State Library Recognizes Hilton Library  Best Practice

The Read Together Backpacks at Hilton Library have won a $500 prize for a Best Practice in Early Literacy from the New Jersey State Library. Four libraries in the state were awarded this prize.

Hilton Library has about 25 of the child-sized backpacks filled with materials…books, manipulatives, CDs, puzzles, and other items to encourage parents to be part of their children’s introduction to reading.

The check was presented to Jennifer Burkholder, Hilton’s children’s librarian, at the State Librarian’s breakfast during the New Jersey Library Association Conference in Long Branch on May 4.

Jennifer will also be part of a panel presentation on May 10 in Atlantic City for The NJ Head Start Association Conference. She will describe and demonstrate how the Read Together Backpacks help parents and caregivers encourage language and pre-reading skills in children from birth-6 years.

Hilton Library is also featured in a Best Practices booklet that the State Library will distribute at both the NJLA and NJ Head Start Conferences.

E-Audiobooks for Kids and Teens

Maplewood Library has a NEW and IMPROVED selection of downloadable audiobooks for children and teens

Now you can download children’s audiobooks by authors such as Avi, Dan Gutman, Betsy Byars and Michael Buckley.  Recordings of the popular children’s series “Ivy + Bean”, “My Weird School” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” are available for download from home.  Teen book authors include Meg Cabot, Margaret Peterson Haddix and Anthony Horowitz and series such as “Maximum Ride”, “Mediator” and “Alex Rider”.  Check out our website www.maplewood.library.org/Eaudiobooks.htm  to view downloadable titles or come in and ask a librarian.

Fun With Science

A dozen young scientists cheered as red foamy lava oozed out of their volcanoes covering cars, animals, and lakes. Hilton Branch's "Hands-on Science" workshops encourage kids ages 7 - 10 to roll up their sleeves and make a science-y mess. In this case, the mess was a mixture of dirt and glue wrapped around a small soda bottle to create the volcano. On and around the volcano, the scientists added glitter, matchbox cars, animals made out of clay, and "lakes" made from bottle caps filled with blue glue. A shout rang out when the vinegar reacted to the baking soda and everything in its path was destroyed.


The Hands on Science series continues with Owl Pellets on November 9th and
Test Tube Adventures on December 14th. Both are from 3:45 -to 5 pm.
Registration: call Hilton Branch Library 973/762-1688. Classes size is limited.

Selected Staff Pick

Selected Staff Pick

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science

From Library Journal: "The fascinating story of the construction foreman who survived for 10 years after a 13-pound iron rod shot through his brain. Fleischman relates Gage's "horrible accident" and the subsequent events in the present tense, giving immediacy to the text...The author presents scientific background in a conversational style and jumps enthusiastically into such related topics as phrenology, 19th-century medical practices, and the history of microbiology.

He shows how Gage's misfortune actually played an intriguing and important role in the development of our knowledge of the brain...Phineas Gage brings a scientific viewpoint to a topic that will be delightfully gruesome to many readers."

 

Coming Up Soon: Show Your Card, Show Your Support

Show Your Card, Show Your Support

The Maplewood Library Grassroots Fundraising Committee is sponsoring ‘Show Your Card, Show Your Support’. From October 17 to 23 when you show your MML card (or mention the promotion) participating Maplewood restaurants will donate a percent of your pre-tax dining bill to Maplewood Library.

Other restaurants will have a can for cash donations for you to give what you like (and some will even match all donations collected!)

All donations from this promotion will be used for adult and children’s programming and collections.

In early October, a list of participating restaurants will be available at either branch and on our website.

Planting Seeds in the Xeriscape Garden

Susan Brand (right) instructed children in planting seeds of drought-tolerant plants in the xeriscape garden behind the Main Library.

From left: Library page Max DaSilva, Piper Davenport, Luke Davenport, Max Solomon, Oliver Chisolm, Kelsey Hair, Susan Brand.

Funding for the project was provided by the Maplewood Garden Club

Celebrate National Library Week
National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians. Look for our special display of Staff Picks and try out some of our favorite books!

Earth Day Raffle

Starting April 6, when you recycle one or more plastic bags at Hilton Branch, you get a raffle ticket for a chance to be one of five raffle winners. Prizes will be gift certificates from local businesses.

The drawing will be held on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22.
You must be over 18 to participate. One ticket per library visit. You do not need to be present to win.

This Tri-cycle Initiative is a joint recycling effort between Hilton Branch Library and Fringe Salon.

Positive Parenting Series

Hands-On Science for Parents
Dazzle your children by making things sizzle, pop and glow!!
For parents of children ages 4 – 12
* Spark your child's curiosity about the world
* Stimulate problem-solving skiils
* Improve family togetherness
* Make learning fun
* Impress your child with your science genius!
At this interactive program, Betsy Wald will demonstrate exciting experiments using everyday materials, and help you come up with some of your own wacky projects.
Tuesday, March 16, 7 – 8 pm at Hilton Branch
Parents only please!

Love Your Life Non-Fiction Book Club

Mating in Captivity:
Reconciling the erotic + the domestic, by Esther Perel
Facilitated by Harlene Goldschmidt, PhD
Maplewood Library’s non-fiction book club was created to help women feel good about themselves; to cope with challenging situations; and to feel more in charge of their lives. The club meets once a month for discussions facilitated by local professionals and a list of related resources will be provided . Even if you don’t read the month’s selection, you are welcome to attend!
Wednesday, March 10, 7:00 pm at Main Library
Books may be borrowed from the library or purchased at a discount from Words Bookstore.

Intermediate Computer Classes

Drop-In Computer Classes
Adult computer users who would like to go beyond the basics may drop in at the Hilton Branch on Tuesdays at pm for lessons tailored to their interests. Attendees must know how to use a mouse and keyboard. This is a drop-in class. No reservations will be taken.
Tuesdays March 9, 16 and 23, 1-2 pm at Hilton Branch.
For more information, call Timur Davis at 973-762-1622, ext. 5001

Back to (Home) School

Just say the word “homeschooling,” and emotions may run high and hot. It’s a given, however, that parents are a child’s most influential teachers and that learning is not something that only happens in a classroom from September to June....

Read Hilton Branch Librarian Betsy Wald's article on The Local:

http://maplewood.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/back-to-homeschool/