This Week at Eckhart Public Library – April 5-9, 2016

Eckhart Public Library will offer a free enrichment class for children going into kindergarten in April and May.

BeginINbooks encourages development and improvement of the skills children will need as they begin kindergarten. Each one-hour session, on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. on April 18 through May 23, will focus on different kindergarten readiness and literacy skills necessary for success. Activities are developed to allow children to work on gross and fine motor skills, as well as develop listening and cooperation skills. Parents will be encouraged to join us as we conclude each session to hear what skills we focused on that evening, and learn about opportunities to reinforce and practice those skills at home.

We will be learning social and emotional skills (April 18), math concepts (April 25), alphabet and phonics (May 2), reading literacy (May 9), language (May 16), and fine motor and writing skills (May 23). Space is limited. Register by calling the Children’s Department at 925-2414 ext. 320.

Here’s what else is happening at Eckhart Public Library:

• The Heart Of Our Park – Renovating the Historic Fountain: Eckhart Public Library’s historic fountain is undergoing renovation. We plan to bring it back to Eckhart Public Library this summer, but we need your help! You can donate online through the Community Foundation of DeKalb County’s online giving portal at cfdekalb.org/ways-to-give/donate; be sure to designate your gift for the EPL Fountain Fund. You may also download a pledge card at epl.lib.in.us or pick up a pledge card at the library. All gifts will be matched up to $100,000 through a generous donation by Rick and Vicki James.
• Teen Poetry Contest: April is National Poetry Month, and teens in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in our Teen Poetry Contest. Pieces can be submitted April 1st – 30th. All styles are welcome! First Prize wins $50; Second Prize is $20; and Third Prize is $10. Submissions can be emailed to teens@epl.lib.in.us or dropped off at The Teen Library.
• Garden Preparations for Teens: We will get the garden ready for planting time. We will also make ourselves some BLT’s. Tuesday, April 5, 5-7 p.m., Teen Library.
• Super Happy Fun Time – Charlie’s Chapters Poetry Slam: To celebrate National Poetry Month, we will go outside and read poetry and write poetry. To celebrate the library fountain we will also try writing some fountain themed poems. Super Happy Fun Time is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Thursday, April 7, 3-3:45 p.m., Children’s Department.
• Knifty Knitters: Beginner and experienced knitters and crocheters are welcome. Struggling with a problem pattern? Help is available from this group. Thursday, April 7, 6-7:45 p.m., Main Library.
• Family Game Night: Stop in for some game time at the library! This drop-in family program is recommended for families with children ages 3 and older. Children over age 7 through 5th grade would be welcome with or without an adult, but children under age 7 would need to be accompanied by a caregiver. Friday, April 8, 4-6 p.m., Secret Garden.
• How to Build Historical Content: How To Build Historical Content is the fifth lecture in the Discovering Your Roots video series with Professor John Philip Colletta. To get to know your ancestors you must see them as real people. This video will show you how to take all of your sources and put them in proper historical context. Register at the Willennar Genealogy Center by calling 925-2414 ext. 420 or emailing genealogy@epl.lib.in.us. Saturday, April 9, 2-3 p.m., Learning Lab at Willennar Genealogy Center.
• eLearning Labs: Eckhart Public Library will have Chromebook labs that DeKalb Central students can use to complete eLearning assignments. eLearning Labs will be in the Close Community Room on Monday, April 11; and Wednesday, April 13; from 2:30-8 p.m. and Friday, April 15, from 2:30-7 p.m. On April 8-9, April 12, April 14, and April 16, Chromebooks will be available for use for completing eLearning assignments in the Children’s Department and Teen Library. Eckhart Public Library also has free Wi-Fi around the library campus for students bringing their own devices. The Chromebook labs are made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.