At Home With The KTL

Take & Make Craft

Stop by the library and get the supplies you need to make a beautiful book page flower. 

Take & Make Craft

This week, we have all the supplies for teens and adults to decorate a picture frame with recycled CDs and DVDs. Stop by and grab a kit from the library’s main entrance (while supplies last). Be sure to share a photo of your creation!

Take & Make Craft

This week, we have all the supplies for teens and adults to make a coaster with alcohol ink. Stop by and grab a kit from the library’s main entrance (while supplies last). Be sure to share a photo of your creation!

DayByDayNY Family Literacy Calendar

One More Story, which is part of the statewide DayByDayNY resource, has TWO new books of the day for parents and caregivers to read with young children as they help instill and promote the values of early literacy and reading. Click here to check it out! The Family Literacy Calendar resource is a great way to read and explore new books with children or preview books that they might want to borrow from their library.

Read Along With the “Hamilton” Cast

The Gilder Lehrman Institute has organized a program that features “Hamilton” cast members reading award-winning children’s books. The reading is followed by a discussion of the history behind the story. Click here for details about upcoming readings and to register.

Take & Make Craft

This week, stop by the library’s main entrance to pick up the supplies and instructions to try your hand at finger knitting.

Read Around The Calendar

This year, we’re expanding our 3rd annual 24-hour reading marathon into 31 days! 

Readers will make a video of themselves reading the first chapter from a list of books we selected. We’ll give you everything you need: a copy of the book, tips on making the video, and instructions for sending it to us. We can even make the video with you! Then, we’ll post the videos on our YouTube channel – a new one every day throughout the month of August. Click here to sign up to participate. 


Videos will be posted on our YouTube channel every day in August at 7 p.m. Subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss one!

BookPage

Copies of the July issue of BookPage are available outside our main entrance. Or, you can read it online. If you’d like to request a copy of something you’ve read about, give us a call!

Make & Take Project

Our connect-the-dot challenge is like none you’ve tried before. Follow the numbers and reveal an intricate drawing that you can color. Pick up a unique dot-to-dot sheet and a brand new pencil at the library’s main entrance (while supplies last). Share your work on social media with #ktlathome.

Gardening Q&A Video

If you didn’t get a chance to join our Gardening Q&A program with Sue Kimball, you can catch up by watching the video on our YouTube channel.

Make & Take Craft

This week’s take-home craft for adults and teens is a festive paper wreath! Stop by the library to pick up a packet of materials (while supplies last). Share a photo of your creation on social media using #ktlathome. #takeandmake #crafttime #clintonny

Get Outside with an Empire Pass

Check out one of our Empire Passes and head outside for some physical distancing fun at a New York State Park. Call the library to reserve a pass. Take it to a state park and use it to get free admission! It’s yours to use for seven days. Be sure to bring it back on time so someone else can have a turn.

Read more about the Empire pass here.

Help Us Make a Zine

We’re looking for middle and high school students to write/draw/create for the library’s first zine – The Tower.

We want you to document the summer of 2020. Create something that represents this summer to you.

What’s a zine?
It’s a homemade publication about anything and everything. Watch this for some more info about zines.

How do you contribute?
Write, draw, collage, photograph – make anything that you can share on half a piece of computer paper. Submissions can be digital or on paper. You can make more than one page. Drop it off to the library by August 14.

What else do you need to know?
We’ll make copies of the zine for everyone who contributed and have them available for the community to look at.

If you want credit for your work, please include your name on it! On a separate paper, please give us your name, age, and phone number or email.

Facebook Live Story Time

On Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22 & 29 at 10:30 a.m. join Ruth for an all-ages story time broadcast live on our Facebook page.

DIY Salt Scrub

Starting on June 24, adults and teens can stop by the library and pick up the supplies you need to make your own homemade coconut oil Epsom salt scrub (while supplies last). Treat yourself to this fun project that will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. (Don’t forget to request an audio book to listen to while you are relaxing!)

Walking Club Challenge 10: KTL .5K

This week’s walk takes you from where the sidewalk ends to where everything else begins. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to wave to some special library friends. Download your map here or stop by the library main entrance to pick up a copy.

Summer Reading Program

If it’s summer, that means it’s time for the annual Summer Reading Program! Click here to read all about the program, which includes challenges for children, teens, and adults.

Online Book Clubs

Are you missing your book group? There are several online book clubs that are open to all. Check out this article for some links and ideas.

Walk Up Window Service

Introducing walk-up window service! Stop for a chat, to request library materials and much more! We’d love to see your smiling face! (Just don’t forget your mask.)

Walking Club Challenge 9: Kirkland Art Center 5K Run/Walk

We missed the KAC’s annual run/walk this year so we’re taking a walk along the route for this week’s walking club. Download the map here or stop by the library and pick up a paper copy.

Live Story Times

Are you interested in watching a live story time with Ruth on Facebook Live? Let us know! Just send an email to clinton@midyork.org or give us a call.

Walking Club Challenge 8: Kirkland Trails

The walking club is going on a field trip this week to phase one of the Kirkland Trails project south of the village. If you prefer not to drive, check out one of the seven previous challenges posted below.

Curbside Service is Coming on June 15

Click here for details on how to pick up materials through our curbside service.

Walking Club Challenge 7: I Spy

We took a walk around the village and played “I Spy.” Can you find the five sights we saw? Download this week’s walk (or pick up a copy at the library), follow the map provided, and try a path you might never have walked before. Stumped? We made a video of our walk that shows where we found the five sights.

Diverse Voices

Here are some books that address race, protests, and acceptance:

For younger children (in the Kirkland Town Library collection)

For younger children (available from other libraries):

For middle grades:

  • Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
    The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

Young adult:

  • Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
  • Dear Martin by Nic Stone
  • Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

New Books

We have new books! If you’d like a turn reading them, email us. We’ll add your name to the waiting list and get you the book as soon as we reopen.

Coming June 15

Summer Reading Program Preview

Friday, June 5 at Noon on Zoom

We have been very busy planning this year’s Summer Reading Program and we can’t wait to share it with you! Join Ruth on Friday, June 5 at Noon on Zoom to get a sneak peek. Send us an email to RSVP and we’ll send you the meeting login information. Can’t make it? Don’t worry! We’ll record it and share the link. Get ready for a fun summer!

Quarantine Walking Club Challenge 6: Skyscraper Stroll

This week’s walk takes you by some of the tallest structures in the village. Download a copy here or stop by the library and pick one up. Have fun!

New Books

Tuesdays mean new books. Let us know what you’d like to read and we’ll get it to you as soon as we reopen. Just send an email to clinton@midyork.org.

Walking Club Challenge 5

This week’s walk is an amble with authors. We’ve added the distance of each part of the walk so you can pick and choose your path. Have fun!

New Books

Even though we are closed, we have new books! Let us know if you’d like to read any of these and we’ll get it to you as soon as we reopen.

Take Home Craft

Make a grass head! Stop by the library and pick up:

  1. Plastic cup
  2. Baggie of dirt
  3. Baggie of grass seed
  4. Printed page of facial features

Step 1: Plant the seed

  • Put all but a couple tablespoons of dirt into your cup

  • Sprinkle some grass seed on top of the dirt. You may not need all that came in the baggie!

  • Place the remaining dirt on top of the grass seed

  • Water your grass. Keep the soil moist and in a warm, sunny place

  • Wait for your grass to grow!

Step 2: Decorate the Cup

  • Color and cut out the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears you’d like to use

  • Tape them to your cup

Stay Tuned

We appreciate your patience as we work on a reopening plan that continues to protect our community’s health. Check back for updates on library services.

Walking Club Challenge 4

This week’s walking challenge goes by some historic homes in the village. See you outside!

Make a Bird Feeder

Stop by the library’s main entrance and get the materials you need to make a bird feeder. (Starts at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13; while supplies last.)

Click here for instructions to make a pine cone bird feeder.

Click here for instructions to make a bird feeder using a toilet paper tube.

Attention Puzzle People

Like doing puzzles? Check out these free (and gorgeous) online puzzles from the Smithsonian.

Quarantine Walking Club Challenge #3

Don’t let the weather forecast get you down! Get outside and take a walk with our latest Quarantine Walking Club path. This is a short one but we’ve created a playlist on Spotify to add to the fun. We hope to see you out there!

 

New Books

Interested in reading any of these? Send an email to clinton@midyork.org. We’ll add your name to the waiting list and get you the book when we reopen.

Did you hear the one about the librarian?

We have a joke for you!

Read E-Books with Sora

Did you know you can borrow e-books from your school library while school is closed? You’ll find picture books, middle-grade fiction, YA books, you name it! And they have all the Harry Potter books available with no wait. Access them through Sora, a free app that you can download to your mobile device or find online. To login, select your school. Your login name is your school e-mail address and the password is “media.” If you need help, feel free to email us at the KTL!

Zumba Classes

Former KTL employee Helen Dick is offering Zumba classes via Zoom. Have fun and get moving! Contact Helen at helen8dick4@gmail.com to get information on how to join in.

Quarantine Walking Club

Get outside and get moving with our Quarantine Walking Challenge. This week’s challenge takes a cruise (powered by your own two feet) along the waterways of Clinton. Follow the map provided and try a path you might never have walked before. Have fun and be safe!

American Girl Tips and Tricks

In this video, Jennifer gives some helpful tips for taking care of your American Girl doll or other special friend.

Our Patrons at Home

The KTL brings people together, even when we have to stay apart.

First Line Challenge

How well do you know the first lines of famous books? Take our online quiz and see how you do! We have two challenges: one for kids and one for adults and both come with a virtual prize.

Challenge for Adults Challenge for Kids

New At-Home Crafts Available

We have two fun crafts available for pick-up at the library’s main entrance: a space mobile and some cool melty crayons. Grab one while supplies last!

Quarantine Walking Club

Despite the changeable weather, spring is coming! Get outside and get moving with our Quarantine Walking Challenge. Follow the map provided and try a path you might never have walked before. walking club week 1 challenge or stop by the library’s main entrance and pick up a paper version. Have fun and be safe!

New Books

We have more new books being added to our collection! If you’d like to reserve a copy, let us know by emailing clinton@midyork.org. We’ll add your name to the list and get you the book when we reopen.

Time Capsule

We’re creating a time capsule of things from the pandemic. What would you add? Let us know and we’ll put it on our Pinterest board.

Free Children’s Book About Coronavirus

Check out this free e-book from Candlewick Press. According to the publisher, “This informative and accessible guide for young readers defines the coronavirus, explains why everyday routines have been disrupted, and lays out how everyone can do their part to help. With child-appropriate answers and explanations, the book addresses several key questions.”

Write. Right. Rite. with Jason Reynolds

Award-winning author Jason Reynolds has a new video series for kids and teens. This week’s video invites us to come up with a brand new award and the criteria for winning it. Are you the best nap-taker? The best Minecraft-er? The best tree climber? See what awards Jason comes up with and share your ideas.

“Instructions on Not Giving Up” Poetry Video

Check out the KTL staff reading a poem for all of you!

Hooked on Books

Hooked on Books is a fun literacy program for kids ages birth to 5. Families can check out a bag of ten books, read them together, and then return the bag and get another. The goal is to read through all 100 bags in the library’s collection, equal to 1000 books! If you’re already signed up for the program and need more bags or if you have a child under 5 who would like to register, send an email to Clinton@midyork.org.

New Books

Even though we are closed, we are still getting new books! If you’d like a turn reading any of these titles, send us an email (clinton@midyork.org) and we’ll add your name to the waiting list. We’ll make sure you get a turn to read it once the library reopens.

Puzzle Exchange

Many of us have been enjoying doing puzzles while we’re at home. If you have some gently-used, complete puzzles that you’d like to share, please leave them at the library’s main entrance. Others will enjoy putting them together!

Introduction to Podcasts

Have you been wondering about podcasts? This video will give you a quick overview and show you how to get started. Check out a list of our favorite podcasts and be sure to tell us what you like to listen to.

Seed Exchange is Open

Our seed exchange is open for the season! Pick up an order form outside the library’s main entrance or download and print a copy and return it in our book drop or by email. We’ll let you know when your packets are ready for pick-up at the library’s main entrance. Supplies are limited.

Take-Home Craft

Feeling springy? Stop by our main entrance and grab everything you need to plant some seeds.

UPDATE: Supplies will be replenished on Monday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 15.

Sign up for our E-Newsletter

Calling all members of the Miss Ruth fan club. Make sure you are signed up for our e-newsletter for kids and families. We have something coming on Wednesday that you don’t want to miss.

We also have an e-newsletter for adults that features library news, services, and programs.

Just send an email to clinton@midyork.org and let us know which version you’d prefer. (Or, you can choose both!)

April is Poetry Month

To celebrate poetry month, we plan to cover the library’s front yard with poems. Stay tuned! We have more poetry activities planned for the upcoming weeks.

#stayhomemakeart with the
Kirkland Art Center

Visit the Kirkland Art Center’s Facebook page to learn how you can participate in this collective project.

Make a Shaker with Ruth

Do you miss story time? Ruth will teach you how to make a shaker so you can sing and dance at home.

Looking for Something to Do?

We have ideas!

Digital Resources

Need something to read? You’ll never run out of options with the digital resources we have for children, teens and adults. Visit our Digital Resources page to see all the options, including our BRAND NEW TumbleBooks subscription.

Take Home Craft

Going for a walk around the village? Stop by the library main entrance and pick up the supplies you need to make a God’s Eye. Then, watch this video and learn how. Be sure to share your creation on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using #athomewiththektl.

A Fairy Tale about the KTL

Check out this video to see what library staff has been up to while the library is closed.

Weekly E-Newsletter

Click here to see the Wednesday, March 25 edition of the adult e-newsletter.

The children’s e-newsletter can be seen here.

If you’d like to sign up, let us know.

Tell Us About Books That Make You Feel Good

Ruth talks about a book that makes her feel good. What books cheer you up? Take a photo or make a video and let us know. Be sure to use #athomewiththektl when you post.

Women’s History Month Scavenger Hunt NOW OVER

Thank you to everyone who participated! Keep checking this page for other fun activities and hunts to do online.

Take Care of Your Mind, Too

While you are staying home and taking care of your body, don’t forget to care for your mental health, too. This resource from Shine offers numerous resources to help you through this time of fear and uncertainty.

It’s Census Time

While you are at home, why not take a minute to complete the 2020 census? Use the link provided in the letter you received. Or, click here.

Have questions? Need help? Send us an email and we’ll be in touch.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Spread some joy to children in Clinton by putting a teddy bear in your window.