Posted: Friday, March 21, 2008 10:00 pm
The Albany Public Library will offer a variety of free programs for kids of all ages next week during spring break week at both branches. The main library is at 1390 Waverly Drive S.E. and the downtown Carnegie library is at 302 Ferry St. S.W.
On Tuesday, storytimes will feature stories, songs and puppet shows in Spanish and English at 10:30 a.m. at the downtown Carnegie library and at 7 p.m. at the main library. At 2 p.m., Wool Horse Puppet Theater will perform "Wonder Tales from Africa" with marionettes at the main library.
At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, the main library will offer storytime with puppets for all ages, followed by Parenting Question and Answer sessions. Katrina Meyers, certified temperament specialist and early childhood educator, will lead the question-and-answer session. Handouts and door prizes will be available.
From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, school-age kids are invited to a workshop at the main library making rod puppet meadowlarks, the official state bird of Oregon. The workshop will be presented by artists Jim Piercey and Brooke Bigelow.
Participants will learn about the habitat of the meadowlark, practice the movements of the bird in nature, and make a model using reclaimed materials including paper, wire and plastic. Older youth will also have the chance to help build and paint giant processional puppet meadowlarks and dragonflies to be used in the Procession of the Species parade, set for April 26 in downtown Albany.
A similar workshop is scheduled for grades K-12 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Carnegie library. In the Creature Costume Workshop, participants will make costume accessories, such as wings, tails, headbands, wristbands and collars of realistic or fantasy creatures of their choice from fabric and paper, suitable for wearing in the Procession of the Species.
Storytime for children of all ages and their parents is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the main library.
All of the programs are free, no registration is required and all materials are furnished.
For more information, contact Doris Hicks, young adult services librarian, at 917-7580, ext. 4704, or doris.hicks@cityofalbany.net.
Democrat-Herald