Main Library Programs in Children's Services
May, June & July 2012

Smart Start: Preschool Storytime

Wednesday mornings, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for 30 minutes of stories, fingerplays, early literacy activities, and fun for your 3 to 6 year old child!
There will be NO STORYTIME the first two weeks in May so librarians can bring stories to area daycares and preschools.
On Wednesday, June 13, instead of storytime, join us for a special program at 10:00 --> Dancing the Day Away: A Preschool Dance Party!
Smart Start Storytime is designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Preschool children (ages 3 to 6) and their families

Storytime for Preschools, Daycares, and Other Groups

Wednesday mornings, 9:30 a.m.
Preschools & Daycares are invited to join Children’s Services Librarians each Wednesday morning at 9:30 for 30 minutes of theme-based stories, fingerplays, and fun. Please call in advance (260-421-1220) to register your group.
There will be NO STORYTIME the first two weeks in May so librarians can bring stories to area daycares and preschools.
On Wednesday, June 13, instead of storytime, join us for a special program at 10:00 --> Dancing the Day Away: A Preschool Dance Party!
Smart Start Storytime is designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Preschoolers in groups (daycares, preschools, etc.)

Babies & Books and Toddler Time

Babies & Books: Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. (Designed for babies from birth through early walking)
Toddler Time: Friday mornings at 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. (Designed for walkers through age 36 months)
There will be NO STORYTIME the first two weeks in May so librarians can bring stories to area daycares and preschools.
Bring in those little babies and toddlers for a special time just for them, sharing books, rhymes, songs and interactive fun. All storytimes are based on early literacy research, and include tips and information for parents and caregivers. They're never too young to begin with books!
Babies and Books and Toddler Time are designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Babies from birth - 36 months and their parents/caregivers and siblings

Paws to Read

Thursdays, through May, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Come to the Library and read a story to a book-loving dog. Trained therapy dogs will be here every week with their handlers -- and they want to listen to you read! Research shows that children enjoy improving their reading skills by practice reading to animals. Morgan and Samantha and their handlers will have an hour to spend at the Library -- readers will take turns as time allows. Paws to Read is designed to support Indiana's Academic Standards.
--Children who want to practice their reading

Storytellers on the Move -- Book Deliveries and Storytimes at Your Preschool

Times are tough; we know it’s difficult to load your whole preschool into vans and bring the little ones to the Library. But we all agree it’s important to have books in the hands of preschoolers, so we’re going to bring the Library to your preschool! Call now (421-1220) to schedule a time for us to visit and share a special storytime. We’ll also be happy to bring a box of books for you to use at your center until we can visit again! Sharing books with kids is important!

Comics and Kids: A "Wow 'em Pow 'em" Workshop

Thursday, May 10, 6:00 p.m.
Real life and local comic book artists, Jeremy McFarren and Matt Gross, will be hanging out at the library to introduce you to what it’s like creating actual comics. Your library is excited to host such talented artists just days before Summit City Comic Convention! Come to this FREE workshop to be inspired, to learn a few tricks of the trade and to draw with some experts.
--Children, ages 6 to 11, and their grown-ups

Children's Services LEGO® Club

Tuesday, May 15, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. (especially for homeschoolers)
Saturday, May 19, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 9, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
EVERY Wednesday, July 18 through August 29, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Do you like LEGOs®? If so, come join a group of like-minded kids, sprawl on the floor and build with our LEGOs®!!
ACPL LEGO® Club is designed to support Indiana's Academic Standards.
--Children ages 6 - 11 years of age

Letter/Number Play Days

Wednesday, May 16: Letter H
Wednesday, June 20: Letter Y
Wednesday, July 18: Number Playday
Preschoolers: join the fun of storytime, then grab your grown-up and spend some time exploring the Letter of the Day in the Early Learning Center. Activity stations designed for parent and child play will be set up and available for use throughout the day, until the Early Learning Center closes at 8:00 p.m.
Letter Play Days are designed to support Indiana's Preschool Foundations.
--Preschoolers and their caregivers

Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival with Storytime

Sunday, May 20, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Children and their families are invited to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival with a Japanese-themed storytime featuring a Kamishibai-style story.
--Children, ages 3 to 8, and their families

Fort Wayne Ballet Presents: Selections from Tales of Peter Rabbit

Wednesday, May 30, 7:00 p.m.
Watch the classic children's stories by Beatrix Potter dance to life during this FREE mini-performance by the Fort Wayne Ballet. Seating is limited; doors open at 6:45.
--Families with children of all ages

Beautiful Butterflies

Friday, June 1 through Monday, June 25, during library hours
Watch our magnificent Painted Lady caterpillars change into beautiful fluttering butterflies. At the end of the month, we'll release our butterflies during a special butterfly storytime!
--Families and children of all ages

Chalk Art

Monday, June 4, 2:00 p.m.
Monday, July 23, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 24, 10:00 a.m.
Kids of all ages and their families are invited to create their own stories in chalk. Help us make a beautiful tapestry of stories on the Library Plaza sidewalks.
--Children, ages 6 to 11, and their grown-ups

Open Art

Thursday, June 7, 2:00 p.m.
Come to create art -- YOUR kind of art. We provide the materials, you provide the creativity. Artists will have the opportunity to create a piece to be shown in the Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery in August. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Preschool and school-age children and their grown-ups

Letterboxing at the Library

Monday, June 11, 2:00 p.m.
Learn everything that you need to know about the art of letterboxing; then create a personal stamp, make a journal, and find your first letterbox. Letterboxes are hidden all over the world. Start finding them now!
--Children, ages 6 to 11, and their grown-ups

Dancing the Day Away: A Preschool Dance Party!

Wednesday, June 13, 10:00 a.m.
Preschoolers and parents, come boogie down to some awesome tunes in celebration of the start of summer! Children's Services is excited to host a hopping good time during the Preschool Dance Party!
--Preschool-age children and their grown-ups

Science Central -- Hands-On Fun!

Thursday, June 14, 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Our friends from Science Central will bring “Munching Earth Model”, “Cookie Mining”, and Slime! These tabletop will be set-up for play and fun. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Preschool and school-age children and their grown-ups

Wii Read, Wii Play

Monday, June 18, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Monday, July 16, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Come to the library after we open at 9:00 a.m. and read for 20 minutes. We'll give you a ticket to play for 20 minutes in our Game Room, anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. We'll have Wii games and all kinds of board games for you and your friends/family to enjoy. Reading starts when the Library opens at 9:00, gaming starts at 2:00 p.m.
--Children, ages 6 to 11

Magician Daniel Lusk

Thursday, June 21, 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Magician Daniel Lusk returns to the library to amaze us with another funny and interactive magic show! Come and enjoy some family-friendly fun in the Main Library theater. Space is limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. First come, first seated. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Act It Out!

Monday, June 25, 2:00 p.m.
Come and be part of the show as we mix puppets, storytelling, theater and your favorite books into one very fun and quite funny performance.
--Preschool and school-age children and their families

Butterfly Storytime and Butterfly Release

Monday, June 25, 6:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages and their families are invited to join us for a special butterfly storytime and the release of our Painted Lady butterflies.
--Children of all ages and their families

Indiana Wild

Thursday, June 28, 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
This live animal presentation brings education, conservation, culture, and rescue into their program,. geared for all ages. Space in the Main Library theater is limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. First come, first seated. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Family Movie Matinee

Monday, July 2, 2:00 p.m.
Monday, July 23, 2:00 p.m.
Cool down with a classic film that the whole family can enjoy. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Bingo for Books

Thursday, July 5, 2:00 p.m.
Try your luck at bingo and possibly win a book! Space is limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. First come, first seated. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Preschool and elementary school-age children and their grown-ups

Get Creative at the Barr Street Market!

Saturdays, July 7 through September 15, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Visit the ACPL Children’s Services department at the Barr Street market on the corner of Wayne & Barr Streets to create an art project to take home. There will be a new project each week, so be sure to visit often.
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Children's Chess Tournament

Saturday, July 7, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Children (preschool through those entering Grade 5) are invited to register to play in this all-day, unrated, "just for fun" Chess Tournament. Tournament sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m. This all-day tournament ends at 3:30 p.m. with an Awards Ceremony. Pre-registration - by Tuesday, July 3rd - is requested of all players. Registration forms will be available at all agencies by May 15th, or you may register online. For more information, call Children's Services at 260.421.1220.
--Children, preschool through 5th grade

Picture Yourself at the Library

Monday, July 9, 2:00 p.m.
Bring your best smiles, borrow (from us) a fake mustache or a giant hat, grab your family and your favorite book! Our zany photobooth photoshoot will let you take home a great reminder of all the fun you had this summer at the Library. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Storybook Theater

Tuesday, July 10, 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Kids of all ages and their families are invited to enjoy the Fort Wayne Youtheatre as they present snippets from "Our Man Shel." This entertaining production features the poetry and characters of the VERY popular children's poet Shel Silverstein. Join us! Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Star Wars!

Thursday, July 12, 10:30 a.m., 2:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Meet Darth Vader, watch Darth Vader and Darth Maul fight it out, and try your hand with a light saber. Help to defend the universe! Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Preschool and elementary school-age children and their grown-ups

Jim Gill in Concert

Friday, July 13, 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Jim Gill, an award-winning musician and author, offers more than a show to watch. Each concert is an opportunity for family play! In concert, Jim strums energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone claps, sings, dances and even sneezes along to the silly and inspiring musical games that he creates. All ages of kids and their families are invited! Come play along! Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Friday, July 13, 5:00 p.m.
Bring a stuffed friend and join us at the library! We'll play games and listen to stories before we put our stuffed friends to bed for the night. Pick them up the next day to find out what happens when the library lights go out! Seating at storytime is limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. First come, first seated. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Preschool and elementary school-age children and their grown-ups

Bad Kitty Visits the Library

Thursday, July 19, 10:30 a.m., 2:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Meet Bad Kitty and hear some of this famous cat's adventurous stories. Grown-ups: be sure to bring your camera for this photo opportunity. Animal-lovers will have an all-day opportunity (as long as materials last) to give a little something to an underprivileged kitty in Allen County. We’ll supply material to make catnip toys, then the library will drop off your toys to Animal Control or the ASCPA. Space at the Bad Kitty Storytime is limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. First come, first seated. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Preschool and elementary school-age children and their grown-ups

Camp Out @ the Library

Thursday, July 26, 2:00 p.m.
Play games, tell stories, make S’mores - just like camping out, but it’s at your library! (OK, no real fires!) Space is limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. First come, first seated. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Preschool and elementary school-age and their grown-ups

Mixed Up Monday

Monday, July 30, during library hours
Something really wacky has happened to the Children’s Services department! Visit us anytime today while the library is open and see if YOU can find all of the mixed-up, crazy things that are just not quite right. Groups, please call if you plan to attend (260.421.1220).
--Children of all ages and their grown-ups

Schedule YOUR Visit to the Main Library

Teachers! Now is the time to schedule your class visit to the Library! We'd be happy to arrange a tour and/or time in our Early Learning Center for your preschoolers, a library scavenger hunt of the Children's Room for your primary level students, or a tour of the entire Main Library facility for your 3rd through 5th graders. (A minimum of ten students is required). Registration is limited. Call now! 260-421-1220.
--Preschool and elementary level classes

Custom Collections

Parents, teachers, and students: With seven to ten days' notice, the Children's Services staff is available to prepare "Custom Collections" of Library materials to fill your needs. Books, computer software, magazines, videotapes, music CDs, DVDs, or Playaways can all be included - depending on your needs! We may also have teaching material in our Parent Teacher Collection which you could use. This service is for you if...

• You are a teacher needing materials for an "Indiana History" or "Butterflies" or other themed unit for your class
• You are a parent needing information on "Potty Training" or "Trucks and Trains" or "Fun Books for My Two-Year-Old" for your child
• You are a college student needing information for a report about children's books
• You are a homeschooler needing support materials as you prepare your lesson plans