Library Blog
Posted on Tue, September 08, 2020 - 08:00pm
Patrick Ness is a British-American author, journalist, lecturer and screenwriter. Born in the United States, Mr. Ness moved to London and holds dual citizenship. He is best known for his books for young adults, including the Chaos Walking trilogy and A Monster Calls. Read more about Mr. Ness and…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, September 06, 2020 - 08:00pm
Know Before You Go! You have probably heard by now that the library is open for limited browsing – but what does that mean in the Children’s Room?
Here are our current guidelines:
One family is allowed in the Children’s Room at a time so you can have the flexibility to look around without worrying…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, September 03, 2020 - 08:00pm
The clock is ticking, and regardless of what school looks like for you this year – the unofficial End of Summer (Labor Day weekend) is upon us! So whether you’re jumping into school right away, or still have a couple of weeks, now is the time to squeeze in that last-minute family fun! The weather’s…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, September 01, 2020 - 08:00pm
Hey teens, have you ever wanted to compete against others in your favorite game?!
Well… on Saturday, September 5th, the Ames Free Library will host its first Fortnite Tournament! You and up to 99 other people will drop into the now flooded island and will compete for the #1 Victory Royale. There…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, August 30, 2020 - 08:00pm
In case you missed it: the library is now open for limited browsing! You’re welcome to come into the library for short visits to find and check out materials. This also means that if you’ve earned beads for your Summer Reading necklace over the summer, you can come right up to the Youth Services…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, August 27, 2020 - 08:00pm
Terri Libenson is a comic-strip cartoonist turned middle grade author. Ms. Libenson’s graphic novels are perfect back-to-school reads! Each book features a girl facing a particular challenge at school. These lighthearted books feature friendships, school and extracurricular challenges, and the…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, August 25, 2020 - 08:00pm
The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
Two years ago, a misunderstanding between the leaders of Earth and the invading Ilori resulted in the deaths of one-third of the world's population. Seventeen-year-old Janelle "Ellie" Baker survives in an Ilori-controlled center in New York City. With humans deemed…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Tue, August 25, 2020 - 08:00pm
Due to Easton's delayed start of school this year, Read & Bead has been extended through Saturday, September 12! We all have a lot of feelings about school starting this year... so keep yourselves busy (and distracted!) with more books! Encourage your kids to continue logging their time and…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, August 23, 2020 - 08:00pm
Come out for a socially distant, IN-PERSON event! Find HodgePodge (he’s a friendly monster!) – he’ll be hiding in plain sight somewhere in Easton (hint: not too far from the library!). Once you spot him, you can park (somewhere legal and safe, please!) to say hello and get a photo with him. Find…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, August 20, 2020 - 08:00pm
Did you miss our mug cake program this week? Did you participate, and want to make more?
Mug cakes are so easy, kids can make them… but they’re also fun to do together! They’re quick to mix up, quick to cook, and quick to eat. All you need is a microwavable mug (or small bowl) plus a few basic…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, August 18, 2020 - 08:00pm
“It’s so fluffy, I’m gonna die!!” Agnes from Despicable Me
You might find yourself saying the same thing when you check out these fun tactile crafts! Make some fluffy slime, or maybe some Rainbow Soap. Check out these links with instructions on how to make them. Start experimenting, and have fun!…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Sun, August 16, 2020 - 08:00pm
Join us for the FINALE of our summer Family Entertainment series on Zoom tonight, Monday, August 17, at 6:00 PM!
The Toe Jam Puppet Band returns to help us end the summer on a high note! Their variety show features interactive songs, stories and puppets, and lots of silly voices. You’re sure to be…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, August 13, 2020 - 08:00pm
We’ve been all about telling stories this summer – try “storytelling” with your family without words! Acting out charades is a fun way to communicate using your movement and motions. You probably know that charades is acting without speaking, but this website gives a clear outline of the rules and…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, August 11, 2020 - 08:00pm
Sarah Dessen’s popular teen novels have won numerous awards and are continually popular! Some of her books have been among the ALA's "Best Fiction for Young Adults" selections, and she received ALA’s Margaret A. Edwards Award for her “outstanding contribution to young adult literature.” Ms. Dessen…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Mon, August 10, 2020 - 08:00pm
Throughout the summer, we have discussed different areas of building early literacy knowledge for babies and toddlers, and we shared ideas of how you can do that.
Early Literacy activities consist of anything that can prepare a child to learn how to read; talking, singing, reading, writing, and…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, August 09, 2020 - 08:00pm
We are moving right along with our summer reading program, and a lot of you have been busy, busy readers! However, not many people have collected any beads yet, so we wanted to share a brief instruction on using the Prize Store.
Under your child’s account in ReadSquared, go to the Prize Store tab…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, August 06, 2020 - 08:00pm
Some public athletic facilities are open for limited play – how about mixing up your routine a little with some basketball? It’s OK if you think you’re the worst b-ball players ever (sorry, but my household actually wins that title!) – you’ll get some sunshine, a little physical activity, and most…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, August 04, 2020 - 08:00pm
You can’t come in to check out what’s new, so we’ll bring the browsing to you! All of these items are newly arrived in the Teen Den and are available for placing holds.
Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Mon, August 03, 2020 - 08:00pm
When it comes to encouraging literacy skills, outdoor play is just as important for babies and little ones as indoor book- and toy-based play. When we think “early literacy,” we think of books, and storytime, and of sitting to either read or listen. We think of looking at pictures and telling…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, August 02, 2020 - 08:00pm
Watch Rosalita’s Puppets presentation of a Sea Story on Zoom tonight, Monday, August 3, at 6:00 PM!
In this puppet show, Miranda the mermaid saves a pirate! Rosalita’s Puppet show features beautiful marionettes in an original story that is appropriate for all ages. This story is sure to be full of…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Thu, July 30, 2020 - 08:00pm
Camping can feel like such an adventure for a kid – and such a chore for parents! How about a compromise? Set yourself up for some backyard camping this weekend. You can create the same experience without the vacation traffic! Just be sure to stock up on these essentials…
Find a relatively smooth,…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Tue, July 28, 2020 - 08:00pm
The Teen Video Challenge, sponsored by the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), is an annual national video contest open to all teens. The challenge is for teens to create a public service announcement-type video that shows their unique interpretation of the 2020 CSLP slogan “Imagine Your…
Category: Youth Services, Teen
Posted on Mon, July 27, 2020 - 08:00pm
Regardless of whether today’s kids will learn to print, write cursive, or type on a keyboard or screen – they’ll need to have strong fine motor skills. There are so many fun ways to build your child’s hand strength and coordination! At the library, we use Busy Boxes after storytimes with preschool-…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Sun, July 26, 2020 - 08:00pm
It’s hard to imagine, but we are now halfway through our summer reading program – Imagine Your Story! (If you haven’t joined the Read & Bead program or want to know more about it, check here!)
We have been imagining – or perhaps, reimagining – our weekly storytimes to go along with the summer…
Category: Youth Services, Kids
Posted on Fri, July 24, 2020 - 08:00pm
Currently Baking: Banana Bread from Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston’s Flour Bakery + Cafe by Joanne Chang with Christie Matheson; photographs by Keller + Keller
Reader/Baker: Lily Goldstein, Circulation
Image retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/8190925
What's it about?…
Category: Staff Picks