Sneak Preview

We've been working on getting the web pages set up for online registration that begins May 31.  If you'd like a peek at how things are coming together, log onto our Online Summer Reading site. 

Some changes from last year include being able to share your reading and any reviews you write with your Facebook friends.  It's even set up so you can log your reading or submit a book review using your Smartphone.  Just finished reading a book by the pool and want to log it and share it with friends?  Simply sign onto our site and enter your info right from your phone.

When you become eligible for a prize, simply print off the certificate and bring it into the library to claim your prize. 

More about prizes later.  Bookmark our site so you'll be reading when the program begins.  Summer is almost here.

The Countdown Begins

For many people flipping the calendar page to May means soccer practice, getting the ball glove out of the basement and watching for all this rain to bring on the May flowers.

Here at the library our Youth Services Department is busy getting ready for another season of Summer Reading.  This year we are honoring the 200th birthday of Amherst by inviting everyone to "Join the Celebration" and take part in the best summer of reading yet.

We've got some great programs booked and some of the prizes are ordered.  Hey, we've even ordered the cake!

Watch for online registration to begin on May 31, but you won't be able to start logging your reading until registration opens at the library on Monday, June 6.  Watch for some improvements to our online site this year including being able to post your reviews and books you've read to your Facebook page and being able to access your summer reading account with your Smart Phone. 

Check back often as the countdown continues.

Summer Fair Fun

Another summer reading fair has come and gone.  Despite the heat and humidity we had a great response and lots of kids and families showed up for the fun.  Leapin' Little Ones set up the jump house and Zap Entertainment of Parma provided a balloon artist.  Representatives of Sandstone Summer Theater manned the ice pop station handing out refreshments.

But the best part is the number of volunteers that help with the games. Kids who used to come to storytime are now old enough to help with summer reading!  Thanks to Paul, Michael and Alex who worked the baseball game.  That's the first game I worked when I began at the library and volunteered for the fair. Thanks also to all the kids who volunteered thoughout the summer helping us manage one of the best summer reading programs around.

And thanks to all the kids, teens and adults who had fun, read books, wrote reviews, and attended all our great programs.  Thanks to the babysitter who brought all the kids here after they said our library was the most fun.  Thanks to the dad who always brought his daughter in on Wednesday after work to attend craft day together.  Thanks to the grandma who drove her grandkids to every storytime, craft day and special program.  Thanks to all the kids who kept reading no matter what.

Sometimes there are moments between the craziness that reminds you there is still a chance to have a little fun, or to provide the mechanism to share that fun with others.  Thanks to the more than 1000 summer reading club members, I know there still can be those special moments.

The Race is on - Scavenger Hunt forms now available

Finally, after a long wait, the annual library scavenger hunt is now available at the Amherst Public Library.  We provide you with 25 photos taken somewhere in downtown Amherst and you tell us the location.  Completed forms need to be submitted by Saturday, August 21, to be entered into our drawing for a grand prize.  We have a library bag filled with Amherst related prizes like movie tickets to the Amherst Cinema and pizza at Angelos.

So get up and visit our web site where you can view the form or stop by the library and pick yours up today. 

Bubble-icious

We packed the house when Sue the Bubble Lady visited Amherst on Friday, June 25, for a special summer reading show at the Main Street Center. 

There was no more room as kids of all ages came to see some of the great bubbles Sue made using all sorts of gadgets.  The crowd loved the bubbles made from such everyday objects as rubberbands, Pringles cans, and even a straw.  Making a square bubble was interesting and how she inserted a straw into the bubble to make it expand...who would have know you could even do that!

At the end of the show some volunteers actually stood inside a real bubble.  After the program Sue drew two lucky tickets out of the bucket and two kids won, what else, some bubbles!

We have over 1000 young people signed up to take part in our summer reading program so far.  Join us the next time we get together for Pirate Magic (Arghhh...) on Tuesday, July 6 at 2:30 p.m. 

The Story Continues

Storytimes continue through the summer with Waddler Storytime each Monday at 10 a.m. and also regular storytime at 10:30 where every age is welcome.  On Tuesdays at 10:30 you'll find Mrs. Stanley in the shelter house at Amherst Township Park where we share stories with our friends outside.

We read a great story about sharks and one about getting to the beach.  Everyone enjoyed the bubbles at the end.

Bubble fans, don't forget that the Bubble Lady will be at the Main Street Center on Friday, June 25 at 1 p.m.   She will show you all kinds of bubbles and some bubbles so huge that a person can stand inside.  Don't think there's any such thing as a square bubble?  Wait and see.

Summer Reading, can you keep up!

It's been a busy week as summer reading continues at the library.  Right now we have 670 kids signed up and more than 240 teens. Just over 85 adults have turned in reading slips to be entered in our drawing!  It's been crazy! 

Yesterday kids took part in a craft activity where they could write a story and make a scratch art sea creature.  The stories were great as everyone described what they saw on their visit to the beach and especially what they had for lunch.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

The yo-yo workshops have drawn a crowd and last week kids took part in a magic workshop led by local magician Ron Price.  We learned tricks like the "Professor's Nightmare" and the "Matrix".  If you missed the magic workshop, stop at the library and pick up one of the great magic books we have on the shelf.  There's always some kind of magic happening at the Amherst Public Library!

Gordon for President!

The Main Street Center in downtown Amherst was packed with a capacity crowd when magician Gordon Russ visited to officially kick off our summer reading program this year.  I lost count somewhere around 255 as people poured into the building.  Kids sat on the floor and adults filled the chairs lined up in the back.  Late comers squeezed in where ever they could find an opening as Gordon started the music and the show, of course, went on.

Pick me Gordon!  Nathan was one of the volunteers who got to try on the magic hat and help Gordon with the set of magic rings.  Keep in mind we have a magic workshop coming up on Monday, June 21.  Grades 2-4 meet at noon and grades 5 and up begin their session at 1:30.  Ron Price will be instructing kids on how to do some basic tricks using items you can find around the house.  Call the library for more information.  Magic is a great way to make friends.  Look at all the friends Gordon has?

300 kids can't be wrong

Well, we are one week into registration for summer reading and we have 300 kids registered!  Add in the 80 teens and all the people who have registered online and the adults  and we are well on our way to a huge success.  For many, tomorrow is the last day of school and sure to be a busy day here at the library.

Wednesday, June 9, our craft days begin.  Crafts will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each Wednesday.  Stop by and check it out.  We'll be making bag puppets the first session.  It's fun to see what kids come up with when you get out the paper and glue.  Maybe your puppet will look like a sea monster or a mermaid or maybe a pirate....ARhhh.

Magic things happen at the library....and especially on Thursday when Gordon Russ helps us kick off our program when he brings his show to the Main Street Center at 2 p.m.  See you there!

Remember you can register online where you can submit book reviews and log your reading. 

Let the fun begin!

Summer reading registration began today at the Amherst Public Library. 

Andrew Csanady, age 5, was the first person to be entered into the registration books signaling the official start of this year's summer reading program.  Next in line was his sister Emily, age 4.  Each picked out a squirter toy for signing up and received their reading log so they can start keeping track of the time they spend reading and earn some prizes.

We've got sun glasses for everyone who completes five hours of reading and for ten hours you get a flying disk toy that fits into its own travel pouch.  The beach bag is perfect for stowing all your gear for the pool, the beach, or wherever you're going this summer.

Stop by the library or visit our online registration page.