The Circulation Desk - September 2024

The Circulation Desk

Our Monthly Newsletter

September 2024

Director's Letter

It’s the end of summer and the beginning of school for many of our families. It’s a great time for everyone to get excited to learn and try new things. We have a host of new programs coming up that will appeal to all ages. We also have our favorites restarting or continuing. Welcome back our regular storytime for babies to preschool age. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce reading, fingerplay and songs to little ones. It is also a great opportunity for new parents to meet other new parents. Some of my closest friends I met in storytime at the old library many years ago. This month we are also beginning a Sensory Friendly calm time in the children’s room every Thursday from 10:00-11:00. We will have quiet activities set up, and lights low to provide this hour for families to enjoy the library in a sensory friendly way. Back this year is our Grandparents Day Celebration. In collaboration with Pack Horse Ford DAR the library will be filled with activities that grandparents and grandchildren can enjoy together. A photobooth, storytime and group activities will be available. Also be sure to sign up for FOSL’s first ever Spelling Bee. This will be a fun and funny way to help raise funds for the library. Don’t worry, they are going to keep the words pretty easy. Once again it’s a busy month of programs here at the library. Read on for all that is going on here at the library. Be sure to check out our calendar online and follow us on social media.

Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) has a new fundraiser happening in September! Join us for a fun evening at the Shepherdstown Public Library. Spelling, raffle baskets, refreshments and lots of laughs! $20 Entry Fee for Spelling Bee contestants, $5 for spectators. All entrants will receive one raffle ticket, and contestant fee includes one glass of wine. Purchase one-word do-over insurance for $10. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Raffle tickets for baskets from local businesses will be 3 for $5. Snacks and wine available for purchase. To register please email foslwvinfo@gmail.com, or just come to the library the evening of the Bee! Funds raised support the Library! (cash or check preferred, credit cards accepted)

WE HOPE YOU JOIN US FOR "THE BEE!"

BASKETRY EXHIBIT COMING TO THE LIBRARY GALLERY

Join us for a full month of an extraordinary art show featuring the exquisite basketry of Anne Bowers. This special exhibit will take place through Oct. 8th at the Shepherdstown Public Library.

Anne Bowers’ work is a unique blend of beauty and functionality. Each basket she creates is not just a woven vessel but a work of art that invites interaction. Anne’s pieces explore the interplay of fiber, color, and shape, turning ordinary objects into extraordinary art-in-hand. Her work is an evolving expression of basketry that invites viewers to touch, linger, and learn about the process behind these intricate creations.

Please join us for the Opening Reception on Friday, September 6th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Meet the artist, see the art, and enjoy refreshments with other community members!

Join us at the library on Saturday, September 28th at 11 AM for a special screening of "Flyways - The Untold Story of Migratory Shorebirds," a captivating film that delves into the incredible journeys of shorebirds as they traverse the globe. This film highlights the vital role these birds play in our ecosystem and the importance of preserving their migratory pathways.

After the film, learn more about Citizen Science and how even small efforts can contribute to global conservation. Enjoy crafts for kids, along with drinks and snacks, as we embark on this exciting and educational journey.

Family Read-a-thon

On Saturday, September 28th, families are encouraged to come in, sign up, and participate in our Read-a-thon as a start to reading 1000 books to their kids before kindergarten. Volunteers will also be available to read. We’ll be sharing ways to track your progress, tips to set your child up for success, and more!

The "1000 Books Before Kindergarten" program encourages parents to read 1,000 books with their child before starting school, helping to build vocabulary, instill a love of reading, and lay a strong foundation for future learning. Just one book a day can achieve this goal in under three years, setting your child up for success.

Children's Department Introduces New Nature Program

The Shepherdstown Public Library Children's Department is excited to debut a new weekly nature program, building on the success of our Nature Journaling club from the Summer Reading Program. Starting September 6th, through interactive activities and creative projects, this club seeks to nurture a love for nature and a sense of environmental stewardship in the next generation. Although it's tailored for children aged 6 to 10, we eagerly invite kids of all ages to join us on this exciting journey of discovery. The program will be led by Miss Jessie.

SPL Art Exhibit & Lecture Featured in The Journal

On Saturday, August 24th, Jefferson County Museum Historian Doug Perks delivered a lecture entitled "All's Quiet on the Potomac" in the Shepherdstown Public Library’s Commons Room. The lecture focused on the Civil War in and around Jefferson County and complemented the exhibit "A Sense of Place," which features 13 paintings by acclaimed Shepherdstown artist Diana Suttenfield, each depicting scenes from Shepherdstown's past.

The event was featured in *The Journal* newspaper. "As I look around, I can see how things used to be," Perks remarked, highlighting specific details in the paintings displayed in the room.

Read the full article on The Journal's website here.

Historian Doug Perks

Photo Credit: Tabitha Johnston

Artist Diana Suttenfield

Photo Credit: Tabitha Johnston

New Upcoming Programming

Adult Spelling Bee Fundraiser - Sat. Sept. 14, 7 - 9 PM

Grandparents Celebration Day - Sat. Sept. 7, 10 AM - 12 PM This event is sponsored by the Pack Horse Ford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Interwoven: The Basketry of Anne Bowers Opening Reception - September 6, 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Interwoven: The Basketry of Anne Bowers Art Exhibit - September 6 through October 9

Death Cafe - September 3, 12:00-1:00 PM

Adult Pay-What-You-Can Yoga with Elaine Lewis - Thur. Sept 5 and 26, 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Divorce Support Group - Mon. Sept. 9, 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Happiness For No Reason Workshop - Mon. Sept. 16, 10:30 AM - 12 PM

Navigating Senior Care Options & Financial Considerations Workshop - Sept. 26, 10:30 AM - 12 PM

Sensory-Friendly Calm Time in the Children's Library - Thursdays 10 - 11 AM

Wild Wonders Nature Club - Fridays 11 AM - 12 PM

Youth Chess Club - Fridays 1 - 3 PM

Monarch Butterfly Story Time with a Park Ranger - Sept. 25, 4 - 5 PM

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Family Read-a-thon - Sat. Sept. 28, 11 AM - 2 PM

Flyways Movies Screening - Sat. Sept. 28, 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Lego Club - Sat. Sept. 14, 11 AM - 1 PM

Middle Grade Book Club Meeting - Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1:30 PM

Email Rachel at rachel@sheplibrary.org to reserve a copy of "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton. Once reserved, you can pick up the book at the front desk. Meet up on Sept. 21st to discuss!

ONGOING PROGRAMMING AT THE LIBRARY

MONDAYS: Teen Writing Group 4 PM (2nd & 4th Monday each month), Middle School Math Club - 4:30 PM, STEM Club - 4:00 PM

TUESDAYS: Seniors Social Leisure Lounge - 9AM - 12PM, Baby & Toddler Story Time - 11 AM, Teen Art Club 4:30 PM

WEDNESDAYS: Pre-School Story Time 11 AM, Meditation 12 PM

THURSDAYS: Crafternoon 4 PM

FRIDAYS: Sip & Stitch 11 AM, Teen Gaming Afternoon - 3-5 PM

Shepherdstown Public Library | sheplibrary.org

145 Higbee Lane, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 (304) 876-2783