Tag Archives: kids

More fun online literacy stuff

Recommendations, , , ,

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.

What to do when you’re stuck at home

Uncategorized, , , , ,

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.

What’s up in November

Events, , , , , , , , ,

The holidays are fast approaching and so is the snow.  We may settle in for the season, but we’re still keeping busy.  Here are the events at your library this month.

Monday, November 4th at 1:00 pm:  Classic Movie Matinee
Ninotchka starring Greta Garbo
This delightful comedy satirized the Soviet Union, with Garbo playing a no-nonsense official who finds herself seduced by Paris and by one Count in particular.

Wednesday, November 6th at 10:30: Hands-On Science
The theme this month is food!  We will try our hands at making butter along with some other edible experiments.  Best for ages 18 months-5 years.

Friday, November 8th at 10:30: Storytime
The theme of the week is Minnesota animals in winter.

Monday, November 11th: Closed for Veterans’ Day

Wednesday, November 13th at 11:00: Coffee and Conversation
Get to know your neighbors over a hot beverage.

Friday, November 15th at 10:30: Storytime
The theme of the week is Where the Wild Things Are!

Saturday, November 16th at 11:00: Family Matinee
The Secret Life of Pets 2
Max the terrier encounters canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a scary turkey when he visits the countryside. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses.  Free and fun for the whole family.  Free popcorn!

Wednesday, November 20th at 1:00: Book Group
Our book group for adults will discuss Persepolis, a graphic novel memoir of life in revolutionary Iran.  Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, November 20th at 6:30: Library Board Meeting
If you’re curious about how the library runs or interested in joining the board, you can join us any month at our meeting.

Thursday, November 21st at 6:00: Writing Group
We have a small, but enthusiastic group of writers who share our work.  It is a non-judgmental space.  Writers of any genre or experience level are welcome.

Friday, November 22nd at 10:30: Storytime
The theme of the week is Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 27th at 11:00: Coffee and Conversation
Bring your friends or make new ones over a hot beverage.

Thursday, November 28th: closed for Thanksgiving

Friday, November 29th all day: Drop-in crafts
Skipping the shopping hordes?  Need to get the kids out of the house?  Come to the library and make some crafts.

Friday, November 29th at 10:30: Storytime
The theme of the week is courage.

Hands-On Science

Events, , ,

What:  Hands-On Science
When: Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30
Who: Best for ages 2-4, but everyone is welcome

Hands-On Science for pre-schoolers is going to be lots of fun this week.  We are playing with colors.  We will do some bubbly science and some sorting.  Lots to keep little hands happy!


Library Card Sign-Up Month

Events, ,

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!  We are celebrating all month long.  Sign up for a new card and you can spin our wheel for a small prize!

Already have a card?  Great!  We will be offering a special patron appreciation week, including a fine amnesty.  Bring your card in to the library (Yes, you must bring your card!) during the week of September 9th through September 14th and we will forgive your late fees from our library.  We are not able to forgive fines from other libraries or lost item fees.

 

Summer Reading Program recap

Events, , , , , ,

It’s hard to believe that it’s over, but summer reading 2019 is in the books.  Let’s take a look back.

Total kids registered: 309!
Number who finished: 109!

Pizza Party and astronaut training

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Lonsdale Lions, volunteers and Mackenthun’s!  And thanks to the 133 of you who came and made it so much fun.

STARLAB Planetarium

Thanks TCU Community Ed!  And to the 142 kids of all ages who learned about the universe.

Space Pirate Encounter Escape Room

 

Thanks volunteer Sara Richter!  And to the 18 brave teens and tweens who saved their spaceship from disaster by using their wits and teamwork.

Remarkable Reptiles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the 100 excited kids and brave parents who enjoyed learning about these cool animals.

Ice Cream Social

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to our fabulous volunteers and to the 76 of you who braved the insane heat for the sweet finish to our summer reading program.

We also had Maker Mondays, family movie Tuesdays and Teens ‘n Tweens Thursdays.  Oh, and drop-in crafts and worksheets.  In short, it was a whirlwind!  Thanks again to everyone who participated.  See you next year.

Summer Reading Program update

Events, Uncategorized, , , , ,

We are approaching the halfway point in our Universe of Stories summer reading program.  We have 284 kids registered, but our goal is 325 so tell your friends!

Let’s take a look back and then a look forward.

June 7th: Pizza Party kickoff

We welcomed 133 people.  Kids signed up for the summer reading program and trained like an astronaut.  Everyone enjoyed pizza cooked and served by the Lonsdale Lions.  Thanks, Lions!  And thanks to the anonymous donor who provided the pizzas!  And thanks to Mackenthun’s for helping us out with drinks and ice!

June 20th: Eagle Bluff Starlab Planetarium

An amazing 142 people visited the planetarium to learn about the universe.

June 25th and 26th: Escape room

A space pirate escape room for kids 10 and up attracted 18 kids to five separate sessions.  They all escaped!

Weekly events

Maker Mondays encourage school-age kids to explore their creativity.

Tuesday evening family movies are fun for all ages.

Teens ‘n Tweens do crafts and activities just for them.

Coming soon

Wednesday, July 10, 1:00 pm: Remarkable Reptiles

Your friend and mine, Jim Gerholdt, will be back with his snakes, lizards and turtles.

Friday, July 19, 1:00 pm: Ice Cream Social

We will close the program again with ice cream and good company.

Weekly events will continue every week through the end of the program on July 19th.

We’ve given out 167 prizes, but we have LOTS more, so keep reading!  Thanks to Subway and Casey’s for our delicious third prizes!