The Boyle County Public Library (BCPL) continues its virtual summer programs with three new special events: Cosplay 101; Virtual Party with Aladdin and Jasmine; and Character Drawing. All events offered through the library are free to participate in, although registration may be required. Information on all virtual events can be found online at BoylePubLib.org. 

On Monday, July 20 at 4 p.m. the library will host “Cosplay 101,” presented by Sidnee Slone. Slone has created several cosplay looks and has experience attending conferences dressed in cosplay. 

In this talk, she shares the most important tips when it comes to attending your first cosplay conference. Topics to be covered include makeup recipes, etiquette tips at conferences, and shared experiences of cosplayers. This program is for teens and adults. 

It can be watched via a YouTube video that will be shared on the library’s social media pages, including the new Instagram account for teens.

“Viewers will learn how to gather materials to recreate any beloved character,” says Young Adult Librarian Brittany Smith. “The video will feature tips from where to get clothing to recipes for a variety of makeup.”

On Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m. the library will host a “Virtual Party with Aladdin and Jasmine.” Originally scheduled to be an in-person event similar to the Snow Sister Party last year, the program was reimagined as a virtual program by Gleam and Glow Princess Services. 

Young patrons and their families are invited to join this adventurous duo at a free, two-hour enchanting event that will include games, an interactive story, singing, and a short dance lesson. 

Guests will also have the opportunity  to say “hello” and ask our magical friends questions. The live event will take place on the Boyle County  Public Library Children’s Programming Facebook page.

“Aladdin and Jasmine are bringing the fun and magic to the kids through this virtual program they can join in on from home,” says Youth Services Librarian Kinsey Hisle. “Personally, these are two of my favorite characters as well. We think they’ll be the best ones to help kids imagine a new world to go along with our theme this summer.” 

BCPL has seen a large interest level in fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons over the past couple of years. The fantasy, mythology, and fairy tale genres utilized in this year’s Summer Reading theme of “Imagine Your Story” incorporate not only written works but a lot of artwork, as well. With the community’s interest and investment in the arts, library staff thought it would be a great opportunity to offer a character drawing class. 

On Thursday, July 30 at 6 p.m. the library will host “Imagine Your Story: Character Drawing,” a 60-minute virtual drawing program. The library is covering the cost of this class, facilitated by Art Center of the Bluegrass instructor Brandon Long. 

The class will be free and open to the public but registration is required. Participants will just need a pencil, some paper, and access to the Zoom meeting platform, where the class will be held virtually. Links will be distributed prior to the day of the class. Registration is required to participate. To sign up, go to boylepublib.org/drawing.

“This class will help readers represent their favorite characters in a visual format,” says Public Services Librarian Caleb Conover. “As someone who very much enjoys fantasy literature, I always find it intriguing to see all of the various interpretations of characters in visual art. I look forward to seeing the results of our class at the end of July.”

 

In addition to these special events, weekly Summer Reading virtual activities will continue through the end of July. Participation in the Summer Reading Program through Beanstack runs until July 31. There is still time to log reading, and, if you’ve finished a challenge, request the prize books you’ve earned and enter your raffle tickets into the prize drawings. All challenges and programs are free and available to the public. Go to BoylePubLib.org/SummerReading to learn more and to register for Beanstack.

 

Anyone needing assistance may contact the library Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm via phone at 859-238-7323, via email at library@boylepublib.org