What a fabulous first week of summer reading, folks! Over 400 people came to programs this week at the Bethlehem branch and the main library. And lots of hours are coming in as well. I am stoked!

The Balloon Lady was a hoot today. She gave me the fruit basket hat she created. Isn't it fantastic? I wore it all afternoon at the library.

Next week, will be terrific as well. We have storytime at Bethlehem on Monday, storytime at the main library on Tuesday, Babytime at the main library on Thursday, and Didgeridoo Down Under at 2 pm on Friday at the Alexander Central Auditorium.

The fun never ends if you have good reading material! Come see me at the library.

Mel

Summer Reading Is On The Way! Sign Up Today!

Hi Everyone!

We have a couple of weeks left to sign up for summer reading at the Alexander County Library. The theme is One World, Many Stories and there will be lots of activities for all ages - birth to 18 years. Check out the library website for more information.

http://alexanderlibrary.org/kids.htm

Studies show that students benefit greatly from keeping their reading skills up over the summer break. Don't fall behind! Join us for a summer of fun at the library!

Mel

Go Green Is Still Alive

Hey Everyone!

I am excited to report that the proposed 2014 theme of "Go Green" and the environment is still alive out here in Phoenix. So is the "Heroes" theme that was suggested.

There are 9 categories to choose from. We go to vote tomorrow, so I hope enough folks deem Green worthy.

For Children's Underground Slogans for 2013, there are a lot of Dig Deep, Dig Into Reading or a Story type of offerings. We'll see how that shakes down. I will report tomorrow the final outcome! (If I'm allowed to do so. They may tell me it's top secret. It's my first time doing this...)

We also looked at proposed artists today. There were so many great ones that would be awesome for the Underground theme.

Have met so many wonderful folks from all over the United States. Had lunch with the current president of CSLP, Sue Sherif, who lives in Alaska. Her sister, by the way, is Joan Sherif, a librarian in the NW region of NC. How cool! I kept thinking she reminded me of someone. :)

Have a great day!
Mel

My, My, My Sedona!

Hey All!

What a wonderful day in Sedona, Arizona yesterday! My assistant, Miss Debbie, had said she would love to see my face when I spied the red rocks of this beautiful desert town. I bet you could have crammed an elephant in my mouth! It completely takes your breath away.

Today, I am excited to go to my friend's Kindergarten class in Page, Arizona and read to them. Most of her students are Navajo and I feel it will be a fantastic opportunity to talk with them about One World - Many Stories, this year's summer reading theme.

Arizona is one of the states represented in the Collaborative Summer Reading Program that I am out here for. Isn't it neat to think these children have the same theme as us in Alexander County this summer? I am stoked!

Here are a few photos from yesterday. Indeed, a day to remember...

Have a great day!
Mel

Summer Reading, Eclipse and Other Things

The lengths I will go to get kids to read!

Whew! Finally a moment to blog a hi to everyone this summer. Summer reading always does this to me, but I would rather be overwhelmed with all the readers than have NOTHING to do! (That's a joke!)

Summer reading has been going very well and I truly appreciate all those who have attended the events and reported time reading. We only have three more weeks to go. Can you believe it?

This week is exciting as we have the teen program Thursday evening at 6:30 pm (until 9 pm) and then the ice cream social on Friday with NC Cooperative Extension for everyone.

And what kind of SPLASH would this be if we didn't have a pirate day? Tomorrow's preschool program will be just that. I will wear my pirate best and hope all the young ones will, too!

For you Twihards, have you seen Eclipse yet? AWESOME! I have not been one to criticize any of the movies so far, but I would love to hear your comments - good or bad.

If you haven't seen Eclipse yet, I MUST recommend that you read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer first. It really clarifies some of the additions that David Slade (the director) made. And it is a fantastic read - at least for those in the KNOW!

I am getting stoked about the upcoming school year and getting YAYA and TPH up and running again. What poetic or artistic offerings will you bring to the table, TPHers? Have any of you YAYAs read an amazing book this summer? I cannot wait to hear and see! I should be getting the dates finalized soon and will let everyone know.

Have a great evening!

Mel

CSLP, Arizona, OH MY

Hi All!

Miss Mel is stoked! I have been invited to accompany Lori Special, the Youth Services Consultant for the State Library of North Carolina, to next year's Collaborative Summer Library Program national meeting! Yippee!

It's in Scottsdale, Arizona - land of Stephenie Meyer. Do you think we at CSLP would be lucky enough that one of the world's leading YA novelists would be drawn to visit us? Truly, that will be one huge group of librarians with children's and teen's interests in mind. And the Twilight series sure gets a lot of teens squealing (including MOI!).

Here is an opportunity to share your ideas for summer reading themes. Next year's theme is One World - Many Stories revolving around travel and world cultures.
2012's theme is going to be fun because I'll get to be in pajamas every day! (DO NOT FEAR! I am only kidding.) As you may have guessed, the theme is about bedtime.

But there are more years and more themes, so comment and tell me what you would like to see CSLP do for future summer themes. Don't quote me, but I believe 2013 may revolve around recycling/conservation, so think other than that for now.

BUT BACK TO NOW - Guess what tomorrow brings? Summer Reading 2010 - MAKE A SPLASH - READ! Everyone who is signed up needs to start tracking your time tomorrow. What a gift to Dad if you write a poem and read it to him. Hmmmmmmm....

Have a wonderful weekend and READ ON! READ ON!

Mel