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Beach Reads For Summer 2024

Whether you will be enjoying the waves at a beach, lounging by a pool, snoozing in a hammock or enjoying the air conditioning at home here are some great books to take with you!

Mother’s Day 2024

What better way to honor moms than to read about motherhood and all of its ups and downs!

Reading Buddies

Each year we look forward to bringing you our long running Reading Buddies program, which pairs kiddos grades 1-4 with a teen volunteer reading mentor between grades 7-12. This year to make the program even more accessible for all interested in fostering reading opportunities for their kids over the summer, we’re offering a June and July session. This program is made for any children grades 1-4 regardless of their reading level. You can choose to apply for one or both sessions, based on what works best with your summer schedule. Apply to be a Little Reading Buddy.

Tuesdays at 2:15 PM 

Session 1 June 4, 11, 18 & 25 

Session 2 July 9, 16, 23 & 30

This program not only benefits young kiddos from avoiding the summer slide, but gives teens an opportunity to get involved in their community and gain service hours that qualify for A+. Teens grades 7-12 can apply to volunteer at the library, make a difference in a kiddos life and give their future resume a great credential. We’ve see so many of our past reading buddy mentors go far. Apply to be a Big Reading Buddy.

Library of Things Spotlight:

DIY and Maintenance Tools

The Kirkwood Public Library has many items you can borrow from books to movies, magazines to music. We also loan out a variety of non-traditional library items. We refer to these items as the Library of Things. Each month, we will be highlighting parts of this collection.

Featured in May are our new collection of home DIY and Maintenance tools. Have you ever found yourself needing a tool to assist in a home project? Well now, KPL has a variety of items you can checkout to help. Why purchase it for a one time need, when you can borrow from the library.

Why not repair your phone instead of buying a new one. Test the air quality of your home, or measure your electricity usage. Need to label that circuit breaker box? I know I did, and our circuit breaker locator did just the trick. Drop that wedding ring down the drain? Try our endoscope to locate and fish it out! Does that article of clothing have a tear? Our sewing machine has more stitch patterns that you could possible want.

Our collection features:

• Air Quality Monitor
• Digital Radon Detector
• Digital Wall Scanner
• Electrical Test Kit
• Electricity Usage Monitor
• Electronic Repair Tool Kit
• Industrial Endoscope
• Infrared Thermometer
• Laser Distance Measure
• Laser Level
• Moisture Meter
• Sewing Machine

View our entire collection of DIY and Maintenance items here. And while our selection is not comprehensive, we welcome suggestions for new additions to the collection. You can use the contact forms on our website to make a suggestion to the Technology dept.

Applied Leadership Pathways

Kirkwood Public Library is excited to announce a new leadership program at the library! Applied Leadership Pathways is a way to set up our communities to create leaders starting at a young age, and continue to give leadership opportunities to those who are seeking career growth or change. We foster a community of leaders at all levels. Our leadership project will strengthen the skills of the people in the community in order to create strong businesses, strong workforces, and strong communities.  

ALPS is a 10 month leadership course, with sessions once per month. The sessions will be open to the public, but if chosen as one of the core members of the cohort, you will be expected to attend all sessions. The first cohort will hold 25 people. Applications will be open May 1 - May 17th. 

Interested in applying? For more information or to apply go to https://kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org/alps/.

This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Music in the Library

Kirk Hanser & Gary Hochberg

Join us Sunday, May 5th at 2:00pm for Music in the Library: Kirk Hanser and on Sunday, June 2nd at 2:00pm Music in the Library: Gary Hochberg.

Since the mid 80's, Kirk Hanser has performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan as a soloist and ensemble member. In concert and on recordings these days, he is mainly heard with John McClellan as the internationally acclaimed Hanser-McClellan Guitar Duo. When playing in St. Louis, he performs regularly as an on-call guitarist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Muny, St. Louis Opera Theater, as well as for weddings and corporate events.

Gary Hochberg will present An Afternoon with Jim Croce and Harry Chapin. Gary will perform the songs of two great artists who both died much too young in tragic accidents on their way to performances. Gary Hochberg is a former member of the Kirkwood Arts Commission and the Kirkwood Arts Foundation. He served for several years as Chairperson of the Making Music Concert Park. He has played acoustic guitar and performed folk music since 1961.