SKANEATELES — Story WalkⓇ at Austin Park
The Skaneateles Library, in cooperation with the Town of Skaneateles Parks Department, are happy to provide a fun family activity for our community in the summertime. Walk along the exercise path in Austin Park and read the story, I want My Book Back by Viviane Elbee with your family and friends.

Drop-In Tech Help | Mondays, 10:00 AM – Noon: Let us help with your tech questions: computers and mobile devices, downloading e-content from the library’s catalog, using Google Drive and social media platforms! Bring your device and drop in during a Tech Help session to get started! Appointments are also available, please give us a call at 315-685-5135 or email [email protected] to schedule.

Baby Bounce & Rhyme | Wednesdays in July at 9:15 AM:
Bond with your baby during this program featuring nursery rhymes, books, movement and fingerplays, followed by playtime with other babies and caregivers. For babies up to 18 months.

Story Time in the Yard | Thursdays in July at 10:30 AM:
Grab a blanket or lawn chair and join us for story time in the sunshine as we celebrate the outdoors, sing songs, and pop bubbles. For ages 18 months – 5 years. Story Time will move inside during inclement weather.

Young Naturalists: Wetland Wildlife | Monday, August 1st at 3:00 PM
Connect with the natural world around us! Have you ever wondered what creatures you would find in a scary swamp or a beautiful Bog? Join the Young Naturalists to take a closer look at what we can find underwater! We will take a look at some wonderful wetland life and find out why they are so important. For grades 3-5.

Family Yoga | Tuesday, August 2nd at 1:00 PM
Join us for simple stretches and breathing with Ms. Colleen. For all ages.

Express Yo’ Self | Wednesdays, August 3rd, 10th, 17th at 11:00 AM
Explore different ways of self expression through words, color, nature, and style. This 3-session program helps participants tap into their inner selves to make simple hand-bound journals, self-portraits, and a stencil t-shirt. Participants must attend all three sessions. Registration required. For ages 8 – 12.

Young Naturalists: Backyard Birding | Thursday, August 4th at 3:00 PM
Connect with the natural world around us! We all see birds throughout our everyday lives, but wouldn’t it be cool to identify them? Build your birding skills with the Young Naturalists and learn to ID some common birds in your backyard from just sight and sound! We will also be making bird feeders and bluebird nesting boxes. For grades 3-5.

Messy Play: Unstructured Exploration | Friday, August 5th at 10:30 AM
Join us in the library’s yard for open-ended, child-led playtime. Children will explore a simple mud kitchen, clay sculptures, and bubble blowing. Adults may want to bring a lawn chair to relax as children play. Please wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Unless there’s a chance of a storm, Messy Play will be held rain or shine. For ages 3 – 7.

Dav Pilkey Party | Saturday, August 6th from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
This drop-in program for fans of Dog Man, Cat Kid, and Captain Underpants features different activities, crafts, and trivia. Registration required. For ages 6 – 10.

Fairy and Gnome Houses | Tuesday, August 9th at 10:30 AM
Build your own fairy, gnome, or bug house in the library’s garden using natural materials. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring any sticks, leaves, rocks, etc. from home.
For ages 3 – 7. (Rain Date Tuesday, August 16th)

Paws to Read with Chewbacca | Wednesday, August 10th from 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Chewbacca is a gentle and sweet therapy dog who loves to listen to stories. Drop in at the library to meet Chewbacca, read him a short story from our collection, and soak up all his peaceful doggie vibes. For kids beginning to read independently up to age 18.

Open for Business: 1820 on the Erie Canal | Thursday, August 11th at 2:00 PM:
200 years ago, in 1820, the Middle Section of the Erie Canal opened for navigation between Montezuma and Utica. Derrick Pratt, Museum Educator at the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse will share about how this momentous event transformed the State of New York, especially the 96 miles this stretch of canal passed through, including the swampy frontier crossroads community of Syracuse. Registration requested.

Family Board Game Night | Friday, August 12th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Bring your family or a group of friends to test out a variety of board games generously donated by HABA. For toddlers – adults.

Elementary School Book Club | Sunday August 14th at 2:30 PM
This month we’re reading Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi. Each month we’ll read a book or graphic novel and then get together to chat about the book and do an activity. For kids in grades 3 – 5.

Crochet for a Cause | Sundays, August 14 + 21st at 1:00 PM
Whether you’d like to learn to crochet or would like to volunteer your crochet skills, teens 12+ are invited to this program to help us make items that will be donated to charity. Crochet for a Cause is led by our teen volunteer who will help beginners get started and help more experienced participants as needed. Yarn and crochet hooks provided, but you are welcome to bring your own tools. Registration required. Ages 12+.

Afternoon Book Club |Monday, August 15th at 1:00 PM: Have you been looking for a daytime book club? Join us on the 3rd Monday of every month to chat books! This month we’ll be discussing The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Copies of the book are available at the library. All are welcome! Registration requested.

PJ Story Time and Stuffed Animal Sleepover | Monday, August 15th at 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Dress in your pajamas and bring your stuffed animal for a very special story time with Ms. Mary Beth. After stories and songs, leave your stuffed animal at the library for a sleepover. What mischief will our stuffed friends get into? Pick up your stuffed animal the next day (Tuesday, August 16th) between 1:00 – 6:00 PM and look at photos from the sleepover.
For kids 2 – 7.

BubbleMania | Thursday, August 18th at 3:00 PM
BubbleMan, Doug Rougeux, is free floating fun for the whole family! Parents, Grandparents and kids going into grades K through 8 are fascinated by the rare and effervescent idea of an entire show of soap bubbles. Come see bubble “Pop Art”, comedy, a square bubble, and soap bubbles bigger than your head with slick moves choreographed to music!
For kids 5 – 12.

Women of WWII: On the Front Lines & the Home Front | Thursday, August 25th at 6:30 PM: During World War II, American women took on many new roles, both in the military and as civilians. Beyond Rosie the Riveter and the Atomic Girls, women made incredible contributions to the war effort. One of the civilian avenues was through the American Red Cross Clubmobile program, which was essentially a mobile club, featuring doughnuts, coffee, and good old American girl-next-door friendliness, all served up at the front lines in Europe, Southeast Asia, India, and Australia – wherever the troops were to be found. Author Barb Warner Deane will share about the Clubmobile program and all the ways in which American women helped win the war! Her books will be for sale after the program. Registration requested.

African Drumming for Kids | Friday, August 26th | 10:00 – 10:45 AM @ Austin Park
African Drumming for Teens & Adults| Friday, August 26th | 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM @ Austin Park

Grab a blanket and join Mayukwa Kashiwa as he brings us an interactive African village drumming experience at Austin Park. Suited for all abilities and ages, the goal is to enjoy music and movement together. Get up out of your seat and dance, drum, jump, and laugh!

Evening Book Club | Wednesday, August 31st at 6:30 PM: This month we’re reading The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. The Evening Book Club meets the last Wednesday of the month both in-person and virtually. All are welcome! Copies of the book are available at the library. Registration requested.