Wednesday, June 21st is the first day of summer, which kicks off one of the busiest seasons at our St. Lawrence County libraries. Libraries are typically busy in summer as many of our communities have a large influx of seasonal residents looking for books, movies, and internet access. In addition, our local residents are looking for summer programming for kids, rainy day activities, and a place to relax with the latest bestseller.
All of our libraries have computers, printers, fax machines, and internet access. Feel free to use our computers, or bring your own laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Library cards are free and may be obtained at any library: adults will need photo identification, and children will need an adult present to apply for a card. Once you have a library card from a library in the North Country Library System, you may use it at all of our libraries and branches.
Early summer is a popular time for book publishers to release new titles, and our shelves are currently brimming with new fiction and non-fiction for adults, teens, and children. Looking for a movie to brighten an otherwise rainy day indoors? We have plenty of those too, and some libraries have board games and jigsaw puzzles that may be borrowed and played at home for a week.
Sunny days in the forecast? Check out a museum pass and enjoy a discount on admission to The Wild Center or the Adirondack Experience. Or, download a book to your Kindle or iPad, and relax in the shade for the afternoon. The Clifton Community Library in Cranberry Lake is in the process of adding two adult and two children’s tennis rackets to their collection, and the Reading Room Association of Gouverneur will be adding fishing rods and tackle boxes. Tennis rackets and fishing rods must be borrowed and returned at the owning library.
As summer progresses and fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful, be sure to check out the canning tools and supplies available at the Norwood Public Library and the Canton Free Library. Both libraries have an assortment of water baths, pressure canners, tools, and books about canning. Tools and supplies may be borrowed and returned at both libraries by St. Lawrence County residents with a valid library card.
Many of our public libraries offer additional programming for children during the summer months, and many of our libraries participate in the Collaborative Summer Reading Program which has a yearly theme – this year our theme is “Build a Better World”. Stay tuned for next week’s column where we’ll share some of our upcoming summer programs – there’s a lot of activity scheduled for kids of all ages throughout the county.
In the meantime, stop by your local library and check out what’s on their schedule – each library is unique in the programs and services offered. Many of our library visitors make use of multiple libraries, which is easy to do and always encouraged!