Libraries are community centers, alive with people learning together. Summer is our busiest time, as families and friends enjoy special learning events and participate in reading challenges together.
Last summer, our challenges and events were 100% virtual. This year, we’re excited to offer a hybrid approach where we have both virtual and in-person learning events. Whether you want to participate through the comfort of your home or while on vacation, or if you want to get outside and enjoy time with others, we have you covered.
For those of you who enjoy the convenience and safety of virtual events, you’ll love the lineup this year. We invite you to join “storyologists” Page Turner and Kenny as they jump into their Once Upon a Time Machine in their Page Turner Animal Adventures! Along the way, you’ll enjoy funny shows, create fun crafts, make delicious recipes, and meet some amazing guests – including lions, tigers, chickens and goats. The videos will be available all summer long. Not only can you watch them when it’s most convenient for you, but you can also enjoy your favorite shows again and again.
Page Turner Animal Adventures will offer five days of events over the next six weeks, and it’s going to be a wild summer filled with lots of laughs, wonder, imagination, creativity, and, of course, books. Each week there is a different animal theme like Farmyard Friends, Celebrity Critters and Creepy Crawlies. Videos are accessible through the library website (BoCoLibraries.info) and Beanstack (botetourtva.beanstack.org). Viewing through the Page Turners Adventure Challenge in Beanstack automatically enters you into a Barnes & Noble gift card giveaway.
While we are excited about our virtual events, we are even more excited to announce our in-person event schedule. Following COVID guidelines, our summer events will outdoors and require a reservation so we can keep groups small. (Since we’re outdoors, we also have a little more leeway to create an artistic mess. Dress appropriately!) Each event is offered multiple times at all library locations. Here’s the lineup:
- CD Spinner Art (Blue Ridge, June 7; Eagle Rock, June 8; Fincastle, June 9; Buchanan, June 10)
- Sidewalk Chalk Art (Blue Ridge, June 21; Eagle Rock, June 22; Fincastle, June 23; Buchanan, June 24)
- Musical Chairs Art(Blue Ridge, July 12; Eagle Rock, July 13; Fincastle, July 14; Buchanan, July 15)
- Egg Splatter Art (Blue Ridge, July 26, Eagle Rock, July 27; Fincastle, July 28; Buchanan, July 29)
Attending one of our in-person events not only gets you outside enjoying some sunshine with friends, but it also helps you on your way to earning digital tickets towards our grand prize giveaways in our Reading Colors Your World Summer Learning Challenge available on Beanstack (botetourtva.beanstack.org). Even when in-person events are not available, there are a variety of tactile learning experiences available through this challenge as well.
Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot for a Summer Learning Challenge event today (Blue Ridge, 928-2900; Eagle Rock, 928-2800; Fincastle, 928-2700; Buchanan, 928-3005). We can’t wait to see you there!
Jaime Duval
Eagle Rock Branch Librarian
Not everyone wants or has the capability to participate in the Botetourt County Library’s digital challenge through Beanstack. Those who don’t have a computer can use one at the library or someone at the library can create an account for patrons, but they won’t ever be able to access it themselves. For those that do not want to participate digitally at all, the libraries have Reading Colors Your World Genre Challenge.
Participants are asked to read a book from each genre listed. Complete the form by July 30 and drop off at any Botetourt library branch and be entered into an artsy gift basket giveaway, which includes a B&N gift card, rock painting kit, marker set and much more. Each branch will give away one basket.
