Seekonk Public Library Programs for Children and Families

Piecing it Together: A Community Art Project
Tuesday, September 8 - Tuesday, September 22
Families are invited to join us for a collaborative art project. As we continue to practice social distancing for the safety of our community, it's important to remember that we are all in this together, even if we are separate. Join other Seekonk families in creating a large 23” x 33” wall puzzle to be displayed in the library.. Register to receive a blank 3.5” x 3.5” puzzle piece for each member of your household and decorate the pieces in whichever way that represents you as an individual. Pieces may be picked up starting September 8 and need to be returned by September 22. The library will then put the puzzle together and prepare it for display starting October 1. Let's see what a beautiful work of art we can create when all of our pieces come together with our own unique perspectives. Adults and children alike, show us who you are through your piece of the puzzle! This year has certainly been a time of "piecing it together" and as we continue to face new challenges, our hope is that this community art project will serve as a reminder that together, we can do anything, even make art. Register at www.seekonkpl.org 

Free Comic Books
Starting September 16
In celebration of Free Comic Book Day, stop by Seekonk Library starting September 16 and select a new, free comic book to take home and keep. Titles include InvestiGATORS, Power Rangers, My Little Pony, Lumberjanes, Donald Duck, Super Mercado, The Loud House, Spiderman and more. Available as supplies last.

Read an Ebook Day
Friday, September 18
Whether you’ve never read an Ebook or if you’re a seasoned pro at borrowing and reading them, September 18th is a day to celebrate electronic books!
The advantages of Ebooks include the ability to take the stories and authors you love with you anytime, anywhere. For those with a smartphone, tablet or computer, connect to a world of literature whether sitting on the couch, on an airplane 30,000 feet in the air and anywhere in between. They save space in suitcases, can’t be lost or damaged and can be accessed at the click of a button. Borrow a favorite book or something completely new and discover the joys of digital reading. #ebooklove
To browse Seekonk Library’s collections of Ebooks, visit seekonkpl.org and scroll down to Overdrive and Hoopla. Browse the collections then have SAILS Library Card ready to borrow your Ebook titles. Need assistance? Contact us at 508-336-8230 or at library#@seekonkpl.org
And remember, although we celebrate Ebooks on September 18, know that the library’s collection of electronic books is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Babies & Books Storytime
Monday, September 21, 10 AM
Join Miss Sharon for a live storytime for children ages 2 and under. There’ll be books, fingerplays, music, dancing and yes, even bubbles! Preregistration is required using the registration form below. One hour before the event you will receive a program invite and password to log in. This program requires registration and is limited to 12 families. It will be held virtually and a Zoom account is necessary.

What to expect: Gentle music will begin playing a few minutes before 10 AM to give everyone a few mintues to log in and gather before the program starts. At 10 am we'll say hello and then start with bubbles, followed by a story, fingerplays, music and singing. We'll end with goodbye routine and then music will play as we log off. For September’s storytime, please have a small toy or shaker type instrument available for your child can use during our shaker songs.

This storytime focuses talking, singing, reading, and playing- important principles for YOUR child’s language development and reading readiness. Remember you’re always invited to stop by Seekonk Library to select books to take home for YOUR child. You may also browse our collection of eBooks for young children available through OverDrive, Hoopla and Tumblebooks. Visit www.seekonkpl.org and scroll down to the bottom of the homepage for links.

"Why Zoom? Why not FaceBook Live?" We use Zoom because we can see and interact with you! (With FaceBook Live, you can see us, but we can't see you.)

All About Owls!
Tuesday, September 29 at 4 PM
Owl season is upon us! In this virtual presentation children will learn about the local owl species who live in our communities. The program will introduce everyone to the adaptations, sounds, behaviors, and some of the most common species of owls found locally. Also during the program children will virtually explore some natural artifacts, listen and learn how to identify different owl calls, and watch a demonstration of an owl pellet dissection. Best suited to children ages 6 and up. Registration required at seekonkpl.org Calendar of events. The Zoom invite will be sent to registrants one hour before the start of the presentation. Presented by Jeremy Mombourquette from Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary.

Little Blue Truck Storytime on the Go
Starts Tuesday, September 22
It's "Storytime on the Go" with The Little Blue Truck! Parents and caregivers of toddlers and preschoolers are invited to register for this special "Storytime on the Go" packet. Preregister then pick up a packet at Seekonk Library anytime between Tuesday, September 22 and Saturday, September 26. Read the library books at home and enjoy Little Blue Truck activity sheets and a craft. Storytime on the Go includes three library books from The Little Blue Truck series, activity sheets and a Little Blue Truck early literacy craft, "Beep, beep!"

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
On-going
Families are invited to join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at Seekonk Public Library. This program encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their young children which builds literacy skills and helps lay the foundation for school success.

To participate, parents register for the self-paced program then keep track of the books that are read by using either the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten app or by tracking the books on paper reading logs available through the library. Incentives are earned after each 100 books including special achievement stickers, a tote bag, a lunch bag and even a t-shirt after reading 1,000 books.

Research shows that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to during early childhood. Reading to children from an early age can help close the vocabulary gap and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to learn how to read and succeed. These skills include understanding the sounds letters make, developing rich language, learning vocabulary words and building background knowledge. In addition, sharing books with children helps promote a lifelong love of books and reading.

The program is self-paced and achievable. By reading three books a day, the program can be completed in one year. By reading one book a day, families will reach the goal in three years. The program is educational, free of charge and children ages birth through age 5 may participate. Registration is on-going and requires a SAILS Library card. For more information, call the Youth Services Librarians, Sharon Clarke and Sandie Gauthier at (508) 336-8230 x56140, or visit www.seekonkpl.org/kids 

Kindness Rocks
Ongoing
Kindness continues to rock in September at Seekonk Library. Children and families may stop by the Library starting September 15 to pick up a package of rocks that can be painted with simple messages of kindness or love. Rocks may then be left in the Kindness Rocks Garden at Seekonk Library, given to someone you know, or placed in a visible location in Seekonk to spread the idea of kindness throughout town. Each rock will have a base color of paint so that messages will be easier to read. The latest supply of rocks will have a base coat in colors reminiscent of the fall season. Seekonk Library will supply the rocks but paints or permanent markers are not provided. This program is open to everyone, even those who have previously received rocks from the Library. Great intergenerational and family activity. Registration is not required, simply stop into the library to pick up one or more packages of rocks. Curbside pick up may also be arranged. The need for kindness is great and communities across the world are making a difference! Just stop by to pick up your rocks.

Family Binge Boxes
Get cozy on the couch with Seekonk Library's newest Binge Boxes. Check out a family oriented, binge-worthy box of 6-7 family and children's DVDs based on a variety of themes. Our latest boxes are Disney Classics, Family Classics, Storytime (animated read-alouds), and Preschool Education (Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, PBS etc). All materials are in DVD format and are rated G or PG. Come into the library to browse the collection and select a box that’s just right for your family. Binge Boxes circulate for two weeks at a time.

School is Starting, Seekonk Library Can Help
Whether you’ve selected the Virtual Learning Academy, hybrid model or the homeschooling option for educating your children, know that Seekonk Library is here to help. We have programs and services that will support your family through this upcoming school year. To support your child’s education we offer curriculum support, enrichment programs, and online educational services such as Britannica Library. Whether your child is a beginner, reluctant or advanced reader, we have books, eBooks and audiobooks for every child. If your student needs information for school related projects or titles for leisure reading, we offer a variety of resources to assist. Our Adult and Youth Services librarians are available to answer your questions and find the resources you need for teaching and learning, now and throughout the school year. Contact the Adult Services Department at (508) 336-8230 library@seekonkpl.org  or the Youth Services Department at x56140 childrens@seekonkpl.org. Let us know how we can help your family.

About eBooks
Whether you’re looking for picture books, beginner readers, chapter books, or nonfiction books for your child, we have thousands of eBook titles to choose from. Available in eBook, audiobook and video formats. Browse our online collections at seekonkpl.org and scroll to the bottom of the home page for the links to OverDrive, Hoopla and Tumblebooks. You will need your SAILS library card to check books out. Don’t have a card? Contact us at childrens@seekonkpl.org or (508) 336-8230 x56140

OverDrive Your child's source for e-Books and audio books for every device. Discover picture books, chapter books, graphic novels and more. Explore Libby, the 'user-friendly' OverDrive app. seekonkpl.org. No monthly limit on checkouts.
Hoopla Instantly borrow eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music and more for your child, 24/7 with your library card. Monthly limit on checkouts.

TumbleBooks Encourage reading with interactive, books and activities. Something for every age child! Featuring picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, National Geographic videos, games, puzzles & more. No app needed, nothing to download, no borrowing, just click and read. Visit seekonkpl.org and scroll to bottom of homepage for link

To search our main catalog of hardcover and paperback books (not eBooks) visit the SAILS online catalog at www.seekonkpl.org 

Visit www.seekonkpl.org or call (508) 336-8230 for details about placing any type of materials on hold, about curbside pick-up and for updated Seekonk Library news. Follow us on FaceBook and Instagram.

Summer Reading Wrap Up
This year’s summer reading program was a wonderful success! By registering for the summer challenge and tracking the amount of time spent reading, children took part in creative activities, accumulated digital badges, received coupons for free ice cream cones, and they earned flamingos to decorate and display. The children also met the community challenge and collectively read over 200,000 minutes. As a result, Seekonk Library staff spray painted their hair pink in honor of this great accomplishment. Thank you to all the children who read and to the parents who supported their children’s reading efforts. Please be sure to complete our end-of-summer survey that was emailed to all parents. If you did not receive a survey, please contact us at (508) 336-8230 x56140 or stop in for a paper copy. We rely on your feedback to plan future programs and we thank you very much.