Libraries Rock! Summer Reading Activities for Preschoolers
Author: Ron Eifert
Board members end terms with 20 years combined service
At its June meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Sikeston Public Library recognized three of its members as their terms as trustees expired.
Lew Polivick (left) served six years on the board, serving the past two years as president. Carolyn Tetley (center) also served six years on the board, including the past four years as treasurer. Dr. Larry Bohannon (right) served eight years on the board, including the past two years as vice president. Between the three, they have served 20 years as trustees, guiding the library through day-to-day operations as well as the remodeling of the lower level of the library.
The terms of three trustees end on June 30. We appreciate their service to the library!
Summer Reading presenters kick off the fun!
We are kicking off Summer Reading with a series of programs and presenters around our theme of “Libraries Rock!”
All three programs will be held at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on their respective performance dates in the Draughon Room (lower level of the library).
On Monday, June 11, Bobby Norfolk returns to the library with Rhythms, Rhymes, & Raps. Bobby turns traditional tales, such as “Little Red Riding Hood” or “The Three Billy’s Goat’s Gruff,” into finger-snapping, toe-tapping verse. He transforms selections from his favorite authors into comical and creative raps, and fills them all with zany vocal effects, lively animation, and tons of humor.
On Monday, June 25, Babaloo Music & Fun will be visiting the library. Babaloo will keep you on the edge (and out) of your seats with musical mayhem and lots of laughs! Not only does Babaloo play music with his guitar, but he asks the audience to make music along with him on bucket drums and other unconventional instruments.
On Monday, July 9, Mad Science returns to the library with “Sound Like Science.” This event gets children excited about science, with a particular focus on the science of sound. Kids will get tuned-in to learning with exciting demonstrations and experiments including the surprisingly loud Dinosaur-in-a-Can, the glowing Electric Pickle, and a kid-created Thunder Storm!
These programs are supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Closed for Memorial Day
The library will be closed on Sunday, May 27 and Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day.
Library marks one year of passport acceptance
During the month of April, the Sikeston Public Library marked its one-year anniversary as a passport acceptance facility.
“The response has been amazing,” said Ron Eifert, library director and one of the passport acceptance agents, “so much more than we ever expected.”
The initial idea to become a passport acceptance facility came from a neighboring library which had achieved great success with the service. After three months of training and testing during the first three months of 2017, the library was certified as a passport acceptance facility and processed its first passport in late April 2017.
Since its certification, the library has processed almost 200 applications for passports over the past 12 months.
When the library first started processing passports, the staff saw it as a service for the Sikeston community. They quickly realized that the appeal was much wider. “We have processed passports for residents of five or six surrounding counties,” Eifert said. “So many people from around the area work in Sikeston, or attend school here, and they find it easier to complete the application process here than anywhere else.”
“It’s been interesting, listening to the stories people tell about the travel plans,” Eifert said. “We have helped people prepare for mission trips and family trips. It’s been fun to help people apply for a passport so that they can go on a trip that was a gift or a prize.”
Libraries have begun the transition from books-only facilities, to facilities where programming and other services are available. “Passport acceptance is part of our efforts to keep the library vital to the people in our community,” Eifert said. “It has been satisfying for us to know that we have helped people with this service, and to hear them say that the process was a lot less difficult than they expected.”
There are two passport acceptance agents at the library, and the service is available for 33 hours each week. Acceptance times are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am-noon and 1-5 pm; Tuesday, 10 am-noon and 1-7:30 pm; and Friday, 10 am-noon and 1-5:30 pm. The library usually has one weekend a month where a passport acceptance agent is available. Additional hours are available by appointment.
For more information about the passport acceptance process, please call the library at 471-4140, or visit the library’s website at sikeston.lib.mo.us. For application forms, information on documentation required, fees, and a wealth of other passport and international travel information, visit the only official website for passport information at travel.state.gov.
Mother-Daughter Tea held May 6.
Our annual Mother-Daughter tea will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 in the Draughon Room (lower level) of the library. The event is for girls in grades 2-5 and will feature Luciana, the 2018 Girl of the Year. Come join us for tea and refreshments, reading about Luciana, making a tea light jar, and playing American Girl Bingo.
Preschool Family Night set for April 9
The final Preschool Family Night of the year will be held at 6:30 pm. on Monday, April 9, in the Draughon Room (lower level) of the library.
Come join us for a celebration of Spring! We will be reading Little Quack and The Little White Duck, followed by crafts, flannel board stories, songs and refreshments.
Family night for K-3 coming soon!
We will be hosting Family Night for children in kindergarten through third grade at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 12 in the Draughon Room (lower level) of the library.
We will be reading the book “The Luckiest Leprechaun, making a hat and beard for the photo booth, making a picture frame, and hunting for the leprechaun’s gold!
Space is filling up fast! Reserve a space for your child by calling 471-4140, or by filling out the reservation form below.
Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!
First graders from Lee Hunter Elementary visited the library on March 2 to hear a story read by the Cat in the Hat (aka, children’s librarian Ann Thompson). Dr. Seuss-themed crafts and snacks, followed by a tour of the library, rounded out the afternoon.
Preschool Family Night
Preschool Family Night for ages 2-5 will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 5, in the Draughon Room (lower level) of the library. We will be reading Ten Lucky Leprechauns and hunting for the leprechaun’s gold! Please call 471-4140 to make a reservation or fill out the online reservation form below.