Subject: News & Events

Berlin-Peck Memorial Library • May 2021 Newsletter

Attention gardeners!

Stop by to check out vegetable, flower, and herb seeds from our seed library! There are no late fees or due dates, and we're happy to include seeds in your curbside pickup bag.


Looking for specific seeds? We just updated our catalog so you can see exactly what seeds are available. The seed catalog includes categories like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.


RBdigital is moving to OverDrive.

You can now find RBdigital ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and comics on OverDrive and the Libby app. We're excited for this move, since OverDrive is much easier to use!


Unfortunately, this change means that AcornTV will not be available after May 14. We know many of you enjoyed AcornTV, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that these shows will be available on OverDrive in the future.


Friends Book Sale update.

The Book Sale is now open Wednesdays at 9:30 am–1:00 pm.


The Friends are overwhelmed with donations and must temporarily stop accepting them. Please stand by while we review our donation rules and intake process. While you wait, take a look at the Friends page to make sure your items are something the Friends are able to accept.


New bookdrop hours.

The bookdrop will now be open all day (and all night) on weekdays. To prevent it from overflowing, it will still be closed on weekends, closing Fridays at 6:00 pm and reopening Mondays at 7:00 am.


Special Hours

 

Library hours are weekdays 10am–8pm, 5pm on Fridays.

Senior hours are Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am–10am.

Book drop is now open weekdays, Monday 7am–Friday 6pm.

Curbside pickup is still available!


The library will be closed Monday, May 31, for Memorial Day.

Adult Programs

Spice It Up! Lavender

While supplies last—place your hold ASAP!

Pickup begins Wednesday, May 12.


Try out a new spice (or herb) each month! May's kit includes a sample of lavender, information sheets, and a few recipes to try.

Register

Take & Make Pressed Flower Luminarias

While supplies last—place your hold ASAP!

Pickup begins Thursday, May 13.


Learn the simple art of pressing flowers, and use spring’s beauty to add a warm, inviting ambiance to your summer table with this easy luminaria project kit.

Register

What Should I Grow in My Medicinal Herb Garden?

Monday, May 3, 6:30 pm  Online



Start an herb garden to treat common ailments like colds and flu, minor cuts, anxiety, poor digestion, and insomnia.

Register

Sit & Knit

Thursdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27, 2:00 pm


Join us outside in front of the library for a relaxing session of knitting and good company—six feet apart, of course. We’re hoping for good weather, but it’s still spring in Connecticut! So please make sure to register, so we can let you know about changes or cancellations.

Register

Understanding Your Senses

Tuesday, May 11, 6:00 pm  Online


Learn how people can use their senses (smell, hearing, sight and touch) to connect with their loved ones after death. Presented by Sydney Sherman.

Register

A Passeggiata (Stroll) Through Italy

Wednesday, May 12, 6:30 pm  Online


Discover the richness and diversity of Italy’s geography, language, cuisine, culture, politics and economics. This lively, humorous, and engaging “walk” will let you visualize and enjoy Italy’s past and present culture—and future!

Register

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Monday, May 17, 1:00 pm Online


A safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia. Join us to share practical information, feelings, needs and concerns. Sponsored and hosted by Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Association.


RSVP to Patty O’Brian: 203-859-1992

Join the Zoom meeting: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/98719138494

Saturday Book Club

Saturday, May 22, 10:30 am  Online


Join us for a virtual discussion of the book Beartown by Fredrik Backman. Contact the library to reserve a copy of this book.

Register

Children's Programs

Songs That Count: Add to the World! (All Ages)

Thursday, May 6, 10:00 am  Online


Do your kids love to count? Do they love to read books? Do they love making original hip-hop beats? Join us for a fun, high-energy performance that includes exciting hands-on music, movement, and counting activities.

Register

Grab & Go Activity Kits

Registration is required.


Each kit comes with supplies and instructions and is available for Curbside Pick-Up. Visit our EVENTS page to register for each kit and for more details.


Once you have registered, you may pick up your kit at the Children's Desk during the pickup dates. If you prefer to pick up your kit outside, please call the library, and we will bring it out to you. If you do not pick up your kit by the last pickup date, it will be given to the next spot on the waiting list.


Questions? Call us at 860-828-7127.

Gnome Home (For Ages 2 to 5)

Registration begins Monday, May 3

Pick up Monday, May 10 – Wednesday, May 12


Make your own gnome home from a paper bag!

Register

Wonderbooks

Wonderbooks are here and ready to check out! A Wonderbook is a print book with pre-loaded audio content bound into the cover. Enjoy hearing your favorite stories, without having to worry about extra technology. Listen to the story through the external speaker, or plug in a pair of headphones. Just like a typical audio player, there are controls for volume, playing and pausing, and fast-forwarding or rewinding content.


Readers can choose between reading mode and learning mode by sliding a switch on the player. In reading mode, the narrator reads the story aloud while you turn the pages. In learning mode, the story ends with a question and answer session to test your reading comprehension and knowledge. Pairing print and audio can be very helpful, especially when learning to read. For new or struggling readers, hearing a fluent narrator often helps match the words heard with the words seen on the page. Hearing words aloud also increases the ability to identify sight words, and helps readers understand tone and pacing. Research shows that multisensory learning, like pairing reading and listening, helps improve our comprehension, recall, and fluency.

Game On! Board Games to Check Out


Bored? Check out a board game! We currently own nearly 80 different games for all ages (including preschoolers, elementary school students, tweens, teens, and family games), and they can be checked out for 3 weeks. They must be picked up and returned at the Berlin-Peck Library (they won't be sent to other libraries). You can also request one for Curbside Pickup! The games are located in the Children's Department, and you can see a list of them HERE in our online catalog.


WHAT GAMES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ON OUR SHELVES?

Click the link to take a quick survey to help us develop our collection!


https://forms.gle/675doooHqKuyyTFXA

NEW! NoveList K-8 Plus

Have you ever wanted to help your child find just the right book to read? Berlin-Peck Memorial Library now offers NoveList K-8 Plus, a helpful resource to help readers match up with the books that are right for them. All you need is a Berlin-Peck Memorial Library card!


The NoveList K-8 database connects readers to their next book by making recommendations for what to read next. One of the most popular elements is read-alikes. This feature suggests titles that are ‘just like’ other titles. If you’ve just finished a great book, log into NoveList and find great read-alikes. Consider NoveList K-8 Plus your one-stop guide to great reading. It contains lists of recommended reads and award-winning books. It covers both fiction and nonfiction titles for ages from the youngest readers to middle school students. It also has extra content like reviews (both professional reviews and reader reviews), book discussion guides, curriculum guides, and other book-oriented articles.


Library usage is a critical component in literacy and educational success, and NoveList K-8 Plus provides valuable support. By identifying the right books for every reader, it helps younger readers achieve reading success. Parents, teachers, and students can search by age, reading level, grade, and more.


Ask about NoveList K-8 Plus on your next visit to the library. Or look for it on the Library website at https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,cpid&custid=s6051466&groupid=main&profile=novpk8.

STEAM MACHINE! (Grades K-2): Kids create, build, and grow their way through lessons on science, technology, engineering, and math.

Playaway Launchpads

Check out our Playaway Launchpads! These popular learning tablets (that don't connect to the internet) feature high quality, ad-free learning apps, and games that are both fun and educational for kids through fifth grade.

Check Out Launchpads

Book Bundles

Not sure what to borrow next? Simply fill out a quick form, and the Children’s Department staff will choose up to 10 books for your child in the category of your choice. When the books are ready, we'll contact you to schedule a pick-up time! If you have specific titles you would like to put on Hold, please use our Curbside Pickup Service or call (860) 828-7125.

Check Out Book Bundles

Teen Programs

Teen Take Out Boxes

Registration begins on Monday, May 3


Love the idea of a book subscription box (like OwlCrate or Once Upon a Book Club) but don’t want to spend the cash? Teen Take Out Boxes to the rescue! Each monthly box will include a YA library book in your choice of genre, a snack, and fun goodies. You keep the goodies and return the book!

Learn More

Teen Volunteer Opportunities

The Berlin-Peck Memorial Library is looking for teens in grades 6-12 who want to get involved in their community, help with programs, and have input into our Teen Collections. It's a fun way to earn community service hours, and it looks great on college and job applications! We have opportunities to volunteer during the school year and during the summer months. Find out more and fill out an application on our Volunteer Opportunities website.

Teen Book Bundles

Don’t know what to read next, or looking for a new author or series to try? Request a Book Bundle for Teens today! Fill out a quick form and one of our librarians will choose 5 books selected just for you. We’ll put those books together in a bag (along with a bookmark) and then we’ll contact you to schedule a pickup. Easy peasy!


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