Pictures with Santa

During our Open House, Richard Katz very generously took photos of children as they talked with Santa about their Wish Lists.  These pictures, available at no charge, are on display at the library.  Just come in and take your child’s picture off the display. Thank you, Mr Katz! 

Holiday Open House

Santa Claus is coming to town!  Follow him from the Tree Lighting Ceremony to the library where you can visit with him, listen to beautiful music, and enjoy goodies!!  The festivities begin around 5:30 pm.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble, gobble!!

Financial Literacy Reading Program

The Vermont State Treasurer’s Office is working with 30 Vermont public libraries to learn how the Reading is an Investment program may be expanded to further enhance youth financial literacy. The Springfield Town Library is one of the libraries participating in the pilot project. This year’s educational theme is “Investing and Goal Sharing.”

The Springfield Town Library has received copies of The Pickle Patch Bathtub by Frances Kennedy, Isabel’s Car Wash by Sheila Bair, and Stock Market Pie by J.M. Seymour. Programming materials include a modified curriculum guide with book related activities, bookmarks, book lists, and a reading log. Children in grades K-6 who complete the reading log requirements before March 15, 2013 are eligible to be entered into a drawing for a $250 Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan account.

Stop by the Springfield Town Library anytime to get a reading log and bookmark. There is display of financial literacy books available for borrowing in the Children’s Room during. Look for a financial literacy program for children in the coming months. We thank the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office for including us in this worthwhile project.

New Game

Do you enjoy the game "Memory?"  If so, give Trip Your Memory from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation a try.  You'll recognize illustrations and characters from the award winning writer/illustrator's books.  Plus, it's lots of fun!

Author Birthdays

Many beloved authors have a birthday in October.  Help them celebrate--read one of their creations!

October 4: Susan Meddaugh (1944)
http://pbskids.org/martha/parentsteachers/program/author.html   October 6: Jeannette Winter (1933)
http://biography.jrank.org/pages/661/Winter-Jeanette-1939-Sidelights.html
Ocotber 8: Faith Ronggold
www.faithringgold.com/ringgold/bio.htm
October 8: Robert Lawrence Stine aka R.L. Stine (1943)
www.rlstine.com
October 10: James Marshall (1942-1992)
www.yourlibrary.ws/childrens_webpage/e-author102001.htm
October 14: Lois Lensky (1893-1974)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Lenski
October 16: Joseph Bruchac (1942)
www.josephbruchac.com/
Otober 19: Nikki Gromes (1950)
www.nikkigrimes.com/bio.html
October 20:  Ursula Kroeber LeGuin (1929)
www.ursulakleguin.com
October 26: Steven Kellogg (1941)
www.stevenkellogg.com
October 30: Eric Kimmel (1946)
www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai_kimmel_eric.html
 

Fall Calendar

The Fall Calendar of Events for Children is available now, just click on the pumpkin to the right.  Copies will be distributed through the schools soon, or you can pick one up the next time you are in the library. There's lots of fun in store for the season.  Take special note of the Family Time program scheduled for Saturday, September 29 from 10:30 to noon.  Join us then for the dedication of the Ro Ratti Children's Room and an interactive drumming program presented by Otha Day.  Refreshments will be served.  Hope to see you soon!

A New School Year Has Begun!

We've had a fantastic summer with thousands of books read! Don't forget that even though school has begun, the Library is still open and is an important part of your education. Have a good year and visit us often!!

Back to School

It's almost time for school to start! Keep reading the DCF books or pick out titles from the new books shelf.  Like history?  Check out Don't Whistle in School by Ruth Tenzer Feldman and learn about the history of America's public schools.  Little ones just starting school will like Enrico Starts School by Charlotte Middleton,  I Love School by Philomen Sturges, or Kindergarten Countdown by Anna Jane Hayes. A Springfield Library favorite is A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech.  There's lots to choose from. Have a good year and visit us often!

There's Still Some Summer Left!

But it is going fast!  We have two more programs for all ages:  "Sing-A-Long with Paul Ippolito" on Wednesday, August 1 at 10:00 and "Ice Cream, a Story, and a Movie" on Wednesday, August 8 at 10:00.  Loads of fun for all!  And, as always, our programs are free and open to everyone.

Ready, Set, Go!

Michael Clough of the Southern Vermont Museum of Natural History taught us all about turtles today.  He brought a snapping turtle, a wood turtle, and a painted turtle.  The wood and painted turtles challenged each other to a race.  Who do you think won?  Watch the video to find out.

Follow Student Researchers in Greenland

Students from the McCall Outdoor Science School (Idaho) will be working in Greenland for the next two weeks with Chris Cox, a University of Idaho atmospheric scientist and Springfield High School graduate. Kids (adults, too) can follow the...ir progress by clicking http://adventurelearningat.org/ or checking out their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/AL/371362292875794 . This is an exciting opportunity for the students in Greenland as well as the followers here.

Turtles

Michael Clough of the Southern Vermont Museum of Natural History will present "Turtles of Vermont" for kids ages 5 and up Wednesday, July 11 at 10:00 am.  Michael and his "friends"  are always popular!

What Shall I Read?

Check out the links to the graded booklists at the right of this column or pick up a copy at the library.  If we don't have a book you're looking for, ask about Inter Library Loan.  It's a free service offered by the libraries of Vermont and beyond.

Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program begins one week from today!  There is a program for EVERYONE: Between the Covers for adults, Own the Night for kids entering grade 6 and up, Dream Big for children in preschool (age 3) through grade 5, and Wee Read for the littlest.  There are prizes and fun for all, so sign up all day, any day beginning Tuesday, June 12!

Summer Hours

Beginning June 1st, we will be open Monday--Thursday from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm,
Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Summer Programs

See that industrious beaver to the right?  He has REALLY big dreams.  Click on his picture and you will see the Dream Big! READ! Calendar of Events for Children.  Soon, calendars will be distributed through the schools and will be available in the library.  There will be a lot of fun programs this summer--hope you can join us!

Children's Book Week

That's right, it's Children's Book Week!  Bring your child to the library, and check out our huge collection of children's books, audiobooks, music tapes and CDs, DVDs, videos, kits, backpacks, puppets, etc. etc.  If s/he doesn't have a library card, get one (free to all Springfield residents and nonresident children in Springfield schools).

Cinco de Mayo

The Junior Friends of the Springfield Town Library invite kids ages 5 and up to a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the library on Wednesday, May 2 at 3:45 pm. Pictured above are some of the Friends with a pinata they made especially for the occasion. Other entertainment includes Mexican crafts, music, and snacks. This program is free and open to all.

The Votes Have Been Cast!

And the winner of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award is Smile Raina Telgemeier. Born Yesterday by James Solheim has won the Red Clover award. The unofficial tally for the Red Clover Award is:
6,425 Born Yesterday
3,583 Art & Max
3,407 Wonder Horse
2,623 Bink & Gollie
1,633 Who Stole Mona Lisa?
1,342 Mirror, Mirror
1,263 Stand Straight Ella Kate
1,226 A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea
256 Nabeel’s New Pants
244 I Know Here
Total: 22,002

Imagine that! Over 22,000 children voted!!

April is Poetry Month

A new form of poetry is catching on. It's called Book Spine Poetry. Since the library has so many labels and stickers on the book spines, we call it Book Title Poetry. Above is an example, (though maybe not the best). Give it a try! You can use any books you want from any part of the library or even from your personal collection. Follow these easy steps:

1. Browse through the stacks and look for books with striking titles. Record titles that have possibility. (Be sure to note the call number so you can locate a desired book again.)

2. Write your poem using a minimum of three books.

3. Collect your chosen books, stack them in the correct order, and take a picture. Email your picture to childrensroom@hotmail.com. If you don't have a camera, we'll take a picture for you! And if you don't want to take a picture, just leave your "poem" stacked on a table for others to enjoy.

Good luck and have fun!

Patron Appreciation Day

In recognition of National Library Week, we celebrate you, our loyal patrons! Stop by anytime today, Monday, April 9, for a treat!

New Children's Choice Award Selections

Both the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award selections and the Red Clover Award selections for 2012-2013 have been announced. All selections will be available soon and many are available now.

For a complete and annotated DCF list, click here: http://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/cbec/DCFMasterlist12-13.pdf

For the Red Clover List, click here:
http://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/cbec/RedCloverNominees12-13.pdf

Spring Calendar of Children's Programs ...

... is now available! Pick up a copy at the library or click on the cheerful spring picture to the right. Calendars will be distributed through the schools soon. Don't forget "It's a Leap Year" on Wednesday, February 29 at 3:45 pm. Kids ages 5 and up are invited to paint a frog bank and leap into savings.

February Vacation

We will be closed Monday, BUT, on Wednesday, February 22 @ 10:00 am, Michael Clough (a favorite around here) will brighten everyone's day with his raptor friends. And, on Thursday, February 23 @ 2:00 pm, Kelly Stettner from the Black River Action Team will bring river water for us to investigate. I'm looking forward to these programs and, especially, to seeing you!

Bring Your Child to the Library Day!

Saturday, February 4 is "Bring Your Child to the Library Day!" Face Painting will be offered from 10:30 am -- 11:30 am, and cupcakes and goody bags will be available while supplies last.

The International Children's Digital Library

ICDL, the International Children's Digital Library located at http://en.childrenslibrary.org/ , contains about 4,000 books in 54 languages. Its bright colors, design appeal, and search ease make it child friendly. Though titles cannot be downloaded, they can be printed on paper and viewed by a variety of e-readers. Many of the titles were originally published in the 19th century, but more current titles are being added including over 800 that were published in 2006. This is a valuable site for teachers, librarians, parents, and, of course, children. Its definitely worth a look!

Other digital storehouses include:
Literature for Children: http://palmm.fcla.edu/juv
The Rosetta Project: http://www.childrensbooksonline.org/
Google Books: http://books.google.com/

Winter Calendar of Events for Children

The calendar is ready and can be viewed by clicking on the picture to the right. You can also pick up a copy at the library or find it amongst your child's handouts from school. Of special note is the Wildlife Tracking program with Lynn Levine on Monday January 23 at 2:00 (a no school day) and "Bring Your Child to the Library Day," Saturday, February 4.