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@ Your Library 12.23.22

By Beverly Ewart

Photo Credit: Glen M. Ewart 2022

Traveling this season?

Check out some of our travel titles, or check out some titles as traveling companions. A good book is good company and good company shortens the trip!

  • We are going on an airplane by Mavis Camellia.  Prepare your little one for their first flight & first time on an airplane! Alleviate some of the anxiety due to the unknown. Simple and easy language. Actual pictures show every step of the process, from getting to the airport and captain’s announcements to picking up your bags at baggage claim. (Not forgetting the very likely and not-so-fun bits, like boring ques and maybe ears popping. Explained in a non-scary way with helpful suggestions, let them be empowered rather than shocked and hysterical if their ears do pop.) The travel day can be long for all, but it can also be really fun. Beautiful memories are being created. ~ Publisher
  • Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya Bolden ; illustrated by Eric Velasquez.  As a mail carrier, Victor Hugo Green traveled across New Jersey every day. But with Jim Crow laws enforcing segregation since the late 1800s, traveling as a Black person in the US could be stressful, even dangerous. So in the 1930s, Victor created a guide–The Negro Motorist Green-Book–compiling information on where to go and what places to avoid so that Black travelers could have a safe and pleasant time. While the Green Book started out small, over the years it became an expansive, invaluable resource for Black people throughout the country–all in the hopes that one day such a guide would no longer be needed. ~ Provided by publisher.
  • Waypoints: My Scottish Journey by Sam Heughan.  Journey deep into the Scottish Highlands in the first memoir by star of Outlander Sam Heughan–exploring his life and reflecting on the waypoints that define him. In this intimate journey of self-discovery, Sam sets out along Scotland’s rugged ninety-six-mile West Highland Way to map out the moments that shaped his views on dreams and ambition, family, friendship, love, and life. The result is a love letter to the wild landscape that means so much to him, full of insights into the world through his eyes. ~ Provided by publisher.
  • Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse by Dawn M. Barclay.  Traveling with children is always challenging, but for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or mood and attention and distraction disorders it can be especially intimidating. How should parents of children experiencing meltdowns deal with clueless and judgmental onlookers? What are the best methods to alleviate motion sickness when your child might already be on a cocktail of drugs? Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse answers these and many other questions parents may have when traveling with their children. The book culminates with a resource guide of travel agents who specialize in special needs travel–as well as where to find other experts–and lists of organizations that advocate for special needs families. Noted mental health professionals offer advice throughout the book and organizations that support the needs of this community are profiled and included in the resources. ~ Publisher

We will be closed for the holidays on Friday & Saturday, December 23 & 24; and Monday, December 26.  Safe travels!

Children’s programming will take a break from Friday, December 23rd to Friday, January 6th. Have a gentle holiday season!


CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS: 

Programming at the Canton Free Library (CFL) plays an important role in providing literary  opportunities for St. Lawrence County children and their families. All events are free, though some require registration.

Ongoing Programs:                                                  

0-17 months:  Baby Storytime is for our youngest library babies and a caregiver and meets from 10:00-10:45 each Tuesday morning.  We’ll share books, bounce rhymes, songs, finger plays, and close with social/play time. No registration.

18-35 months: Toddler Storytime for children and caregivers meets on Monday mornings from 10:30-11:00.  We’ll read stories, make music, do flannel board tales, finger plays, and movement activities. No registration necessary during the school year.

3-5 years: Preschool Storytime is offered each week on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:15am, and is intended for children and caregivers. This 45-minute program involves stories, songs, movement, and art activities. No registration during the school year.

Grades K-2: Our program for elementary age children is called Books and Beyond.  Each third Thursday afternoon from 3-4 pm, we’ll explore a theme with books, activities, games, and art. Registration for each month is required by the Monday before.

Grades 3-6: Tween Time offers a mix of cool crafts and art exploration, games, STEAM, and booktalks of popular and classic literature, and meets each fourth Thursday afternoon from 3-4 pm.  Registration for each month required by the Monday before.

Lego Club: For Kindergarten-6th grade. Meets the last Monday of the month from 3:30-4:30pm, (December’s program will meet on the 19th and is already full.) and a different challenge or theme will be given each meeting. Creations will be displayed in the Children’s Room until the next meeting. Legos will be supplied; please don’t bring any from home. Space is limited and the program fills fast!  Registration required by the Friday before, but don’t wait that long!                                                                    

Young Writers Group: A theme or seed of an idea is given, and kids brainstorm, write, and maybe even illustrate their creative stories. They may then share their work with the group if they wish. Ages 8-12 years. Meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 3:30-4:50 pm. No registration needed.      

Teens:  Anime Club for grades 8-12 . Gather together on Thursdays from 5-7pm to share your interest in anime with friends.  No registration is necessary.  Contact Zach Woodley-White for more information. zwoodleywhite@ncls.org   

Outreach: Each month during the school year, Ms. Val visits schools and daycare centers to read to children and share songs, fingerplays, and movement.  In the spring, all local first and second grades are invited to take a class trip to hear stories and tour the library.  

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: Track the books listened to by children from birth to the beginning of Kindergarten, and move up for every hundred books read on the     Celebration Board in the Children’s Room . You can get a folder from Ms. Val to track on paper forms, or do it on the app.

Special  Programs                       

Battle of the Books: This program for grades 4-6 involves children forming teams, reading a list of 16 books over 8 months and then competing against other local teams in an exciting quiz game about the books. The top team from the CFL goes on to compete in a regional competition.                        

Summer Library Program (SLP): This is a month-long celebration of reading fun      during July for ages birth-12 years.  Specific age-group programs happen weekly, and we offer family programs with performers such as magicians, clowns, storytellers or musicians, as well as Books at the Beach and the annual Pet Show!  Registration is required for most programs and the  SLP is advertised beginning in April of each year. 

Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Free Library and the St.  Lawrence County Youth Bureau.                                  

Questions?  Need to register for a program?                                              

Contact Youth Services Specialist   

Valerie White  (Ms. Val)                                             

(315) 386-3712 ext 4                         

vwhite@ncls.org


If you are short on time, consider curbside service!  Give us a call at 315-386-3712 (choose option 1 “Front Desk”) or send an email to canlib@ncls.org, and we will pack up your books, check them out, and hand them to you from the front door of CFL. If you’re not sure what you’re in the mood to read, we can even choose some titles for you!


MORLEY BRANCH is open on Tuesday 1pm-3pm; Wednesday 4pm-6pm; Thursday 10am-12pm.  There is a computer available for your use, but it’s a good idea to call first to check on availability. Call for more details: 315-379-0066.


RENSSELAER FALLS BRANCH is open Tuesdays from 11am – 5pm. Children under age 10 must be with an adult. Call the library (315-344-4155) for additional information. 

A great way to find out what’s happening at our Morley and Rensselaer Falls Branches is to check out their Facebook pages:

Morley: https://www.facebook.com/MorleyBranchLibrary

Rensselaer Falls: https://www.facebook.com/RensselaerFallsLibrary


Canton Free Library’s Hours: 9am-6pm Monday – Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday.  For more CFL news, stay tuned on Facebook, Instagram, or our website.  Find new additions to our collection on our website: cantonfreelibrary.org. To renew your current checkouts, login to catalog.ncls.org; you may also renew via email at canlib@ncls.org, or by calling (315) 386-3712 (choose option 1, “Front Desk,” on the menu).

Find a good traveling companion @ your library!