Library Board Names Branch Library
Public library located in new elementary school

The Library Board of Trustees of Lincoln City Libraries announced today that the public library located in the new Arnold Elementary School will be named the “Dan A. Williams Branch Library.”

Dan Williams has devoted his life to efforts that are geared toward promoting harmony and trust among persons with different ethnic and racial backgrounds and advocates for human and civil rights. Mr. Williams’ service on the Library Board of Trustees, as well as many community organizations, exemplifies his dedication to all families in the community. It is appropriate that a public library located in an elementary school be named for Mr. Williams because of his advocacy on behalf of children and support of intellectual freedom.

With the opening of this new branch library in the fall of 2009, Lincoln City Libraries will not only provide access to information for educational and recreational needs, but also provide space for residents of all ages in the Arnold Heights neighborhood to meet and converse, building on the harmony and trust in the neighborhood.

Celebrate Asian/Pacific Heritage Month
At Asian Read-In
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Noon
Asian Community and Cultural Center
2615 O Street

Community members will read excerpts by and about individuals of Asian descent or about Asian culture.

The event is free of charge. Readings may be of most interest to middle school age and above.

For more information, contact Lincoln City Libraries, (402) 441-8546 - or Asian Community & Cultural Center, (402) 477-3446.

Fire Fighters Visit Libraries!

Firefighters with Lincoln Fire and Rescue will be special guest readers at preschool storytimes at Lincoln City Libraries throughout 2008.

Deputy Fire Chief, Jeanne Pashalek says, “A large part of our job is the interactions we have with the community at various levels, not just emergency services. We take pride in our commitment to public education and this is just an example of how we can reach out and impact people of all ages in the community.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to read to the preschoolers at our local libraries.”

In honor of the firefighters’ visits, the preschool storytime will feature a firefighter theme, followed by a trip outside for children to see a fire truck up close.

Lincoln City Libraries’ preschool storytime is a half-hour of books and activities for children ages three, four and five, presented free of charge.   It supports early literacy by offering vocabulary development, experiences with a variety of literature, and participation in language-related activities.  Pre-registration is not required for preschool storytime.  Newcomers are always welcome!

The schedule of visits, March through June is:

Thursday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. Arnold Heights Branch Library 3815 NW 54th St. 441-8580 Tuesday, March 25, 10:30 a.m. Anderson Branch Library 3835  Touzalin Ave. 441-8540 Tuesday, April 1, 10:15 a.m. Bennett Martin Public Library 136 S. 14th St. 441-8566 Thursday, April 10, 7:00 p.m. Bethany Branch Library 1810 N. Cotner Blvd. 441-8550 Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m. Eiseley Branch Library 1530 Superior St. 441-4250 Thursday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. Gere Branch Library 2400 S. 56th St. 441-8560 Tuesday, June 3, 10:30 a.m. Walt Branch Library 6701 S. 14th St. 441-4460 Tuesday, June 10, 2:00 p.m. South Branch Library 2675 South St. 441-8570

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Language and Literacy Room
At Bennett Martin Public Library

Beginning Monday, January 14, the downtown Bennett Martin Public Library, 14th & N Sts., will offer language learners and their tutors a new place to work together.

A Language and Literacy Room will be available for the many language-learning teams that already use the library as a meeting place.

Customers can sign up for the room in person, at the 1st floor Bennett Martin public service desk, or by phone, by calling (402) 441-8530. Reservations will be taken in advance, as well as for same-day use, and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The library's collection of Literacy materials has been moved to shelves outside the Language and Literacy room and, is available for checkout, or use on-site.

Currently, there is equipment available in the room to watch or listen to the ELL/Literacy materials. Similar tutor/student rooms are available at the Loren Corey Eiseley (1530 Superior) and Bess Dodson Walt (6701 So. 14th) branch libraries.

For additional information, contact Lisa or Kim at (402) 441-8530.

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Summer Chess
At Gere Branch Library

Lincoln City Libraries invites families and youth to Gere Branch Library for chess!

Each Wednesday from June 4 through July 23, free chess lessons will be offered at 4:00 p.m., taught by Jim Walla, Treasurer of the Nebraska State Chess Association. Starting at 4:30, family-friendly community playing will be offered for everyone. Boards and sets will be provided. Pre-registration is encouraged; call 441-8560.

The June 25th session will feature Fischer Random Chess, and the July 23 session will feature Fischer Random Bughouse.

This program is sponsored by Lincoln City Libraries and offered to the public free of charge.

Living Chess

Lincoln City Libraries is again proud to sponsor a Living Chess Game, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Gere Branch Library. The game will begin at 4:00. Choose which piece you would like to be by calling 441-8560 or signing up in person. Children and adults are both welcome!

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Preschool Storytime Schedule
January through May, 2008

Lincoln City Libraries presents its popular preschool storytimes at all library locations. Preschool storytime is a half-hour of books and activities for children ages three, four and five, presented free of charge.

Preschool storytime supports early literacy by offering vocabulary development, experiences with a variety of literature, and participation in language-related activities. Pre-registration is not required for preschool storytime. Newcomers are always welcome!

Bennett Martin Library
136 S. 14^th Street
(402) 441-8566
Tuesdays, 10:15 AM
Thursdays, 10:15 AM
No preschool storytime January 1 through January 14.
No preschool storytime May 20 through May 29.

Anderson Branch Library
3635 Touzalin Avenue
(402) 441-8540
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM

Arnold Heights Branch Library
3815 NW 54^th Street
(402) 441-8580
Thursdays, 7:00 PM

Bethany Branch Library
1810 North Cotner Blvd.
(402) 441-8550
Thursdays, 7:00 p.m

Eiseley Branch Library
1530 Superior Street
(402) 441-4250
Tuesdays, 7:00 PM
Wednesdays, 10:30 AM
Thursdays, 10:30 AM

Gere Branch Library
2400 S. 56^th Street
(402) 441-8560
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM
Thursdays, 10:30 AM

South Branch Library
2675 South Street
(402) 441-8570
Wednesdays, 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM
No preschool storytime in May.

Walt Branch Library
6701 S. 14^th Street
(402) 441-4460
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM
Wednesdays, 10:30 AM
No preschool storytime in May

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Toddler Time Schedule
January through May, 2008

Four library locations will continue to provide popular programs for toddlers and their parents.

Toddler Time is for children aged 18 to 36 months and their parents or caregivers. During Toddler Time, a librarian reads aloud and leads adult-child pairs in activities.

Research indicates the importance of the adult-child bond in building early literacy. Toddler Time also supports early literacy by building vocabulary and sharing age-appropriate literature in an atmosphere of fun activity.

Anderson Branch Library
3635 Touzalin Avenue
(402) 441-8540
Mondays, 10:30 AM

Eiseley Branch Library
1530 Superior Street
(402) 441-4250
Wednesdays, 10:35 to 10:55 AM
Thursdays, 10:35 to 10:55 AM

Gere Branch Library
2400 S. 56^th Street
(402) 441-8560
Tuesdays, 10:35 to 10:55 AM
Thursdays, 10:35 to 10:55 AM

Walt Branch Library
6701 S. 14^th Street
(402) 441-4460
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM
Wednesdays, 10:30 AM
No Toddler Time in May.

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Storytimes for Elementary Students and Families
January through May, 2008

Elementary-aged storytimes at Arnold Heights Branch Library are held each Monday. The library’s a great place to have fun! Arnold Heights Branch Library presents special storytimes for elementary-aged children. These storytimes will include books and related activities free of charge to those who attend. No pre-registration is necessary.

Arnold Heights Branch Library
3815 NW 54th Street
(402) 441-8580
Mondays, 4:00 p.m.

Family Nights at Charles H. Gere Branch Library are held the third Thursday of each month. They feature a 7:00 p.m. storytime intended for children ages 3 to 6, with the whole family encouraged to attend together. Make-and-take crafts will be available from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Gere Branch Library
2400 S. 56th St.
(402) 441-8560
January 17 – “Winter Time”
February 21 – “Love & Kisses”
March 20 – “Jammie Jamboree”
April 17 – “Spring Has Sprung”
May 15 – “Creepy Crawlies”

Family Nights at Bess Dodson Walt Branch Library are held the second Tuesday of each month. They feature a 7:00 p.m. storytime intended for children ages 3 to 6, with the whole family encouraged to attend together. Make-and-take crafts will be available from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Walt Branch Library
6701 S. 14th St.
(402) 441-4460

January 8 - "Woof and Wag"
February 12 - "Meow and Squeak"
March 11 - "Ribbit, Ribbit, Hop"
April 8 - "Let's Make Some Noise!"
May 13 - "What's Big and Red and Goes Whoo -ooo?"