Small Library Pilot Project Information Session

Save the Date, Tuesday, August 17^th, 6:30 pm

Shutesbury Athletic Club (under the pavilion).

Lauren Stara and Andrea Bunker, Library Building Specialists with the MBLC will join us for an information session about the Small Library Pilot Project.

Lauren and Andrea will give an overview of the project and answer questions. They will also gather input about our community's library needs for an updated building program.

 A building program outlines the goals, conditions and objectives of a construction project. To create our program, we will consult Library planning guides. More importantly, we will gather input from townspeople, library staff, Trustees, volunteers, and local professionals as we create this set of instructions for the architect who will design a new Shutesbury Library.

The information session will be videoed.

The M.N. Spear Memorial Library is pleased to present Walk With Ease, a self-directed program certified by the Arthritis Foundation.

The Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Program is an exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you can have success with Walk With Ease.

The Library, in collaboration with the Springfield College Department of Physical Therapy is offering this free 6-week program. It includes guided coaching sessions, a Walk With Ease book and access to Arthritis Foundation Resources.

The program is self-directed and the weekly coaching session occurs at a mutually agreed upon time between the participant and their coaching team.

Register by September 1st by emailing library.director@shutesbury.org

September 12^th through 23^rd

Pick up a copy of Walk With Ease at the Library

Intake interview by phone or Zoom with a coach

September 27^th

Program begins!

Space is limited – reserve your spot now!

Summer Fun for Children

Summer Reading Bingo

Children ages four to twelve are invited to play Summer Reading Bingo. Pick up a card at the Library, complete any five squares and return the card to the Library by August 15^th to be entered into a drawing for prizes!

Take-home Activity Kits

Throughout the summer, the Library will offer take-home activity kits designed to inspire creativity and discovery. These kits are designed for children ages four to twelve.

About every other week, we will announce a new kit. Families can arrange to pick up kits via outside pickup or during in-person visits. Email library.director@shutesbury.org to reserve a kit. Each kit is available while supplies last.

July 20th through 31st

For children ages three to six we are offering the book, Backyard Explorer: Bug Hunt and some of the supplies needed to search for bugs in your yard.

For children ages seven to thirteen, we are offering the book, Wildlife Ranger Action Guide by Mary Kay Carson, along with some of the supplies needed to complete some of the projects in the book.

One kit per age group, per family. Kits are distributed while supplies last.

The kits are supported in part by a grant from the Shutesbury Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional support is provided by the Friends of the M.N. Spear Memorial Library.

What’s Your Four Teen Challenge

Shutesbury Teens, ages 12 and up are encouraged to join our local #WhatsYourFour challenge!

Children who read four or more books over the summer fare better on reading-comprehension tests in the fall than children who read one or no books over the summer. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is challenging everyone to read four books this summer - and to share their experience with others. Join the conversation and tell us, #WhatsYourFour?

1.      Post the titles and authors of the books you are reading on social media along with a picture of yourself reading.

2.      Use the hashtag #WhatsYourFour.

3.      Tag the Library and your friends and ask them to share their four!

Together, we can share in the fun of reading and encourage children and teens to read this summer.

Stop by the Library to pick up at #WhatsYorFour challenge card. Read and record four books, and return the card by August 15^th to be entered into a drawing for prizes!

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

For the next few months, participants will explore opportunities to learn more about topics discussed in these books on their own. We will have monthly meetings to share our individual experiences.

Newcomers are welcome.

To join us, email library.director@shutesbury.org

Additional funding is provided by the Friends of the M.N. Spear Memorial Library.

Taichi

with Henry Geddes.

The M.N. Spear Memorial Library and the Wendell Free Library are pleased to offer Taichi with Henry Geddes.

Thursdays, July 1^st through August 19^th, 10 am, in the outdoor pavilion at the Shutesbury Athletic Club

Registration required. Preference given to those who can attend all (or most classes).

Class size is limited. Register by emailing library.director@shutesbury.org.

Join us for an introduction to Taichi short form developed in the 1940's by Cheng Man-ch'ing, a notable expert of Taichi, Chinese medicine, calligraphy, painting, and poetry. Henry has been teaching Taichi for the past ten years and practicing it for 26 years, ten of which were spent as a senior student of Wolfe Lowenthal, a student of Cheng Man-ch'ing. The classes will introduce the form as well as warmup movements and qi gong routines. Attention given to the health benefits as well as the deeper cultural aspects of the practice.

This program is brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

These programs are brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and  Library  Services and  administered by the  Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Additional funding is provided by the Shutesbury Council on Aging and the Friends of the M.N. Spear Memorial Library.

Shutesbury Board of Health

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Information from the U.S. public health agency - including steps to prevent illness,  advice for talking with children, and much more.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

Statewide updates – including cases, quarantines, and monitoring

Global Map of COVID-19 Cases - John Hopkins University

Digital Escape Rooms!

Science games and activities

Storyline Online - Children's books read by authors

Scholastic Learn at Home

Coloring Pages

Boston Children's Museum learning resources

Bedtime Math Cabin Fever Math

SchoolHouse Rock

PBS Kids Daily

Audible Stories

Music, books, ukulele with Emily Arrow

https://www.youtube.com/emilyarrow

Virtual Field Trips for everyone!

Dave Pilkey, Captain Underpants and Dog Man activities

https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/books/dav-pilkey-at-home/

https://www.justbooksreadaloud.com/index.php?t=Home&p1=&p2=