Thursday, April 15, 2010

At Springfield City Library, Bases Are Loaded for FUN!


Just like my Dad, in spring my mind thinks baseball, and in my opinion our team looks very good this year. You met our new manager Molly Fogarty last month. She’s backed by seasoned veterans like Reggie Wilson, Norma Couture, and Ed Lonergan, and up-and-comers like Matthew Jaquith, Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, and Anna Mickelsen. They cover their bases like the pros that they are. Look at a map of the City; our bases (or branch libraries) are spread out similar to the players on a diamond, except we have one additional fielder, which is not a bad thing-less distance for you to cover to catch our hits! We’re always pitching exciting new materials and fantastic programs, so let me tell you who’s on-deck next week, for the visiting team.
Leading off at the Forest Park Branch, 380 Belmont Avenue, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20 is a real power hitter! Tom Ricardi, bird of prey rehabilitator, brings an exciting live presentation to their Community Room. At his non-profit Rehabilitation Center, Mr. Ricardi cares for more than a dozen varieties of raptors, including owls, hawks, falcons, and breeding bald eagles in captivity, so the chicks can be released into the wild. You’ll be able to catch the same program the same day at 3 p.m. at the Liberty Branch, 773 Liberty Street. A not-to-be-missed event!
At 2 p.m. the Central Library Community Room, 220 State Street, has a show with Bill Ross, titled “Book’Em” at the Library. Through juggling, movement, and storytelling, Mr. Ross will explore books of all kinds-adventurous, educational, and those that tickle your funny bones. He’ll turn your kids into fans!
Slide on in to the Central Library between noon and 8 p.m., or Mason Square Branch (765 State Street) from 2-4 p.m., on Wednesday, April 21st for a Drop-In Scavenger Hunt. Children will use clues to find hidden items around the room. Save the 1 p.m. hour for a catbird seat at our Indian Orchard Branch, 44 Oak Street, and be ready for the curve. It’s Shenandoah with Dance of the Hoops! Your children will experience the rhythms of hooping as she leads them through this active, fun program.
Earth Rhythms, with Roger Tincknell, 2 p.m. at Pine Point Branch (204 Boston Road), also on Wednesday the 21st, is a sure bet. From recycling to rainforests, conservation to compost, Mr. Tincknell will explore environmental issues through stories, singing, dancing and percussion. Hitting from all sides of the plate, he wields the Native American rainstick, Incan Charango and flute, Russian balalaika, African Achika drum, as well as guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica!
Curious George is Wednesday’s closer, going in at 6 p.m. at the East Springfield Branch, 21 Osborne Terrace. (You all must know him; he’s been around since Ted Williams was with the Red Sox!) There will be a special storytime and fun crafts!
Cheryl Melody starts the Thursday, April 22nd line-up with her Peace Begins With Me program. Ms. Melody uses songs, poetry, storytelling, Tibetan and crystal singing bowls, puppets and instruments to raise awareness about the value of respect and peace. Scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Central Library Community Room, this event is a proven winner!
If you didn’t catch Dance of the Hoops yesterday, slide in to Brightwood Branch Library, 359 Plainfield Street, by 1 p.m. for a replay by Shenandoah. She’ll be hooping it up again and would love to see you there! If you want to whoop it up in a different way, travel to the Sixteen Acres Branch, 1187 Parker Street, by 1 p.m. That’s when Robert Rivest will be pitching his funniest and most heart warming stories in rapid fire succession. Laughter is the Best Medicine, and your kids will be smiling, giggling and laughing with this comic mime master!
At the Mason Square Branch, children will enjoy our 2-4 p.m. program titled “See How Our Garden Grows.” They can drop-in, get creative with our craft supplies, and make a flower to add to our window garden. It’ll be a hit.
I’m calling it- Bonaparte will hit two right out of the park on Friday! Bonaparte’s Magic Show is billed as a high energy, interactive funfest, featuring amazing magic and hilarious comedy! He’s on at 1 p.m. at East Forest Park, 122 Island Pond Road. He’s on again at 3 p.m. at the East Springfield Branch, 21 Osborne Terrace, and my guess is you’ll want to see him! He’s even got a couple of tricks up his sleeve, or in his hat, by the names of Snow and Frisky. Or, if you prefer something more low key, drop in to Mason Square Branch from 1-5 p.m. and work some of our puzzles. We’ll keep you busy for quite a while.
Again Curious George will be closing. What an energetic old timer! At 1 p.m. the Liberty Branch will be hosting a party with special storytime and crafts. Come and monkey around with George and his friends.
Thanks to the generosity of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, all of the visiting programs are free of charge. We hope to see you there!

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