July 4th Is Coming: Keep Your Fingers

Independence Day is this coming Monday, so I thought I'd put up my yearly blog posting on fireworks safety. Please forward this to anyone you know who might be apt to set a few off.

The following tips are from the National Council on Fireworks Safety.

• Use fireworks outdoors only.



• Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.



• Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).



• Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.



• Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.



• Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.



• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a "designated shooter."



• Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.



• Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.

Or, just watch this:

Pure Water Days Team Trivia Contest 2011

Sure, it's early, but I want everyone who reads this to have plenty of time to spread the word to the trivia hounds in their lives.

On Sunday, August 14th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, we will host a trivia contest here at the Chippewa Falls Public Library at 105 W. Central St. The contest is to benefit the Friends of the Chippewa Falls Public Library.

Teams must consist of at least three, but can be no larger than six. Team registration is $25.00. Those who register singly as "free agents" will pay $5.00 each and will be assembled into teams on-site.

The contest will be four rounds long with the questions becoming progressively more difficult as the game continues. If two teams are tied, there will be a tiebreaker round. The questions were written by the staff of the Chippewa Falls Public Library; we did the research necessary to stump the best and brightest of Chippewa Falls.

So, if you think you and your friends are pretty smart and would like to prove it, call 715-723-1146 ext. 111 for more information. Pre-registration is requested for pre-assembled teams, and registration can be done in person at the Chippewa Falls Public Library. Entrance fee is due at time of registration.

Whichever team wins this one will have a year's worth of bragging rights.

Local Author Amelia Kimball

Many of us did a fair amount of resisting when it came to reading in high school; when there are parties and pep rallies to attend, reading Chapter 9 of The Grapes of Wrath by the following Monday didn't seem all that fun.

One local teen, however, has gone one better and written a book before her freshman year of college has even begun.

Amelia Kimball of Bloomer--soon to start at UWEC--has a novel out (just published yesterday) about two students who get their mind/personalities switched into each others' bodies and have to figure out how to switch back. The book is called Inside Out.

Amelia will be here in our young adult section Monday evening at 7pm to do some readings from her book and sell/sign copies. Come sit in the YA Cafe' upstairs and meet some up and coming local talent...

Tell a teen!

Canine Companions

Anyone who has been stuck playing fetch long past the time when they felt like it because their dog was just too cute to say 'no' to knows that dogs are happiest when they are busy and with someone they love.


This Thursday afternoon from 2 -3 pm, the library will present locals who work--and live--with very special dogs. The program will be in the basement of City Hall.
You'll meet Kristi, a local guide dog trainer; Dr. Schneider-a guide dog owner; and someone who works at the Chippewa Falls Humane society.

Together they will share their experiences working with dogs on a daily basis. This is a family program-open to any age and registration is not required. The dogs present may not be available for petting, unless otherwise directed by the presenters.

Presenters will speak from 15-20 minutes followed by a Q&A session.

The Chippewa Falls Public Library: Kid Safe, Kid Friendly

Summer is upon us and the public library is a popular daytime (and evening) destination for kids looking to keep their minds sharp and spend some time in front of an air conditioning vent.

We welcome children all the year 'round, and especially when we have as many children's programs and events going on as we do during the summer months...

And, even though we try our best to be as fun as we can, we also need to make sure the children who come in the library are safe. This is why, this past spring, the Chippewa Falls Public Library Board of Trustees wisely clarified the library's Unattended Child Policy. You can read the whole thing here.

The policy basically says:

1. Any child under 8 has to be with an adult or sibling of at least 12 years of age.

2.Children 8 or older who come in alone have to behave appropriately in the library or they can be asked to leave; if the behavior is unsafe or destructive, a child's parents or some other authority may be contacted.

3. Parents/guardians/siblings have to directly supervise their children while in the library...ignoring them while using a computer or going off to browse isn't safe, and we will gently remind patrons if we need to.

4. If it looks like a child has been left at closing time, we'll ask if a parent is coming and do our best to get in touch with mom or dad. If we can't get in contact with anyone, we'll call the police and, if this happens, the Department of Children and Families could get involved.

We want to make sure all our patrons, whatever the age, are happy and safe here. We'll need the community's help to make that as certain as we can.

Spread the word to the parents, guardians and big brothers/sisters you know.

Thanks!

Summer Reading Program 2011

Travel is the theme of the Summer Reading Program in 2011, and we invite you to come get your passport at the Chippewa Falls Public Library!

Sign-ups for the children's program (the theme is Read Around the World) begin June 13th--one week from today--and the program runs through July 29th. The program is geared for children from the age of 2 up through the 5th grade. You can look at the full slate of summer reading program events here:

Summer Reading Program 2011 Events

For TEENS, there's READING CAN TAKE YOU PLACES, and teens who complete the Book Bingo are eligible to win great prizes, including bowling passes and restaurant gift certificates. Some readers can also pick new books to continue to feed the love of reading. Reading can truly take one places not just in space, but in time and in the ether of ideas.

NOVEL DESTINATIONS, the adult reading program, is for those adults who have managed tol hold onto their sense of excitement when it comes to the magic of summer...and reading. Adults who read three books over the summer are eligible for a weekly drawing for great prizes redeemable in our community.

So, when you and yours are spending time soaking up as much sun as you can...remember to take some time to soak up a book or two this summer as well.