Filed under: children, Events, Libraries, Newark | Tags: Art, children's event, Summer Programs
We still have spaces left to sign up for Kids Art Camp starting June 19th at the Newark Library! If you are 7 years of age or older and would like to sign up, please contact Mary Ayers at (510) 795-2627 ext 15 or e-mail mcayers@aclibrary.org. It will be a lot of fun (we’ll have mini discusisons about a few different art styles and artists and then we’ll work on our own artwork based on what we’ve learned.) These are free classes and we’ll provide all the necessary supplies.
Filed under: Book Review, books, community, Libraries | Tags: (Book) Talk, animals, Book Review, books
Dewey; the Small-Town Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron
This is not just a book about an adorable library cat named Dewey Readmore Books, it is the story of the people of a small Iowa farm town and the leader of their library, the Spencer Public Library. As we hear the tale of Dewey from his beginning as a filthy, nearly frozen kitten who arrives in the library’s bookdrop one bitterly cold Iowa morning (15 degrees below zero), we learn about the social and economic history of Spencer Iowa. Woven among the anecdotes of Dewey is also the story of Vicki Myron and her own story of overcoming great adversity to become the director of the Spencer Public Library.
I have had a number of cats in my life and I have to admit Dewey is quite an extraordinary cat. Of course this book is full of Dewey’s adorable antics, but what makes him really special is his love of people ; he knows how to bring out the best in the grouchiest library customer, he knows when someone is hurting inside and needs some extra TLC and he brings out the best in the town of Spencer Iowa.
If you are interested in reading Dewey or any of our other reviewed books, please check out the library catalog at www.aclibrary.org to find a copy!
Filed under: children, community, Libraries, Newark, teen | Tags: meetings, Summer Programs
are coming at the end of this month! If you are in 6th grade or higher and are interested in helping younger children play the summer reading game, this orientation meeting is for you. The orientation is scheduled for Saturday, May 30th at 2 pm in the Conference Room. If you have any questions, please contact Kat Blair at (510) 795-2627 ext 23 or e-mail her at KBlair@aclibrary.org. 
Filed under: children, community, Events, Newark | Tags: children's event, Free for All, Summer Programs
Just a reminder: Kids Art Camp sign-ups begin Tuesday, May 26th. You can either come into the Newark Library or call us at (510) 795-2627 to sign-up. Kids must be 7 years of age or older to participate. You must also tell us which of the two days you want to register for: Tuesdays or Fridays. You may only register for one or the other, not both. Tuesday’s classes are 2-3:30 and start June 23rd. Friday’s classes are from 11-12:30 pm and begin June 19th. We will provide a light snack during the program. Each class session runs for 6 weeks (no class Friday July 3rd).
To know me is to KNOW that I would see the Star Trek movie the first week of its release. I held out all the way until Sunday at 11:00 am when I arrived at the Dublin IMAX with two other trekkies and two thirteen year olds. We were surprised to find the theater full and we had to sit in the front row of the IMAX, which was a killer to focus on all the action. Our heads were swaying back and forth wildly. The new faces were excelent with Scotty taking the cake for best performance of a new actor in a well-established role. Harold and Kumar fans will be pleased with the selection for the Sulu character. All expectations were met with just enough of the “original” lines to satisfy the trekkies and not so many that the next generation had to cringe. This is one movie thatI will be adding to my home collection, but was there ever really any doubt! Enjoy, and of course … Live long and Prosper … Barbara Hamze
Filed under: Book Review, books, children, teen | Tags: (Book) Talk, Book Review, teens
Just because it ‘s Children’s Book Week, here’s an extra book review 🙂 
This book is actually part of a trilogy, written by Garth Nix. It is for older children/teens. The Old Kingdom trilogy begins with Sabriel, which is one of my all time favorite books. The Old Kingdom is a place with wild magic, beings returned from the dead, and the home of the Abhorsen, who works to keep the dead in their place and to control the flow of wild magic. Sabriel is drawn into the Old Kingdom when her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing. She must find her father and learn the ways of the Abhorsen before evil completely overthrows the Old Kingdom and works its way over the Wall …
Filed under: children, community, Events, Newark | Tags: butterflies, craft, Programs
We have some pictures to share! 
This was our butterfly gardening and butterfly craft day last Saturday here at the library. Miss Christie came and shared how to plant your own butterfly garden at home and showed us which plants butterflies (and hummingbirds) really like! Then everyone planted milkweed seeds to take home for their 
garden, and we worked on two butterfly crafts (3-D butterflies that you can hang in your house, and coffee filter butterflies). Everyone had a great time. We hope to see you at our next program!
Filed under: Book Review, books, children, teen | Tags: (Book) Talk Thursdays, Recommended Reads
This week I’ve decided to give a list of my ten favorite books read within the last couple of months (children, teen or adult and in no particular order):
1. Barnaby Grimes and the Curse of the Night Wolf by Paul Stewart (childrens)
2. Coyote Waits by Tony Hillerman (adult)
3. Looking for Alaska by John Green (teen)
4. Monster Blood Tattoo (books 1 and 2) by D.M. Cornish (children/teen)
5. The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan (adult)
6. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (adult/teen)
7. Millie Waits for the Mail by Alexander Steffensmeier (childrens picture book)
8. Sweethearts by Sarah Zarr (teen)
9. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Greg Kinney (childrens)
10. Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale (childrens)
Filed under: books, children, community, Libraries, Newark, teen | Tags: Reading Buddies, Summer Programs
Reading Buddies returns to the Newark Library this June, Wednesdays from 3-5 pm. Younger children are paired with a teen “reading buddy” to practice their reading skills over the summer break. High schoolers with a GPA of at least 2.0 are needed to be Reading Buddies this summer. If you are interested, please contact Kathleen Hannon at (510) 795 – 2627 ext 18 or e-mail KHannon@aclibrary.org for more information. Teens will receive Community Service hours for their Reading Buddy Volunteer hours.
Filed under: books, children, Events, Libraries, Newark | Tags: Children's Books, contest
Celebrate Children’s Book Week! This is the week to enjoy any and all children’s books. If you have a favorite book from your childhood, maybe now’s the time to revisit it or to pick up a new children’s book to see what’s available. Thursday night we’ll have a bookmark designing contest here at the Newark Library (starts at 5:45 pm). The winner will have their bookmark copied at put out on display for others to enjoy.
Newark Library Blog 