Between the Stacks: 6/2/2021

It has been so much fun watching everyone come in to sign up for Summer Reading this week. Registration is open and the programs begin on June 7th. Reading in the summer may have a huge effect on the “summer slide” where children fall behind on the skills they have practiced during the winter months. There are many fascinating studies on the slide, which causes some students to fall behind several months by the fall. The same studies show that those who read during the summer may start their studies months ahead of others. The Library joins our educational partners in helping everyone become life-long learners in a fun and educational way. Registration is open to anyone birth to 120 years old!

On an educational note, I received word this week that the Whitehall Community Library has been chosen by Humanities Montana to host a Teen Democracy Project in the fall. We will be recruiting teens and a few parents to develop a teen lead civics project in Whitehall. Stayed tuned for more information on this project. If you would like to participate with us, please give me a call at 287-3763.

The Summer Reading weekly calendar will basically be the same with special programs changing every week. Beginning June 7th the events will be: Monday - 10:30 a.m. Kristi’s Kiddie Corner, 5:30 p.m. Paint-By-Number class for teens and adults; Tuesday - Free Painting at 6:00 p.m.; Wednesday - 10:30 a.m. Bugs & Us, 6:30 p.m. Hiking Preparedness; Thursday - 3:00 p.m. Sweet Tea Tales with Emily Dickerson; and Friday - 9:30 a.m. Storytime, 2:00 p.m. Maker Space time for elementary and middle school children.

The Sweet Tea Tales on June 10 at 3:00 p.m., is a cooking contest for everyone to enjoy. Bakers prepare their favorite recipes according to the theme and attendees get to vote for their favorite. This month’s theme is Summer Coolers and entries may be anything from drinks to sweets. Emily Dickerson will be joining us with another one of her amazing nature talks so come prepared to eat and learn!

Normally we move Storytime to Mondays in summer, but this year it will stay on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend this fun time of stories, crafts, and music but the emphasis is on those ages 3-6 years.

Search and Rescue will be opening our first hiking program with hiking safety. We will be making emergency kits for hikers to take along on the trail. The series begins on June 9th at 6:30 p.m. and is open to everyone.

The calendar is full and contains more programs than I can describe here so stop by and pick one up at the front desk. All library programs are free and the Library provides any supplies needed to the public.