After School Is Cool At Pauline Robinson
Students Get Fill Of Cooking, Crafts, STEM
By Becky Corning
Librarian, Pauline Robinson Branch
Pauline Robinson Branch is one of five Denver Public Library branches that offer ASIC (After School is Cool) activities five days a week during the school year.
The program is targeted at 8- to 12-year-olds, but any school-age child may attend. Funding through the Denver Foundation allows programming such as cooking, arts and crafts, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities with community partners like the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo, and Science Matters. All programs are free to participants.
ASIC is also offered at the Athmar Park, Green Valley Ranch, Valdez-Perry, and Westwood branches. Research showed the greatest need for after-school programs in the neighborhoods where these branches are located.
This year, a new After School is Cool PLUS program will bring STEM Camps to seven additional branches.
Each of the five traditional ASIC branches has a youth assistant recruited from nearby high schools. For most, this is their first job. The assistants reflect their neighborhood demographics and therefore serve as role models for younger participants.
“The really cool thing about ASIC is that it really creates positive relationships,” said Mary Trujillo, who has coordinated the program at Pauline Robinson Branch since the program’s inception. The limit each day is 15 to 20 kids to ensure the coordinator and youth assistant can interact with all participants.
“I think it builds relationships within the library, too – they see it as ‘their place,’” Trujillo added.
ASIC is offered every school day at 4:15 p.m. at the Pauline Robinson Branch.
Pauline Robinson Branch Library Events
Comedy Improv for Tweens with Play-Ground Theatre | Saturday, October 3, 1 p.m.
Founders of Play-Ground Theatre and drama specialists Mia Sole & Jeff Haycock share their performing arts magic, enthusiasm, and experience as they lead actors in a super charged theatrical exploration including acting, comedy, and improv games. Ages 10 to 14. For more information about Play-Ground Theatre, go to www.playgroundtheatre.com.
Computer Basics: EMAIL II | Monday, October 5, 1 p.m.
In this class we’ll learn how to clean up our email inbox, protect against spammers, and create folders to organize emails. We’ll also learn how to attach a file to an email, and how to download attachments. An email account is required. Space is limited, come early.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, October 7, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
Finger Puppet Making with Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys | Saturday, October 10, 11 a.m.
Learn how to make finger puppets. Perfect for families and children ages 5-9.
Fun with Fall Planting | Saturday, October 10, 1 p.m.
Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. The soil is warmer now than in spring, and there’s still time for roots to get established before it snows. Learn about how to plant trees, shrubs and bulbs.
Staying Safe Online | Monday, October 12, 1 p.m.
Learn how to stay safe online by protecting your personal information and avoiding common Internet scams. Space is limited, come early.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, October 14, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
GOOGLE Calendar 101 | Monday, October 19, 1 p.m.
Learn how to use Google’s online calendar for effective time management, sharing event information, invites, notifications and more. Must have email address to attend this class. Space is limited, come early.
Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, October 24, 12 p.m.
This month’s selection: God Help the Child by Toni Morrison; drop-ins are welcome.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, October 21, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
Open Lab | Monday, October 26, 1 p.m.
Did you attend one of our classes or one-on-one appointments, but now you need to practice the skills you learned? Need help searching the internet, sending emails, or using MS Word? Drop by Open Lab. Space is limited, come early.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, October 28, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.
Park Hill Branch Library Events
Tuesday Tech Hour | Tuesdays at 12 p.m.
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Special Halloween celebration Thursday, October 29. Costumes welcome.
Book Babies: Early Walkers | Thursdays at 11:15 a.m.
Tales for Twos | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Special Halloween celebration Friday, October 30. Costumes welcome.
Book Babies: Pre-Walkers | Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Instruments of Peace | Saturday, October 3, 2 p.m.
Using instruments born of a military tradition of pipes and drums going to battle, Instruments of Peace uses these same instruments to promote peace. Bring a camp chair or a blanket and enjoy the melodious tones of the bagpipe with the driving rhythm of a conga drum on a beautiful fall afternoon on the lawn.
Magic Club | Monday, October 5 and Monday, October 19, 4:30 p.m.
Are you a Teen in grades 6-12? Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are interested in learning? Join us one Monday a month to play and meet other Teens who are also Magic-Minded! *Join us for a special Draft Day on Saturday, October 31 from 1-4 p.m.*
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 20, 6 p.m.
Teens ages 13 and up are invited to join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan library events and projects at the Park Hill Library, talk about your favorite books, and make your opinion count. Join us for twice monthly meetings.
Voice of the Wood Chamber Players | Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy and beautiful and lively music of this cello quartet and two violins from the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra. They have previously performed with the Jefferson symphony, the Parker symphony and on tour in England.
No Strings Attached Book Discussion Group | Saturday, October 10, 11 a.m.
You are invited to this non-traditional take on book clubs. Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can, no strings attached.
Star Wars Reads Week Celebrations! | Saturday, October 10, 2 p.m.
The Force is strong at the library! Star Wars Reads Week, a celebration of all things Star Wars and the joy of reading, has returned. Each location will host different activities, so you may want to attend more than one. Activities may include: crafts, games, costume contests, trivia, snacks and fun worthy of a galaxy far, far away. Costumes Encouraged.
Nightmares Unhinged with Hex Publishers Panel | Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 p.m.
Just in time for Halloween, a very fun and scary evening with Hex Publishers with a book discussion and signing event celebrating their newly released horror anthology, Nightmares Unhinged. Hex Publishers co-founders, Joshua Viola, Dean Wyant and several award winning and bestselling contributing authors will be here.
PW3 | Wednesday, October 14, 6:30 p.m.
PW3 is an experimental music project featuring current members of, and past contributors to, seminal indie rock outfits such as The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel. Formed in the mid 90’s out of a shared interest to perform jazz standards, they have gone on to pay homage to influences like James Brown, Sun Ra, Sonic Youth, and Stereolab in original compositions.
Blooming Readers 4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, October 15, 3:30 p.m.
Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost by Cornelia Funke
Activity: Make SLIME!
Park Hill Garden Club | Saturday, October 17, 3 p.m.
Meet fellow gardeners to swap stuff, ideas, and tips.
Genre Chat 2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, October 20, 3:30 p.m.
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe
Science Fun: Jumping Rabbit Cups!
The Outfit | Wednesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m.
Denver’s The Outfit offers an earnest take on garage rock revival, championing straightforward, back to basics pop songwriting with unapologetic sincerity.
Open Sewing Lab | Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.
Enjoy distraction-free sewing at our open sewing lab where you can bring any project to work on.
Reading is Beautiful | Saturday, October 24, 3 p.m.
It’s hip to be square! Join us for art activities after we read the book, Perfect Square, by Michael Hall.
Riverside Drive | Wednesday, October 28, 6:30 p.m.
With a unique and charming sound, Riverside Drive evokes the flair and toe-tapping mood of soul music wrapped in the comfort of folk music with a rare pre-soul flavor.