Join us this month for celebrations of nature. From registering for Science in the Summer, to enjoying a conversation about birds with Longwood Gardens Community Read authors, to planting a container garden, many of this month’s Library programs celebrate the wonders of the natural world.
Beanstack Reading challenge — Reading Glasses
For adults: Want to learn how to make the most out of your reading lifestyle? Read a book for each badge and complete the activities to elevate your literary experience! Review the books to collect review badges and be automatically entered to win a prize. This challenge continues until the end of the year. Enjoy! The challenge begins May 1st. Register here: https://delcolibraries.beanstack.org/reader365
GSK Science in the Summer — Free Kit Lottery
May 3 – 21
Be an Engineer at home this summer! The GSK Science in the Summer™ Be an Engineer program is offered virtually in the greater Philadelphia area. Through online videos and at-home experiments, children take on the roles of different engineers to solve real-world problems. Children then join virtual research team meetings with Franklin Institute scientists and educators to share their results. Be an Engineer is designed for children ages 7-13, and we invite your whole family to explore together at home!
Families in Delaware County may enter an online lottery from May 3 – May 21, 2021 at http://scienceinthesummer.fi.edu/phila to receive a free kit of science materials from a local library. Kits will include materials for the Environmental and Electrical Engineer activities. Additional online content is available for continued exploration with the Structural and Biomedical Engineer activities. Please note that if you are not selected in the lottery, all activity guides, materials lists, and videos will be shared online, so you can still assemble your own materials and have fun being engineers at home! For more information, click here: https://delcolibraries.libcal.com/event/7691700?hs=a
Birds and Birding: A community Read Conversation
Tuesday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Longwood Gardens Community Read authors J. Drew Lanham (The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature) and Mya Thompson (Ruby’s Birds), along with John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Park Ranger Wingyi Kung talk about their lifelong love of birds and nature during this free 75-minute webinar. Register by May 3, 2021:
https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/birds-birding-community-read-conversation
Take and Make Craft: Happy Mother’s Day waterfall Card
May 4 – 8
Stop by the Library and pick up a craft bag. All the supplies you’ll need and directions for making an unusual Mother’s Day card will be in the bag. Older children may need to help their younger brothers and sisters, especially if it’s a surprise for mom. No registration. Available while supplies last. Craft adapted from this video posted by Crafts and Kutir.
Artists on Storytelling: A community Read Conversation
Tuesday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m.
Longwood Gardens Community Read author J. Drew Lanham (The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature) and master storyteller and creator of Voices in the Landscape Charlotte Blake Alston discuss the art of storytelling during this free webinar. Register by May 10, 2021:
Beanstack Summer Reading Challenge — Tails & Tales
Preregistration begins May 17
For all ages: Join us beginning on May 17th to preregister for the Tails & Tales Summer Reading Challenge! We will be using Beanstack to help you track your progress and earn badges. Beanstack is easy to use and available online and as an app. A children’s, teen and adult challenge will be offered. For more information, click here.
Learn about Libby
Monday, may 17, at 10:00 a.m.
Libby experts are hosting training sessions to help you access our library’s digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks and magazines through the free Libby app on May 17 beginning at 10am! Learn how to get started and some basic browsing and searching tips first, and then stick around for some favorite pro-tips and tricks! There will also be a Q&A session. Sign up to join here: http://bit.ly/delcotrain.
Leafy Greens: A Container Garden Workshop
Thursday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a container garden workshop at the Ruth Bennett Community Farm. All supplies will be provided for this event during which participants will plant a container garden filled with leafy green vegetables and herbs. The workshop will be held near the basketball courts during the Farm’s free food basket distribution. While supplies are free, registration is required. Register by for the workshop by clicking here. Please note: This is an in-person event at the Ruth Bennett Community Farm, 1318 Carla’s Lane, Chester, PA near the basketball courts.
Story Time: Ruby’s Birds
Friday, May 21, at 11:00 a.m.
Join us for a story time based on this year’s Longwood Gardens Community Read book, Ruby’s Birds by Mya Thompson. We’ll read the story, sing some songs, and listen for the sounds in our neighborhood. For children ages PreK-3rd Grade. Register for the Zoom link here.