Fizz, Boom, READ @ Your Library!
May 23, 2014 (Helena, MT)—Experiment and Explore this summer at your Lewis & Clark Library! You can be a super scientist, celebrate space, or create a spark...whatever you chose to electrify your mind, remember that reading is elemental and if you power up with books you can explore and discover whole new worlds! The theme of this summer’s reading program is Fizz, Boom, READ! Each week during June and July, elementary school-aged children will be treated to interactive programs based during Tuesday Tales. Tuesday Tales takes place each week through July from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the Library’s Large Meeting Room. From magicians and storytellers to puppet shows and world dance, kids will be encouraged to explore their world through reading, a world where they can be anything and anywhere they want. Many of these programs will be repeated at our branch libraries in Augusta, East Helena, and Lincoln, so check our website at www.lclibrary.org for a complete schedule and times.
For Pre-School aged children, Children’s Librarian Candice Morris hosts storytime three times a week on the Story Steps. Morris introduces young readers to the wonders of reading through a half-hour, interactive story session that brings books alive for the little ones. “To watch their eyes light up and get excited about books is the best part of my job,” explained Morris.
For Children ages birth through toddler (and their grownups), Books & Babies will continue on Monday’s through July. “Books & Babies offers a fun, informal social hour full of rhymes, songs, and play designed to encourage movement and get kids excited about the Library,” explained Morris. Books & Babies meets Mondays at 10:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. in the Large Meeting Room.
The Teen Scene this summer will explore reading through the theme “Spark a Reaction” with a host of programs and events designed to get middle school and high school students engaged in reading. Teen Services Librarian Heather Dickerson has a host of interactive and creative programs planned for the summer in addition to First Friday Movie nights, Teen Writers Lounge, Minecraft Hour, Mystery Library Theatre and much more.
The entire family is invited to participate in Four To Score. Simply read or listen to four books and fill out a score sheet. Turn in your completed score sheet at the Information Desk and select an awesome prize.
This will be the fifteenth summer that Montana libraries have participated in the Collaborative Summer Reading Program. While summer break is a time for relaxation, visiting family, and going to camp, it is also the time during which reading skills often decrease. In fact, according Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, many students fall behind on their reading skills during the summer break from school in what has been termed the “summer slide.”
To help counteract this phenomenon, and to ensure that students keep reading over the summer, public libraries across the nation have teamed up for the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). CSLP is a grassroots consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for libraries to provide summer reading programs for children.
The CSLP began in 1987 when ten Minnesota regional library systems developed a summer library program for children, choosing a theme, creating artwork and selecting incentives that public libraries in the regions could purchase and use. The CSLP has grown to include 49 states as state libraries and systems continue to join and the CSLP continues to evolve. As the CSLP grows its guiding principle remains the same, librarians sharing ideas, expertise and costs to produce a high-quality summer reading program for children.
While the mission of the CSLP is to keep school age children reading all summer long, the Summer Reading Program at the Lewis & Clark Library is focused on getting the entire family to read during the summer. From Storytime for Preschoolers to Tuesday Tales for 1st thru 5th graders, and creative programs for Teens and Four-to-Score for the entire family, it is safe to say that the Summer Reading Program has something for everyone.
A complete list of events and times is available on-line at www.lclibrary.org and remember, There’s Always Something Going on @ Your Lewis & Clark Library!
June 17 Science Fun by Arch Ellwein
10:30 AM in Helena and 1:30 PM in East Helena
Believe It or Not...It's Science!
Arch presents hard-to-believe visual effects and an exciting introduction to Earth Science, electricity and magnetism. Special props include a REAL tooth from a 70 million years old Spinosaurus and a REAL meteorite. A real crowd pleaser.
June 24 Puppet Show by Markie Scholz
10:30 AM in Helena and 1:30 PM in East Helena
June 25 Puppet Show by Markie Scholz
1:30 PM in Lincoln and 7:00 PM in Augusta
Markie Scholz is one of the founders of Dragons Are To Seldom Puppet Productions. She has been involved as a performer in all productions and workshops done by the Dragons throughout its more than 30 year history. She received a B.S. in English Eduction from the University of South Dakota in 1969. After teaching junior high school in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a year, Markie became the Educational Coordinator for the Head Start Program in Day, Roberts and Marshall Counties in South Dakota. She later served as the director of that program. In 1971, Dragons Are Too Seldom Puppet Productions was formed by Markie and her sister, Claire Scholz. In 1993, Markie received her MS degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Black Hills State University. For more than 30 years, the Dragons have traveled around the country performing anywhere there was a need, or a want for laughter.
July 1 The Noise Guy by Charlie Williams
10:30 AM in Helena and 1:30 PM in East Helena
July 2 The Noise Guy by Charlie Williams
1:30 PM in Lincoln and 7:00 PM in Augusta
“This summer we are pleased to bring Charlie Williams, ‘the Noiseguy,’ back to the Library for some mud-slingin, noise-making fun!” announced Morris. Williams is a vocal sound impressionist who can imitate the sound of planes, trains, automobiles and much, much more! This talented performer is also a kids’ comedian, author, illustrator and onomatopoet. A former children’s librarian, Williams travels the country introducing noise into all his stories. He encourages even the most reluctant reader to make noise when they’re reading.
July 8 Daisy the Pig & Farmer Minor
10:30 AM in Helena and 1:30 PM in East Helena
July 9 Daisy the Pig & Farmer Minor
3:00 PM in Lincoln and 7:00 PM in Augusta
Daisy and Farmer Minor perform “Pig Out on Reading” programs across the U.S. Farmer Minor does storytelling about Daisy's formative years (all true) with Farmer & Mrs. Minor. They share Daisy noises, give Daisy a treat, and talk about Daisy's pampered porcine life and about how Daisy I and II became such famous pigs. (all due to their love of “Pig Books” and Libraries). Farmer Minor brings his rocking chair, many of Daisy's newspaper articles on posters and of course, many of their favorite pig books. Daisy has the world's largest collection of “pig books.” Farmer Minor selects a book that the children can help read to Daisy. At the end of the program, following the Daisy pledge, all are able to pet Daisy. Photo opportunities are plentiful!
July 15 The Incredible Mr. E Magic Show
10:30 AM in Helena and 1:30 PM in East Helena
July 16 The Incredible Mr. E Magic Show
1:30 PM in Lincoln and 7:00 PM in Augusta
Every year, in conjunction with the Collaborative Reading Program Theme, “Mr. E” and Kyle Groves create a new library program. Every program is full of fun, comedy, color, music and magic. “Mr. E” and Kyle conceive, develop and present new routines along with a valuable reading and library message and everything is centered around a specific theme. In the past, they have created magic shows about Cows, Pirates, Fantasy, Circus, Wild West, Detectives, Bugs, Water, Be Creative and many other themes. They use tons of audience participation and are widely hailed for their amazing ability to interact with children. Their vast knowledge of the Art of Magic and many years of experience all help to make their programs a delight for all.