Fair weather for the Fair!

Has six weeks gone by already?  Our annual Summer Reading Fair takes place Thursday, July 12, from 6 - 8 p.m. on the library lawn.  The weather promises to be ideal. 

We'll have games, prizes, and lots of fun lined up including a Jump House hosted by the Rakar family, a stiltwalker will be on hand as well as face painting and even cotton candy provided by Hidden Acres Cotton Candy Concessions.  The Amherst Fire Department will be on hand.

Everyone is welcome as we wrap up our Dream BIG summer program.  We have the best families and participants who take part in our reading program each year.  A big thank you to everyone who has participated in our programming, storytimes, workshops, and craft days.  We hope you've had as much fun as we've had.

We'll still continue to hand out reading log prizes as long as supplies last so continue to fill out your logs and bring them to the library's Reference Desk.

The wait is over!

The 9th Annual Amherst Scavenger Hunt is now available at the library. 

Pick up an entry form at the library and identify each of the twenty-five photos taken in downtown Amherst. All photos were taken within easy walking distance of the library so there’s no need to worry about the price of gas.  You can also download and print a copy here.

Last day to turn in completed forms to be eligible for our grand prize drawing is Saturday, August 18.

Take me to your leader

Craft day today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Drop by the library.  It's an alien invasion!

We're making puppets using socks or paper bags.  Have some strange socks laying around without a mate?  Bring them along.  You can always find a friend at the library.

There's never a fee for crafts but we continue to take donations for the Amherst Food Pantry. 

See you at the library.

What's your dream?

Dream BIG has been the theme for the library's summer reading program.  We've had BIG programs, BIG audiences, BIG craft days with hundreds of participants and some BIG donations made to our partner, the Amherst Food Pantry.  But what are you doing to fulfill the directive to Dream BIG?

For one participant in our teen reading program it was going on an underwater expedition. Trigger fish, giant sea turtles and even the occasional sea cucumber at home in the sparkling blue water made for a very interesting trip. 

I've only seen sea cucumbers on a restaurant menu, and then never a good choice.  The sea cucumber can live up to ten years and collects food off the ocean floor, sweeping up algae and small aquatic animals with its foot like tentacles. 

But wait...what's Alex pointing to?  What's that large grey form silently speeding toward the divers?  The ocean is silent but the rush of oxygen through the hose and the sound of your increased heartbeat pulsing in your ears means the approach of one 400 pound underwater predator. 

What's your dream? 

Tell us your dream or better yet send us a photo.  Many dreams begin at the library.  For Alex it was here that the story began.

Up, up and away....AGAIN

It was just one year ago that Matt Jergens entertained the people of Amherst with his amazing juggling performance.  Matt has been busy at conferences, festivals, and workshops, sharing the art of juggling and entertaining the crowds.

Today he'll be at the Main Street Community Center, 255 Park Avenue in downtown Amherst, to entertain as part of the library's summer reading program.  Everyone is welcome to join us at 2 p.m. for the program.  But don't leave after it's over.  Matt will be teaching a juggling workshop after the program.  Last year he showed us that all's it takes is a little practice as kids of all ages learned the fundamentals with an array of colorful scarves, balls, plates, and all types of equipment.

This is the summer of Dream Big and if you ever dreamed of juggling, performing magic, or becoming an artist then we've got a class for you.  Thursday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. is Magic 101 here at the library with Professor Zap and we've just signed on for a four part Drawing 101 series with local artist Mike Leuszler beginning in July.

Hundreds have already signed up for summer reading and are registered for our prize raffles.  Remember our summer reading fair takes place Thursday,  July 12, from 6 - 8 p.m. on the library lawn. 

Field Trip to Outer Space

Today's the day that Sky Dome rolls into town for our big virtual field trip of the universe.  Join us at St Joe's School Gym where shows will begin promptly at noon, 1, 2, 4, and 5 p.m.  Each show lasts about 45 minutes and will be of interest to those in kindergarten up through adults.  Entrance will be on a first come basis and be prepared to sit on the floor inside the large dome. 

For safety reasons no entrance to the dome will be allowed once the show has begun. Plan on arriving at least 10 - 15 minutes before the scheduled show time.  Use door "D" when entering the school building. 

Drawing 101

We've just signed on local artist Mike Leuszler for a new series of drawing workshops we're calling Drawing 101.  This four part series is perfect for anyone who enjoys drawing or would like to learn some basic techniques to become better with the pencil and sketch pad. 


The first class will go over some basics and then we'll go on to do some specialty classes.  Come to one class or come to them all.  "A lot of times a parent or grandparent will bring the student and we find that they are as interested in the classes as the kids," said Leuszler.  "This time we'd like to have everyone join us and enjoy the classes together with a friend or family member.  Art is not limited to a certain age."


We're opening this to all ages so make it a family event and join us at the library.  Classes begin at 1 p.m. and the schedule is as follows:


Tuesday, July 31           Basic Drawing Techniques

Thursday, August 2       Land of Oz Characters (Here's where you can get creative!)

Tuesday, August 7        Faces (Let's face it...we all have trouble drawing eyes, noses, and mouths)

Thursday, August 9      Fantasy Characters  - if you can dream it, you can draw it.  Fairies, and zombies, and giants...Oh my!

Professor Zap and his accomplice, Ron Price, entertained last night at Magic 101, an introduction to the series of magic workshops that take place beginning June 28 here at the library.  Zap shared some valuable information on performing magic and delighted the crowd with his mind reading skills.

The magic workshops are geared to students in grades 4 through students of life up to age 104.  "We did a similar series of workshops in Cleveland this year", said Zap.  Some of our best students were grandparents and retired folks who had some time now to take up a new hobby."  After the workshops are finished we may try and schedule a show where all new magicians can showcase a trick. 


Today is craft day at the library.  We're making DreamScapes using scratch art paper and other materials.  Remember craft days are Wednesdays through July 11.  The craft area is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drop by and join the fun.  Never a need to register, never a fee.  Of course you could bring a donation for the Amherst Food Pantry.  Next week's craft....we'll figure it out by then.

Super Hero Drawing Workshop

Get the pencils out!  The Amherst Public Library will host a Drawing Workshop with local artist Mike Leuszler as part of the Dream Big Summer Reading Program. 

Students in grades 4 and up will learn techniques for creating their own larger-than-life Super Hero characters when the class meets on Monday, June 18 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. at the library. Of course the class is free but consider bringing in a non-perishable item for the Amherst Food Pantry.

The stage is set

It's a cloudy day inside the Amherst Public Library as the stage is set for another Summer Reading program.  We've had over 200 kids sign up in the first two days and more have signed up in our online program.


We are partnering this year with the Amherst Food Pantry.  For every food item you donate we'll credit you with 15 minutes on your reading log.  Remember we give out prizes for 5, 10 and 15 hours of reading. 


The calendar is loaded with programs.  In June we have Matt Jergens performing his comedy juggling act and teaching a juggling workshop.  Professor Zap will be giving a show demonstrating some of the tricks you can learn in his Magic 101 monthly workshops.  Mike Leuszler will be here to give a drawing workshop.  And mark your calendar for the Sky Dome planetarium when it visits on Thursday, June 21. 


Check out our online calendar or stop by the library and pick one up when you register for summer reading.

Prize-a-rama

Everyones been asking about our prizes for this year's Dream BIG summer reading program.  When you register at the library beginning June 4 you'll get a removable tattoo with our mascot Sid the Wonder Dog pictured. 

Keep track of the time you spend reading, or being read to, and you'll earn a prize for 5, 10, and 15 hours of reading.  We've got several styles of silicone bracelets including several colors and even a glow in the dark version for the first prize level.  Keep reading and you can take home some bubbles and even a cool silver backpack!

Remember for each prize level you reach you get another ticket to enter into our drawing.  July 12 we'll draw out names (last year we drew 100 kids' names) and those lucky winners will get their choice of a variety of prizes we'll have piled up on tables in our special "Prize Central" location.

Look for news coming soon about some great programs we'll have this summer including a Juggling workshop, craft Wednesdays, and Magic 101.  Time is ticking away....we are just days away from a great summer of fun.

Dream Big

This year we're dreaming BIG.  There's nothing you can't do, especially when you team up with the Amherst Public Library. If you are age 4 or 104, we have a program for you.  Look for registration to begin here at the library on June 4 or choose our early bird on-line registration beginning Memorial Day weekend.  Calendars of events will be available beginning June 4.


Prizes, crafts, and fun...the countdown continues to a summer of fun.
See you at the library.