Main Street Messenger
What's happening at the Swansea Free Public Library
Dear Swansea,
 
And just like that, kids are back in school. This summer went by so fast (as usual). Thank you all for a fun and successful season. We hope you enjoyed our concerts, storytimes and parties as much as we did! A special thanks to our volunteers who made our events a reality, and the Swansea Cultural Council, the Friends of the Swansea Free Public Library, Christ Church, the First Christian Congregational Church and library staff.
 
We are closed for the long Labor Day weekend, but you can still access ebooks, audiobooks and more with our subscriptions to Libby, hoopla and our other online resources. All you need is a Swansea library card with your internet connected device. Play around with our resources here by clicking the Digital Library link at the horizontal menu. 
 
Stay tuned for updates on the opening of the new building. Our construction crews are working hard and tying up a lot of details.
 
See you soon,
Jocelyn Tavares, Library Director
 
 
Construction Updates
A view of the black elevator doors near stairwell
a view of the large program room
We are moving closer and closer to the end of our construction project. The photos above show the continuing work on the meeting room (above left) and a view of the the new library from the meeting room side of the building (above right).
 
Right now, the historic portion of the library is getting the attention it deserves. The walls are being patched, and they will be painted with colors that are historically accurate to the time the library opened. We were delighted to discover that one of the colors selected was very close to a shade found under some shelving.
 
Laminate flooring has been removed, and beautiful hardwood floors were discovered underneath. The entire floor is being restored, and plans are being made to refinish the old oak table in the reading room.
 
Our architect refers to the original library as our “jewel box.” We can’t wait to see it polished up. We are still on track for a fall opening, but we will give updates as we get closer to this milestone.
 
For project updates and photos, please visit our Project Manager’s website. 
 
One Card, Endless Possibilities
Level Up at Your Library with purple animal next to crowded illustrated beach sceneSeptember is Library Card Sign-Up Month. 
It may be small, but a library card packs a mighty punch. Borrow instead of buy: museum passes, Wifi hot spots, and even fishing poles.
 
Learn something new and meet new people by taking part in engaging programs like book clubs, crafting classes, and lectures. It's the most important school supply you can get. If you or someone in your family does not have a library card, visit us for one.
 
End of Summer Reading
We had a fantastic time at our end of summer reading party. Kids met a few different dragons and a shark. 
 
Thank you to Big Ryan of Big Ryan's Tall Tales for sharing your stories with us. Thank you to all of our adult and teen volunteers for making the event a success. It sounded like a hit, based on the exclamations of the audience!
 
Special thanks to Ms. Carol for organizing the fun and giving us ice cream!
 
You still have just a few days to log in some last minute summer reading to earn prizes.
 
Thanks to everyone for a fantastic summer!
Harvest Festival
Christ Church, 57 Main Street Swansea
Saturday, September 13 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 
Fun family programming is planned at Christ Church's Harvest Festival. Visit Ms. Carol's table for different activities.
 
Ms. Carol has invited her friend, storyteller Davis Bates to share "Songs and Stories for Everyone." He begins at 10:00 AM. 
 
Ms. Carol will host her popular Pokemon Bingo and share take and make crafts for kids to bring home.
 
Balloon artist, Balloons by Ciel, will join the lineup at 12:30 for her fun demonstration. 
 
Thank you to the Swansea Cultural Council, a local organization, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state organization, for supporting Davis Bates's show.
 
Storytime at Apple Fest
Martin House, 22 Stoney Hill Rd, Swansea
Sunday, September 14, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Join the library for stories, crafts and games. Ms. Carol will be hosting story time at 2:15 PM and 3:15 PM.
 
Story Walk
Enjoy the last days of summer and early fall with a visit to the Swansea Free Public Library’s Story Walk. A story walk has a picture book mounted on posts for people to read while they walk. It was created by the Kellogg-Hubbord Library in Montpelier by Anne Ferguson of the Vermont Department of Public Health and former library staff member Rachel Senechal.  You can find them all over the United States and worldwide in 13 countries, including Germany, Canada, Malaysia, and Pakistan.
 
The Swansea Storywalk is located behind Joseph Case Jr. High at Lt. Robert Cabral Memorial Field. The stories are updated regularly thanks to our wonderful volunteer, Brian. Get exercise, enjoy the outdoors and practice your literacy skills.
 
 
Things to Know and Do
book cover of Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
Waiting for My Friends?
It's back as the most requested title in the SAILS Network. While you wait for your copy, try these titles:
 
book cover of the Three Mrs. Wrights by Linda KeirThe Best of Us
by Sarah Pekkanen
 
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
 
Attribution by Linda Moore
Battleship Cove
Reserve This Pass for reduced admission at Battleship Cove
Battleship Cove is a war memorial and historic military museum located in Fall River, Massachusetts.
It is home to five National Historic Landmark ships, and other craft, including the USS Massachusetts, USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., USS Lionfish, Hiddensee, and two PT boats.
 
Their collection of aircraft includes two Bell helicopters that saw combat in the Vietnam War—the Bell UH-1 “Huey” Iroquois and the Bell AH-1 Cobra—as well as two of the first drone unmanned aerial vehicles used by the military.
In addition to exhibits focused on military history, the Maritime Museum presents the history of the RMS Titanic and the famous Fall River Line.
Remember!
The library will be closed in celebration of Labor Day, Monday, September 1. Enjoy your last long summer weekend!
 
 
 
Don't forget to check our website, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages for 
the most up-to-date information.   
There is something for everyone at the Swansea Free Public Library.
Swansea Free Public Library
1113 G.A.R. Highway, Swansea, Massachusetts 02777
(508) 674-9609
https://www.swansealibrary.org