Teen Zone: Geek Out and Hang Out

Hello bookworms!

I woke up this morning and realized that it was nearly 100 degrees outside. ONE HUNDRED DEGREES! Don't even get me started on the humidity. This heat made me think about other families who are struggling to find indoor activities in order to avoid the heat. Well, I have some fun news for you and I can sum it up in two pretty words: TEEN ZONE!

Tuscaloosa Public Library offers a wide variety of teen programs geared towards kids who are between 6th and 12th grade. Teen Zone is s safe space for kids to participate in hands-on activities, including:

Teen Crafternoon!
Wednesdays in June and July from 4-5:30
Retrieved from https://twitter.com/tpl_teen

Teen Tech
Thursdays in June and July from 4-6!
Retrieved from https://twitter.com/tpl_teen

Try-It Workshops!
Every other Tuesday in June and July!
Retrieved from https://twitter.com/tpl_teen

Board Game Cafe!
June 12th and July 10th from 6-8!
Retrieved from https://twitter.com/tpl_teen

Teen zone also allows kids to learn how to code, explore worlds in Minecraft, design 3D printable objects, and much more. So avoid the heat and meet us in the in Room of Requirement this week!

Happy Reading!

Love your Bubbly 'Brarian,

Haley

To learn more about Teen Zone, please visit Teen Services or email Rosie Suever at rsuever@tuscaloosa-library.org.

For more information or to keep up with the activities happening in TEEN ZONE, please follow:

HERE ( @tpl_teen )

HERE ( @tpl_teen )

Tales for Tails: Reading Enhancement for Children

Hello bookworms!

For most early readers, reading is already a challenge, and for some kids, reading to a large group of peers adds to this difficult task and feels very overwhelming. When children have difficulties reading, they often develop a lack of self-confidence and are reluctant to read aloud. With that idea in mind, many shelters are creating a program that allows kids to improve their reading skills while also bettering the lives of sheltered pets. 

By sitting down next to a dog and reading to them, the child begins to relax and is no longer worried about being judged. Students improve their reading skills, build self-esteem, and associate reading with something fun!

Retrieved from https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com.

That is where Libby steps in (pictured above). Libby is a former Metro Animal Shelter dog, who visits schools across Tuscaloosa County with her human, Mary Calhoun. Her favorite activities are being petted and being read to, which is great because her purpose is to provide a relaxed atmosphere that encourages students to practice reading aloud!

Beginning Fall 2017, Libby will be visiting Tuscaloosa City Schools teaching kids about the importance of taking care of pets, the adoption process, and simply listening to children read.

But here's the exciting news! You don't have to wait until the school year begins to meet Libby!

Libby will be visiting the Tuscaloosa Public Library at 9:30 a.m. and the Brown Branch at 2 p.m. on July 11, 2017. For more information on this activity or other programs happening this summer, please see the Summer reading schedule here.

So grab your favorite book, or find a good one here, and come read to Libby! 

We will also be making pet toys for animals who are living in shelters as they wait to find their new homes!

We are so excited to have Libby and can't wait to see you!

Love your Bubbly 'Brarian,

Haley

If you don't live near the Tuscaloosa Public Library, find out here if there is a Read-Aloud program near you!

Don't miss any of the other exciting events we have going on this summer! Find our calendar of events here.

Busy Summer Ahead?

Happy Monday, Bookworms!

I don't know about you, but I tend to start off the summer by saying, "YAY! I survived the intense school year! Now I can spend the summer resting and getting eight hours of sleep." Then summer programs, camps, sporting events, and vacations happen, which results in me looking back at the summer wondering where it went!

With life constantly feeling like it is speeding up, it's easy to let some of the important things fall behind. For instance, some kids have a hard time setting aside time to read during the summer due to busy schedules. Reading aloud for fifteen minutes everyday can significantly increase your child's chances at school, which is still important during the summer months. View more information about reading aloud here!

With our busy schedules, wouldn't it be awesome if there was some way to download books and audiobooks on our handheld devices? 

*Insert QVC seller voice here* Well I have some fantastic news for you! With your library card, you have access to hundreds of FREE books and audiobooks online! 

Have you been waiting to read the latest Harry Potter novel? Great news - it is available here!

Maybe you're a Pete the Cat fan? Well, you're in luck! We have 26 Pete the Cat books waiting for you here!

How do I sign up?

First you need to get out your library card, or other forms of identification provided to you by a library staff member, and follow the instructions on this screen:

https://www.overdrive.com

Find the library that you use, then enter your library card information and pin.

Now you can enjoy audiobooks in the car with the whole family, offer your early readers a selection of picture books that will read every word to them, and you can keep your middle readers entertained instead of hearing, "are we there yet" for two hours straight.

During the business of summer, don't forget to relax with a good book!

Happy reading!

Love, your Bubbly 'Brarian,

Haley

Building a Budget: Financial Literacy for Kids

Good afternoon, bookworms!

I woke up this morning excited that it was Friday! I started thinking that getting coffee on the way to work would be a wonderful start to my day, but I ultimately decided that I needed to skip on that adventure and save money. I couldn't help but think how the younger version of myself wouldn't have thought twice about saving money. I grew up on a farm in a southern town in Alabama - I couldn't sell lemonade in front of my house in order to save money for a new teddy bear. I simply had to cross my fingers and hope that my adorable smile would be convincing enough for my parents.

In my classes, we were taught how much each bill or coin was worth, and we were even taught how to write a check, but we were never taught the importance of financial literacy.

What if we start teaching children how to save right now?

Well, first they probably won't be calling you in a few years asking for money because they spent their last on tacos. Also, they will understand what a reward it is to be able to purchase their first car or laptop and want to take better care of it. Either way, it's a win-win for you, parents. 

So where do we start?

At the Tuscaloosa Public Library, we are two weeks in to our Summer Reading Program (find a calendar of events here) which is centered around "Building a Better World." While that could mean so many things, such as giving back to the community, but it also means getting a better understanding on how to navigate the world. We realized that one important factor was learning how to manage money. 

Sponsored by Alabama One Credit Union, four classes will be held in the Story Castle at the Tuscaloosa Public Library in order to help your kids understand the importance of money. Find out more information here.

Please join us on one of the following dates: June 12th, June 26th, July 10th, or July 24th at 10 am!

I look forward to seeing all of your bright and shining faces!

Love your Bubbly 'Brarian,

Haley

Super Spectacular Summers at the Library

The new Superintendent for Tuscaloosa City Schools, Dr. Michael J. Daria, is kicking off his new role with the introduction of the Summer Learning Program. This program is centered around the idea of summer slide, which means that students aren't staying active mentally and physically, which puts them behind in reading. Studies show that this slide is linked to them falling behind academically. In order to fill this gap, over 50 programs are being offered to students in Tuscaloosa ranging from elementary to high school. Find that list here.

But what if I can't afford to place my child in a summer program?

While some programs cost per attendance, so many of them are free, including all of the programs held at the Tuscaloosa Public Library and each of the branches! Find a list of all the programs for children, teens, and adults here.

The summer is overflowing with magicians, biologists, musicians, animals and so much more! Come and join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at our branches for the Summer Reading Program, and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10 a.m. for Storytime!

Oh, and parents, we haven't forgotten about you! Join ME on June 22 and July 20 at 6 p.m. for Yoga!

Can't wait to see you all.

Love your Bubbly 'Brarian, 

Haley