Attention Teens

Waiting for Stephenie Meyer's new book, Breaking Dawn? You can now place an OWWL Hold for this title (which, as you probably know, will be released Saturday); stop by the Library to pick up a list of other books to read while you're waiting for your turn.

Click here to see two trailers for the upcoming Twilight movie, which will be released in December.

Pictures to Come

Today we're taking pictures of ...

our beautiful new Monarch butterfly, who emerged from his chrysalis this morning. He's just starting to spread his wings, and the Swallowtails seem happy to have company.

Summer Reading Art Work

All of the Catch the Reading Bug clip art I've been using here on the blog and on our in-library handouts are the product of children's book illustrator Harry Bliss' imagination. Thanks to Bliss for providing some really cute creatures for our Summer reading!

And Here's Another

Have fun!

Can You Put This Together?

Change the cut for some really neat versions (try USA for a really unusual puzzle).

Week 3 Prize Winners

Time for the third Catch the Reading Bug drawing! The winners are:

Preschool-9th Grade: Alexis B., Andrew E., Max L., Nora M., Macy P., and Leena S.; 10th Grade-Adult: SallyAnn D.

Congratulations!

If you didn't win yet, don't give up. We still have three more drawings ahead, and lots of prizes to add to the display.

Summer Reading Programs, Week 4

This week's Catch the Reading Bug programs are:

Sunday - Sunday Stories with Mrs. Garland, 2:30-3 p.m.
Monday - Rock Painting, 10 a.m.-noon; Story Hour, 1-1:45 p.m.
Tuesday - Share-a-Book Reading Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Thursday - Fun Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

No programs are scheduled on Wednesday and Friday; take advantage of these "days off" to work on your Bingo sheets. Have fun reading, and I'll see you at the Library :)

Pictures from Week 3

Enjoy!

Seeing Double?

No, this is definitely not a reflection - the second Swallowtail has emerged! And between them is a better look at the Monarch's chrysalis.

Our Swallowtail

As promised, here's our newest addition. When I left the Library this evening, the second Swallowtail chrysalis looked ready to pop - I can't wait to check on them tomorrow morning!

Another Birth!

I'm busy taking pictures of our new Swallowtail. Check back tonight or tomorrow for a glimpse of this gorgeous butterfly.

Bubble Day Today

Don't forget - Bette Bugni will be at the Library today at 1:30 with her fantastic bubbles. Wear something appropriate because you will probably get wet making those giant rainbow bubbles!

In case this cloudy day turns rainy, we'll still have some bubble fun on the porch.

Monarch Update

After chomping hungrily on those milkweed leaves nonstop for ~36 hours, our Monarch larva curled into his "J" shape Saturday afternoon.


And this is how he looked when I returned to the Library Sunday afternoon!


I'm hoping that when you click on the picture, you'll be able to see the golden rim around the top of the chrysalis; it's really beautiful! I'm experimenting with my camera and hope to have a better picture soon.

Week 2 Prize Winners

We had our second Catch the Reading Bug prize drawing this morning. Week 2 prize winners are:

Preschool-9th grade: Elizabeth B., Karly F., Hannah G., Moriah G., Anna Rose M., and Gracie Y.; 10th grade-adult: Jovan P.

Congratulations to this week's winners! Stop by to pick out a prize from the display.

Didn't win? Remember, you can also earn a prize by completing one of our Bingo cards.

Summer Reading Programs, Week 3

This week's Catch the Reading Bug programs are:

Sunday - Sunday Stories with Susan Salvaggio, 2:30-3 p.m.
Monday - Rock Painting, 10 a.m.-noon; Story Hour, 1-1:45 p.m.
Tuesday - Share-a-Book Reading Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Wednesday - PJ Storytime, 7-7:30 p.m.
Thursday - Bubble Day, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Friday - Friday Surprise (Craft), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Saturday - Saturdays with Amy Thatcher, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Look at your schedule for recommended age groups; Thursday's program is for all ages. I hope to see you at the Library this week for more Summer Reading fun!

Pictures from Week 2

Our Eating Machine

In The Family Butterfly Book, author Rick Mikula states:

"Caterpillars are eating machines. In a two-week period a caterpillar can increase in size by 2,000 times."

Here's the proof. The first picture was taken yesterday afternoon when we gave our Monarch larva a fat new milkweed leaf. The second picture is what was left of that leaf this afternoon! (Yes, I did put in a new leaf before I left work this evening.)

A Metamorphosis of a Different Kind

I hope you're planning on coming to the Library this Friday, July 18th, to see Pat Donohue's metamorphosis into Mr. Beau the Clown. Donohue starts the program with some introductory fun, and then applies his clown makeup, and dons his costume - no reason to be scared of this clown! Here are some pictures from Mr. Beau's last visit to our Library (in 2004).

This free family program is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.

The Plural of Chrysalis

According to Merriam-Webster Online, the plural of chrysalis is chrysalides or chrysalises. Look what happened in our butterfly house this weekend!



These are the chrysalises (easier to spell and pronounce!) of our Swallowtails. You can even see the "thread" by which they attached themselves, one to the plant and the other to the window.

Week 1 Prize Winners

We held our first Catch the Reading Bug drawing this morning, and the winners are:

Preschool-9th Grade: Jenna A., Keith A., Nate L., Franelly M., Jair V., Simeon V. ; 10th Grade-Adult: Antje D.

You may all pick a prize out of the display case. Congratulations!

Pictures from Week 1

Summer Reading, Week 2

This week's Catch the Reading Bug programs are:

Sunday - Sunday Stories with Susan Salvaggio, 2:30-3 p.m.
Monday - Rock Painting, 10 a.m.-noon; Story Hour, 1-1:45 p.m.
Tuesday - Share-a-Book Reading Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Thursday - Fun Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Friday - Mr. Beau the Clown, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Saturday - Saturdays with Amy Thatcher, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Look at your schedule for recommended age groups; Friday's program is definitely for the whole family. I hope to see you there!

Spreading Our Wings

Yes, there are lots of other things going on at our library this week - namely, Summer Reading programs - but I wanted to share these pictures with all of you!

Breaking News!

Four of our caterpillars were feeding close enough together to fit into one picture. This gang surely can eat!


This was the chrysalis yesterday (Wednesday, July 9th).


But look what happened what happened tonight!

Library Board Meets Thursday

The July meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 10th. Board meetings are always open to the public.

A New Lodger

Lindsay Kuhn, our butterfly supplier, dropped off a surprise for us this weekend. We now have a Monarch larvae living in our butterfly house! He's small now (you'll definitely have to click on the picture to see him on his leaf), but at the rate he's eating, he'll quickly catch up with his new neighbors.

This Week's Summer Reading

This week's Catch the Reading Bug programs are:

Monday - Rock Painting, 10 a.m.-noon; Story Hour, 1-1:45 p.m.
Tuesday - Share-a-Book Reading Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Wednesday - PJ Storytime, 7-7:30 p.m.
Thursday - Fun Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Friday - Buggy Rock Painting, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Check the schedule for the appropriate age groups for these programs.

Remember to record the minutes you read on your Time Trackers, and to fill out prize tickets when you visit the Library. Have fun reading!

4th of July Butterfly Update

Actually, these pictures were taken the 3rd of July. The two Swallowtail "cats" are growing at an unbelievable rate, chomping away at their Queen Anne's Lace plant.


This one was climbing up the netting, then hurried back down for just one more snack!

Start Reading Today

Catch the Reading Bug is officially underway at our Library. Participants start reading today (Sunday), tracking minutes read on their Time Trackers. It's not too late to join us - come in any time this week to register.

Click here for an early printed version of the Declaration of Independence and much more from the Library of Congress.

Holiday Closing

The Library will be closed for the Independence Day weekend, July 4, 5, and 6. We will reopen at noon on Monday, July 7th.

Butterfly Update

Last Tuesday, these Swallowtail larvae were so tiny, they were hard to spot in our butterfly house. (Clicking directly on the pictures will give you the best view.)


And on Sunday, one of the Baltimore Checkerspots formed its chrysalis!