Monday, May 20th: Volunteer Applications Accepted! For all the details about our junior volunteer program or to download an application: click here. Please remember volunteers should come in with a parent/guardian to choose their time slot. This program tends to fill up quickly, so come early. Also, keep in mind, On May 20th the library is closing at 6pm for the East Longmeadow Town Meeting.

Tuesday, May 21st at 1pm: We Dig Ice Cream Story Time! Join us at Redstone Creamery (48 Shaker Rd.) for a chance to have some yummy ice cream, hear some great stories, and learn a little about the upcoming summer reading program! No registration is required and all ages are welcome.

Tuesday, May 28th and Wednesday, May 29th at 4pm: PAINT FEST! If you’re in 3rd-6th grade and like to paint: we need your help! Just drop in on either (or, both!) of our paint fest days and help us decorate banners that will be hung on our windows during summer reading. Come with your creativity and paint clothes, we’ll provide the rest!

That should get things rollin’!

it’s what’s happenin’ in May!

Volunteer!

It’s that time of year again! Volunteers (entering 5th grade in the fall and up) commit to a weekly 2 hour block of time during Summer Reading (June 20th-August 2nd) and come in to help register participants, stamp log sheets, assist with in-house activities, and give out earned raffle tickets. Sound fun? Applications are available May 6th, we will be accepting completed applications on May 20th. Please come in with a parent/guardian to choose your time slot. Can’t make it in to the department to get an application?  Starting Monday, go to our website and click on “Summer Reading Central” and you will be able to download the application.

Play Chess!

Join us for chess club Wed., 5/8-5/22 at 4pm. New members are always welcome. Grades K-8. No registration or experience needed

Eat Ice Cream!

Join us Tue., May 21st at 1pm for an extra special story time at Redstone Creamery (located at 48 Shaker Rd., East Longmeadow)! Listen to great stories with your favorite librarians, eat some yummy ice cream, and learn about the summer reading program. No registration is required and all ages are welcome

Paint!

Do you like to paint? In 3rd-6th grade? Then we need your help! Come to our Paintfest Tue., May 28th and Wed., May 29th at 4pm and help in making the really cool banners to hang on our windows for summer reading.

To see May events in calendar form, click here.

Mon. 4/15: Library closed for Patriot’s Day

Tue. 4/16 @ 1-3pm: “Create & Construct!” Drop in and CREATE some beautiful art work or CONSTRUCT with our LEGOS. This great program was created by the very creative kids of JAC. No registration required.

Wed. 4/17 @11am and 11:45: Zoo on the Go (This program is FULL. If you’ve signed up and won’t be able to attend, please call us as there are many people on the wait list. Thanks!)

Thu. 4/18 @ 1:30pm: Family Movie Matinee “Wreck it Ralph!” Bring the family and watch the movie on our big screen! Snacks provided, drinks and candy available for a small donation.

Bring on the VACATION!

Babies (infant-2yrs)

Books and Babies with Pathways for Parents, Mon., 4/8 @10:30am, No registration required

Shake, Rattle & Read, Fri., 4/5 & 4/12 @ 10:30am, No registration required

Preschoolers (3-6yrs)

PJ Story Time, Wed., 4/3 & 4/10 @ 6:30pm, No registration but don’t forget to wear your pajamas!

Older

Once upon a Book, Tue., 4/23 @ 4pm, for 1st-2nd graders, please register

On the Same Page-”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, Tue., 4/30 @ 4pm, read the great classic book, and come to discuss. Please register and pick up your copy of the book!

Chess Club, Wed., 4/3, 4/10 & 4/24 @ 4pm, K-8th grade, no registration required

School Vacation Week (4/15-4/19)

Mon., 4/15- Library closed for Patriot’s Day

Tue., 4/16 @ 1pm- “Create and Construct” Come to an awesome JAC (creative kids in 5th-8th grade) event for all ages. You can either create some beautiful spring artwork, or construct something with our LEGOs. Or, you can do both! No registration is required.

Wed., 4/17 @11am & 11:45am- “Zoo on the Go!” Come and meet animal friends from the Zoo at Forrest Park! All ages are welcome, but register early as there is limited space. Each show is limited to 30 people (that includes adults!).

Thu., 4/18 @ 1:30pm- “Wreck it Ralph , Movie Matinee” Bring the whole family to a special showing of the great movie! Snacks will be provided, drinks and candy available for a small donation.

What a month of fun–and that’s NO JOKE!

And, you know what’s even greater than that? We already know she is AWESOME because it’s our very own Ms. Jenny Kinder! Ms. Jenny has been working in the Children’s Department since the summer of 2007 and since then has started so many wonderful programs for children and families in our community. We are so thrilled to have her lead this active department and can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Maybe you’ve attended the amazing Great Create and made artwork with Ms. Jenny, or perhaps you’ve listened to her enthusiastically read stories in preschool story time- but if you haven’t had a chance to meet Ms. Jenny, make sure to stop in and say “hello”.

Hooray!

Of course, if you don’t want to bake, just come to satisfy your sweet tooth, so save the date!

PS – We are so grateful for your support; this event is an important fundraiser for our Children’s Program Fund, which helps us offer all kinds of fun programs, including our fabulous summer performers and prizes.  

Bad Winter.  Bad, Bad Winter.

Our Spring storytimes have started.  If you haven’t yet signed up, we have a couple of spaces left in our Preschool Monday afternoon storytime @ 1pm (ages 3-1/2 to 6), so if that works for you hurry and get on our list!

We also have some Drop-in Story Times that don’t require advance registration.  These are:

Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Pajama Night Storytime, for ages 3 – 6,

Fridays, 10:30am, Shake, Rattle, & Read, for infants to age 2,

Mondays, starting March 25, Babies and Books, for infants to age 2.

Monday, March 18, 10am, Music Together with Sondra Lewis.  Please sign up.

Monday, March 25, 4pm, The Great Create, for grades 3 – 6.  Please sign up.

Wednesdays, 4pm, Chess Club, for grades K – 6.  Just drop in!

And our book clubs. . .

Thursday, March 21, 4pm, The Reviewer’s Club:  A Dog Called Homeless.  It’s not too late to sign up–it’s a really good book and a quick read!

Tuesday, March 26, 4pm, On the Same Page:  Spaceheadz.  Also plenty of time to read this great book!  Come in and get your copy!

What a great March!  C’mon and march on in!

Story time sign up day is Thu., March 7th at 9:30am in person and 10am by phone for East Longmeadow residents. Registration is open to all beginning March 8th. Come early as sessions fill up quickly! Story times will run for 5 weeks beginning March 11th. When registering, you sign up for the full session.

Here’s the complete schedule of spring story times and stuff for older ones, too!

Babies! (infant-2yrs)

 Books and Babies, Mondays @ 10:30am: Join us as we welcome Christina Cooper from Pathways for Parents! No registration required. Starting March 11th. (notice new day and time!)

Shake, Rattle & Read, Fridays @ 10:30am: Get ready to shake, rattle, and read with Ms. Jenn! No registration is required. Starting March 15th (notice new day and time!)

Twos! (2-3 1/2 yrs)

Parents and Twos! Wednesdays or Thursdays @ 10:30am: A great story time for little ones and thier caregivers. Registration required.

Preschool! (3 1/2-6yrs)

Preschool Story Hour, Mondays @ 1pm or Tuesdays at 10am: A wonderful independent story time. Registration is required.

Pajama Story Hour, Wednesdays @ 6:30pm: No registration is required. Starting March 13th.

Book Groups!

Once upon a Book, Tuesday, March 12th @ 4pm: Join Ms. Kay in this great program for 1st-2nd graders. Please register.

On the Same Page- “Sp@ceheadz”, Tuesday, March 26th @ 4pm: Join Ms. Jenn in this lively book club! Grades 2-4. Please register and reserve a book.

The Reviewers Club- “A Dog Called Homeless”, Thursday, March 21st @4pm: Calling all 5th-6th graders to read and review! Please register and get a copy of the book.

Games, Art, and More!

Chess Club, Wednesdays @ 4pm: If you’re learning to play, or an expert, all are welcome at the chess club! K-8th grade. No registration required.

Armor Basketball, Tuesday, March 5th @ 6pm: There is still a little space left in this awesome program! Come meet and compete with players of the Springfield Armor! 6-12yrs. Please register.

JAC Planning Meeting, Monday, March 11th @4pm: For 5th-8th graders who like to plan movie nights, cooking demos, and more! No registration required.

The Great Create! Monday, March 25th @ 4pm: Bring your creativity and make something great! This art program is for kids in 3rd-6th grade. Please register.

Now let’s hope the weather gets on board with this whole “Spring” thing!