Manchester City Library » Summer Reading Program

Laughter is the best medicine

Dawn — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:00:46 +0000

If you had been in the Center of New Hampshire a few weeks ago, you might have heard loud spurts of laughter coming from one of the conference rooms. Who would have thought that a bunch of librarians could find something to laugh that hard about? We were attending the New Hampshire Library Association’s spring conference and listening to (and laughing at) a presentation entitled “Laughing Matters.”

Did you know that laughter has been proven to boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, strengthen you abdominal muscles, and relieve stress? Who wouldn’t want to accomplish all that? Studies have shown that, on average, children laugh 117 times a day. Adults, only 5 times. One suggestion: hang out with kids. They are so busy having fun that it never crosses their minds to wonder what people think of them. And their laughter can be contagious.

There are even clubs forming, where the members get together and do nothing but laugh. Haven’t heard of them? Check out the video with British actor John Cleese on YouTube to learn more.

Prefer to do your laughing in a more private setting? Check out Completely Mad : a history of the comic book and magazine or The indispensable Calvin and Hobbes in the comic book section of the Art room. Want to get others laughing too? How about The laugh’s on me or 5600 jokes for all occasions to improve your joke-telling skills. Or take a look at Unshelved for a comic strip actually written about libraries – it might surprise you.

No matter what tools you use, try to add laughter to your daily routine….it may help more than you can possibly imagine.

What a summer!

Karyn — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:51:25 +0000

You didn’t even have to swim to Make a Splash at the Manchester City Library this summer. Children and teens alike participated in our annual summer reading program. The theme for children, pre-school to fifth grade was Make a Splash-Read! This summer we saw a huge increase in participation with 414 children with over half of them, 217 met their goal. They read a total of 2604 books in all.
At the main library, we kicked off the celebration with a beach party where we ate ice pops and created masterpieces with color sand. Many children attended our weekly theme related storytimes and programs. Thursday morning crafts and Friday’s Make a Splat outside art program were a huge success. On Wednesday mornings, we were treated to music by our budding musicians, ages 2 to 5 years old during the special Little Movers Storytime. Children’s movies on Monday afternoon were well attended and gave our youngest patrons a chance to get out of the heat and see some of their most favorite films. During July, we painted with bubbles of all shapes and sizes. We also had a visit from the Blue Ocean Society who brought tide pool animals to learn about and even touch.
Over on the West side, Magician Debbie O’Carroll kicked off the summer program with an amazing performance. Weekly events such as make/take crafts, movies and storytimes were a huge success. Family Bingo sponsored by our Friends group and a visit from the Blue Ocean Society drew huge crowds that had a blast escaping the summer heat! Children always looked forward to seeing what they could grab from the treasure chest.
The teen summer reading theme was Make Waves @ Your Library. 60 teens participated, who read a total of 125 books. Special events included Anime Club, Guitar Hero tournament, cooking club, tie-dying t-shirts, as well as a water game party.
The Majestic Theatre helped us wrap up the summer festivities by entertaining us with their performance of a western called The Taming of Katie Lou. So with lots of raffles and refreshments, we ended our summer fun. Many thanks are extended to McDonalds, Ben & Jerry’s, Blake’s Ice Cream and Mel’s Funway for their generous support.

Have you seen us?

Karyn — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:00:33 +0000

On the Run

Missing – One twenty-four inch toilet bowl plunger with a yellow wooden handle and a black rubber suction-cup. The handle was artfully adorned with one inch blue tape spirally down it’s length. Likewise, the handle was hand painted with stick-figure boys and girls along with colorful flowers. The plunger was signed by the artist. It was last seen standing behind the toilet in the Children’s Room bathroom. It may be accompanied by two red, very unattractive plastic lobsters and the brass clock that sat on security’s desk. If found, please return them to it’s rightful owner, no questions asked. They are missed very much.

Make a Splash! Summer Reading Kickoff

Amy Graves — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:13:49 +0000

Today is the day: the start of the summer reading program! Incidentally, it’s also the longest day of the year (summer solstice). So…who wants to party? Stop by our summer reading kickoff event, today from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Winchell Room. Drop in anytime during the two hour event—we’ll have games, crafts, snacks, and music going. It’s also a great time to sign up for the summer reading program, and take home a pile of books to get you started. We hope to see you there!

Teen Summer Reading Program

Kate — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:20:01 +0000

Area teens are invited to “Make Waves @ Your Library” this summer by participating in the Manchester City Library’s teen summer reading library program from June 21 to August 6. Teens are invited to come to the Library and read for prizes as well as to take part in special events offered throughout the summer. Programs this summer will include bi-monthly Anime Club meetings, a water games party, Guitar Hero tournaments, crafts and more.

Participation is easy, each time you read a book fill out a short form with the book information. These forms double as raffle tickets. Attend one of our teen programs and earn two raffle tickets just for showing up. To learn more visit the library or contact Kate for more information. We’re only promising you a summer of fun!

Summertime and the Reading is…FUN

Amy Graves — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:37:36 +0000

Are you looking for something free and fun for something for your children to do this summer? Join us at the Manchester City Library for our annual Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is, “Summertime and the Reading is…FUN.” Between June 29th and August 7th the children’s department will offer a variety of activities and programs including the return of Karina Bertrand and her music, the Amoskeag Fishways, and the always entertaining Majestic Theatre Trust. Our weekly programs will be:

Family storytimes on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM
Summer crafts on Thursdays at 9:30 AM (registration required)
Lapsit storytimes on Fridays at 9:30 AM

Throughout the summer children are encouraged to read, or have read to them, 10 books. Librarians and volunteers will be available daily to share stories, chart books and award prizes. Many other fun activities, raffles and programs are planned, so come to the beach with us for a summer full of reading fun! For more information call the children’s department at 624-6550 ext. 328.

Teen Summer Reading Program

Kate — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:03:55 +0000

Teens think the library is only a place you go to study? Think again! The Manchester City Library will entertain you with hot reads, cool activities and nifty prizes! Youths ages 12 through 18 are invited to participate in the teen summer reading program from June 29th to August 7th.

Participation is easy, each time you read a book fill out a short form with the book information. These forms double as raffle tickets. Attend one of our Teen programs and earn two raffle tickets just for showing up. To learn more visit the library or contact Kate for more information. We’re only promising you a summer of fun!

-Kate N.

Lapsit Storytime

Library — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:43:48 +0000

Storytimes for parents and children 23 months and younger. Registration is requested.

For more information, please contact the Children’s Department via email or 624-6550 ext. 314.

Reptile Encounters

Library — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:40:03 +0000

Reptiles once ruled Earth, and today they rule the imaginations of kids of all ages. Learn the fascinating histories and modern realities of lizards, snakes, crocodilians, turtles & tortoises! They are not the monsters to be feared that some think, but they all deserve our protection and respect.

For more information, please contact Mary Gallant via email or at 624-6550 ext. 311. In the event of rain, this program will be held in Library auditorium. Reptile Encounters with Wildlife Encounters is sponsored by Citizens Bank.

Cardboard Tube Kangaroos

Library — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:25:55 +0000

Children’s Summer Craft. Registration is requested. For more information, please contact the Children’s Room via email or at 624-6550 ext. 328.