CHILD YOGA AT THE LIBRARY

A fun way to stay active with children

Why yoga? More specifically why child yoga? Over two years ago I was visiting the chiropractor on a biweekly basis. He kept encouraging me to join a gym but I didn't think I had the time or the money. Well, he put himself out of business--for me at least. I found a gym and the monthly membership was cheaper than my monthly co-pays. Also, I found the hours I had set aside for chiropractor visits were filled with one hour yoga classes at the gym. After just a few weeks my back was exhibiting less pain! It was really working!

The 2-year-old who inspired me to obtain child yoga certification!

At the same time I regularly babysat a two-year-old. She was very energetic and athletic. To fill the time and have fun I began making up 'child-friendly' versions of the yoga moves I was learning at the gym. She loved it. She loved to show off any new moves she learned and I'd use props, like a bouncy ball, for balance and coordination. I began to wonder if I could be certified in child yoga. I already worked with children at the library and could add a second side career. Sure enough, a child yoga certification program was coming to Sol Yoga in Frederick. I signed up and paid for the certification program, with hopes that I'd be able to add to my repertoire at the library and also find some extra work on the side.

I then received permission to hold a child yoga program at C. Burr Artz, in addition to teaching preschool yoga at Sport & Health and subbing for child yoga at Sol Yoga. Everything worked out! I really enjoy teaching the children but, most importantly, the parents learn fun ways to stay active with their children--just like those days when I babysat and found child yoga, I was creating a great boredom-buster and self-esteem booster. Parents can now use the tools I teach for the same purpose.

Submitted by Lanie Lile

Children's Services, C. Burr Artz Public Library

BOOKFEST 2012

Where Spies and Mysteries Lie

What is Bookfest?

Bookfest is a fun way Frederick County Public Libraries promotes literacy and reading. It is a weekend of theme-centered activities, programs, and entertainment for the whole family. This year, all FCPL branches will participate in events and activities that involve spies and mystery.

When is Bookfest?

Saturday, March 10th at all branches and Sunday, March 11th at C. Burr Artz Public Library and Urbana and Thurmont Regional Libraries

What is this year's theme?

Bookfest 2012: Where Spies and Mysteries Lie

What kinds of activities are happening and where?

All branches have their own special programs. Some branches will offer code breaking or making invisible ink. Some will have mystery movies and crafts. All branches will have a special costumed character visit.

•  Dora the Explorer will visit the Brunswick Library at 11 am. We will also have a cryptology program at 1 pm, a scavenger hunt at 2 pm with prizes from the Spy Museum, and show Spy Kids 4 at 3 pm.
• Scooby Doo will visit the C. Burr Artz and Urbana libraries. Urbana is also presenting a dramatic reading of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven at 1 pm and will have a Scavenger Hunt with Sherlock Holmes at 2:30 pm.
• Strawberry Shortcake will visit the Edward F. Fry Memorial Library at Point of Rocks where you can also join in a "Hunt for Shortcake" and a make-and-take craft, starting at 12 pm.
• Blue from Blue's Clues will visit the Emmitsburg Library at 1 pm, where you can also attend Junior Secret Agent Training at 10:30 am or Make Your Own Spy Kit at 2:30 pm.
• Spongebob Squarepants will visit the Middletown Library at 10 am.
• Diego will visit the Walkersville Library at 10 am.
• The C. Burr Artz Public Library will also show the movie Cars 2 at 12 pm and spy and mystery book trailers at 2 pm, have a favorite mystery or spy character children's costume parade starting at 10:30 am, and a Blue's Clues Scavenger Hunt. A LEGO^Ò room will be open all day both Saturday and Sunday. WAGS for Hope will bring costumed reading dogs for their READ program at 2 pm.
• Blue will visit the Thurmont Library, where they will also have a cryptology program for kids at 10:30 am and a Secret Agent Man program for teens to learn about codes and invisible ink at 3 pm. 

Check with your favorite branch about their events and activities or go to fcpl.org to view the complete list of events.

Do I need to register for programs?

Some programs require registration and those are designated in the spring edition of BookMarks and on the website on the Events Calendar. Many of the activities will be ongoing throughout the day and are designed for everyone who attends to just jump right in and participate with no pre-registration.

Submitted by Robin Goetz and Robin Bowers

EXPRESS YOUR 'GREEN' SIDE!

I remember being in 4th grade at a school assembly when I first learned that if I recycled milk cartons at home they could one day be reused to make benches for our school playground. I thought it was the coolest idea: a bench made of milk cartons! At the time it seemed like a magical concept, and of course I immediately informed my parents that evening that we were recycling (much to their initial skepticism). And we did--and it felt good, like we were really making a difference. In 4th grade it didn't seem like such a monumental effort to help the environment. Maybe it's the optimism that comes naturally from being a kid. But I remember how it felt at that age when I was told at the school assembly that I could make a difference. It didn't feel corny. It felt empowering.

At the library, we're interested in helping kids express their 'Green' side, which is why we've created a whole lineup of programs for the months of March, April, and May that celebrate the 3 R's: reduce, reuse, and recycle! From reusing plastic containers, making shrinky dinks, or creating colorful bottle cap art, our lineup of programs is meant to inspire a new generation to rethink 'trash' in creative ways. And some programs are just inspired by the color green, like the Green Eggs and Ham program at Walkersville Library-we've got something for everybody!

So, if your family has been recycling for years or has been thinking about starting, come join us at the library to 'Express Your Green Side!" You'll have a blast making some treasure out of trash!

For a complete listing of events, please visit fcpl.org/programs. Here's a sample of the 'Green' programs being offered: