ONNECTIONS C SUMMER 2024 R I T T E R P U B L I C L I B R A R Y Summer Reading Starts June 1st: Details INside
P 2 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2024 • 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 Tom Zeck ENDOWMENT BOARD Pat Farley, President David Berns, Vice President Tom Zeck Jill Treece HOURS Monday - Thursday 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM Friday & Saturday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM HOLIDAY CLOSURES Sunday, June 16th Festival of the Fish Thursday, July 4th Independence Day 5680 Liberty Ave Vermilion, OH 44089 440-967-3798 info@ritter.lib.oh.us ritterpubliclibrary.org As I write this, Ritter Public Library has completed two-thirds of our strategic planning process. Nearly 500 people answered our online survey, and a dozen community members gathered for a focus group. Recently, our Board of Trustees engaged in a half-day retreat to establish core values and a new mission statement. The next step is to establish overarching goals and action items. Lastly, we will compile all the elements into a final strategic plan. Proving that Ohio is “The Heart of It All,” over 7,000 library workers from around the country recently gathered for a national conference in Columbus. Four of us from Ritter attended in order to celebrate public libraries and what we’ve accomplished together. We heard from inspirational speakers and chose from over 100 educational sessions aiming to move libraries forward. Summer is a time for everyone to read for fun! And the benefits of reading extend to talking about reading with other people. Thanks to traditional print books as well as eReaders and eAudiobooks, you can read almost anywhere at any time -- on family trips in the car, commuting to work, in a book club, at a coffee shop or on a comfy couch. And if you can’t find something to read, we are here to help with suggestions for every taste and reading level. Please check out this newsletter to discover the many adventures that await you at Ritter Public Library this summer! Sandra Licks, Director From the director Do you want to make an impact by participating in scientific research? Our new Citizen Science kits allow you to do just that! Citizen Science, a program by the nonprofit organization SciStarter, partners with libraries to increase awareness of and access to meaningful ways for individuals without science degrees to engage in research efforts. Each kit contains instructions and all the tools you need to start collecting data, except for a smartphone, tablet, Science for everyone or laptop to submit your findings. Current kits offered include Exploring Biodiversity, Measuring Light in the Night, Mapping Mosquito Habitats, and Observing Pollinators. Each kit is available to borrow for two weeks at a time. Come check out the kits, located across from the main desk near the A/V section, and make your own contribution toward scientific research!
friendly font, encourage children to practice letters and their sounds. The Ritter Public Library Foundation is deeply grateful to donors who have helped to fund these initiatives. The Foundation welcomes gifts of any size - more information can be found at the “Support us” tab on the library website. Save the date for October 5th: plans are underway for Octoberfest. Proceeds will fund new initiatives for the library. P 3 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2024 • ritterpubliclibrary.org Did you have a pen pal as a kid? Did you always want one? “Friends with Pens”, a new program starting this summer, aims to bring back this Friends with Pens offers overseas connection classic pasttime and forge new international friendships. Adults ages 18 and up will have the opportunity to be paired with a pen pal in Ireland! Ritter Public Library is partnering with Kilkenny County Council Library Service in County Kilkenny, Ireland to offer this program to library users. County Kilkenny, in southeastern Ireland, is known for its scenic medieval architecture and lush riverside landscape. The library service serves around 15,000 members across its 9 branches. Ready to meet your pen pal? Between July 1st and August 15th, sign up on our website or in person. We will pair you with a pen pal based on your age and interests by August 31st, and you will also receive a starter kit with supplies. Write your first letter by September 3rd and drop it off at the library to be sent to your pen pal. You can expect your return letter in a few weeks. We will continue to send and receive the letters on behalf of program participants through December 13th. Those wishing to continue corresponding will be responsible for sharing contact information and coordinating details on their own with their pen pal. We look forward to seeing the friendships that unfold from this program! Literacy continues to remain a central priority for the Ritter Public Library Foundation. In partnership with the library, the Foundation has funded multiple initiatives for youth in our community thanks to continued financial support from our donors. In March, students had the opportunity to meet Elana K. Arnold, author of A Boy Called Bat, in person. A variety of over 2,000 books have been purchased and distributed to every child in Vermilion Elementary School, as well as those attending preschools at Lakeview Baptist Church, YMCA, and the Developmental Nursery School at UCCC. Vermilion Pre-K and families attending library storytimes have also recently received books. Funds granted to the library also provided a set of decodable books. The decodable books, some of which use dyslexiaFoundation supports literacy Author Elana K. Arnold visited Vermilion Elementary School
Children Storytimes (June 4th - July 10th) Adventure Begins at Your Library: Mondays & Tuesdays, 10 AM Learn Through Play: Wednesdays, 10 AM Age: Birth - 5 Enjoy themed stories, crafts and activities. P 4 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2024 • ritterpubliclibrary.org Adventure Begins at Ritter Public Library The start of summer brings so many opportunities for adventure - long days spent in the sunshine, traveling, or making new memories with friends and family. As you consider the possibilities for the months ahead, remember that Adventure Begins at Your Library! This year’s summer reading program is an invitation to adventure to new places, ideas, and skills through reading and activities. Adventure Begins at Your Library, open to all ages from baby to adult, starts June 1st and runs through July 31st. Just download the Beanstack app or visit ritter.beanstack.com to get started. Read, complete activities, and log your progress to earn rewards and ticket entries into grand prize drawings. Paper trackers will also be made available for adult participants - simply stop by the library to pick one up. EVENTS Our full calendar is always available at ritterpubliclibrary.org/events Pokémon League Saturdays, June 15th, July 20th, Aug 17th 10 AM Age: Grades 3 - 6 Bring your cards and handheld games to face off with fellow trainers. We’ll provide crafts, activities, and movies. Summer STEM Club Thursdays, 6/13, 6/27, 7/11, 7/25, 8/8, 8/22 2 PM Age: Grades K - 3 Join us for experiments all summer! This Episode is Called: Bluey Party Friday, June 14th 10 AM Age: 2 and up Wackadoo! Prepare for a reallife game of Keepy Uppy, and prep yourself for dance mode. It costs zero dollarbucks to attend. Registration is not required, but you may sign up to receive a reminder email about the event. Stuffed Animal Sleepover Monday, July 15 - Friday July 19th Age: All ages Drop off your favorite stuffed friend Monday - Thursday, then pick them up on Friday along with photo evidence of the mischief they got up to at the library. Some of this year’s grand prizes include a gross science kit, make your own slime kit, LEGO Minecraft set, Amazon gift cards, and gift cards to various local businesses. You’re also guaranteed certain rewards as you progress - kids can earn a local treat, reward bag, and a book prize, while adults can unlock limited edition rewards such as stickers, bookmarks, and a tote bag. Be sure to browse through the following pages to see all of the exciting events coming this summer. Thank you to the Friends of Ritter Public Library, the State Library of Ohio, and the Library Services and Technology Act Program for sponsoring the Summer Reading program and select summer events. Scan the QR code with the camera on your smartphone to register on Beanstack
The Wonderful World of Bubbles Friday, July 12th at 2 PM Age: All Ages See bubbles beyond your imagination at this indoor show with the Bubble Lady. Magic with Michael Mage Saturday, Aug 3rd at 11 AM Age: Pre-K - Elementary Enjoy family friendly illusions with Cleveland-area magician Michael Mage! Celebrate the end of Summer Reading with ice cream/popsicles following the show. Fire & Ice with MAD Science Monday, June 3rd at 10 AM Age: Pre-K and up Get ready for the coolest and hottest show around, featuring mind-boggling experiments, explosive effects, and icy transformations. Outback Ray’s Amazing Animal Show Friday, June 28th at 10 AM Age: All Ages Enjoy an interactive show with Outback Ray and his amazing animal friends. P 5 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2024 • ritterpubliclibrary.org Route 66 Party Tuesday, July 16th 3 PM Age: Grades K - 3 We’re on the open road, having fun with car-themed, crosscountry games and activities! Children grades K-3 can join us as we create fizzy mixers, build our own cars, jam out to travel music, and have fun seeing the sights - all without leaving the library. Pie-Rat Party Friday, July 19th 10 AM Age: Grades K - 3 Arr you ready for a pie-rat party? Or is that a pirate party? Only one way to find out! Leave the scurrvy at home and scurry to the library for barrels of fun. RR Registration is required. Visit ritterpubliclibrary.org/events or call 440-967-3798 to register. Fri-YAY Storytime Fridays, 8/16, 8/23, & 8/30 2:30 PM Age: Birth - Pre-K Dance, play, read, sing, and learn with Mr. Collin and enjoy Fri-YAY in this special 3-week storytime series. Tween & Teen Teen Tuesdays Every Tuesday in June, July, & August 10 AM - 4 PM Age: Grades 4 -12 Stop by the Teen room for activities each week. Games, tasting challenges, crafts, and coloring await. Dungeons & Dragons RR Grades 4 - 7: Second Wednesdays 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Grades 8 - 12: Second Saturdays 2 PM - 4 PM Try out the hit game filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. Characters are premade and ready to play - all experience levels welcome. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys RR Book Discussion: Monday, July 29th at 2 PM Virtual Author Visit: Monday, August 5th at 2 PM Age: Grades 6 - 12 Pick up a copy of Salt to the Sea at the Children’s desk starting June 1st, then join us for a book disussion and author visit. Adults are welcome to attend the discussion and author visit, but questions will be limited to those in attendance in grades 6 - 12. Please note that the author will attend virtually, while participants will meet at the library in person. Escape Camp Half-Blood RR Tuesday, August 6th Multiple times: 10 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, 3 PM, & 4 PM Age: 8 and up The Titans have taken over Camp Half-Blood, and you have 45 minutes to escape before you’re trapped in Tartarus forever! Gather your friends and family and put your brain to the test in this Percy Jackson-themed escape room! Featured Kids’ Events
P 6 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2024 • ritterpubliclibrary.org RR Registration is required. Visit ritterpubliclibrary.org/events or call 440-967-3798 to register. Adult Traverse Tuesdays RR Tuesdays, 6/4, 7/9, & 8/6 6 PM Explore the natural wonders of the continent from inside the library! We’re bringing you a virtual adventure through a different national park each month this summer. Stories of the Appalachian Trail RR Wednesday, June 5th 6 PM Experienced hiker Mary Mexiner will share the ups and downs of the 2,200 mile trail. All About MyChart RR Tuesday, June 11th 10 AM Tina Sluga, Healthcare Advocate Trainer at Serving Our Seniors, will join us to review setting up and using a MyChart account as well as differences you might see using MyChart with multiple healthcare providers. Cookies & Coloring RR Wednesdays, 6/12, 7/10, & 8/21 11 AM Feel your stress melt away as you color, chat, and snack on homemade cookies at this adults-only event. Natural Ohio RR Friday, June 14th 3 PM Explore a variety of native wildlife and habitats found throughout Ohio with Naturalist Rachel from Lorain County Metroparks. Natural Ohio will provide a hands-on experience with natural artifacts found from around Ohio. Crafting with Angela RR Craft Free-for-all: Tuesday, June 18th at 6 PM Wooden Bracelet: Tuesday, July 16th at 6 PM Huichol-inspired God’s Eye: Tuesday, August 20th at 6 PM Angela will lead you through a new, fun craft each session. All materials will be provided. Genealogy Resource Sharing Wednesdays, 6/26, 7/24, & 8/28 6 PM Join fellow enthusiasts to work on projects and share advice. Board Game Night Fourth Tuesdays 6 PM Bring a game to share or choose from our collection. Open to all ages, though some games may be complicated for small children. Intro to Canva RR Thursday, June 27th 6 PM Learn how to use Canva, a webbased graphic design application, by creating a photo collage poster. Bring your own laptop or tablet to class. Canvas Bag Creation RR Friday, June 28th 3 PM Personalize your own canvas bag perfect for toting your library books. All materials will be provided. eMedia 101 RR Thursday, July 11th 7 PM Learn about Libby and Hoopla, free library apps you can use to access eBooks, audiobooks, comics, magazines, movies, television, music, and more. Bring your smartphone, tablet, or eReader to class for hands-on learning. Musical Memories: The Great American Songbook Wednesday, July 17th 7 PM Enjoy a free concert featuring Cindy Smith, clasically trained vocalist and Doug Day, piano, trombone, and bass player. This concert is sponored by the Friends of Ritter Public Library. Adult Storytime RR Thursdays, 7/18, 8/8, & 8/22 11 AM Adults with diverse intellectual and developmental disabilities can experience the benefits of storytime, crafts, music and dance! Caregivers must remain present with adults requiring supervision.
P 7 Ritter Public Library • Summer 2024 • ritterpubliclibrary.org RR Registration is required. Visit ritterpubliclibrary.org/events or call 440-967-3798 to register. Snowman Snow Globe RR Monday, July 22nd 6 PM Get a head start on winter decor by making a fun festive snow globe. All materials will be provided. Traveling Abroad 101 RR Saturday, July 27th 3 PM Learn tips and tricks for planning your perfect international vacation including safety protocol, travel guide and website recommendations, fun facts, and more! Puzzle & Game Swap Saturday, August 10th 11 AM - 1 PM Browse through new and gently used puzzles and games to find free treasures for your collection. Drop off your puzzles and games for the swap from August 5th - 10th. Puzzle Palooza RR Saturday, August 10th 1:30 PM Compete as a team or individual to complete a puzzle the fastest. Special prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place. 2nd Annual Author Fair Saturday, August 31st 2 PM Meet local authors, hear them read from their work, and purchase signed books. We are pleased to welcome even more authors to this year’s event - the author lineup will be announced this June. Adult Book Discussion Groups Our book discussion groups always wecome new participants. Copies of the month’s selections are available for checkout at the main desk. Brewed Awakening Book Social Wednesdays, 6/6, 7/11, & 8/1 2:30 PM At Brewed Awakening Vermilion Sip on your favorite beverage while we discuss the month’s selection. June: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein July: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters August: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Shelf Indulgence Book Discussion Group Mondays, 6/17, 7/15, & 8/19 6 PM Do you like reading relationship fiction, romance, and historical fiction by authors on the rise? This book discussion group is for you! June: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman July: The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni August: The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman Top 100 of the Last 100 Book Discussion Group Wednesdays, 6/26, 7/31, & 8/28 10:30 AM Get a taste of popular reads through the decades, as we head back in time to read through the bestselling books of the last 100 years. June (1998): The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver July (1997): Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond August (1996): A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin NEW! Each adventure kit is filled with themed books and bonus goodies. Borrow & return the library items. The extra surprises are yours to keep! Youth kits will be available throughout the summer. New adult kits will be offered on June 1st, July 1st, and August 1st. All kits will only be available while supplies last. FOR ALL AGES
5680 Liberty Ave Vermilion, OH 44089 Follow us on social media and sign up for monthly email newsletters to be the first to find out about new events, services, and more Stay in touch! Scan the QR code using the camera on your smartphone
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