Main Library Programs in Children's Services
May & June 2013

2013 Children's Summer Reading Program
Dig Into Reading!

Monday, June 3 through Friday, July 26, 2013
Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children (through 5th grade) are invited to participate in the library's FREE and FUN Summer Reading Program. Starting June 3, time sheets will be available at all Allen County Public Library locations. Pick one up, track your reading time, and then take your time sheet to any ACPL location to collect your gift!
--Babies through children entering 5th Grade

Smart Start: Preschool Storytime

Wednesday mornings, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for 30 minutes of stories, fingerplays, early literacy activities, and fun for your 3 to 6 year old child!
There will be no storytimes at the Main Library on May 1 or May 8, so librarians can bring stories to area preschools and daycares.
On Wednesday, May 22nd, join us as storytime “goes to the dogs” with a special visit from Morgan, a beautiful black lab who is one of our Paws to Read volunteers.
Smart Start Storytime is designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Preschool children (ages 3 to 6) and their families

Storytime for Preschools, Daycares, and Other Groups

Wednesday mornings, 9:30 a.m.
Preschools & Daycares are invited to join Children’s Services Librarians each Wednesday morning at 9:30 for 30 minutes of theme-based stories, fingerplays, and fun. Please call in advance (260-421-1220) to register your group.
There will be no storytimes at the Main Library on May 1 or May 8, so librarians can bring stories to area preschools and daycares.
On Wednesday, May 22nd, join us as storytime “goes to the dogs” with a special visit from Morgan, a beautiful black lab who is one of our Paws to Read volunteers.
Smart Start Storytime is designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Preschoolers in groups (daycares, preschools, etc.)

Babies & Books and Toddler Time

Babies & Books: Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. (Designed for babies from birth through early walking)
Toddler Time: Friday mornings at 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. (Designed for walkers through age 36 months)
Bring in those little babies and toddlers for a special time just for them, sharing books, rhymes, songs and interactive fun. All storytimes are based on early literacy research, and include tips and information for parents and caregivers. They're never too young to begin with books!
There will be no storytimes at the Main Library on May 3 or May 10, so librarians can bring stories to area preschools and daycares.
Babies and Books and Toddler Time are designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Babies from birth - 36 months and their parents/caregivers and siblings

Paws to Read

Thursdays through May, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Come to the Library and read a story to a book-loving dog. Trained therapy dogs will be here every week with their handlers -- and they want to listen to you read! Research shows that children enjoy improving their reading skills by practice reading to animals. Morgan and Samantha and their handlers will have an hour to spend at the Library -- readers will take turns as time allows. Paws to Read is designed to support Indiana's Academic Standards.
--Children who want to practice their reading

Storytellers on the Move -- Book Deliveries and Storytimes at Your Preschool

Times are tough; we know it’s difficult to load your whole preschool into vans and bring the little ones to the Library. But we all agree it’s important to have books in the hands of preschoolers, so we’re going to bring the Library to your preschool! Call now (421-1220) to schedule a time for us to visit and share a special storytime. We’ll also be happy to bring a box of books for you to use at your center until we can visit again. Sharing books with kids is important!

Kids and Comics!

Wednesday, May 8, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Matt Gross, the creative force behind the web-comic CAAATS!, will be coming to Children’s Services for a fun and inspiring workshop for kids! We will discover what it’s like to create actual comics with an expert. Come to this FREE program just days before the Appleseed Comics and Arts Convention. Visit Matt’s comic at http://www.caaats.com
--Children ages 6 to 11 and their grown-ups

Reading Comics is OK: A Quick Guide for Grown-ups

Thursday, May 9, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Zack Kruse, founder of Fort Wayne’s Appleseed Comic and Arts Convention and comic aficionado, will present with Erica Anderson-Senter, Children’s Librarian and graphic novel lover, just why it’s okay for your young readers to be comic book fans. This research-based presentation is geared towards grown-ups who are wondering about the value of comics. Come and check it out!
--Parents, teachers, other interested adults

Start Storytelling

Tuesday, May 14, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Homeschoolers: Whether you enjoy theater, writing, or can just tell a great joke, storytelling is a talent everyone can use. We’ll look at the basic elements that take a story from good to great, presentation and public speaking skills, and share our own tales.
--Homeschoolers, ages 6 to 11

Letter Play Days

Wednesday, May 15: Letter C
Wednesday, June 19: Letter G
Preschoolers: join the fun of storytime, then grab your grown-up and spend some time exploring the Letter of the Day in the Early Learning Center. Activity stations designed for parent and child play will be set up and available for use throughout the day, until the Early Learning Center closes at 8:00 p.m.
Letter Play Days are designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Preschoolers and their caregivers

Children's Services LEGO® Club

Thursday, May 16, 2:00-4:00 p.m. (especially for homeschoolers)
Saturday, May 18, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday in June, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Do you like LEGOs®? If so, come join a group of like-minded kids, sprawl on the floor and build with our LEGOs®!!
--Children ages 6 - 11 years of age

Fort Wayne Ballet Youth Company Dances The Rainbow Fish

Thursday, May 16, 7:00 p.m.
Watch the classic children's story The Rainbow Fish dance to life during this FREE mini-performance by the Fort Wayne Ballet. Seating is limited; doors open at 6:45.
--Children of all ages and their families

Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival!

Sunday, May 19, during library hours
Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival at the library with a Japanese-themed make-and-take craft.
--Children of all ages and their families

Great Books Homeschool Book Club

Monday, May 20, 2:00 p.m.: Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Kids' Mysteries:
Room One: A Mystery or Two by Andrew Clements

At our last book club meeting before summer we’ll be talking mysteries! New faces are always welcome – come and see what we’re about.
--Homeschoolers in grades 2 to 5

Market Art

May 25 through August 24, 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Visit the ACPL Children's Services department at opening day of Barr Street Market on the corner of Barr and Wayne Streets to create an art project to take home. There will be a new project each Saturday starting through August 24th. (ACPL will not be able to attend the market on the last Saturday of June & July).
--Families with children of all ages

Beautiful Butterflies

Monday, June 3 through Wednesday, June 26
Watch our magnificent Painted Lady caterpillars change into beautiful fluttering butterflies. On Wednesday evening, June 26 at 6:30 p.m., we'll be releasing our butterflies at a special storytime. Join us!
--Families with children of all ages

GermanFest Celebration: King Ludwig and His Castles

Tuesday, June 4, 2:00 p.m.
In celebration of GermanFest, join local author Susan Braun as she talks about Bavaria’s eccentric King Ludwig II and the incredibly creative castles he designed and lived in. We’ll finish up the program by letting you design your dream castle using paper and crayons, markers, & pencils. Groups must call Children's Services in advance at 421-1220 if planning to attend.
--Children ages 6-11 and their grown-ups

Open Art

Thursday, June 6, 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Create a piece of art to take home and a piece to be on display in the Jeffrey R. Krull gallery at the Downtown Library. Doors will open 15 minutes before program begins. Seating is first come, first served. Groups must call Children's Services (421-1220) in advance if planning to attend.
--Preschool and school-age children and their grown-ups

Free Lunch and Snack at the Library

Monday, June 10 through Friday, August 2, 2013
Lunch: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Snack: 2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FREE lunches and snacks will be provided for children ages 1-18, Monday through Friday, in Children's Services Program Room. Groups of more than 4 children must call Children's Services at least 24 hours in advance to ensure enough lunches or snacks.

Letterboxing at the Library

Tuesday, June 11, 10:00-11:00 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Learn everything that you need to know about the art and hobby of letterboxing; then create a personal stamp, make a journal, and find your first letterbox. Letterboxes are hidden in places all over the world – including the Library! Start finding them now. Seating is first come, first served. Groups must call Children's Services (421-1220) in advance if planning to attend.
--Children ages 6-11 and their grown-ups

Fairy Houses and Gnome Domes

Thursday, June 13, 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Learn about fairy houses and make one of your very own. Doors will open 15 minutes before program begins. Seating is first come, first served. Groups must call Children's Services (421-1220) in advance if planning to attend.
--Children ages 6-11 and their grown-ups

"Outsider" Art

Monday, June 17, 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Explore art outside the mainstream. In fact it’s art outside the library – on the plaza! Use your imagination with messy art projects too fun to be contained inside! Rain date is Tuesday, June 18. Groups must call Children's Services (421-1220) in advance if planning to attend.
--Preschool and school-age children and their grown-ups

A2 Magic!

Thursday, June 20, 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Magician Jeff Wawrzaszek presents a hilarious magic show for all ages. Doors will open 15 minutes before program begins. Seating is first come, first served. Groups must call Children's Services (421-1220) in advance if planning to attend.
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Photobooth Day!

Monday, June 24, 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Bring your brightest smile, a couple of pals, and get ready to take some fantastically funny photos in our photobooth! We’ll have a variety of costume props to add to the silliness. You can take a copy home to keep, and maybe find yourself on a blog. Groups must pre-register by calling Children’s Services at 421-1220.
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Wii Read, Wii Play

Tuesday, June 25, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Read for twenty minutes and get a ticket to play in our Game Room for twenty minutes. We’ll have Wii Games and Board Games from which you can choose. Reading starts at 9:00 am and continues until 3:30 pm. Our Game Room will be open 10:00 am to Noon and from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Groups must pre-register by calling Children’s Services at 421-1220.
--Children ages 6-11 and their grown-ups

Butterfly Storytime & Release

Wednesday, June 26, 6:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages and their families are invited to join us for a special butterfly storytime and the release of our Painted Lady butterflies. Groups must pre-register by calling Children’s Services at 421-1220.
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Mark's Ark

Thursday, June 27, 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Come to the library to meet and learn about Mark's amazing animals. Doors will open 15 minutes before program begins. Seating is first come, first served. Groups must call Children's Services (421-1220) in advance if planning to attend.
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Children's Chess Tournament

Saturday, July 27, all day
Children (preschool through those entering Grade 5) are invited to register to play in this all-day, unrated, “just for fun” chess tournament. Tournament sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m. This all-day tournament ends at 3:30 with an Awards Ceremony. Pre-registration – by Tuesday, July 23rd – is requested of all players. Registration forms may be printed out and mailed or dropped off in Children's Services at the Main Library. For more information call Children’s Services at 260.421.1220.
--Children in preschool through 5th grade

Schedule YOUR Visit to the Main Library

Teachers! Now is the time to schedule your class visit to the Library! We'd be happy to arrange a tour and/or time in our Early Learning Center for your preschoolers, a library scavenger hunt of the Children's Room for your primary level students, or a tour of the entire Main Library facility for your 3rd through 5th graders. (A minimum of ten students is required). Registration is limited. Call now! 260-421-1220.
--Preschool and elementary level classes

Custom Collections

Parents, teachers, and students: With seven to ten days' notice, the Children's Services staff is available to prepare "Custom Collections" of Library materials to fill your needs. Books, computer software, magazines, music CDs, DVDs, or Playaways can all be included - depending on your needs! We may also have teaching material in our Parent Teacher Collection which you could use. This service is for you if...

• You are a teacher needing materials for a "Garden" or "Summer Fun" or other themed unit for your class
• You are a parent needing information on "Potty Training" or "Dinosaurs" for your child
• You are a college student needing information for a report about children's books
• You are a homeschooler needing support materials as you prepare your lesson plans