Library promises something for everyone with full slate of summer fun
YORK VILLAGE - If you are looking for an enrichment activity of your own or something for the children to do now that school is out for the summer, the York Public Library just may have the answer.The weeks ahead promise a full slate of events for all ages at the library, including sign-ups for the Summer Reading Program. Young people and their parents are flocking to the Children's Room to pick up reading logs and vouchers for the Seadogs game on Thursday, July 20.
Those who are middle-school age and older can sign up to be a part of the Summer Reading "Creature Feature." As part of that program, they will help save endangered books, try their hands at some creative writing or solve trivia puzzlers.
When the hours read by those in both programs are combined, the goal is to beat last year's total of 3,355 hours read.
The Children's Room's summer reading program theme of "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tails" continues on Wednesday, July 12, at 10 a.m., when local resident and veterinary technician Ann Arsenault of Animal Housecalls of Maine will visit the library. She'll bring along a pet cat, dog and guinea pig to visit and will talk about how you can care for your own pet.
Then, on Thursday, July 13 at 11 a.m., the Center for Wildlife will be at the library with some special critters from the center and tips of what to do if you find wild animals in your own backyard.
The annual meeting of the York Public Library Association will also be held on Thursday, July 13. Refreshments will be served at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, July 15, at 1 p.m., "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tails" will give young ones a chance to learn about the work of service animals - and how they are trained - when the library welcomes The Independent's Associate Editor Jennifer Saunders and family, who will visit with their eight-month-old Canine Companions for Independence Assistance Puppy in Training Adair II.
At 10:30 a.m. on most Tuesdays throughout the summer, the library will be showing films that tie in to this year's Summer Reading Program theme of "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales," including, on July 25, "An American Tail;" on August 1, "National Velvet;" on August 8, "Finding Nemo;" on August 15, "Beethoven;" on August 22, "Lady and the Tramp," and on August 29, "Free Willy."
If you find that your schedule doesn't allow you to attend any of these flicks, remember that you can borrow movies from the library in videocassette and DVD formats.
"This past year has seen our DVD collection expand exponentially," said Sudie Blanchard, assistant director of the York Public Library. "Last July, we had fewer than twenty DVDs, and now, thanks to lots of generous donations, there are over 500 films on DVD available in all categories: classics, recent films, children's favorites and even some documentaries."
There are also many films on videocassette to choose from, so when the weather is bad, or you're just in the mood for a movie, stop by the library and see if there's one on the shelves to suit your fancy.
Be sure to also mark your calendars for the two final films in the series: "The Sound of Music" on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. - earlier than others in the series - and "Pat and Mike" on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. Last year, the Friends of the Library purchased equipment that allows film fans to enjoy almost all the advantages of being in a movie theatre right here in the library.
There's even popcorn - so treat yourself to an evening out at the movies without all the hassles.
If what you're craving is something good to read on the beach during the balmy summer days ahead, you won't want to miss the Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale. This year, preview night will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, when a $5 entry fee will allow you to see and purchase the cream of this year's crop. The sale will then continue on Friday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 22, from 8 a.m. until noon.
Please note, the library's series of three lecture/discussions Dr. Mahmud Faksh, professor at the University of Southern Maine, entitled "Behind the Headlines: An Introduction the Middle East," is full. The series is sponsored by the York Public Library and South Berwick Library and funded by the Maine Humanities Council.
For more on the events at the York Public Library, check Library Happenings each week in The Independent or visit the library at www.york.lib.me.us.
