Professional magician Jeff Lee visited the Van Alstyne Public Library on Thursday, June 11.  His unique blend of magic and humor kicked off the library’s summer reading program, “Libraries: Deep in the Heart of Texas.”  Mr. Lee has amazed audiences all over the world for the last 15 years, from Canada to Mexico, and in Austria, France, Portugal and Spain.  Last year he performed over 40 shows throughout north Texas. 

Blanca Scroggins is providing a bi-lingual story time on Tuesdays at 11:15.  This program, though geared to pre-school children, will be enjoyed by all.

Last week she taught the days of the week in Spanish.  This week she provided a program in honor of Flag Day.  Next week she will have a special Father’s Day activity along with her story. 

On Tuesday at 10:15, Bethany Lewis began the Bluebonnet Book Discussion Club for children in grades 3-5.  The Bluebonnet Books she has chosen to discuss are “The Lightening Thief” by Rick Riordan, “Atherton: The House of Power” by Patrick Carman, and “The Penderwicks” by Jeanne Birdsall.  Each session includes the reading of part of the book and a beginning discussion of the book.  Participants are encouraged to complete the reading of the book on their own.  This program will run through June 30.

On Wednesday June 17, preschool story time begins with “Circus Time,” a puppet show.  There will be two sessions, one at 10:15 and one at 11:15. 

Parents need to register to get their choice of story time.  No more than 45 children and parents will participate in each session.

Our computer workstations are very busy during the summer.  Sometimes our patrons are especially busy, too.  We recently caught a dedicated multi-tasker on film. 

Drop by to use our fast Internet connections, even if you have to multitask!

Community Center users will be pleased with the new stove the Friends of the Library recently purchased for the Center’s kitchen.  For many years the Friends of the Library have been cooking breakfast for the community on the first Saturday of every month, as a fund raiser for the library.  Some of those funds have been used to upgrade the kitchen  with a new range with self-cleaning oven. 

From the desk of Judy Spence:   Have you ever wondered what happens in a library after closing time?  A building chock full of philosophers, werewolves, fairies, goblins, physicians, and Nobel Peace Prize Winners?  If you are curious, imaginative, and can’t be considered “faint of heart”, then please join Teen Council and me for an “Evening at the Library”..  Teen Council will be opening the library on June 19th, Friday evening, starting at 5:00pm for lucky ticket holders to come and see which literary characters will have the run of the place.  To honor this unprecedented event an Italian dinner will be served to our lucky guests as well as an intermission featuring comedic and musical entertainment.  This is a ticketed event and there will be two dinner seatings: the first at 5:00pm and the second starting promptly at 6:30pm..  Tickets are $20 apiece or $35 for a pair.

The idea for this event is not a new one.  The catalyst for finally bringing the idea to fruition was some serious news one of our members received in the spring.  One of our members was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.  A group of teens as proactive as Teen Council was not about to take the news sitting down so we decided to raise money for research.  The bulk of the proceeds raised from this event will be donated directly to The Greater Dallas Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.  For more information you may visit their website at www.jdrfdallas.org.  Tickets can be purchased at the Van Alstyne Public Library. 

A big “Thank You” to the Friends of the Van Alsytne Library who are co-sponsoring this event with us.  All donations and the purchase price of the tickets are considered tax deductible. Just ask for a receipt at the time of purchase.