Lisa Greybill invites everyone to discover the delights waiting at the Columbia Public Library with the “chock-full” May Newsletter.

The birds are singing, the grass is growing, the flowers are blooming … and lots of happenings for all ages are going on at the Columbia Public Library!

Some of our new books arriving in the month of May:

• The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts (Boonesboro Trilogy)
• Linspired: the Remarkable Rise of Jeremy Lin by Mike Yorkey
• Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow
• The Road To Grace by Richard Paul Evans
• The 11th Hour (Women’s Murder Club) by James Patterson
• Stolen Prey by John Sandford
• The Storm by Clive Cussler
• Robert B. Parker’s Lullaby by Ace Atkins
• Breaking News by Fern Michaels

We are excited to welcome TWO new children’s storytellers: Mrs. Susan Kalas and Miss Becky Wright!

Susan Kalas is recently retired from the Somerset County Library System in New Jersey. She worked at the Bridgewater Library as programming coordinator and the North Plainfield Library as library assistant for storytelling/arts and crafts. Since moving to Lancaster, Susan would like to continue her storytelling and craft expertise on a few hours a week basis in order to allow her to enjoy the relaxation and travel that comes with retirement.

“Mrs. K” will be offering a Family Story Time and a You and Me craft time (child and adult caregiver) on alternating Mondays at 1 PM beginning May 7. May 7 will be a Mother’s Day craft. May 14 will be a Family Story Time on the topic of gardening and planting and May 21 will be a Memorial Day craft.

Susan will continue to offer alternating story times and craft times throughout our 2012 summer reading season. Dates and times may be adjusted depending on the needs of those attending.

Becky Wright is a freshman student at Harrisburg Area Community College majoring in Early Childhood Education. She graduated from Columbia High School in 2011. She is a Cadet Leader for a local girl scout troop, a member of the Columbia High School Drama Boosters, and an actress for the yearly Haunted Lantern Tour.

“Miss Becky” will begin her story and craft times on Saturday, May 5, at 10 AM. This date and time will continue for remaining May Saturdays. During Summer Reading, Becky’s story and craft time will change to 11 AM every Friday beginning June 15.

Children and teens are encouraged to check out Ms. Kristy’s “Question of the Month” at the entrance to the Children’s Room. Answers to the questions can be found on posters throughout the library. The first five correct answers each month win a small prize. One
entry per person per month, please.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Turkey Hill Experience “National Library Week Bucks for Books”. We received between 300 to 400 wonderful titles for children and adults! Some we will add to our collection, others will sell at our Book Nook and upcoming June book sales. Thank you for helping your local library – we hope you enjoy your Turkey Hill Experience bucks!

Everyone wants to know: when can we sign up for summer reading! Registration will begin on Tuesday, June 5. Flyers are being distributed at Park and Taylor Elementaries, Our Lady of the Angels, and Columbia Head Start. If you are a homeschooler or did not receive a flyer at school, there are extras which can be picked up at the library. There are three levels of participation:

• preschool read alouds (ages 1 to 5),
• elementary (ages 6 to 12),
• and teen readers (ages 13-19).

Summer Reading programs will “officially” begin on Tuesday, June 12th with the “Stella Luna” costume character visit at 10
AM. Detailed information on each month’s programs will be available in June, July, and August library corners – or call 684-2255 or visit http://www.columbia.lib.pa.us. Pre-Registration is NOT necessary for Columbia Summer Reading programs.

All Summer Reading programs held at the Columbia Library will be attached to your child’s registration sheet. Columbia Summer Reading programs are held Tuesday mornings and some Monday mornings at 10:00 – there will also be one Thursday program this year on August 23 (this will be our end-of-summer party). We will continue to meet at the library and walk over to the school together at 10 AM or you can meet us at the playground at the back of Park School. Booklets listing programs at ALL county libraries will be available by mid-May. Stop by the library to pick up a copy.

It would not be May without the “Book Bloom” at Columbia High School. Renee Christiansen (youth services manager for the county library system), Joe Miller of the Comic Book Store, and I will once again be participating. This is an opportunity to sign up for Teen Summer Reading.

Prizes for hours spent reading include a bowling coupon, Isaac’s coupon, Rita’s Ice coupon, Lancaster Ice Rink coupon, and passes for a Barnstormers game, the Laserdome, and the PA Renaissance Faire. Teen summer reading forms will be available both at the Library and at this event. Students from grades 7 to 12 are invited to swap books, receive one free book as a special gift, mingle with family and friends, and, of course, eat! This popular event is free to all teens attending CHS. Date is Thursday, May 31, at 7 PM.

Special thanks to Mrs. Kelly Santoro for all of her hard work in arranging this important reading promotion. Click May 2012 Newsletter to read the newsletter in full.