JULY 2023 NEWS & PROGRAMS

MAURY LOONTJENS MEMORIAL LIBRARY

CONSTRUCTION FOR OUR NEW LIBRARY IS ON TRACK!

Library construction is going well and still on schedule to be completed in fall 2023!

2023 Adult Summer Reading Program

June 12th-August 12th

This summer we will be using Beanstack where adults can read to win prizes! Beanstack is a virtual reading challenge website where readers can earn badges for completing tasks and reading books. Stop by the Circulation Desk for a paper copy or use the link below.

Registration

Writing Workshop Series

Monday, July 3rd & 10th- 10:30am-12:00pm

Join Professor Nancy Shuster for a free writing workshop! Even if you have never written more than a postcard come and join us. We will focus on different types of writing including life story writing, poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

Please bring a pen and a notebook for notes and in-class writing. Contact Prof. Shuster at [email protected] if you have any questions. All ages are welcome. Registration required. 

Registration 7/10

The World of Barbie

Saturday, July 8th- 11:00am-12:00pm

Adults are invited to learn about the evolution of the fashion icon Barbie Doll! Come join toy collector Corinne Adams and see with doll examples how the original Barbie has changed over the years. Also see the Barbies pulled from the market for various reasons and all the most collectable and unusual Barbies (and Kens) that came along over the years. Bring your own favorite Barbie or other doll with you to show the class. Registration required.

Registration 

 Genealogy Club

Monday, July 10th- 6:00pm

Have you wanted to start searching for your ancestors but didn't know where to start? The Genealogy group meets at the library once a month and new members are always welcome! The group is made up of family historians interested in sharing resources and tips to accurately find their ancestors while helping others with their search.

Evening Yoga Class

Wednesday, July 12th- 6:00pm

Come join us for a slow flow yoga sequence to elevate your mood and cultivate self-awareness and self-love. The class will be led by local yoga instructor Sarah Abbruzzese outside on the library lawn weather permitting. Please bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. 

Registration

Food Waste Prevention w/ RIRCC

Thursday, July 13th- 6:00pm

Join us for an exciting presentation on Food Waste Prevention led by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation! 

You will learn how food waste occurs, the impact of wasted food, and simple tools that have been shown to be effective in reducing household food waste. From an impact standpoint, preventing household food waste has the double benefit of decreasing the amount of food waste going to the landfill (where it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas) as well as saving households’ money by preventing edible food from going to waste! Registration required.  

Registration

Scrapbook Therapy

Tuesday, July 18th- 11:00am-1:00pm

Join us to start recording your own story with Scrapbooking! Beginners and experienced scrapbookers are welcome. Please bring your own photos and come set your creative side free. Eileen will host an informal session to encourage people to work on their scrapbooks. For more information contact Eileen at [email protected].

Registration

Author Talk w/ Greg Mclaughlin

Wednesday, July 19th- 6:30pm

Greg will discuss his journey as an author, his deep connection to South County and the three popular novels he wrote about the area. His best selling series consists of three books, which are all set in the quaint South County beach community of Matunuck, Rhode Island. This trio of books, especially popular in the area, includes "Matunuck", "Erosion" and "Moonstone", all sold at bookstores throughout Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Registration

Atlantic Shark Institute

Thursday, July 20th- 6:30pm

Jon Dodd, the Executive Director of the Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI), will be sharing everything the ASI has been doing with great white shark research in RI, and around Block Island, since 2019. It will include the technology used, the methodology for the study, the location of the receivers used to detect the sharks, what has been learned to date, the importance of sharks in our ecosystem and much more. With more than 40 white sharks detected in RI waters thus far, and many tagged right here, this is a great opportunity to learn all you can about this beautiful and iconic shark. Registration required.

Registration

Beach Reads Book Swap

Tuesday, July 25th- 4:30pm-5:30pm

Stop by the library after the beach for a beach reads book swap! Bring a book you no longer want to lend to someone else or come share what you're reading. Whether you enjoy chick lit, mysteries, thrillers or historical fiction we'd love to hear your recommendations for summer! The group will meet on the library lawn, weather permitting. Beach chairs welcome! 

Tuesday Matinee: Ticket to Paradise

Tuesday, July 25th- 2:00pm

Join us for an afternoon movie and popcorn! This month we'll be showing Ticket to Paradise (2022, PG-13, 104 mins)

Academy Award® winners George Clooney and Julia Roberts team up as exes who find themselves on a shared mission: to stop their lovestruck daughter from making the same mistake they once made. Ticket to Paradise is a romantic comedy about the sweet surprise of second chances.

Adult Book Clubs

MONDAY MORNING BOOK TALK

July 10th & 24th- 10:30am

Join us for a morning book talk! We'll have coffee and chat about what you're reading and get suggestions from others.

AFTERNOON BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, July 12th- 1:00pm

This month we'll be reading and discussing Now You See Us by Balli Kaur Jaswal. The group meets monthly and copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk.

EVENING BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, July 26th- 6:30pm

This month we'll be reading and discussing True Biz by Sara Novic. The group meets monthly and copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk.

Author Talk w/ Meg Mitchell Moore!

Thursday, August 3rd- 6:00pm

Join us for an exciting event with author Meg Mitchell Moore as she discusses her new book Summer Stage!

What could be better than summer on Block Island with the sun, the sand, and the sea air? Throw in some family drama, a Tik Tok sensation, and a revival of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and you’ve got the ingredients to Meg Mitchell Moore’s latest book SUMMER STAGE a spirited summer page-turner following a family of actors grappling with fame, scandal, and ambition.

Registration

Youth Services Programs

Youth Services program registration can be done through EventKeeper here.

Questions? Call Youth Services at 401-789-9507x2

Lapsit Story Time

Tuesdays 7/11, 7/18 & 7/25

10:00am

Family Story Time

Thursdays, July 13th- Aug. 24th

10:00am

Save the Bay for Children & Teens

Ages 3-9 Thursday, July 6th- 10:00am-11:00am

Ages 10-18 Wednesday, July 12th- 3:00pm-4:00pm

Join us to learn about the creatures of the Narragansett Bay! Save the Bay will be coming in to provide a hands-on experience with the animals to learn about their anatomy and habitats. Registration required.

Intro to Homeschooling for Parents!

Tuesday, July 11th- 5:00pm-7:00pm

Parents and families who are interested in homeschooling are invited to join us for an information session from ENRICH RI: "If you are a Rhode Islander considering homeschooling your child, this workshop provides the information you need to make decisions and get started. Registration required.

Tie-Dye & Water Games!

Wednesday, July 19th- 4:00pm-5:00pm

Ages 5 & up are invited to come tie-dye with us! Bring a white cotton shirt, pillow case, or socks, and we will tie-dye it together! As the items dry, we will play drip, drip, drop, and other water games, so wear clothes you can get wet! In the event of rain, this event will be rescheduled. Registration required.

Who's in Your Backyard?

Monday, July 24th- 1:00pm

Children entering grades K-4 are invited to come learn about animals that live all around us! Artifacts and field guides will be available for the children to explore and ask questions. Thanks to Animal Rescue Rhode Island for providing this program! Registration required.

Friends Jewelry Sale

Open to Friends Members Only

Thursday, August 17th 4:00pm-7:30pm

Open to the Public

Friday, August 18th 10:00am-6:00pm

Saturday, August 19th 9:30am-1:30pm

You can bring in your unwanted jewelry for the sale. Items can be dropped off during library hours.

The Friends will be looking for volunteers to set up and work the jewelry sale. For more information please contact Penny at [email protected]