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Director's Note

It’s almost time for every library's busy season: Summer, or more importantly, Summer Reading!

Summer Reading has been a staple of public libraries for decades. In fact, the first Summer Reading program ever took place in 1896 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Summer Reading, for the uninitiated, is a game or a “challenge” many public libraries (including LaGrange!) put on each year during the long school break. Children log the books they read during that time, and in return, they get prizes. The more they read, the more prizes they get. In addition, libraries provide lots of (often daily) activities to children and their families. In recent years, many libraries have gone from only offering summer reading programs to school-aged children to adults, infants and toddlers as well.

Summer Reading has been a thing for so long it’s easy to forget why we do it. When you take away the programs and the prizes, what’s the point? Well, it turns out, reading, or rather not reading, can have some very real consequences, especially for children.

There's a phenomenon called the "Summer Slide," where students’ academic proficiency regresses during the summer break. According to studies, many students forget some of what they learned within that last school year (about 20% in reading proficiency, 27% for math). It might not seem like a lot, but imagine the time it takes to backtrack and relearn certain things, which is then time that doesn’t get spent learning new things. Which kids get hit the hardest? Low income and impoverished children. When things that other families might take for granted-transportation, access to extracurricular activities, a home library-are hard to come by or nonexistent, those kids are more likely to fall behind, and that can have very real consequences.

Summer Reading is also a fantastic opportunity to really get to know your local library! Sometimes kids (and adults!) don’t like reading. That’s fine. They still belong in the library. Everyone does! And maybe, one day, some librarian is going to connect them with a book that finally makes them excited to read! Personally, while it’s great when I get to see any child or teen participate in Summer Reading, when I get to see a child who might be reluctant or struggling to read, participate? That’s a whole new level of job satisfaction!

So if you’re on the fence about getting your child enrolled in Summer Reading this year, just think of all the good that will come of it because you did! And while you’re signing them up, sign yourself up! Reading has been linked to stress reduction, improved brain health and building emotional intelligence in adults. It’s one of the few things in this world that is truly good for you!

To learn more about Summer Reading and everything else we have going on, visit www.laglib.org and check out our services and calendar of events.

Announcements

The Library Board needs the time, talents, and skills of LaGrange residents to ensure the Library’s success as a vital resource in the community. The work is rewarding and the impact is great!

For more information, please contact Ginnie Genovese, trustee and Board Nominating Chair, at gingen424@gmail.com.

Get ready for Summer Reading!

It's time for Summer Reading at LaGrange Library! This year’s theme is Unearth a Story. Join us for a summer full of excitement, where readers of all ages will find new stories to explore and earn prizes for reading!

All ages can regsiter anytime during the summer and submit your logs by visiting the library. The final day to submit reading logs and get raffle tickets is August 14th. Registration and reporting logs must be done in person. Phone calls and/or emails will not be accepted.

Register in-person at anytime, beginning on Friday, June 26th

For more Information about Summer Reading, contact:

sbrandal@laglib.org (Adults/Teens)

ltedesco@laglib.org (Children/Guardians)

Congratulations to the winner of our Spring Raffle Basket, and thank you so much to everyone who supported us by participating in both the raffle and our Spring Book Sale!

Upcoming Program Highlights

Did you know that home-saved seeds preserve your favorite varieties for free, and they actually germinate better? Join us as a representative from the Cornell Cooperative Extension teaches us the easy steps to harvest, clean and store flower and vegetable seeds. In addition, you will gain an understanding of pollination and seed types to ensure true to type offspring.

Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:00 p.m.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Celebrate the end of school and the start of summer! In honor of this year’s Summer Reading theme: Unearth a Story, we’ll be making a variation on the classic “worms in dirt” snack – this is also the start of this summer’s Teen Hangout series, so come unwind with us! 

Limit 1 craft per teen.

Friday, June 26th, 12:00-2:00 p.m.

For teens grades 6-12.

Registration not required.

Amanda Gosson visits us from Vassar Brothers Medical Center to review water safety with our young patrons. We’ll read a book, color, and hear all about summer swim safety. 

Afterwards, Mrs. T will have a cool craft: decorate your own foam sun visor! Let’s keep cool and safe this summer!

Adults stay for our informative program.

Monday, June 29th at 11:30 a.m.

For children ages 4-10.

Be sure to register here.

 In the late 20th century, Mexican gray wolves and red wolves were declared to be extinct in the wild. Through intensive efforts, such as breeding programs and wild releases, these wolves have resumed their rightful places on the wild landscape. Join us as a wolf expert tell us the story of how conservationists saved a species from the brink of extinction, and how you can support wolves today!

Wednesday, June 17th at 6:00 p.m.

All ages are welcome!

Be sure to register here.

Library Book Clubs

This book club meets both in-person and virtually every month.

This month's selection is

Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn.

We will be meeting on

Wednesday, June 10th at 7:30 p.m. 

To reserve a physical copy with your library card click here.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Join us for our in-person daytime book club.

This month's selection is

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict.

We will be meeting on

Thursday, June 25th at 12:30 p.m.

To reserve a physical copy with your library card click here.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Other Programs

The LaGrange Library Hiking Club meets on the second Saturday of each month, weather permitting and subject to change.

The location of this month's hike is the Marlboro Nature Trail

at 1260 Rt. 9W, Marlboro.

All hikers are required to have a signed waiver on file before they're able to join our hikes. Contact Samantha Brandal at sbrandal@laglib.org for more information.

Saturday, June 13th at 9:00 a.m.

For adults.

Be sure to register here.

Samantha, our Adult and Teen Services Librarian, is excited to assist you with your technology troubles. She can help you navigate a variety of tech issues such as using a new device or filling out online forms, as well as exploring topics such as safeguarding your online privacy, creating secure passwords, and more.  Sign up for a one-on-one session today!

We now have evening appointments available on the second Wednesday of the month!

Tech help is available by appointment only. This is to ensure enough time and attention can be dedicated to answering your question thoughtfully and carefully.



Be sure to register here.

When registering, please provide the device type you’re seeking assistance with (iPhone, Android, laptop, etc.), as well as a brief description of your problem.

School might be out, but we're ready to vibe! Teen Summer Hangout is an open space for teens to hang out with their friends and maybe make some new ones, too; we have board games, puzzles, music, video games, and snacks. Pop in for a bit or stay for the whole session!

Our first session, on June 26th, will also feature a special edible craft!

Fridays, 06/26 - 08/28

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Registration not required.

Mrs. T would like to remind you that Father’s Day is June 21st. Don’t panic! Mrs. T is inviting you to drop by the library to make a small scrapbook for dad. SHHH! Don’t tell him!

All you need to do is bring in some photos. We’ll supply a mini scrapbook and all the materials you’ll need to create the perfect present for dad!

Mrs. T promises not to tell your dad! (Or granddad, or stepdad, or foster dad, or uncle…)

Adults are invited to stay and help with the scrapbooking. Dress for a mess!

Saturday, June 20th

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

For ages 2-12.

This is a drop-in event. No registration is required.

Book Nook

Whenever you stop by the library, please peruse our selection of new and gently used books, DVDs, and music CDs in our Book Nook.

This month's highlight: Fill a Bag Sale

We have some goodies left over from our Spring Book Sale, so we're having a limited-time fill a bag sale! For $5, fill a (reasonably sized) bag with items of your choice from our Book Nook.

The sale will start at 12pm on Friday, May 22nd, and run until we close on Saturday, June 6th. Please bring your own bag if you are able.

All proceeds benefit the LaGrange Library.  

Reading Recommendations

Looking for a good book?

Want to know what title is next in a series?

Like an author and want to read something similar?

Need a recommendation for your book club?

We can help!

Click here to fill out the request form.

You can also find it by going to laglib.org and clicking "Reading Suggestions"



Questions? Call 845-452-3141 or email sbrandal@laglib.org

Want to know what library staff are reading?

Click here to go to the Staff Picks page on our website.

Alternatively, you can go to laglib.org and click "Reading Suggestions"

All Programs

For more information and to sign up for any of these programs, click here.