It’s Coming!  Summer Reading Club is almost here.

Please read the following important information concerning registration. 

All PROGRAM registration must be done in person at the Guilderland Public Library.

Program registration for Guilderland School District residents begins Wednesday, June 20 at 6pm. Please bring your library card to registration.

If you do not live in Guilderland, you may come to the library beginning Saturday, June 23 to register in person for programs.

Help us to use our resources wisely.  If your plans change, and you find that you cannot attend a program, please let us know so that another child can be added from the waiting list.

We will be distributing our Summer Reading Club brochures to the Guilderland Schools in June.  The brochure contains all of the information you need to know about our activities and programs.  Keep checking our website as well.  We will update you on what is coming up! 

As always, if you have any questions, call us at 456-2400 x 9. 

We now have two iPads that children can check out to use in the library.  Just follow these simple steps and you can have up to an hour of fun with these amazing devices. 

All you have to do is ask one of the Youth Services librarians for an iPad.  If one is available, you will need to presesnt a valid library card and the iPad will be checked out in your name.  When you are finished, bring it back to the Youth Services desk and we will check it in for you.  It’s easy! 

Please remember: the iPads must be used in the library. 

 Drop-in Toddler Playtime: Monday, April 9 @10:15 am

If you have a toddler, get out of the house to enjoy the company of other moms, dads, grands, and caregivers while they play and make new friends.  No registration required, come join us!

Charlotte’s Book Battle: Wednesday, April 11 @ 11am

In this morning of reading and activities, kids in Kindergarten through Second Grade will meet the 2012 Charlotte Award nominated books and pick a winner.  Will the winner be Otis the Tractor or will Clever Jack take the prize as well as the cake?  Please call 456-2400 x 9, or visit the Youth Services Department to register.

 Peter and the Wolf, the Story, Before the Music!: Thursday, April 12 @ 2 pm

Vanguard Volunteers from the Albany Symphony Orchestra will introduce the story of Peter and the Wolf to children through fun activities.  In May, you might want to go to one of the orchestra’s Tiny Tots performances to hear the music tell the story.  Open to families with children between 4 and 7 years old.  Please register with the Youth Services Department.

Tween Creativity Lab: Stupid Sock Creatures: Friday, April 13 @ 2pm

It doesn’t take much sewing skill to turn silly socks into a stupid sock creature!  Tweens in grades 4 and up can join us to create their own during April break week.  Registration opens April 1 for Guilderland Central School District residents and continues on April 4 for others.

Family Film Night – The Smurfs: Friday, April 13 @ 7pm

They’re little, they’re blue, and they’re loose in our world!  Bring your own blanket!  All ages welcome, no registration necessary.  This film is rated PG.

After April break, don’t forget about our Mother/Daughter Book Group

 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass – Thursday, April 19 @ 7pm

Registration is open to girls in grades 3 through 6 along with a mom, step-mom, aunt, grandmother or caretaker.  Sign up at the Youth Services desk, and pick up a copy!

On their first birthday, they learned to walk.  On their fifth, they planted seeds in handmade pots.  On their tenth, they learned there are some words you can never take back.

Now it is the day of both Amanda and Leo’s eleventh birthdays – and it is a disaster from beginning to end!  Will every birthday be like this from now on?  Will every day be like this from now on?  How is that possible?

Our new website will keep you up to date on everything happening just for you!  All year we offer a wide range of programs for babies through school-age children.

Sensory Storytime, scheduled for March 28, has been canceled and instead will be held on Wednesday, April 4.  Thank you for your understanding.

Caldecott/Newbery Tea – Sunday March 18 from 2-4 pm

Join us at the Guilderland Public Library for a delightful afternoon tea to discuss and appreciate this year’s Caldecott Medal and Newbery Medal winners and Honor books.  Guest speakers will present their insights into these stellar examples of the best in children’s literature.  Light refreshments will be served.

This event (for adults) is co-sponsored by The Children’s Literature Connection and the Guilderland Public Library.  Space is limited to 50 seats.

Please register in advance by e-mailing Children’s Literature Connection member Betty Ahearn at ahearnb@guilderlandschools.org by March 10. The library cannot accept registrations

Charlotte Awards 

Kids!  Here is your chance to vote and pick this year’s Charlotte Award winners! You have to read to vote.  

The Charlotte Awards are given to books that kids vote for.  Read as many of the books as you can and select your favorite.  We will supply ballots for voting in April.  Let’s see if your choice wins!!  Will Clever Jack take the cake?  Will the Lunch Lady win?  Will Slob be triumphant?  It’s up to you!

GRADES PRE K-2/PRIMARY

Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy/Polly Dunbar   E Mah

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems/Jon J. Muth   E Wil

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming/G. Brian Karas   E Fle

Lousy Rotten Stimkin’ Grapes by Margie Palatini/Barry Moser  J398.2 Pal

Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian/Tim Bowers   E Sci

Otis by Loren Long   E Lon

Stars Above Us by Geoffrey Norman/E.B. Lewis   E Nor

That Cat Can’t Stay by Thad Krasnesky/David Parkins   E Kra

Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! by April Pulley Sayre/Annie Patterson  E Say

We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow/Bob Staake   E Mul

GRADES 3-5/INTERMEDIATE

The Can Man by Laura E. Williams/Craig Orback   J Wil

Emily’s Fortune by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor   J Nay

Family Reminders by Julie Dannenberg/John Shelley   J Dan

Fly Free! by Roseanne Thong/Eujin Kim Neilan   ETho

Jake by Audrey Couloumbis   J Cou

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka   J GN Kro

Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer/Josee Masse   J 811.54 Sin

Nic Bishop Lizards by Nic Bishop   J 597.95 Bis

The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah & Kelly DiPucchio/Tricia Tusa   E Ran

Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Pinkney/Brian Pinkney   J BIO Truth

GRADES 3-6/MIDDLE SCHOOL

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg   Y Bur

Bystander by James Preller   Y Pre

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messney   J Mes

Candy Bomber by Michael Tunnell   J BIO Halvorsen

Cleopatra Rules by Vicky Alvear Shecter   J BIO Cleopatra

How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart   J Gep

January’s Sparrow by Patricia Polacco   J Pol

The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook by Eleanor Davis   J GN Dav

Slob by Ellen Potter   J Pot

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz   J Gid

Still in the mood to vote for more?  The 2012 Children’s Choice Book Awards are here.  Your votes are needed!

February Fun @ GPL Kids

There is a lot going on at the library during the February school break.  We have some exciting programs and activities so check out what we are offering and take advantage of the fun!!

Exploring the Dinosaur Train with WMHT     

Monday, February 20 @ 2pm   

Barbara Lukas, coordinator of early childhood literacy at WMHT, will share a clip from the Dinosaur Train, provide time to read some of our favorite Dinosaur books and share a craft.  Registration is open to children ages 4-8 and their families.  Registration begins February 1 for Guilderland School District residents.  All others may sign up beginning February 4.

An Afternoon with Coleen Murtagh Paratore 

Tuesday, February 21 @ 2pm           

Coleen Murtagh Paratore, author of “The Wedding Planner’s Daughter” series, will talk with children and their families about her work, her books and the joy of writing.  No registration is necessary.  Please join us!

Lego Club with Special Guest Builder William Leue 

Wednesday, February 22 @ 2pm 

The GPL Lego Club welcomes Lego architect William Leue.  Mr. Leue will show us some of the historical buildings that he has reconstructed from Legos.  Learn how he approaches brick challenges, then create your own unique structure from a mystery bag of library Legos.  Registration is open to students ages 8 to 12, and begins February 1 for Guilderland School District residents.  All others may register beginning February 4. 

Teen and adult fans of Lego are welcome to attend Mr. Leue’s presentation.

Tween Creativity Lab

Thursday, February 23 @ 7pm 

Learn some basic sewing skills, then use them to express your creativity.  All materials will be provided.  If you have a project that you are proud of, bring it in to show other crafty tweens.  Registration is open to students ages 8 to 12, and begins February 1 for Guilderland School District residents.  All others may register beginning February 4.

Magician Melvin the Magnificent 

Friday, February 24 @ 2pm  

If you missed Melvin last summer with his magic and illusions, don’t miss him again (unless we have a bad snow storm).  He is able to make your head appear to change sizes and many other tricks of the eyes and hands!  All ages welcome and no registration is necessary.

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 Author Visit – Coleen Murtagh Paratore

Tuesday, February 21, 2012   2:00-3:00pm

Someone very special is coming to the Guilderland Public Library!

 Spend an afternoon with Coleen Paratore –  author of “The Wedding Planner’s Daughter”series and many other wonderful books for kids.

Local author, Coleen Paratore will talk with children and their families about her work, her books, and the joy of writing.   This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the woman who writes the books you love to read. 

 To find out more information about Ms Paratore, visit her website at www.coleenparatore.com

If you haven’t read Ms. Paratore’s books or would like the chance to read one again, we are offering two book discussions before her visit to GPL.

• The Wedding Planner’s Daughter
• Sunny Holiday

More information coming soon!!