BOOKTOBERFEST IS COMING!

September may be upon us, but soon it will be Booktober at the Augusta Memorial Public Library. Booktoberfest is the library's annual open house and celebration of all things book-related. Although it originally took place in October, its date has been moved to September 14 this year in order to avoid conflicts with the Falling Leaves Art Tour (on which the library is a stop) and to increase the odds of warm weather for the outdoor activities.

Booktoberfest will feature a variety of family-friendly presentations, food, and activities. At 10:00 a.m., book lovers can enjoy a presentation by Minnesota writer Carl Brookins, author of the Jack Marston mystery series. Then, at 11:30 a.m., they can hear Chippewa Falls author Joe Niese speak about his recently published book, Burleigh Grimes: Baseball's Last Legal Spitballer.

The afternoon will feature presentations by a mother/daughter team. At 2:00 p.m., Minnesota author, artist, and musician Natalie Thomas will share how to transform life's embarrassing moments into fuel for comic writing in "The Accidental Comedienne." Her daughter Cassandra Thomas--also an author and artist--will follow at 3:00 p.m. with "Learn to Draw (Not Just for Kids)," which will help aspiring artists of all ages learn to draw cartoon figures.

In between presentations, visitors can enjoy activities and an outdoor Storywalk featuring storyboards by local artist and author Pat Gabler. There will also be food served between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

If you would like more information about Booktoberfest, please contact library director Leslie LaRose at aulib@augustalibrary.org or call the library at (715) 286-2070.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME IS COMING SOON!

The big kids are headed off to school, but the little ones don't need to feel left behind; they'll have plenty of educational opportunities at the Augusta Public Library's Preschool Storytime Program. Each Storytime features a variety of songs, activities, and stories ideal for three-and-a-half to five-year-olds. Sessions will take place each Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the Augusta Public Library. The first Storytime begins on September 13, and the sessions continue through December 13. (Please note that there will be no Storytimes on October 11 and November 29.)  Storytime is free and open to any child who wishes to participate, although the library asks that each child be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

If you would like more information, please contact Youth Librarian Cassie Banaszak at banaszak@augustalibrary.org or (715) 286-2070.

Summer Reading Program Celebrates Its Grand Finale

             

      Summer Reading Program participants pose during their party at Lake Eau Claire


On August 15, participants in the Augusta Public Library's Summer Reading Program gathered at Lake Eau Claire to celebrate their literary accomplishments. Together, the thirty-six children had logged 12,538 minutes of reading since the program's start in June. Their grand finale--coordinated by Youth Librarian Cassie Banaszak, Adult Services Librarian Samma Johnson, and Library Director Leslie LaRose--went beyond just books. After listening to Cassie read a story, the group enjoyed a variety of games, crafts, and food centered around the 2013 "Dig Into Reading" theme.

Highlights of the morning included a relay race that involved digging, building sandcastles, and making paper-flower-ended spoons. The children used the spoons to eat "dirt cake" (really a delicious chocolate pudding/Oreo mix) after their lunch of fruit salad made by volunteer Jane Walsh and subs from Subway.

Finally, the grand moment arrived: The awarding of prizes. All children who had submitted at least six reading logs got to choose free books, and the top readers in each age category received special prizes. Nobody went home empty-handed, though; each child got a goodie bag with "Dig Into Reading" themed items inside, such as bracelets, bookmarks, and toy dinosaurs.

If the smiles on the children's faces were any indication, "Dig Into Reading" did, indeed, cultivate their love of books.