Saturday, June 22, 2013

LIBRARY ON-LINE OPTIONS GALORE!

Do you love books AND computers? If you said yes, you might want to check out some of the Augusta Public Library's social networking options.

The library has a Facebook page where you can read about the latest library events, see library-related pictures, find out about library closings, and use convenient links to Goodreads and Pinterest.

If you already use Goodreads, this quick link provides a convenient way to access it. If not, you still might want to click on the link and check it out.

On Goodreads, you can find new book releases and reading recommendations by staff members and fellow library patrons. You can also search for books by genre, title, author, or even ISBN number. As an added bonus,  you can find many of your favorite authors, follow their blogs, and find out what they're reading.

On Pinterest, you can find book recommendations, supplements to current library programs, craft ideas, family activities, library humor, and many other resources.

Don't worry if you don't currently have accounts with GoodReads or Pinterest; you can still access them through the links provided. In fact, if you can't wait to check them out, you can click on the hyper-links in the previous sentence for immediate access.

We hope you enjoy your cyber-options!





Saturday, June 15, 2013

Help the Earth, Help the Library


 


Win-win situations are rare in this world, win-win-win situations even more so. However, becoming part of one is as easy as making a trip to your local gas station or grocery store. These are among several sites in Augusta where you can dispose of aluminum cans while supporting great causes.

Both the Augusta Public Library and the Boy Scouts have can collection sites around town; the proceeds from selling the aluminum to recyclers go to purchase library materials and fund reading programs for the library, and they support camp and other programs for the Boy Scouts.

Library director Leslie LaRose notes that “donations are used for new materials as well as programming costs, like the summer reading program, as well as other programs we have throughout the year. We've had storytellers and musicians. All of these programs and more have been made possible through these donations.”

Volunteers from both organizations collect the cans and deliver them for recycling. These unsung heroes have faced some disgusting situations in the process, though, and they ask for the community’s support in making sure that the collection bins are used only for aluminum cans. Volunteer Angie Frank, who collects cans on behalf of the library, points out, “Some well meaning folks give us other types of aluminum, which we just end up throwing out. Other folks mix garbage, scraps of food, and other beverage containers with the good aluminum cans. JUST ALUMINUM BEVERAGE CANS, PLEASE. NOBODY ENJOYS SORTING OTHER PEOPLE’S GARBAGE.” She also asks that donors make sure the cans are clean and not put back into their original cardboard containers.

Despite the sometimes smelly situations involved, Frank and her family are more than willing to donate their time and effort for the cause. She says, “We pick up cans every two to four weeks. We do it because we have a pick-up truck and three able children who are encouraged to give back to our wonderful community and library. We believe volunteering makes the community better for everyone, and of course we visit the library often.”

She also emphasizes how grateful she is to community members who do donate cans. “Could we first thank people who have been doing a good job dropping clean cans off?” she asks. “We MUST let the public know we appreciate the folks who do donate.”

“This is truly a community wide fundraiser,” says LaRose. “It doesn't take much to hand the cans into the collection bins, even take them out to the recycling center directly, and both the library and the Boy Scouts are able to do so much with it.”

If you would like to use your cans to support these organizations, you can find the collection bins at several locations. The library collects cans at Carol’s DJ’s Mart, located on W. Lincoln St. in Augusta, and at the Bridge Creek recycling center on Highway 27. The Boy Scouts collect cans at Augusta Meats at 825 Industrial Drive, at the Woodland convenience store and gas station on Highway 27, and at the Gordy’s grocery store on W. Lincoln St.
 
Donating cans allows you to dispose of clutter for free, helps preserve the environment, and enables the Augusta Public Library and the Boy Scouts to provide quality programming for area youth. It’s a win-win-win situation indeed.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

CALLING ALL TEENS

Are you a teen? Do you love to read? Do you want a free book? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, the Augusta Public Library's Teen Reading Program is for you!

You can swing by the library to pick up a reading log later this week. Turning in 8 logs will earn you a free book at the end of the summer.

Teen Thursdays take place at the library every Thursday night from 4-6pm. If you're age 12-18, come join us for games, movies, crafts, activities, and most importantly, FREE FOOD!

Teens are welcome to stop in during the June 27th meeting to help decorate for the Summer Reading Program with Cassie and Jane.

Free books, free food--what's not to love?! We hope you can join us for the Teen Reading Program!

The Summer Reading Program Is Here!

School may be out, but never fear--kids can keep honing their reading skills with the library's Summer Reading Program. This year's theme is "Dig Into Reading," and there are many ways for you and your kids to get involved. Here are just a few:

  • DO SOME READING! Stop by the library to get a reading log for your child/children. The more kids read or are read to, the more fun prizes they can earn, including free passes to many Wisconsin state parks.

  • COME TO THE READING PROGRAMS! These fun and activity-filled events take place every Thursday from July 11 to August 8 from 9:30-11am at the Augusta Lions Hall. All children are welcome to attend, although programs are especially geared for children ages 4-11. Children who attend should be supervised by a parent or guardian. 

  • VOLUNTEER! Students ages 12 and up can sign up to help out at each Summer Reading Program event. The student volunteers' duties include helping younger children with crafts, setting up and taking down for events, and performing skits. Volunteering produces a number of benefits--the satisfaction of helping the community, the increasingly impressive resume, AND the forgiveness of fines for overdue items. Interested students should stop by the library during regular hours to fill out a volunteer application form.

  • FEED THE CHILDREN! Adults can also help out at the programs and/or volunteer to provide snacks for the sessions.

  • GET CRAFTY! The library will have free craft and activity ideas each week from July 8-August 16. Activity information will be available at the library's front desk.

  • HELP GET THE LIBRARY READY FOR SOME DIGGING! If you have any items that relate to the "Dig Into Reading" theme (toy trucks, construction toys, items related to gardens, caves, or dinosaurs, etc.), please lend them to the library for display. Participants in the Teen Reading Program will be decorating on June 27. Items can be dropped off at the front desk during regular library hours. Please label them so they can be returned to you at the end of the program.

  • WATCH SOME MOVIES! "Popcorn and a movie" nights will take place at the library each Saturday from July 13-August 17. These family-friendly movies will begin at 6pm.

  • SEE SOME AMAZING PRESENTATIONS! Professor Marvel's Amazing Archeological Adventure will take place on Wednesday, July 17, at 2pm. Join Professor Marvel on an archeological quest through books! Storyteller Tracy Chipman will be at the library on Wednesday, July 31, at 3:15pm to present Earth Tales for Everybody.

  • BE PART OF THE GRAND FINALE! The Summer Reading Program finale will take place at Lake Eau Claire Park on Thursday, August 15, at 9:30am.


There's a lot going on at the library this summer, and we hope that you and your family can be a part of the fun!

WE WANT YOUR BOOKS!

Calling all bibliophiles! If your shelves are brimming over with books that need a new home, here's your chance to both de-clutter AND help the Augusta Public Library. We're currently accepting donations of books, movies, and CDs for the annual Friends of the Library book sale, which helps fund library programming and purchase new materials.

You can drop off donations during regular library hours (2-5pm on Mondays, 9am-7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11am-5pm on Thursdays and Fridays, 9am-5pm on Saturdays); donations will be accepted through July 3. Please make sure donated items are in good condition. The library accepts most materials but asks that you not bring magazines or Reader's Digest collections since storage space is limited.

Once you've cleared off some shelf space, you can come to the book sale for some excellent re-fill opportunities. The sale will be held at the Augusta Senior Center on Friday, July 5 from 1-6pm and Saturday, July 6 from 8am-2pm.

Please stop by or call the library if you're interested in volunteering to help set up, take down, or sell books during sale hours.

We hope to see you there; you'll find some great books and support a great cause!