Annual Bedtime Story Hour

Come celebrate the holiday season with us at the Bedtime Story-hour event this Thursday, December 19 at 6:30 pm. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library. Who wouldn't enjoy a steaming cup of hot coco and delicious sugar cookies? We know Santa does! Speaking of Santa, he and the Mrs. will be here as well. Parents, bring your cameras and snap a few photos of the children whispering in his ear all their Christmas wishes.
Becky and I will be reading delightful holiday stories, performing a puppet show and helping the kids create adorable crafts.

See you Thursday!
 Allison

Halloween Happenings in Haltom City

I hope everyone can attend the Haltom City Halloween carnival today at the recreation center. The event is free. There will be lots of things to see and do. Upon arrival, children will be given pre-stuffed bags with treats and information about upcoming programs and events throughout Haltom City. In the "big" gym, various booths will be set up for games and activities. There will be jump houses for bouncing off all the extra energy gained from eating sweets. The fire department will be in attendance, as well as the police department  to greet the young ghouls and goblins.
A costume contest will begin at 2:00pm.

The library will be celebrating Halloween on Thursday, October 31 at 6:30pm. Children are invited to wear costumes to the party. Adults are welcome to dress up as well. Please, adults, no scary, gory or other-wise inappropriate costumes. We want the children to feel safe and happy.
We will be having a puppet show, crafts and stories. There will be several stations set up throughout the building for "Trick-or-treat."
 Be sure to check out our on-line photo album after the party.

Allison

Monster University Movie Cancelled

The library made plans months ago to show the feature film, "Monster University" at our October Family Movie Night. At the time of scheduling, the projected release date was before our event of October 15, as in, "closer to the beginning of the month". Unfortunately, the dvds will not hit the market until October 29. That being the case, we will be showing Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame". Cast of this film include the talents of Demi Moore and Jason Alexander. The length of the movie is 91 minutes. I thought to include this tidbit of information, as a lot of parents ask this the question as the film begins.
 We hope everyone will join us for a revisit to the story of Quasimodo and Esmeralda. Of course, I tend to form attachments to the supporting cast members. I absolutely love the gargoyles: Victor, Hugo, and Laverne.
 The Friends of the Library will be providing popcorn again of all of our movie-goers.
See you all on Tuesday, October 15 at 6:30pm.

Allison

Donations Benefit the Library

 Donations to the library come in all forms. The majority of contributions are books, magazines, music and movies. We are very grateful for these items. Due to limited space on the bookshelves, it is not possible to circulate each item given to the library. Items that cannot be placed in the collection, benefit the library in other ways. For example: some gently used children's books are used as gifts for reading programs. Other materials, may be sold in the annual book sale, proceeds fund the annual Summer Reading Program. Other uses might include constructing a small library collection at off-site locations. Two of these library branches or rather "twigs" are the libraries at the local Hillshire Company, formerly Sara Lee Foods (for use by company employees only),  and the Haltom City Senior Citizen Center.
 Monetary donations, sometimes given in memorial for a deceased loved one, are used not only to purchase books, but also sculptures and/or equipment. Name plates are attached to these items designating for whom they are in honor of.
 One of our greatest source of pride, at the Haltom City Public Library, is our Children's programs. We derive great pleasure from instilling the love of reading and the discovery of literature by our young patrons. During story-times, on Friday mornings, books read are enriched by accompanying crafts. The Friends of the Library generously purchase craft materials, i.e. construction paper, glue sticks, duct tape...Other members of the community will sometimes pop into the library with gifts of craft supplies. Once we actually received two large storage tubs of lace and ribbons. What fun we had at our annual Valentine's Day party! More recently, we were honored to receive boxes of crayons and colored pencils from JM Cube Designs. The Summer Reading Program this years had many sponsors, and without each of them, the program would not have been nearly as successful. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of them.

Friends of the Haltom City Public Library...funds for performers, funds for prizes, purchasing of popcorn for movie nights, and t-shirts for the library staff.
Chic-fil-A- Coupons for chicken sandwiches, coupons for cookies, coupons for ice cream cones.
What-a-burger- coupons for Just-a-burgers
SeaLife/ Lego Land-- free childs admission tickets
Ringling Bros. Circus- Free Child's admission
Bruswick Bowling- Free game of Bowling everyday for students.
Haltom City Beautification Board- filled goody bags
Putt-Putt Golf and Games- Free round of miniature golf

With recent budget at all levels of government, the library continues to benefit from the generosity of community businesses and our wonderful, devoted library patrons.
 Thanks a million!

Allison Long
Librarian-Outreach Services.

Summer Reading Program Home Stretch

The Summer Reading Program Finale is this Friday, July 19. That day promises to be filled to over-flowing with fun and excitement. The mornings story-times, usually conducted in the " Imagination Station" programming room, will be moved to the large meeting room located in the main entrance to the library. Tarrant County College Drama department will be performing "Reading is Alive Musical, Beneath the Surface  at 10:30 am.

 

"Emma and Sam are looking forward to a summer vacation filled with swimming at the pool, no homework and NO READING. They are immediately thrust into a world of adventure when they discover a mysterious raft and treasure chest at the city pool. The musical features many popular children’s adventure books throughout the centuries and encourages audience participation."

The festivities will come to an explosive finale with Valerie Oliver's " Whirled on a String". Valerie is a championship yo-yo performer. She will demonstrate different styles and tricks of yo-yo feats. At the conclusion of the performance each child in a attendance will receive a  professional grade yo-yo,  compliments of the Friends of the Haltom City Public Library.


Remember, reading logs must be completed and submitted by 7:45 Wednesday, July 17.  As readers complete the reading goals, please turn in your paperwork to the librarians and receive your book bags filled with prizes.

See you Friday!

Ms. Allison & Ms. Becky

Last Weekly Family Movie Night

The end of our Summer Reading Program is rapidly approaching. There is still time to register to read for prizes Remember, everyone is eligible to participate, children and adults.  Our final Family Movie Night for SRP 2013 is tomorrow night, Tuesday, July 9 at 6:30. The featured film is " Rise of The Guardians". Children are welcome to come in their pjs, bring a stuffed toy or even a pillow and be nice and comfy!Thank you to the "Friends of the Haltom City Public Library" for providing popcorn for each of our movie nights. We will be continuing to host  "Family Movie Night" once a month throughout the rest year. Hope to see you all here!

Weekly Storytimes on Youtube

The weekly Toddler Time and Preschool Story-times are going to be recorded and posted on Youtube. This week's programs focus on Independence Day. I am attaching the Youtube links below. Have a look and share them with the youngsters in your household.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49zpWlqt8Og

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pygKvCe9fkA

Soon the links for these and future programs will be attached on the library's homepage for easier access.

Que Pastas

The Haltom City Public Library rocked out this afternoon with our guest performers "Que Pastas". Everyone had a wonderful time clapping and singing along to their original "kid friendly" songs. Watch this short clip of this afternoon's performance and join next week when our special guests will be representatives from Haltom City Fire and Rescue.

A Visit From Magician James Wand

Magician James Wand visited the Haltom City Public Library  Friday, July 21. His fast-paced, super-lively program involved the concept of expanding young readers knowledge by reading lots of books. The theme of the event was  the apprehension of the evil villain, Dr. NoNo. Throughout the program, young volunteers were chosen to help with various magic tricks featured in the show. I have included a short video segment of the program.
 Come join us for more fun in the upcoming events.

 

Summer Reading Program Is In Full Swing!

The Summer Reading Program kicked off on Saturday, June 1 with our special guests the Pipdillys. Their high action, musical program had everyone "escaping from couch potato land"and laughing their way through the bookshelves.

 

 Tuesday, June 4 was the first Summer Reading Program weekly family movie night. Over 100 patrons of all ages enjoyed the film " Yogi Bear" and free popcorn! Friday, June 7 was highlighted by the performance of Nancy Burks Worcester, ventriloquist extraordinaire.

 

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Tuesday,  June 14 movie goers were treated to the 2008 blockbuster," Journey to the Center of the Earth".  The fun did not stop there... Friday June 14, Cinde Sanders took us through the adventure of " Readers of the Lost Book."

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This past Tuesday evening the feature film was " Monsters Inc." Once again, over 100 people joined in the fun.

The library was invaded by two of the Ringling Bros. Circus clowns, Dave and Cheri on Thursday, June 20. What a hilarious time we all had!.

 

The fun and festivities will continue until July 19. It is not too late to register for the summer reading program. Read and earn prizes! Come to the programs and join in the fun!

 

St. Patrick's Day Party

Kids everywhere are invited to celebrate the "wearing of the green" with us this Saturday, March 16 at 2 pm. We will be dancing, reading stories, making crafts, decorating cookies ( green icing, no less) and of course we will be hunting for the elusive leprechaun. Saint Patrick, himself, would be delighted with such a gathering.Come join in the festivities.

Family Movie Night

Hey Everyone! It's Spring Break. Wahoo! No better way to spend quality family time than at the library. Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30pm we will be featuring a newly released film about classic video game characters. The main villian in this film is known for his distructive behavior, destrying buildings one level at a time.Becoming tired of being an outcast, he escapes from his game. He encounters one adventures after another. As it turns out, he might not be such a bad guy after all. Come join us for a fun evening. Kids can even wear their pjs!
See you there!

"The Hobbit" A Book Review

Here is a very timely article written by one of our avid library users.  I wish to extend a very special "Thank you" to Connor Farner for his contribution. 

                                                                       "The Hobbit"  Book Review

     "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a fantastic read.  "The Hobbit" is a fantasy-adventure

classic that captured my imagination as it has for many generations of readers.  I recommend

that you read this book and if you already have read it, do so again because it is a timeless

classic worth a second read.

     The story of "The Hobbit" begins in the peaceful town of Hobbiton where the equally

peaceful Bilbo Baggins lives.  But Bilbo's peaceful life is interrupted when Gandalf

the wizard asks Bilbo to join him, Thorin Oakenshield, and his band of dwarfs to

reclaim their families fortune from the evil dragon, Smaug.  Bilbo at first refuses, but his

adventurous side takes over and he agrees to join them.  Throughout Bilbo's journey he will

see middle earth's most eccentric places and people.  At one point of Bilbo's adventures he

even finds a magical ring.  So join Bilbo Baggins on his heart pounding adventures by picking

up a copy of "The Hobbit" at your local library.

     Also after you finish reading "The Hobbit" make sure you go the movie now showing at

I-Max theaters.  But if you miss it in theaters make sure you get the DVD or Blu-Ray at your

local library when it becomes available. ( DVD release date should be March 19, 2013)

     Connor Farner

 

 

Valentine's Day Party

Our annual celebration for Valentine's Day is a little early this year.The children in our community, will be treated to a party on Saturday, February 9 at 2:00. Activities will include a puppet show, a craft to make and take home, and delightful stories. And for those with a sweet tooth, delicious cookies will be served. Volunteers from our wonderful "Friends of the Library" group, will be assisting with the festivities. We LOVE our Friends . It is because of their over-whelming support, we are able to host amazing programs!  We would like to invite parents to not only bring their children to the event but to stay and enjoy the program with them. No one is ever too old to make a valentine for someone you love. And personally, I feel puppet shows thrill the kid in us all! I hope to see you  there.
 Happy Valentine's Day!


Allison Long
Librarian- Outreach Services

The Tandy – Posy McMillan Endowment Fund for Holocaust Education

January 2013

The Tandy – Posy McMillan Endowment Fund for Holocaust Education

 

Through the organizing efforts of Posy McMillan and Sandra Freed, many people in the Fort Worth area donated their time and money to fund an endowment to educate people about the Holocaust. The fund was formed in the late 1990s with the initial project of bringing an Anne Frank museum exhibit to the community of Fort Worth. Now the fund has offered communities in the Fort Worth area the ability to learn even more about the Holocaust through their own community libraries by granting a complete Holocaust compendium to these libraries to enhance their collections. These important resources will help local teachers deliver Holocaust curricula in middle and high schools and will enable all persons to learn more about this important event.

This comprehensive collection of nine titles tells the story of the Holocaust from its inception with the first title in the collection, The Holocaust Conspiracy: an International Policy of Genocide, by William R. Perl. The remaining titles cover all aspects of the Holocaust including the many important lessons we can learn from this tragic period in world history. These include:

Ø  The Beasts of Buchenwald           Flint Whitlock.

Ø  Survivor of Buchenwald: my Personal Odyssey through Hell         Louis Gros, Flint Whitlock.

Ø  The Four-front War: from the Holocaust through the Promised Land       William R. Perl.

Ø  Gated Grief: the Daughter of a GI Concentration Camp Liberator Discovers a Legacy of Trauma Leila Levinson.

Ø  History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier              Deborah E. Lipstadt.

Ø  Holocaust Survivor: Mike Jacobs’ Triumph over Tragedy: a Memoir          Mike Jacobs.

Ø  Tomorrow Will Be Better: Surviving Nazi Germany            Walter Meyer.

The compendium concludes with a commentary on Elie Wiesel’s most famous books, God’s Inner Circle: the Radical Devotion of Elie Wiesel to Faith written by Michael Ritzen, a fellow professor at Boston University.

The Haltom City Public Library is grateful to be one of the 30 Texas libraries chosen to receive this informative and inspirational collection.

Ann Gray Rethard, MLS
Assistant Library Director

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

It’s that wonderful time of the year again. The Christmas season and all its trimmings are behind us. Valentine’s Day and delicious chocolates are just around the corner. Here in the great state of Texas, it is now time for the annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo! YeeHaw! This year’s event runs from Friday, January 18 through Saturday, February 9.

As a child, who grew up here in Haltom City, my family visited the Stock Show every year. I remember the schools closing on the opening day of the event, so that students might attend the parade marching through the streets in Downtown; Beautiful horses, crazy clowns and of course cowboys everywhere.

It almost seemed as though jeans, western shirts, hats and boots were like a uniform we all donned for the event. I suppose most of us would have been dubbed “drug store cowboys”.  Most often, than not, the boots and hats remained in the closet waiting for that particular occasion to take them out, brush them off and hope they still fit. As a little girl, none of that really mattered. It was exciting just the same.

When was the last time you attended a rodeo? My family and I try go at least once each year. Not always was I rooting for the bronco riders and steer wrestlers. There were those moments I found myself cheering for the animals. I felt that the animals were being treated cruelly and did not really want to be in the stands. My opinion changed somewhat when I learned that the rodeo commission kept a veterinarian right on site to check the bulls and horses after each encounter. Like I said, I felt a little better, but secretly still root for the animals.

Visitors have so much to see and do. After walking through each of the livestock barns and admiring all the care and dedication each of the farmers and ranchers have bestowed on their prize animals, you simply must go to each of the exhibit halls. Clothing, food vendors, ranch equipment, new automobiles, candy stores, jewelry, kitchen utensils…you name it, you will see it there.

The Fort Worth Stock Show actually began in 1896. In 1906 was called the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show. If you would like to read more about the history of the Stock Show you can visit the official website at www.fssr.com.

 Books featuring the subject are as follows:

Fort Worth Stockyards by J’Nell L. Pate

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District: an Illustrated History and Guide by Horace Craig


Submitted by Allison Long