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.

New Year, New Books

We're quickly approaching a new year which means time to flip another calendar page and also time to flip over a page in a new book.  If you didn't get that book you wanted for Christmas check out our catalogue or browse our new book display for current titles and new reads.

If you recently took possession of a new ereader or downloaded a Kindle or Nook ap for your computer or tablet then check out some of the great ebooks available at the  library.  As always, bring your device to the library's reference desk if you need any help getting started or browsing available books.  We've helped quite a few people get comfortable with their new device and hey....we want to try it out, too.

Last week we helped a gentleman with his new Kindle Fire to show him how to change network settings to use the library's wireless.  And make sure you take part in our Winter Reading program and maybe you'll be the lucky person who will take home a new Kindle Touch.

Making a list, checking it twice

The holiday season is upon us and our new winter reading program is set to begin.  We've been checking off our list of things to get done before we start and most of the details are completed and we're ready to go.  We have some small prizes, like earbuds, pencils, and hot chocolate, for reading and reviewing books as well as two grand prizes that someone will take home next February.

The Mermaid's Tale in downtown Amherst has donated a Vera Bradley set, Blue Lagoon, that would be perfect to win for yourself or as a gift.  You'll also have the option of entering your name in a raffle to win a new Kindle Touch.  Imagine downloading books wirelessly and taking advantage of the latest reading technology.

We will have paper forms available at the library's Reference Desk for you to log your reading and enter our contest or sign up now to manage your account online and print off your completion certificates to be entered to win. Online is the best way to take part and check out other people's reviews, track your reading on your smartphone, and maybe pick up a suggestion for a new book or author.

If only my Christmas shopping was all done!

Winter Reading

Usually about this time of year the great state of Ohio sends me a giant manual listing out details of their upcoming summer reading program.  While this is a thick and heavy package, the book is at least three inches thick, I've never found it a particularly useful  tool and have taken to using it mostly for a bookend or to add to our recycle bin. 

But when the monumental volume appeared this year, thoughts of next summer's programming was too far in the future to even comprehend but why wait.  Why not a simpler form of summer reading available....in the winter?! Eureka.

So look for our first ever Winter Reading program.  The program is being put together and will be availalbe exclusively online.  Read six books and submit a short book review on each one and you'll be able to print off a certificate for a prize bag that you can pick up here at the library's reference desk.  Your certificate will also be entered into a drawing for a special grand prize to be announced soon (think Vera Bradley and maybe something with a touch screen).

Winter months are the perfect time to warm up with a good book and hopefully add a little fun to your reading by checking out reviews and book suggestions by fellow readers.  There has to be some benefit in enduring another Ohio winter....

Winning Weekend

It was a "sweet" weekend with our library community room filled with more than 800 cupcakes when the judges, Tim Kiedrowski and Maggie Notley Gross, came to judge our first ever Amherst Cupcake Wars.The grand prize winner was Angela Bak, who took the first golden spatula with her recipe for Coconut Almond Cupcakes. Angela also won a patriotic cupcake cookie jar, free donuts from Kiedrowski's and some free cupcakes from Sweets By Maggie.

Two other golden spatulas went to Michelle Kissane for her Treasure Chest Cupcakes and Renee Bennett for her Banana Split Cupcakes.

Honorable mentions were awarded to
Susan Sailer's Panda Cupcakes and the baking duo of
Mackenzie Tyson and Marley Biczykowski  for their Thin Mint Cupcakes.

Terri Belush won a free birthday cake from Kiedrowski's when her name was drawn from all the raffle entries.  Mackenzie Tyson and Marley Biczykowski had their ticket drawn and won a free party for six at Sweets By Maggie.

Thirty five people entered our cupcake contest.  When the crumbs cleared on Saturday after the bake sale we had raised just over $400 for the Amherst Food Pantry. Nancy Burls, Coordinator for the Amherst Food Pantry, congratulated everyone on their fundraising efforts. 

"The library really goes all out to help support the work of our local food pantry", said Nancy.  "This cash donation allows us to buy gift cards that can be used for produce and fresh items like eggs, milk and fresh vegetables."  

Every single cupcake found a home last Saturday and thanks to the baking, and eating efforts of our library community, we all came together for a great cause, and had a lot of fun at the same time.  Thanks to our judges who spent more than two hours deliberating over which cupcakes deserved the top honors.  It was a very, very hard job.  Congratulations to everyone who helped make the day extra special.

CUPCAKE MANIA

Cupcakes have started arriving at the Amherst Public Library where Amherst Cupcake Wars is well underway.  Everyone who enters fills out a registration form which acts as your entry into a drawing for a free birthday cake from Kiedrowski's Simply Delicious Bakery or a party at Sweets By Maggie.


If you're not baking cupcakes then plan on eating them.  Saturday at 10 a.m. our Bake Sale opens where you can see the winners of the coveted Golden Spatula awards as well as purchase cupcakes to take home, or just eat.


All the proceeds go to the Amherst Food Pantry.  Tim Kiedrowski and Maggie Notley Gross will be our judges this evening! Let the competition begin....where's my fork?

Countdown to Cupcake Wars

Everyone who attended the Cupcake Demo last week with Chef Maggie Notley from Sweets By Maggie got some great ideas for Cupcake Wars.  Maggie demonstrated how to make a fondant rose just using your hands, no special tools.  Buttercream roses are a thing of the past now that we can all fashion flowers in bright vibrant colors. 

Even the cupcakes were special as Maggie got into the whole retro historical theme and brought in 60 tie dyed cupcakes, all red, and blue.  We also learned how to make ganache and home made caramel.  Did you know that when Hershey first started his candy empire, caramel was one of the first candies he produced way before chocolate was even in the picture?

Once the pastry bags full of buttercream came out it got pretty quiet in the room as everyone concentrated on the perfect swirl.  Each participant took home a recipe for Amherst Bicentennial Caramel and hopefully some great ideas for Cupcake Wars.

Have a minimum of two dozen cupcakes at the library before 5 p.m. this Friday, July 8.  Judging takes place after closing and winners will be announced during the bake sale on Saturday, July 9.  Remember all the proceeds benefit the local Amherst Food Pantry. 

Up in the air with Matt Jergens

There were a lot of things up in the air yesterday when the Amherst Public Library hosted comedian juggler Matt Jergens as part of the library's summer reading program.  The air was not only filled with a bowling ball, scarves, balls and even raw eggs, but the air in the room filled with laughs and an almost electric current of fun that ran through each person there and transformed some of us into kids again.

Matt was juggling outside the building as people scurried to park and get to the show.  Inside the music began and everyone took their seats, some kids wondering if they had sat too close, as bowling balls and even a seven foot unicyle came on stage.  Volunteers helped out and after the show everyone got a hands on juggling lesson.

"The best part of my day is being able to pass on a love of juggling to the audience," said Matt.  "Seeing that look of amazement on someone's face during that 'ah-ha' moment when it clicks that they are juggling is priceless." 

Matt travels throughout the east coast, and wherever juggling is needed, performing at resorts, festivals, and business venues.  "This was a great show," exclaimed one grandmother who was busy juggling scarves during the workshop.  "You have to have him back again."

I think she's definitely right about that.