Summer Fun at the Library

by Kelly Miller

Are you looking for free activities for preschool and school age children this summer?  The library has expanded their offerings.  This summer, the Hennepin County Library is offering environmentally friendly art programs in collaboration with Silverwood Park for children in grades 1-2 and 3-5 in their Paint it Green offerings.  Also, a Guthrie teaching artist is teaching Storymaking for grades 1-2 and Playacting for grades 3-5 in their Acting Workshops for Kids classes.  A Bakken museum educator will be teaching Mini Magnets for grades K-4.  The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is presenting Art Out of the Box:  Black and White and Read All Over for grades 2-5.  MacPhail Center for Music is offering Sing, Play, Learn for preschoolers.  Register online at http://www.hclib.org/.

There is also a full schedule of walk-in events:  magic shows, musical artists, puppet shows, art events and more. 

To encourage reading, there are book clubs:  Girls Only and Guys Read for grades 4-6.  There are junior book clubs for grades 2-3.  For those that can't attend in person, on-line book clubs are offered.  Paws to Read is also on the schedule, in which grades K-6 can cuddle up to a dog and practice reading out loud.

For those that want to read at the library, but also want to be outdoors, the Roseville library has an outdoor reading garden that is complete with benches, mosaic art, pathways, tables and plants.  In an effort to promote community and build relationships, the Roseville library also offers Wii gaming after 1 pm on weekdays and on the weekends. 

The Museum Adventure Pass can also be checked-out at the library.  This pass can get two people into area attractions like the Minnesota Zoo, Como Zoo (3 free rides at Como Town), the Jackson Street Roundhouse, the Works, the Walker Institute of Art, the Foshay Museum and Observation Deck, the Hennepin History Museum, the Museum of Russian Art and more!  www.melsa.org/museumadventurepass
This program will end on Labor Day.

Use the summer to check-out activities and classes at your neighborhood library ... and also, travel across town to visit a library you may not be familiar with.

http://www.hclib.org/
http://www.rclreads.org/
http://www.anoka.lib.mn.us/