South Yarmouth Library Association (SYLA) 2-day Winter Tales Holiday Stroll a Success

After months of planning and logistics, the Winter Tales Holiday Stroll for 2021 held on December 11 and 12
was a wonderful event. Houses in the Bass River neighborhood were decorated for different winter stories – and residents and guests enjoyed a walkabout challenge of matching the home addresses to the list of stories. It was a day of laughter and good cheer – or two, if you decided to stroll on both days! Our great thanks to the Association for organizing this event that brings community and holiday spirit together. Thank you, SYLA, and a big thanks to the neighborhood participants for a lovely and memorable Holiday Stroll.

Update on the Mitten Tree Project
in December

The kindness from our generous community poured in to the South Yarmouth and West Yarmouth Libraries. From November 22- December 20, we received well over 200 items for warmth and comfort. Donations of mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, earmuffs, and socks filled up our mitten trees to overflowing capacity! We distributed all items to charitable organizations and civic groups serving those in need. Thank you to all who took a moment to contribute. Each small act of kindness makes a difference.

American Library Association
Youth Media Awards (YMAs)

The awards will be announced on Monday, January 24,
at 9:00 a.m. ET. The ceremony will be available to live
stream at https://ala.unikron.com. Pick up a ballot and vote for your favorite Caldecott or Newbery winner. Submit by Saturday, January 22, at 4:00 p.m. Let’s see who gets the most votes from Yarmouth Library users before the national winners are announced January 24.

Design Your Own Award

This is a fun way to think about what you really cherish in a book. It’s also a good reminder for everyone who thinks that awards only exist because someone made them up. Kids (or adults!) can come up with the criteria for their award and design a medal or trophy for the winner.
 
While the slate of awards given during the YMAs is ever-expanding, there is always room for a few more. Tell us what you would want to give an award for if you were in charge. Design a medal for the name of your made up award. What features does your choice have to become a winner?  What category does your award fall under?

• Picture Book
• Early Reader
• Middle Grade Fiction
• Middle Grade Nonfiction
• Young Adult Fiction
• Young Adult Nonfiction
• Graphic

Maybe you are thinking:
The most un-putdownable book?
The book with the most surprise ending?
...most likely to make you snort milk through your nose?
Best book for kids who usually hate reading?
Best mystery?
Best adventure?
Best biography of a living person?
 
Here are a few considerations when choosing a book for your award:
 
What do you like about the illustrations?
Do you have a favorite character? Why?
How would you convince someone to read your choice?
Are there other good books by the same author and illustrator?
Enter your award via email or in-person to be eligible for a prize in a random drawing on Monday, January 24, at 4:00 p.m. 

January is National Hobby Month

Everyone has a hobby or interest, or something they enjoy doing in their leisure time. Open up the new year with this national month-long celebration and see if there's something else in the world that might interest you.

The libraries will feature different hobbies all month long. Tell us about yours. Describe your hobbies and any details about them. Send us pictures or bring in samples of your favorite projects. Stop by the Library to check out some great resources. Would you like a project you have made to be included in our display case? Do you collect, create, participate or learn new things? Do your hobbies fit into any of these categories?

• Creative
• Artistic
• Active/Outdoor
• Brain Games
• Physical/Athletic
• Relaxation
• Any others!

Need ideas? Try this link for inspiration: https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Hobby
 
Use your CLAMS card to sign up for digital access to Hoopla and you will find a variety of easy-to-follow instructional videos on Craftsy. 

Just-for-Fun Days for All Ages

Wednesday, January 5: Bird Day
Thursday, January 13: Rubber Ducky Day
Wednesday, January 19: Popcorn Day
Come in and pick up a themed kit for these special days, including resources and activities, while supplies last. Check our online Library events calendar for details. 

The Yarmouth Town Libraries
will be closed on
Monday, January 17,
for the Martin Luther King Jr.
holiday.

Book Discussion Group

Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for either the evening or morning session this month as we discuss Alternate Side by Anna Quindlen. Some days Nora Nolan thinks that she and her husband, Charlie, lead a charmed life—her clannish dead-end block has become a safe harbor, a tranquil village amid the urban craziness of New York City. Then one morning, Nora returns from her run to discover that a terrible incident has shaken the neighborhood, and the enviable dead-end block turns into a potent symbol of a divided city. 

Copies of the book are available at both libraries. You can also read the book online on Overdrive/Libby through CLAMS or another consortium in Massachusetts with your CLAMS card. Please email ckaufmann@clamsnet.org or call the library at 508-760-4820 to register to receive a Zoom link or with any questions. If you need Zoom help, please call 508-760-4820 to set up a troubleshooting session or if you need any other assistance.

Staff Pick:
And Furthermore
by Judi Dench

This is an interesting look into the working life of an iconic English actor. The reader gets a true appreciation of why British actors are so good at their craft. Along with plenty of wonderful anecdotes, this is a thank you note to all of those who supported Ms. Dench during her long and extraordinary career.

Database Spotlight:
Consumer Reports

Save time and money shopping with unlimited access to ratings and reviews for 8,500+ products and services including appliances, cars, and electronics. Visit www.yarmouthlibraries.org/ebranch/ then scroll down to Consumer Reports and enter your 13-digit library card number to begin your online research.