New for the New Year!

We have 2 NEW programs for the NEW YEAR! Here's a preview:

The Great Read-it and Rate-it Raffle!

An online book review program for kids in grades 3 to 6 @ www.readsinma.org/eastlongmeadow

Just go to the G.R.R.R. website, sign up (starting Thursday, January 1) and then submit reviews and ratings of the books you read. For every review you write (up to 5), you'll get a chance at a terrific prize basket. The program starts January 1 and ends February 5. The random raffle drawing will be held on February 6.

Not only do you get a chance to win a prize, but you'll get some ideas of good books to read!


Jump into Reading!
A monthly book discussion and enrichment program for beginning readers with Ms. Jenn!
First session: Tuesday, January 20 @ 5:30 pm

Join us once a month for a fun book club for 1st & 2nd grade beginning readers and their caregivers. Books featured will include easy readers and beginning chapter books. Depending on each child's reading level, the monthly selection may require some reading help from a caregiver. An activity or craft will follow the discussion.

Monthly sign-up is suggested to help with preparation, however drop-ins are also welcome.

Library Holiday Hours

Don't forget that the library will have special hours during the next 2 holiday weeks!
Wednesday, 12/24 - Library closes at 4 pm
Thursday, 12/25 - Library closed
Friday, 12/26 - Library closed

Wendesday, 12/31 - Library closes at 4 pm
Thursday, 1/1/09 - Library closed
Friday, 1/2/09 - Library closed

Happy Holidays and a big thank you for helping make our Children's Department lively and fun!

Are you enjoying the snow? Or perhaps some hot cocoa? Come in to the library and get a good book to snuggle up with or a movie to watch with your family for these wintry days! Here are some of my favorite winter picture books:

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Teddy's Snowy Day by Ian Beck

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

How about you? What are some of your favorite books to read on a cold, snowy day?

Especially special

Hey, this must be an especially special and lucky moment! It's 12:00 on the 12th day of the 12th month!

So here are some especially special things to know about:

Especially special at the library:
-The Giving Tree is in its last week. We have a whole bunch of new tags to pick off the tree; gifts should be purchased and returned unwrapped by next Friday, December 19.
-Our Holiday Story time for ages 3-6 is this coming Wednesday, December 17 at 11 am. There are just a few spaces left, so hurry and sign up if you are interested. (email or call 525-5400, ext. 156)
-The library will be closed Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, New Year's Day, and January 2. So be sure to plan your library visits accordingly!

Especially special on this blog:
-Check out the new links on Leroy's List of Cool Stuff (over on the right panel). The Guys Read website is by John Scieszka, the wild and wacky author of the Time Warp Trio series, plus many more books. And the Kids Read website has lots of suggestions for kids who need an idea for a good book to read!

Have an especially special day!

The Giving Tree (at the library!)

Do you know about our Giving Tree? Would you like to brighten a homeless child's holiday? Come in to the library and pick a tag off our Giving Tree. Purchase the gift suggested on the tag ($10 or so), and bring it in unwrapped by December 19. All gifts returned will be donated to the Our Place Shelter in Holyoke. We will also accept donations of new hats, mittens, scarves, and sweatshirts for the shelter.

Come in and catch the holiday spirit!