The Library Times

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

May/June 2018 Newsletter

Board Meetings Monday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. Monday, June18, 7:00 p.m. The Public is Welcome Library Closings Monday, May 28

Library Hours Monday-Thursday:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday:  9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday:  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Sunday:  Closed

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE (IS HARD)   Surely anyone would agree, yes? Because we cannot see what’s coming, even when we try to prepare for everything. Thus, as I am writing in late March….   We have said good-bye to two important people in recent days. Mildred Deitrick, a 12-year veteran of the library board, died in February. Mildred contributed to the life of the Friends, also. And Will LaChance, one of our Adult Services librarians, (he also worked with teens and tweens, by the way), has moved to the St. Louis County Library. Regrets—and, we go on.   By the time you read this, I hope that we will have hired Will’s successor. Sara Bell, Youth Services Librarian, and Will have concocted a number of high-quality programs for teens. Thus, our offerings for the public grow.   Will began to train us in using our new 3-D printer , a printer that came to us courtesy of the Friends of the Library . (Thank you, Friends!) The printer will be unveiled in June, with classes for adults and teens. I used to think that 3-D printers were a mere fad. I was, ah, wrong .   The Friends continue with their brick/pavers sale, with a brick patio to be constructed on the west side of the library. May 1 will mark the final day for sales, at least temporarily—so there’s limited time, when you read this, to purchase an engraved brick in honor or in memory of someone…or just for fun. Cost: $25. The patio will be constructed in early June. At about the same time, a sign bearing the name of the footpath that leads to the patio and garden area will be put in place.   Coinciding with the Summer Reading Club, the Friends of the Library will hold a “cutest pet” contest (remember the cutest baby contest at the former Splash! carnival?). And on July 24, more fundraising will come in the form of a “have your photo taken with your pet” extravaganza, to be held on the new patio. Stay tuned for more details.  All Friends fundraising benefits the library. Always. We love our Friends!   New lighting is now in place on the first floor of the two-story portion of the building. We hope you’ve noticed the brightness, and can even—what an idea—see better, especially in the books on CD and Playaways section. Ditto large-print books. Next up: Interior painting, I surmise.   Finally, we are on Google Street Views, with still photos and 360-degree tours of the interior and exterior of the library. If you search “Alpha Park Library” on Google, you will get a picture of the building and information about hours, address, etc. If you click on the map in the top right-hand corner, the photos will appear. More people look for libraries online via Google than they do directly on a library’s website. The Friends also furnished this service.    We are on a roll, technologically and programmatically. Thanks for supporting your library.   John Richmond, Director

Summer Reading Kickoff Wednesday, May 30th, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.   Sign up the WHOLE FAMILY for the Summer Reading Club at Alpha Park Public Library! Registration begins at the kickoff event. The program will run until July 28. The kickoff party is a great time to get signed up, pick up all the information, and enjoy snacks and face painting. If you cannot make it to the party, don’t fret! Sign up at the library anytime after May 30.

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 TAKES YOU EVERYWHERE, on a bookmark by May 21! A winner will be chosen and their work will be reproduced as the official summer reading club bookmark.

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 Wednesdays, 10:00 to 10:30 a.m., June 6, 13, 20, 27 Parents/caregivers with babies ages 12-24 months are invited to the library for activities.  Songs, creative time, and group play Toddlertime Tuesdays, 10:00 to 10:30 a.m., June 5, 12, 19, 26 Storytime for 2-year-olds with an adult Bookworms Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:00 a.m., June 5, 12, 19, 26 Wednesdays, 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., June 6, 13, 20, 27 Storytime for ages 3 to 6 Thursday Tales Thursdays, 10:00 to 10:30 a.m., June 7, 14, 21, 28 Storytime for 2- and 3-year-olds with an adult Music From Around the World Monday Evenings, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., June 4, 11, 18, 25 Storytime for 3-8 year-olds. Join us as we sing, dance, and craft our way around the world.

ABC Amigos: Spanish Storytime Friday May 4, 18 and June 1, 15, 10:30 a.m. Hola amigos! Research finds that children who learn a second language show increased cognitive benefits as soon as three years old. Come play and learn some Spanish during this fun storyhour with guest instructor Caitlin Streeky. Best for ages 3-7, but all are welcome.

I Survived Book Club I Survived: Mt. St. Helens: Monday, June 4, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. I Survived: The Battle of Gettysburg: Monday, June 18, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Each meeting will focus on a different book in Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived series. We will read a few excerpts together and then do activities that relate to the catastrophic event in that book. Copies of the book can be checked out directly from the circulation desk.

Construction Club Tuesday, June 26, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Attention architects! Builders can now join us MONTHLY for a building challenge and free design time. Materials will be provided. No registration required. Come by and join the fun!

Wild Times Exotics Tuesday, June 12, 4:00 p.m. Get the educational experience of the zoo without leaving town! Wild Times Exotics will bring a small menagerie of exciting animals to broaden our horizons and knowledge.

Eskimo Games Monday, June 25, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. If the Winter Olympics gave you the itch to try something new, here is your chance! Author and longtime Alaskan resident Scott Norman will join us to highlight some unique aspects of Alaskan and Inuit culture and lead us through a course of games from the World Eskimo Olympics and the Inuit Games.

Babaloo Thursday, June 28, 6:30 p.m. Babaloo is BACK at the library and we cannot wait! Babaloo is an award winning songwriter who specializes in fun, catchy songs for children. You’’ll sing, you’ll laugh, and you’ll make inappropriate noises. Best for children ages 10 and younger. The Whip Guy Friday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. Do not miss whip master Chris Camp and his exciting whip demonstration and program. Chris’ daring show is filled with stunts, history, physics, and lots of humor. This whip-cracking event is appropriate for the whole family.

Adventure Kits   Reading takes you everywhere! Check out a backpack to facilitate your summer adventures! Topics include stargazing, geocaching, hiking, crochet, and more. Kits check out for one week.

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

Teen Board Thursday, May 3, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Teen Board members must be in 7th through 12th grades and have a library card. Show up or call Youth Services at 697-3822, ext. 14, for more information.

Humans vs. Zombies Friday, June 29, 2:00 p.m. Students ages 12 to 18 are invited to join us at Alpha Park, by the pavilions, for an exciting zombie hunting game. Armed with dart guns, humans will have to defend themselves from the undead. Will the humans prevail? Registration is required. Call 697-3822, ext. 14.

Manga Club Thursday, May 3, 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 6:00 p.m. Enjoy manga and anime? Join this exciting club 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.

Teen DIY: Bath Bombs Monday, June 11, 6:00 p.m. Students ages 12 to 18 are invited to the library for a demonstration of how to make their very own bath bombs. We will go through all the steps and give teens time to make their own. All supplies are provided, but registration is limited. Call Sara at 697-3822, ext. 14, to sign-up.

Babysitter Training Course Thursday, May 31 AND Friday, June 1, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Are you looking ahead to potential baby sitting jobs? Register for this training course endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. We will cover safety, first aid, ages and stages, as well as best baby sitting practices. Students will need to attend both sessions. $5 fee is required when you register. Call Sara in Youth Services to sign-up, 697-3822, ext. 14.

Intro to 3D Printing for Teens Thursday, June 21, 6:00 p.m. Students ages 12 to 18 are invited to the library to take a class on how to use our 3D printer. We will get you set up with an account on thingiverse.com so you can design items at home, walk through the steps on importing and sizing a print, and demonstrate how the printer works. After this class you can use our 3D printer anytime it is available for use. Registration is required. Call the Information Desk to sign-up, 697-3822, ext. 13.   Intro to 3D Printing for Adults Wednesday, June 27, 6:00 p.m. Adults 18 and older are invited to the library to take a class on our new 3D printer. We will give you a crash course on 3D printing including setting up your very own design account, a walk-through of the basic steps on setting the printer up, and we will end it all with a demonstration. After you have taken this class, you can use our 3D printer anytime it is available. Registration is required. Call the Information Desk to sign-up, 697-3822, ext. 13.   Book a Librarian Call the Information Desk at 697-3822, ext. 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!

APL’s Annual Concert in the Park Series 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The library is excited to continue our tradition of hosting concerts in Alpha Park located near the pavilions. Along with live music, Boss Food Truck will also be there for all of your tasty BBQ needs starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16: RipChordz - Classic Rock from the 70s and 80s Saturday, July 21: Brian Dennison - Country Rock Saturday, August 25: Sgt. Eggman's Lonely Nowhere Band - Music of the Beatles and Similar Bands

Cookbook Club Presents: Karen Quinones of the USDA Monday, May 7, 7:00 p.m. The Alpha Park Library Cookbook Club is excited to bring Karen Quinones of the USDA to the library to give us a crash course in food preparation and safety. Karen will talk about proper food handling methods, the ideal temperature of meat, and will give away free literature and cooking instruments to all that attend. Registration is required. Call the Information Desk at 697-3822, ext. 13, to sign-up.

Cookbook Club 1st Monday of Every Month, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. 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. Register for this program by calling the library at 697-3822, ext. 13.   June 4: Cookie Bar Recipes

Book Discussion 2nd Thursday of Every Month, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.   May 10: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See June 14: Mississippi Solo by Eddy L. Harris   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.

Mother/Daughter Bath Bombs Thursday, May 10, 7:00 p.m. The library invites you to enjoy some mother/daughter bonding time as you create your very own bath bombs. We will walk you through all the steps and have the supplies available to make your very own. This program is free and open to all ages. Registration is required as we only have space for 10 mother/daughter teams. Call the Information Desk to sign up, 697-3822, ext. 13.

APL Yarners and Needlers Every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.   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 697-3822, ext. 24.

Garden Stones Saturday, July 7, 10:00 a.m. Alpha Park Pavilion  The library and the Country Gardener Club of Bartonville have teamed up to help you create a one-of-a-kind garden stone. We’ll use large leaves such as a hosta leaf to cast our stone. This is free and open the public, but registration is limited. Please call the Information Desk to sign up, 697-3822, ext. 13.

PETS, PATHS, & PATIOS The Friends of the Library will put in their patio of pavers, post the sign naming the path to the patio, and promote and present a cutest pet contest in June. The contest will be a fundraiser, as will a special event on July 24, when people may have their photograph taken while holding their perfect pet(s). All are welcome. The Friends do GREAT things for the library with the money that they raise.  Come to the Friends meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, to learn more about these events!  Questions about the friends? Call Amber at 697-3097.

Peoria State Hospital Cemetery Walk Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. Gary Lisman, author of Bittersweet Memories, will begin at the library with a brief overview of the state hospital cemeteries. He will then lead a guided tour on hospital grounds. Good footwear and a mode of transportation from the library to the state hospital are essential. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is limited to just 35 people. Please register at the Information Desk, 697-3822, ext. 13.

Seed Library The library is excited to announce the start of our very own seed library. In our seed library we have flowers, vegetables, fruits and more. Patrons can stop by and take 5 packs of seeds a week. We have organic and non-organic seeds available for use. We will also be collecting seeds. If you have any from previous harvests, bring them in so that the seed library is always stocked.

Peoria Riverfront Museum Passes for Checkout The library is excited to announce our new partnership with the Peoria Riverfront Museum. As a part of this new partnership we are now able to check out a free day pass that grants two adults and their children admission into the museum for one visit. The passes are good for two days once you have checked them out. This is a first come, first served item and no holds on passes are allowed. Questions? Call the Circulation Desk at 697-3822, ext. 10.

2018 Reading Challenge February 15 to December 31, 2018 In 2018, let’s get out of our comfort zone with the 2018 reading challenge. Stop by the Information Desk to pick up your challenge form. Return your completed form to the Information Desk by 12/31/2018 to win a prize. All participants who complete the challenge will also be entered for the Grand Prize drawing of a $50 Kroger gift card.