We're "Jazzed" About February

Posted Feb 6, 2022

February is filled with celebrations from Ground Hogs Day and Lunar New Year to Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day. It’s also Love Your Library Month. We know there are plenty of reason to love your Shorewood Library twelve months of the year. This February, we are adding a few more.

For the first time, Shorewood Public Library will be participating in JAZZ & FRIENDS COMMUNITY READING DAY held February 24. We are working with our partners in the Shorewood School District to present a day of virtual readings focused on celebrating, supporting, and affirming transgender and non-binary youth in our community. Community members will share recorded readings of selected picture books. Links to the virtual readings will be available on our website and social media platforms. They will also be available for teachers to share with their classes. We hope the readings will inspire thoughtful discussions in classrooms and living rooms that create greater inclusivity, understanding and acceptance of all children.

The first Jazz & Friends Community Reading Day was held seven years ago in Wisconsin at the Mount Horeb Public Library. The two mothers who started the event were hoping for 20 people to participate. More than 600 people showed up. Today, the now annual event is held at hundreds of schools and libraries across the country. We are proud to be one of them.

Limited in-person programs will also return this February. After a delay due to the surge in CoVid cases, Rhyme & Read Lapsit and Story Times will start mid-month. Rhyme & Read Lapsit sessions for children 6 – 23 months and a caregiver will be held Tuesdays at 9 a.m. February 15 – March 22. Story Times for 2 – 4 year olds will be held Thursdays at 9 a.m. February 17 – March 24. Registration is required for both programs. You may register online through our event calendar, in-person, or over the phone.

To ensure the safest possible environment for in-person programs, CoVid health and safety protocols will be followed. Sessions will be held before the library opens to the general public. Medical quality air purifiers, physical distancing, and masking for participants two years and older will be in place.

Another sign of inching toward “normal” – AWE Early Literacy Station is available. We are pleased to announce we have a new AWE Early Learning computer station. The station offers dozens of award-winning learning games and activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Looking for more fun and easy ways to develop early literacy and language skills in your little one? Research shows sharing books is the best way. Sign up for the 1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN program. Track books being read to your child online or on a colorful printed reading folder. Each 100 books earns a sticker or badge. When you reach the 1000 book milestone, you child can choose a book to keep. If 1000 books sounds daunting, it’s easier than you think. Just one book a day for 3 years = 1,095 books. Three books a day for 1 year = 1,095.

To learn more about our events and services, check out our website and Facebook page, and sign up for our monthly newsletter.



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