By Elizabeth Craib
As you may have noticed, there’s a lot going on at the Norman Williams Public Library. Visit the Vermont Standard’s calendar, or tune into the local Listserv, and you’ll find no shortage of activities and engaging programs each week, many of which are designed for our youngest patrons. Did you know that children’s activities and circulation of materials account for nearly half of the library’s total participation and circulation statistics?
As the days grow colder and playing outdoors becomes less appealing for some, the Youth Library is a welcome place for children of all ages. In addition to books, there are a variety of educational toys, games, and puzzles, as well as regularly scheduled story times. It is a great place to meet and meet up with friends.
Each week, the Youth Library offers two regular story times for children based on Vermont Early Literacy Initiatives. On Mondays at 10:30, a 20-minute Baby and Toddler story time for the littlest ones features short stories, songs and finger plays for children birth to 3. Tuesdays at 10:30, preschoolers aged 3-5 attend a 45-minute session featuring three thematic stories, followed by a related craft project.
On October 31st, a special Halloween Story Time will again be offered for children aged 3-10 this year. Designed to set the mood before heading out to trick-or treat, (and a big hit with patrons young and old last year!), the event will host two seatings, one at 4:30 and a second at 5:15. Librarians Melissa Strayton and Clare McFarland will tailor the “spookiness” of stories to the audience. Come in costume and we hope to see you there! Light refreshments will be served.
A big THANK YOU to Noah Anderson for the special Saturday Story Times he hosted for the past month as part of his Bar Mitzvah preparation. Noah chose to read to children because he wanted to inspire children in the community to love books as much as he does. Thanks, Noah, you did a great job, and congratulations from all of us here at NWPL!
In November, the Youth Library will resume its popular, free, After-School Movies each Wednesday beginning at 3:00 pm. Popcorn is served, so sending a water bottle with your child is recommended. Movies are rated G or PG. A reminder that children aged 8 are expected to be accompanied by a caregiver. Movies run through April 27th with the exception of the following days: November 25th, December 23rd and December 30th. Most films’ running time is about 90 minutes.
We hope that you and the children in your life will join us soon in the NWPL Children’s Library. It is a special place that is sure to educate and inspire you and put a smile on your face!