Get Creative with Crochet

If you missed our crochet workshop tonight we have another one scheduled for Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m. Vivian from Pat Catan's in Amherst is a great teacher and everyone had a great time. Summer reading really is for all ages. Kids and adults attended the workshop and found out we all had something in common - we were all beginners when it came to crochet. See you next week.

Wii Love Summer Reading

Teen Game Day is back and this time we're really hitting one out of the park. Stop by the library on Wednesday, May 27, from 3:30 -5 p.m. and get a preview of our teen summer reading program. This year we invite kids in grades 5-8 to "Express Themselves" through a variety of activities that will allow you to have fun and also get involved in your community.

During "Wii Love Summer Reading" you'll get a preview of some of our prizes, our programs, and hey....of course there will be food. Since summer reading is always such a "hit" we'll be serving up ballpark favorites while you can brush up on your video games and find reasons that "Wii" all love to come to the Amherst Public Library.

Wear a baseball shirt and get in free.....wait, everything is free at the library.
See you then.

Vote for "Tales of the Starlight Drive-in"

Vote for "Tales of the Starlight Drive-in" for best Graphic Novel of 2008

Vote Here

Sure the competition is tough when you're up against a guy whose graphic novel was made into a movie (The Watchmen), but local South Amherst author Michael San Giacomo is looking for your vote to help push him into the record books."Tales of the Starlight Drive-in" tells the stories of five people whose lives are linked by a drive-in theater. This mosaic novel contains 31 stories spanning more than 50 years in the life of the drive-in itself. Take a minute to support this local author. Registration is required to vote and look for "Tales" under "Favorite Graphic Novel of the Year".

Check your favorite library to see if it's on the shelf.

Worm Farmers Unite

Our Earth Day activity on Thursday, April 16, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., is just one small window of opportunity to learn more about what you can do as kids to learn about sustainability and recycling. Look around you. You probably have something you can recycle into a planter to start your seeds now for a garden this summer.

Eggshells, cups, cans, even milk cartons can be made into seed starters. And don't forget the farmer's helper. Did you know there are over 1000 species of earthworms. Darwin studied earthworms extensively and deemed them essential to agriculture and human existance. Pretty deep.

To make your own worm farm, cut off the top of a two liter plastic bottle, about right at the top of the soda label. I poked a few holes in the bottom for drainage and added a bit of sand, soil, and some strips of newspaper I had soaked in water and squeezed out the excess water from.

Add worms, a piece of lettuce or other vegetable scraps, and keep moist. Worms love the dark so I used black paper taped to form a cylinder to keep the worms in the dark. Feed them often and keep the soil moist. After a few days you'll be able to see the worm tracks and castings as they recycle their food! Add the soil to your garden.

Set a Deadline for Read Ohio!

Imagine what you would do if you found out you had only one year to live? For Ben Wolf, a high school senior, this was reality and what he chose to do changed the way he saw his family, his friends, and even uncovered some secrets about his small hometown of Trout, Idaho.

Ben chose to keep his eminent death a secret from his friends and even from his brother, Cody. The fear of our personal mortality keeps us all on a sort of moral leash, but undone from this boundry of fear of the unknown, Ben was able to question everything from his history teacher's blessed text book to understanding how his own death would impact those he loved. Chris Crutcher’s books always take readers on an emotional journey, and DEADLINE is no exception.

The goal of "Choose to Read Ohio", sponsored by the State Library of Ohio, is to encourage the reading of books written by Ohio authors together across Ohio communities. The library encourages Ohioans to Read Together, Read Ohio, and Read for Life.

For more information on "Choose to Read Ohio" visit their website for a full list of titles for children, teens, and adults. Find Deadline by Chris Crutcher (2007, Harper) at the Amherst Public Library in our Young Adult section (call number YA CRU).

EARTH DAY ACTIVITY

Plant a seed and read!

Celebrate upcoming Earth Day when you drop in for our Make-it Take-it Activitiy available Thursday, April 16, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. This Earth friendly fun takes about 20 minutes to complete. Take our Earth Day Quiz while you're here.
Of course it's free.

Look for more creative garden projects coming up this summer at the library
Check out what my friends are doing at Veggie U in Milan, Ohio, to educate kids about sustainability.

Firelands Classroom Designs Library Ads

Students in Sandra Fee's fourth grade classroom at Firelands Elementary School took part in the "Design an Ad" program sponsored by the Elyria Chronicle Telegram. All the ads are on display on the second floor of the Amherst Public Library.

The library staff voted on the ad they thought would best represent the library in the upcoming April 8 special issue of the Chronicle. Sarah Slack's design was chosen as the winner and she was presented with a framed copy of her ad recently when Robin Wood, director of the Amherst Public Library, visited her classroom.

But everybody's a winner when they take part in any library activity. Stop by and view the ads on display on the second floor by the reference desk.

Hobby Day Huge Success

More than 800 people came to the Amherst Public Library last Saturday to see the variety of displays set up for the library's second annual Hobby Day. Alpacas, girl scouts, rubber stamping, artists, collectors and clubs all took part with exhibits.



This year the event filled the library and spilled out onto the lawn where four baby alpaca's from Sunset Farm in Vermilion visited with kids. "This was the first time the babies have been away from the farm," explained MarLynn Boehnlein. "We are heading to a three day event in Columbus later this spring and being here at the library will help with the babies getting used to being out in public."


Ron Price, a local magician and escape artist, entertained people and even taught kids a few tricks they could do at home with objects anyone has around the house. "Learning a magic trick you can show your friends is a great self esteem booster for kids," said Ron who has been featured at the Lorain Rose Garden Cafe along with other magic venues across Ohio. The library is looking forward to having Ron present a magic workshop as part of this year's summer reading program.





The youngest participant was Mitch Sebok, an avid flint collector, who brought a great display of rocks as well as photos from different sites and a rock tumbler. Mitch even offered free rocks to those kids looking to kick off their own collection.


Staff members even got involved and put up displays at their desks showcasing their hobby. It was great seeing all the different things people in our community were involved in and activities available in our area.


And remember, using the library is everyone's hobby. Stop by and check out books, magazines, movies, CDs or just sit and relax.
We're saving a chair for you.

Teen program went SMOOTH-ly

The blenders got quite a workout yesterday as teens converged on Teen Beach Day at the Amherst Public Library. Mango Mania, Banana Cabana, and Strawberry Surprize were some of the favorites as librarians concocted smooth fruit sensations to satisfy those after school munchies.

Fresh watermelon, orange slices and lots of juice was consumed as kids played Guitar Hero on the two X-Box 360s the library had set up.
"This is the best teen event ever" said Nick, who even stayed and helped sweep the floor after everyone else had left when it was time to close down the Smoothie Tiki Hut.

Beach chairs were available for lounging and sitting under the large beach umbrella and looking at the flamingo lights seemed to get everyone in the mood for spring break.

Looking for a book?

Hey looking for a new book to read? Check out some of these picks:

Impossible by Nancy Werlin
If you feel like your carrying a giant curse around with you then think of seventeen-year-old Lucy who discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil Elfin Knight. To add to the pressure she realizes she must perform three impossible tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both from an eternity of ....well you'll see.

Rat Life by Tedd Arnonld

A weird friend, dead body in the river...why is it strange things are happening when all Todd is interested in is getting a job that pays decent money. When he is offered a gig at the drive-in movie theater is seems all on the up and up. Here's where knowing who you are and what your talents are plays a big part in what happens in your life. Yikes.

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

Here's March Madness on a smaller scale. Imagine getting cut from the very team your dad coached to a championship. Danny Walker might be the smallest kid on the team but don't underestimate him! You don't have to be a basketball fan to appreciated the heart and soul behind this team's "Bad News Bears" standings.

Online Teen Book Club

Confused about what to read next?

Join the online Teen Book Club through the Amherst Public Library and you'll get a a daily email containing a 5-minute portion of a book. You'll get a different book each week and you can sample two to three chapters and decide if you want to read on. This is a great way to find new friends and new fiction.

The web site also offers a forum to discuss books and comment on different selections. Follow the link below to the website where you can choose from a variety of books:

Amherst Book Club

You can choose your favorite library by typing in the zip code (44001) and choosing "Amherst Public Library". Join us in the Teen Book club or choose several. I did!

See you at the online library.

Check us out on Facebook to see what I'm reading now.

Nuevos Libros!

Hola amigos!
Me llamo Cheryl and I've got news about some new resources at the Amherst Public Library. We've added a small collection of Spanish language reading materials. Multi-linqual families as well as students and home schoolers are always looking for materials to help them retain and learn Spanish. Now we offer some reading materials that go beyond the regular language tapes.

The library has always had a variety of language books to teach different levels of Spanish, Italian, German, French and even Japanese, Chinese, Hungarian....well, as you can see the list goes on and on.

Visit the children's department of the library to check out some of these new titles:

Diario de Greg un Renacuajo (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Ramona la Chinche

Scooby-Doo! yel Castillo Hechizado

Stuart Little

Winny de Puh

Stink el Increible Nino Menguante

El Gran dia de Lily

The Storyteller's Candle La velita de los cuentos

and a great magazine, Iguana, filled with stories, cartoons, puzzles, and great articles about kids from around the world.

If you have ideas for future titles please let know.

Buenos dias!

Magic in the Air

New Rule: If you want to get on a computer on Fridays you need to show me a magic trick.
Just kidding....but that last girl took it pretty seriously.

My new favorite magician is Joshua Jay. I've been working on his virtual card tricks on the Internet that don't even require cards. Can't get much easier. And who knows....if this library thing doesn't work out I may be on the street with David Blaine.

Anyone wishing to demonstate their magic tricks should stop by the library and let Mrs. Ashton take a short video of you doing the trick. We want short, impromtu magic that can be performed easily at my desk. We'll post them online and make a video wall.

Abracadabra! Bring it on!

LOGO MADNESS

Got any ideas for a cool logo?

Teen Beach Day at the Amherst Public Library

Hey Giligan...Mary Anne...

Join us for a two hour tour (well not quite) and take a break from winter weather with Teen Game Day at the Amherst Public Library.

Video games, tropical refreshments and more.

Wednesday, March 18, 3:30 - 5 p.m.

I'm thinking only Beach Boy songs on Guitar Hero.

Get out your tropical shirts and flip flops and join us.

Teen Tech Week is March 8 - 14

Technology and Teens collide at the library. Here's a great way to find out what others are reading. Join our virtual book group by telling us about a book you've read recently. No, it doesn't have to be a book from our library, but our teen section is a great place to check out some good reads.