Our semi-annual book sale will be Thursday, November 6 starting at Noon; Friday, November 7 9:00-5:30 and Saturday, November 8th from 9:00 to noon. All items will be 25 cents each and will include books in hardcover, softcover, audiobooks on CD and cassette, movies in DVD and VHS format, computer games, and more. Encyclopedia sets are just $5.00. Come early for best selection. Saturday will finish with our blow-out special of $1.00 a bag!

Christmas Card Making Workshop - We will be hosting two adult Christmas card making workshops on Thursday, December 4th @ 6:00 p.m. and Thursday, December 11th @ 6:00 p.m. in the library annex. Give someone you care about a handmade Christmas card this year! Stamp, color and decorate cards with all of the materials supplied. Your host, Tonda Baldwin, a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, will help you create a special card for this holiday season. This is a beginners workshop. Each day will feature a different project, you do not have to attend both days, pick one or come to both. Space is limited to 10 per session and reservations are required for both days. For more info and RSVP, call the library at 270-422-2094 or stop at the front desk.

Book Signing - November 6th

Author Fred G. Wilson will be visiting the Meade County Public Library on Thursday November 6th at 5:00 in the Library Annex. He will be signing his new book Say What?.

Fred G. Wilson's childhood was set against the backdrop of The Great Depression and World War II, formative years that shaped his own character and the character of a nation. "Having a sense of humor seemed to ease the misery of those bygone days,' he writes, "and people poked fun at each other and sought to make light of the woes they were experiencing. Out of this era came some colorful, humorous, and enlightened sayings. In every part of our nation, there were colloquial expressions that summed up the feelings of the local region. This book contains some of these...Many of these expressions were learned at home from Mom and Dad. This was before television and we learned to amuse ourselves with 'homegrown' entertainment. Farm work, taking care of the livestock, and the many chores kept us busy. When I reflect back on those days, I wouldn't change them even if I could..." Country folk have a language all their own. In Say What?, author Fred G. Wilson has gathered many of these expressions in order to save them for future generations, shedding a light on what it was like to grow up during the forties and fifties in rural America.

Halloween Lapsit

Theme: Halloween!

Books: Boo Who? by Joan Holub
Snappy Sounds: Boo! by Beth Harwood, Richard Hawke, Jonathan Lambert, and Derek Matthews
Halloween
Fingerplays: See Fingerplay of the Day posts for how to do these rhymes
Five Black Bats
Five Little Leaves
Five Stuffed Scarecrows
Pumpkin, Pumpkin

Thanks to all who joined us today! It was so exciting to have several new faces and we hope to see you again soon! Due to the book sale, we will not be having Lapsit next Thursday but will resume on Thursday, November 11th at 10:30. We will be learning about food as we get ready to eat our Thanksgiving feasts!

Fingerplay of the Day

If You're a Ghost and You Know It

To the Tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It"
If you're a ghost and you know it just say boo, ("Boo")
If you're a ghost and you know it just say boo, ("Boo!")
If you're a ghost and you know it
and you really want to show it
If you're a ghost and you know it
just say Boo!

If you're a cat and you know it say meow
If you're a skeleten and you know it shake your bones
If you're a bat and you know it flap your wings
If you're a vampire and you know it show your fangs
If you're a werewolf and you know it give a howl
If you're a mummy and you know it give a groan
If you're a witch and you know it give a shriek

Halloween Story Hour

At this week's Story Hour, the Annex was home to Cinderella, Cookie Monster, a lion, Spider Man, and even a racecar driver! Children dressed up and trick-or-treated at this last Story Hour before Halloween.

Story: The Hallo-Weiner by Dav Pilkey
Fingerplay/Flannelboard: 5 Black Bats
Five black bats hanging upside down
The first one said, "Don't make a sound."
The second one said, "I'll fly far tonight."
The third one said, "I don't like sunlight."
The fourth one said, "I want to eat some bugs."
The fifth one said, "Let me give you a hug!"
Five black bats hanging upside down,
Shhh! It's daytime; don't make a sound!
Craft: Make egg carton spider decorations and spider bracelets
Activity: Trick-or-treat!

Bedtime Story Night a Success!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our "Things That Go Bump in the Night" Bedtime Story Night!

If you would like to try this program at home, we listened to soothing music, lullabies, and read the following books:
What's Under My Bed? by James Stevenson
Penelope and the Monsters by Sheri Radford
There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer
No Such Thing by Jackie French Koller

Our next Bedtime Story Night will be on the last Tuesday of the month, November 25th from 6:30-7:00 in the Annex. We will be reading bedtime stories about animals! Hope to see you there!

Fingerplay of the Day

Ten Red Apples

Ten Red apples growing on a tree, (hold hands up high)
Five for you and five for me. (shake one hand, then the other.)
Help me shake the tree just so, (shake whole body.)
And ten red apples down below. (Lower hands while fluttering fingers.)
One, two, three, four, five, (count fingers on one hand.)
Six. Seven, eight, nine, ten. (Count fingers on opposite hand.)

Fingerplay of the Day

Jack-O-Latern

Jack-o-lantern, jack-o-lantern, you are such a funny sight (form circle with fingers)

As you sit there by the window, looking out at the night (make square with fingers and point to eyes)

You were once a sturdy pumpkin growing on a vine (move finger like following vine)

Now you are a jack-o-lantern, see the light shine (form circle with fingers of one hand, place finger of other hand in center of circle)

Fingerplay of the Day

Leaves Are Falling

Leaves are falling all around,
(hands wiggle downward)
Red, yellow, orange, and brown,
(signs for colors)
Twirling, Swirling to the ground,
(do a twisting motion with body)
Look how many leaves I've found!
(jump up and throw leaves from hands)

Bedtime Story Night

Come listen to Halloween-themed bedtime stories on Tuesday October 28th from 6:30 to 7:00PM in the Annex! Enjoy stories, lullabies, and get ready for bedtime. Children are encouraged to attend in their p.j.'s and bring a pillow, blanket or their favorite stuffed animal.

Yu Gi Oh Tournament

Join us this Saturday, October 25th from 9:30AM-2:00PM in the Annex to see who will take home the Grand Master Trophy from this tournament!

Fingerplay of the Day

One Little Ghost

One little ghost flew down the street.
(Wave hand through the air.)
"I wonder," he said, "what I will meet--
(Place finger to temple, thinking.)
One hairy spider,
(Hold up one finger, then move hand like spider.)
Two black cats,
(Hold up two fingers, then put two fingers from each hand on head for cat ears.)
Three wild witches with pointy hats,
(Hold up three fingers, then place fingertips of hands together to form hat.)
Four old owls in a hollow tree,
(Hold up four fingers, then form an oval with both hands for eyes to look through.)
And five brother bats to fly with me!
(Hold up five fingers, then hook thumbs of both hands together and flap fingers for bat wings.)

Fingerplay of the Day

Halloween

Here's a witch with a tall, tall hat. (hands pointed over hat)
Two big eyes on a black, black, cat. (Hands around eyes)
Jack O Lanterns in a row, (make circles in front of you)
Funny Clowns are laughing. Ho, Ho, Ho. (hold stomach)
Bunny's ears flopping up and down. (hands at ears, tilt forward and back)
Fairy Queen wears a fairy crown. (put on pretend crown)
Gypsy plays a tambourine. (clap hands tougher)
Cowboy twirls a rope. (twirl one hand)
It's Halloween!

Family Reading Night Recap

Flaherty Elementary families came together for a fun-filled evening of books, crafts, and games at Family Reading Night on October 21^st. Around 160 students and parents gathered to read together and get in the Halloween spirit with crafts provided by the Meade County Public Library. Students could make spider bracelets, masks, origami boxes, skeletons, and much more! The “Make a Mummy” station was also a big hit with students wrapping up their friends in toilet paper! A ring toss game, monster bowling, Halloween cornhole, and fishing for bugs and pumpkins rounded out the event. If you weren’t able to attend this program and would like more information on how to do the crafts from Family Reading Night at home, visit these links:

Spider bracelets

Egg carton spiders

Halloween finger puppets

Halloween masks

Make a skeleton

Origami pumpkin box

Fingerplay of the Day

Five Stuffed Scarecrows

Five stuffed scarecrows in the corn rows, (stand straight and tall)
The first one said, "Go away crows!" (make waving motions)
The second one said, "I am very small." (crouch down low)
The third one said, "I am standing tall." (stand on tiptoes)
The fourth one said, "On my head I wear a hat." (put pretend hat on head)
The fifth one said "By my feet runs a cat!" (run in place)
Five stuffed scarecrows in the corn rows, (stand straight and tall)
Moving left and right as the autumn wind blows. (sway back and forth)

-Written by Rita Graef

Scarecrow Story Hour

In case you missed today's story hour, you can try our program at home!

Story: The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

Note: I brought in the pieces of clothing used to follow the old lady home in the story and gave each to a helper so they could act out the part. It helps to go through what each will do a few times before starting the story. For example, have them practice "the shoes go clomp clomp" by patting their hands on their legs while sitting. Try "two gloves go clap clap," etc. and encourage them to wiggle, shake, nod their heads, make their scariest "boos," and get involved!

Fingerplay and Flannelboard: Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate

See our first Fingerplay of the Day post to learn how to do this!

Song: Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

Craft: Color a scarecrow and take it home as a decoration

Play: Dress up in the clothes that were used as props in the story or play with the library's toys

Dinner and a Movie

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008 join us at 5:30 p.m. in the Library Annex for dinner and a movie! We will be watching "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," which is rated PG-13. The program is open for teens ages 11 to 18 who like pizza, a good movie and lots of fun! For more info call us at (270) 422-2094 or stop by the Library.

All Library programs are accessible to people with disabilities. Please call and let us know what accommodations you need.

Early Literacy Workshop

Early Literacy Workshop for Parents and Caregivers

Monday, November 17th from 6-7PM in the MCPL Annex

Parents can begin at birth to help children learn important
pre-reading skills. Learn how to use books, programs
and other resources at your library to prepare your children
for reading success. Hear suggestions on what to read
and how to read to young children so they get the most
from the experience.

Give your children a lifelong advantage. Read to them often,
and ask today about how your library partners with parents
to get children ready to read.

All library programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Call 422-2094 to let us know what accommodations you need. Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library is a program of the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children,
divisions of the American Library Association. Every Child Ready to Read® is a registered trademark and is used with permission.

Fingerplay of the Day

Jack-o-Lantern
I am a pumpkin big and round (use arms to show size of pumpkin)
Once upon the time I grew on the ground (point to the ground)
Now I have a mouth two eyes, a nose (point to the features on your face)
What are they there for do you suppose? (right forefinger to forehead)
When I have a candle inside (hold up right forefinger)
Shining bright I'll be
a Jack-o-Lantern on Halloween night you'll see! (Thumbs in armpits bragging gesture)

How to Hear "You're Hired!"

Are you looking for a new job or hoping to start a new career? The Meade County Public Library will be hosting individualized career consultations starting in November. Learn skills to set yourself apart from the competition in this competitive job market and receive guidance in developing your resume, searching for jobs online, writing a cover letter, creating a portfolio, and completing a mock interview. Stop by the front desk to sign up for an appointment to meet with a career counselor who will discuss your goals and help you land the job of your dreams!

Fingerplay of the Day

Once There Was a Pumpkin
Once there was a pumpkin (Make small pumpkin with hands)
And it grew (Make bigger pumpkin)
And grew (Bigger)
And grew (Bigger)
Now it's a jack-o-lantern
And it smiles at you (Point to smile)
And you (Point to child)
And you! (Point to next child)
(Speed up and point to all the children)

Lapsit Storytime

Today's lapsit program was all about trains! Two of our toddlers even came dressed in their own conductor's hats! Feel free to try this morning's program at home.

Books: That's Not My Train by Fiona Watt
Train by Chris Demarest
Thomas the Tank Engine by W. Awdry
Fingerplay: This is a choo choo train (arms at sides with elbows bent)
chugging down the track (pump bent arms up and down).
Now it's going forward (push both arms forward).
Now it's going back (push both arms backward).
Now the bell is ringing (ring imaginary bell).
Now the whistle blows (cup hands around mouth).
What a lot of noise it makes (cover ears with hands) everywhere it goes!
Music: I've Been Working On the Railroad
Activity: Get several children together and walk around in a line as a train. Take turns being the conductor and the caboose!

Fingerplay of the Day

October Time
October time is pumpkin time,
The nicest time of the year.
When all the pumpkins light their eyes
(encircle eyes)
And grin from ear to ear.
(big grin)
Because they know at Halloween
They'll have lots of fun,
Peeking through the windowpanes
(put hands over eyes and look)
Watching children run!

Blast off with this rocket project!

This week the children's librarians visited Payneville Elementary for an after-school BLAST! The students made rockets out of paper and launched them using 2 liter bottles attached to PVC pipe and rubber tubing. If you missed this program, click here to learn how to do something similar right at home!

MCPL Quilting Club Call Out Meeting

Whether you are an experienced quilter or want to learn, join us Wednesday, November 12th at 2:00 in the Annex for a call out meeting. We will have several quilts on display. Please let us know if you will be attending by signing up at the MCPL front desk. For more information contact the library at 422-2094.

All Library Programs are accessible to people with disabilities. Please call and let us know what accommodations you need to join us!

Lunch Book Club

Join us for our friendly and lively book discussion on Wednesday, November 19th at Noon in the Annex. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the front desk. Bring your lunch and a drink and we’ll provide dessert! Call 422-2094 for more information.

Adult Beading Program

Come join us on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Annex for a crafty evening! Learn how to make your own beaded creation or a special gift for someone else. This beginners class will teah you from start to finish how you can create with just a little imagination a unique piece of jewelry of your own. Space is limited, pre-registration required by November 14th, 2008. Call the Library at 270-422-2094 or just stop by to get your name on the list. Craft supplies are furnished or you can bring your own.

Fingerplay of the Day

Enjoy this fingerplay with your infants and toddlers! Since children have difficulty holding up fingers, this also works well as a flannelboard story.

Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins
Sitting on a gate
(Hold one arm horizontally with opposite hand on top showing five fingers)
The first one said,
(hold up finger)
"Oh, my, it's getting late!"
(put hands on cheeks)
The second one said,
(hold up second finger)
"There are witches in the air!"
(glide hands through air)
The third one said,
(hold up third finger)
"But we don't care!"
(shake head sideways)
The fourth one said,
(hold up fourth finger)
"Let's run and run and run!
(make running motion)
"The fifth one said,
(hold up fifth finger)
"I'm ready for some fun!"
(shake both arms)
OOOOOOOH, went the wind
(wiggle fingers through air)
And OUT went the lights
(clap on "OUT")
And the five little pumpkins
(hold up all five fingers)
Rolled out of sight.
(roll arms over each other)

En Español

Cinco calabacitas
Cinco calabacitas
Sentadas en la verja
La primera dijo:
"¡Ho! ¡se hace tarde!"
La segunda dijo:
"¡Hay brujas en el aire!"
La tercera dijo:
"No nos importa!"
La cuarta dijo:
"¡A correr, a correr, a correr!"
La quinta dijo:
"Estoy lista para divertirme!"
El viento hizo UH UH UHY
se FUE la luz (palmear en "fue")
Y las cinco calabacitas
Rodaron fuera de vista.

Mother Daughter Book Club

Mother Daughter Book Club - November 13th, 6:00 p.m.

Join us for this new book club on November 13th at 6:00 p.m. The Meade County Library is hosting a Mother Daughter Book Club for grades 6th through 8th at the Main Street Café. We will be reading Bloomability by Sharon Creech. Copies are available at the front desk of the library. Call 422-2094 for more information.

October 14th Story Hour

In case you couldn't make it to this morning's story hour and would like to try our program at home with your kids, here is what we did today!

Story: We're Off to Find the Witch's House by Mr. Kreib. Read a review here.

Flannelboard: Make a face. The children helped us place eyes, nose, mouth, and a tongue in the correct places on a face.

Craft: Make a jack-o-lantern. Kids created their own face on a pumpkin cutout. Some were scary, some were silly, but they were all creative!

Activity: Play pin the nose on the pumpkin!

Hope to see you at next week's story hour on Tuesday October 21st at 10:30 in the MCPL Annex. Our theme will be Scarecrows!

Hello from the Children's Library!

Just wanted to pass along another warm welcome to our readers from your children's librarians, Ms. Donna and Ms. Megan! We are so excited to have this blog to help us keep in better touch with the children we serve and their parents. Check back often, as we will be posting information about upcoming programs, tips for helping develop your child's literacy, and the latest news in children's literature. We are always looking for programming ideas, so if there is something you would like to see done at the library, please pass along your suggestions! If you just can't get enough of the MCPL online, look for us on Facebook! Become one of our fans and stay updated about the many events going on at the library!

Welcome!

Welcome to the first blog post at the Meade County Public Library! This is the place to find all of the latest news and events going on at the library. At this site you can read all about the fantastic programs we have, as well as the latest trends in the library world. As always, we love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on how we can serve the community better. Coming soon will be an "Ask the Director" section. If you have questions for the Director about library related issues, leave a comment at the front desk and check this blog to see the answers!

If you don't have a library card, we invite you to stop by the Meade County Public Library today to get one. They are free to residents and employees of Meade County. We hope to see you soon!