More fun online literacy stuff

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I’m sure many of you are sharing your space with antsy kids.  Here are some suggestions of activities that are fun and sneak in some learning.

Lots of great children’s authors are hosting online storytimes.  This article has a list with links.  Search for #OperationStoryTime on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to find more.

Storyline Online features celebrities reading picture books.  Many are perfect for kindergarten through third grade.

We can’t get out to the Minnesota Zoo, but they do have some excellent learning resources to use online and download.

How about concerts from children’s musicians?  This website has an updated list of dates and times.  Many are free, but some request donations and others may require a small fee.

Math can be fun!  Cool Math 4 Kids has games to make practicing grade school math entertaining.

You may remember Highlights magazine from your childhood, since they’ve been around since 1946.  Their website has games, learning, real world activity suggestions and more for ages 6-12.

Library Closing Extended

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In keeping with the Governor’s shelter in place order, the library will remain closed through April 11th.  We hope to reopen on April 13th, but the situation remains fluid.  Thank you for your ongoing understanding.  Please stay home if you can and stay safe, friends.

What to do when you’re stuck at home

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Hello friends,

I hope you’re all staying safe during these tough times.  I expect a lot of you are stuck at home, with or without kids.  What can you do to keep entertained and enlightened?  Here are some resources that may help.

Read ebooks:

As I hope you already know, you can use your library card to check out ebooks and e-audiobooks from our collection.  Use the free Libby app to download.  Want to get started with electronic content?  Check out this user guide that will talk you through the process on your type of device.

You can find more free content on Ebooks Minnesota, a collection of books from Minnesota’s independent publishers.  Get started by browsing by category.

Classics are available to download or read online from Project Gutenberg.

Desperate for wifi?  Our network is still up and available.  You should be able to pull up your vehicle and use it from the parking lot.

Physical books and more:

We have carts in the entryway of the library loaded with books, puzzles and activity sheets.  They are all free for the taking.  There is also a little free library downtown by the Veterans’ Memorial.

Online learning and entertainment for kids and adults:

Scholastic Learn At Home has lots of free projects by grade level.

Junior Library Guild has opened access to their ebooks for kids and young adults.

Educational publisher Abdo has provided free access to all of their ebooks and databases through June to keep kids reading.  Find books for PreK-8 and 5-12.  Also, check out the Zoom research database for beginning readers.

Nickelodeon has a site with activities including Spongebob’s handwashing lesson.

Why not take a virtual tour of the world’s great museums?

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can start a free online course from an Ivy League University.

Lots of streaming services are offering special content.    Amazon Prime is offering free kids content even to non-subscribers.  Other services are extending their free trials to 30 days.  Explore this list from Slate.

This NPR article lists more, including theater, learning and workout sites.

LIBRARY CLOSING

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CLOSED MARCH 18 – MARCH 28

In keeping with recommendations by the State of Minnesota and the American Library Association, the library will be closed starting Wednesday, March 18 through Saturday, March 28.   Further updates will be forthcoming as the situation develops.

The book drop in the lobby will continue to be available for book returns.  Items can be renewed through the online catalog.  If you are unable to return or renew items, don’t worry.  Any late fees accrued during this time will be waived; just let us know when we’re back in business.

Meanwhile, stay safe friends!

All events cancelled

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: The Lonsdale Public Library will remain open for our regular business hours for the time being.  However, all library events including story time are cancelled until March 28 and the story room and meeting room will be closed to outside events.  As you know, the situation is constantly changing, so check back regularly for updates.

Family Matinee

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Our family matinee is fun for the whole family the third Saturday of every month at 11:00.  For no money at all, you can come into the library and watch a G or PG movie on our big screen.  We will even throw in some free popcorn!  Everyone is welcome, no pre-registration required.

March 21: Frozen II (PG) EVENT CANCELLED

Your favorite characters from Frozen are back!  When she hears a mysterious voice calling to her Queen Elsa embarks on a journey to the Enchanted Forest to discover the source of her magical powers and save the kingdom of Arendelle.  And, of course she couldn’t undertake the journey without the help of  her sister Anna and their friends ice harvester Kristoff, snowman Olaf and reindeer Sven.

 

 

 

 

April 18: The Princess Diaries (G)

Mia is a regular, somewhat awkward high school student living with her mother in San Francisco when she gets the shocking  news that she’s the heir to the throne of the European country of Genovia.  Her newly-discovered grandmother Clarisse gives Mia a makeover and etiquette lessons designed to turn her into someone new.  Can Mia become a princess while still remaining true to herself?

 

 

 

May 16: Sonic the Hedgehog (PG)

Based on the popular video game character, Sonic is an alien blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds.  He comes to Earth to hide out from the bad guys, but when he causes an accident he draws dangerous attention.  He must escape Doctor Robotnik with the help of his new friend, Sheriff Tom Wachowski.

Classic Movie Afternoon

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Did you know that we show a classic movie on the first Monday of every month?  If you’re hanging around the house looking for something fun to do, come on down.  We will even have free popcorn!

What: Classic Movie Monday
When: Monday at 1:00 pm
Where: Lonsdale Public Library meeting room

March 2: Harvey

James Stewart stars as Elwood P. Dowd, a mild-mannered man who just happens to have a six-foot tall invisible rabbit as his best friend.   (1950, 1 hour and 44 minutes)

 

 

 

 

 

April 6: Easter Parade   

Fred Astaire and Judy Garland star in this charming musical with music by Irving Berlin.  (1948, 1 hour and 43 minutes)

 

May 4: You Can’t Take It With You

Have a laugh with this Frank Capra classic.  A wealthy young man gets engaged to a woman with a decidedly eccentric family.  (1938, 2 hours and 6 minutes)

 

 

 

Book Group

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The next book group book is The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland.  Our next meeting will be March 18th.

The public book group meets every month on the third Wednesday at 1:00 pm.  Everyone is  always welcome!  (And we have treats.)