A (Virtual) Penny for Your Thoughts…Please Take Our Survey … and Exciting Kindle News!

As a new school year gets underway, we’d love it if you could take a few minutes and give us your thoughts regarding this newsletter, library programs, and library materials and services in general. Please copy these questions (and your responses) into an email to clevin@sclibnj.org.  We’d love all responses by Oct. 1st if possible.  Thanks!


1. Do we offer the kinds of programs and services at the Bridgewater Library that you and your family are looking for?  What do you like? What’s missing?
2. Are the program times convenient?  Would other times be better? 
3. What other library materials and services do you use?
4. What other library materials, programs, and services would you like to see us offer?
5. What parts of this Youth Services Library Newsletter do you find most useful?
6. Have you used the “useful links for families” on the side of our site?  (Click on the headline to see them if you are receiving this as an email.)  Any that you find particularly useful?
7. Please tell us whether you are a parent/caregiver, grandparent/friend/relative, or teacher and the ages of the children you bring to the library or bring library materials to.
8. Any other comments or suggestions?

Thanks so much – your feedback will help us plan better to serve your needs! --The Bridgewater Youth Services Librarians

NEW **  NEW *** NEW **** NEW *** NEW ** NEW
Exciting News – The Library now has e-books for Kindle!   Click here to learn more.
We also offer e-books and e-audio for many other systems as well as mobile downloads.  Take a look at our digital media collection – available from the banner atop our home page, using the “Digital Media” link on the right side of our home page and our search pages, or by selecting  “Downloadable Digital Media” in the “Useful Links for Families” section of this site.  (If you are receiving this newsletter by email, click on the headline to open up our full site.)





@ the Library: Programs


Autumn 'Craftacular' (Ages 3-8) Saturday September 24, 2011 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Welcome Autumn 'Craftacular!' Join us for a fall story and craft to welcome the season. Registration begins September 9th.


Rocket Readers Tuesday September 27, 2011 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM For Grades 1-3

An exciting program for brand new readers! At each program we will discuss a book, play some games, or create a “book-tiful” craft related to the story. Students should read the book prior to the program. Copies of the book will be available at the Youth Services Reference Desk.
This month's book:Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems. While Piggie is determined to fly, Elephant is skeptical, but when Piggie gets a little help from others, amazing things happen. Join us to read and discuss the book, and a craft. Registration is required.




LOTS OF GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS, TEENS, and ADULTS!



Picture This: A Trip to Ancient Pompeii  Grades 1-6  Tuesday October 4, 2011 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM   Journey with us to this ancient city - We'll learn about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the destruction it caused, then create Roman-inspired mosaics.   (Note: some material might be too intense for some first & second graders.)   Registration required.








Make a Difference @ the Library! (Volunteer Opportunities)
For students in grades 5 – 6 Thursday October 6, 2011 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM  **Registration required  ATTENTION STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 AND 6: Here is your chance to make a difference by volunteering at the library! Volunteer hours for this month will be limited to today between 7:00pm and 8:00pm.

ROBODYSSEY: How to Talk to a Robot Registration begins September 23rd.
Saturday October 8, 2011 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM For Children in Grades 4-6.
Robots will only do what you tell them to do - not necessarily what you want them to do! Learn the language (syntax) to make robots understand what you mean (semantics) and then solve the Blind Bot's Bluff maze challenge.

Going Batty  Grades K-5 Wednesday, Oct. 12th 2011  4:30-5:30pm Just in time for Halloween, we'll set our sights (with a touch of echolocation!?!) on this most misunderstood mammal.  Join us for stories, scientific investigations, and a bat-terrific craft.  Registration begins September 28th.



And every week through October 14th:

Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Family Story Time (ages 2-6) no registration required. Join us each week for stories, songs, fingerplays, and a short film.


Wednesdays at 10 & 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Toddler Time (18 mo.-3) no registration required. Clapping and singing, rhymes and books….introduce your toddler to the beginnings of story time!




Thursdays at 10:30 Baby Book Time (birth to 18 months) no registration required. Clap your hands and stamp your feet and let you baby feel the beat of stories, songs and rhymes.



Want to see more of our Fall Schedule? Check out our October Bridgewater Library Online Calendar. Also, a reminder that Somerset County Library Cardholders can attend programs at any of our branches…check out their online calendars under the “events/programs” tab on our home page for more information.


@ the Library – for Teens:

If you missed last Saturday’s PSAT Practice Test (for students in Grades 9 -11) you have one more chance this Saturday September 24 at Peapack Gladstone Library, 2011 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM Registration required
A free practice test is one of the best ways to get ready for the real thing. By taking this practice test, you will learn exactly what to expect on test day and receive a complete individual analysis of your results. Don't forget a #2 pencil and calculator! For those who took the practice PSAT at Bridgewater, A follow-up session to get your scores and have your questions answered by a Kaplan representative will be held on Monday, October 3 at 6:30 pm.

Teen Advisory Board Tuesday September 27, 2011 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM For students in Grade 6 – 12 **Registration required
Do you want to make a difference at your library? Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? Then come to one of our upcoming T.A.B. meeting! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served!   Next Teen Advisory Board: Tuesday October 18, 2011.




Make a Difference @ the Library! (Volunteer Opportunities)
For students in grades 5 – 6 Thursday October 6, 2011 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM **Registration required ATTENTION STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 AND 6: Here is your chance to make a difference by volunteering at the library! Volunteer hours for this month will be limited to today between 7:00pm and 8:00pm.


ROBODYSSEY: How to Talk to a Robot  Registration begins September 23rd.
Saturday October 8, 2011 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM  For Children in Grades 4-6.
Robots will only do what you tell them to do - not necessarily what you want them to do!  Learn the language (syntax) to make robots understand what you mean (semantics) and then solve the Blind Bot's Bluff maze challenge.
Saturday October 8, 2011  1:00 PM to 3:30 PM  For students in Grades 7 - 12
Robots will only do what you tell them to do - not necessarily what you want them to do!  Come to our Robodyssey program and learn to speak 'robot language' (or syntax) and learn how to make robots understand what you mean (or semantics).  Then, use what you've learned about syntax and semantics to program your very own robot to navigate a minefield of robot swallowing holes!
Please note: Participants should have functional knowledge of Windows.

Aspiring teen filmmakers: Here’s your chance to make a video!

Want to enter the contest?  Deadline for entries is October 14th. Click on this Entry form for full information and rules.  Contest is open to 6th-12th graders.

@ the Library: Displays:


A is for Alphabet, I is for Imagination! -- Check out our great display of  innovative alphabet books – they are definitely not just for pre-schoolers! 







Celebrating Ezra Jack Keats – in conjunction with the exhibit opening at the Jewish Museum, we are featuring a display of his books.





Happy 90th Birthday Winnie the Pooh – lots of teddy bear stories to share.













Around the Community:

This portion of our site highlights events that may be of interest to area families. To be listed, events must either be free or be sponsored by a non-profit.

Thursday, September 22 - Music is Magic: Music for Special Needs Kids

A music program for special needs children and their families that features guitar, song, movement, shaky eggs, scarves and drums.  This program is is designed to provide an accepting and stimulating musical environment, a safe-haven where children and their parents can sit back and enjoy music-making.  Program is on 9/22 and 10/27.

Where: Watchung Library, 12 Stirling Road, Watchung.  Bicentennial Room.  When: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Who: Birth through age 5 with Caregiver. Registration required.    For more info: Call the library at 908-561-0117.

Saturday, September 24 - Michaels Free Make-it Take-it Event: American Girl

Come to Michaels for a Free American Girl Make-it Take-it Event.  Bring your own doll and be ready to cook up some fun!  While supplies last.Where: Michaels, 1701 Route 22 West, Watchung. When: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Who: Ages 3 and up.How: Just drop in during the craft time listed. Cost: Free. For more info: Call Michaels at 908-490-1144.

Saturday, September 24 - Build & Grow at Lowe's

Fire Truck with Siren: Saturday 09/24/2011 A free children's clinic with instruction on how to build a fire truck with siren will be held at Lowes 10 a.m.Your kids will love this Fire Truck! The kit comes complete with stickers and a working siren! Each participant will receive a free apron, goggles, a themed patch, and a certificate of merit upon completion of their project. Contact 908-904-6140 for further information Where: Lowe's 315 US Highway 206 Hillsborough, 08844 When: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Who: Children up to age 12  How: Just show up!  Cost: FREE!!! For more info: www.lowesbuildandgrow.com

These are just a few events from listings in various calendars & online newsletters including njartsmaven.com,  Hillsborough, Branchburg, Somerville Macaroni Kid, and Warren Macaroni Kid. If your family is looking for things to do, take a look at these sites, as well as many other area event listings are in the “useful websites” section on the right side of this blog (if you are getting this via email, just click on the headline to see them listed.)


Let Your Fingers Do (More) Walking:


Worried about your children’s TV watching?  Check out this National Public Radio Interview: How Can Parents Navigate Children's TV Shows?
Michele Norris speaks with Dr. Dimitri Christakis, director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children's Research Institute, about how parents can navigate the world of children's TV programs. A new study done at the University of Virginia with a group of 4 year olds found those who'd watched the fast-paced cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants performed worse on mental function tests than their peers who watched the slower-paced cartoon Calliou or who simply spent their time drawing. Christakis says young children's brains get over-stimulated by the faster-paced programs — and urges parents to think about what kind of television-watching experience they want their children to have.

Food Allergy Awareness – a Must Read Article for all Parents!

“It is hard enough dropping a child off for school, especially during the first few days in September...but add in a life-threatening food allergy and it becomes frightening. Leaving my soon-to-be 4 year old, will be something I am never 100% comfortable with...his peanut allergy is so severe that accidentally ingesting even 1/100th of a single peanut will send his body into anaphylactic shock and land him in the hospital...”   Read more.
 

Wonderopolis: #350: Can You Fly By the Seat Of Your Pants?
The best-laid plans of mice and men often do go awry, so sometimes you just have to fly by the seat of your pants. Find out more in today’s Wonder of the Day!

Fascinated? You can check out a new wonder every day at Wonderopolis.org!  It is a great site for kids to explore and expand their knowledge of the world (great vocabulary expander & ideas for things to try as well!) Teachers may enjoy using these in their classrooms or on their websites.

5th Annual   Constitution Day Poster Design Contest – Deadline near!

Entries must be postmarked by October 1st, 2011. The first 100 entrants receive a free pocket constitution book from constitutionfacts.com, with the contest winner receiving additional prizes! To enter, download the Constitution Day Poster Design Contest entry form.