ONNECTIONS C SUMMER 2023 R I T T E R P U B L I C L I B R A R Y
P 2 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2023 • ritterpubliclibrary.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Marie Warden, President Chad Coolidge, Vice President Lois Arnold, Secretary Eileen Bulan Zack Dolyk Pam Reese Sarah Ross FOUNDATION BOARD Zack Dolyk, President David Berns, Vice President Jennifer Kulchar, Treasurer Libby Davis Williams, Secretary Annette Bartlome Larry Bettcher Doug Brown Jim Duke Candy Fischer Janet Ford Jo Ann Howley Debby Zanglin Tom Zeck ENDOWMENT BOARD Pat Farley, President David Berns, Vice President Sheila Myracle, Secretary Judy Ryan, Treasurer Tom Zeck Laura Roth HOURS Monday - Thursday 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM Friday & Saturday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM 5680 Liberty Ave Vermilion, OH 44089 440-967-3798 info@ritter.lib.oh.us ritterpubliclibrary.org LIBRARY CLOSINGS Sunday, June 18th Fish Festival Tuesday, July 4th Independence Day As a newcomer to Ohio, I was thrilled to join more than 300 library directors, fiscal officers, trustees and supporters at the Statehouse recently during the Ohio Library Council’s Library Legislative Day. The top issues were library funding in the biennial state budget, and the tremendous range of programs and services offered to Ohio’s nearly 8 million cardholders. We heard from Governor DeWine – as well as House and Senate leaders – about the important role libraries play in early childhood literacy. I now have a better appreciation of the process that ensures libraries are a statewide priority! At the library we are getting ready for our summer reading program, All Together Now. This theme aims to bring people together no matter their age, socio-economic status, political affiliation or location. Everyone can find a book to suit their interests and make friends in the process. Focusing on kindness, friendship and unity, this year’s theme presents endless opportunities for sharing our library with the community. I look forward to my first summer in Vermilion, especially the outdoor concerts and festivals. The local area has a lot to offer everyone, and our library is no exception. Please peruse this newsletter for a sample of what awaits you this summer! Sandra Licks, Director from Sandra Exciting things are happening in the Youth Services Department. Over the past 4 months the department underwent a rigorous collection assessment of the nonfiction areas. What this means is assessing the accuracy of information, the condition, and the relevance. Is Pluto still listed as the ninth planet? Does the book have a mystery icky spot on it? Does it talk about typewriters being the latest and greatest invention? Don’t worry - you won’t find those here. With the support of Ritter Board of Trustees, we are purchasing over $30,000 of new materials with funding from the Edge Estate Fund and the Adele A. Kovanic Trust to rejuvenate the collection. These titles will youth nonfiction overhaul highlight STEM, especially the human body, technology, and finance. We will introduce books on arts and cultures including a music collection featuring vocal, piano, guitar music books. Further, we are investing in updating our collection of resources in history from Mesopotamia to the war in Ukraine. We hope you and your little ones find a new love learning about facts with this new collection. L - R: Aimee, Collin, Ann, Elaine, and Sandra show off the latest acquisitions
P 3 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2023 • ritterpubliclibrary.org new: binge boxes We’re constantly adding new items to keep our collection fresh and exciting. Binge Boxes are one recent addition, funded by the Ritter Public Library Foundation. They are perfect for movie night, kids parties, or any time you’re feeling a little indecisive. Each Binge Box contains 4-6 movies focused around a central theme. Check out collections like Never Travel with Tom Hanks, On Wednesdays We Wear Pink, or Kids Movies: The 90s. Find them on display in our A/V section now. little free fridge now open Have you heard about freedges? A “freedge” is a free refrigerator and dry goods shelf that operates on a “take what you need, give what you can” basis. Anyone is welcome to use the space regardless of their financial status. This mutual aid concept is gaining global momentum, and freedges have opened nearby, at Elyria Public Library’s South Branch and Lorain Public Library’s South Branch. Our freedge, made possible by funding from the Dave Arnold Project Fund, has been up and running for a few weeks, but its grand opening will coincide with the Summer Reading Kick Off on Saturday, June 3rd from 2 - 4 PM. Stop by our Little Free Fridge to get what you need, drop off a donation, or just see what it’s all about. We welcome donations of fresh produce (including homegrown), refrigerated dairy, eggs, precooked or cured meats, meat/ dairy alternatives, shelf-stable foods, and household supplies. In the spirit of our summer reading theme, All Together Now, we will also be decorating the Little Free Fridge room with a community art project during the grand opening. Make your creative mark on this new community space! The Little Free Fridge is located near the A/V section in the former group study room meet libby If you are a user of Ritter Public Library’s ebook and audiobook offerings, you may have noticed that the legacy OverDrive app has been discontinued. Don’t despair - the Libby app provides access to the same huge selection of materials with a streamlined and more userfriendly interface. Your checkouts, holds, and wishlist will all transfer seamlessly when you log into Libby. If you want help learning to use the Libby app or any of our emedia apps, library staff can assist you! To schedule your oneon-one appointment, call us at 440-367-3798. a local book for every student A 2023 goal of the Ritter Public Library Foundation is to help the library collaborate with Vermilion Public Schools to benefit literacy and reading scores in Vermilion. Consultants concur that getting fun, relevant and intriguing books into students’ hands is critical. As a first step, the Foundation is arranging for 4th graders who take their annual May “Walk about Town”, to receive a copy of a delightful ‘ghost story’ written by former teacher, Joette McDonald and illustrated by local artist, Janet Waggoner. The Ghost story is set in the Old Town Hall (currently the Harbourtown Fine Arts Center). The book weaves in a lot of history about Vermilion Township’s Town Hall. Students will get a feel for Vermilion’s rich history as well as receiving their own copy of Joette’s book. Additional copies will be given to Ritter Public Library, Vermilion Elementary School’s library and 6 teachers. Teachers will have the opportunity to incorporate the ‘ghost story’ into their learning plans. Other anonymous donors have helped the Foundation launch this project. Because pre-school children are not always exposed to reading when they first attend school, the Ritter Foundation will be exploring additional ways to help the library promote the literacy of young children in 2023.
P 4 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2023 • ritterpubliclibrary.org EVENTS Our full calendar is always available at ritterpubliclibrary.org/events All Together Now Children Storytimes Monday - Thursday June 5 - July 31 Enjoy themed stories, crafts, and activities Mondays through Thursdays while storytime is in session. Our storytimes are best for ages 1 - Pre K. Twilight Storytime Mondays 6:30 PM Snuggle up for stories with Ms. Aimee before you snuggle into bed. All Together Now Storytime Tuesdays 10 AM We’re in this together! Learn about different countries and people all around the world at this global storytime. Learn Through Play Wednesdays 10 AM Come and play with us! We fill our storytime room with fun, educational toys for children across developmental stages, then top it off with music and books. Storytime at the Beach or Park Thursdays 10 AM Join us at Main Street Beach or Friendship Park (just east of the library) for storytime in the summer sunshine. In the event of bad weather, storytime will be held inside the library. Paws & Pages Tuesdays and Third Saturdays 10:30 AM Our reading dog, Fiona the golden doodle, comes to the library for kids to practice their reading and petting skills. Mad Science Monday Mondays 11 AM Join us for wacky, zany, and sometimes messy science experiments! Perfect for elementary-age scientists. Summer Reading Kick Off Saturday, June 3rd Magic Show with Michael Mage (Family) 1:30 PM Fun illusions for the whole family. Kindness Rocks! Rock Painting (Adult) 11 AM - 3 PM Paint a rock for library staff to hide around town to spread kindness. Little Free Fridge Grand Opening (Family) 2 PM - 4 PM Help us decorate our new community fridge room. Summer reading season is our favorite time of year here at Ritter Public Library! We’ve been busy all spring planning awesome events, prizes, and activities for all ages from baby to adult. Our theme for this summer is All Together Now, which is all about kindness, friendship, and unity. You will see this theme carried throughout our programs and activities - join us for our Community Cleanup day on Sunday, July 16th, or get the whole family together for one of our Family Fun Nights. You’ll find plenty of programs for all ages and stages across the next few pages. Thank you to the Friends of Ritter Public Library for their sponsorship! Participating is easy! Track your reading using the Beanstack app on your smartphone or visit ritter.beanstack.com to get started. Paper trackers will also be available for the Pre-K and Adult age categories. Record your reading and completion of bonus activities (like reviewing books and attending programs). You’ll earn rewards at milestones as well as tickets to enter for grand prizes like a LEGO ice cream truck, diamond painting set, Lake Erie Crushers tickets, or gift cards to local businesses. We can’t wait to see what we all achieve together this summer! Summer Reading 2023 June 3 - July 29
P 5 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2023 • ritterpubliclibrary.org Find It Friday Fridays in June and July All Day Search the library for a special mascot and win a prize! LEGO Club Second Saturdays 10 AM - 12 PM We get out our collection of LEGO bricks for kids to build a masterpiece. We’ll display their creations on top of our shelves all month. Pokémon League Third Saturdays 10 AM - 12 PM Young Pokémon masters can bring their trading cards and handheld games to compete with fellow trainers. We’ll provide crafts, activities, and movies to accompany. Stuffed Animal Sleepover Drop off: June 26 - 29 Pick up: June 30 - 31 Ever wonder what your stuffed animals get up to when you’re not around? We do, too! Kids can drop off their favorite stuffie for a night of mischief and mayhem - we’ll provide photographic evidence when they pick their buddy up. Pre-K End of Summer Party Friday, July 28 1 PM - 3 PM Wrap up the summer reading season with a party featuring community helper vehicles! This celebration is for our pre-k friends and their grownups. Family Family Fun Night: Music with the Mouse Thursday, June 8 5:30 PM Sing your heart out to Disney favorites old and new at this family karaoke night. Family Fun Night: Superhero Jeopardy Thursday, June 22 5:30 PM Team up with your family to test your knowledge of all things superhero. Puzzle Palooza RR Friday, June 30 2 PM Compete as an individual or a group to assemble a puzzle the fastest! The top 3 winners will receive a special prize. Family Board Game Night Third Wednesdays 6 PM Join us around the table for an evening of board games. Bring a game to share with the group, or choose from our collection. All ages welcome, though some games may be complicated for small children. Family Fun Night: Super Smash Brothers Night Thursday, July 6 5:30 PM Go head to head at this Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart battle royale. Enjoy Mario-themed crafts and activities. Community Cleanup RR Sunday, July 16 2 PM - 4 PM Come together with us to care for and beautify our public spaces by picking up trash and debris at a local park. Location to be announced, in coordination with the Vermilion Parks Department. Family Fun Night: Bingo Night Thursday, July 20 1 PM Come play this classic with the whole family and compete for your chance to win prizes. Inclusion Fair Saturday, August 5 1 PM - 4 PM At our first ever Inclusion Fair, we’ll have stations set up throughout the building showcasing different organizations and adaptive devices. Discover resources for yourself, your family, and friends. Escape Room RR Tuesday, August 8 10 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, & 3 PM Race against the clock to make your escape. Tween & Teen Make It Monday Mondays in June and July 2:30 PM On Mondays, we make things. Fire up your creativity with a new craft each week. All materials will be provided. Teens entering grades 6 - 12 welcome. June 5: Paint Book Ends to decorate the Teen Room June 12: Bubble Art June 19: Rainbow Bracelets June 26: Bad Art July 3: Nautical Wall Decor July 10: Coffee Wrap Kindness July 17: Painting (wear clothes that can get paint on them) July 24: 8-Bit Art RR Registration is required. Visit ritterpubliclibrary.org/events or call 440-967-3798 to register.
P 6 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2023 • ritterpubliclibrary.org RR Registration is required. Visit ritterpubliclibrary.org/events or call 440-967-3798 to register. Candy Sushi Creation Saturday, June 10 1:30 PM We’re recreating sushi favorites in candy form. All materials will be provided. Dungeons & Dragons RR Second & Fourth Wednesdays 5:30 PM This is your chance to try the hit game! Each session will be a standalone adventure with characters premade and ready to play. Teens in grades 6 - 12 welcome. Battle of the Books Club Third Wednesdays 5 PM Get competitive with your reading! Grades 4 - 8 will represent us at the Battle of the Books quiz bowl this September. Teen Board Game Night Fourth Tuesdays 4 PM Bring your friends or make new ones at our monthly board game session. Pick from our collection, or bring one to share with the group. 8-Bit Art Saturday, July 8 1:30 PM Recreate your favorite character with perler beads. Teens in grades 6 - 12 welcome. Super Smash Brothers Tournament RR Friday, August 25 2:30 PM Smash the competition & win the golden plunger! Teens in grades 6-12 welcome. Registration takes place in advance or in person starting at 1 PM the day of the event. Adult Cookies & Coloring RR First Thursdays 11 AM Color, chat, relax, and enjoy homemade cookies at this adultsonly coloring session. Bingo with Kingston RR Third Mondays 10:30 AM Kimberly from Kingston Healthcare will join us for bingo, complete with prizes. Canvas Bag Make & Take RR Monday, June 19 2 PM Come decorate your own personalized canvas bag, perfect for toting your books. All materials will be provided. Adult Storytime RR Tuesdays, 6/6, 6/20, 7/18, 8/1, 8/15, & 8/29 11 AM Our new storytime especially for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities provides interactive stories, crafts, music, and dance. Individuals, care groups, and caregivers welcome; caregivers must remain present with adults requiring supervision. Genealogy Resource Sharing Group Tuesdays, 6/6, 7/11, & 8/1 6 PM Diving deeper into your family history, or not sure where to find the information you’re looking for? Come learn with knowledgeable library staff and fellow genealogy enthusiasts. Bring your current project and your laptop, if you have one; library computers will also be available for use. Ritter Reads Book Discussion Group First Wednesdays 6 PM This book discussion group with no required reading is perfect for those who love to talk books, but don’t want to be confined to an assigned book. We talk about what we’ve been reading lately and walk away with new ideas for our “To Be Read” lists. The Top 100 of the Last 100 Book Discussion Group Second Fridays 10 AM We’re reading through the bestselling books of the last century! June: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot July: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel August: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows Tech Basics Classes RR Get to Know Your Android Smartphone Part 1 Monday, June 12 at 2 PM Get to Know Your iPhone Part 1 Tuesday, June 13 at 2 PM Get to Know Your Android Smartphone Part 2 Monday, June 26 at 2 PM Get to Know Your iPhone Part 2 Tuesday, June 27 at 2 PM Online Security for Older Adults Monday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 11 at 2 PM Email Basics Monday, July 24th and Tuesday, July 25th at 2 PM Everyday Apps and Beyond Monday, August 7 and Tuesday, August 8 at 2 PM Learn the basics of operating your smartphone or tablet at this class series designed for
P 7 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2023 • ritterpubliclibrary.org new smartphone users or those who would like to feel more comfortable using their devices. No prior knowledge is assumed. Bring your devices to class for hands-on learning. Shelf Indulgence Book Discussion Group Third Thursdays 3 PM At our newest book discussion group, we read contemporary fiction, fantasy, romance and more. June: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow July: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan August: When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff Classic Movie Night Third Tuesdays 6 PM We’re bringing the classic cinema experience right here to the library! Sit back, relax, and munch on fresh popcorn while you enjoy a different classic film each month. June: Meet Me in St Louis (1944) July: Singing in the Rain (1952) August: Ten Angry Men (1957) Brewed Awakening Book Social Fourth Thursdays at Brewed Awakening Vermilion 2:30 PM Enjoy great books, great conversation, and great coffee. Sip on your favorite beverage while we discuss this month’s read. June: West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge July: A Spanish Sunrise by Boo Walker August: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Crafting with Angela RR Last Wednesdays 6 PM Angela will lead you through a new craft each month. All materials will be provided. June: Beach-themed clothespin wreath July: Friendship-themed wall decor August: Pressed flower luminary Fall Growing and Preserving RR Fridays, July 7, 14, 21, & 28 2 PM Throughout this series of presentations, Dan Harkenrider from Emerson Farm and Market Garden will teach us the entire process of growing our own fall vegetables starting with the August planting season, as well as how to preserve your bountiful harvest. Harry Potter Trivia RR Monday, July 31 6 PM Calling all Harry Potter fanatics - test your knowledge for a chance to win prizes. Terry Pluto on Cleveland Sports RR Tuesday, July 25 6 PM Long-time sports columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer Terry Pluto will visit the library to talk Cleveland sports and answer audience questions. Local Author Fair RR Sunday, August 13 2 PM Meet local authors and purchase signed books, then enjoy local treats while you listen to the authors read excerpts from their books. Authors in attendance include Liz Ferro (Finish Line Feeling), Angie Hockman (Shipped), Otto Borsich (A Chef is Born), Kate Norris (When You and I Collide), and Emilia Rosa (Finding Cristina). Crazy Pet Enthusiast Party RR Monday, August 28 6 PM Is your furry friend the main character of your household? Join us for this pet-themed party where we’ll create crafts all about our animal companions.
5680 Liberty Ave Vermilion, OH 44089 Follow us on social media and sign up for monthly email newsletters to find out about new events, services, and more Be the first to know! Scan the QR code using the camera on your smartphone friends support library programs When the late Betty Reffner formed the Friends of Ritter Public Library, little did she know that the 6 member group in the 1980s would expand to a group of 120+ members by 2023. Over the years, this group of individuals has worked diligently to continue their mission of focusing public attention on library services, facilities and needs, helping to promote the use and enjoyment of the library, and developing supplemental funding to support the library. Through the years we have provided benches, planted trees, conducted The Friends Present concert series, funded Summer Reading Programs and provided other programs or services in support of the library. We support our efforts through fundraising activities like our popular annual book sale. This year our March book sale was a great success and we look forward to holding a second book sale in August. A wine tasting event in partnership with Brummer’s Chocolates is in the planning stages for October. And who knows? Perhaps there will be the ever-popular Chocolate Fest in Vermilion’s future. Stay tuned! We invite you to join the Friends of Ritter Public Library. We welcome your talents, ideas and desire to support the jewel of The Friends held a traditional Englishstyle coronation tea fundraiser this spring, their first event of this kind Vermilion. Membership forms are available inside the library or on the library’s website under the “support us” tab. Always a Friend, Reenie Rak, President Cover artwork by Frank Morrison for the Collaborative Summer Library Program
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