Morning Movie

Everyone must be snug in their homes this bright, crisp Monday. The library is open, and if you have dvds out be sure to check their due dates because many are due back today!

Stop in to watch "Legend of the Guardians" rated PG in our community room this Wednesday at 10:30 am. We will have treats!

Holiday Hours

The Library will be closed on Friday December 24th and Saturday December 25th for the Christmas Holiday. We will be open until 4pm on New Year's Eve (come in and find a movie to watch while you wait for midnight!) but then we will be closed again for New Year's Day. All of our children's programs will continue as scheduled during the week between Christmas and New Year's, including a special morning matinee showing of "Legend of the Guardians" rated PG on Wednesday December 29th at 10:30.

So stop into the library and find some books or movies to share with your family and friends or enjoy coming to a program with your children.

Lapsit Programs

The lapsit program at the Louisa Gonser Community Library is an informal program consisting of 15-20 minutes of book reading, songs and fingerplays for children from birth to 3 years old. Our lapsit program is designed to encourage the development of early literacy skills in our youngest children by fostering a positive relationship to books and language through stories, songs and rhymes. After the lapsit program, children (and caregivers) are encouraged to socialize in the library's community room and play with library provided toys during the free play period.

Lapsit FAQ

1. Lapsits are held Mondays at 11am and again on Thursdays at 10am. Books read on Monday are typically repeated on Thursday but children are welcome to attend both. Lapsits are held weekly barring a library closure or unforeseen absence.

2. Registration is not required.

3. Siblings are welcome.

4. Children are not expected to sit still and active participation is encouraged. If a child's behavior becomes too disruptive to the rest of the group, the caregiver should simply remove the child until s/he is ready to rejoin us.

5. Caregivers must remain in the community room with their children and are encouraged to participate as much as possible.

Lapsits are lead by Roseanne Perkins, Youth Services Librarian. Roseanne holds a Master's in Library and Information Science with an academic and professional concentration in the provision of library services to children. When Roseanne is absent, the program is led by another staff member or a volunteer.

December Open Art Studio and the House Tour

Due to the business of the season, we will probably not have a visiting artist at our December open studio. We will still open the room from 10-noon and have art supplies available for anyone interested in being creative. It is a great opportunity to make holiday cards or paint a picture for a loved one.

Open Studio will return February 5th!

Don't forget the House Tour is next week, Sunday December 5th. Stop into the library to pick up your ticket. This is always a festive event and all proceeds benefit the library.

Children's Book Week

There is still time for children aged 5-17 to stop into the library and test their knowledge of great books by filling out our trivia sheet. Completed sheets will be entered into a drawing for a copy of the book "How to Train Your Dragon" and a copy of the movie on DVD. Completed forms must be submitted by 4pm on Saturday November 20th to be eligible for the drawing.

Holiday House Tour

Join us for a tour of six local residences and Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 5th from 12:30 to 5pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available now at the library for $15. When you purchase your ticket, select a time during the tour to stop in the open house at Jackie & Daughter Flower Shop to enjoy tea, petite sandwiches and sweet treats. Paisley & Company, Made Shop and Dunkelberger's Jewelry will also be hosting open houses that afternoon to help you gather ideas for holiday gifts. The Friends of the Louisa Gonser Community Library work very hard to make this a memorable event, and the proceeds benefit the library.

Open Art Studio

Many people have been asking about our new "Open Art Studio" program. The first Saturday of each month from 10-noon we are inviting children, families, and adults to come use our community room as an art studio. The Library will provide workspace on tables, paper and some basic art supplies, but participants may certainly bring their own if they prefer. We will also try to invite a local artist to join us each month who will show some of his or her own work and interact with the community.

If you have any questions about this program, contact the youth services librarian at skuchild@berks.lib.pa.us