Posts by robleshergz

The library partners with local members of the Penn State Master Gardeners to host monthly programs. Programs have included Caring for Your Gardening Tools, Edible Flowers, Nature Walks to ID plants, Composting, Invasive Species, and Gardening as You Age. The Master Gardeners have also been instrumental in helping us set up our new Pollinator Garden. Because of the variety of topics, the club itself can fit into just about any literacy. Our nature hike touched on Basic: learning about local and invasive plants, Health: a walk along a trail, Information: we downloaded plant ID apps, and Civic & Social: it happened to occur after a major rain storm so we took the time to remove fallen branches a debris off the path.
For more information on the Penn State Master Gardener program, please visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/

Using a New Year’s promotion, the library purchased a lifetime membership with Broadway Murder Mysteries to have access to all of their murder mystery games. It is not necessary to purchase their games to host a murder mystery but their packages offer everything you would need to set up a game. Most of the games are rated 13+ but some are designed for kids. The games can be played in person or virtually over Zoom.

Our Sensory Story Time is developed with support from early intervention therapists from Connections Early Intervention and Supports for children with sensory needs. In this inclusive environment, library staff work to provide routine, structure, and sensory experiences to meet the needs of the children and families that attend. This program encourages children to come as they are! Intended for ages 2-5 but siblings are welcome

General overview of Monarch Butterfly release program For the EPL Summer Reading Club closing event in 2020, Michelle Ayello – a volunteer who raises butterflies from caterpillars – brought hatching chrysalides (chrysalises) to the library lawn for an educational release adventure. Collection materials and displays on the subject were provided for checkout in the weeks leading up to, and following the event.

Monthly Books ‘n’ Barks. Read to the Lehigh Valley Therapy dogs with teacher librarian Sue Monroe at the public library, held the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30pm. This is a reading program for K-grade 3. Therapy pets allow children to focus on the animal instead of feeling self-conscious themselves

Monthly Teen Writers Group. Join teacher librarian Sue Monroe at the public library to write from new prompts and talk about the process of writing – reading aloud not required! Held the second Thursday of each month at 6pm. The instructor has a different set of prompts that she hands out to the teens each month. The teens pick a particular prompt that they find interesting from the list, and then write for ten to 15 minutes. Afterwards, they may read out loud, or the instructor reads it, or they do not need to share

Infant lapsit program “Baby’s First Storytime” we offer a brief story, bounces, fingerplays, music and movement activities (based upon the Every Child Ready to Read framework) followed by a 1/2 hour of free play with sensory toys allowing caregivers to build community.

Library Reference Staff instruct patrons in using their personal devices in one on one scheduled sessions. These sessions can cover topics including: hands-on help with your smartphone, tablet, laptop or e-reader, downloading an app or program, using Zoom or Skype, using free library media resources like eBooks, and downloading audiobooks from Libby, as well as others.

We worked with local naturalist Charlotte “Chotty” Sprenkle on the display of a photo contest she ran for the Octoraro Watershed Association. During that exhibit, we learned about Chotty’s obsession with photographing mushrooms. Chotty has agreed to give a 1-hour talk about her obsession in support of a month-long exhibit of her photographs. All but two of the photos were taken in the local area, many at the local county park, and those mushrooms grow here as well. This program supports the arts, the local community by sharing its members interests, and the local environment by sharing information and wonder.

Monday Mile is a weekly group walking program. Library staff leads a walk around our town to encourage health benefits. As this program evolves, it has taken on civic and social components, such as single seniors meeting new people, staying active, and sharing their knowledge of the town with younger people. Participants have asked for local history (in this program and others), so a local history scavenger we developed during the pandemic will be incorporated into a future walk. This program has the potential to knit together several literacies.