Summer Success

Maybe you don't remember the year kids voted to see what color she would dye her hair if we were able to get 200 teens to sign up for summer reading.  This year, even without a colorful contest, our teen program registered 292 members not counting those who registered online. That's fantastic.

Thank you to all the kids who took part, volunteered, and took part in our programs and activities.  You really made it a fun summer.  The drawing workshop, magic tricks, craft days were all made more fun by your involvement. 

Thanks also for all the donations made to our charity partners, Flip Flops for Haiti and the Amherst Food Pantry.  Many people benefited from your generosity and willingness to get involved.  Hopefully you'll follow through on that willingness to help others and make a difference as the year continues and you return to school and work.

School?!  It's hard to talk about when it's still July but we are planning another book covering event to help you get started on the right foot.  We covered hundreds of textbooks last year and went through stacks of paper bags.  The library will be there for you again this year when the school bell rings.

Enjoy the few weeks you have till that time and continue to visit us at the library.  Thanks for a great summer.

Magic Happens

There's more magic around now that Ron Price instructed some willing apprentices in the art of cups and balls, rope magic, and even some cell phone tricks.

Two separate classes came to the Main Street Center where local magician and escape artist Ron Price led the workshops.  Even some parents stayed around to learn a few new tricks.  Everyone was surprised to learn there are a few easy tricks with simple items you have around the house, like rubber bands and even paper clips.

The library has a great collection of magic books as well as some videos that explain how to do some classic illusions.  Magic is a great ice breaker and a way to build self confidence.  Just don't tell any one the secret!  Stop by the library to pick up a book or visit Ron when he teaches each Saturday at the Yellow Barrel of Magic in Elyria.

Yo-yo Mania

The yo-yo workshop with Jake Willis drew lots of local enthusiasts who learned a few new tricks.  His high tech, souped up yo-yos were a big draw and people were practicing tricks like the "Jamaican Flag" and "Psycho Baby". 

Jake Willis heads up the Lorain County Yo-yo Association.


Our next workshop is tonight, Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m.  Bring along your yo-yo or just come and get an idea how to work one.  It's a new dawn and a new age as yo-yo-ing goes high tech.

Teen Game Day

When I checked the registration book this morning we had more than 150 teens registered for summer reading.  School's been out less than one week and already kids are heading to the library to pick up books, music, and movies before heading out to friends, parties, vacation, wherever people head to when they don't have to head to school.


Remember this week at the library we have a Teen Game Day on Thursday, June 17 beginning at 3 p.m.  We'll have Guitar Hero up on the big screen and others games going on so stop by if you're around.  This Saturday, June 19 is our first of two Yo-yo Workshops with Jake Willis, president of the Lorain County Yo-yo Club.  Stop by at 1 p.m. Saturday and bring along your yo-yo or just come by and watch Jake as he demonstrates just what you can do with a little string.  No....this is not your father's yo-yo.  No old school yo-yo's here.

Magic Workshop with Ron Price takes place Monday, June 21.  Normally you'll find Ron at Yellow Barrel of Magic most Saturdays but on Monday he'll be teaching us how to perform some magic tricks with normal props you probably already have around the house.  Workshop is at 1:30 p.m. and for more room, we'll be down at the Main Street Center, 255 Park Avenue in downtown Amherst.  Yes, that's the old Amherst Post Office.

See you at the library!

School's Out! - you're FREE

I feel like Alice Cooper should be playing in the background here, something special to mark the end of yet another school year.  You've finally finished with the books, the tests, the teachers....now what?


Time for FUN!  We've got a Teen Game Day scheduled for Thursday, June 17 at 3:30 p.m.  We'll have the Guitar Hero out on the big screen and other fun stuff.  Stop by.


Don't forget the Magic Workshop with magician Ron Price on Monday, June 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Main Street Center.  Ron teaches most weekends at the Yellow Barrel of Magic but this workshop for summer reading is FREE.  Call us at 988-4230 to register so we know how much stuff to bring and learn some tricks using stuff you probably already have around the house. 

Don't forget some of the summer reading prizes we have this year.  Who can resist the projectile water dispenser...or get your choice of two insulated bags, perfect for a bike ride or trip to the beach.


Yes FREE is a popular word at the library.  Stop in and sign up for summer reading, or register online.  We have FREE prizes along with lots of FREE books to check out and remember there's never a charge to rent a DVD from the library.  Load up on CDs, movies, magazines, graphic novels.....well you see what I'm getting at.  Now that you've got some FREE time...maybe we'll see you at the library.