Bellingham Public Library slates upcoming activities
BELLINGHAM — This year, Bellingham Public Library is offering the community a variety of programs for people of all ages under the “Enlighten Bellingham” program.
It is one of six libraries, three in Massachusetts and three in Maine, that due to their science programming, were chosen as pilot libraries by the Maine State Library, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Cornerstones of Science, a Maine nonprofit. The goal for the initiative is for the pilot libraries to create a field-tested, replicable science literacy method that can be used to enable their public libraries to become skilled STEM facilitators.
The project seeks to empower public libraries to build their science capacity so that they can connect their communities to engaging and meaningful informal science and technology experiences, equipment, books, media and the scientific community. Bellingham Public Library has chosen the topic of Environmental Literacy and will be offering programs on Alternative Energy, Recycling and Water Resources.
November Book Discussion
• Community Read, Monday, Nov. 6, at 3 or 6:30 p.m. “The Boy who Harnessed the Wind,” by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, will be discussed. This is a community reading program which is made possible by the library's participation in "Make Public Libraries Science Resource Centers in their Communities," an Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant Program administered through Cornerstones of Science. You can come to either session on this date to discuss this book. Facilitated by Cecily Christensen, reference librarian.
November events
• Dinovember! For the second year in a row, the library is celebrating Dinovember. Every day during November, a new photo of what the dinosaurs are doing at the library will be posted on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bellinghampubliclibrary/).
• Let it Fly, Monday, Nov. 6, at 4:15 p.m. Best for ages 5 and up. Do you like making paper airplanes? Do you want to learn how to make all different types of paper airplanes? This program is for you. There will be paper airplane difficulty levels going from simple through very hard. There will be several options at each level. Please register.
• Thanksgiving Crafts – Thursday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. Best for ages 4 and up. Make some Thanksgiving crafts. Please register.
• #ChooseKind Party, Monday, Nov. 13, at 4:15 p.m. for families; Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 1:30 p.m. for homeschoolers. Please register.
• Public Information Session on the Opioid Crisis – Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.
• A Pumpkin for Thanksgiving – Thursday, Nov. 16, at 4:30 p.m. Best for ages 5 and up. Sue BerardGoldberg will be here to share her book, “A Pumpkin for Thanksgiving.” Make a craft afterward. Please register.
• Pastel Painting with Greg Maichack – Monday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. Award-winning pastel artist and art teacher Greg Maichack returns once again to the Bellingham Library. In this free program, participants will learn how to create their own pastel painting of Georgia O'Keeffe's elegant Jimson Flower, which sold for $45.4 million. Greg will demonstrate how beginners to accomplished artists can pastel paint easily using techniques of masters such as O'Keeffe. All professional grade pastels are provided, and participants will keep their pastel paintings. This program is appropriate for high school students through adults. Registration is required. This program is sponsored by a grant from the Bellingham Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and also sponsored by the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library.
• My Little Pony Party, Thursday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m. For MLP fans, whether you are a Pegasister or a Brony. Most activities will be geared for kids ages 4 and up, but all ages are welcome. Please register.
After School Programs
The library offers opportunities for children in grades 4 to 12 to attend supervised after-school programs. Parents are advised to review the Library’s Information for Parents of BMS and BHS Students who Visit the Library After School, at the following website: http://bit.ly/2w6TIqd, which outline the programs including supervision and attendance, library spaces, parking lot safety and keeping in touch with your child. Check the calendar for times for early release days.
• ASK (After School Kids) for children in grades 4 to 7, Monday through Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:45 p.m. in the Children’s Program Room. There will be video games, Chromebooks, crafts, board games and more. Check the library calendar for details on which days and times the program will run.
• Teen Room Activities will take place on Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. (hours vary on early release days). Sixth- through 12thgraders can stop by the Teen Room after school to use computers, play on the WiiU and XBox One, play board games, and hang out with your friends!
Regular Events for Children
• Alphabits, Monday at 10:10 a.m., Tuesday at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m, and Wednesday and Thursday at 10:10 and 11 a.m. No class Thanksgiving week.
• Ring-A-Ding, for ages up to 5. Drop in. Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:05 and 10:50 a.m. No class Tuesday, Nov. 21.
• Book Babies Playgroup, for ages up to 23 months. Mondays at 11:15 and Wednesdays at 9:15. No class Thanskgiving week.
• Babygarten, Fridays, Nov. 3 and 17 at 11:45 a.m., and Saturdays, Nov. 4 and 18 at 10 a.m.
• PJ Stories, Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 p.m. Wear your pajamas to this night-time story time. Please register.
• Magic School Bus, Monday, Nov. 27, at 4:15 p.m. For ages 4 to 8. Please register.
• Twisted Fairy Tales, Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m. For homeschoolers. Take a famous fairy tale and twist it around through stories, activities, and/or crafts. Please register.