Happy Hogwarts, Harry! Check out the decorations downstairs

Here are a few photos to whet your appetite.  Please visit Cheryl and Kari Dawn downstairs to see their amazing decor in person.  Check out the Childrens page on the library's website for updates on programs and events.

December 11, Cheryl and Kari Dawn host a Magic Show with Jamie O'Hara at 1:30pm.

Who's there?  Is school out?

Is this the way to Platform 9 3/4?  My train leaves at 3:15!

 

Half that trolley has disappeared!

Why is the ticket window closed?  Have I missed my train?  

 

Professor Flitwick floats over a chessboard and a kettle bubbles up sparkling wisps.

Watch out for our Whomping Willow!

 

Has anyone seen Cheryl lately?  Is she hiding in one of these pictures?  Who do you see?

Welcome to the Apothecary (Ask Kari Dawn how to say, "Apothecary.")

Cheryl and Kari Dawn brought Hogsmeade's skyline!

It goes and goes and goes!

Are these two guarding the gates or on their way to school?

What's squeaking?  Mice? Keys? Fluffy?

Who goes there?  Nobody.

Is this a training for Quidditch or an invasion?!

All aboard the Hogwarts Express! 

Which house are you?

Welcome to the Great Hall.  Take your seats for Dumbledore's welcome.

The braziers in the Great Hall are floating!

Measure yourself to Hagrid's shadow in the front stair.

#5 Children's programming and materials

Cheryl's Teddy Graham Racers

Ruidoso Public Library is honored to have Cheryl Volosin as Youth Services Supervisor and Kari Dawn Kolander on our Children's Services Team.  This pair packs energy and enthusiasm into every activity, plan, and presentation.  Our Summer Reading Program is off and running with different themes for each week's activities.

click to view larger version of Summer Schedule

Cheryl and Kari Dawn are go-to gals for questions about how to incorporate more reading into your kid's, or kids', daily schedule.  We have audiobooks to help those not yet reading at their peers' level.  Listening to a book still adds new vocabulary--if you note it and practice the new word.  Audiobooks can really help with attention spans if the child can move around or play a little while listening; perhaps drawing a picture about that part of the story.  In a different side of attention spans, audiobooks can engage all the riders in a long car trip, whether discussing what just happened or guessing what comes next.  Audiobooks are also helpful for undiagnosed dyslexia as they keep literature fun and attainable while the system catches up. 

Our children's department has a growing graphic novel collection.  Graphic novels may contain as many words as early reading books and stretch the reader's visual literacy.  This means learning how to interpret a picture, especially to gain context from the background images and to interpolate events between frames.  I think of graphic novels as a gateway--to reading.  Our Kids' catalog is built upon the same principles: Scout displays images rather than words to help our youngest visitors find books of interest.

Ruidoso Public Library has resources for home schooling, too.  You and your student can access online, anytime, free classes from spelling to writing, science to math.  Khan Academy provides free tutoring recordings in maths, science, economics, and test preparation.  

Overdrive is now available; this means you can access, on your computer or download to many different devices and players, kids' ebooks and kids' e-audiobooks.  

I can't end this post without plugging our Pre-School Story Time, Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:15.  Kari Dawn, Cheryl, and occasionally Jennifer, bring two or three picture books to life.  Each week has a theme followed by a similar craft project, geared toward 2-5 year olds.  Anyone with a pre-schooler, who can sit still for 15 minutes, is welcome.

Happy Hallowe'en!

This week is more than costumes and treats.  Did you know the Very Large Array outside Socorro, NM, is looking for a new name?  Anyone may suggest the name here.  

Image by NRAO at http://www.vla.nrao.edu/images/tightcenter.small.jpg

The VLA is 27 huge satellite dishes--you've seen them in movies like Independence Day and Contact.  Here's your chance to be a part of history!

At Ruidoso Public Library tomorrow (Wednesday) Pre-School Story Time invites you to dress up and create these Owl Treats.  I wish I were in Pre-School again, those look so yummy!

Image from Canadian Family at http://www.canadianfamily.ca/2011/08/sweet-treat-oreo-owls-are-a-hoot/ 

Then, on Thursday, everyone is invited to dress up for a Thriller dance downstairs @ 3:30 pm. The dance routine may begin closer to 4 pm.

If you'd like to read a little horror to build the holiday ambience, try DailyLit.com's 50 Word Frights.  Can you compose a spine-tingler in 50 words or less?