After School is Cool
Programs Include Arts, Crafts and STEM Activities
By Mary Trujillo
Pauline Robinson Branch Library
Pauline Robinson Branch Library has provided after school programming for youth ages 8-12 for more than 10 years. After School is Cool (ASIC) is offered five days a week during the school year and gives youth the opportunity to expand their experiences by participating in a wide array of programming that includes arts, crafts and STEM activities.
Relationship building is an important aspect of After School is Cool. The program fosters positive youth development and helps youth create positive relationships with adults and peers. There is a program coordinator and a high school youth assistant to lead programs and serve as mentors. Attendance is capped at 20 participants so the student-to-teacher ratio enables staff to personally engage with all of the youth and provide one-on-one support as needed.
The youth assistant is a neighborhood teen between ages 14-17 and serves a role model.
“My favorite part of being a youth assistant is I like taking a big part of leadership with the kids,” said Leahna Morris, youth assistant for 2017-2018. “Also I like showing the kids that there are a lot of great opportunities for them to take. I like to see the kids grow into a lot of success and what I mean by that is seeing the kids making the right choices.”
ASIC brings a unique atmosphere into the library because those who attend frequently began to take ownership of the program and the library. They create friendships with youth from other schools as well as bonding with the youth assistant.
When After School is Cool started at Pauline Robinson Branch Library there were few after school programs for youth in the neighborhood, and only the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center and Pauline Robinson library offered youth activities. The Pauline Robinson library was a great place to have this program because of the number of young people coming from neighborhoods schools to the library. It continues to be a success, and is a great complement to programming now offered at the Vickers Boys and Girls Club as well as the recreation center.
After 10 years, staff at Pauline Robinson branch will see participants come back as young adults and talk about After School is Cool. The youth assistants who have worked with the program continue to check in.
ASIC starts on Aug. 20 at 4:15 p.m. and will continue throughout the school year.
Pauline Robinson August Programs
Tech Help Appointments | Mondays and Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m.
Get technology assistance from one of our in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. Call the library at 720-865-0290 to schedule an appointment for Monday or Tuesday.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesdays, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3- to 5-year olds and their parents or caregivers.
Rock’n Read Rocky Mountain Puppets | Wednesday, Aug. 1, 11 a.m.
Come join ventriloquist Meghan Casey and see how dreams really can come true! Aidan, the 4-year-old marshmallow-loving dinosaur wants to start his very own rock band. Challenges and obstacles present themselves when auditions are held for the band. See how teamwork and compromise are valuable life lessons. All ages. (Join us right after Storytime.)
Locker Mirror Organizer | Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2 p.m.
Participant will repurpose a locker mirror using duct tape and cardboard. (Teens)
Solar Fair as part of Denver Days | Saturday, Aug. 4, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Come learn about solar options and how they will impact your home, including low and no-cost programs. You don’t have to spend a lot to make a big difference. Come meet the experts and figure out the best option for your home and budget.
Tape and Paint Dots | Wednesday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m.
Make a masterpiece with tape, paint dots, & paper. Ideal for children age 0-5. (Join us right after Storytime.)
Clay Sculpting | Wednesday, Aug. 8, 3 p.m.
Use clay and a little creativity to sculpt a masterpiece sculpture of your own design. Ideal for children in grades K-5.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, Aug. 25, 12 p.m.
This month’s selection: Men We Reaped: A Memoir by Jesym Ward. Drop-ins are welcome.
Park Hill Branch August Events
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program.
Baby Storytime | Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Play and social time immediately follow the program.
Toddler Storytime | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers.
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo | Wednesday, Aug. 1, 3 p.m.
Strum, beat, and play your way through the Swallow Hill Music Instrument Petting Zoo. We provide a hands-on experience for kids and adults – led by our knowledgeable staff of “zookeepers.” The entire family can try out ukuleles, hand drums, guitars, mandolins, banjos, fiddles, mini-pianos, and more. We provide the instruments.
Canvas Painting | Friday, Aug. 3, 3 p.m.
We give you the canvas and paint—you create your masterpiece. Ideal for ages 5-12.
Denver’s Historic Mountain Parks System | Saturday, Aug. 4, 11 a.m.
Second column, last blurb, redrop:
W. Bart Berger, president and founder of the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, will give a historic overview of this unique park system, and explore the current predicament it finds itself in. He will discuss the unrealized potential of these parks and open spaces for outdoor recreation and education; the formation of the foundation, and the work that has been done to revitalize this important Denver amenity.
Art Petting Zoo | Monday, Aug. 6, 10:30 a.m.
Explore art with your child and help them develop fine motor skills and curiosity using a wide variety of materials. Ideal for ages 6 months to 5 years accompanied by an adult.
Magic Club | Mondays, Aug. 6 & 20, 4:30 p.m.
Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are you interested in learning? Stop by two afternoons a month to play and meet other teens. Ideal for ages 10-17.
I Get Around: North of 50 Transportation Fair | Tuesday, Aug. 7, 4 p.m.
Maintaining your independence and staying connected requires reliable, accessible and safe modes of travel. Explore, experience and engage in dialogue on getting around with Reaching Older Adult Drivers (ROAD), BikesTogether, Walk2Connect and Northeast Transportation Connections.
Odessa Rose West | Wednesday, Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m.
Odessa Rose West is a Denver-based Americana Swing band specializing in classic Tin Pan Alley era jazz favorites and original compositions. Bring a camp chair or a blanket and enjoy their unique sound on the lawn.
Different Perspectives: Civil Dialogue | Fridays, Aug. 10, 17, 24, & 31, 4 p.m.
Challenged by talking with others whose opinions differ significantly from your own? Want to reap the benefits of learning from those differences? Explore a foundational key to dialogue success and revisit two key power tools you already have in your toolkit.
Ice Cream Social and Volunteer Fair | Saturday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m.
Indulge in ice cream with neighbors and donate a non-perishable food item to the Greater Park Hill Community Emergency Food Bank. Also, learn about volunteer opportunities that will deepen your connection with your community.
Outfoxing the Predators: Preventing Fraud and Exploitation | Tuesday, Aug. 14, 4 p.m.
Maro Casparian from the Denver District Attorney’s office will discuss how to protect yourself and spot the 5 Red Flags of Scams and ID theft.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesdays, Aug. 14 & 28, 6 p.m.
Join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan events and projects, talk about your favorite books, music, movies and make your opinion count. Plus snacks. Ideal for ages 13-18.
Clean Up & Speed Up Your Computer | Wednesday, Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Learn how to remove programs, manage the space on your computer, speed up your browsing and more.
Tween Book Club | Thursday, Aug. 16, 4:30 p.m.
Book: Cracker!: the Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata
Activity: Decorate dog tags
Underground Comedy Club: Deacon Gray | Thursday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m.
Headliner Deacon Gray, a 27-year comedy veteran, has performed at the Aspen Comedy Festival, and was the winner of the inaugural Great American Comedy Festival, held at the Johnny Carson Theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Eighteen and over only due to adult content.
Kids’ Book Club | Tuesday, Aug. 21, 3:30-5 p.m.
Book: Franny K. Stein: Lunch Walks Among Us by Jim Benton
Plan on staying longer as we create crazy toy hacks! Parental help requested for our craft at this meeting. Ideal for ages 6-9.
Denver Zine Library Workshop | Wednesday, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m.
This workshop acknowledges our existence in communities where people face violence and demonstrate resiliency everyday. Work on dreaming up a reality of solidarity, allyship, and accountability by intentionally showing up and transforming through love, compassionate accountability, care and the power of zines (independently published magazines).
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
Coloring for Grown Ups | Saturday, Aug. 25, 2:30 p.m.
Come for a nostalgic hour of coloring, in or outside the lines. Use our supplies to unplug and color your way to serenity.
Did You Know? Making the Most of Your Library Card | Tuesday, Aug. 28, 4 p.m.
There are so many things you can access and do at the library. Find out what you don’t know about the library and all the perks that come with your library card.
Stories in Stone: The Enchanted Russian Gem Carvings of Vasily Konovalenko | Wednesday, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is home to 20 remarkable gem-carving sculptures by Vasily Konovalenko, the largest and best public display of his work outside of Moscow. What exactly are “the Konovalenkos”? How did they arrive in Denver? Join Park Hill resident and author Steve Nash for an exuberant trip through time to learn more about this remarkably artistic resource that is unique to Colorado. Konovalenko’s story includes Cold War intrigue and stunning twists and turns. Documentary filmmaker Erika O’Conor will share insights as she prepares a documentary film on the subject.