Library offers summer reading activities; Great American Swing Dance

Published 2:56 pm Thursday, June 3, 2021

BCPL

News release

Summer Reading is in full swing at the Boyle County Public Library. Virtual field trips, take-and-make crafts, a historical treasure hunt, a community mural project, and in-person storytimes are included in an extensive list of free events for a variety of ages. Here is a closer look at some of these activities:

Email newsletter signup

Ukulele for U!

Learn to play ukulele with Young Adult Services Librarian Bretton Smith. Each Friday at 4 p.m. in June and July a new lesson will be released on the library’s YouTube channel that will cover various aspects of playing ukulele, from chords to basic songs. For those needing an instrument, the library will has a limited number of ukuleles that can be borrowed and used to play along with the lessons. This program is recommended for ages 13-18. No registration required.

Virtual Field Trip: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

On select Saturdays in June and July, the library will visit interesting locations around the area. On Saturday, June 5 at 12 p.m., travel virtually to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill for a brief look at the museum and some of the four-legged creatures who reside there. This video will be available on the library’s YouTube channel.

Yoga for Kids

Join instructor Francine Southerland on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for a virtual program where you will learn yoga poses, breathing, and other exercises. Videos will premiere weekly on the library’s YouTube channel. This video series is designed for preschool and elementary school-aged children.

Family Fun Kits

Enjoy a kit with themed crafts anyone in your family can enjoy. In June, kits will include supplies to make dog and cat toys. Kits will be available beginning Tuesday, June 8, while supplies last. The furry animals in your home will love these toys, or you may return the toys you make to the library to be donated to the Humane Society.

Animal Artists

Your pet can be an artist! Visit the library to pick up a kit of supplies that include a canvas, paint, and plastic zip-lock bag. Dab some paint on the canvas then secure it safely in the bag (this way your pet will have no direct contact with the paint). You will then apply your pet’s favorite snack to the outside of the bag and let the “painting” begin. View the accompanying video to see the process and the end result. Kits will be available on Tuesday, June 8. The instructional video will premiere at 10 a.m. on the library’s YouTube channel.

Tails and Trails

Pick up a kit with some of the basic supplies you’ll need for a casual hike through Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge, then check out the video produced by our friends at the Refuge to prepare you for your visit. Kits will be available for pickup starting Tuesday, June 8. The video premieres at 10 a.m. on the library’s YouTube channel.

Silly Safari

Enjoy a virtual visit with Amazon John for the “Silly Safari Live Animal Show” on Thursday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m. At this live, virtual event you will learn all about animals in fairy tales with his special “Tales and Tails” show. This event will be held on the library’s Facebook page. All ages are welcome to watch this special event.

Stories from the Archive

Every library, big and small, has its secrets. Join Steve Ellis, our Reference Assistant, as he delves into some of the historical documents and treasures held in the Boyle County Public Library’s collection. This video will premiere on the library’s YouTube channel on Thursday, June 10 at 4 p.m.

Pug Portraits

On Thursday, June 10 at 6 p.m., join Art Center of the Bluegrass instructor Brandon Long on Zoom for a free pet drawing workshop, provided by the Library as part of the “Tails and Tales” Summer Reading Program. Learn the basics of sketching a pug. After the workshop, take the elements you’ve learned and sketch your own pets. Be sure to share your finished drawings with the library on social media – Facebook & Instagram. Registration will be required.

Great American Swing Dance

On Friday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m., grab your lawn chair and your dancing shoes and “swing” by the Library Park for the Great American Swing Dance, part of the Great American Brass Band Festival (GABBF). Join us at this outdoor event for a brief swing dance lesson by Wes Bratcher followed by a live music performance by the Walnut Street Ramblers. This GABBF event is sponsored by the Boyle County Public Library and the Friends of the Library. Masks and social distancing are recommended in accordance with state and local guidelines. Rain cancels this event.

Information about these and all upcoming events can be found online at BoylePubLib.org. The library is open Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. In addition, free WiFi is available in the library parking lot 24/7. Chat with library staff using the live chat service on the library’s website or by texting (859)-545-8398.

The Boyle County Public Library serves the city of Danville and the surrounding communities, and is actively committed to enriching the lives of its patrons. The library is located at 307 West Broadway in Danville, KY.