TREK THRU TIME @ YOUR LIBRARY

Trek Thru Ancient Greece

2010-08-03T21:32:00.000-05:00

For our final meeting, we traveled back in time to Ancient Greece where we met Medusa, learned about Greek Gods and Goddesses and celebrated reading with some fun giveaways for our program participants.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Fun In the Future

2010-08-03T21:16:00.000-05:00

Check out all of the fun we had with robots!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Robot Reading

2010-07-14T10:05:00.002-05:00

Interested in space, science and cool robot technology? Check out these books:

Robots

The authors of the acclaimed and bestselling Fantastic Feats and Failures and Science Detectives present a detailed look at robots yesterday, today and in the future.

Nova’s Ark by David Kirk

Nova, a robot boy from the planet Roton, accidentally rockets himself into space during a class field trip and eventually stumbles across the energy source his planet needs for survival.

Ricky Ricotta’s Giant Robot vs. The Mutant Mosquitos from Mercury by Dav Pilkey

A mouse named Ricky Ricotta and his giant flying robot attempt to save the world from an invasion of massive mutant mosquitoes from Mercury.

Star Wars: Ready, Set, Podrace! by Simon Beecroft

Nine-year-old Anakin flies the podracer he built all by himself.

Digging Dinosaurs!

2010-07-09T13:34:00.001-05:00

On Thursday, July 8, Scott Williams of the Burpee Museum presented to a crowd of 45 (age ranging from infant to 99!). Scott talked about the Jurassic and Crustaceous periods; what the earth looked like as one continent and as it began to separate; how he is able to find, transport and protect dinosaur bones; and more. Further, Scott shared some of the excitement of digging dinosaurs, telling stories about specific discoveries. He even shared the story of a Hollywood connection! (While on a dig in Utah, a Hollywood film was being shot nearby. Some of the actors and actresses visited the dig site and were so excited about what they saw there that Scott was invited to visit the movie set to talk more about dinosaurs with the movie's cast and crew.) Scott also allowed for plenty of Q&A time. Of course, everyone was curious to inspect the Apatsaurus skull (shown in the photo) and other cool artifacts lent to the library by the Burpee Musuem.

Fun With Dinosaurs!

2010-07-07T15:53:00.000-05:00

This week we learned all about dinosaurs, read stories about dinosaur digs, sang tongue-twisting songs and created dinosaur fossils.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Digging Dinosaurs With Burpee Museum

2010-07-07T12:09:00.004-05:00

Scott Williams, 1992 Stillman Valley High School graduate and Burpee Museum Director of Exhibits & Science, will discuss his lifelong interest of geology and paleontology, as well as his experience on the field crew that discovered Burpee’s famous Tyrannosaurus Rex, Jane. Scott supervised the preparation of Jane’s skeleton. During his visual and oral presentation, Scott will also discuss the 2005 expedition he planned and led in which a sub-adult Triceratops was discovered and the 2008 paleontological dig which resulted in the discovery of a large dinosaur bone bed. A cast of an Apatosaurus skull will be on view during the week of the event.

Appropriate for all ages. Drop-ins welcome!

Dino-Books

2010-07-07T12:02:00.000-05:00

Since we're traveling to the Age of the Dinosaurs this week, we thought we'd give some suggestions for further reading. Here are some favorites:

Dinosaur Parents, Dinosaur Young by Kathleen Widner Zoehfeld
Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld draws from the very latest findings to describe how scientists are continually making new discoveries and drawing new conclusions about what life was like for dinosaurs and their young. The result is an exciting and accessible book, packed with beautiful, informative illustrations and photographs, that brings us closer than ever before to the truth about dinosaur families.

The Kingfisher Treasury of Dinosaur Stories by Jeremy Strong
Big and small, fierce and friendly, dinosaurs of all kinds roam through this monster story collection. A hungry pterosaur in a supermarket parking lot, a pet brontosaurus that rescues its family from a flood, and a terrifying tyrannosaurus that almost eats a small boy for lunch are just some of the dinosaurs to meet.

I Can Read About Dinosaurs by John Howard
Beginning readers can learn fascinating facts & information about dinosaurs.

Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp by Syd Hoff
Danny and his friend the dinosaur go to summer camp together.

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? By Jan Yolen
Describes what a young dinosaur should do in order to quickly get over being sick.

Readers Travel To the Middle Ages

2010-07-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

Check out photos from our recent travels to the Middle Ages:

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Learn More About the Middle Ages

2010-07-01T09:37:00.000-05:00

Cheryl shared some fun (and gross!) facts about the Middle Ages this week. To read more about princesses, dragons and knights, check out these books at your library:

What If You Met a Knight? by Jan Adkins
Real knights didn’t look or act anything like the knights in movies about King Arthur. Learn about the world of real knights who were professional warriors, eager for glory.

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The thirteen-year-old daughter of an English country knight keeps a journal in which she records the events of her life, particularly her longing for adventures beyond the usual role of women and her efforts to avoid being married off.

The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy
Miss Lotta Scales is a dragon who believes her job is to protect the school's library books from the children, but when she finally realizes that books are meant to be read, the dragon turns into Miss Lotty, librarian and storyteller.

Weapons of the Middle Ages by Matt Doeden
The knight in shining armor has become a symbol of medieval times. Discover the tools of combat involved in some of the battles of the middle ages.

Penny by Jane E. Gerver
Princess Isabella must go on a quest and chooses her Shetland pony Penny to help her.

Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated by Florence Parry Heide
Princess Hyacinth is bored and unhappy sitting in her palace every day because, unless she is weighed down by specially-made clothes, she will float away, but her days are made brighter when kite-flying Boy stops to say hello.

Mouse Guard Fall 1152 by David Petersen
A group of mice struggle to live safely against all of the world’s harsh conditions and predators. Follows the adventures of three mice, Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam, as they patrol borders and strive to make safe ways to keep the mouse territories free from predators.

Take Care, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas
The three little dragons have agreed to take care of the old wizard's cats while he is away, but their inability to read his instructions causes problems until their friend, the Good Knight, saves the day.

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Bored with traditional palace life, a princess goes off to live with a group of dragons and soon becomes involved with fighting against some disreputable wizards who want to steal away the dragons' kingdom.

Scat Fun!

2010-06-24T09:35:00.000-05:00

This week we traveled to the Jazz Era, where we learned to scat, blow a kazoo and create art deco!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Walk Like An Egyptian

2010-06-17T12:21:00.000-05:00

This week we traveled to ancient Egypt, where we saw mummies, practiced writing hieroglyphics, made our own sarcophagi! Check out some of the fun events...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Cowboys & Cowgirls Head West

2010-06-10T13:15:00.001-05:00

Yee-Haw! Check out photos from our first official summer reading meeting, where we headed back in time to the Old American West. Everyone had fun, especially making their own cowboy and cowgirl vests!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Whip Guy In Action

2010-06-07T15:34:00.000-05:00

See more photos of the Whip-Guy in action...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Summer Reading Kicks Off!

2010-06-07T14:58:00.000-05:00

Check out some photos from our Kick-Off & Registration event...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Another Round of Thanks

2010-06-04T12:03:00.005-05:00

Thanks to the following for making our kick-off and registration event a great success:

Ashley Koenig: For designing our SRP 2010 logo.

Country Market of Byron: For donating 150 brown paper bags for craft making.

Friends of the Library: For their time, energy and willingness to lend a hand.

Janitorial Staff: Who set up and organized set up and clean up for our kick-off event.

Jay Williams: For letting us borrow hay bales to sit on during the Whip Guy's performance.

Jill Huber & Athletic Boosters: For letting us borrow their popcorn machine. Thanks to Jill who volunteered her time to run it.

Julia Hull District Library Patrons: Who’ve collected and donated various household items for program crafting purposes & for their unrelenting support!

Steve Stewart, Stillman Valley High School Activities Director: For reserving the gymnasium for our kick-off event in case of rain. (Fortunately we didn't need it!)

Stillman Bank: For purchasing our SRP 2010 canvas book totes. This is the third year that Stillman Bank has generously donated totes for our library summer reading event.

Teen Advisory Council (TAC): For keeping everything running smoothly, including directing guests, entertaining kids, "manning" registration booths & assisting with set up and clean up.

Tee Lee Popcorn: For supplying a 50 pound bag of popcorn for our kick-off event.

Village of Davis Junction: For their generous donation of $500 which paid for The Whip Guy.

Stay tuned for photos of our kick-off event...

SRP 2010 Reminders

2010-06-01T11:04:00.000-05:00

Don't forget our Summer Reading 2010 registration & an unforgettable kick-off event this Thursday, June 3rd. Here are a few reminders:

Registration begins at 6:00 PM: bring your current library card, or 2 forms of i.d. to register for a library card.
Byron Public Library patrons who want to participate in Julia Hull's Summer Reading Program, but who do not currently have a library card must register for one at Bryon Public Library. We apologize that we cannot register another library's patron.
Weather permitting we'll be outdoors for the 7:00 PM Whip-Guy performance, so don't forget to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.
If the weather does not cooperate with our festivities, we'll move inside to the Stillman Valley High School gymnasium.

FAQ

2010-05-20T14:53:00.001-05:00

Q: What if it rains the night of our Kick-Off & Registration?

A: We know it's going to be beautifully warm and sunny, so don't forget to bring your lawn chairs! But in case it's not, the show will go on in the Stillman Valley High School gymnasium. Registration will still take place in the library, and we'll trek down together for the Whip Guy's entertaining performance.

T-Shirt Drawing

2010-05-20T12:55:00.003-05:00

One of the fun things we'll be doing during our SRP Kick-Off & Registration event on Thursday, June 3rd is giving away one of several SRP 2010 t-shirts. The purple tees will feature our SRP 2010 logo (shown here). Kids, teens and adults will all be able to enter for a chance to win! We'll also hold a drawing for adults to have a chance to win one of our SRP 2010 book totes, compliments of Stillman Bank.

The t-shirts were purchased from CustomInk.

FAQ

2010-05-20T12:41:00.000-05:00

Q: Who designed the library's Summer Reading Program 2010 logo?

A: Ashley Koenig, Stillman Valley High School Senior.

FAQ

2010-05-14T13:35:00.003-05:00

Q: How do I register for a public library card?

A: Registering for a library card is easy and takes only a few minutes.

Library cards are FREE if you are a resident of the Julia Hull District Library. You are a resident of the JHDL if you live in the Ogle County portion of the Meridian Community Unit School District (CUSD) 223. If you are not sure whether you live within the District, check your property tax bill. To apply for a public library card:

Come to the library
Present two forms of I.D. with your current address, including:
1. Photo I.D.
2. Property tax bill, utility bill, credit card bill, or a voter registration card, etc.)
Complete a computer usage agreement form.

Patrons under 14 must have a parent/guardian present to get a card and sign the computer usage agreement

What if I live in the Winnebago County area of the Meridian CUSD 223?

You can purchase a non-resident library card. To do so:

Come to the library
Present two forms of I.D., including:
1. Photo I.D.
2. Property Tax Bill
Pay for the card at a cost determined through a formula using your property tax bill
Receive your card

Thanks To Our Donors

2010-04-27T13:41:00.001-05:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

FAQ

2010-04-27T13:36:00.000-05:00

Q: I'm a Byron patron. Can I still participate in Julia Hull's SRP 2010?

A: Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend any library program or event. Anyone wanting to officially register for our SRP during the kick-off event on Thursday, June 3rd to qualify for a SRP 2010 book tote, must simply present a public library card (Julia Hull District Library, Byron or otherwise). Patrons need NOT present a library card to attend weekly reading events or other library programming.

Registration & Kick Off

2010-04-09T13:48:00.017-05:00

Join us on THURSDAY, JUNE 3rd for our Summer Reading Kick-Off Registration & Celebration. Registration for the program begins at 6:00 PM.

All participants, ages 3-10, must present an active library card to officially register. Children without a library card may register, so long as their parent or guardian has a registered library card at one of our local libraries, including Julia Hull, Byron, Oregon, etc.

The first 175 registrants on June 3rd will receive a canvas book tote with summer reading goodies, compliments of Stillman Bank.

At 7:00 PM, we’ll be entertained by The Whip Guy (Chris Camp), former finalist on America’s Got Talent, world record holder and performer on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno.

Chris' upbeat, high energy show is filled with stunts, history, physics, lots of great whip cracking (and jokes that are just so-so). Chris' intricate double-handed musical rhythm routines and daring tricks provide FAMILY FRIENDLY entertainment that will be remembered long after the show is over. As the bullwhip moves at speeds in excess of 900 miles per hour you will see Chris cut targets out of his own mouth and off the top of his head, plus much more!

Weather permitting, we’ll be outdoors, so bring your own lawn chairs—then, grab a bag of popcorn and prepare for a truly engaging event for all ages! FREE.