Library Summer Reading Program Begins

Readers of all ages are invited to “Dream Big and Read” this summer at the Amherst Town Library.

The 2012 Summer Reading Program kicks off today with a variety of activities for kids, teens, and adults.

The program will run for seven weeks, and if the kids hit their reading goal for the summer, there will be with an Ice Cream social on the Town Green on Thursday, August 9!

Kids

The theme of this summer’s reading program is Dream Big, Read! -- a celebration of the many ways you can be inspired by the books at your local library.  Every Wednesday morning they will have “Whoopie! It’s Wednesday” program featuring a number of great local entertainers. As in previous years, there will be storytimes, crafts, and movie matinees. In addition, as thanks to all of the supportive parents of participants, we’ll have a parents’ raffle with some great prizes!

PJ Storytimes (Thursdays at 3 PM from July 5 to August 2)

Come to a “Dream Big” storytime in your p.j.’s! We’ll share some dreamystories, and send you home ready for bed…

Stories at the Farmer’s Market (Thursdays at 3 PM. From July 5 to August 2)

Let the kids listen to stories while you shop for fresh local produce! Weather permitting.

Storytime at Baboosic Lake with Miss Sue (Thursdays at 12 noon. From July 5 to August 2)

Pack a lunch and head on down to the town beach for some stories by the water. Weather permitting.

Matinee Movies (Tuesdays at 2 PM)

Drop in to watch a movie on our big screen. All movies are rated either G or PG. From July 3 to August 7. Bring your water bottle and a pillow,we'll provide the popcorn!

Make-it/Take-it

Craft materials and instructions will be available all summer long. Each week a different craft will be provided--see if you can make them all!

[Whoopie It Wednesday]

Every Wednesday at 10:30am* (except Aug. 1), come to the Children’s Room for a fun-filled performance. No registration is necessary—come to one, or come to them all! Here’s the line-up:

Creatures of the Night -June 27- A live animal presentation from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. You don't have to stay up late to learn about elusive nocturnal animals. See some creatures of the night up-close and find out about specificadaptations that make these animals so well-suited for life at night. Recommended for children ages 4 andup.

Peter Boie “This Magician for Non-Believers” -July 11- will make a believer out of you! Come prepared to be amazed by this wonderful, engaging magi-cian! Recommended for children ages 4 and up.

Judy Pancoast -July 18- Come to the library ready to sing and dance! Award-winning children’smusician Judy Pancoast will get us up and movin’ toher original tunes! Fun for all ages.

First Annual Amherst Pet Show -July 25- Signup to bring your pet, or just come to see everyon eelse’s. We’ll have materials available to make your pet a nametag. We’ll have a “pet stroll”, where every-one can meet the pets, and you can tell everyoneabout your pet, and we’ll award ribbons!!! Make yourpet’s dream come true---come to the pet show! Funfor all ages, weather permitting.

Toe Jam Puppet Band -August 1 at 1:30pm- Join the wild and wacky Toe Jam Puppet Band for anafternoon of fun-- a unique combination of originalsongs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling andjust plain old good fun. Fun for all ages, grownupsincluded.

Teens

Teens will have opportunities to join the fun! Like past years, for every book read, teens will receive a “book buck” which can be redeemed for books or put into a weekly raffle for prizes! We’ll have three Wii tournaments on July 7^th, 18th, and 25^th at 3 o’clock.

Rangers Apprentice & Archery Event (July 12, at 1pm)

Learn about archery with the instructorsat Archery-in-Motion and through TheRanger’s Apprentice series of books.We’ll listen to excerpts of archery ac-tion, and weather permitting, we mayeven get a chance to get outside and tryto hit a target.

Dreamsleeves Craft Event (July 26, at 1pm)

We'll be reading Dreamsleeves, awonderful new book by Coleen Para-tore. Like Aislinn, the main character,we'll be thinking about our dreams,talking about our dreams, and thendecorating the t-shirts we bring in toreflect those dreams.

Make your Lunch @ the Library (August 2)

Come to the library to learn how tomake your own delicious wraps andsmoothies. Cathy Duchesne, from KidsCulinary Arts, will be on hand with allthe ingredients and know-how you'llneed to make your own delicious lunch! Once we’re done, we'll eatlunch right here at the library.

Adults

We’ll have several fun and informative programs in July including a trip to China and a presentation on woodworking. For anyone interested in getting free eBooks from the library for their iPad, Nook, or Kindle, there will be three hands-on classes on June 26^th, August  2^nd and 9^th . As always, there will be a weekly raffle with some great prizes, don’t miss your chance to win, just read a book or audiobook and enter!

Travel to China: From Prep-aration to Immersion (July 10 6:30 PM)

Join us as professionalphotographer and tour guide Richard Ferland takesyou through a journey to China and shares his wonder-ful photographs. He’ll also give tips to those interestedin travelling to China!

The Lighthouses of New 'Hampshire and Southern Maine (July 17 7:00 PM)

Jeremy D'Entremont, author, lighthouse historian, and founderof Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, willpresent an overview of the history of five historic light-houses. Each of these locations has rich human history,with tales of hardship and heroism -- and ghosts! Jere-my's presentation will feature past and present imagesof the lighthouses, as well as video clips of the late Con-nie Small, author of The Lighthouse Keeper's Wife.

My Grandfather’s Lathe - Basic Woodworking with Stephen Carey (July 24 7:00 PM)

In-terested in woodworking? Dream of making your ownprojects? Join us as Stephen Carey presents MyGrandfather's Lathe, a basic introduction to wood-working. Learn what you'll need to get started, whatwoods to use, and some basic techniques and re-sources every woodworker should know!

Library e-book classes

Got an e-book reader for the holidays? Bring yourdevice in on the corresponding date and learn how toaccess free e-books from the library using the NewHampshire Downloadable Books Consortium !

June 26 at 2 p.m. - Amazon Kindle
August 2 at 2 p.m. - Apple iPads and iPods, andiPhones
August 9 at 2 p.m. - B&N Nooks and other devices

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Visit their website http://www.amherst.lib.nh.us or call the library 673-2288 to sign up for programs or for more information about the Summer Reading Program.