Children ages birth through eighth grade are invited to DIG INTO READING! Every participant sets his/her own reading goal, making the program both fun and encouraging. Each child who reaches their goal wins a prize and is entered into the grand prize drawing. As they work toward their goal, children can attend cool programs, enter weekly drawings, and discover a world of excitement at the library! Our kick-off event is Monday, June 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m. It is an evening filled with fun for the whole family. We look forward to seeing you then, and don't forget to DIG INTO READING!

The Youth Department has its own terrace! Located at the back of the room near the biography collection, the Youth terrace is a great place to let your little ones get out some of their energy, soak up some sunshine, and share a good book.

In almost nine years at the Bloomfield Township Public Library, and in my previous position as a school librarian, I have enjoyed story times, programs, finding just the right book for a young reader, and working with an outstanding group of colleagues. I love literature, summer, music, games, and grammar. I met my husband rock climbing!  We are now enjoying our grandchildren. I travel often - for enrichment and recreation as well as to visit my scattered family. I have looked into the crater of Mt. Vesuvius, ridden my bike across the Brooklyn Bridge, lost my passport to street thieves in Barcelona, swum in the Aegean Sea, and worked on damaged houses after Hurricane Katrina. I look forward to more adventures and to hearing about yours!

Mrs. Telford Recommends:

Reading poetry with your children is not only fun, but also will heighten their sense of language and expand their imaginations. We have many poetry anthologies, and also picture books created from individual poems. Along with new works, look for poems you remember from your childhood.  There is a special joy in sharing your literary experiences with a new generation.

A Family of Poems, my favorite poetry for children (J808.81 KEN) and Poems to Learn by Heart, selected by Caroline Kennedy.

If You See a Fairy Ring (J821.008)

When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six, by A.A. Milne (J821 MIL)

The Dream Keeper and other poems, by Langston Hughes (J811.52 HUG)

Hailstones and Halibut Bones, adventures in poetry and color, by Mary O’Neill (J811.54 ONE)

A Child’s Garden of Verses, by Robert Louis Stevenson (J821.8 STE); some of the poems have been made into separate books, such as My Shadow (E STE) and Block City (J821 STE)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost (J811.52 FRO)

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (J811.3 LON)

This month was established to draw public attention to historic preservation, including neighborhoods, districts, landmark buildings, open space and maritime heritage.  You can find out more information by visiting the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Don't forget the Library has a tremendous Local History Collection!  In this collection you can find historical records for Bloomfield Township, and the greater Detroit area.  The Bloomfield Historical Society and the Oakland County Pioneer & Historical Society offer a wealth of information concerning Bloomfield Township and Oakland County!

The famous creator of the James Bond series, Ian Fleming, was born May 28, 1908!  Mr. Fleming was educated at Eton College and then abroad in Germany and Austria.  During World War II he worked as an assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence in the Admiralty in London, with access to proprietary secrets.  It was this experience that led him to create many of the incidents and characters that he later wrote about in the Bond books!  So if you love Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan, you can thank Ian Fleming for making them household stars!

You might not know it, but the month of May has been selected by four different groups as their national food specialty month.  Here is the list:  National Barbecue Month, National Hamburger Month, National Salad Month, and National Salsa Month!  Since barbecuing is the ultimate summer holiday tradition, you will want to stop by the Library to pick up some great cookbooks for your Memorial Day cookout!  

Our new collection of VITALITY Kits has been very popular!  If you haven't stopped by to check one out yet, please do!  Learn about meditation, become a safer driver and check out low vision magnifiers!  Patrons are reporting that they are interested in purchasing the same or similar items for daily use.  We have listed our vendors online, and we hope you check out your first Kit soon!

Take action during Defeat Diabetes Month!  The Library has a great collection of items for you to start your diabetes research.  If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, stop by the Adult Services Desk and ask about our NEW Vitality Kit : All About Diabetes.  These vital resources can help make a difference in your life!

Isle Royale is the largest of a group of more than 200 islands that make up this national park preserve in Michigan's upper peninsula.  To preserve upper Michigan's flora and fauna, Congress authorized a national park in 1931 and it was established on April 3, 1940.  Stop by the library and check out some interesting items about Isle Royale from our collection!

Having problems navigating the internet like a pro?  Do you want to sharpen your surfing skills to keep up with your grandchildren?  If so, then check our our new and improved Computer Tutorial page.  These outstanding links will have you in tip top shape for that next visit with the grandkids!  Start surfing like a pro today!

With the arrival of spring, many birds begin arriving back in Michigan.  No doubt you remember where you saw your first robin this year!  April 28 is National Go Birding Day and May 11 is the International Migratory Bird Celebration.  The Michigan Audubon Society can help you get started!  Of course you will want to stop by the Library and check out our books on birds!  Happy Spring!

My name is Liz Conger and I am one of the Youth Services Librarians.  Before I was a Librarian here at Bloomfield Township Public Library, I was one of the Interns at the Media Desk.  I moved to the Youth Room in summer 2010 and love working more directly with kids.  In fact, story times are my favorite part of the job!  I like to listen to audiobooks and music during my commute to work and when I’m home I like to play with my kitty, Lola.  I read a wide variety of books, but am especially fond of picture books with animals.  When I’m not at work, I might be traveling and am currently planning a 12-day honeymoon to Ireland in August.