By Danielle Ghio | Allied Gardens Library
Help us celebrate National Library Week (April 8–14) by showing your love for the library. One way is to join our wonderful Friends of the Library group. This amazing group of volunteers works to support many of the fun-filled library programs we offer. If joining is not an option, you can support the Friends by shopping their ongoing book sale located in the Reading Lounge.
Breaking News @ The Library: Be A Citizen Journalist
Have you ever wondered how reporters come up with the news they publish or how the news works? Then come to this session to learn the basics of the news business from local working journalists who will answer your questions on what goes into covering the news of the day. Learn the difference between real news and “fake” news. Presented by the San Diego Press Club, San Diego Society of Professional Journalists, and the San Diego Union-Tribune. April 10, 6–7:30 p.m.
Keeping your wits
Oasis presents another fascinating talk on “Why Brain Function Declines and 10 Ways to Prevent It,” hosted by Phil Goscienski, M.D. Most of the decline in our mental functioning has nothing to do with aging. Come to this informative lecture to find out 10 things that you can do to keep your brain working! April 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Tax help
Tax help at the library continues this month on Mondays and Tuesdays. Older adults, or those with limited income, are welcome to have their taxes prepared by AARP volunteers. This program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and takes place on Mondays, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., and Tuesdays, noon-4 p.m. Please note that the final day of tax help will be April 10.
Spring gardens and fresh recipes
April is a great time to get those gardens started! We have a wonderful selection of gardening books on display this month. From planting your first tomatoes to introducing indigenous flora to attract local wildlife, we have books for you! We also have a great selection of cookbooks highlighting fresh and yummy vegetable recipes to jump-start your healthy eating plans.
Handmade @ Your Library
Join Ms. René on Saturday, April 21, at 2:30 p.m. and learn how to create charming little “dry” terrariums with glass orbs, preserved moss, sand and shells. These mini-gardens are perfect for those house-plant challenged among us!
Sign up at the front desk. Space is limited. This class is designed for seniors but all adults are welcome. All supplies will be provided but feel free to bring your own figurines and found objects to brighten up your “garden.”
Kids’ Corner
STEAM Storytime: Start your weekend off right with our brand new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Storytime. Each week we will read some fun stories, sing some catchy tunes and of course do some weird, quirky, magical science. Children of all ages welcome.
Black Cat Scavenger Hunt: The library has been invaded by black cats! They have hidden themselves all over the library and we need your help to find them. All day on April 13, we encourage both our young and young-at-heart patrons to come in and find all the black cats hidden in the library, when you can tell us how many there are we will give you a delicious prize!
Hullabaloo: Join us on Saturday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m. for a foot-stomping, wing-flapping celebration of songs for the young and young at heart. (This program will be present in lieu of STEAM Storytime.)
Teen Scene: We continue to offer our popular Teen Scene which takes place on Tuesday at 3 p.m. with the addition of two new programs: Video Gaming and Game On! board games at the library. Video gaming is offered every Wednesday, 12:30–2:30 p.m. and Game On! is every Thursday, 3–5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Attention teachers: The library wants to help you
Would you like to schedule a class visit to the library? Would you like us to come visit you in your class? How about a book talk or database demonstration? Or maybe an introduction to our online tutoring resources? We offer all this and more! If you are interested in having the library help you, please contact us here at the branch. We look forward to hearing from you.
We continue to offer storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers throughout the week, as well as our popular adult programs. Please visit the branch or check out our Facebook page for a schedule.
—Danielle Ghio is the youth services librarian of the Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library. Reach her at [email protected].?
