Welcome to Kindergarten!

Starting kindergarten this fall? Come to our Welcome to Kindergarten party! Children will hear stories about kindergarten and create a 'back to school' craft, while parents talk with Kindergarten teacher Sharon Hinchey. Mrs. Hinchey will talk about what to expect on that first day, and now to better prepare yourself and your child for a more pleasant school experience. There is no charge for this program but please make a reservation as space is limited.

The welcome party is on Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Youth Services Department at the Osterhout Free Library.

Call the Youth Services Desk at 823-0156 Ext. 217 to register for the fun!

Kindergarten, Here I Come!

Leanne Grace, Director of the Rainbow Hill School and Liz Jordan, Director of the Wyoming Valley United Way's Success by 6 Initative will introduce parents to the parent activity guide developed by the Department of Education and the Department of Welfare. Each participant will recieve a copy of the guide that is filled with fun activities to give your child the foundation for positive and happy future school experiences. Children will be treated to a storytime session that will focus on early learning skills.

Join us Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The program is free of charge, but registration is necessary. This program is designed for children who will be starting kindergarten in 2007 and their parents. Please call the Youth Services Desk at 823-0156 Ext. 217 if you would like to attend.

Butterfly Guy

Hope you didn't miss the great night of fun on Wednesday August 2nd! The Butterfly Guy, Rick Mikula provided a very interesting and fun filled presentation on butterflies. Here is he dressed as one!

Attention Child Care Providors

The Osterhout Free Library is pleased to announce a new opportunity for Child Care Providors for gain 2 hours of TQAS/PQAS credits at our newest early literacy training course. We will cover various storytelling techniques and how to apply for three key literacy levels. We will highlight new books and help in planning your curriculum.

Storytelling For Early Literacy takes place on Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Please call the Youth Services Department at 823-0156 Ext. 217. Please register by Thursday, August 24, 2006.

Ever wonder what it takes to be a guide dog? Did you know that only special breeds of dogs can qualify as guide dogs? Did you know that you could take care of a puppy who will grow up to be a guide dog?

Come meet some guide dog puppies and their owners on Monday August 7, 2006 at 10-11:00 a.m. to find out more exciting information. Kaitlyn Makara and members of the Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club will be here to talk about guide dogs and display their talents.

Please contact the Youth Services Department at 823-0156 Ext. 217 for more information and to sign up.

The Butterfly Guy

Come meet Rick Mikula, The Butterfly Guy, on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Osterhout Free Library. All are welcome to this exciting and fascinating program on the beautiful butterfly.


Please call 823-0156 Ext. 217 to reserve your spot. This activity will take place in the Youth Services Department of the Osterhout Free Library, 71 South Franklin St, Wilkes-Barre PA.

HOT July Events!

Wednesday Nights are Family Fun Nights!
* Wednesday, July 12- 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Make & Take A Snake!
Just bring in an old necktie (or we'll supply one for you). We'll also share some funny snake stories and have a slithery snack!

* Wednesday, July 19- 6:30-7:30 p.m.- Silly Animal Movies
Bring the whole family to see these short, funny movies about some amazing animals. We'll supply the popcorn and punch!

* Wednesday, July 26- 6:30-7:30 p.m.- Family Game Night
We'll have a large collection of board games & puzzles to keep you busy, and some snacks to munch on. We'll also have prizes!

All Family Fun Nights require registration. Please call 823-0156 Ext. 217 to register.

Read-To-A-Dog!
Meet the thearpy dos and share a favorite story. Saturday, July 15 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. Please call to register at 823-0156 Ext. 217

Reptiles, Rats, and Cats, OH MY!
Join us Monday, July 17 at 10:30-11:30 a.m. when we have live reptiles in the library, as well as some other small animals that you can meet and learn about. Kat Knorrston of TK's Safari Reptile Resue will be here to introduce you her furry and scaly friends. Please call to register for this exciting and interesting event at 823-0156 Ext. 217.

Bookin' With Ronald!
Ronald McDonal will be bring his own library to our Library on Thursday July, 27 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. He'll have some magic tricks, puppets for you to meet and fun for all. Don't miss Ronald! Please call 823-0156 Ext 217 to reserve your spot.

Join us for a fun filled summer!

SUMMER READING PROGRAM- Join today to earn weekly prizes for your reading accomplishments! All ages are welcome!

READ-TO-A-DOG - Saturdays, June 10, July 15, and August 5 from 10-11 a.m.
Meet the Therapy Dogs, and read a favorite story to them. Please call 823-0156 Ext.217 to register.

LIVE PET SHOW on the Library Lawn (weather permitting) – Sat., June 17 from 2-3 p.m.
Kids in grades K-6 can enter a pet in our show! All pets must be pre-registered.
Please call 823-0156 Ext. 217 for contest rules and to register.

STUFFED PET SHOW - Saturday, June 17 from 10:30-11:30
Preschool children can enter a favorite stuffed toy pet. All stuffed pets must be pre-registered.
Please call 823-0156 Ext. 217 to register.

MEET THE PIONEERS & CROCKET – Tuesday, June 20 at 1:00 p.m.
Crocket and some of the players from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers arena football team will be here to meet and greet you, answer your questions, sign autographs, and read a story or two.
Please call 823-0156 Ext. 217 to register if you would like to “meet the Pioneers!”

“ONCE UPON A TOON” - Friday, June 23 at 10:30 a.m.
at the Sheehy Farmer Student Center of King’s College
Professional Cartoonist and Storyteller, Joe Wos, will entertain the whole family with fun & fascinating stories that he will draw as he tells them. Please call the Youth Services Desk at 823-0156 Ext. 217 to register.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME (ages 3 ½-5)
Stories, crafts, songs & films for preschool children.
Wednesdays, June 21-July 12 from 10:45-11:30 a.m. or 2-2:45 p.m.
Or Thursdays, June 22-July 13 from 6:30-7:15 p.m. Register beginning June 12.

TODDLER STORYTIME (ages 2-3 ½)
Stories, songs & crafts for toddlers & their parent/caregiver.
Wednesdays, July 19-August 9 from 10-10:30 a.m. or 11-11:30 a.m.
Or Thursdays, July 20-August 10 from 6:30-7:00 p.m. Register beginning July 10.

Many more activities will be offered throughout the summer. Please call the Youth Services desk at 823-0156 Ext. 217 for a complete schedule.

Summer Activities for Teens!

YA Poetry Workshop Group
Ages 12-18 Meets weekly on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

New members are welcome. Poetry can be submitted and reviewed. Learn how to capture your inspiration and manage your time to write. Understand the value of
revision to complete and polish your work. Light refreshments are served.
Call for more information at 823-0156 ext 217.

Otaku Anime Group Meeting
For Ages 11-18 Meets monthly.

Come join us to discuss your favorite Anime. Bring books and talk about why you like
it. Art work and origami demonstrations are available. Light refreshments will be served. Call 823-0156 ext 217 for dates and times.

Teen Babysitting Course
For ages 11-18 Two part course offered July 8th and 15th 9:00 a.m. to 12:30p.m.

Back by popular demand, the Red Cross will be offering a two-part course in babysitting techniques in the Gates Meeting Room of the Osterhout Free Library. Fee for the
course is $40.00. Please make a check out to the American Red Cross. Your check
insures your registration. This course is taught by a Red Cross instructor and participants
will receive a manual and wallet size card to certify completion. Call 823-0156 ext 217
to register.

2006 Teen Summer Reading Program
Starting June 1st, fill out a coupon with your name & title of a book you have read and place it in the box in the YA Area for a drawing at the end of the summer – no limit!

In honor of Memorial Day, The Osterhout Free Library will be closed on Saturday, May 27th and Monday, May May 29th.

Please take this time to remember our armed forces and their service to our country.



For more information on Memorial Day or the armed forces please check out the library catalog at http://www.lucasatyourservice.org or
The History Channel's article on it at http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/memorial/memorial.html

Fine Arts Fiesta

Look for your favorite Youth Services Librarians at Fine Arts Fiesta in downtown Wilkes-Barre May 18-21st. We'll be reading stories each day! Join the all the fun of this great cultural festival!

For more information on The Fine Arts Fiesta take a look at their website at http://www.fineartsfiesta.org/.

Special Family Storytime

For the first time ever, Pennsylvania has selected "Once Book for Every Young Child" to highlight the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers.

This year's book selection is Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse a picture book by Pennsylvania author Lindsay Barrett George.

In celebration of this book join as for a fun evening of crafts, puppets and songs. Each family attending will recieve a copy of the book Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse to keep and enjoy.

The story time is Monday, April 17, 2006 at 6:30-7:30 p.m.

This is a free event but please call the Youth Services Department at 823-0156 ext. 217 to register.

For more information and resources on the "One Book Every Young Child" please visit their website at http://paonebook.com/.

History Alive

With our friends from the Wilkes University History Club come take a visual tour through history from a child's perspective.

April 22- Meet a Civil War solider
April 29- Learn about the local Native American Tribes
May 6- Celebrate Rosa Parks

All events are from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the Youth Services Department of the Osterhout Free Library.

Space is limited so please call to register at 823-0156 ext. 217.

The Osterhout Free Library will be open 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2006.

The Library's Branches will be closed on this day.

Happy Holidays from the Staff of the Youth Services Department.

Check out our OPAC your Easter or Passover books!

Read to a Dog

Ever wonder if dogs really listen when you talk to them? The Osterhout Free Library Youth Services Department proudly presents the beloved Read-to-a-Dog Program. Sign up today to read to a certified therapy dog on Saturday April 1, 2006 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. This is a very popular program so please register at 823-0156 ext. 217.

Join the fun with our furry friends and you won't regret it!

Toddler Story time

Sign ups are coming! The time is near to sign up for the next set of story times for toddlers ages 2-3 1/2 years old. Please call the Youth Services Department on Monday, March 27, 2006 starting at 8:30 a.m. to register.

There are three different times to choose from:
-Tuesdays, April 4-25 from 10:00-10:30 a.m.
-Tuesdays, April 4-25 from 11:00-11:30 a.m.
-Saturdays, April 8-29 from 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Spring is almost here!

Come celebrate the new season by making a Spring Craft on Saturday, March 18, 2006 @ 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Youth Services Department.

There is no charge for this activity and no sign ups needed! It is open to all children ages 5-12 in age.

The Luck of the Irish

Come join the fun in downtown Wilkes-Barre this weekend as the St. Patrick's Day Parade marches through town! The parade starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday March 12th.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the Osterhout Free Library float to get your golden ticket redeemable for prizes! Don't forget to wear your green!

For more information on St. Patrick check out these books:
Patrick : patron saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola.

St. Patrick's Day by Janet Riehecky

St. Patrick's Day by Joyce K. Kessel

Or for some Irish Folklore check out:
Jamie O'Rourke and the big potato : an Irish folktale retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.

Jamie O'Rourke and the pooka by Tomie dePaola

A pot o' gold : a treasury of Irish stories, poetry, folklore, and (of course) blarney selected and adapted by Kathleen Krull ;

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Celebrate the life of the beloved children's author, Theodor Seuss Geisel on Thursday, March 2, 2006 by reading one of his many books.

Take a look at the catalog online to check out your favorite, whether it be The Cat and The Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Green Eggs and Ham or one of the many others!

For a complete history of his phenomenal career take a peek any of the following books:

The boy on Fairfield Street : how Ted Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull

Dr. Seuss by Mae Woods

The Seuss, the whole Seuss, and nothing but the Seuss : a visual biography of Theodor Seuss Geisel by Charles D. Cohen.

Also take a visit to the website dedicated to the man himself at http://www.seussville.com/

Story Time

Infant Story Time for children birth to two years old will start Wednesday March 8, 2006 and will run every Wednesday till March 29, 2006. There will be two time sessions to choose from: 10:00- 10:30 a.m. OR 11:00- 11:30 a.m.

Call to register on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 8:30 a.m. This is a very popular program and fills up fast!