Teen Read Week: Turn Over a New Leaf

The Chippewa Falls Public Library will be offering youth between the ages of 7-18 an opportunity to “turn over a new leaf” at the library this fall. This program is a reading incentive to help clear up unpaid fines on library cards. It will cover current library card fines in exchange for time spent reading at the library, allowing young people to re-establish “good credit” on their library accounts.

Turn Over a New Leaf will be held on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4:30. The incentive starts on October 17 as a kickoff for Teen Read Week and ends on Monday, October 31. During these times participants will earn $0.50 for every 15 minutes of reading that they completed during the designated times. This program applies to overdue fines for returned Chippewa Falls items only, and does not apply to materials from other libraries, lost or damaged items, processing fees, or fines for materials that have not yet been returned.

The library desires all students to have access to the resources that they will need to complete their school assignments and succeed during the new school year, as well as develop their love of reading for pleasure. It is our hope that young people will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to turn over a new leaf this fall.

For information, stop at the Information Services Desk on your next visit to the library, call 715-723-1146 ore-mail the library. For information about other library program and events, check the library’s events calendar at our website.

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.

More About Summer Reading

Just today, I asked Ms. Colleen Crowley, our Children's Librarian, exactly what a child gets for enrolling in the summer reading program. Turns out they get quite a bit.

She emailed me thus:

"When children register in the summer reading program they will receive a bookmark, an age-based reading record to track their reading time, and an activity booklet. Independent readers will be awarded prizes throughout their reading journey and upon completion will receive a book, a fine waiving coupon, and a ticket for a random drawing of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book.

"If children want to continue reading they may also receive a new incentive sheet that will, upon completion, entitle them to receive a [free] bowl of pasta at Noodles & Co. Children who finish the reading record activities in the 'Wee Readers' program will receive an envelope with prizes, a state park pass and a book."

Not to mention the satisfaction of having spent at least a little time this summer with the written word.

Come to the library and enroll your little one(s) in the program, especially if you already make reading to or with them a common practice. Let your child be rewarded for reading on as many levels as possible and, please, let us help.

Clowning Around

Ozseeker the clown spent some time making balloon animals with the children of the Chippewa Falls Public Library today, and it was my pleasure to catch her in action.

Over 70 children signed up for the "Make a Splash" summer reading program on the first day, children's librarian Colleen Crowley tells me, and we could not be more pleased at the response. If you haven't signed your little one up yet, find an excuse to come down and do that.

Summertime Reading: It's All Yours!

Make a Splash! Read!

Above we see Ms. Colleen Crowley of the Chippewa Falls Public Library (looking for all the world like an extra in a Woody Allen movie) as she reads to the children of St. Charles Primary School last week.

Ms. Crowley was out to push the theme of the 2010 children's summer reading program, "Make a Splash! Read!"

Summer Events 2010

So it's my first summer in Chippewa, and there's a lot going on. First, library hours change after Memorial Day weekend.




The schedule of hours will look like this:

Sunday Closed
Monday 10 am - 8 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday 10am - 8 pm
Friday 10am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 10 am - 1 pm

If you're planning to slip in and see us in the warmer months, take note!

Also, take a look at the schedule and calendar for the summer reading program. The theme for this year's program is water, so the adult reading program is "Water Your Mind," the teen's program is "Make Waves," and the children's program is titled "Make a Splash-Read." So if you want to get wet this summer, stop by the library. On your way to the Irvine Park Pool, that is.

People tell me the at Wisconsinites hold summer very dear, and we'll do our best to give them something they can cherish and look forward to the best we can.

Summertime at the Library: It's All Yours!