Elbridge Free Library has much to offer in the new year
As we cross into a new decade and welcome the year 2020, the Elbridge Free Library is on track to have its most exciting, entertaining, and educational year yet. The library is budget friendly and offers multiple affordable new programs for both children and adults. In addition to new and exciting additions to the library, classic programs and circulated materials are still being offered such as painting, quilting, and yoga classes;, the knitting club, Kids in Motion; Story Hour; Lego building; take-home tool sets and ukuleles, the interactive Fairy Garden and so much more.
The Elbridge Free Library hosts several annual events as part of their mission to connect with the local community. Check back with the library throughout the year and receive updates on community outreach events that will be added to the 2020 calendar.
If you haven’t noticed, the staff has been busy making updates around the library to make the space a bit more contemporary and aesthetically pleasing. Check out the vestibule for a quick look of what’s newly available for patrons. Staff member Bette Ann Tucker creatively revamped the front flower bed with a sprawling Fairy Garden in 2018. The Fairy Garden continues to grow and improve as the staff brainstorms new ideas for the 2020 garden following the theme of “Once Upon A Time.”
Tucker and the Elbridge Free Library continue to welcome donations and/or creative ideas to continue to improve the fascinating Fairy Garden; an inspiring project for the whole community to enjoy.
The Elbridge Free Library has so many new educational toys for children that improve fine motor skills, enhance logical thinking capabilities, and provide mental stimulation during these long winter months. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.
Bring the children in to check out the Puppet Theater, 3D Magnetic Tiles, K’nex, Cubelets, the Play and Learn Station, and the Lego-Building Station that was uniquely designed and created for the Patrons of the Elbridge Free Library. Legos and instructional books provided.
In a progressive effort to continue to evolve with the times, the Elbridge Free Library remains committed to offering patrons some of the most up-to-date technology. Thanks to CLRC (Central New York Library Resources Council) and CNYFi, the Elbridge Free Library offers Google Chromebooks with Wi-Fi Hotspots that are available for lending for up to three weeks at a time. A hotspot brings Wi-Fi with you wherever you may be. Hotspots allow you to hook the Chromebook (as well as your personal laptop, smartphone or tablet) to the internet without having to track down a public place that offers Wi-Fi. These Chromebooks and Hotspots are an initiative of Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon to support OCPL’s continuing role in helping bridge the digital divide across Onondaga County. They are available to patrons over the age of 18 and a waiver must be signed. Additionally, the library provides an Amazon Fire Stick and Roku for free to patrons who are interested in “cutting the cable cord” and would like to test out streaming services at home. Streaming services are all the rage, and the Elbridge Free Library proudly provides a subscription to Netflix for the viewing pleasure of the community. In addition, they continue to offer HOOPLA; the at-home app that allows patrons to stream and download library materials instantly from the comfort of home. HOOPLA provides a wide variety of movies, books, and music right to your phone or smart device, for free; up to five borrows per month! In-house, the Elbridge Free Library offers both iPads and new patron computers. They are loaded with Windows 10 pro software and are faster and friendlier to use. By appointment, stop by the library with your smart device or laptop to receive hands-on tech assistance. The library also provides guidance with the library apps; Libby and Overdrive.
Constantly evolving, the Elbridge Free Library continues to expand their collection of unique items available for circulation. Recently added to the collection are the Amazon Fire Stick and Roku mentioned previously, Netflix, tool kits, sewing machines, ukuleles, sewing machines, and state and county park passes. These park passes have been enormously successful; allowing patrons free access to local state and county parks, including the Rosamond Gifford Zoo! All you need is a library card, and the opportunities for exploration are endless.
As a way to inspire and challenge the young readers of the community, the Elbridge Free Library encourages children to join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy challenge. Prizes are given for each 100 books read and logged by each participating child. Watch the excitement and sense of accomplishment as the children get to move their bookworm up the stack of books, on their journey to becoming a “1000 Book Butterfly”.
During breaks from school, the library schedule is overflowing with new and free ways to get the kids interested in reading, engaged in activities, and away from the TV screens. Check back as the year rolls on for updates to the schedule, including movie days, more theme days, Spring Break activities, teen and adult programming, and Summer Reading information.
Here is the listing of upcoming events, free and fun for the whole family:
Weekly
Monday
10a.m. Knitting Club
10:30 a.m. Kids In Motion with Mrs. Tucker. All ages welcome.
Tuesday
7 to 8p.m. Adult Yoga by Hayseed Yoga. Any yoga level welcome. Fees apply.
Wednesday
10 a.m. Story Hour with Mrs. Quigley or Mrs. Nolan. Ages 2+
5:30 p.m. Knitting class with Mrs. DiSanza.
Thursday
7 to 8p.m. Adult Yoga by Hayseed Yoga. Any yoga level welcome. Fees apply.
Winter break activities
Feb. 17 – Crafting with Ms. Alyson 1 p.m.
Please pre-register for this event! Have fun and create your own 3D animal. Ages 4+
Feb. 18 “Big Kid” Story Hour with Mrs. Preston 10 a.m.
A celebration of National Engineers Week through fun engineering related books and a semi-guided STEM activity. Various STEM toys will be available throughout the week for all ages to come, play, and learn. Ages 5+
Feb.19 – Twin Magicians 6:30 p.m.
The Jackman Twins combine magic and humor while performing circus arts. All ages welcome.
March 2 – Theme Day! Dr. Suess Day 10 to 8 p.m.
Stop by anytime to participate in Dr. Suess themed crafts. All ages welcome.
Now is the time to get reacquainted with the Elbridge Free Library, 241 E. Main St., Elbridge, 315-689-7111. With newly expanded business hours; now opening at 10 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays, anytime is a good time to check out all of the new and wonderful programs and materials that are being offered to the patrons. Enjoy the free cable TV, free wifi and free coffee too! Have a suggestion? – drop us a note in our suggestion box. We’d love to hear what you have to say. Don’t forget to follow the Facebook page for weekly updates and photos of events, facebook.com/Elbridgefreelibrary. More information is also available on the website elbridgelibrary.org.
The Elbridge Free Library – More Than Just Books!
