Column

So much more than books

Courtesy of Sherburne Memorial Library

Sherburne Memorial Library invites the public to come in and find out about its extensive offerings.

Killington’s Sherburne Library hosts concerts, clubs, classes and programs for all ages

By Polly Lynn

Yes, your local library still feature books—and the book clubs for adults and summer reading programs for kids that many libraries provide. But in addition to those services, some area libraries now offer diverse new community resources including online courses, workshops and classes, kids camps and after school programs, movies, concerts, clubs, and even seed banks. The Sherburne Memorial Library in Killington is one of those, with a surprising array of offerings. Librarian-Director Jane Ramos hopes to encourage more folks to utilize those offerings.

“Anytime the library doors are locked it makes me sad,” Jane said. “We have this great building. It should be used!”

The mission of the Sherburne Memorial Library is to be “the living room of the community, serving as common ground where all are welcome…” The relatively new building (circa 1999) offers a modern but cozy atmosphere with lots of natural light and places to read inside and out. The children’s room is adorned with colorful murals by local artist Peter Gould.

Those interested in borrowing library materials can do so free of charge if they are a Vermont resident or Killington property taxpayer. Visitors may purchase a library card for $15 for an individual; and $25 for a family.

Ramos hopes the variety of programs will bring more residents and visitors of all ages through the door who will then discover more ways to use the library.

“Nearly all of our offerings are free,” Ramos explained. “I just don’t think some people know that we offer so much.”

During the school year, the library offers after-school programs for elementary through high school students, free of charge. One bus comes from the middle school/high school and one bus comes from Killington Elementary School each day after school, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Additionally, there are a chess club and a lego club that meet monthly. Story Time is offered Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for younger children, ages birth to four years old, throughout the year.

For adults, the Sherburne Memorial Book Group meets the last Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. after the Killington Seniors’ lunch at the Lookout Tavern. Skyping with the authors is a new element that technology has made possible. “The group really enjoys engaging with the authors when possible,” said Ramos. “It can bring the book to life in new ways.”

New year-round offerings include piano lessons for beginners of all ages. Ramos is now offering to teach 30-minute lessons for $10, but space is limited. Proceeds will help provide more library programming, Ramos said.

Another new program coming soon is one Ramos is calling “Check Out a Genealogist.” Starting in July, Ramos and Sherburne historian Peggy Mowle will offer two hours of free expert research into your family history. “It gives folks a place to start,” Ramos explained. She hopes it will inspires them to continue researching using the tools available at the library.

Summer reading programs

Summers mean the kids are off school and many families, local and visiting, seek summer programs to keep their kids engaged and learning.

“Many of the kids come to the library between the kids’ camps offered by the Killington Rec Department and swim lessons,” Ramos said, adding that may change a bit this year with the camps being held at Ramshead for the first time.

The Sherburne Library also offers a summer reading program for kids, which kicks off this Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. “Ready, Set, Read” is a nationwide initiative that encourages kids to record the number of books and minutes of reading they have logged over the summer and receive prizes for their efforts. After the Saturday kickoff celebration, participants will meet at 1 p.m. at the library for six consecutive Wednesdays, June 29-Aug. 3 to share their progress and to participate in events and activities together such as the Summer Olympics, a magic show, Encore Theatre and a visit from VINS.

The statewide Passport to Vermont Libraries program kicked off its second year on June 1. The program encourages readers of all ages to visit as many libraries as they can throughout the state and receive prizes.

While at the Killington library (or at other participating libraries throughout the state) families may choose to go on a StoryWalk®. StoryWalk® is a trademarked program, and belongs to the folks at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Vermont. The project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The simple idea is to encourage families to read together outside, promoting literacy and fitness. The program laminates pages of a book and mounts those pages on stakes, which are then posted one at a time down a trail or throughout a park.

StoryWalk® has become a popular feature at many libraries across in over 80 countries, Ramos said. A new StoryWalk® will be posted every two weeks, she added.

Those interested in gardening can now do more than check out a book on best practices at the Sherburne Library: you can check out seeds! New this year, the library is offering a seed exchange program, where seeds are donated and/or “checked out” by library members or visitors. “No you don’t have to give them back,” Ramos said, explaining that folks can select a few seeds from the 50+ varieties of seeds currently stocked, plant them and hope for the best. In the fall when the go to seed, she encourages folks to collect them and donate them back, but “right now we have more donations than we do folks checking them out.”

Events

Book sale, July 4

The annual Sherburne Friends of the Library Book Sale is July 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Friends of Sherburne Library are also sponsoring a basket raffle to help support summer programs.

River Road Concert Series

Starting Thursday, July 7, this year’s concert series will be longer than past years, Ramos said. The library is now a co-sponsor of the music series along with the town recreation department. Look for the featured acts in future editions of the Mountain Times.

Monday Movie Matinees

The Monday Movie Matinees began last year and have proven to be popular, with 12-20 people coming to each screening. Each Monday at 2 p.m. families gather for coffee, tea and snacks and are treated to a 10-minute introduction to add educational context to the selected movie. Upcoming selections include:

June 27: “Zootopia”

July 4: Book Sale/No Movie

July 11: “Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot”

July 18: “Eye in the Sky”

July 25: “Miracles from Heaven”

Stargazing

Telescopes are offered for stargazing throughout the summer. Anyone can come and learn how to use them during the day, Ramos said, and the library will host stargazing events at night, weather permitting. Visit the library’s Facebook page for up-to-date information on viewing.

The annual Perseid meteor shower party is Aug. 12 this year, from 3-5 a.m. Last year, 25 people came out to watch the show on the library lawn, Ramos said. Refreshments will again be provided and all are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or sleeping bags for the show. Last year, those that stayed until sunrise saw about 200 meteors, Ramos added.

Looking ahead

Ramos and the Killington historians are planning to put together a town-wide photo scavenger hunt in mid-September. The best “scavengers” will win cash prizes, Ramos said. The harder the finds, the more points attributed. How well do you know your town?

Then, the first weekend in December, “Elephant and Piggie” will be coming to the library for four to five days. “Elephant and Piggie” is a book series for early readers by author Mo Willems.

The character costumes are very hard to get, Ramos explained. Putting the Sherburne Library on the list “was among the first things I did when I got here,” she said. She’s been waiting for two years.

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