Teen Scene Blog from Melbourne Public Library http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151 This is a place where you can come together with others your age and share your ideas about the library, books, program ideas, etc. This is your place. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Copyright 2026 Melbourne Public Library en-us Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:24:02 CDT Merry Christmas!! http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=6098 Season’s Readings!

 We will be shut down here at the library from December 24th – January 3rd. We will reopen on Monday, January 4th. We are sorry for the inconvenience that this may cause. We will extend all your due dates. 

  
Recipe for Christmas All Year Long
Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.
Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.
Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)
Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.
If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.
By Joanna Fuchs


Spirit of Christmas
It's the feeling of home,
even if it's only a memory
that takes you there.
It's the quiet places
of the heart
you return to
year after year.
It's the comfort
of tradition
in an ever-widening
circle of friends
and family…

We’re wishing you everything beautiful this Christmas.

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:03:38 GMT Groundhog Day http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=4118
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in United States and Canada on February 2.  The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year."  Every February 2, people gather at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  Residents contend that the groundhog has never been wrong.

The ceremony in Punxsutawney was held in secret until 1966, and only Phil's prediction was revealed to the public. Since then, Phil's fearless forecast has been a national media event.  The groundhog comes out of his electrically heated burrow, looks for his shadow and utters his prediction to a Groundhog Club representative in "groundhogese." The representative then translates the prediction for the general public.

If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring is just around the corner.  Approximately 90% o time, Phil sees his shadow.  Phil started making predictions in 1887 and has become an American institution.

The children's programs here at the library (Story Hour and Kids' First Afterschool Program) that week will be learning and having fun with Groundhog Day. They will be hearing stories on Groundhog Day, participating in activities and creating crafts that have to do with this theme.
Here's a little Groundhog poem: 
Here's a little groundhog furry and brown
He's coming up to look around
If he see's his shadow, down he'll go
Then six more weeks of winter, OH NO!

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:30:25 GMT Chinese New Year or Spring Festival http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=4117  


Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays.  This year it begins on Monday, January 26th.  Chinese New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar.  It is considered to be one of the most important holidays for Chinese families.  The holiday is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods and display of festive decorations--all focused on bringing good luck for the new year and celebrating the coming of Spring.  The children's programs here at the library (Story Hour and Kids' First Afterschool Program) this week have the the Chinese New Year theme.  They will be hearing stories on the Chinese New Year, participating in activities and creating crafts that have to do with this theme also.

 

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:27:25 GMT Adult/Young Adult Programs Going Again @ Library http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=4116 Calling all knitters & crocheters...
Have we got a great way for you to meet others and to learn new ideas and patterns.  If you are currently a knitter/crocheter you are welcome to meet with a group that gets together every other Tuesday. They started back up on January 6th and they will have met again this month on January 20th. Next month, they will meet Tuesday, February 3rd and the 17th from 7-8 p.m.   If you would like to learn to knit or crochet have we got the right people for the job.  We have 2 of the most caring & patient teachers, whom are so dedicated to helping you learn. So we offer a class for those who want to learn knitting and crocheting and we also offer a wonderful opportunity for those who already knit/crochet to come together to share ideas and conversation with others in our group.

The library offers scrapbookers a place to come together to share their ideas and their hobby. We have a scrapbooking group that shares their ideas and our wonderful teacher, Mary Pothast, is there to help you get started or to help spark an idea. She also brings various paper, stamps, scissors, punches, etc. for you to use. You may purchase and complete a page for $1.00. Come to create your albums or pages and hang out with others who enjoy doing the same thing you do- capturing those special moments and finding just the right way to accentuate them. They meet every other Tuesday also. Same dates as the Knitters/Crocheters but they meet from 7-9 p.m. So they will meet Tuesday, February 3rd and the 17th. Ages 10 and up are welcome to join these groups. 

Be sure to check out our website often for other Library Happenings. www.melbourne.lib.ia.us  We also have a news blog that you may subscribe to on our website and post comments. This is located on our homepage. We have one for the Young Adults also. Theirs is found on the Teen Tab, just click on the Teen Scene Blog. We try to keep these updated so you know what’s going on here at the library and other things for “your information.”  Until next time, Happy Reading!

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:25:05 GMT New Children and Young Adult Books http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=4115 New Children and Young Adult Books:
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Operating Codes by Nick Manns
Yubisaki: Milk Tea
Celestial Legend: Yuhi
Real Life, Here I Come
Chocolate for a Teen’s Dreams
Where do Babies Come From?
Toestomper and the Caterpillars by Sharleen Collicott
Lucia and the Light by Phillis Root

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:22:41 GMT Baby on the Way for Tina Marie and Gary! http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=3945
My husband and I are expecting a new baby in February of 2009. I will be having a maternity leave as soon as baby comes so there will not be any children and teen programs at the library during my leave. (As I am the one who works with this age group.) I will try to keep you aware of when the programs will stop and then again when they will start back up. Please watch for advertising and you can always check our website www.melbourne.lib.ia.us I will be leaving you in good hands- Karen and Rita will help you the best they can with your library needs while I am away.   These girls are great and are ready to assist you. Please don’t hesitate to let them know what you need. 

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:12:15 GMT Hard Times With our Economy http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=3940      With the economy the way that it is this can be a very stressful time in life.  Your library cares about the hard times that you may be experiencing and want you to know we are here to help you find ways to deal with these difficult times.  Remember how much your library can help you out as you’ve decided to get rid of certain extras in your home. We have high speed internet here at the library, we have 6 public computers for you to use, we offer wireless internet for those that have access to laptops. Who says you still can’t check your email or chat online to family just like you did in your home? We provide this service for you for free. Please feel free to stop in during business hours to use our computers or wireless internet. 
     We also know that many of you have given up buying books, books on tape or CD, magazine subscriptions, movies, & even cable TV. We have a wide variety of books, audios, magazine subscriptions for men, women, & children; and movies. All of the above is free with a library card. We know that at times we won’t have what you are looking for, but please let us know so that we can get you what you want- that’s why we’re here. We participate in the Interlibrary Loan program and we can borrow from many libraries in the state to get you what you need. For the most part, this service is free of charge to you.  

Children need education and entertainment and it’s important for it to be free.  We have many board games, learning kits, busy bags, & activities & programs that they can come participate in. We have:
Kids' First is our after school program for children who are in kindergarten on up. We meet every Tuesday from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. We have stories, games, crafts, and a snack is provided.
Story hour is for 3, 4, & 5 yr. olds who are in preschool and this meets Tuesdays from 11:30-12:30 p.m. We have stories, games, finger plays, flannel boards, crafts, snack & drink.
“Teen Scene” is for the young adults- 10 yrs. on up.   We have that meets every 3rd Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. We will have our Christmas Party this Wednesday. December 17. They will have a merry time with their friends playing our Christmas games! 

For the adults we have:
Scrapbooking: meets every other Tuesday of the month from 7 - 9 p.m. They will not meet till after the New Year.
Knitting/Crocheting Class/Group meet every other Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. If you are just starting out or would enjoy working with a group stop in. They will not meet till after the New Year.
Karen’s Coffee Clatch meets every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. for coffee, tea, friendship and fun. Stop in any time to join this friendly group.   If you have suggestions for other programs or activities please let us know.

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:00:03 GMT Merry Christmas!! http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=9526&BlogID=151&BlogPostID=3939
One of the real joys of the season is the opportunity to say “Thank you!” for choosing to use your Melbourne Library. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you with all your library needs.  We are wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a New Year of peace and happiness!! 

]]> Tina Marie Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:54:31 GMT