Bedtime Stories in May

Bedtime Stories
Join us for Bedtime Stories and a craft on
Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 pm
and/or
Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 pm
for ages 3.5 to 6 years

Children may wear their pajamas
and bring their favorite stuffed animal.

Registration is necessary.
Sign Up at Children’s Desk or by Phone 710-7800

Spring Storytimes

Spring 2008 Storytimes
Babytimes

Pre-Walkers
ages birth - 14 months (approximately)
Parents and babies join us for bouncing, clapping, singing and stories
Mondays, May 5, 12 and 19
9:45 - 10:15

Walkers ages 14 months – 24 months (approximately)
Parents and babies join us for dancing, clapping, singing and stories
Fridays, May 9, 16, 23 and 30
9:45 - 10:15

Toddler ages 2 - 3.5 yrs, accompanied by an adult
Tuesdays, May 6, 13, 20 and 27 10:30 - 11:00 - or -
Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21 and 28 10:30 - 11:00

Registration is necessary.
Sign Up at Children’s Desk or by Phone 710-7800

April Craft Saturdays

During the month of April, join us on Saturdays for drop-in crafts in the Children's Program Room. Registration is not necessary, just come in and enjoy some time in your new library.

Welcome

Welcome to your new library! Come in and see us in the bright and welcoming new Children's Department. You will find child-size comfortable seating and study tables for school-aged children. Work on some puzzles on our expansive puzzle and game table. Be sure to check out our amazing program room for storytimes. Enjoy lovely waterfall views while you share a book in our Family Reading Nook. We hope to see you soon!

Fall Storytimes Start Next Week

Storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers begin next week, so be sure to sign up today! Sign up can be done by phone (401.568.8244) or in person.

Babies Storytimes: Fridays 9:30 — 10:00 am.
September 21, 28
October 5, 12, 16, 26
November 2, 9

Toddler Storytimes : Choose Tuesdays or Wednesdays
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:00 am.
Session I September 18, 25, October 2, 9
Session II October 23, 30, November 6, 13
OR
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:00 am.
Session I September 19, 26, October 3, 10
Session II October 24, 31, November 7, 14

Preschool Storytimes: Monday 10:30 to 11:15
September 17, 24
October 1, 15, 22, 29
November 5

For more information, please visit the library's web site.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

The new school year will be starting soon. Join us on Saturday, August 18th at 10:30 a.m. for stories and a craft about starting Kindergarten.

Preregistration is necessary, and may be done in person or by phone (401-568-8244) during regular library hours.

Older Book Buddies Needed!

Help Someone Get a Clue@ the Jesse Smith Library this summer. Be a Reading Buddy to a younger reader in the Summer Reading Program. If you are 10 yrs old or older, or have been a book buddy participant before, and are interested in reading to and with children in grades K - 3; you are welcome to join the Reading Buddies Program this summer. Spend some time during July sharing books and doing crafts with young summer readers. Completed applications must be returned to the Jesse Smith Library NO LATER than June 25.

Book Buddy Program

Jesse Smith Library Summer Reading

Book Buddies is a program designed to pair older readers with young and beginning readers. Children who are entering Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade in fall 2007 are eligible to be paired with an older buddy. These reading pairs choose books together, read to each other and discuss what they read, work on reading journal entries, and finish their time together doing a simple craft to take home. The goal of the program is not to teach young kids to read but to keep them exposed to books and reading over summer vacation.

“Research shows that in the early grades, large gaps in student achievement are due in part to gains made, or not made, when school is out of session. In particular, ... struggling readers can gain the most from a summer filled with learning activities..” (U.S. Department of Education Community Update, April 2000).

Summer is the perfect time to show children the joys of reading for pleasure. Pairing a child with another young person takes away the “school” aspect of reading and the program doesn’t keep track of vocabulary words learned or level of reading ability reached. They simply read together and have fun. Book Buddies is a part of the Summer Reading Program(SRP) at Jesse Smith Library and children can sign up for Book Buddies when they sign up for SRP. A child has to be signed up for SRP in order to also sign up for book buddies but not every child who wishes to participate in SRP has to also be part of book buddies.

Sign-up begins June 18th at the library.

When signing up for book buddy sessions please check your calendars first and only sign up for sessions that you are sure you can attend. Book Buddy sessions will be offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and Monday and Tuesday evenings.

All children who sign up for SRP receive a book bag, reading journal, bookmark, pencil, calendar of activities, and an explanation of the program. Participants are asked to read (or be read to) at least eight books on their reading level during the six-week program and they are eligible to attend entertainment programs and other activities. Readers earn coupons for free and reduced admissions to attractions and museums in the area, and upon completion of the program they receive a certificate and prize.

Summer Reading Program: Get a Clue @ Your Library

"Get a Clue @ the Library" is this summer's slogan for summer reading fun. The free summer reading program at Jesse Smith Library is designed for children entering kindergarten (fall 07) and older, and runs for six weeks from the 1st of July to August 15th.

Participants are asked to read at least 8 books at their reading level and enter reading responses in a reading journal. Summer readers are eligible for weekly prizes and coupons for free or reduced admissions to area attractions, and they may attend entertainment programs ranging from magicians to search dog presentations to a visit from the Roger Williams Zoo Zoomobile.

All participants will receive a reading journal, book bag, bookmark and a detailed description of e program's requirements and schedule of events. The library summer reading program is a relaxed and fun way to keep young readers' skills sharp all through vacation. And there's a special part of the Summer Reading Program, the Book Buddy Program, which pairs younger readers with older volunteers for weekly reading and craft sessions.

Sign Up begins June 18th at the library.

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Saturday, March 31, 2007.
The Library went mad in March!
Children enjoyed silly tales, funny crafts and gruesome treats
in celebration of April Fool's Day.

From book to screen

Two more children's books are on their way to the big and little screen.

On Feb 16 The Bridge to Terabithia will arrive in movie theaters as a live-action feature from Walt Disney Pictures ( http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/terabithia/index.html ). Based on the book by Katherine Paterson, the movie brings to life 'Terabithia', a magical land full of wonder and danger. conjured up by two kids.





Another book coming to your TV screen on Masterpiece Theater (PBS stations) in February is Philip Pullman's "The Ruby in the Smoke". In Victorian London a teen-age girl must solve the mystery of her father's death.

New Books!

A generous donation from the Ocean State Power/Burrillville Community Foundation has allowed us to purchase lots of new books for our Children's collection. Already arriving are up-to-date books on countries, planets, science topics and -especially for our upcoming Summer Reading theme of "mysteries" - a huge assortment of titles on mysterious creatures of folklore, mythology and the paranormal.

Getting a sneak peek, and liking what they see, are Ellie and Jared M. The books will be cataloged soon and should be ready for eager readers in the weeks ahead.