Coming up in September...

Coming up in...

There's only one week left of Summer Vacation for most of you, and we're taking a short program break to gear up for the start of September. That means we won't be holding any of our usual story programs this week, but never fear, we'll dive back in right after Labor Day!

Make sure you check our online calendar of events to find out about all of our September programs. A few highlights include:

MONDAYS:
Preschool Story Time!
We've moved our story time for preschoolers to Mondays at 10:15 a.m.  It's geared toward ages 3-5, and we'll share stories, songs, rhymes and a craft activity! It'll start on Monday, September 9 (because the very first Monday in September is Labor Day).

TUESDAYS:
Nursery Rhyme Time
Just like we've been doing all year, we'll share rhymes, songs, fingerplays, a couple stories, and playtime with parents and babies who are not walking yet.  We do this program twice, at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Toddler Story Time
Throughout the summer, this program was opened up to all ages as Family Story Time.  But starting in September, it's back to being focused on one- and two-year-olds.  We'll do lots of singing and dancing, and we'll share wonderful, age-appropriate stories.

FRIDAYS:
On My Own Story Time
On Friday afternoons in September, four- and five-year-olds are invited to On My Own Story Time.  Kids will practice school readiness skills while sharing fun stories and activities, and they need to be comfortable separating from their caregiver.  This program does require registration, and you can register now for all four sessions (September 6, 13, 20 and 27).

And of course, many, many more!  Again, be sure to check our full calendar or stop in to pick up a calendar and find out more about what's going on for kids of all ages!  And check back here, as we'll continue to highlight programs here on the blog.

Enjoy this last bit of Summer Vacation!!

Congratulations Summer Readers!

What an excellent day! Today was the last day of Summer Reading, and we just finished our Wrap-Up Party!

First we were amazed by John and Rebecca, the Yo-Yo People! They did extraordinary yo-yo and hula hoop tricks. Above, they are using 4 yo-yos while balancing on each other!

Then, to celebrate our great success, we ate delicious cake! 

Amazing job, Watertown! 431 kids signed up for Summer Reading this year and, together, logged over 3374 hours of reading!

That means that, with all that reading, you generously donated tree saplings, honeybees, ducklings and a llama to Heifer International! You met all of our goals and read way past our grand total goal of 2500 hours. We are so proud of you, and we can't wait till next year's Summer Reading program!

Tomorrow's the Last Day of Summer Reading!

Our llamamometer is approaching the top, which means we're getting close to our goal of reading 2500 hours this summer! But we've only got one day left! So don't forget to come into the library and record your last few hours!

If we can make it to 2500 hours by tomorrow at 2:00pm, we will be able to donate a llama to Heifer International and help a family in need. You have already done an amazing job reading so far, and we've been able to donate tree saplings, honeybees, and ducklings. So keep up the good work!

Our dinosaurs are getting super packed on our program room walls! Each dinosaur symbolized one hour that a child in Watertown has spent reading.

As you can see, we've got a ton of dinosaurs!

But wait, you may say. Tomorrow's the last day? How will we find out if we've read enough to donate the llama?

Come to our Wrap-Up Party!

Tomorrow at 2:00pm, we'll have an amazing performance by the Yo-Yo People! The performance is geared towards children entering grades K-5 in the fall. John and Rebecca can do incredible tricks with yo-yos, and they even hold 3 Guinness World Records for their skills. You won't want to miss it!

Immediately following their performance, we'll begin our Wrap-Up Party, which is open for families with children of all ages. We'll find out our total reading hours and whether or not we've read enough to donate a llama. And of course, we'll celebrate our accomplishments with some delicious cake!

So be sure to come in and record your reading, and be sure to come to our Wrap-Up Party tomorrow at 2:00pm. We'll see you there!

There's Only One More Week Left in Summer Reading!

There's only one more week - that's right, seven days - left in our Summer Reading program!  We've reached our third goal of 1875 hours and we've donated a flock of ducklings to Heifer International.  But can we reach 2500 hours - the highest goal we've ever had - in just seven days?!

We can if you keep reading!  So read, read, read!  Come into the library anytime during our open hours over the next seven days to stamp your log and record your reading hours.

And don't forget about our Wrap Up Party!  On Wednesday, August 21 at 2:00 p.m. we'll have an awesome performance by The Yo-Yo People.  They're world yo-yo champions and they hold 3 Guinness World Records.  They'll perform amazing tricks using all sorts of yo-yos, including yo-yos attached to bouncy balls, yo-yos with 10-foot strings, and using multiple yo-yos while simultaneously riding a unicycle!  The show is aimed at kids entering grades K-5 with their families.

And as soon as the show is over, we'll start our Wrap-Up Party.  The Wrap-Up Party is for families with children of all ages.  We'll find out whether or not we've read enough to donate a llama, and we may even share a special treat.  You won't want to miss it!

Another Guessing Jar Winner!

Congratulations to Sofia, our most recent Guessing Jar winner!  Sofia had the closest guess as to how many pieces of sea glass were in the Guessing Jar.  She chose a play doh kit as her prize!

There is still a little bit of time left for you to have your chance to win!  This week we're guessing how many construction stickers are in our jar.  And next week (the very last week of Summer Reading!) we'll be "digging for compliments" by guessing how many compliments are on little strips of paper inside the jar.  So be sure to stop in and make your guess.  You just might win!

This Week's Guessing Jar Winner!

Congratulations to Erik, this week's Guessing Jar winner!  Erik has the closest guess regarding how many flip flops were on the beach blanket in our guessing jar.  The prize he chose was a gift certificate to the Red Leaf Cafe here at the library!

Want a chance to win?  Stop in this week to guess how many pieces of sea glass are in our jar!

Children's Work in the T. Ross Kelly Family Gallery

Hey kids!  YOUR art work is on display in our art gallery on the second floor!

Kids who participated in our Unplugged: Art Extravaganza program and our Massive Craft/Dance Party program created amazing works of art that are on display in the gallery throughout the month of December.  They utilized multiple mediums, including oil pastel, colored pencil, and tempera paint.  Be sure to come check it out anytime we're open until August 31.  And artists, if you would like your art back, please stop by to pick it up anytime after September 1.

Want a sneak peek?  Check out the photos below!