South Country Library News
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
 
Previous issue: 7/25      Next issue: 8/22
 
Building community by sharing the wonders of learning, creating, and connecting with one another.
PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
 
Four computers are available for kids to use in the Children's Department.
Toys and games are also available for play.
View the printable August Calendar
 

 
Positive Parenting Program
One-Hour Workshops for Parents/Caregivers
of Children 2 - 12 years old
 
The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program is one of the most effective evidence-based parenting programs available and backed up by more than 35 years of ongoing research. These simple and practical strategies help parents and caregivers build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage a child's behavior and prevent problems from developing. Presented by Maryanne Dumas of Family Service League.
 
The August 7 session has passed, but you can still sign up for the August 14 and 28 sessions below. Click here to register for the series.
 
Developing Good
Bedtime Routines
 
Monday, August 14
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Hassle-Free Mealtimes
with Children
 
Monday, August 28
10:00 - 11:00 AM
 
Please note: This series is taking place in our small children's program room. While a baby in a carrier or on a lap is okay, the room is not big enough for strollers or for toddlers & older children to play. Children may not be left unsupervised in the Children's Dept. Please make childcare arrangements.
 

 
Registration is open for our in-person August programs.
 
Register at the library, online or by phone at 631-286-0818 x2. 
We cannot accept registration requests by email.
Check the calendar for available August programs.
 
 
Our Summer Reading Club, Buggy for Books,
ends soon. Join before it's too late!
Come to the Children's Desk to register your child for the Summer Reading Club.
 
Children can earn prizes, books, and stickers for reading or listening to books
-- it's easy and free! Learn more here.
 
Why is it important to read over the summer?
 
  
Bug Hunt
To go with our Summer Reading Club theme, we have hidden bug pictures and facts throughout the Children's Dept.
Can you find them all?
This hunt is just for fun, no raffle or prize. 
 
 
Lucky Raffle Ticket
ONLY for children who participate in the 2023 Summer Reading Club at South Country Library, and accompanied by an adult.

We'll give children some free raffle tickets. Children will look at the prizes they could potentially win, and enter their tickets into the drawing. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by the end of August. Each child will be able to select a free book to keep.

*Parents/caregivers - to prevent meltdowns, please explain to your child what a raffle is, and that they may not win, and that they will not be walking out with a prize that day. If you think it will be problematic, we can email you a form so you can participate online instead.

If you will be away on August 18, 19, or 21, let us know at  childrens@sctylib.org and we'll email you an online form.
 

 
Take-Home Craft & Activity Kits
Registration for each craft kit opens on the date indicated.
Register in-person, by phone (631-286-0818 x2), or online.
 
Featured Take-Home Kits:
 
 
 
Coffee Filter Snail Craft
Registration and pick-up
begins Friday, August 11
For children in grades K - 5.
Make a colorful snail out of a coffee filter.
 
 
Paper Plate Flamingo Craft
Registration and pick-up
begins Monday, August 14
For children in grades K - 3.
Make a long-legged pink flamingo!
 
 
Little Butterfly
Registration and pick-up
begins Wednesday, August 16
For children ages 2 - 6.
Create 3-D butterflies!
 
 
More Free Craft Kits
available every Saturday
All ages, no registration, 
while supplies last.
 
 
Visit our Children's Program Calendar Page for upcoming programs & take-home kits. And be sure to follow us on Facebook!

 
Did you know that South Country Library
is a Family Place Library?
 
That means we're a community hub for healthy child and family development, parent and community involvement, and lifelong learning, beginning at birth.
 
So bring your children and explore, play, learn, share books, meet other families and join some of our early literacy and development programs.
 

 
* Get ready to leave with a Helping Hand-Stamp *
Children love to play at the library, but sometimes hate to leave.
If you think your child might have a meltdown when it's time to go (no judgement, we've been there), ask a Children's Librarian for a Helping Hand-Stamp. This ink stamp on your child's hand can become a part of your leaving routine and a reminder that we'll see them again!
 

 
From Brainfuse HelpNow comes the Summer Skills Camp, available for students Grades 3 - 6, Middle School, and High School.
 
Log in and click on
Summer Camp under Study.
The purpose of the Skills Camp is not to provide a comprehensive survey of each academic topic or to overwhelm students with information, but to focus on areas that are academically significant, generated the most tutoring questions over the course of the school year, and do not require a significant time commitment over summer vacation.
 
Research shows that even a small amount of time spent on academics during the summer makes a difference against "summer slide".
 

 
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Newborn - Pre-K
Register in person at the Children's Desk.
Read books to your child at
your own pace and earn prizes.

 
Free Downloadables for Kids!
On the go this summer? You and your child can access ebooks, audiobooks, comics, magazines, movies, tv shows, and music, all with a library card.
 
Read more and explore
the options on our website.
 
Note: These resources are also available for adults and teens.
 

 
Kids Birthdays
We love to make kids feel
special for their birthday!
During your child's birthday month, let us know at the Children's Desk so we can put their name on a paper candle on the bulletin board birthday cupcake, and give them a birthday sticker. 
 

 
Your Child's Developmental Milestones
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time,
and waving "bye-bye" are called developmental milestones. --CDC
The CDC has created a milestone checklist for children age 2 months through 5 years.
 
View the milestones checklist and parent tips here. We also have paper copies in the Parent Section at the library. 
También disponible en español -- haga clic aquí.
 

 
DayByDayNY
 
DayByDayNY is a fun and educational calendar-website, run by the New York State Library, for young children and their families. You can find daily songs, activities, and videos to share
with your young child.

 
Bright by Text
 
Families and other caregivers receive free text messages. Easy, practical tips and activities to help your young children thrive (from before birth to age eight). 
Available in English or Spanish. 
To sign up, text FAMILYPLACE to 274448.
Learn more at Bright by Text's website.
 


Get a discount at local businesses by
showing your South Country Library card.
Click here to view the participating businesses,
and don't forget your card when you head out the door!
 

 
Passport Services by Appointment
We serve first-time applicants, minor applicants, adult applicants whose most recent passport was issued as a minor, and applicants who have lost their passports. 
Hours are by appointment only.
 
Click here for more information
& to submit an appointment form. 
 
You may also call us at 631-286-0818 x1.
 
Our service cannot renew a passport.
There is a separate process for that by mail.
 
Printed forms are available by the Reference Desk.
 

 
Internet Connection/Connected Devices
If you need assistance to afford broadband (fast & reliable) internet service and internet connected devices, click here to see if you're eligible to apply to or to recertify the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Note: This assistance program is provided by the federal government, not South Country Library.
 
 
The Library has a Notary Public
Available Mondays through Fridays (subject to change).
Please call (631) 286-0818 for more information.
Fee: $2.00 per notarized signature
 
South Country Library
22 Station Road
Bellport, NY 11713
(631) 286-0818
sctylib.org
Library Hours
Mon-Fri: 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: Closed for the Summer
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