March Break is just around the corner

Not heading to warmer climes for March Break? No worries, mate. We have you covered. Our libraries have all sorts of programs, from Magician Al Bernard to pizza parties. All our March Break events for kids and teens are gathered here in one handy link.

What are we most excited about this March Break? Our #SafeSelfie Campaign, in partnership with the Cops-n-Kids program in Annapolis County, for ages 11-17 will be hosting a Pizza Party on Monday, March 14.  Teens are invited to stop in, grab a slice, take a #SafeSelfie, hang out, play some board games, and check out some of the cool new tech toys we have.

You know you want to find our more about the Naked Mole Rat Whimsical Day in Berwick, which you can do right here. In Wolfville, the Tantalizing Tattoo Table will certainly be something to check out. From 10 - 2 on Thursday, you can decorate yourself, pain-free, in the library. There are lots of LEGO Robotics programs, you can create with 3-d pens, and play music on tablets.  We are celebrating Spring in Berwick, Bridgetown, and Middleton. And some of us can hardly wait for Family Fort Night in Bridgetown. (I think our staff are as excited as the kids.) And what about life-size Candyland? YES!

We are also hosting a contest on Facebook. Tell us which book you'd like to see turned into a movie, and you could win a $15 Cineplex gift card. You could go see a movie during March Break with that. Maybe even get some popcorn to go with it. Contest ends March 10 at 1 PM.

So, do not be sad that you are not sitting on a beach getting sunburned. Head to your local library and have some March Break FUN!!

March Break preview

March Break is just around the corner. But don’t panic if you haven’t got your week filled—we have some great programs happening right here in the Valley. And guess what? They are FREE! That’s right, your local library has cooked up a great slate of programs for all ages. 

LEGO-loving kids will want to head over to the Bridgetown, Kentville, and Windsor libraries this week. We have lots of our own LEGO,  so stop in and see what you can build with ours.  And in both Berwick and Bridgetown, there are LEGO robotics programs during March Break, and a LEGO stop-motion film program in Berwick.  And if you have tons of LEGO at home, try some of these LEGO challenges on our Pinterest board.   

There are storytimes in Berwick, Bridgetown, Kentville, Port Williams, and Wolfville next week. And if you like art, there’s an Art Lab in Kentville and a program with the Firefly Makery in Bridgetown.  For ages 10-16, there’s  Art attack in Port Williams. They are making monster toys over in Berwick and painting flower pots in Kingston. 

For ages 10+, there are some great programs, including drumming workshops with Kadijah in Berwick, Bridgetown, Hantsport, Lawrencetown, and Wolfville. Sign up because space is limited for these programs. Girls ages 10-15 should check out GirlPower in Berwick and Wolfville. There’s even a Camp Out in Middleton, with lots of food & fun. Bring your sleeping bag! And if you like robotics, stop in our Middleton branch to test drive some new toys we just got. (Maybe you can show us how they work.) And if you have some studying to catch up on, or want to be super-smart when you get back to class, use Tutor.com to help you get back on track. Open every day from 3 pm - midnight, and free with your library card.

In Kentville you can go see Al Bernard or learn to knit. In Berwick you can learn cartooning with Mark Oakley. Stop by Middleton to explore one of our Early Literacy iPads. Attend a Computer Camp in Lawrencetown.  There’s so much to do! Just click on THIS LINK for our March Break programs. You can sign up online or by calling the library.

Adults, don’t fret:  there are even programs for you.  In Annapolis Royal the Speaker Series is back. And in Windsor, meet at the library all week long for Canada Reads. Sign up for a computer tutorial or a workshop. 

And of course we’ve got plenty of books and DVDs to occupy your time. Grab a whole stack of both and keep the “I’m Boreds” at bay. See you at the library!

March Break @your LIBRARY!

Around these parts, we do March Break right.  While some folks are lucky enough to head for warmer climes, many of us stay right here and find ways to keep busy. There's no lack of snow for snowshoeing and enjoying the great outdoors! Did you know you can borrow snowshoes from many of the local recreation departments? Check in with your town and find out the details. If you want to track how many steps you walk during March Break, you can borrow a pedometer from the library. Or maybe try out a new Wii or x-Box game from the library-- you could learn to Hip Hop Dance this week!

If art is more your idea of fun, we've got a whole slew of art programs this week-- there's cartooning with Mark Oakley, pipe-cleaner art, Art Smart, and painting and collage. Take your youngest to storytime. Check out GirlPower. Play board games. Learn to knit, play Elephant and Piggie games, build something with LEGO, create a robot, or go to the circus. Find all our  programs right HERE and start planning your week!

Of course we've got plenty of books, so if your idea of a vacation is curling up with a really good novel, come see us. We've got DVDs for movie night, we've got audiobooks to listen to while you clean the house or knit, and eBooks to fill your eReaders.

And if our offerings are not quite enough, check out Valley Family Fun for even more ideas how to enjoy your March Break right here at home! And do enjoy your Staycation.

March Break at the library!

You may not be heading south to warm sand and beaches. That's ok, because you can have a whole lot of fun right here in the Valley! And thanks to your local library, you can have that fun for free! Our libraries have put together a great line up of programs and activities for all ages during this March Break.

For instance... we are bringing in Mad Science from Halifax to amaze and astound. We've had them in before, and let me tell you, I never thought I'd see a butane fire in the library  and not be alarmed! They are very entertaining and your kids, ages 5 -12, will learn something, too. They will be here on Wednesday, March 13, at the Middleton, Wolfville, and Hantsport libraries. Registration is required because space is limited. Click here to sign up at the library closest to you (or the one that has spaces left!)

Perhaps your teenager is moaning about nothing to do. Nip that in the bud by sending them over to the Bridgetown, Berwick, or Lawrencetown Library to learn West African Drumming with Kadijah. Or drop them off in Kingston on Tuesday for some Duct Tape Crafts. They can learn to draw with Mark Oakley, play board games,  create a zine, or learn web design. Click here for these and other great activities!

We've got plenty of other things lined up, too. Build with LEGO in Berwick, Bridgetown, Lawrencetown, Kentville, and Windsor. Have some Wimpy Kid fun in Kingston. Port Williams has craft days, as do Annapolis Royal, Berwick, Middleton, and Kentville. There are free computer workshops, too. So, if you hear this refrain "There's nothing to do!", just check out our website, and get them over to the library for some excellent March Break fun!

Of course, you could always read a few books this week, too. Or try an audio for a long car trip. Borrow a new game for Wii or xBox. We've got this March Break thing covered.

--Angela Reynolds, Head of Youth Services

Who needs beaches?

March Break is looking pretty exciting from here. Libraries have so many great programs planned, how will you decide which ones to go to? Many will fill quickly, so if you see something that appeals, register!

We are offering drawing workshops and advice with Mark Oakley in Bridgetown on March 13, and in Annapolis Royal on March 14. Local guitarist Caleb Miles will be teaching guitar workshops in Kentville on March 13 and Wolfville on March 15. Actor John Dunsworth (have any of you ever seen Trailer Park Boys?) will be doing a workshop in Bridgetown, and later in the week, you can learn to write plays.  If crafts are more your style, try making a Sock Monkey in Kentville or jewelry in Kingston, or perhaps a yarn pom-pom in Annapolis Royal.  Maybe you’d rather decorate a cupcake in Wolfville?  Or attend an art workshop in Berwick? 

We’ll be showing the movie HUGO in Bridgetown (March 6) and in Berwick on March 16.  And celebrating another great book, we are hosting a Hunger Games Party in Kentville on March 18. Bring your friends and see who is the last standing in our Cornucopia Challenges.  This program is going to be so much  fun, and there will be cupcakes! 

If you enjoy looking at the stars, head over to Annapolis Royal on March 14. Keji interpreter Colleen Anderson will be pointing out some cool stuff! Speaking of science, did you know that Mad Science will be in town on March 16? Find them at the Windsor and Wolfville branches.

Girls can have tons of fun at GirlPower in Middleton and Berwick. Ages 12-18 are invited to play x-Box Kinect at the Teen Lounge in Lawrencetown. There’s a Sleepover at the library in Bridgetown, a Magic Show in Kentville, board games in Port Williams, and lots of storytimes to choose from. There are computer classes and games all week long, and there’s a treasure hunt, too. 

Did we mention that all of these programs are FREE for you to attend? Many of our programs have been made possible by sponsors and grants, and we really appreciate that!   For a link to a printable flyer with all these activities, click here, or ask for a copy at your local library. See you during March Break.