THE BIG READ -- MARK TWAIN!

Enter today to win tickets to one of two events at Young Auditorium in Whitewater: Hal Holbrook in "Mark Twain Tonight!" on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. OR a musical performance by the Rose Ensemble, "And Glory Shown All Around," on April 10 at 7:30 p.m. And don't forget to pick up your free copy of TheAdventures of Tom Sawyer on Monday, April 2.

April 2012 Events

Storytime with Miss Kris 

• Tiny Tots, for children from birth to 3 years old, meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. 
• Preschool Storytime, for children age 3 to kindergarten, meets Fridays at 10 a.m.
• No storytime for preschoolers on Friday, April 6 or Friday, April 13. 

Storytime with Miss Kris is an awesome opportunity for children and caregivers to spend quality time together.  Each session includes stories, games, music and movement, plus early literacy and social skill building activities.  This month, both groups will be learning about springtime, Easter, flowers and our weather. 

English Conversation Group – Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For students learning English as a second language, this is a chance for you to practice your everyday conversation skills with Walworth County Literacy Council tutors.  

LEGO Club - Mondays, April 2 and 16 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Give our LEGO blocks a workout building anything from a dinosaur to a space ship.  Work in teams or individually, give your creation a name, then see it displayed in the children's library.  This program runs through May 7. (Ages 6 and up)

Art Exploration: Tissue Paper – Tuesday, April 3 from 4 to 5 p.m.

This month we’ll be creating tissue paper art.  We'll provide all the materials . . . just bring your creativity! (Preschool – 3^rd grade)

The Big Read:  Mark Twain on the Rock River Basin

This month, Aram Public Library is joining the Young Auditorium and libraries in Rock, Walworth and Jefferson Counties to celebrate the work of Mark Twain.  Here’s what’s happening at Aram Public Library:

No Foolin’ – A Free Book!

Monday, April 2 during library hours you can pick up a free copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the classic by Mark Twain.  We have editions for children as well as adults.  You can also register to win tickets to one of two performances at Young Auditorium:

• Tuesday, April 10 at 7:30 - “And Glory Shone All Around” - The Rose Ensemble; a joyful program that is a musical evolution across time.
• Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 - Hal Holbrook - “Mark Twain Tonight!”

Book vs. Movie - Saturday, April 28  from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Tom and Huck (Rated PG) based on the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  Read the book, watch the movie.  Which did you like better and why?  Bring your lunch; dessert and beverage will be provided. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Mississippi River Recipes - Monday, April 30 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Registration is required for this culinary voyage down the Mighty Mississippi.   Provide a regional recipe from one of the states that borders on the Mississippi River: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, or Louisiana.  On April 30, we’ll taste our way from north to south, and everyone will receive a recipe collection to take home.  Please bring your written recipe to the library or e-mail it to sbergstrom@aramlibrary.org  by April 20.

A full schedule of events in all three counties is available at the library, or visit the Big Read local events web site.

Couponing Workshop – Tuesdays, April 3, 10 and 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Judy Williams, the Racine Coupon Lady, is coming to Delavan to show you how to save money by using coupons!  This three-session workshop covers topics such as organizing  coupons, coupon timing strategies, taking advantage of store incentives, recognizing rock-bottom prices, and stocking up.  Each hour-long session includes time for Judy to answer your questions.  You don’t have to be an “extreme couponer” in order to realize savings – this easy-to-follow program allows you to revise your shopping strategies and see significant results with minimal time and effort.  Contact the library (728-3111 or sbergstrom@aramlibrary.org) to register.

Buying and Selling on eBay – Wednesday, April 11 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Learn the basics of shopping on eBay including registering, searching for the items you want, and how to bid or buy.  Find out what is involved in selling items on-line, and review the precautions you should take to safeguard your personal information.  Participants must have basic mouse and keyboarding skills and a personal e-mail account.  Space is limited; registration required.

Teen Book Club – Thursday, April 12 from 4 to 5p.m. - - Feed by M.T. Anderson

In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble.

Tweenage Wasteland – Wednesday, April 18 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Help fellow budding architects construct the ultimate city using only recyclable materials and a bit of adhesive.  All materials provided. (Ages 9-12)

Adult Book Discussion – Thursday, April 19 from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

The epic saga of an earthling, born and educated on Mars, who arrives on our planet with superhuman powers and a total ignorance of the mores of man.

Eggs-cellent Carton Creations – Saturday, April 21 from 1 to 2 p.m.

When you look at an empty egg carton, what do you see?  If you’re like us, you see POSSIBILITIES.  Join us for the chance to give an old egg carton a second life…as a dragon!  Or maybe a caterpillar!  It’s up to you to decide.  Let your imagination run wild while creating your very own carton critter.  All materials provided. (For families with kids of all ages)

Digital Photography Workshop – Tuesdays, April 24, May 1 and May 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Not sure what to do with the pictures on your digital camera!  Find out at this three-part workshop! You’ll learn how to transfer pictures from your camera to the computer, how to do basic photo editing, how to e-mail photos to your friends and family, and how to start on on-line photo album.  Space is limited; please register by April 20.

Wake Up Your Garden – Wednesday, April 25 at 2 p.m.

The gardening season is here again!  Get your garden ready for spring planting and summer beauty with tips and advice from UW Extension Horticulturist Chrissy Regester.

Stuffed Animal Story Time & Sleepover – Thursday, April 26 at 6 p.m.

Ever wonder what stuffed animals do at night while you’re sleeping?  Bring your favorite stuffed animal to a special pajama story time.  Afterwards, leave them at the library for a sleepover where secret cameras will catch them as they check out all the fun things to do at the library.  Pick up your friend (and a photo of their nighttime adventures) after 3 p.m. on Friday, April 27.

The Library will be closed April 6.

###

March 2012

FOR FAMILIES (ALL AGES)

Storytime with Miss Kris: 

·         Tiny Tots, for children from birth to 3 years old, meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. 

·         Preschool Storytime, for children age 3 to kindergarten, meets Fridays at 10 a.m. 

Storytime with Miss Kris is an awesome opportunity for children and caregivers to spend quality time together.  Each session includes stories, games, music and movement, plus early literacy and social skill building activities.  This month, both groups will be learning about trains, springtime, St. Patrick’s Day, and house pets. 

Young Artist Reception – Thursday, March 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The Aram Public Library children’s department becomes an art gallery this month!  We’ll be displaying student work selected by art teachers from four local schools, in celebration of Youth Art Month.  The show opens on March 1 with a reception for the artists and their teachers from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Artwork will be on display throughout the month of March.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss  – Saturday, March 3 at 1 p.m.

March the third is the wonderful, marvelous, very special day
Where we'll celebrate Dr. Seuss with food and with play.
You're sure to have fun and you'll laugh, loud and hearty,
When you join us at the library for a Seuss birthday party.

LEGO Club (age 6 and up) – Mondays, March 5 and 19 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Give our LEGO blocks a workout building anything from a dinosaur to a space ship.  Work in teams or individually, give your creation a name, then see it displayed in the children’s library! 

Exploration Art Studio (preschool to 3^rd grade) –

Tuesday, March 6 from 4 to 5p.m.

Is there anything more fun than play dough? We'll make play dough art, provide tools for building with play dough, and we'll have different kinds of play dough for interactive fun. We'll get messy, and all participants will get to take some play dough home with them, too.

FOR TWEENS (AGES 9-12)

Tween Game Day– Wednesday, March 21 from 4 to 5 p.m.  

If you love games—and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t?—then this is the event for you!  We have board games, a Wii, open playing space . . . all that’s missing is YOU.

FOR TEENS (AGES 13+)

Teen Book Club  – Thursday, March 8 from 4 to 5 p.m.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

Teen Hunger Games Party  (ages  13+)– Friday, March 16 at 3:30 p.m.

Do you love the Hunger Games as much as we do?  Can’t wait to see the new movie?  Join us for food, games, and the chance to win fabulous prizes!

FOR ADULTS

Basic E-mail – Wednesday, March 14 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Learn to set up an e-mail account, send and receive an e-mail message, add attachments to your messages, manage your account, and organize your mail.  Class size is limited, please register.

Adult Book Club – Thursday, March 15 from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins

This is the inside story of how America turned from a respected republic into a feared empire. John Perkins should know; he was an economic hit man. His job was to convince countries that are strategically important to the U.S., from Indonesia to Panama, to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development and to make sure that the lucrative projects were contracted to Halliburton, Bechtel, Brown and Root, and other United States engineering and construction companies. Anyone who has read the book is welcome to attend.

Book-to-Movie Film Series – Saturday, March 24 from 12 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (English version, rated R) based on the book by Stieg Larsson.  Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found and her beloved uncle is convinced she was murdered and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced investigative journalist Mickael Blomkvist and the tattooed and troubled yet resourceful computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. Bring a lunch; we’ll provide dessert and a beverage.

English Conversation Group – Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.

For students learning English as a second language, this is a chance for you to practice your everyday conversation skills with Walworth County Literacy Council tutors.