Spring break at the library

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

In keeping with their unofficial mandate of providing programs when children are out of school on holidays, the Strathmore Municipal Library is bringing back some of the old, a bit of the new, and some twists and turns for this year’s spring break.
Strathmore residents will have an opportunity to create, show off their dance moves, and win a variety of prizes during the program line-up running from March 29 until April 1.
Due to the success of the monthly-run Lego library program, which brings in 20 participants on average, the staff chose to launch the week with a Lego and Duplo – larger building blocks for the younger children – day.
“I think what we’ve always found, is that Lego brings out creativity in children and any way that we can foster that creativity is a good thing,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director of library services, at the Strathmore Municipal Library.
“Kids love Lego; they love to build. Even adults love to build. This is a program where families are going to be able to come and build together.”
Furthermore, in the wake of last year’s Karaoke Dance Party’s success of attracting over 20 children, and with a new Karaoke machine and music made available by the Marigold Library System, the event is making a comeback once again. However, this year the party will include more dancing to ease the children onto the dance floor and build up their courage to grab the microphone.
Another fan-favourite event, the Edible Book Day, is also expanding its horizons by adding more categories, palates, and entry opportunities. Back for its second year, the competition encourages community members to turn their best-loved literary works into inventive edible creations. After listening to concerns from last year’s pilot project, the library will accept entries from 5 p.m. on March 30 until 1 p.m. on March 31. Because families expressed their desire to create together, the library also added a third category – the family category. Last year, approximately 10 entries included culinary creations of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax and Green Eggs and Ham. This time around, patrons are urged to turn their favourite book, poem or titles into edible items that can be savoury or sweet. The first category consists of 15-year-olds and younger with a chance to win a first place of a $50 gift card to Toys ‘R Us. Those 16 years and older also have a chance to win a $50 gift card to Cross Iron Mills, and families are competing to get a hold of a $50 gift card to the Royal Tyrell Museum.
Yet the fun doesn’t end there. The library is finishing off their spring-break programs with a big foolish fun day on April Fools’ Day. Using the same round robin idea as during other library programs, the theme focuses on being silly while participants go around stations collecting stamps, taking home a trick-bag, and entering for a chance to win a $30 gift card to Toys ‘R Us.
The stations include an egg and spoon race, a funky chicken dance, creating marshmallow cannons, and a mix-and-match animal parts craft table.
Take part in the free Lego Madness on March 29 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m., Karaoke Dance Party on March 30 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., participate in the Edible Book Day on March 31. Winners will be chosen by a general public vote from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Finish off the week with Foolish Fun Day on April 1, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. For more information visit www.strathmorelibrary.ca.