Library Briefs
Book sale returns!
The popular Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library book sale will return on Saturday Oct. 24th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Library Lawn. Used books in good condition of every description will be available at bargain prices.
Book sales are the Library Friends’ major fund-raising events, and all proceeds go to the Library in the form of donations for programs and other services and resources.
Volunteers are needed to help at the sale in approximately two-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to find some great books, meet your neighbors, and help the Library. High school students may earn service learning hours toward graduation by volunteering at the sale. To volunteer or for further information, contact Ellen Robbins at ellenr@takomaparkmd.gov.
Summer Quest success
We’ve tallied the final figures, and we had another successful Summer Quest summer reading program, thanks to readers ranging in age from one to 54. Overall, 115 readers read at least one book, but many readers read more. Summer Quest participants read more than 1,100 books as they made their way through the 10 reading challenges. Our top reader was Esme Chang-Gillespie, a pre-schooler who read 106 books with her parents and baby brother. Ten-year-old Kiera Norris was a very close second, reading 101 books; Kiera also completed all the extra reading Summer Quest challenges.
While Summer Quest 2015 is over, we’re gearing up for our third annual Winter Quest reading program. Watch for more details soon about Winter Quest, which is designed to keep kids reading over the December holidays.
Halloween events
Halloween fans are in for a real treat this year, as we have a trio of events designed to celebrate the season. First up is a program featuring award-winning kids’ novelist Mary Downing Hahn, who specializes in writing spine-tingling tales for young readers. Hahn, a Maryland resident who has sold more than two million copies of her books, will be here on Monday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. to talk about her newest book, “Took.” School Library Journal says of “Took” that “horror fans and readers looking for a good scare will enjoy this creepy tale,” while The Horn Book noted that “this creepy tale skillfully weaves in —and honors — the oral tradition of folklore, legends, and ghost stories.” Politics & Prose Bookstore will be selling copies of Hahn’s books at the event, but the program is free, and no purchase is required to attend
Next, on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2-3 p.m., kids are invited to come and make some Halloween crafts. All materials are provided, courtesy of the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library. Kids just need to bring their creativity!
Finally, on Monday, Oct. 26, veteran storyteller Candace Wolf returns with her annual “Scary Stories” program. Wolf, a local resident who has done storytelling all over the world, will offer two sets of tales. From 7-7:45 p.m., she’ll tell stories that are just a bit scary and perfect for ages 5-7. From 7:50-8:50 p.m., she’ll ratchet up the scary quotient with tales for kids ages 8-13. No registration necessary; just come and enjoy some scary fun!
Authors, authors!
We’ve got something for everyone in our October line-up of author programs co-sponsored by Politics & Prose Bookstore. All events will take place in the Library’s Children’s Room, unless otherwise noted. Politics & Prose will sell books at each event, but the programs are free and no purchase is required to attend.
Picture book lovers will enjoy two fun events. First on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m., international best-selling author Eoin Colfer (best known for his “Artemis Fowl” novels for kids) will join with illustrator Oliver Jeffers to present their new book, “Imaginary Fred.” Then, on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Matt Davies, a Pulitzer Prizewinning editorial cartoonist turned children’s book author/illustrator, will highlight his newest book, “Nerdy Birdy.”
Young fans of the “Ranger’s Apprentice” series will want to mark their calendars for Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m., when author John Flanagan reveals his newest adventure series. This event will take place in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium.
For kids who love nonfiction, check out the program on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. featuring science writer Tam O’Shaughnessy. She’ll focus on her new book, “Sally Ride: The Photobiography of America’s Pioneering Woman in Space.” Non-fiction lovers also will enjoy an event on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30, when author Gabrielle Balkan discusses her new book, “The 50 States.”
This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.
