September is a Busy Month at the South Norwalk Branch Library

Celebrating the Centennial  of South Norwalk’s Carnegie Library

Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate the Centennial of South Norwalk’s Carnegie Library and its grand reopening on Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the South Norwalk Branch Library. The South Norwalk Branch Library opened in its Greek Revival styled Carnegie building in 1913 and was renovated 2004 – 2006. This is one of many events that will take place during the Norwalk Historic Fortnight: Celebrating the Centennial program which takes place over the course of two weeks. This particular celebration includes a reception, reflections from Norwalk’s mayors, and a book signing for Norwalk’s Carnegie Libraries, by Isabel Bullen, one of the library’s former catalogers. 

This event is free and open to the public Registration is strongly suggested and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15902.

FAMILY PROGRAM

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at the South Norwalk Branch Library

Saturday, September 14, 2013, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This event is free and is open to the public.  Your Norwalk Public Library card will be your passport to the festivities!   Registration is required and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15902.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

Mostly Mother Goose

Story Time for Two-Year-Olds
Mondays, 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Join us for Mostly Mother Goose, an ongoing, weekly story time designed for two-year-old children, 24 – 35 months old. The story time will consist of mostly Mother Goose rhymes with some classic and modern tales and songs included. Some props are used to help children visualize the rhymes. This event is free and open to the public. This is a drop-in program. No registration is required for individuals. Please call 203.899.2790 x15903 for more information.

Bouncy, Bouncy Babies

Weekly Story Time for Babies 5-23 Months old

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Join us for Bouncy, Bouncy Babies, an ongoing, weekly story time designed with stories, music and activities to get babies bouncing to books. This event is free and open to the public. This is a drop-in-program. No registration is required for individuals.  Please call 203.899.2790 x15903 for more information.

Ages 3 – 5
Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon

Children age 3-5 are invited to make music at the library! Each weekly session, will include singing, dancing, musical stories, and jamming with musical instruments. Children will learn basic musical concepts like rhythm, pitch, and tempo, while participating in fun, hands-on games and activities. This event is free and open to the public. Mini Musicians accepts up to 15 children. Registration is required and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15903.

Short Film & A Craft

All ages through 5th grade

Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Children of all ages, through fifth grade, are invited to a weekly arts and crafts program with a new twist. Children will, first, enjoy a short film based on a book and then create artwork based on the film.  Films run approximately 10 minutes and range from classic fairytales /folktales and classic picture books to current favorites. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15903.

Timeless Tales
Weekly Story Time for Children Ages 3 – 5
Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon

Join us for Timeless Tales, an ongoing, weekly story time for children ages 3 – 5. This story time is full of classic, contemporary and interactive stories, music, fingerplays and movement. Some Mother Goose rhymes are included to help children who are transitioning from our Mostly Mother Goose story time. Props are used to help children relate to and sit through longer stories. This event is free and open to the public. This is a drop-in program. No registration is required for individuals. Please call 203.899.2790 x15903 for more information.

BINGO!

Family Program for Children Ages 5 and Up
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Children ages 5 and up are invited to play bingo and book bingo, which includes characters such as Curious George, Thomas the Tank Engine, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Percy Jackson and more. Winners will receive prizes. This event is free and open to the public. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is strongly suggested and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15903.

Adult Book Club

Book and a Movie: The Hurried Child and Race to Nowhere

Saturday, September 28, 2013, 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

As students settle into their back-to-school routines, we will discuss The Hurried Child by David Elkind, Professor Emeritus of Child Development at Tufts University. The book calls attention to the dangers of hurrying children and overwhelming them with pressures and expectations, which can lead to a wide range of crises later on in their lives. Some sections of the book include 'The Dynamics of Hurrying' (by parents, schools and the media), 'Peer-Group Parent-Pressure,' 'The Kindergarten Crisis,' and 'Lapware, Brain Research, and the Internet.' After the discussion, the film, Race to Nowhere will be shown. Directed by a parent whose then 12 year-old daughter developed emotional and physical health issues due to school stress, Race to Nowhere is a must-see film that challenges parents and educators to work together to help students build success without pressure.

The film will be shown following the book discussion. Those who want to discuss the book are invited to stay to view the movie and those who only want to view the film are welcome to do so.  Multiple copies of the book will be available at the South Norwalk Branch Public Library. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served Registration is required and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15902.

Children’s Book Clubs

American Girl Book Club

Grades 2-5
Monday, September 23, 2013 4:00 – 5:00

The American Girl Book Club, featuring the popular American Girl book series, will meet monthly on the third Monday of each month from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, September 23, 2013 – December 16, 2013 and February 24, 2014 with an American Girl Tea Party being held in January. During each session students in grades 2 – 5 will have the opportunity to discuss the American Girl book they have chosen to read for that month.  The library has an array of American Girl books, which includes the American Girl mystery series and students are invited to check out books they have not read before.  American Girl dolls or favorite dolls are invited to each session which will also include crafts and activities based on the characters' lives and adventures, as well as some read aloud.    Books should be read in advance of each meeting. 

The book club is limited to 16 participants and registration is required.  Registration is required and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15903.

Folklore @ 4:00

A Unique Book Club for Elementary School Students

Ages 5-11
Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 pm

Join us for Folklore@4:00, a unique book club during which a variety of folklore, fairytales and fables will be shared by PowerPoint presentation. Children ages 5 - 11 will not only learn that some books with the same title have different cultural backgrounds, they will learn about fractured fairytales, such as “The Three Little Wolves and the Big, Bad Pig,” as well. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and is available online or by calling 203.899.2790 x15903.