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Monthly Archives July 2021
What You Need to Know About… Monster
Gone are the days when every middle school and high school summer reading list was full of titles by Walter Dean Myers. While at one time, Myers was the go-to author for diverse characters, because he was one of the only authors of diverse characters, we are now fortunate that the publishing industry has begun embracing diverse authors. WIth this shift in the publishing industry, and public desire for diverse works, there is an increasing body of wonderful and important works by newer writers such as Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas. But this doesn’t mean that Myers' books are no longer poignant
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Dive Into Diversity: Happy Summer Birthdays!
There are so many talented and diverse children’s authors and illustrators being published! To celebrate them, I have decided to celebrate their birthdays on a seasonal basis starting with summer, and hopefully continuing throughout the year 2021-22. I was greatly inspired by Eric VanRaepenbusch’s website, Happy Birthday Author, and highly recommend it! VanRaepenbusch’s website focuses on creating “memorable reading experiences by celebrating author and Illustrator birthdays.” He has engagingly documented the authors and illustrators he as a homeschooling parent has studied with his children, and the STEAM activities they have done together to create an incredible resource for other parents
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Teen Book Review: Follow Your Arrow
Title: Follow Your Arrow Author: Jessica Verdi Publisher: Scholastic Library Catalog / OverDrive & Libby A girl named Cece Ross is a social media influencer. Things are great until she and her girlfriend break-up. Soon after she meets a boy who isn’t on social media at all and keeps her internet fame a secret. But social media catches up quickly and now Cece faces a scandal. I really enjoyed this book, it was quick and easy and deals with topics like identity, the LGBTQ+ community and social media. I definitely recommend this book as we see Cece grow to put
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Summer STEAM: Beaded Bubble Wand
After the Summer Solstice on Sunday, June 20th, summer is officially underway! We’re celebrating with a summer-themed Grab & Go STEAM kit, available to pick up on July 26th. The kits will contain beads and a pipe cleaner. This is a fun and easy craft that can be done indoors or outdoors. You can make the design above or use these instructions to create your own unique craft. Whether you love to blow bubbles, want to work on a creative craft or just want to unplug, this is a fun activity for the entire family. For an enriched STEAM activity
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Explore Japanese Culture: Sushi
Food Series Wednesday, August 11th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the zoom link. Did you know there are many kinds of sushi in Japan? Do you know why wasabi and ginger are served on the side? From its origins to how it has become a celebratory dish of choice, to its evolution in Japan, we will show you sushi in all its forms. We will also show how you can prepare some forms of sushi easily at home. That’s right, you can be a sushi chef right at home! Come join us to learn all you need to know about
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Shadow Puppetry Performances and Workshop
Firelight Shadow Theater presents two pre-recorded performances available for viewing from July 11 – July 30. Me and My Shadow is for PreK and family audiences, while Spin Me a Shadow, Tell Me a Tale is for Grades K-5 audiences. Then, on August 11, kids in Grades 2-5 are invited to take part in a shadow puppetry workshop. As Daniel Barash of Firelight Shadow Theater says, “See you in the land of shadows!” Me and My Shadow PreK, families Pre-recorded show accessible July 11 – July 30 Access the video here starting July 11. After first introducing youngsters to the
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Dive Into Diversity: Let’s Go on a Trip
White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. It’s summer break and perhaps your family is traveling! If that isn’t the case, here are a few recommendations of great diverse stories about going on a journey that you can stay home and enjoy! Fly on the Wall by Remy
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Dive into Diversity: YA Retellings
In 2021, my Dive into Diversity posts about young adult books will focus on a different genre each month. I’ll highlight books with characters that represent a range of experiences and identities. I’ll also feature authors who share an aspect of their characters’ identity as much as possible. I was somehow able to wait until July before writing about one of my favorite types of fiction: retellings of fairy tales and classic stories. This month I read A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinley, a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. In this version, Alice stumbles into an awareness of Wonderland when
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Grab & Go Craft Kits: Wire Photo Holder
Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, July 19th in the Library lobby. For this month’s project, we’re making a decorative photo holder using a rock and some wire. The kit includes a smooth, flat rock, two feet of wire, some paint, a foam brush, and a couple of popsicle sticks.
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Peculiar Picks
Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Here’s Part 3 of Peculiar Picks of books based on songs, uplifting and positive. Here are Part 1 and Part 2. Note: I recommend caregivers listen to the music for themselves before sharing with their child to determine if they feel it is appropriate for their child. Let’s Dance adapted from lyrics by David Bowie, illustrated by Hannah Marks
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Great Podcasts for Kids 2
Summer’s not over yet and that may mean you have some car trips coming up. Or, perhaps, you just want to give your kids some screen-free learning opportunities? Here are some excellent podcasts, on a variety of topics and themes, to enjoy, selected by Josh Carlson, Manager of Youth Services. Also, be sure to check out Part 1 in this series of podcast recommendations as well as recommendations for Great Podcasts for Parents and Caregivers. All of these podcasts should be available on any service you use to listen to podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Spotify, Stitcher, Google
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We’re Getting an Igloo!
What is an Igloo, you ask? Watch this…
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LinkedIn Learning – formerly lynda.com
Provides interactive lessons covering everything from using a search engine to building a website.
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Book a Trove Visit
Starting Saturday, July 17, appointments will no longer be necessary to visit the Trove. We will still be mindful of the number of the people using the space at any given time, so we may ask you to wait a few moments before entering until another visitor leaves. Want to pick up some great books or movies from the Trove? You can! You can visit the Trove by booking an appointment below to browse and select materials. Visits are 45 minutes long, starting on the hour. Please arrive on time for your visit, as late arrival will reduce your amount
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Board Meeting Documents for July 14th, 2021
Approved Library Board Meeting Minutes – 07-14-21 Combined Agenda 07-14-21 07-14-21 Library Board Agenda Agenda Item #1 – 06-09-21 Regular Library Board Minutes Agenda Item #2 – Budget Report – June 2021 Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 11 Agenda Item #4 – Adult Services Report – June 2021 Agenda Item #4 – Assistant Directors Report – June 2021 Agenda Item #4 – Collection Management Report – June 2021 Agenda Item #4 – Community Outreach Report – June 2021 Agenda Item #4 – Digital Media Specialist Report – June 2021 Agenda Item #4 – Media Report – June 2021 Agenda
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July 2021 LibraryReads
Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love. Find out more here. Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda Library Catalog: Print “The tight-knit neighborhood of Hollow's Edge is supposed to be a safe, private place where the neighbors all know each other. But secrets lie behind every door. Miranda creates a vivid setting where the characters develop quickly, and the twisty plot will keep readers guessing until the end. For fans of psychological thrillers like The Other Mrs., Into the Water, and Every Secret Thing.”—Leslie Hagel, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT All The Little
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New Movies Streaming in July
Maybe you're already familiar with our streaming services hoopla and Kanopy, but did you know that they add new content each month? Find a list below of some exciting new titles available on each platform this month. hoopla Bali: Beats of Paradise (2021 documentary) Directed by Livi Zheng. Starring Nyoman Wenten, Judith Hill, Nanik Wenten. Bali: Beats of Paradise is a documentary that pulls back the curtain on gamelan music and Nyoman Wenten, an Indonesian traditional music composer who sets out to pay homage to the sacred but shrinking tradition of Balinese music and dance. Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How
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Sept. 4th, 5th, and 6th
Library Closed on Sept. 4th, 5th, and 6th for Labor Day Weekend
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creativebug: Arts and Crafts Classes
Creativebug offers thousands of art and craft classes by well-respected designers and instructors who bring years of practice, tried-and-true teaching methods, and the ability to demonstrate every step clearly.
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