Variety is the Spice of the Library by Jeanna

As an Interlibrary Loan librarian here at the Stillwater Public Library, I get to see the most wonderful books. Interesting books! Amazing books! Frightening books! 

Could be a collection of zombie stories, a book about what’s wrong with our food supply, or a book on how to teach a teenager to drive.  One of the great privileges of my job is getting to see some of what our patrons are reading. And boy, are you people reading -  and watching, and listening to - the most wonderful things!  Green urbanism, biographies of early Christian missionaries, children’s books with titles like “Tillie the Terrible Swede,” risqué romances, particle physics – patrons of Stillwater Public Library read it all.

The thing that amazes me most – other than the sheer, never ending variety – is that the books don’t get into big fights when the librarians’ backs are turned.  We never come back from lunch to discover that the clutter busting book has shoved the book on flea market chic off onto the floor.  The beautifully illustrated, coffee table-sized book about the fats we love to eat (I kid you not, the thinly sliced lard on the cover looked like delicious ice cream!) does not get mangled by the how-to-go-vegetarian book or all those healthy living manuals.  Books by writers from every imaginable place on every imaginable political, cultural and social spectrum peacefully co-exist right on my desk. The Star Trek technical manuals and the Star Wars novels do not even, as far as I know, trade appropriately nerdy put-downs. 

So, before I feel compelled to burst into a chorus of Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder’s “Ebony and Ivory,” let me just say that from this librarian’s point of view, variety does seem to be the spice of our public life. I may want to read up how social media is changing our lives for the better; you may want to investigate how to get off what you view as a technological roller coaster.  We may be able to meet in the middle with lively discussions on straw bale construction and achieving financial independence through multiple streams of income. We may not, but isn’t it interesting – all the things we can talk, read and argue about? For more information on inter-library loans, go to http://library.stillwater.org/ill.html.

Summer @ Your Library: Week Two (June 11-13) by Stacy

We had an amazing turn out the Sunday before last with over 125 people on hand to kick off the summer reading fun.  A big thanks to the Young Professionals with the Chamber of Commerce!  The kick-off gave kids a chance to register for the summer program, and we are already racking up huge numbers this year.  Over800 children and 200 young adults have already signed up for the library’s reading club!  The first week of the program may be well under way, but there is always time to get signed up and started on our summer adventures!

This week’s excitement begins on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., when magician Kevin Wade will delight audiences with his mysterious, interactive tricks and illusions.  Kevin has been a favorite at our library because he always gets kids involved in his act, which is top notch!  Kevin has been performing magic for nearly 20 years and has even produced tricks used by some of the top acts in the world.  Your family will not want to miss him!

 

On Wednesday, June 12 at 2 p.m., young adults will hop onto the “Graphic Novels & Humor” underground subway line which will take them to their “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” craft destination.

 

The crafts include ones that will reduce stress and anxiety, including making worry stones and learning how to do the hip new art of Zentangling.

 

The program for the week is based on the book “Happyface” by Stephen Emond which is about an introverted teen who decides to throw off the shackles of shyness and be more outgoing and upbeat at his new school. 

On Thursday, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., we invite families to snuggle together in our cool theater with a warm bag of popcorn to enjoy a Pixar animated classic.  

This film features an idealistic young ant named Flik whose inventions accidentally destroy his hive’s food supply.  Follow Flik and his ragtag troupe as they set off to save the day.  This G rated film last 95 minutes.

For more info about “Summer @ Your Library,” call us at 405-372-3633 or check our website at library.stillwater.org.

Summer @ Your Library: Week One by Stacy

 

We are so excited that summer reading time is finally here!  Each week the library will offer fun, free programs and challenging reading club activities to fill up the whole summer! 

  

 

The first program takes place Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.  Participants will become part of the Oklahoma Science Museum’s dynamic program about the elemental forces that shape our planet.  Kids and parents will experience the exciting science behind volcanoes, geysers, and earthquakes.

 These OK Science Museum programs are always very high quality, interactive and bunches of fun!

  

One thing we want to stress this summer is that seating is limited to 300 people at each children’s performance.  We urge you to come at least 15 minutes early and to consider attending the 3:30 p.m. performance which typically has fewer attendees. 

On Wednesday, June 5 at 2 p.m., the Teen program kicks off with “How to Survive an Apocalypse” inspired by the novel “Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins.   Young adults going into grades 6-12 will participate in challenges like making a shelter, constructing items with duct tape, putting together a survival cache, survival trivia and more!  

We’re really hoping young adults will make it their goal to read more than twenty hours this summer, so we are once again making the stakes high!  Reading cards submitted after the twenty hour card will count double in our end of the year drawings for two Kindle Fires!

  

We finish out the week on Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., when families can enjoy popcorn and fun at our first “Summer Cinema” of the year.  We’ll be showing an animated, Rated G movie about neighboring gnome families who are at war with each other, but two of the gnomes are in love.  Can their love last?

For more info about “Summer @ Your Library,” call us at 405-372-3633 or check our website at library.stillwater.org.