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Blog Post

Library Space Camp!

by PizzaPuppy

Looking for something fun to do during Spring Break? We'll be hosting Library Space Camp on Thursday, April 6th from 1-3 PM, with special guest Astronaut Tony England!

Join us in making astronaut helmets, creating space-related crafts, running a science experiment, launching straw rockets, watching videos from the International Space Station, and even meeting a real astronaut! We'll have some of our Tools out on display to interact with, including our telescope and our Mars globe. We'll also have a book display filled with many different space books and movies to check out.

Can't wait until the event? In the mood for more space stuff? Take a look at the Smithsonian's Space! The Universe as You've Never Seen It Before or Space: From Earth to the Edge of the Universe for awesome space facts. Learn from Profesor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space or see what it takes to become an astronaut with How to Be a Space Explorer. We also have great movies about space. Check out Destiny in Space, filmed in space by astronauts. Tour the International Space Station with NASA ISS: A Tour or learn about The Planets with one of America's favorite science guys, Bill Nye!

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Blog Post

Beauty and the Beast

by PizzaPuppy

Are you excited for the release of the new Beauty and the Beast movie? This classic "tale as old as time" has been revamped for a modern audience, and hits theaters next Friday, March 17th.

We will be celebrating here at the library with Beauty and the Beast Crafts at the Pittsfield branch on Saturday, March 18th from 3-4 pm. Join us in making themed crafts and listening to music from the movie!

While you're waiting for it's release, now is the perfect time to go back and revisit your old favorites. We have the original Disney animated movie in both regular DVD discs and Blu-ray, as well as the sequels Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas and Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Magical World. You can also listen to the original soundtrack as well as the Broadway musical version.

We have plenty of classic (non-Disney) versions of the tale as well. Immerse yourself in this classic story set in 19th century France with copies found here, here, and here, or check out Jan Brett's fabulous illustrations. We have a Reader version available for children who are just beginning to read on their own.

We also have versions of this story that occur in other cultures, such as one that takes place in West Africa or a Chinese version where Beauty agrees to marry a fierce dragon in return for her father's life.

We have Beauty and the Beast inspired books, such as No Lie, I Acted Like a Beast! (where the story is told from the Beast's perspective). There's even a Rainbow Magic book featuring Gwen the Beauty and the Beast Fairy.

Older kids and teens can also get in on the fun with retellings such as Beauty and Belle. Also good are the Beauty and the Beast television show and the movie Beastly, both released fairly recently.

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Public Event

Ultimate Design Challenge

Tuesday August 22, 2017: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grade K-5

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Public Event

Ultimate Design Challenge

Tuesday August 15, 2017: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grade-K-5

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Public Event

Ultimate Design Challenge

Tuesday August 8, 2017: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grade K-5

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Crafts

Ultimate Design Challenge

Tuesday August 1, 2017: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grade K-5

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Crafts

Moana Storytime and Craft

Saturday March 4, 2017: 1:00pm to 1:30pm
Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner
Preschool - Grade 3

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Blog Post

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!

by PizzaPuppy

Calling all Harry Potter fans! The newest movie in the popular series hits theaters this weekend!

We'll be celebrating at the Downtown Library on Sunday, November 20th from 3:30-5 PM. Join us for a variety of Harry Potter-themed crafts and activities, including live owl presentations. Costumes are encouraged!

Obsessed with the new movie already? Satisfy your Fantastic Beasts craving with some of our brand new books. Learn about how the film was made with Inside the Magic: the Making of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. See the amazing concept art that helped shape the movie's aesthetic in Art of the Film, or maybe consult the movie's handbooks here and here. We even have the original screenplay for you to check out.

Looking for more Harry Potter fun? Catch up with the original series by reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Read about the artifacts, creatures and characters of the Harry Potter series in these specialty books. Or check out the beautiful illustrations in the newly released Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition.

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Crafts

Make a Marionette!

Thursday June 22, 2017: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Grade K-5