MUD WEEK AT THE LIBRARY: MUSIC, LEGOS, GAMES, A MOVIE AND … THE RAINFOREST!

It’s certainly true that cold, wintry, February school vacation—also known in Pelham as “Mud Week”—can be a challenge for parents with young children, which is why the Town of Pelham Public Library schedules children’s activities all week long. This year, kids can explore the rainforest, learn how to train a dragon, play board games, listen to music and build LEGO creations—all in the comfortable, warm Library. All of the programs are made possible by the Friends of the Library. For details, see below.

Musical Adventures at the Library
The Concordia Conservatory’s Musical Adventures program for children will be presented at the Library on Tuesday, February 17, from 10:30 – 11 a.m. The program will feature two winter-themed books: Farmer George and the Snowstorm by Nick Ward and Sally’s Snow Adventure by Stephen Huneck. It will also include time for children to examine and listen to the unique sound of an instrument. Conservatory executive director Kathleen Suss and guitarist Lee Metcalf will lead the program, which is suitable for pre-schoolers. Sign-up for a total of 40 caretakers and children will begin at 10:15 a.m. (Note: There will be no story time for 3 – 5 year olds on this day.)

Let’s LEGO!
If your children never tire of building things with LEGOs, they are not alone. To get their LEGO love out, come to the Library on Tuesday, February 17, at 2 p.m. for a 90-minute session of creating with this classic toy. The Library even provides the LEGOS! Registration is not required; this program is open to ages five and up.

Bored? Come Play Board Games!
On Wednesday, February 18, at 2 p.m., the Library will offer a special session of board games. Games available at the Library include checkers, chess, crazy 8s, Rummy-Cube, Scrabble and Apples to Apples … or bring your own. Registration is not required; this program is open to ages five and up.

Zip Through the Rainforest
The Chalkboard Kids, a Mamaroneck-based creative learning company, will take children through the rainforest during this program on Thursday, February 19, at 2 p.m. Children will not only explore life in the Amazon, they will create a LEGO zipline and learn about the effects of slope, friction and gravity. Registration is required for this one-hour program, and latecomers will not be admitted; suitable for ages five to ten.

Screening of “How to Train Your Dragon 2”
The Library will screen “How to Train Your Dragon 2” on Friday, February 20, at 2 p.m. This sequel, which just won Best Animated Feature Film at the Golden Globes, follows the further adventures of the people and dragons of Berk, a fictional Norse Island. In it, Hiccup and Toothless find a secret ice cave … and it’s full of dragons! The full screening time is 102 minutes.

QUICK READ:
WATCH FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE MUSEUM PASS PROGRAM

The Town of Pelham Public Library will soon launch a new museum pass program offering free or greatly reduced admission for library patrons to a variety of museums in New York City and Westchester and Fairfield counties. The New York City museums in the program are the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Frick Collection, the Guggenheim, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, and the New York City Fire Museum. The Westchester museums in the program are the Hudson River Museum, Katonah Museum of Art and Neuberger Museum of Art. And in Fairfield, the program includes the Bruce Museum, Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk and Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Watch the Bookmark, the Library website, Facebook page and e-newsletter for further details.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

All Library programs are free and open to the public. To sign up for events that require pre-registration, call (914) 738-1234. Out of courtesy to fellow attendees, please be on time.

CHILDREN’S “MUD WEEK” PROGRAMS (For further details, see main Bookmark story)

Musical Adventures at the Library: Tuesday, February 17, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Sign-up starts at 10:15 a.m.
Let’s LEGO!: Tuesday, February 17, 2 p.m.
Bored? Come Play Board Games!: Wednesday, February 18, 2 p.m.
Zipline Through the Amazon Rainforest: Thursday, February 19, 2 p.m. Registration required.
Screening of “How to Train Your Dragon 2”: Friday, February 20, 2 p.m.

ONGOING CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Story Time: Tuesdays for ages 3 – 5, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesdays for children ages 2 and under, 10:30 a.m. Attendance is limited to the first 40 people who sign in, children and caregivers included. (NOTE: There will be no story time on Tuesday, February 17 due to the “Musical Adventures” program.)

Homework Help: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
For children in grades 1 – 8. Students must bring their written assignments and accompanying textbooks. (NOTE: There will be no Homework Help during the week of winter vacation.)

ADULT PROGRAMS
Book Club to Discuss The Light Between Oceans: Thursday, February 5, 7:30 p.m.
At its first meeting of 2015, the Book Club will discuss The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. The March selection is The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman.

Book Talk Featuring Pelham Author Doug Hearle: Thursday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Long-time Pelham resident and ex-Board of Education member Doug Hearle will come to the Library to discuss his new novel, Outsource. The book is about a New York businessman who is recruited by the CIA in the 1980s because of his contacts with high government officials in southeast Asia and involves a plot to assassinate a head of state. Hearle worked for the CIA in southeast Asia during decades as a consultant to foreign governments and companies in dealing with America.

Computer and Device Instruction: Call the Library to make an appointment for individualized instruction in popular programs, or bring your device and get started with free apps that give library patrons access to free e-books, e-audiobooks, e-music and more.

LIBRARY NOTES
When Weather Closes the Library: If the Library closes due to inclement weather, the news will be posted on the Library home page at pelhamlibrary.org, on its Facebook page and on a recording at the main number, (914) 738-1234. You can renew books at any time by calling the Westchester Library System at (914) 674-4169 or do so online. Due dates will be extended if the Library closure is unexpected.

Library Closed on Monday, February 16: The Library will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of President’s Day.

FRIENDS LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE GOOD FRIENDS
Do you love the Library? Reading? Novel Night? Then consider applying to join the board of Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library. Board members organize and present special events and raise money to help the Library remain a vibrant community resource. The Friends support most programs for adults and children including the perennial Summer Reading Program and K-Day, its communications, new furniture, special additions to the collection, and more. Board meetings are usually the second Monday of every month, excluding summer. If you’re interested, email jshampan@gmail.com.

(Reprinted with permission. This story originally appeared in The Pelham Weekly on February 6, 2015.)