Summer Travel? Take the Library With You
By Regina Renee Ward
This is the season for travel. Whether you are planning a vacation or staycation for this summer, the Denver Public Library has you covered.
For those of you planning road trips to spend time with family and friends, visit the gas station, and your library, before you hit the road. Audiobooks are great entertainment for the entire family.
Do you want a book that will keep the children laughing instead of bickering while on the road? Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever may be just what you need. Maybe you prefer a title that will appeal to older children as well as history buffs young and old? If so, don’t pass up Sir Terry Pratchett’s Dodger narrated by Stephen Briggs.
Perhaps books on CD are not what you need for this trip. Planning to be away for less than a week? Check out some music CDs to take along with you. We have it all: Classical, Folk, Pop, R&B, and World music. Again, the Denver Public Library has you covered. Finally, if the refrain, “Are we there yet?” is all too familiar on road trips, you might want to consider checking out a road atlas or map to make your travel time more enjoyable.
Not going on a vacation this year? With a bit of creativity and your trusty library card, you can create the vacation of your dreams right at home. Staycations can be both restful and energizing when planned just right.
Step 1: Choose your “destination.” I’ve always dreamed of visiting Italy. Realistically, I won’t be doing that anytime soon, but this summer I will be reading Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter which opens on a rocky patch of Italian coastline in 1962.
Step 2: Plan your menu. One of the best aspects of vacationing is enjoying delectable food. What better opportunity to check out new cookbooks available at DPL than when you are cooking a delicious Italian meal of lasagna (from scratch of course) for your staycation.
Step 3: Set the mood. Along with books and food, I believe a memorable staycation requires the proper music. Pavarotti anyone? Our music collection is the perfect complement for your travels near and far.
For you readers who do plan to leave the country for your next vacation, Denver Public Library has travel guides to help you make your dream vacation a reality.
Happy travels …
Pauline Robinson Branch Library Events
Ann Lincoln – Space Alien’s Big Bang Magic and Juggling Show | Monday, June 9, 2 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. Perfect for ages 3-10.
Solar Powered S’mores Oven | Wednesday June 11, 2 p.m.
Join us as we make a solar powered oven that will melt yummy s’mores! For grades 6 to 12. Limited to 20 teens. No registration is required.
Clay Sculpture | Tuesday June 17, 2 p.m.
Come transform an ordinary lump of clay into a sculpted masterpiece! For grades 2 to 5. Limited to 20 kids.
Wild Wings Environmental Education – Raptors of the Rockies | Thursday, June 19, 2 p.m.
In this interactive program, we explore the tools and adaptations that different raptors use to be successful in the wild. The program features live birds – a hawk, an owl, and a falcon – all species that are found here in Colorado. This program concludes with a discussion on the important roles of these raptors in the environment. All ages.
Pointilism Pictures | Monday, June 23, 2 p.m.
Come make a masterpiece! You won’t believe the spectacular pictures you can make with dots of paint! For grades 1 to 4. Limited to 20 kids.
Herbs and Aromatherapy | Wednesday June 25, 2 p.m.
Join us to create luscious all natural products! You will make your own customized aromatherapy mister and an herbal body scrub. Includes all materials and everyone will take home 2 products. Limited to 20 teens. Registration is required. Please call to reserve your space.
Considering Starting a Business? | Monday, June 30, 5-7:30 p.m.
Explore the realities and 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. For more information, call 303-388-8213 or visit www.MiCasaResourceCenter.org/events. Provided by the Mi Casa Innovation Lab at Northeast Park Hill
Children’s Activity | Monday, June 30, 2 p.m.
Join your local library staff for a fun kid’s program. Ask at the reference desk for more details.
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.
Hack Your Shirt! | Saturday, June 7, 3 p.m.
Take an old shirt and make it shine. Literally. Sew some LED lights onto your shirt (or any article of clothing) with conductive thread and build a wearable circuit. Bring your own clothing to “hack” or use one of our T-shirts or purses. For teens grades 6-12.
Straw Painting | Monday, June 9, 3 p.m.
You thought straws were just for drinking? Come try your hand (or mouth) to create painting masterpieces using household items. For kids grades K-5.
Gaming! Duct Tape! Buttons! | Tuesday, June 10, 4:30 p.m.
TEENS! Don’t be bored at home all day—join us for video games, air hockey, ping-pong, duct tape bracelets, and buttons. FREE. All materials provided. For teens grades 6-12.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, June 10, 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.
Papermaking | Monday, June 16, 3 p.m.
Join us as we recycle used paper into new pages for writing, crafting, and painting. For kids grades K-5.
2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, June 17, 3:30 p.m.
Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka – Activity: Science fun with sound waves
Teen Book Club | Wednesday, June 18, 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 Every Day by David Levithan. Registration is suggested but not required.
4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, June 19, 3:30 p.m.
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies – Activity: Making lemonade.
Mr. Bones & Friends| Saturday, June 21, 3 p.m.
Join puppeteer Tim Seeber and learn about dinosaurs. See and touch life-sized duplicates and learn about comparative anatomy.
Kids’ Gaming Day| Monday, June 23, 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 grades K-5.
Henna Tattoos with Hummingbird Henna | Tuesday, June 24, 4:30 p.m.
Learn about the history of henna and practice drawing henna tattoos. Then have a henna design applied to your hand or arm. For teens grades 6-12. Limited to first 25 teens.
Secret Lives of Owls | Saturday, June 28, 3 p.m.
This one-hour program takes the audience on an eye opening and fascinating journey as it explores the mysterious lives of the various species of owls found in Colorado. Live owls are presented during the program.
Owl Pellets | Monday, June 30, 3 p.m.
Learn more about owls and what they have for lunch by dissecting an owl pellet and identifying its contents. For kids in grades 2-5.