Off the Shelf: July events at Maxwell Library

Submitted by Rena Brower

Summer Reading Program for Children and Teens at Maxwell

It’s easy to register for “A Universe of Stories” and record your books online from Maxwell’s website or in person at the library up to Aug. 14. Each reading goal met gives you a chance for more prizes. Be sure to mark your calendars for the End of Summer Reading Party on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m., and check out Maxwell’s amazing programs all summer long for kids of all ages.

West Genesee CSD Summer Reading Lists

Titles for the West Genesee middle and high school summer reading lists will be available through Maxwell Library. Demand is usually high, so please leave enough time to get your choices before summer ends.

Children 18 and under with their own library cards might worry that overdue book fines will prevent them from participating in the library’s Summer Reading Program. Please come and speak with Ms. Melissa Lewandowski about Maxwell’s amnesty program.

Wild Wednesdays free family entertainment programs run through Aug. 7, from 6 to 7 p.m. No registration is required; come early for a front-row seat!

July 10: Jeff the Magic Man presents his amazing space adventure show.

July 17: Prepare for a hands-on experience with reptiles and snakes with Dan the Snakeman.

July 24: Be amazed with Zoo to You.

July 31: Get hands-on with your environment with the Young Naturalists of Central New York.

Aug. 7: Be fascinated with Checker’s and Snoozer’s Back to the Moon show.

Adult Summer Reading Program

Now through Aug. 16. For ages 18 and up. Free. No registration. Enter in person at the library or online any time at MaxwellMemorialLibrary.org.

Don’t let kids have all the fun—join Maxwell’s Adult Summer Reading Challenge. For every book you read or listen to, every library program you attend, and each Director’s Challenge you complete, earn one ticket for a weekly chance to win a $25 gift certificate to a local business.

Art exhibits

Pisces from the Depths

Artwork in acrylics, colored pencil, and papercut by Patty Boyd

Running  through July 29

Liverpool-based artist Patty Boyd learned to hold a pencil at six months old and has been creating ever since. Her work has been displayed in the Library of Congress, as well as several galleries in the Syracuse area, and her comic work has been published in several anthologies. This exhibit of Ms. Boyd’s mixed media and paintings is a representation of her work since 2012, when she began to focus on oceanic life. Her sea creations allow the expression of light and color in a playful way.

Art in the Stacks

Drawings by the Camillus Senior Center art group

Running through July 31

Closing reception Thursday, July 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Maxwell Library’s main room exhibit will showcase drawings from students at the Camillus Senior Center who attend classes under the direction of Christine Patsos. Senior students work on a variety of subjects and draw still lifes, portraits, and perspective exercises using basic drawing techniques including value transitions, line quality, composition, and artistic choices. The exhibit will feature a variety of pieces from artists with various backgrounds and skill levels.

TBL Peer-Based Suicide Support Group

Tuesdays, July 16, 23, and 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free. No registration.

Two Brothers’ Light is a non-profit organization that promotes suicide prevention and awareness. It holds peer-based support groups for individuals affected by suicide and other mental health issues. These meetings are free and open to anyone seeking information on suicide prevention and awareness, alternatives to suicide, or grief support for those affected by suicide. For more information, call 315-632-1996, or go to twobrotherslight.org.

Genealogy Roundtables

Wednesday, July 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 24, 1 to 3 p.m. Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Hometown. Free. Registration preferred.

Join genealogist Amanda Perrine for Maxwell’s monthly Genealogy Roundtable. Library patrons interested in researching their own family histories get together to discuss problems in their research and share tips on sources and methodology. Both beginners and longtime researchers are welcome. This month, learn how to trace your beginnings beyond just country of origin to actual city or village.

Unraveling Yarns Book Club

Thursday, July 11, 10:30 to noon. Free. No registration.

All book selections have a mystery or suspense theme. Bring your needlework and unravel a different plot each month. Stop in at Maxwell for a copy of this month’s book, Sue Grafton’s “P Is for Peril,” and a reading guide. Non-knitters are also welcome.

Craft Class—Gift bags and tags

Thursday, July 11, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration required. For adults. Due to the popularity of this program, there are two sessions–sign up for either 5:30 or 6:30 p.m.

Make a pretty gift bag with Alyson Esposito. Here are a few ways to use up that 12 by 12 patterned paper that many of us have. Class will have directions on how to fold 12 by 12 paper to make a gift bag with ribbon for handles. Also provided are directions for a bottle tag. These are great for housewarming presents and can be used on any bottle from wine to soda to hot sauce. All supplies provided. Registration is required to ensure enough supplies are prepared. Each class size is limited to ten participants.

Safe Place to Game

Monday, July 15, 4 to 6 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. For ages 7 to 18.

Safe Place to Game is a community program presented by TCGplayer where students and families can learn and play trading card games like Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class for Adults

Mondays, July 15 and 29, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration required. Register for one or both sessions.

In Vinyasa Yoga, students learn to coordinate movement with breath to flow from one pose to the next. Steve Emery, a 200-hour YTT certified yoga instructor, will guide adults through the basics in this one-hour class. Open to all levels of yoga experience, from beginner to advanced. Class starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle.

PAWS of CNY Reading Dog Visit

Tuesday, July 18, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred but not required. Best for ages up to 12.

Come meet and read stories to Lily, a friendly dog volunteer from PAWS of CNY. This program allows children to practice reading aloud without the fear of being criticized or corrected. Books are provided, or you can bring a special favorite one from home.

Comic Book Basics with Patty Boyd

Thursday, July 18, 3 to 4 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. For ages 11 to 15.

Learn the basics of comic book drawing from artist Patty Boyd including paneling, time flow, and basic figure work. You will learn how to start drawing action oriented, black and white comic drawings in only an hour. All supplies provided.

Lyme—The Great Imitator

Thursday, July 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred.

More people are now aware of the possibility of contracting tick-borne diseases, but not everyone knows how debilitating these diseases can be. Local author Martha Conan documents her diagnosis, medical treatments, and life changes stemming from Lyme in “They Didn’t Know–My Personal Journey with Lyme Disease.” In this presentation, Ms. Conan will provide Lyme disease literature, help answer questions about Lyme prevention and can provide names of doctors who specialize in Lyme. Copies of her book will be available for $22.

Moon Landing 50th Anniversary Party

Saturday, July 20, 10:30 to noon. Free. All ages welcome.

Let’s party like it’s 1969 and NASA just landed on the moon! On the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon come to Maxwell Library to watch footage of the landing, learn historical facts about this monumental event, eat themed snacks, and more.

Genealogy Lock-In

Saturday, July 20, 3 to 5 p.m. Free. Registration required.

Use library databases and resources to work on your personal genealogy research after hours with genealogist and Maxwell Director Amanda Perrine. Bring your laptop or use the library’s PCs; bring all personal passwords for email, databases, and other sites you might use.

Between the Lines Book Club

Monday, July 22, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free. No registration.

The group reads a variety of genres, from literary fiction to suspenseful bestsellers. Copies of this month’s selection, Lisa Wingate’s “Before We Were Yours,” and reading guides are available at the desk. Everyone is welcome.

Dinosaur Dig

Monday, July 22, 3 to 4 p.m. Free. Registration required as space is limited. For school age children.

Do you love dinosaurs? This fun Dinosaur Dig program is for you! First, listen to an interactive fossil talk. Then you will go on a dig to identify different fossils. Build a Triceratops with bones that you discover during the dig.

Renting 101— Legal Issues for Renters and Landlords

Monday, July 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred, as space is limited.

Too often, the process of renting is complicated and mystifying, leaving both tenants and landlords confused as to what they’re obligated to do. Renting 101, presented by local housing attorney Laurie Rolnick, Staff Attorney for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, will break down the fine print and make it clear what is expected of both parties. The program will help attendees understand the basics of renting a residential property, covering the rights and responsibilities that tenants and landlords hold and including tips for dealing with tricky situations. The initial discussion will be followed by a Q&A session.

Tech Class—A Random Walk on the World Wide Web

Thursday, July 25, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. You may bring your personal laptop, tablet, or phone.

Exploring or surfing the internet can show you interesting things you might not have encountered otherwise. But some sites can be dead ends. Tech Librarian Pete Schult will show you sites that can be starting points for richer surfing experiences and teach you how to keep your browser fast and uncluttered.

Cookbook Club—Favorite Recipe

Thursday, July 25, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred.

For this first meeting of Maxwell’s new cookbook club please make your favorite recipe and bring it along with the cookbook it’s from. We’ll share a meal and decide how we want to run the group.

Ongoing programs for kids and teens (all free; no registration unless otherwise noted):

Stories with Sally, for the under-3 crowd and a participating adult.

Mondays and Wednesdays, July 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Sally’s Story Time, for preschoolers ages 3 to 5.

Tuesdays, July 16, 23, and 30, 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Preschool Story Time with Ms. Melissa

Thursdays, July 11, 18, and 25, 10:30 to 11 a.m. For children ages 3 to 5 with a parent or guardian.

This fun story time helps preschoolers develop early literacy skills and fosters curiosity. Come and enjoy stories followed by a simple craft. Younger (and older) siblings are welcome. July 11—“The Wheels on the Bus.” July 18—Author Alicia Marie reads her book, “The Newest Addition to the Penguin Family.” Copies of the book will be available for purchase. July 25—“Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs.”

Tuesday Crafternoons

Tuesdays, July 16, 23, and 30, 2 to 5 p.m. For children ages 3 to 10.

Drop in at Maxwell to make the week’s planned craft or one of your own choosing. July 9—Paper tube rocket; July 16—You’re the star in this astronaut craft; bring a picture of yourself to add to it; July 23—Planet mobile; July 30—Alien paper bag puppet.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

To promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers as well as to encourage parent and child bonding through reading, the 1000 Books Foundation has issued a challenge to parents to read 1000 books to their children before kindergarten. Stop in at Maxwell Library to get your first reading log and informational materials, and start reading.

With OverDrive and Hoopla, great entertainment is only a click away on your computer or mobile device. We have ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music and videos, with new titles added daily. It’s easy, fun, and free! Call to set up a help session.

Get tech savvy by attending Tech Librarian Pete’s monthly classes. Catch up on what you missed with Handouts and Other Resources through the Digital tab on our website.

Your library card is the key to amazing free online encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, archives, tutorials, and courses. Go to the Digital tab on Maxwell’s website, or to onlib.org/research/databases.

Ask about the variety of digital devices available for borrowing or in-library use.

Sign up for Maxwell’s monthly e-newsletter through our website, Facebook page, or at the circulation desk.

See upcoming events and register as needed through our online events calendar.

You can support Maxwell Library online through the PayPal Donate feature on our website.

Being a Friend of Maxwell is a great way to support the library. The group sponsors library programs and fundraising events. Click the Friends tab on maxwellmemoriallibrary.org for news and updates of meetings and special events.

Are you planning on visiting a New York State or an Onondaga County park? Borrow a NYS Empire Pass or an Onondaga County Park Pass from Maxwell Library before your trip. Both passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis to patrons over the age of 18 with OCPL library accounts in good standing. They may be checked out for three days, and must be returned in person at Maxwell. Call or stop in for more details.

Maxwell Memorial Library is located at 14 Genesee St., Camillus. The library is open Monday through Thursday, 10 to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 to 3 p.m.; closed Sundays. Closed Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day. Please call 315-672-3661 for additional information about any of our programs, visit our website at www.maxwellmemoriallibrary.org, like us on Facebook, or find us on Instagram and Twitter @maxmemlib.