Celebrate Intellectual Freedom In July
by Tara Bannon Williamson
Dust off your inner rebel and celebrate intellectual freedom by reading a banned book! As we celebrate the 4th of July this month and think back on all that our Founding Fathers did to help us establish and maintain a free and equal society, let us not take for granted our intellectual freedom!
Other countries, such as China and Iran, censor books at the national level and restrict what can be published and therefore read by the public. Until 1991, even Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss was deemed Marxist and banned from the People’s Republic of China. The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown, is currently banned in several countries, including Iran, for depicting Catholicism unfavorably.
Your library actively advocates against restricting information and strives to provide free and equal access to information for our entire community. We strive to have materials that represent all viewpoints, philosophies and beliefs so that everyone may feel represented when they walk through our doors.
Exercise your freedom to read. If you haven’t already, come in for a free library card and celebrate the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. We enjoy this basic right in our democratic society. It is a core value of the library profession and one we celebrate every day.
We enthusiastically invite any library cardholders to sign up to join us in the Park Hill 4th of July Parade. See us immediately following the parade at the DPL Connect Book Bike to sign up for a card or receive a free book and/or sticker!
Park Hill Branch Library Events
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
All ages are welcome for this storytime. We may do a craft, play musical instruments, or have some fun with the parachute. No registration required.
Book Babies: Early Walkers | Thursdays at 11:15 a.m.
Stories, action songs, and rhymes developed to meet the needs of babies on the move and their caregivers. Playtime and socialization immediately follow the program. No registration required.
Tales for Twos | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a storytime just for two-year-olds and their caregivers. We will share books, sing songs, and provide movement activities. No registration required.
Book Babies: Pre-Walkers | Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Stories, Rhymes, and lap songs developed to meet the needs of infants and their caregivers. Playtime and socialization immediately follow the program. No registration required.
Pajama Storytime | Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Join us for the Park Hill Branch Library’s PJ storytime. Stories, songs, and fun for all ages. Come in your pajamas. Stuffed animals and blankies welcome. No registration required.
Hand Building with Clay | Tuesday, July 1, 4:30 p.m.
Create a unique sculpture out of clay. We provide the clay—you provide your imagination! Presented by My Art Workshop. For teens in grades 6-12. *Limited to first 15 teens.
Bleach Pen T-shirt | Tuesday, July 8, 4:30 p.m.
Join us as we transform an ordinary t-shirt into something you’ll want to wear every day. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own shirt. For teens in grades 6-12. *Limited to first 15 teens.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, July 8, 6 p.m.
Students in grades 6-12 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.
Connie Elstun’s Super Science Magic Show | Saturday, July 12, 3 p.m.
Science is magic and magic is science. This popular program includes incredible magic and hands-on learning.
Catapults | Monday, July 14, 3 p.m.
Join us as we make catapults out of rubber bands and craft sticks. For kids in grades K-5.
2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, July 15, 3:30 p.m.
Join us for our discussion of Dog Diaries: Buddy by Kate Klimo with a special activity – a service dog meet and greet! Registration is suggested.
Teen Book Club | Wednesday, July 16, 4:30 p.m.
A reading group for teens in grades 6-12 that meets to talk about books, eat snacks, play games, and have some laughs. Bring your friends. We’ll be talking about Death: The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman. Registration is suggested but not required.
4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, July 17, 3:30 p.m.
Join us for our discussion of Savvy by Ingrid Law. Activity: Duct tape bookmark. Registration is suggested.
Summer Magic | Saturday, July 19, 3 p.m.
Join children’s songwriter and performer Mr. Shine for a fun-filled musical program featuring songs, exciting puppets, and even some mysterious magic.
Sun-Sensitive Paper | Monday, July 21, 3 p.m.
Join us as we use sun-sensitive paper to make shadow art using only sunlight and water! For kids in grades K-5.
Crayon Canvas Art | Tuesday, July 22, 4:30 p.m.
Create a masterpiece by melting crayons over canvas. All materials provided. For teens in grades 6-12. *Limited to first 15 teens.
Crazy Inventions | Saturday, July 26, 3 p.m.
Master Magician Mark Strivings has been tinkering in his lab and will be showing you some of his crazy contrivances, daffy devices, wacky widgets, goofy gadgets, and all kinds of fabulous flummery.
Kids’ Gaming Day | Monday, July 28, 3 p.m.
Come to the library for a snack and some gaming with friends, including Microsoft Kinect, Wii, button making, and more. For kids in grades K-5.
Animation Workshop | Tuesday, July 29, 4:30 p.m.
Make drawings that move. Learn the fundamentals of animation and create your own animated flip-book. All materials provided. For teens in grades 6-12.
Pauline Robinson Branch Events
Internet Basics | Monday July 7, 1 p.m.
Learn to use Google to access the web for all of your information needs.
The Savvy Book Club | Wednesday July 9, 2 p.m.
Join this summer reading group for tweens ages 9-12 to discuss awesome books. The title selection is the Youth One Book, One Denver title which will be revealed on June 17. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Ask at the reference desk or call 720-865-0290 to sign up.
Book Page Necklace | Tuesday July 8, 2 p.m.
Do you have a favorite picture or saying from a book? Join us as we transform your favorite words or image into a fun necklace. For grades 6 to 12. Limited to 20 teens. No registration is required.
Scientific Bubble Blowing | Thursday July 10, 2 p.m.
Yes there really are scientific secrets to blowing bubbles and we will all learn about them as we blow bubbles smaller than peas and then larger than basketballs. We will also master blowing bubbles inside of other bubbles and even make some special bubbles creations by using teamwork. Everyone will also learn how to make their very own bubble solution using common chemicals. All ages. Limited to 50 kids.
Make Your Own Quartz CD Wall Clock Class | Monday July 14, 2 p.m.
Decorate a blank CD with holographic materials, raised glow-in-dark paint & vinyl #’s. Once decorated, you will assemble the working parts of the clock – battery holder, wall hanger & clock hands. Each teen will leave with a “working” CD Wall Clock that does function! (Not included: 1 small battery) Limited to 20 teens. Registration is required. Please call 720-865-0290 to reserve your space.
Children’s and Teen Activity | Wednesday July 16, 2 p.m.
Join your local library staff for a fun kid’s and teens program. Ask at the reference desk for more details.
Facebook 101 | Monday July 21, 1 p.m.
Learn how to connect with friends and family all over the world by making the most of Facebook, including messaging, posting photos and making friends.
Erupting Volcano | Tuesday July 22, 2 p.m.
Join us as we build a volcano that really erupts! For grades 3 to 5. Limited to 20 kids.
The Savvy Book Club | Wednesday July 23, 2 p.m.
Join this summer reading group for tweens ages 9-12 to discuss awesome books! The title selection is the Youth One Book, One Denver title which well be revealed on June 17. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Ask at the reference desk or call 720-865-0290 to sign up.
Connie Elstun’s Super Science Magic Show | Thursday July 24, 2 p.m.
Spend an hour with Connie and some members of her hilarious cast as she teaches you how they found out Science is Magic and Magic is Science. This popular program includes incredible magic and hands-on learning. All supplies are provided and the laughter is free. All ages.
Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday July 26, 2p.m.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club will be meeting on Saturday, July 26th from 12:00 to 1:30 pm.
The Science of Ice Cream | Monday July 28, 2 p.m.
A hands-on presentation making liquid nitrogen ice cream. We’ll talk about how ice cream is made and taste how delicious science is. Limited to 30 teens. Registration is required. Please call 720-865-0290 to reserve your space.
Considering Starting A Business? | Monday July 28, 5-7:30 p.m.
Join us for a free workshop! Explore the realities & rewards of owning a small business, receive strategic tips on how to start a business, and learn about Mi Casa’s business success training program. More info/RSVP: 303-388-8213 or www.MiCasaResourceCenter.org/Events Provided by Mi Casa Innovation Lab at Northeast Park Hill.
Airbrushed T-Shirts | Wednesday July 30, 2 p.m.
Join us to try your hand at airbrushing. Participants will create their own design on one side and Igor will do a professional design of choice on the other. Everyone will leave with their own airbrushed t-shirt. Limited to 20 teens. Registration is required. Please call 720-865-0290 to reserve your space.
Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel | Thursday July 31, 6 p.m.
Gearing up for Denver Days, August 2-10, Mr. Noel will entertain you with his slide talk: Denver’s Streetcar neighborhoods and North East Denver.