National Children's Book Week Events

Fast approaching is the week in November for celebrating Children's Books. All across the nation, libraries are planning activities to highlight children and their books, sometimes to just encourage parents to bring their children into libraries and get books into the little hands. We have several events lined up here in Boyertown to encourage children to satisfy their curiousity by visiting the library and finding some intersting books.

Check out the BCL Calendar on our website for an abbreivated schedule of events for November 10 through November 18.

To kick off the week, we will have a special program presented by the Native American group SPIRIT WING. Dressed in authentic regalia, this awesome duo will tell stories as they have been told by generations of Mid-Atlantic Natives with songs, chants, and instruments like drums, guitars and flutes, as well as encouraging the children to participate in several dances such as the Smoke Dance. The library has many books available to be checked out about Native Americans including some very interesting folktales and legends with beautiful paintings along with some very good non-fiction informatinal books and even music CDs of Native American music. The Spirit Wing event will be held on Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 AM in the Odd Fellows Hall (just 2 doors down the hill from the library) at 35 E. Philadelphia Ave. This is because we are inviting everyone, children and their families and friends to come and there isn't room to have proper circle dances in the library! No registration required. (This event is in place of the regular Saturday Story Corner.)

Next will be a BEDTIME STORYTIME at 6:30 PM on Monday evening, November 12. Children of any age are invited to come dressed in their 'jammies (ready for bed), bring their bedtime buddies if they wish, and listen to some lovely stories at the library. Board of Trustees member Linda Famous & Girl Scout Heather Filer will come dressed in their own 'jammies, robe and slippers to read the stories and serve the milk and cookies. Please register, space is limited.

Tuesday evening (Nov. 13) we will have a FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. We'll be showing a movie based on a sci fi short story by Lewis Padgett, the newest family movie we have added to our collection. We believe there are still many families who haven't had a chance to see this movie about some unusual items thought to be toys and the children who discovered them in a box hidden away in their house. Our public performance license does not allow us to advertise the movies we show by exact name but we can put up posters in the library about it and you can call us to ask for its title. We also know you will enjoy it. The showing will begin at 5:45 PM and there is no admission charge. Popcorn, pretzels and lemonade will be available, but we would appreciate a contribution to help pay for the refreshments. Space is limited in the library's Cabot Room so please call and sign up if you plan to attend.

Thursday and Friday morning (Nov. 15 & 16) PRESCHOOL STORYTIMES will be held in the Cabot Room at 10:30 AM. No registration is required.

Friday evening (Nov. 16) after the library closes, the doors will open at 6:00 PM to teenagers who have registered for the PIRATES LOCK-IN. This event will include lots of fun activities and maybe a surprise or two all centering around scurvy pirates. The Captain and First Mate will be Michele Cronrath (volunteer) and Deb Focht (staff). Landlubbers are not allowed, all who come aboard must be signed on and will be expected to pay their way for the food ($1 per slice of pizza). Everyone walks the plank at 10:00 PM. Translation: the event runs from 6 - 10:00 PM, only teenagers who sign up for the event are allowed in the library.

The final event will be a combination program on Saturday, November 17 from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM. Deputy Sheriff Tony Damore will be in the Cabot Room to register children in the I.D. ME program. This is a special program where each child will have their descriptions and a digital photograph taken and recorded in the Berks County secure databanks to enhance the capabilities of the Amber Alert program. While children are having their data recorded, other children who are waiting may listen to stories being read by Linda Famous out in the Biesecker Children's Wing. This dual program is in place of the regular Story Corner which normally takes place each Saturday.

We hope one of these events will be something your family will take advantage of and at the same time provide an opportunity for you to find a new children's book or see something new in an old favorite.