every Tuesday to work on projects of all kinds including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, tatting, quilting , mending and much more. This program is free and open to the public. Want more information? Give Marla a call at 309-697-3822 x.24

Managing Stress and Anxiety Workshop Saturday, May 20, 10:00 am Come join the library as we host Theresa Genusa when she leads a workshop on managing stress, anxiety, and staying out of the “F.A.S.T. Lane.” Theresa will be presenting tips on how to stay free from frustration, anxiety, stress, and tiredness. Register for this free program by calling the Information Desk. 309-697-3822 x.13

Book Discussion 2nd Thursday of Every Month, 2:30 to 3:30 pm May: The Reader by Bernard Schlink June: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi Copies of the books are available for check out one month before the discussion. Please let us know if you prefer a sound recording or large print edition of the book and we’ll try our best to get it.

Your Library Friends at Work: From Garden Walk to the BIG Book Sale Last year the Friends of the Library hosted a great garden walk.  Now they’re back with a BIG book sale—that is, BIG compared to the ongoing book sale.  Dates: Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17.  Times: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday.  If you’ve got some terrific books taking up space on your shelves, and want to donate them to the cause, please bring them to the library by mid-May.  DVDs and music CDs are welcome, too. No magazines or encyclopedias, please. This will be the Friends’ last hurrah for the season; meetings resume in the fall, second Tuesday of the month, at 10:30 am.  And—the Friends are replanting our butterfly garden.  Take a look on the west side of the building, when you can!