Off the Shelf: August 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 by 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 are held Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m. No registration is required; come early for a front-row seat! This year’s series concludes on Aug. 7 with Checkers and Snoozer’s Back to the Moon show.

Adult Summer Reading Program

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.

New—Board games for borrowing with an adult’s library card. Family-friendly, borrow for one week with one renewal, one game at a time. Games are not able to be reserved. They must be checked out from and returned to the Maxwell circulation desk.

Art exhibits

What I View: Taking a Glimpse of Landscapes Around Me

Sketches and oils by Deborah Connolly

Aug. 1 through 28

In her artist statement, Skaneateles artist Deborah Connolly (DAC) says, “My representation of the scenery around me is an art work in which I create an abstract design.” Her paintings portray the essence of her subjects in vivid colors and bold brushstrokes.

TBL Peer-Based Suicide Support Group

Tuesdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20, and 27, 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.

Escape Room—Panic in Space

Friday, Aug. 2, 6 to 8 p.m. (after hours). Free. Please register. Family friendly. Come with a group, or by yourself and be added to a group.

Maxwell Library is hosting its first escape room! You and your team will assemble in a themed room and will have one hour to complete your mission and “escape” the room. A successful escape will require you to find hidden clues and solve challenging puzzles throughout the room. The theme will be Panic in Space! “You have been chosen by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to become the astronauts of tomorrow. With you is the Great American astronaut Thomas Miller. He is in charge of your training during this trip. Unfortunately, after a spacewalk of several hours, Thomas came back weakened and fainted… Impossible to wake him up… Suddenly, an alarm goes on!…”

DIY Moon Rocks

Monday, Aug. 5, 1 to 2 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. For ages 3 and up. Parents are asked to stay and assist their children during this program.

Make your own models of moon rocks using baking soda, water, glitter, and black food coloring.

Unraveling Yarns Book Club

Thursday, Aug. 8, 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, Michael Connelly’s “The Wrong Side of Goodbye,” and a reading guide. Non-knitters are also welcome.

Craft Class—Greeting Cards

Thursday, Aug. 8, 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 two beautiful layered cards with Alyson Esposito. There will be one all-occasion and one winter with holiday sentiment options. Complete the designs using rubber stamps and colored pencils and your choice of several sentiments. All supplies provided. Registration is required to ensure enough supplies are prepared. Each class size is limited to ten participants.

Unicorns and Dragons Party

Saturday, Aug. 10, 11 to 1 p.m. Free. Registration preferred to help with planning. For ages 0-12.

Come to the library for a fun day all about unicorns and dragons. Make a unicorn or dragon craft, or both.

Play games and learn fun facts about these special creatures. Cookies will be served! Come dressed as a unicorn or dragon for extra fun.

Towpath Day at Camillus Erie Canal Park

Saturday, Aug. 10, 11 to 4 p.m. Free. No registration.

Look for Maxwell Library’s table as the community celebrates the legacy of the Erie Canal with the wonderful folks at Camillus Erie Canal Park at 5750 Devoe Road (off Newport Road) in Camillus. There will be story and craft time for kids, a display of historic Camillus and Erie Canal publications, and more. Check the Camillus Erie Canal website at eriecanalcamillus.com/events.htm for more information on additional programs, parking, and free shuttle service.

Safe Place to Game

Monday, Aug. 12, 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, Aug. 12 and 26, 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. As with all new exercise regimens, please check with your health care provider before starting yoga. Be advised that a vinyasa flow is repetitious and you need to be able to move from a standing position down to your yoga mat and back again.

Class starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. Class must have a minimum of six students or it will be canceled, so make sure your phone number and email address are correct when registering in case you need to be contacted.

Maxwell Matinee

Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2 p.m. Call for title. 2017; PG-13; 119 minutes. Free. Registration preferred. For adults.

A wealthy man befriends a vagrant after his wife requests that he do so. Renée Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, Jon Voight, and Djimon Hounsou star in this inspirational film, based on a true story. Licensing laws prevent the publication of certain details, but you may call the library or go to the library website for the title. Seating is limited, so please reserve your place online or by calling 315-672-3661.

Games on a Roll

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. For ages 5 to 18.

Come to Maxwell for an afternoon of fun and safe gaming before the End of Summer Reading Party. The Games on a Roll custom video game party truck and trailer is equipped with the newest video game consoles, coolest games, comfortable stadium seating, high tech video and sound and an amazing laser light show. Up to 20 can play numerous games simultaneously. All games are rated E for Everyone.

End of Summer Reading Party for kids and teens

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6 to 7 p.m. Free.

Celebrate the past two months of fun and library activities. There will be ice cream, free books, raffle prizes, and more.

Genealogy Roundtables

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 21, 1 to 3 p.m. Following the Ladies. 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 find women’s maiden names and their names after marriage.

Comic Book Basics with Patty Boyd

Thursday, Aug. 15, 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.

US Census Job Fair

Thursday, Aug. 15, 4 to 6 p.m. Free. No registration.

Office and field work is available beginning September 2019 for the upcoming 2020 US Census. Apply today for positions. Adults over 18 and US citizenship are the only requirements. No resume or CV is needed. Drop in at Maxwell Library between 4 and 6 p.m. for more information and to apply in person.

Maxwell Library Board Meeting

Monday, Aug. 19, 6 p.m.

The board of trustees meets on the third Monday of each month unless stated otherwise. The public is welcome to attend. The agenda is posted online one week before.

Tech Class—I Am Jane’s Tech Issue

Thursday, Aug. 22, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred. You may bring your personal laptop, tablet, or phone.

We all have those questions that we’re afraid to ask because “everybody else already knows the answers.” Maxwell’s August Tech Program is your chance to ask some of those questions about technology. Tech Librarian Pete Schult will bring some common questions to start with, but this is your chance to bring your own questions and get them answered.

Cookbook Club—Picnic Fare

Thursday, Aug. 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Registration preferred.

Make a favorite picnic recipe and bring it along with the cookbook it’s from. We’ll share a meal and have fun talking about food and cooking.

Between the Lines Book Club

Monday, Aug. 26, 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, David Grann’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and reading guides are available at the desk. Everyone is welcome.

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, Aug. 5, 7, 12, and 14, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

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

Tuesdays, Aug. 6 and 13, 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Preschool Story Time with Ms. Melissa

Thursdays, Aug. 1, 8, and 15, 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. Aug. 1—“Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes.” Aug. 8—“How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?” Aug. 15—“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”

Tuesday Crafternoons

Tuesdays, Aug. 6 and 13, 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. Aug. 6—Rocket craft that shines; Aug. 13—Phases of the moon wreath.

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 Saturday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 2 for Labor Day. Please call 315-672-3661 for additional information about any of our programs, visit our website at maxwellmemoriallibrary.org, like us on Facebook, or find us on Instagram and Twitter @maxmemlib.