Isabella and Broadway: Library Friends

Today we have a heartwarming story for you all about the power of library programming.

Meet Isabella, a young reader who first connected with Broadway during one of our "Read to Broadway the Therapy Dog" sessions. Isabella loved reading aloud to her—she was the perfect, furry listener!

Fast forward a few months, and Isabella was playing in the park when she spotted Broadway again. She immediately recognized her and said hello. Broadway’s owner, Candy, noticed their connection and graciously let Isabella take Broadway for a walk around the park. 

It was a magical afternoon filled with laughter as they strolled and enjoyed each other's company. 

This heartwarming reunion reminds us of the special bonds that can form through reading and community. If you haven’t joined us for our programs yet, you’re missing out on some tail-wagging fun. 

There’s no such thing as too many adventures! See you at the library! 🐾

-Miss Juliana

 

Summer Reading Wrap-up 2024

Click here.

 

Program Photos: Shoprite Healthy Snack

We had a ShopRite Dietician come to the Main Library to help us learn about and make a healthy snack! Together we made a yummy snack with wraps and healthy ingredients.

 

Program Photos: Makers Day

 Thank you to everyone who came out for Makers Day at the Main Library this year! We had a blast learning about space with 4H, using the tinker table to take apart some devices, and listen to a NASA Ambassador speak!

Interested in seeing more program photos? Click here.

Black History Month Celebration: African Drum Circle with Music Play Patrol

This February, we had a special program to celebrate Black History Month! Mr. Boom Boom from Music Play Patrol joined us once again, this time for an African Drum circle program!

Kids had a blast learning about West African music and drums, and even got to play some themselves.

Wow! It looks like we have some musicians in the making.

Parents and kids alike had a lot of fun dancing along and playing with the music.

 Thank you to Music Play Patrol for coming out for this program!

-Photos taken by Miss Heather

-Write-up and edits by Miss Juliana

Program Photos: Halloween Party

Thank you everyone for joining us at our two Halloween parties! We had a great time and loved seeing your costumes.  Together, we learned about the history of the holiday, listened to a Halloween book, made a craft in the Monster Making Lab, and had a freeze dance party! Have a safe and happy holiday!

-Miss Juliana

 

Program Photos: Headless Horseman Halloween Fun

Last week we had special visitors from the Passaic County Sheriff's Department pay us a special visit to read us The Legend of Sleepy Hollow...

When a special guest, the Headless Horseman, appeared!

Luckily, our patrons weren't too scared, and the Sheriff's Department gave kids in attendance a goody bag to take home, and we even had a raffle for a Nightmare Before Christmas book - congratulations to our winner!

Thank you for visiting!

-Miss Juliana

Program Photos: Drawing in the Garden

On October 5th, we had fun drawing the plants in the garden at the Main Library. Together, we observed and drew the different herbs, tomatoes, flowers, shrubs, and more that make up its greenery! Everyone did amazing work, and we even saw a squirrel and a rabbit! Each child also got some of the basil plant to take home and use.

     

 

-Miss Juliana

Program Photos: Library Card Sign-up Month Event

To celebrate National Library Card Sign-up Month, we had special visitors at the Main Library!

Visitors tumbled in from Wonderland to encourage patrons to get their very own library card. 

Thank you to library worker (and Mad Hatter extraordinaire) Tess for setting up this beautiful display and for the costumes for this successful event! Thank you as well to Miss Gloria for dressing up as the March Hare.

-Miss Juliana

Program Photos: Read to Broadway

Did you know that the Clifton Public Library works with the owners of therapy dogs? They're generous enough to let the dogs visit so kids can read to them! In the picture below, we have Broadway, who has been the star of our group reading programs: Read to Broadway the Therapy Dog!

Patron quote: "Thank you so much. She really wanted to do it. She’s never read in public before, so it was good for her and all of the kids. It’s so wonderful that you offer up Broadway’s ‘services’. Piper told me she would love to do it again sometime. My parents also enjoyed the experience."

Thank you for vising us, Broadway, and we can't wait to see you again!

 

-Miss Juliana

Program Photos: Eyes of the Wild Grand Finale

We had special visitors from animal rescue Eyes of the Wild appear for our Summer Reading finale! These furry (and slithery) friends showed up to help us learn about different animals.

Thank you to Travis for bringing the animals with you - we all had a great time.

 

-Miss Juliana

Summer Reading Wrap-Up Video 2023

Click here to view!

 

-Miss Juliana

Program Photos: You Must Be Joking! Joke Writing Workshop

 On July 13th, we had Join Sari Kopitnikoff, the author of Only Kidding! come to the Allwood Library and run a joke writing workshop. Thank you for visiting us and making us laugh!

-Miss Juliana

Congratulations to our Inter-Library Tournament Winners

 Thanks to everyone for coming out to our Inter-Library Tournament finale!

Here is the list of our winners:

Ages 5-8

1. Mohammad (Main Library)

2. Janat (Main Library)

3. Camila (Allwood Branch)

Ages 9-12

1. Vyomni (Allwood Branch)

2. Haya (Main Library)

3. Yashvi (Allwood Branch)

Teens

1. Elizabeth (Allwood Branch)

2. Stella (Allwood Branch)

Program Photos: Lego Fun

Everything is awesome about these creations by kids during our Allwood Branch Lego Fun program!

In the spirit of the summer reading theme, All Together Now, they created buildings around their neighborhoods, including parks, an aquarium, a hair salon, houses, and many more.

 

Program Photos: All Together Now Kids Craft

On Saturday the 5th, we made custom art to celebrate this year's Summer Reading theme. I had a great time making this craft with you all! Come in to the Main Library to see your creations on display. Can you see the one I made of myself?

Great work, everyone!

-Miss Juliana

Program Photos: Music Play Patrol

Today we're reminiscing about the Summer Reading Kickoff with Music Play Patrol! Everyone at the Allwood Library had a great time dancing along to the music - even parents joined in.

 

Program Photos: Field Station Dinosaurs

The Main Library had a very special visitor the other day... 

Our friends from Field Station Dinosaurs gave us a visit!

It started with them singing us songs and teaching us about dinosaurs!

But then... we heard a rumble in the distance!

Wow! A dinosaur also came along to visit! Good thing it was friendly.

Check out their website below:

www.fieldstationdinosaurs.com

Photos from our Spring Craft

 Wow! We had a great crop of kids come out for our Spring Craft last month. Check out the awesome craft they made.

Hands-on Book Club: Cookbooks

Kids had a lot of fun during our Hands-on Book Club: Cookbooks program!

Check out our patrons making yummy recipes like were Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches and a  Lemonade Float from books such as "My Very FirstCookbook," as well as Spaghetti Marinara from "The Big Fun Kids Cookbook" and others!