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.