Open Hearts, Open Doors
By Tara Bannon Williamson
and Taliah Abdullah
Senior Librarians
April is National Volunteer Month! Denver Library relies on adult and teen volunteers for help on many daily tasks and with special projects. In 2012, the Park Hill Branch had over 1,600 volunteer hours which is up by 400 hours from 2011! Without Gretchen, Elizabeth, Jill, Toni, Dick, Joan, Ela, Barbara, Barbara, Susan and Eileen, we don’t know what we would do. Most of our volunteers are only here 2 to 4 hours once a week, but their impact is tremendous! At the Pauline Robinson Branch, Mr. Larry, as he is known by all, has been a volunteer since the opening of the branch in 1996. He spends approximately 20 hours per week tutoring students of all ages in math, teaching interested persons how to play cribbage, chess and more, and processing magazines. In addition, docents Margaret and Karen spend 5 hours weekly increasing the computer skills of residents who participate in computer instruction. The staff of the Denver Public Library is grateful for our volunteers who have opened our hearts by sharing their time and skills with us.
In March, the Denver Public Library announced that it will increase hours by approximately 40 percent thanks to additional Measure 2A funding. All branch libraries will be open a minimum of 48 hours (6 days) per week. In Park Hill, this means that the Park Hill Branch Library will now be open Mondays and Wednesdays, and the Pauline Robinson Branch Library will now be open Fridays and Saturdays. And speaking of open doors, the Park Hill Branch Library will participate in Doors Open Denver, April 13 and 14.
Events at Park Hill Branch
4705 Montview Blvd. at Dexter St. 720-865-0250
Doors Open Denver – Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Library is available for a self guided tour, staff members are available to answer questions about the building.
Genre Chat Book Club – Thursday, April 18, 3:30 p.m.
Book Club for Grades 2-4. Genre is poetry and Shel Silverstein books. Registration suggested.
Hunger Games Teen After-Hours Event – Friday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Teens ages 12-16, registration and permission slip required Live action recreation of the popular series. Participants will be sorted into districts, train to improve mental and physical agility through crafts and games, culminating in a scavenger hunt and arena challenge.
Phil Goodstein: Park Hill Promise Author Talk – Tuesday, April 23, 6 p.m.
Local historian will discuss Park Hill history and sign copies of his latest book.
Regular storytimes (no registration required):
Storytime with a Craft – Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
All ages are welcome who can sit for short stories and participate in songs and a simple craft; Book Babies II: 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; 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; Book Babies I: 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; Teen Advisory Board (TAB) – Tuesdays 6-7:30 p.m.
Students 6th-12th grades are invited to help plan library events and projects.
New schedule (effective April 1): MON, THU, FRI, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; TUE, WED, noon – 8 p.m.; SAT, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; SUN, Closed
Events At Pauline Robinson Branch
5575 E. 33rd Ave at Holly St. 720-865-0290
Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) Family Celebration: Saturday, April 20, 2-2:30 p.m. Share the joy of reading together and join us for dessert and a book party.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club is back at the Pauline Robinson Branch Library: Saturday, April 27, noon-1:30 p.m. This month’s book is Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell. All are welcome, light refreshments.
Regular events:
Computer Basics: Mon. 5:30-7 p.m. and Thursdays 11:30 a.m.- noon.
In this 8-week series, you will learn how to power the computer on and off, use a mouse, highlight and select, minimize and maximize your screen, perform basic word processing, work with microsoft word documents, use tool bars to change font, text size and color, cut and paste, save documents, navigate the internet, create an email account and much more. Registration required; Preschool Storytime: Wed. 10:30-11 a.m. Stories, songs, and fun for 3-6 year-olds with an adult; After School is Cool: Mon-Thurs. 4-5 p.m. Crafts, board and video games, performances, and more for children in grades K-12; Teen Girls Book Club: Thurs., 5:30 p.m. New teen book club with snack provided.
New schedule (effective April 1): MON, THU noon – 8 p.m.; TUE, WED, FRI 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; SAT, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; SUN, Closed