After School?

What's happening after school in September? Well, if you are in grades K-6 there are several opportunities to enjoy the library and meet new friends!

• After School Story Time at Sandhill Library is "FUN with books!" Sept. 16, 3:00 p.m.
• Kids Computer Class at Pearl Library is NEW! Sept. 16 and 23, 4:00 p.m. Call ahead to make sure there is room for you!
• Pearl Peanuts at Pearl Library is Sep. 22 and 29, 4:00 p.m.
• After School Story Time at Flowood Library is stories, crafts, and FUN! Sept. 21 and 28, 3:00 p.m.
• Backpackers at Brandon Library is Sept. 21 and 28, 3:30 p.m.
• After School Story Time at Richland Library is Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m.

These are lots of FUN! Stop by your library after school!

Pearl Peanuts @ Pearl

Like to cook? Like to eat? The Pearl Public Library is proud to welcome Carol Ballard from the Mississippi Extension Service. She will be here on Wednesday, September 15, at 4:00 pm for Pearl Peanuts. Come enjoy stories and make a delicious treat!

Computer Classes for Kids

The Pearl Public Library is now offering free computer classes for kids. Classes meet on Thursdays in September at 4:00 pm. Limited space is available so please call the library to

pre-register!

(9/2) MAGNOLIA and Online Catalog

(9/9) Discovering Websites

(9/16) Microsoft Word

(9/23) Microsoft PowerPoint

Race to the Last Chapter: Family Reading Challenge

Is your family competitive? Then your family should enter the Race to the Last Chapter: Family Reading Challenge sponsored by Target at the Pearl Public Library. The challenge starts Tuesday, September 7. Come to the library to pick up your registration form and reading log. We are giving away grand prizes as well as other prizes just for participating! This is an excellent opportunity for you and your family to participate in something together and win prizes for the whole family. Readers--Start Your Page Turning!!

Pearl Peanuts is starting!

It's school time again which means that we are beginning Pearl Peanuts! Pearl Peanuts meets every Wednesday at 4:00 pm at the Pearl Public Library. This program is designed for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. This year we are featuring some fun new programs! Our Kids in the Kitchen series will be featured at our first meeting, August 18th. We are also introducing a Kids in the Garden series. Children will also enjoy stories, crafts, and snacks!

Read It Before You See It!

Nine-year-old Beezus Quimby has her hands full with her little sister, Ramona. Sure, other people have little sisters that bother them sometimes, but is there anyone in the world like Ramona? Whether she's taking one bite out of every apple in a box or secretly inviting 15 other 4-year-olds to the house for a party, Ramona is always making trouble--and getting all the attention. Every big sister can relate to the trials and tribulations Beezus must endure. Old enough to be expected to take responsibility for her little sister, yet young enough to be mortified by every embarrassing plight the precocious preschooler gets them into, Beezus is constantly struggling with her mixed-up feelings about the exasperating Ramona. Read this classic story by Beverly Clearly before you see the movie starring Selena Gomez!

Ice Cream! Ice Cream!

Join the Pearl Public Library for a good, old-fashioned "Back to School Ice Cream Social" on Tuesday, August 17th @ 4:00 pm. This program is free and open to families of Pearl. Grab some ice cream and learn about new programs starting this fall at the Pearl Library. Also, members of the community can stop by and get a new library card. This is a great opportunity to socialize with other families of Pearl and to learn what the library can do for you and your family! We will also be giving away door prizes!

Paw Pals @ the Pearl Public Library

Come and enjoy story time with furry friends! Betty Hutchinson will be bringing her two therapy dogs to help out with story time the first Saturday of each month. Our first Paw Pals program will be on Saturday, August 7, at 10:30 am. The program will last approximately 30 minutes. We will read a few selected stories based on a theme, and then the children will have a chance to read to the dogs at the end.

Great New Book to Read!

Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes by Kelly Milner Halls & Major William Sumner

This is an incredible story of hope within tragedy. As a result of the Iraq War in 2003, the Baghdad Zoo was devastated. Animals were missing and many were in need of food and water. U.S. Army Captain William Sumner worked with a team to help these animals and to re-establish the Baghdad Zoo. Now open, the Baghdad Zoo has become an oasis of hope in a city of devastation. These animals have become a symbol of life and survival. This is a great book, and it has such a wonderful message for any reader.

Last Chance for 'The Snakeman' this Summer

If you haven't had a chance to see Terry Vandevender (aka 'The Snakeman') this summer, tomorrow may be your last chance. So join us at Pelahatchie Public Library on Wednesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m.

Splish, Splash--Is It Over So Fast???

Morton Public Library's summer reading finale includes watermelon and the Morton Fire Department hosing us down. So don't forget to bring a towel and get here early to check out your books before you get wet! Program is at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 16. Check out this photo from our fun game day.

Make A Splash Library Birthday Bash

Join the Pearl Public Library Thursday, July 12, at 6:00 PM for our Make A Splash Library Birthday Bash! We will be celebrating the library's 5th birthday as well as the end of the 2010 Summer Reading Program. We will be announcing the winners of our grand prizes and the winners of our Beneath the Water Art Contest. We will have games for children and the Mississippi Swing Band will be here to entertain everyone! We will also have birthday cake for everyone. As always, we will also be giving away door prizes! Do not miss the party of the summer!

Inky the Clown @ the Pearl Public Library

Inky the Clown will be at the Pearl Public Library Thursday night, July 8, at 6:00. You do not to miss this fabulous event! We will also be giving out door prizes for children and adults!

Fires Safety House & Pluggie visit Florence Library

The Fire Safety House and Pluggie the Fire Hydrant along with Ms Ashley taught the Florence Preschool Summer Readers about fire safety. Pluggie was loads of fun and laughs! The Fire Safety house was terrific and a little tiny bit scary with all that smoke! With good teaching from Ms Ashley we located all the smoke alarms and every one made it out and to the safe meeting spot on time! Thank you Pluggie and Friends!

Summer Reading makes a big SPLAT @ Florence Public Library

Summer worker, Cody, volunteered to get a pie in the face if the children participating in the Florence Summer Reading program read 1000 books. Well, on June 28, he wore that pie proudly since the children had read over 1300 books! Now they are reading in hopes of 'pieing' Ms Tina when they reach 2000 books! Keep reading!

Fish Prints @ Pelahatchie Public Library

The Rankin County Extension Office provided loads of fun for children this morning at Pelahatchie Public Library. The children made 'fish prints' to take home and their own snack to enjoy. If you missed this program, the Fish Print program will be at Sandhill Public Library tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.

Get Crafty at the Pearl Public Library

Join the Pearl Public Library this Thursday night @ 6:00 PM for Family Craft Night! We will be featuring sea animal fans, rain gauges, paper bag whales, and bookmarks for coloring. This program is free and open to children who are in kindergarten through sixth grade. We will also be giving away fabulous door prizes and announcing the winners of our weekly guessing jar contest.

Guessing Game "nets' a lot of Goldfish!

The winner of our first guessing game this summer is Remington M. He was the closest with a guess of 1,000. There were actually 923 goldfish swimming in the jar. Morton Public Library will have a new guessing game every week during summer reading. Come by and guess!

Puppet Show!

THE PUPPETS ARE COMING!! We had so much fun last week with Percy King here at the Pearl Public Library! We got to learn about and touch all kinds of reptiles. The fun will not stop this week!! The CMRLS PUPPETS will be here to entertain us. This program is FREE and will begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 24. Stop by for a great show and fabulous door prizes!

Tween Boys Build

Yes, it's true that they are building a new library in Forest, but we were focused on a different kind of building tonight. We were more interested in building with Legos! We had a special summer reading program just for tween boys at the Forest Public Library. Then we turned them loose with a bunch of Legos and waited to see what they would come up with. The results were awesome and we are going to keep them on display throughout the rest of the summer. If you need a closer look, feel free to come and check them out. The guys even asked if we could make this a regular event. Hmm...

New Reads!!!

What's the Matter Bunny Blue? by Nicola Smee

A rhyming book with so much heart, you'll just fall in love with Bunny Blue as he searches for his grandmother. Does Bunny Blue find her? It's a great book to read aloud to any child!

Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out by Troy Cummings

A spin on the classic rhyme, this fast-paced book will take you higher and higher as Eensy (the spider) finds out that if you fall you must pick yourself up! Awesome read for kids in K-6th grades!

How to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps by Jennifer Huget

Do you have a child with an imagination the size of the world? (and a messy room the size of Jupiter?) Check out this delightful 10-step book on how to inspire your child to clean his/her room!

Sandwhich Swap by HRH Queen Rainia Al Abdullah with Kelly DiPucchio

This might just be one of my favorite summer picture book reads, although you can read it whenever you'd like. It has so many levels of inspiration for tolerance and respect of other people's differences. Two girls + Two Sandwiches= a book 4 anyone to enjoy!

Reptile! Reptiles! Reptiles!

Percy King and his reptiles will be at the Pearl Public Library this Thursday (June 17) @ 6:00 PM. The program is free and open to children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Door prizes will be given away to children and adults. Do not miss this chance to see and learn about all of Percy's reptiles!

Come experience magic @ the Library

Robert Day will be firing up the magic at the Brandon Public Library's Family Night this week.Thursday @ 6 pm. See you there!

Wii Play Wednesdays

Need a mid-week break? Come join the Pearl Public Library for Wii Play Wednesdays every Wednesday @ 3:00 until July 14. We will be featuring different water-themed games as well as Wii classic games. Children and teens are welcome to come!

The Snakeman

This is an event you do not want to miss! The Snakeman, Terry Vandeventer, will be at the Pearl Public Library with his snakes. The program is free to the public and open to kids who are in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program starts at 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 10. We will also be giving away door prizes!

Guessing Jars for Summer Reading Program

Find a sweet treat at the Pearl Public Library this summer! We will have a guessing jar contest each week of the Summer Reading Program beginning the week of June 7 and ending the week of July 15. You will have a total of 6 times to win a prize. Kids, teens, and adults can enter this contest. All you have to do is guess how much candy is in the jar. The closest guess wins a prize. Participants are only eligible to win one guessing jar contest. So, come down to the Pearl Public Library this summer and register for the Summer Reading Program starting May 24 and enter out guessing jar contest while you are here!

Summer Reading Program Registration

Summer Reading Program 2010

Come Make a Splash with your library this summer and register for the Summer Reading Program! The Summer Reading Program provides an incentive for children to read during the summer. Registration begins the week of May 24th. Read books for great prizes and enjoy our free programs every Thursday night at 6:00 pm (programs start June 10th and end July 15th). Contact the library for more details. We hope to see you this summer!

National Children's Book Week

Celebrate National Children's Book Week!

This week (May 10-16) is National Children's Book Week. NCBW has been celebrated nationally all across the country since 1919. The purpose of this event is to celebrate children's books and the joy of reading! So, come to the library and check out your favorite children's book or find a new book that catches your eye!

From Books to the Big Screen

This year has been full of books made into movies! From classics such as Alice in Wonderland to popular such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, kid's books have made their mark in Hollywood! It is always fun to see your favorite book come alive on the big screen. Check out these noteworthy books that have recently been made into movies...and check back for updates on upcoming books made into movies.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Seventeen-year-old Alice returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid follows the travails of a wise-cracking middle school student over the course of an academic year. Featuring all of your favorite characters, including Greg, Rowley, Fregley, Chirag and Patty Farrell, you’ll love seeing the book come to life!

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is an action comedy that tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup’s world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view.

(http://www.kidsreads.com/features/books2movies.asp)

Basic Spanish Classes

Basic Spanish Classes @ the Pearl Public Library

Join us for basic Spanish classes. Class size is limited to 15 people. For ages 5 and up. Pre-registration is required. Call the library for more details. All classes are free.

**Classes are offered on Thursdays during the months of April and May. You can attend the morning session at 9:30 AM or the afternoon session at 4:00 PM.**

Summer Reading Programs are just around the corner!

Even though it is National Library Week (April 11-17) and everyone is celebrating Libraries; staff in all CMRLS Libraries are busy planning Summer Reading 2010!

The theme for this summer is Make a Splash, READ! We don't want to get books wet, but we do want to encourage reading anytime and anywhere! There will be FUN at all the Libraries in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. Join us for all the FUN and spend your summer with books and friends!

Make a Splash, READ!

Summer Reading 2010

Storytelling: featuring nationally renowned storytellers!

Thursday, March 25, 6:30 p.m. at the Morton High School Auditorium, the Morton Public Library presents Diane Williams and Tim Tingle, nationally renowned storytellers! You won't want to miss this performance!

Williams has been performing professionally as a storyteller for more than 14 yearsl. She has traveled around the US and as far away as Hawaii, Germany, and Africa telling stories. Williams is currently the Arts Industry Director for the Mississippi Arts Commission and host of the agency's weekly radio program.

Tingle is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a sought-after speaker and storyteller, and an award-winning author of Native American fiction and folklore. He often accompanies himself on the American Indian flute and whale-skin drum. Tingle currently teaches a summer storytelling course at Santa Fe, New Mexico, sponsored by Oklahoma University.

This performance is partially funded under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) administered by the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Bookmark Contest!

Calling all artists! Win fame and prizes by entering Brandon Public Library's March bookmark constest! Winner will be featured during National Library Week in April and win great prizes! Stop by the library to pick up your entry form!

Check this out!

100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson

While on an international trip, Henry’s parents have been kidnapped. Now, nine-year-old Henry must go live in Henry, Kansas with his Aunt and Uncle, along with his three female cousins, which he hasn’t seen in six year. When he arrives, he is given a bedroom in the attic. The first night in his new room, Henry begins to hear scratching at the wall behind his bed. Turning towards the noise, he looks up at the wall, and though there is nothing on the other side of it but the outside, he discovers a knob working its way out of the plaster. For several nights, Henry, along with one of his cousins, work at removing the plaster - only to discover the wall is filled with cupboards! A tumble by Henry causes one of the doors to pop open. Is that rain and wind they hear? And does the key they find open another door? Did they just spot someone walking on the other side of the doors? Pick up this book and find out the answers to these questions and more!

- Jessica Bilbo, Youth Service Librarian, Brandon Public Library

What's Happening After School

After school programs through the end of March for grades K-6:
Play Pictureka at Richland Library, Mar. 9, 3:30 p.m.
After School Story Time at Sandhill Library, Mar. 4, 3:00 p.m. Have FUN with a book!
Pearl Peanuts meet at the Pearl Library, 4:00 p.m. on Mar. 3, 10, 24, and 31. Have fun with stories and activities.
After School Story Time at the Flowood Library, 3:00 p.m. on Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Stories, activities and crafts.
After School Book Club at Polkville Library, 5:00 p.m. Mar. 8 - Happy St. Patrick's Day! Mar. 22 - Camp Out Story Time!
Brandon Library BackPackers meet at 3:30 p.m. on Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 for books, games, activities, and FUN!
After School Story Time at Raleigh Library, St. Patty's Fun on Mar. 9, 3:30 p.m.

Watch the CMRLS Online Calendar for future programs, including Summer Reading Program! 

Fun @ Your Library!

Movie and Pizza Fun!

Stop by the Brandon Public Library on February 8, 2010 for Family Date Night!

Watch a movie, grab some pizza and spend some special time with your family @ your library!

See you @ the library!

Stuffed Animal Sleepovers

Last week at the Lake and Forest branches we had some fun animal adventures. We had our first stuffed animal sleepovers. We enjoyed a bed time story time and then we tucked all the animals in and had a bed time snack before we went home for the night. Apparently, the animals had other ideas though. They did all kinds of exciting things while we were gone and read a lot of good books too. Apparently, they got their paws on a camera as well, so we thought we would share what we found when we got back to work. Those silly animals have quite an imagination. We just might have to do this again next year.

1000 Page Challenge

The Pearl Public Library partnered with O'Charley's Restaurant in Pearl for a reading program---1000 Page Challenge. The program challenged kids to read 1000 pages in the course of 14 weeks. Twenty-two children registered for the program and read a total of 51,551 pages. Twelve children stepped up to the challenge and read a combined total of 49,306!!!

Kathy B., Cecelia S., and I met the 12 children who completed the challenge on Wednesday, December 16, at O'Charley's. At the restaurant, the children ordered anything they wanted from the children's menu. While we waited, we had a recognition ceremony. Every child received a certificate and a wrapped $5 gift. Our Friends of the Library donated the prizes for all the children. Additionally, the top reader won 1000 pennies (which was donated by one of our Library Friends-Judy W.) in a fish bowl. Connor B. of Pearl was our top reader with over 10,000 pages.

Again, I would like to thank O'Charley's Restaurant, Pearl Friends of the Library and my library coworkers. This program was FANTASTIC!!! All the children were winners. I couldn't have been a more proud librarian that day!

The Rankin Ledger will run an article about this story in the January 5th edition.

Miss Mara's Top 10 Holiday Picture Books

Needs a good read for the holidays? Try one of my favorites! They may be checked in a library near you. Check out the catalog.

1. Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
3. If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
4. Christmas Cobwebs by Odds Bodkin
5. Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera
6. My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Kimmel
7. Mim's Christmas Jam by Andrea Pinkney
8. The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket
9. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
10. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Are You Looking for Santa?

There is still time to see Santa @ your Library! Saturday, Dec. 12, 4:00 p.m. - Sebastopol Library will have Santa and Library Friends taking pictures for $1 at the Bishop Park in Sebastopol (across the road from the Library). Pictures will be made on Saturday and can be picked up at the Library beginning Dec. 16. Proceeds go to the Sebastopol Public Library Friends. Monday, Dec. 21, 6:00 p.m. - Brandon Public Library will have a wonderful family story time and a visit from Santa! See you @ the Library!

Next Good Books: Myths, Legends, Folktales

A book list of Myths, Legends, Folktales has been posted on Next Good Book! These are books that can be found at CMRLS libraries. Check out a few of these and let your librarian know which was your favorite! Next Good Book is a readers advisory tool that list books by category or subject, awards, or special booklists created just for you! This allows you to write comments about the books you have read for others to read, all by creating a FREE log in. You can even create lists of your own to share with others or just keep a list of books you've read! Take a minute to look at this great tool! Myths, Legends, & Folktales

After School FUN and MORE!

Check out the online calendar for great after school programs for kids in grades K-6th! All programs for this age group are marked with red on the online calendar. An even easier way to view the programs you are looking for? Sort the calendar, let it show you only the programs you want!

1. Click HERE for the Online Calendar of Events for all of CMRLS, 20 branches in 4 counties!
2. Click the "Search Calendar Events" on the left side of the screen.
3. Click the arrow after "Select Category" on "Option 1".
4. You may choose to sort the calendar in a number of ways:

• Option 1 sorts by age group. Are you looking for programs for you or your toddler? Looking for a teen program? Click on an age group and see all programs geared to that group!
• Option 2 sorts by Branch. Which Library are you looking for programs? Which Library is closest to you? Click the city where the Library you want to visit is located. The calendar shows all the programs in that Library!
• Option 3 sorts by keyword. Would you like to see all author visits scheduled this month? Are you looking for a book club to participate? Are you looking for a Story Time for your child? Type your keyword in the text box provided and the calendar pulls up all programs that fit your search!

Our print calendar, "What's Happening @ your library", can be found on the Library's home page. There are lots of programs for all ages and if you can't find what you are looking for, ask your library staff!

Fire Safety @ Florence Library

Visit with Andy the Ambulance and the Smoke House for Fire Safety Month, Florence Library, Monday, Oct. 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m., for ages K-6th grade.

Oooooh, I'm Not Afraid!

Do you like ghost stories?

Maybe slightly scary ghost stories?

Morton Library

is hosting a telling of

Slightly Scary Ghost Stories

Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m.

Come for slightly scary FUN!

Wii (is or are?) @ your library

Well, whether it's "Wii is @ your library" or "Wii are @ your library"...you can play Wii games @ your library! Check these dates out: Sat., Oct. 10, beginning at 10:00 a.m. @ Pearl Library - Wii games will be out ALL day. Stop by with your family and try them out! Thurs., Oct. 22, 6:00 p.m. @ Richland Library - High School Musical 3 will be available for Family Night FUN!

Summer Reading 2009!

It's Summer Reading time!

Programs start this week at a library near you!

Check out the CMRLS calendar at http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/calendar.html to find them. Watch this blog for information on programs and pictures of programs.

This will be a summer of FUN @ your library!

Summer is Here!!!!

It is time again to come register at your Library for Summer programming. Brandon Public Library programs are: Story times for 4 and under Mon. @ 10:30 a.m. or Tue. @ 10:30 a.m. Creative Connections K-6th grade Tue. @ 2 p.m. Teen creative workshops Thur. @ 4 p.m. Come Together Family Nights each Thurs. @ 6 p.m. Our summer schedule will run June 1st - July 9th. Call us with any questions. 601-825-2672

Have you ever eaten a dog biscuit?

Is it salty or sweet? In Helen Cooper's Dog Biscuit, the little girl Bridget tried her very first dog biscuit. She secretly loved the taste. Her neighbor Mrs. Blair noticed the telltale signs of dog biscuit crumbs that decorate little Bridget's chin. Mrs. Blair jokes with her and says Bridget will soon be bow-wowing. She begs Mrs. Blair to keep her secret (that she ate a dog biscuit) from her mom. Bridget literally believes Mrs. Blair and Bridget wonders why her mom does not notice she is turning into a dog. Bridget likes the life of a dog until she realizes something...

If you enjoy Helen Cooper, this book is worth checking out. Helen Cooper is also the author of Tatty Ratty and Pumpkin Soup. Click here to see if it is available for checkout. Pair this book with Patrick Loehr's Mucumber McGee and the Half-Eaten Hot Dog and you're sure to have a hit.

Little Miss Muffet Sat on Her Tuffet...

eating her curds and whey...Ewwww---that was the general reaction of the Pearl Peanuts group when we made curds and whey for this month's science experience.... For our after school group (Pearl Peanuts), I designated all the activities for January to be science-related. This week we made plastic milk or curds and whey. The activity was courtesy of PBS kids. First we gathered our materials--skim milk, vinegar, strainer, and microwave-safe bowl. Next we measured 1.5 cup of skim milk and poured it into the bowl. Then we added 4 teaspoons of vinegar into the bowl, and we placed the bowl and mixture into the microwave, and we let it cook for 1 minute. When the minute was finished, we took the book out of the microwave, and the kids noted the changes of the milk and vinegar, i.e. the smell was stronger and the vinegar and milk made a chemical change into a blob. We used a strainer to separate the liquid from the solid, and each kid touched the blob or plastic milk. The next experiment we performed was courtesy of Vicki Cobb. It was called the Science in a Bag of Potato Chips. A few months ago, I personally saw Vicki Cobb perform this experiment, and I thought it was very cool. We needed a candle, unopened bag of potato chips, scissors, matches, and a bowl. There was a second part to the experiment, but we did not perform it. First, we talked about the crispness of the chips and how chips can become stale or soggy. Then I explained to them that the potato chip makers needed to find a way to keep the chips fresh and crispy. Potato chip makers decided that foil-lined bags and nitrogen gas would preserve their chips' freshness. Onto the experiment...I lit a candle. As Mrs. Cobb suggested, I blew lightly on the candle's flame to show that my breath was fanning the flame and not extinguishing it. Only if I blew with more force would the flame extinguish. Next, I snipped the corner of the potato chip bag, and I placed it near the candle's flame and squeezed the bag. The nitrogen in the bag of potato chips deprived the candle's flame of oxygen, which is the gas needed for candle's to remain lit. Of course, the kids were all excited about it, but they were even more excited when they got to eat the chips. Also note that throughout the entire program I STRESSED ADULT SUPERVISION. I must have stated it every 5 minutes. What amazes me is the age differences in this group and how wonderful they pay attention (most of the time)! I think the youngest is 3 years old, and the oldest is 11 years old.

Brandon's Reader's Choice Awards

What is your favorite book?

When the new year comes around there is always a "best of'"chosen from the year before.

So we would like to know what was your favorite book.(and it did not have to be written just last year.) You can comment on the blog or come by and drop it in our bucket on the desk.

Here are our upcoming Family Nights:

Thur. at 6p.m.

Jan. 22nd A Very Merry Unbirthday Party

Feb. 19th Family Date Night with Pizza and a Movie

"Freaky Friday"

March 19th March Madness

(play Bingo, face painting, snacks, make a mask)

Is it Christmas time already?

Christmas is approaching us fast but we have lots of fun activities planned at Brandon Public Library. Dec. 6th - Friends of the Library is hosting Snacks with Santa Please come by and get all the details or call us. Dec. 18th - Annual Jammie Jingles Family Night A pajama party to enjoy stories, cookies and cocoa and make an ornament for your tree. Dec. 20th - Gingerbread House Come in and pre-register to make a gingerbread house. Of course we also have our weekly activities. Mon. 10:30 Baby and Me Mon. 3:30 After School story time is moving to this new day. Wed. 10:30 Pre-school story time Thur 10:30 Pre-school story time Dec. 4th and 18th 4:00 Ultimate Afternoon for ages 7 to 11

Mock Election Held at Morton Public Library

During the month of October, Kindergarten through 12th grade students have had an opportunity to vote for their candidate of choice in this year's presidential race. Votes were tallied this morning with Republican John McCain receiving 58% of the vote and Democrat Barack Obama receiving 42% of the vote. Thanks to all the local students who participated in the mock election.

Baby Bookworms Story Time

At the Pearl Public Library, we have a program just for babies (ages birth-24 months). We have the program on Tuesdays at 9:30. I think it's one of the most rewarding programs we do. We sing songs; I read short books; they have an interactive play time.

It's awesome to watch children grow and develop their motor and verbal skills within a few months. The first song I sing is "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". A few months ago, I learned how to sing the song and to sign it with my hands. Children who have been coming to story time for the last few months are beginning to try the hand signs. Today, I got so tickled with the children because they are really, really trying to sing and sign. Join us on Tuesdays because it's a wonderful way to start your young one's day!!!