Blog Post
Chesstastic Sunday, October 20 at Traverwood
by K.C.
Chesstastic | Sunday, October 20 | 1:00-4:00 p.m. | Traverwood Branch | Kindergarten-Adult
“Chess is life” – Bobby Fischer
Come and play one of the world's most popular games with players of all ages! Chess sets are provided.
Blog Post
At the Art Table: Fun With Texture
by manz
The next time you’re at the Downtown branch, check out the new art project at the art table in the Youth Department! Sometimes 2D art can have the feel of something soft, fuzzy, smooth, or bumpy, simply by using paint and a canvas. Budding artists will enjoy using bumpy boards and crayons to create their own masterpiece.
Blog Post
The Animals are Out!
by StoryLaura
As you check out the farm party at the red barn on the tot table Downtown, don’t forget that the real McCoy can be found within a few miles in any direction. You can stroll through a corn maze, treat yourself to cold cider and warm donuts and even shop the farmer’s market with your favorite cows, sheep and chickens at the beautiful farms nearby. For us city folk there is sometimes nothing more soothing than a big red barn!
Blog Post
Parent’s Corner: It’s Potty Time!
by manz
The Downtown library has a shelf in the Youth Department known as the Parent Shelf. On this shelf you’ll find a variety of parent-child related books on a multitude of topics- including everything from language to tantrums to safety to homework. These books are available for checkout, and can be found in the catalog when searching “parent shelf,” if you’d like to have one sent to a branch of your choice.
As preschoolers get into the new routine of going to school, potty training becomes more of a focus in the household. It’s potty time! If it’s a bit tricky there are some books on the parent shelf that offer guidance. We also have a slew of fun picture books about going potty to help get the little ones motivated.
For parent shelf finds, try Diaper-free before 3 : the healthier way to toilet train and help your child out of diapers sooner, Toilet training: a practical guide to daytime and nighttime training, and A guide to potty training.
And for lap time picture books see this great list of titles!
Blog Post
Wildlife at Pittsfield Branch
by erin
Now that the summer season is winding down it's a good time to look for wildlife outside the back windows at the Pittsfield Branch. The Pittsfield Branch is built partly on stilts above the Malletts Creek. The Reading Room at the rear or one of the study rooms offer a perfect vantage point to observe the birds and multiple turtles that can be seen in the summer and fall. Turtles hibernate in the winter so soon they will be burrowing under the soil in the water for the cold season, but for now they can be seen on any sunny day basking themselves on the rocks. There are also multiple bird houses on the wetlands so be sure to stop and gaze out the windows on your next visit to the Pittsfield Branch!