Town of Pelham Public Library programs

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Pelham Public Library (file photo)

Editor’s note: This calendar was provided by the Pelham Public Library.

Elementary School-Aged Book Clubs

Walk-ins are welcome to the Library’s elementary school book clubs for grades 1 -4, but registration is requested by calling the Library at (914) 738-1234. Book club books are usually available at the circulation desk for immediate checkout.

First-Grade Book Club: Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer

Being Rescheduled from Monday, January 14; new date TBD
This autobiography by top American ballerina Michaela DePrince and her adoptive mother, is for children who are just beginning to read independently. DePrince, now a principal dancer in New York, knew she wanted to be a ballerina from the age of three, when she was in an orphanage in Sierra Leone. In February, the Club will discuss Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.

Second-Grade Book Club: Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Thursday, January 24, 4 – 5 p.m.
This is the first in the Clementine series, following the adventures of this free-spirited third-grader. The good news for Clementine in this story is that she’s helping out her good friend Margaret. The bad news is she’s getting in trouble for it! In February, the Club will discuss A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole.

Third Grade Book Club: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Being rescheduled from Monday, January 14; new date TBD
The first of a trilogy of fantasy novels by Chinese-American author Grace Lin, tells the story of Minli, a girl who lives with her parents in a hut. She is inspired to find the Old Man on the Moon to learn the secrets of life, as he is the focus of one of her father’s folktales. She has quite a few adventures along the way, as the book explores “themes of family, hope, mystery, courage, and classic Chinese folk tales.” In February, the Club will dicuss Words with Wings by Nikki Grimes.

Fourth-Grade Book Club: 39 Clues Book #1 — The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

Monday, January 28, 4 – 5 p.m.
This first book in this popular series from Rick Riordan introduces readers to Amy and Dan Cahill, who have just discovered – after the death of their grandmother – that they are members of the most powerful family in the world. They can find out what that power is by looking for 39 clues all over the world. (Or, they could take a million dollars and forget all about it.) In February, the Club will discuss A View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg.

Early Literacy Programs

Story Time

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Take the little one in your life to Story Time! Caregivers must be in attendance and participate with the children they accompany. The Library requests there be no phone use or talking during Story Time. Because of this program’s popularity, a ticketing system is used to prevent overcrowding.

French-English Story Time

Friday, January 18 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

This is a great opportunity to introduce your pre-schoolers to French as French student Quintin comes to the Library to read stories in French and English.

 

Chinese-English Story Time 

Saturday, January 19, 10:30 – 11 a.m.

Chinese-English Story Time is held every other Saturday morning at the Library, and led by local Chinese-speaking parents.

Au Pair Story Time

Friday, January 25, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

The Library is piloting an Au Pair Story Time program in which local au pairs read the stories! The program’s first volunteers are from South Africa, Austria and Poland. Registration is not required. (Au pairs who might be interested in participating should contact Oz Coto-Chang at the Library by calling (914) 738-1234. He is helping coordinate the program with Cultural Care Au Pair.)

 Spanish-English Story Time

Saturday, January 26, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

This popular bilingual Story Time program is held monthly, led by Pelham resident Michelle Simon.

Sign-up is not required for the bilingual and Au Pair Story Times.

(For programs requiring registration, call the Library at 914-738-1234. Programs for young children require adult supervision.)

More Children’s Programs

Homework and Tech Help

Weekdays, 3 – 5 p.m.

Held during the school year when school is in session, for homework this is a drop-in program for children in grades K – 6. Make sure to bring your textbooks and other materials. Additionally, anyone can drop in and get tech help with their devices!

Have Fun with the Lego Club!

Upcoming sessions: Mondays, February 4, March 4, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Lego lovers of all ages are invited to come to the Library’s monthly Lego Club. You’ll get to use your imagination to build unique Lego models to be displayed at the library! You provide the creativity; the library provides the Legos. Registration is required.

Star Wars Night!

Thursday, February 21, 6 – 8 p.m.

Jedi from Empire Saber Guild will teach younglings the ways of the lightsaber. Nicole Jones will also be there with her face-painting skills to help you look like your favorite Sith character. This “Mud Week” event is for kids of all ages. Attendance is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Teen Programs

Come Play Dungeons & Dragons

Upcoming sessions: Thursdays, January 17, 24, 31, 3 – 5 p.m.
The first fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons is a world where players are the characters in an ongoing story — come and play the tabletop version. According to the Dungeons & Dragons website, “The core of D&D is storytelling. You and your friends tell a story together, guiding your heroes through quests for treasure, battles with deadly foes, daring rescues, courtly intrigue, and much more.” Registration is not required.

Star Wars Night!

(See “Children’s Programs” above.)

 Adult Programs — Nighttime

Knit Happens on Monday Nights!

Upcoming sessions: Mondays, January 28, February 4, 11, 25. All sessions 6:30 – 8:45 p.m.

Love to knit? Want to learn? Gather your needles and yarn and join us for an informal needlework group. Knitters, crocheters and needleworkers of all types and abilities are welcome, but beginners planning to attend should call Librarian Augusta Turner at (914) 738-1234 beforehand to confirm an instructor will be available that night. (Please note the Library will be closed on January 21 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.)

After-Dark Book Club: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Thursday, February 7, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Pachinko follows four generations of a Korean family beginning in 1911. The relationship at its center is that between Sunja, a 17-year-old Korean girl, who falls in love and gets pregnant by a handsome, wealthy – and unbeknownst to her – married middle-aged man, Hansu. Although she marries a Christian missionary to save her and her son from shame, Hansu (who is also a gangster) is never really out of the picture.

Crafty Adults

Upcoming sessions, Thursdays, February 14 and March 14, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Ever envied all of the arts and crafts programs just for kids at the Library? Envy no more! Pelham resident and art instructor Sara Mallach is bringing her talents to the Library to run a monthly program, Crafty Adults, focusing on polymer clay. It’s a great opportunity for grown-ups to cultivate their inner creativity. This program is for those ages 14 and up, and attendance is limited to the first twenty people who show up.

Adult Programs – Daytime

WEBS Career Development Series Returns to the Library

The free eight-week WEBS career development seminar, “Managing Your Career in Changing Times” is returning to the Library for 2019! Led by a professional career counselor. WEBS is designed to: evaluate your skills, using formal assessments of interests and personality; teach you how to use online career information; help you explore career alternatives and discover local educational and training programs in Westchester; and learn effective job-seeking strategies. Orientation will be held in February and the group will meet on Wednesday afternoons in March and April. For more information call WEBS at 914-674-3616.

2nd-Friday Book Club: The Milk Lady of Bangalore: An Unexpected Adventure by Shoba Narayan

Friday, February 8, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

This work of non-fiction focuses on the relationship between the author and the “milk lady” Sarala. Upon returning to India after years in the U.S. with her husband and two daughters, Narayan first encounters Sarala as she is taking a cow up their building’s elevator for a housewarming ceremony in another apartment. When Narayan asks Sarala to also bless her family’s new apartment, their friendship begins.

With Gratitude for the Support

Crafty Adults is made possible by The Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library. The 2nd-Friday Book Club is made possible by a gift in memory of Karin and Ted Mayer.

WEBS is funded in part with a gift from the Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library and support from the New York State Library and Westchester County Government.

Thank you also to our talented volunteers who enable us to provide many additional programs.