Children's Blog

LYRC 2012: Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

2011-09-26T11:48:00.014-05:00

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

ISBN:9781416949299

Find it at your library!

Who dislikes doing homework? Yeah, it's not the most fun thing in the world. Well, Abby Carson doesn't just dislike doing homework; she hates it. She hates it so much that she just doesn't do it. Now she's failing her classes, and it looks like she'll have to repeat 6th grade. Abby can't stand the idea of being held back, so she begs her teachers for help. She promises to do all her homework, study extra hard, and asks if there is anything she can do for extra credit. So her teacher lets her pick an extra credit assignment out of a box. The slip of paper she chooses says that she must find a pen pal in a foreign country. Abby's teacher has contacts in three countries around the world: China, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. Abby loves rock climbing, so she asks if any of these countries have mountains. Her teacher directs her to a globe which is where she sees that Afghanistan has mountains. So, Abby writes to a student there and waits for a response.

Halfway around the world in Afghanistan, a letter arrives at a school from a girl in the United States. The letter is requesting a pen pal, and the teacher at the school wants his best student to be the one to write this girl. But there is a problem: the best student is a boy. In Afghanistan it is inappropriate for boys and girls to correspond in this manner. The teacher requests that the village leaders make an exception for Sadeed Bayat. He is very bright and has an exceptional grasp of the English language. The village leaders say no, but will allow Sadeed to help his little sister write letters to Abby. This seems to be the perfect solution for this situation. But Sadeed soon grows tired of helping his sister and does not find her letters to be very interesting. So he decides to secretly write letters to Abby. This could lead to big problems for Sadeed. And Abby might be facing problems, too. If you want to find out what happens with these pen pals, then you should read Extra Credit by Andrew Clements.

There are 15 titles nominated for the 2012 Louisiana Young Readers Choice Grades 3-5 Award. Students must read or listen to at least 3 titles in order to vote for their favorite. Votes must be in by February 1, 2012. Contact your local library to vote for your favorite!

The Ravenous Readers Book Club will be discussing Extra Credit at their meeting on Thursday, October 13th at 4pm at the Moss Bluff Library.

Summer Reading!!

2011-06-14T08:28:00.013-05:00

Wow! The Summer Reading Program is cruising right along. We are only two and half weeks into it, and there are already over 2,000 children registered and over 4,500 books logged! That is awesome!

The Summer Reading Program is for babies through 5th grade. Children must read 10 books or have 10 books read to them by July 15th in order to complete SRP. If you haven't registered yet, don't worry. You can register online throughout the summer or at your local library. Our website explains how to register and log your books.

The books that are read do not have to be library books; you can read books you already have at home. Also, you can count the books that are read at storytime or other programs towards your completion. Once you have read or listened to your 10 books, please stop by your local library to get your prizes. You will receive a completion certificate, coupons, and a Library Champion yard sign. Happy Reading!!

Spotlight: 2012 LYRC Grades 3-5 Nominees

2011-05-24T14:54:00.004-05:00

The Brixton Brothers #1: The Case of the Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Adam Rex

ISBN: 9781416978152
Find it at your library!

Have you ever daydreamed about being a detective? Investigating mysteries and solving crimes? Well, those are exactly the things Steve Brixton dreams of doing, just like his favorite supersleuths The Bailey Brothers. Steve consults his copy of The Bailey Brothers Detective Handbook constantly and is always on the lookout for any suspicious activity. But what Steve never thought would happen is that he would be mistaken for a REAL detective AND become a fugitive from the law. And just where did this case of mistaken identity take place? At the library!! While Steve is trying to check out a book for a school assignment all kinds of craziness happens and he is surrounded by secret-agent Librarians who believe he holds the key to solving a mystery. And no matter how much he tells them, nobody believes that Steve is just an average 12 year-old. Everyone is convinced that he is a REAL detective. Will Steve be able to rise to the challenges before him? Can he solve this case? And will he have time to write his paper? Find out in The Case of the Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett.

This book is one of the 15 nominated titles for the 3rd- 5th grade Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award for 2012.

Summer Reading Kickoff on Friday, May 27th

2011-05-23T14:46:00.000-05:00

The CPPL Summer Reading Program Kick-off will be held 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 27, at the Harbor’s Edge Pavilion of Prien Lake Park. Families are invited to enjoy the activities at the event while signing up for the reading programs offered to all ages during the summer.

Geebo the Clown will amaze the crowd with magic tricks inside, while face painting and temporary tattooing will be offered on the shady veranda. Families are invited to try their hands at juggling on the lawn, decorate cookies, make bookmarks, visit the dress-up corner, and watch Habibi Clowns make balloon creations to take home.

A new attraction for the 2011 Kick-off will be live music by the Jazz Katz, a group who also play with the Lake Charles Community Band!

Calendars of each library’s summer activities will be available.
Sign-ups may also be done at each library. Each week in June and July library branches will have themed story times, and lots of special guests. Completers will have their names entered for prize drawings at the end of the summer and will receive a certificate of completion and a yard sign that declares, “A Library Champion Lives Here!”

Whether you want to read along with us, or just attend the programs, come on out and sign up for summer fun!
For further details about the summer reading program, call your local library branch or visit the library website.

Staff Pick: Llama Llama Red Pajama

2010-10-22T10:29:00.002-05:00

Llama Llama Red Pajama, written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney
ISBN: 9780670059836

While performing an outreach storytime I used a title unknown to me, receiving raves from one mother. "Llama Llama Red Pajama" is one of a series written by author Anna Dewdney. Lyrical in the telling, with beautiful illustrations, the Baby Llama & his mother's tales will resonate with young listeners and produce laughter galore. Currently CPPL carries all three Llama tales within our system, and some of Dewdney's other titles, too. While each Llama book is a fun story capable of capturing a child's attention, "Llama, Llama Red Pajama" remains my newest favorite; a total delight, that is until the Dewdney's next Llama book "Llama Llama Holiday Drama" arrives - just in time for the 2010 season!

Reviewed by Cornell from the Iowa Branch.

Image from: http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174445932l/401679.jpg

Book Review: Princess Hyacinth

2010-10-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated by Florence Parry Heide
Illustrated by Lane Smith
ISBN 978-0375845017

This book focuses on a princess with an extraordinary talent—or problem, depending on how you see it. She floats! When she isn’t weighted down with her crown or other heavy things, Princess Hyacinth drifts right up to the palace ceiling. She is never allowed outside because she might float away forever! An encounter with a balloon man, a boy, and a kite change her life. There is flying and swirling, a heroic rescue and a new friendship.

The illustrator sneaks animal shapes into the background of the pages and the author has just as much fun with the words—they float up the page and change size and color. With funny text and creative illustrations, this book is sure to please!

Review brought to you by Jayme from the Central Library.

Image from: http://www.bcplib.org/images/Kids/Book%20Images/Princess%20Hyacinth.jpg

October Happenings

2010-09-25T09:39:00.000-05:00

On Friday, October 1st, all Calcasieu Parish Public Libraries will be closed. Staff will be in All Day Training Meetings. We will resume regular hours on Saturday, October 2nd.

Story times are on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, October 5th, at the 6:30 p.m. story time we will have our Fun With Fideaux Program. Specially trained therapy dogs will be here for children to practice their reading. The children have fun going around the different kinds of dogs that are spread out in the Children's Area.

On Tuesday, October 19th at 4:00 p.m; we will have our October Tween S.W.A.M.P. Readers program. It is open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Registeration is required. It is limited to 20 kids who call 721-7117 or come in to register. It will be a Halloween Good Time.

September is Library Card Sign Up Month

2010-09-09T14:23:00.000-05:00

Do you have a library card? They are easy to get. The only thing you need is proof of your current address. Anyone under the age of 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign for your card.

With a book, you can be a Pirate, a Princess, a Super Hero, or a Space Warrior. You can live in the Rainforest, in Italy, or in Outer Space. You could live in the Wild West, Ancient Rome, or in the future. Where would your imagination take you?

At the Library, we have DVDs, CDs, Books on CD, Playaways, as well as books for check-out. Did you know that you can also check out E-books from the library? Everything checks out for 2 weeks. You can renew items over the phone (721-7116), on our website (http://www.calcasieulibrary.org/) or by bring the books back in. The only time that you can't renew a book is if someone else has put a reserve on it. Books that are returned late will get a $.25 fine for each item per day that they are late.

All programs put on by Library Staff are FREE! Story times are on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. We have Young Adult programs as well as Adult programs too. Check out our website for more information or call 721-7118 for adult programs and 721-7121 for young adult programs.

On Friday, September 10, Central Library will be closed. All other libraries in Calcasieu Parish will be open.

Time for Back to School!

2010-08-09T13:18:00.001-05:00

Can you believe that it is time for school already? Where did the time go? We feel like we just started the Summer Reading Program and it is already over. In June and July, we helped entertain 3,882 kids and parents in 87 library programs.

Fall Story Times will be starting a little bit earlier this year. Story Times will start on Monday, August 16. They will be on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday, August 20th at 10:00 a.m., we will have a special program - Storytelling with Lynette Braxton. Ms Braxton is a gifted storyteller, actress, motivational speaker, writer, and director of children's theater.

Our Tween program called S.W.A.M.P. Readers will start back in September. We will meet once a month on a Tuesday afternoon. As always it will be a book talk followed an arts and craft project. It is limited to the first 20 kids who call 721-7117 or come in to sign up.

Dive Into Some Good Books, Visit the Library!

2010-07-03T14:00:00.005-05:00

Have you enrolled in the Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults? You can enroll on the library website - www.calcasieulibrary.org or at your local library. Using a username and password of your choosing, you log in the books that you have read. Once you have read the required 10 books, you will be eligible for coupons to local businesses, a certificate of completion, your name in the grand prize drawing as well as the red "Library Champion Lives Here!" yard sign. You have until Friday, July 16 to have read your books and inputted them in the computer.

Story Times are Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m; 2:00 p.m; and 6:30 p.m. and Thurdays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Kindergarten and Younger are downstairs in the Children's area and 1st Grade and Older are upstairs in the DeBakey Meeting Room. When we have special guests, we are all together in the Children's Area.

Our Tween S.W.A.M.P. Readers met on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. in the DeBakey Meeting Room. Every Monday, we start registering for that Friday's program. You can call 721-7117 or come to the Children's Desk to register. It is limited to the first 20 kids.

On Tuesday, July 6 at 10:00 a.m. Come be blown away by Mr Roger Erickson from the National Weather Service. He will be talking about clouds, storms, and weather in general.

On Thursday, July 8 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., The Young Adult Taleweavers troupe will be acting out skits, plays, and poems.

On Tuesday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m., Ms Dianna from Calcasieu Parish Animal Services will be here talking about pet care. After story time, you will be able to take a walk on the Animal Services bus to see some of the animals that are currently up for adoption at the Animal Services Office.

On Tuesday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m., those loveable therapy dogs will be here to listen to kids read to them. Come have fun with Fideaux.

On Thursday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m., prepare for the invasion. Story time will be taken over by the Lake Charles Buccaneers. They will read books, talk pirates, and hand out booty gold before leaving the building.

On Friday, July 16 at 1:30 p.m., Come relax with us while we watch a classic adventure story about a family who is shipwrecked on a deserted island. How will they survive? Are they really alone?

On Friday, July 23 at 1:30 p.m., Wii challenge all takers to a game of Wii Bowling. If there is a line to play, we have board games, computers, the SmartTable, as well as legos.

On Thursday, July 29 at 10:00 a.m., Kuniko will be here for our End of Summer Party. She combines Japanese folktales, folk songs, original masks, origami, highly stylized movements and a touch of magic into her performance. Her stories, which portray the culture and moral perspective of Japan, are from the oldest Japanese book of Kojiki. Kuniko is wonderful entertainment for the whole family. This performance is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by The Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana.

June Summer Happenings at Central Library

2010-06-02T18:11:00.003-05:00

Are you looking for things to do this summer now that school is out? Visit your local library!

Make A Splash! READ! is this summer's theme. This summer, we are trying something new. You can now enroll for the Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults on the library website - http://www.calcasieulibrary.org/ You can also enroll at your local library. Once you enroll online, you can log in the books that you read. Once you have read the required 10 books, you will be eligible for coupons to local businesses, a certificate of completion, your name in the grand prize drawing as well as the red "Library Champion Lives Here!" yard sign.

Story Times are Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m; 2:00 p.m; and 6:30 p.m. and Thurdays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Kindergarten and Younger are downstairs in the Children's area and 1st Grade and Older are upstairs in the DeBakey Meeting Room. When we have special guests, we are all together in the Children's Area.

Our Tween S.W.A.M.P. Readers met on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. in the DeBakey Meeting Room. Every Monday, we start registering for that Friday's program. You can call 721-7117 or come to the Children's Desk to register. It is limited to the first 20 kids.

Monday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. We will have Shawn Driscoll as Pirate Goodie. With lots of magic, music and comedy, Pirate Goodie takes the audience on an exciting undersea adventure with the help of his parrot named Pete and a sea full of animated friends. This performance is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by The Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. Pirate Pete's show includes a giant video screen with colorful animations.

Friday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. We will be watching a movie about a lost fish and his father's adventure to find him. Bring your pillow to sit on.

Friday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., we will be Wii Bowling. Can you beat our scores?

April Happenings at Central Library

2010-04-11T16:46:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, April 6 through Friday, April 9, Ms Tara and Ms Rita attended the 43rd Annual Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. What a wonderful time we had. It is held at the University of Southern Mississippi (where Brett Favre attended College). There are a variety of presentations for Public and School Librarians as well as guest Author and Illustrator speakers. This year's authors and illustrators were Dan Yaccarino, David Wiesner, Richard Peck, Maureen Johnson, Charles Ghigna, Chuck Galey, Lulu Delacre, and Sharon Draper. David Wiesner was awarded the Southern Miss Medallion award. We listened to ghost stories told by Frank McGarvey. We also watched Walter "the Giant StoryTeller" Mayes receive the 1st Coleen Salley Storyteller Award. Coleen Salley was author of the Epossumondas series of books as well as a storyteller.

On Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m., Children's author, Janie Spaht Gill, will be reading as well as acting out some of her books. Mrs. Gill is a retired school teacher from Lafayette. The library has several books by Mrs. Gill. Her books are for Kindergarten through 2 grade readers. It has been several years since Mrs. Gill has performed here. We always have a good time with her.

On Tuesday, April 27, at 4 p.m. is the tween's S.W.A.M.P. Readers book talk and craft hour. This will be the last one until June. Once the Summer Reading Program starts on June 1, we will have the S.W.A.M.P. Readers book talk and craft hour every Friday morning during June and July.

As always we have story times on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Our last Spring story times will be Monday, April 26, and Tuesday, April 27. For the month of May, Ms Tara and Ms Rita will be busy getting ready for our Summer Reading Program. More information on that coming in May.

On Friday, April 30, All Calcasieu Parish Public Libraries will be closed. Staff will be attending an all day workshop. All the libraries will be back to normal hours on Saturday, May 1.

Dr. Seuss, Shamrocks, and other March Happenings at Central Library

2010-02-26T14:14:00.003-06:00

Be on the look out for the wee folks who come to the library to dance a jig and read a book at the library. March starts off with a Celebration and ends with Games.

Come to our Seuss-errific Celebration for Dr. Seuss' Birthday on Tuesday, March 2 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Mayor as well as other members of the local Rotary Club will be here reading their favorite Dr. Seuss book. I wonder if it will be Fox in Socks, Oh, The Places You'll Go!, or maybe it will be Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? There will be color sheets as well as a craft or two.

Thursday, March 4, from 2:00 p.m. til 4:00 p.m., Chere Coen from the Resurrection Project will be in the Library Lobby giving out free tree seedlings in an effort to help re-establish our trees in coastal Louisiana. The Resurrection Project is trying to replace our beautiful trees that were lost in the Hurricanes.

THE CLOWNS ARE COMING! THE CLOWNS ARE COMING! - Central Library and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents the Ambassadors of Laughter - Dave and Cherie on Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. When these two visit the library, it is more fun than a barrel full of monkeys. You might even go home with a red clown nose too.

During the last week of March, we have learned that the public schools will be out for Spring Break. If you need something to do, come visit us. Wii dare you. Monday, March 29 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., we will be playing Wii Bowling. Tuesday, March 30 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., we will be playing Wii Tennis. Wednesday, March 31 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., we will be playing Wii Baseball. Thursday, April 1 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., we will be playing Wii Golf.

All this plus our regular story times. Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. On Monday, March 15, there will be no story time as Ms Rita and Ms Tara will be out of town attending a Summer Reading Program Workshop.

All Calcasieu Parish Publich Libraries will be closed on Friday, April 2; Saturday, April 3; and Sunday, April 4.

February Happenings

2010-02-13T09:26:00.002-06:00

Sorry, that it has taken so long for an update of February happenings in the Children's Department for Central Library. The month has been crazy. I will try to do better.

As always, Story times are on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Come join us for good books and fun times.

On February 15th, kids will be out of school for Mardi Gras. We will be Wii bowling from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. If you have spare time and want to strike up new friendships, this is the place to be.

All Calcasieu Parish Public Libraries will be closed on Tuesday, February 16th, in observance of Mardi Gras. Laissez Les Bon Tempers Rouler! (translates from Cajun French to English - Let the Good Times Roll!)

Our Tween S.W.A.M.P. Readers Book and Craft Club will meet on Tuesday, February 23rd from 4:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m. We will be painting some cans and planting some plants.

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

Wii Bowl, Do You?

2010-01-20T19:18:00.002-06:00

Wii Bowling for All Ages!

Spare some time! Strike up new friendships!

Come have a Ball at Central Library.

Monday, January 25th

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wow! January is already half over!

2010-01-17T14:37:00.002-06:00

The new year has started and that means that Ms Rita and Ms Tara are off and running.

Story times have started back up. They are on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday, January 18th, the Library will be closed in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

On Tuesday, January 26th, we will have our first S.W.A.MP. Readers Tween book talk and craft hour of the new year. We meet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. by the big window in the Children's Department. Space is limited to the first 20 kids who call or come in and register.

December Happenings

2009-11-28T12:24:00.004-06:00

Where is the year going? Soon 2009 will be history.

Our Christmas story times will be our last of the year. They will be Monday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evening, December 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Our last S.W.A.M.P. Reader Book Club meeting of 2009 will be Tuesday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. We will be making Christmas ornaments. Please remember that sign up for the first 20 kids begins on Tuesday, December 8.

The weekend of December 12 and 13, we will have a Bonsai Exhibit by the Lake Charles Bonsai and Black Bayou Bonsai Societies. Everyone is welcome to ask questions about these amazing little trees.

On Tuesday, December 22, Wii (Ms Rita and Ms Tara) challenge you to a game of bowling from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Grab a pillow and join us for Holiday Movies @ Central Library:

Monday, December 21st at 10:00 a.m. - a movie about some talking puppies who race across Alaska.
Wednesday, December 23rd at 2:00 p.m. - a movie about the top Elf trying to keep hidden his toy shop from Old Man Winter.
Monday, December 28th at 10:00 a.m. - a movie about spy guinea pigs who are trying to save the world.
Tuesday, December 29th at 2:00 p.m. - a movie about a little girl who is turned into a giant monster and must help save the world.
Wednesday, December 30th at 2:00 p.m. - a movie about a taxi driver and 2 alien kids who must stop an alien invasion.

The Library will be closed on Thursday, December 24; Friday, December 25; and Saturday, December 26 for the Christmas Holidays. We will also be closed on Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1 for the New Year holidays.

Thanksgiving Week Fun

2009-11-18T19:30:00.002-06:00

We will not have our regular Monday at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. story times. Instead we will be having some movie fun.

Monday at 10:00 a.m; we will be watching a movie about a Native American Princess and the British Captain that she falls in love with.

Tuesday at 2:00 p.m; we will be watching a movie about 2 dog loving orphans who can't have pets in their foster home so they start a dog shelter in an abandoned hotel.

Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m; we will have board games and jigsaw puzzles for kids of all ages.

November Events

2009-11-04T08:57:00.002-06:00

Where did October go? Halloween is over. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Before we know it, Christmas will be here.

Our regular story times are Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, November 14th, we will be celebrating National Game Day at your library. Come in from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. to play board games as well as Wii games.

On Tuesday, November 17th, our S.W.A.M.P. Readers will meet. After a book talk, we will doing a leather craft. Pre-registration begins on Tuesday, November 12, limited to 20 kids.

Instead of our regular story times the week of Thanksgiving, we will be showing movies. Monday, November 23rd at 10:00 a.m., we will show a movie about the legendary tale of Native American Princess and a British Captain. Tuesday, November 24th at 2:00 p.m., we will show a movie about two pet loving orphans who aren't allowed pets in their foster home, start caring for dogs in an abandoned hotel.

For more information, call 721-7117.

October Happenings at Central Library!

2009-10-03T09:35:00.004-05:00

Starting on Sunday, October 4, our hours are changing.

Sundays 2:00 p.m. - 6:00p.m.
Mondays 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursdays 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Our story times will remain the same - Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, October 8, we will have a special story time to help the Jumpstart Organization try to break the record for the most people reading the same book, The Very Hunger Caterpillar, on the same day.

On Tuesday, October 27, our S.W.A.M.P. Readers will be getting together to make edible bugs. I promise not live bugs. We meet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Children's Area of the library. Remember that pre-registration starts on Tuesday, October 20 and is limited to the first 20 - 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade kids who sign up. Photos from our S.W.A.M.P. Readers program on September 29 will be posted soon.

Looking for some Scary-Free Halloween fun? Join us for a Halloween Party Bash on Halloween Day, Saturday, October 31. Costumes are optional. From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., we will have face painting, Halloween crafts, story times, and trick or treating around the library. Parents are encouraged to bring their camera. We have Halloween cut-outs for photo ops. From 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., we will watch a Halloween movie about a hunch-backed lab assistant who has dreams of one day being a mad scientist.

Farm Fun at the Library

2009-09-21T13:50:00.002-05:00

This morning we had a nice crowd of 34 children and 17 adults. We read stories with farm animals in them. We were mooing, quacking, clucking, and neighing all over the Children's area. If you missed this morning, we will be doing story time on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m.

Starting on Tuesday, we will be signing kids up for S.W.A.M.P. Readers Program on Tuesday, September 29. S.W.A.M.P. Readers is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who like reading and doing crafts. Each program is limited to the first 20 kids to sign up. I give a short book talk about one of our newer books that isn't a "popular" read. After that, we do a craft. In celebration of September being National Library Card Sign Up Month, we will be decorating our own book bags. Be sure to call us at 721-7117 or come in to sign up.

Library Hours are Changing

2009-09-14T15:01:00.003-05:00

All 14 branches of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library System will have new service hours effective Sunday, October 4. Please check with your local library or the library website (http://www.calcasieu.lib.la.us/) for their new hours.

Central Library's new hours are as follows:

Monday through Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday - 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Central Library's story time hours will remain the same. Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Happy Labor Day!

2009-09-06T13:23:00.003-05:00

Just a quick reminder that all the Calcasieu Parish Public Libraries will be closed on Monday, September 7. We will re-open on Tuesday at our normal times.

Fall Story Times start on Monday, September 14. Central's story times will be Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

3rd week of August

2009-08-18T15:26:00.004-05:00

School has started and so starts the hunt for Accelerated Reader (AR) books. Come in and see us, we will be glad to help you look for them. If you like to search on-line, check out the library website at

http://www.calcasieu.lib.la.us

On the right hand side of the page, click on Youth Services and then click on School Reading Lists. As of right now, we only have a link for the Renaissance Learning (RenLearn) page.

2nd week of August

2009-08-11T12:55:00.002-05:00

There is not much to report this week. Ms Rita and I have been shelving books, make sure the books are in the right place on the shelves, ordering new books and pulling torn books. We have been putting together our story times and getting craft ideas ready.

I have been hanging up some cool posters and bulletin board for the coming movie - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It based on the book of the same name by Judi Barrett. The movie is due in movie theaters on September 18. Some of the other posters from summer will soon be coming down to be replaced with Back to School posters.

First week of August

2009-08-03T09:51:00.003-05:00

August is such a strange time in the Children's Department. The rush of summer is over. The number of children and parents coming to check out books has slowed down. With 2 weeks until school starts, parents are busy buying pencils, papers, crayons, and school uniforms.

Our Fall Story Time Calendars are here. Story times will now be on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. starting on Monday, Septemer 14. S.W.A.M.P. Readers for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be once a month in September, October, November, December. As always, S.W.A.M.P. Reader is limited to 20 kids and pre-registeration starts the week before the program.

Last Week of July

2009-07-27T10:15:00.003-05:00

Where have all the children gone? Ms Rita, Ms Lisa, Mr Chris, Ms Kade, and I will ponder this question while we do post-summer reading program reports. In the months of June and July, we had 77 programs which were attended by 3,879 children and parents.

As the children and parents are getting ready for school, Ms Rita, Ms Lisa, and I are getting ready for our Fall story time. Soon we will be booking day care story times as well as cub scouts, girl scouts, and school tours. Be sure to check back with us about story time schedules.

End of Summer Reading Program Celebration

2009-07-20T13:21:00.002-05:00

WOW! Can you believe that the Summer Reading Program has only one program left? Where did the time go? This year, we had 52.4% of those who signed up for the reading program to complete it. As long as Ms. Rita and I can remember, this is the first time that we have had more than 50% complete. THANK YOU for reading and visiting us this summer.

THURSDAY! THURSDAY! THURSDAY!
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
(Let the Good Times Roll!)

Don't forget to come to End of Summer Celebration at 10:00 a.m. It is a one time only performance of Fox and Branch at Central Library. Check them out at www.foxandbranch.com. This promises to be a hand-clapping, toe-tapping, foot-stomping good time. Fox and Branch play folk, blues, cajun, and jug band music.

July 13 - 17 for Summer Reading Program

2009-07-12T14:33:00.003-05:00

This will be Central Library's last full week of story times for the summer. Next week, we only have one which is our End of Summer Party with Special Guests - Fox and Branch.

On Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the Taleweavers will be here. What are the Taleweavers, you ask? They are a group of young adults put together by our Young Adult's person, Susan Gerhart. This group has been learning and practicing a variety of skits and short stories that they will act out for us.

Instead of having story time at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, we will be having a Harry Potter Movie Fest at 6:00 p.m. At midnight, the 6th Harry Potter movie - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be showing in theaters around the US. In celebration of it, we will be showing movie #5 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The Calcasieu Parish Library System has a special movie license that allows us to show certain movies for free. Anyone wishing to attend may come in costume if they wish. Who is your favorite character? There will be popcorn & sodas, goody bags, door prizes like a movie pass for 2 to see the new Harry Potter movie.

On Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m., it will be a regular story time. Kindergarten and under will be downstairs and 1st graders and older will be upstairs. On Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., Ms Nancy from the 4H will be here talking about nutrition. Ms Nancy always has something yummy for us to try.

Friday at 9:30 a.m. we will have our last S.W.A.M.P. Readers for the summer. As always we have a little celebration for our last program. We have some velvet posters that we will be coloring as well as sanding. When we are finished with that, we will enjoy some yummy snowcones. Remember it is limited to the first 20 kids who call 721-7117 or come in to sign up.

Fall Story Times and S.W.A.M.P. Readers will begin in September.

July 5 - 11 of Summer Reading Program

2009-07-07T11:12:00.002-05:00

Can you believe that the Summer Reading Program is almost over? Where did the time go? Before long, parents will be hunting for new notebooks, pencils, and school uniforms.

Don't forget that the last day to turn in your reading logs is on Friday, July 17, that is a week from this Friday. Remember that when you turn in your log with at least 10 books listed, you get some cool coupons and "A Library Champion Lives Here!" yard sign. When you do that, your name is entered into Central Library's End of Summer Drawing. So Don't Miss Out!

At the Tuesday morning 10:00 a.m. story time, we will have Ms. Paula Chastain with some of her Barbie Collection. Ms Tara will be upstairs doing story time for any children who don't want to learn more about Barbie. The 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. story times will be a regular story time. At 2:00 p.m., we will have the Kindergarten and under children downstairs and the 1st Grade and up children will be upstairs making their own bookmark.

Both the 10:00 a.m. and the 2:00 p.m. story times will be downstairs. The 10:00 a.m. special guests will be our very own Ms Rita, Ms Kade, and Mr Chris. The 2:00 p.m. story time will have special guest, Master Carla Prejean from Karate for Kids. Master Carla and some of her students will be here doing some karate demos as well as having the kids in the audience doing some basic karate moves and yells. Ki-Ai!

On Friday, our S.W.A.M.P. Readers will be learning beginner crochet from Mrs Tammy who works in the Library's Human Resources Department. She will help the group make their own dish rag / bath cloth. Mrs Tammy will also be teaching beginner crochet for the Adult Summer Reading Program on Thursday, July 16. Call our Information Service / Reference Desk for more information at 721-7118.

June 29 - July 3 of Summer Reading Program

2009-07-01T16:53:00.003-05:00

Did you sign up for the Summer Reading Program? Have you read your 10 books yet? If so, don't forget to return your reading log to your local library so that you can collect all your cool coupons and the "Library Champion Lives Here!" yard sign. Parents may take a picture of you in front of your yard sign and e-mail it to us. We will then put it on the library website. Check out the ones that we have already received. http://www.calcasieu.lib.la.us/

Tuesday at all 3 story times (10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.) and Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. we will have regular story times. Kindergarten and younger will be downstairs with Ms. Rita having fun with books and coloring pages. 1st grader and older will be in the DeBakey Meeting Room upstairs. Ms. Tara will be reading longer books followed by a hidden picture and a craft.

Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m., Lady Holly and some of her students will be here from Lady Leah LaFargue School of Dance. The students will perform snippets of their dance recital for us. Lady Holly will also have the children stand up and perform simple and easy dance moves.

S.W.A.M.P. Readers on Friday will show how creative they can be. We will be building with Legos. Check back next week for pictures of our creations.

Have a fun and safe Fourth of July from Central Library 's Children's Department

June 22 - 26 of Summer Reading Program

2009-06-22T16:39:00.003-05:00

We have seen an amazing amount of children and parents so far this summer. Last count we were over 1,500.

The 10:00 a.m. and the 6:30 p.m. story times on Tuesday will be regular story times. At the 2:00 p.m. story time on Tuesday, Mrs. Lanie Vanchiere will be here. Mrs. Lanie will draw some pictures for the children. She will also start them on an art project that they will be able to bring home to finish. The 2:00 p.m. story time on Thursday, the ladies from Louisiana Spirit will be here talking about dealing with hurricanes.

3 time Emmy Award winner and story teller, Bobby Norfolk will be here on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. It will be fun for the whole family.

On Friday, S.W.A.M.P. Readers will be making name plaques using colored foil.

June 15 - June 19 of Summer Reading Program

2009-06-15T12:42:00.002-05:00

Wow! Can you believe that we are already starting week 3 of the Summer Reading Program? In the two weeks that we have been doing story times and programs, we have entertained 1,100 children and parents.

This week, Mrs. Diane Morales of Calcasieu Parish Animal Services will be here on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. Mrs. Morales will read a book about pet care. She will also talk to us about the importance of making sure that your pets have food and water especially during these hot days of summer. After story time, we will be able to walk through the Adoption Bus which will have several dogs and cats that are up for adoption.

Tuesday afternoon story times at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. as well as the Thursday story times at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. will be regular story times. We will be reading books and acting them out.

Friday's S.W.A.M.P. Readers will be a heart pounding good time. We will be decorating leather bracelets. Be sure to call 721-7117 to pre-register.

June 8 - 12 of Summer Reading Programs

2009-06-09T08:15:00.006-05:00

On Tuesday, we will have regular story times at 10:00 a.m; 2:00 p.m; and 6:30 p.m. On Thursday at the 10:00 a.m. story time, we will have special guest, Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service. Mr Roger will talk to us about how the weather can effect our lives, the different types of clouds, and hurricanes. At the 2:00 p.m. story time, we will have some cheerleaders from Ray's Gym. They will be performing some of their cheer and dance routines.

On Friday, our S.W.A.M.P. Readers will be making bug windchimes out of nuts, bolts, washers, and pipe cleaners. It should be a wing-ding of a time. Just remember that it is limited to first 20 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders whose parents call or come in to pre-register.

Be Creative @ Your Library

2009-06-01T12:47:00.006-05:00

June 1 starts the Summer Reading Program for Central Library. Our story times are Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m; 2:00 p.m; and 6:30 p.m; and on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m; and 2:00 p.m. We do the same stories all week except for when we have special guests. You can check the library website (http://www.calcasieu.lib.la.us/) or call the library at 721-7117 for when and who our special guests will be. For special guests, we have all the children together in the Children's Department. When we have a regular story time without special guests, children who are in kindergarten and younger have story time in the Children's Department. Children who are in first grade and older are invited to go upstairs to the DeBakey meeting room for a story and craft time.

Friday mornings are for our S.W.A.M.P. (Sensational, Wild, Amazing, Motley, Priceless) Readers. It is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders only. It is limited to the first 20 kids whose parents call or come it to sign them up each week for that week's program. We do a book talk followed by a craft. The book talks are about some new books in the library. We try to introduce the children to different authors, series, and genres. The children are not required to read any of the books. The crafts are just a fun way of getting the children into the library. We try to do crafts that are not more than an hour long but occasionally we do go over. In the past, we have made grass heads, painted our own piggy banks, made and painted our own working clocks.

Summer Reading Program Kick-Off

2009-06-01T12:41:00.003-05:00

WOW! What a wonderful time was had by all. Attendance was awesome. Chef Joe from Sowela helped deocrate over 300 cookies. Daisy the Pig got lots of hugs and kisses from the kids. We have never seen so may pretty princesses, handsome princes, fearless pirates, handy fix-it guys and even a fearsome dragon or two. If you look at the slide show on the left, you can see some of the fun times that were had at the Kick-Off. Thank you kids and parents for making this our best Kick-Off program yet.

Daisy the Pig

2009-05-27T18:53:00.003-05:00

Daisy the pig will be at Central Library on Saturday, May 30 at 3:00 p.m. Farmer Minor with the help of the audience will be reading some of Daisy's favorite stories. Farmer Minor will also tell stories aobut Daisy. Parents, don't forget your cameras. Daisy will be available for pictures after story time.

Summer Reading Program Kick-Off

2009-05-27T17:28:00.008-05:00

On Friday, May 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., come join us at Prien Lake Park for a good time for the whole family. We will be in the Calcasieu Room come rain or shine.

Daisy the Pig and Farmer Minor will be reading books and taking pictures. We will have a dress up booth as well as a face painting booth. Jugglers, Balloons, and Crafts! Oh My! Come doecrate your own cookie with Chef Joe Heacook from Sowela. We will have Teen activities as well.

Week of May 17 - 25

2009-05-19T08:54:00.002-05:00

Things at the library look pretty slow this week. We have done the last of our school tours for this school year and the hunt for Accelerated Reader books has come to a trickle, except for those few who have a few more points to make. Ms Rita and I are still working hard getting our last minute things together for the Summer Reading Program. We are finding books for story times, finishing painting and putting up posters, and gathering all our craft supplies together. Next week, we will have more information about the Summer Reading Program.

Saturday Morning with Johnette Downing

2009-05-19T08:37:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, we wiggled and giggled and sang and danced with Johnette Downing. Ms. Johnette put on a excellent program. Ms. Johnette performed some old favorites as well as the songs that inspired her books. As you can see from the picture, she charmed everyone from the smallest child to the oldest adult. THANK YOU, McNeese Banners Series for allowing us to have Ms. Johnette as a special guest.

Johnette Downing is coming to Central!!

2009-05-12T14:46:00.006-05:00

Thanks to the nice folks from the McNeese Banners Series, national award winning singer and songwriter Johnette Downing will be performing for us here at Central. She will be here on Saturday May 16th starting at 10a.m.

So if you get a chance, come on by the Central Library and listen to some great family music!

Children's Book Week

2009-05-11T12:07:00.003-05:00

Celebrate your favorite children's book this week! May 11-17 has been declared Children's Book Week. On May 13th the results of the Children's Choice Book Awards will be announced. To find ways that you can celebrate your favorite book, check out the website at http://www.bookweekonline.com/. Also here is a link to wordsearch and crossword puzzles with book themes, http://www.bookweekonline.com/puzzles.html.

Lego Search

2009-05-02T16:34:00.004-05:00

Do you have clean, gently used Legos that you want to find a new home for?

Look no further than Central Library. We at the Children's Department are looking for donations of Legos to be used as part of our Summer Reading Program, Be Creative @ the Library.

So bring us those Legos and remember to check out our Summer Reading Program events.

Learn about Labou the movie

2009-04-29T11:44:00.006-05:00

Do you like adventure, pirates, ghosts, treasures, and swamp creatures? If so, come to Central Library on Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m to learn more about the legend and the movie, "Labou."

The program was originally scheduled to take place at the Children's Museum. Since the Museum was damaged last week due to fire, we will host the program for them.

John Byrnes along with others from the movie will be here to talking about the making of "Labou" as well as showing movie clips. Mr. Byrnes will talk about the animatronics and the puppeteer that was used during filming. At the end, children will be making their very own Labou puppet to bring home.

For more information about "Labou" the movie, visit http://labouthemovie.com/

Fun with Fideaux

2009-04-23T09:16:00.004-05:00

On the 4th Saturday of every month (except for June and July) the Children's area at Central Library has Fun with Fideaux. Anywhere from 1 to 5 certified Therapy Dogs who have passed Good Canine Citizen training are invited to come with their handlers. While here, children are encouraged to practice reading aloud to these attentive nonjudgemental listeners. It is a great time for kids to get comfortable reading aloud without worrying about correction.

Again this is every 4th Saturday of each month, from 10am to 11am. We look forward to seeing you there!

Calliope Puppets will be entertaining us for National Library Week April 16

2009-04-15T09:59:00.003-05:00

Calliope Puppets will be visiting the Central Library on Thursday, April 16th at 10a.m.

Their performances provide imaginative performances for family audiences. Each show features captivating visual imagery and they use traditional hand puppets as well as life sized direct manipulation and shadow puppets, or a combination of all these puppets to present their stories. Calliope Puppets invite verbal or active participation by the audience in some part of each show.

Once again that's Thursday, April 16th 10:00 a.m. @ the Central Library (721-7116)