Happiness Happens In August
By Regina Renee Ward
Pauline Robinson Branch Library
August is Happiness Happens Month. It is also Family Fun Month. What better way to make happiness happen than with some family fun?
School is out. The days are long and languid, nights filled with cool breezes and starlight. It is time to dive into those reading, viewing, and listening piles that have grown over the winter and spring months.
One of the perks of summer is having more time for leisure reading, viewing, and listening. However, with all of our other summer activities keeping us busy, it is often difficult to find the time to experience these materials.
This is the time when families aren’t hindered by school schedules, but summer is in full swing and families are inundated with activities. Family reunions, trips to the pool, zoo, Elitch’s or Lakeside on your schedule? Take your books with you. Enjoy a family picnic and include a book or film discussion (August is also National Picnic Month). Coordinate a talent show for your family reunion.
August 9 is Book Lovers Day (of course Book Lovers Day is part of Happiness Happens Month.) Remember to share a favorite book with a friend or family member.
I would like to share a very special book with all of the friends and family members of Rising Second Graders who are reading this today. The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes provides an interesting glimpse into the life of a thoughtful second-grade boy.
Are you the book club type? Does summer family fun make it difficult to attend book club meetings? Social media may be the answer.
Virtual or online book clubs are convenient and an ideal arrangement for many during these busy summer months when in-person book club meetings just aren’t feasible. Virtual book clubs offer many other benefits as well: Virtual book clubs bring together people who are passionate about reading and discussing books. Discussions stay on topic, and you enjoy a wide range of titles because of the large, diverse pool of readers involved.
Happy Happiness Happens Month (try saying that three times fast). I do hope that your summer is fun and productive.
Happy Reading!
Pauline Robinson Branch Library Events
End of summer reading program | Wednesday August 6, 2-3 p.m.
Join your library staff for a fun program. Ask at the reference desk for more details.
Computer Basics | Monday August 11, 1-2 p.m.
Learn the basics of using a computer and practice using a mouse. No computer experience required.
Free Financial Workshop, Wednesday August 13, 4-6 p.m.
Workshop participants will learn how to manage their finances by setting goals, developing a spending plan, establishing credit, and conducting comparison shopping. Sponsored by Mi Casa Innovation Lab. Call to register, 303-388-8213.
Email Basics | Monday August 18, 1-2 p.m.
Learn how to connect with friends and family all over the world by learning how to set up an email address, send messages and send attachments.
Free Financial Workshop | Wednesday August 20, 4-6 p.m.
Workshop participants will learn how to manage their finances by setting goals, developing a spending plan, establishing credit, and conducting comparison shopping. Sponsored by Mi Casa Innovation Lab. Call to register, 303-388-8213.
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.
Harry Potter Day | Saturday, August 2, 3 p.m.
The series may have ended, but the fun has not. Join us for a fun day of wizardry and magic. Come dressed up and enter our costume contest.
Gaming! Duct Tape! Buttons | Tuesday, August 5, 4:30 p.m.
TEENS! Don’t be bored at home all day — join us for video games, air hockey, ping-pong, duct tape accessories, and buttons. FREE. All materials provided. For teens in grades 6-12.
Space Alien’s Big Bang Magic and Juggling Show |Saturday, August 9, 3 p.m.
She came from Outer Space and crash landed at your library. Now Ann Lincoln will have to “Fizz, Boom, Read” in order to blast off back to her home planet. For kids ages 3-10.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, August 5, 6 p.m.
Students 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! Join us for monthly meetings.
2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, August 19, 3:30 p.m.
The Lion Who Stole My Arm by Nicola Davies. Activity: Paper Lion Craft. Snack: Animal Crackers
4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, August 21, 3:30 p.m.
Hachiko Waits by Leslea Newman. Activity: Duct Tape Bookmarks. Snack provided
Rowing | Saturday, August 30, 3 p.m.
Join rowing librarian, Dawn, and Grace, a leader in the Colorado rowing scene, for a dry land introduction to the sport of rowing! Give an ergometer a try and find out about rowing opportunities in Colorado! This program is open to both adults and teens (grades 6 and up).