Summer Program Kicks off with Mr. Magic!

Beginning June 21^st,  children can sign up to participate in the Chaplin Public Library's Summer Reading program. Each week there will be a prize drawing. Sign up early and you will receive a voucher for two free passes to a Yard Goats game on August 21^st  or 22^nd!  In addition, there will be many activities throughout the summer. See the schedule of events below.

Summer Program Event Schedule:

Wednesday, June 28^th, 6:00 PM -7:00 PM  - Mr. Magic!   

Come see Mr. Magic perform amazing magic tricks. Fun for all ages.

 *Friday, June 30^th, 2:00-3:00 PM - Lego Brick Challenge  

The Children's Museum will be visiting the library for a LEGO challenge. Come and show your creativity to meet the challenge. This program is best for children in grades K-5, but younger and older siblings may attend. As space is limited, pre-registration is required for this event!

Wednesday, July 5^th, 11:00 AM -12:00 PM – Preschool Playgroup

Preschoolers can come hear a story, make a craft, and play. 

Wednesday, July 12^th, 1:00 PM –2:00 PM Bookmarks and Posters Design the new Chaplin Library bookmark, and make a Build a Better World poster. Bookmarks will printed and used for the summer.

 Wednesday, July 26^th, 1:00-2:00 PM – Create Fairy Houses

Make fairy houses for your home or garden.  

Wednesday, July 26th at 6pm - Psychic Medium Talk 

Meet Psychic Medium Julie Stygar. Are you a believer or a skeptic? How do you know if a Psychic is the "real deal"? You have questions? Julie has the answers! Join her at the library for an enlightening evening with Spirit! (This program is for ages 18 and over.) 

Friday, July 28^th, 4:00-5:00 PM – Lego Fun

Build a LEGO masterpiece for display at the library.

Wednesday, August 2^nd, 1:00-2:00 PM – Ice Cream Social  

Come play games and make your own sundae at the annual ice cream party!

Monday, August 7th at 6:30pm - CT Author Trail 

The Chaplin library will again be a stop on the CT Author Trail. Marty Podskoch will be speaking about his research on the Civilian Conservation Corps camps, including the camps which were located in the Natchaug. Refreshments will be provided, and Marty will have books for sale. His book Connecticut: Civilian Conservation Corps Camps is available now for circulation at the library. 

Wednesday, August 9^th, 1:00-2:00 PM – Make Bouncy Balls

Create your own bouncy balls to play with at home!

 Friday, August 11th at 5pm - Farm-to-Table Eating 

Learn how to prepare local and seasonal produce for all palates. Join Kelly Zanger Caisse as she prepares dishes with produce from her Chaplin family farm KD Crop Farms. There will be cooking demonstrations, and samples will also be available for tasting. All ages welcome! 

*Wednesday, August 16^th, 1:00-2:00 PM – Bubble-ology

Join the CT Science Museum as we investigate how to make bubbles. Find out why they are round and why they float, and look at color patterns in bubble domes. Older students will investigate surface tension and properties of water. This program is best for children in grades K-5, but younger and older siblings may attend. As space is limited, pre-registration is required for this event!

 Friday, August 18^th, 4:00-5:00 PM – Lego Fun

End the summer reading program by building a LEGO masterpiece for display at the library!

*Pre-registration is required for this event. Call the library at 860-455-9424

Things to do in CT
If you are you looking for new places to explore in Connecticut this summer, the library has a section with books just on CT. This section contains books ranging from notable Connecticut trees, to bike rides and hikes, to garden tours. The library also has hiking backpacks available for checkout.

Cookbook Club
Do you enjoy cooking and sharing new recipes with friends? If you answered yes, consider joining the Chaplin Library Cookbook Club. Each member will prepare a different recipe from a selected cookbook and bring it along to share. Then members will taste and discuss each dish. The first meeting will be held in the fall. If you are interested in joining, please speak with a librarian. 

News from the Chaplin Public Library

The Chaplin Library has had a few technology updates over the last few months. Thanks to Chaplin resident Alex Hill, we have a new wireless color laser printer for patrons, an updated AV cart for the meeting room, and a new children's literacy station!

Children's Literacy Station

The literacy station contains many fun early learning programs your child can enjoy, including Reader Rabbit and "Living Books" such as Dr. Seuss, Arthur, Thomas the Tank Engine, and many more. The station also includes the Advantage curriculum for both elementary and middle school children.  This computer is not connected to the internet and is dedicated solely to educating children. Please drop in and try it out!

Parenting Resource Books*

The Chaplin Public Library now has an enhanced parent collection. Look for the blue dots on books with the call number 649, or ask a librarian to help you find them.  Below are just some of the titles that have been added to the collection:

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Dr. Laura Markham

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber

If I Have to Tell You One More Time...: The Revolutionary Program That Gets Your Kids To Listen Without Nagging, Reminding, or Yelling by Amy McCreedy

Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber

Boys Should Be Boys by Meg Meeker

Leveled Reader Books*

Thanks to the Chaplin C.R.E.W. (Children's Readiness, Education and Wellness), many new beginning reader books have been added to the children's collection. A few titles include the following:

A Green, Green Garden, by Mercer Mayer

Pete the Cat Play Ball, by James Dean

Our Sand Castle, by Julie Haydon

Little Horse and Big Horse, by Jay Sanders

Family Reading Bags for young children*

Does your child finish his or her weekly school library book quickly? Do you wish you had simple colorful books to read to your Pre-k or kindergarten student but can’t make it to the public library?

Chaplin Elementary School has Family Reading bags for your child to borrow. Each colorful bag contains several books to engage your child. Bags are appropriate for pre-k-2, easy to find, and easy to return in the drawstring bag. You may check out bags on any school day (before 3:45 please). If you cannot make it to the school, your child can sign a bag out at the school. Just send in a note or email LRossi@chaplinschool.org

*Family resources were made possible from grant funding by the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund.

Knitting Books

Thanks to a recent donation, the Chaplin Library now has a wonderful collection of new knitting books! If you are a knitter or you have always wanted to learn, please come check out the collection at call number 746, or ask a librarian for help. Here are a sample of the new titles:

The Yarn Girl's Guide to Knits for All Seasons, by Julie Carles and Jordana Jacobs

Knit Noro Accessories, by Sixth&Spring Books

Finishing School, by Deborah Newton

Chaplin Garden Group

Do you enjoy gardening? If your answer is yes and you are interested in putting together a Chaplin Garden Group, please sign up at the library or contact Helen Weingart at 860-428-0441. Spring is just around the corner and this is a great time to share your passion for growing flowers and/or vegetables!