Find out what’s Beneath the Surface at the Liberal Memorial Library

Summer Reading begins this upcoming week at the Liberal Memorial Library! Activities and programs kick things off on Tuesday, May 28 and programs and activities will run through the end of June. And if you haven’t signed up yet, what are you waiting for?!

In last week’s column, we let you know what was going on with the children’s portion of summer reading. But the fun’s not limited just to the kiddies this summer. There’s plenty of fun stuff for the teens as well.

So what are we going to do? We’re going to find out what’s Beneath the Surface this summer. That’s the theme: Beneath the Surface. We’re going to take it figuratively and literally.

Here’s a list of activities for the teen/young adult summer reading program:

* We will kick things off with a movie on Wednesday, May 29 at 4 p.m. A scientist whose radical theories have completely tarnished his reputation goes backpacking across Iceland and finds a cave that leads him deep down into the bowels of the planet. He discovers a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth filled with bizarre landscapes and terrifying creatures.

* It’s time to unleash some energy and join us for Zumba on Thursday, May 30 at 3 p.m. Zumba fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-fitness sensation, blending upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography, for a total-body workout that feels like a celebration!

* Join us as we explore wild and crazy hairstyles courtesy of the SCCC/ATS Cosmetology Department on Wednesday, June 5th at 1:30 p.m. Express your true self with a hairstyle that matches your personality. Maybe it’s big hair? Or perhaps a mohawk? How about a beehive? Learn about the out of control hairstyles through the years.

* Did you know that underground tunnels exist beneath us on Main Street? Find out more from Lidia Hook Gray on Tuesday, June 11 at 2 p.m. We’ll head underground, take a look at a local business and learn a little history about the buildings and tunnels that are connected to one another.

* Unleash your inner hero as we delve into the magical world of Dungeons and Dragons with Brad Kearn on Thursday, June 13 at 4 p.m. Learn about how you can guide your heroes through quests for treasure, battles with deadly foes, daring rescues, courtly intrigue, and much more. That’s Thursday, June 13 at 4 p.m. See you at the Library.

* Join us for Tai-Chi as we find serenity in motion on Wednesday, June 19 at 4 p.m. Terri Barnes introduces us to the art of Tai Chi. She will help us meditate through movement as we connect our mind and body through gentle activity. That’s Wednesday, June 19 at 4 p.m. See you at the Library!

* We’ll take a look at Mermaid Art on Thursday, June 20 at 4 p.m. Susan Copas leads us through a wondrous art adventure with the mystical and magical creatures known as mermaids. In the end, you’ll have created your own mermaid masterpiece. That’s Thursday, June 20 at 4 p.m. See you at the Library!

* Join us for yoga as we find self-awareness and inner peace on Wednesday, June 26 at 4 p.m. Alli Lyon introduces us to yoga, which is more than stretching exercises. It is also about creating balance in the body through the development of both strength and flexibility. Relax and find your spiritual self. See you at the Library!

And remember, it’s more than just books for young adults (and everyone else) during the summer reading program.

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Just, that we do have a Kindle Fire available for check out.

If you’ve always wanted to see what a tablet can do, here’s your chance to find out first hand. Here’s a great opportunity to check out the wonders of what a tablet can do. You can surf the web, read a book, watch a video and do so much more.

All you have to do is come down to the circulation desk and ask for the Kindle Fire. Borrowers have to be at least 18 years old and sign a borrowing agreement adhering to the Library’s policies and terms for the device. Once you’ve done all that, you’ve got 14 days to check out one of the coolest devices around. (And don’t forget, late fees do apply!)

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For the latest events and happenings at the Library, check out our webpage at www.lmlibrary.org or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/lmlibrary.

Dig Into (Summer) Reading

The best part about the summer vacation as a kid was having a whole summer with nothing to do.  It always sounded like a good idea, but after a couple of days, I got bored and my mom had to figure out something for me to do until school started again.    It usually involved swimming lessons (I sink), softball (I was a left-handed pitcher) and cleaning my room.

Parents in Liberal may have an easier time figuring out what their kids can do during the summer.   

Liberal Memorial Library will have their summer reading program from May 28^th to June 29th.   The theme for the children’s program is “dig into reading”.  We are going to travel through the sewers, explore burrowing animals, get the basics of gardening, dig into the past and for the final week of the program, dig up trouble. 

Just like in the past, every week children from birth to grade six can come to the library for an hour of books, songs, crafts and games.  We also have a lot of special programming for the whole family.   There are programs for tweens, teens and adults during the summer as well. 

The five-week program begins on May 28^th at 3:00 with a worm box building session.  The library is going to be home to a box of worms as the mascots of the program.   We are going to learn about worms and how to take care of them.  The names Justin Bieber and Frank have already been suggested by kids. 

We have the Soil Tunnel Trailer from 10:30-11:30 on Thursday, June 6^th.  Kids and adults will be able to see what it looks like under the earth, complete with 3-D worms and roots. 

On June 12^th  at 4:00, Dr. Patrick Ross of Southwestern College will be at the library to discover life in a cup of dirt.   We’ll dig in and discover the rich life and real value in a cup of dirt. 

On June 18^th at 3:00 we are going to see some big machinery that may have been used to make the roads in Liberal. 

Mad Science is coming back to the library.  Kids will be see how cool science is, and who knows, maybe even get to volunteer for a mad science experiment.  The program is on June 25^th at 1:00. 

We will also try not to dig up too much trouble by learning how to be a medieval jester and juggling.  Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than it sounds.  While I can’t guarantee that every kid will learn to juggle in an hour, every kid will learn the basics, and with a little practice, they should be able to juggle well in no time.  Come to the library on Thursday May 27^th at 3:00. 

The library is showing a different movie each week on Friday May 31^st, June 7^th and June 14^th.    All movies are rated G or PG.  I’m excited about the movies because not only are they good movies but we are serving popcorn and lemonade.  

Of course, there is also the reading part of the summer reading program.  Children from birth to grade six have the opportunity to read for a t-shirt.  Kids set a reading goal when they sign up (at least 10 hours during the five weeks). When the five weeks are over, kids bring their signed forms back to the library (by Saturday, June 29^th).  At the end of the summer party (August 2^nd at 2:00), everyone who reached their goal will get a summer reading t-shirt. 

Sign up for the program begins May 20^th and programming begins on the 27^th.  For more information contact the library at 620-0180 or visit the website www.lmlibrary.org. 

Journey into the library this summer

It’s May and who would think to expect snow to start it off. May is Bike Month celebrated every May for the last 55 years.  If you happen to get on the road check out the League of American Bicyclists and challenge yourself by playing Bike Month Bingo!

Preschool storytimes meet Mondays from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., toddler storytimes meet Tuesdays from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m., and infant storytimes meet Thursdays from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

The next Library and Lunch will meet on Tuesday, May 14 at noon. The book chosen for the month is "The Chance" by Karen Kingsbury.  It’s a heartwarming story about childhood friends, broken lives, and a long ago promise that just might offer the hope of love for today. In “The Chance”, Kingsbury delves deeply into a theme that resonates with us all: It’s never too late for those willing to take a chance.

Teen Pizza Party will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 4 p.m. All high schoolers are welcome to come and hang out at the library.

Book Chat will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m.  Come discuss what books you are currently reading. Discover what new books have hit the shelves and what others are reading.  If you haven’t read one in a while, stop by, and share what books you adore.

The library will be hosting a Recipe Swap on Monday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m.  Dessert was the focus of the Recipe Swap last week… lemon cake, coconut pineapple cupcakes, apple cake and cinnamon roll cake were on display. This month we’re focusing on picnic salads!  I visited my sister while I was out of town and she makes the best summery salad. That might have to be my contribution in May!

The Gardening Club will meet on Tuesday, May 21 6:30 p.m. The latest update on the daisies is that they haven’t shown up for this gardener. The basil was a flop too.

The countdown begins for Summer Reading 2013. Sign up starts on Monday, May 20! What will be digging into this summer? The kickoff event is Thursday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. where we will be making dirt cups!

For the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages.  If you have any questions or suggestions about books or programs don’t hesitate to ask.  See you at the library this summer!