Family Events & Programs at the Library

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Holidays at the Library!

Santa Claus is coming to town...and while he's here he'll be stopping by the library for storytime!

Holiday Storytime is Friday at 10:30am at Central Library. We'll be reading cozy winter tales, singing holiday favorites, and watching a movie before we welcome the big man himself to take pics with the little ones. So bring your list and your camera!

We are also going to be making lots of cool crafts at the library this month at our Holiday Craft Party on Wed., Dec.21 starting at 2pm! We'll make cards, ornaments, wreaths, a paper santa hat (perfect for little hands) and much more! Plus, we'll be showing holiday movies in the Storytime Area during the party so you can make some cards and a gift for Grandma (we'll even have wrapping paper on hand) then watch fun movies like...

...How the Grinch Stole Christmas

...Merry Madagascar

...Shrek the Halls

...and much more!

The holidays are here and what better way to spend them then at the library!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Holiday Movie Matinees at Buena Vista Library!



Looking for fun, FREE holiday activities for the kids? Need a break from the shopping, decorating, and wrapping?
Then head on over to Buena Vista Library as they kick off their Holiday Movie Saturday Matinees starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving and continuing until December 31st.
Every Saturday at 11:00am in the Storytime Room will be a different holiday movie!
Here's the schedule: 11/26 - The Muppet Christmas Carol
12/3 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas & Merry Madagascar
12/10 - Polar Express
12/17 - Rugrat's Chanukah & Shrek the Halls
12/24 - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
12/31 - Rudolph's Shiny New Year

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Teddy Bear Sleepover at the Library!

Wouldn't it be fun for your Teddy Bear to sleepover at the library? Just imagine all the fun they would have!

Just drop off your Teddy (or other stuffed animal friend) at your local Burbank Library the week of 11/7-11/10 and we'll make sure they have a rousing adventure!

After they have had their fun, you can pick them up at the Pajama Teddy Bear Storytime on Thursday, 11/17 at 6:30 at Central Library. We'll enjoy a teddy bear storytime then see a slideshow of all your friends' adventures at their library sleepover! What fun!!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale 10/24-29

Find a treasure and help support the library at the week-long Friends of the Burbank Public Library USED BOOK SALE, held in the auditorium at the Central Library. This is a great opportunity to load up on kids' books (most costing less than a $1).

All proceeds from book sales fund children's and adult programming throughout the year. Book sale hours are: Tuesday-Thursday 10-8, Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-3.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Pizza Party Family Storytime - Oct. 6 at Central Library

We're celebrating the return of Pajama Storytime with a pizza party! The whole family is invited to enjoy fun, silly books and watch a movie while enjoying a slice!

Pizza Party Family Storytime is Thurs. 10/6 at Central Library at 6:30pm.  Yum!

Puppy Tails Starts October 12th at Buena Vista

Did you know that reading to a therapy dog can increase an emerging reader's confidence and abilities?  Therapy dogs and their handlers are specially trained to provide young readers with a safe, supportive environment in which to practice their skills. 

Our own Puppy Tails program was a hit last year and we're happy to announce Bill and his therapy dog Annie are back! The program starts Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 4:00pm. Puppy Tails is open to emerging readers in K-3rd grade and meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 4:00pm in the Storytime Room at Buena Vista Library. To sign-up your child or for more information, please call 818-238-5630.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

FREE Family Fun in the Area for Labor Day Weekend!

With a loooong, three-day weekend looming ahead what's a family to do?

Well you could...

...play with Legos at Lego Club on Saturday, 9/3 11-12:30 at the Central Library (open to kids ages 2-14, come play with the library's thousands of Legos)

...or you could explore modern art at MOCA's Family Day on Sunday, 9/4 1-3:30 (250 S. Grand Ave, LA)

...or you could transport yourself to the islands with an afternoon of Caribbean music, dancing, food and more at the California African American Museum and their Caribbean Fete on Sunday, 9/4 at 1:00pm

...or you could take a kid-geared hike, followed by an arts project at Sooky Goldman Nature Center in Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills (open to kids ages 3-8) on Sunday 9/4 at 10:00am. Call 310-858-7272, ext. 131 for more info.

...or you could get ready for the Ethiopian New Year at the Little Ethiopia Cultural Street Festival in L.A. on Sunday, 9/4 12-8pm where you will find lots of FREE family fun and great food!

...or you could wander the galleries and groove to LIVE music at LACMA (the Los Angeles County Museum of Art) on Monday, 9/5 as part of their Target Free Holiday Mondays program!

With so much to see and do this holiday weekend, there is no end to the FREE fun a family can have in SoCal!  Happy Labor Day!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Staff Pick: Junonia by Kevin Henkes

Junonia
by Kevin Henkes
Kevin Henkes is best known as the writer and illustrator of many popular children’s picture books.  Not too long ago he won the Caldecott award for Kitten’s First Full Moon, and his earlier group of books with loveable mouse characters, which includes Wemberly Worried, Owen, and Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, continue to be patron favorites.   Henkes is also, however, a very fine writer of fiction for older children.   Olive’s Ocean, a book written for junior high school level children, was a Newbery Honor Book.  Junonia is his most recent novel, and is most appropriate for a slightly younger readership.
Junonia narrates the story of ten-year-old Alice Rice during her family’s annual vacation to the beach in Florida.  Alice’s birthday always occurs during the family vacation, and Alice is looking forward to celebrating it with the friends who stay at other cottages on the beach, children and adults she sees every summer.  She is also hoping to find this year a junonia, a rare shell that she hopes to finally add to her collection.   But things don’t go as planned.  Several of the children and annual vacationers are not able to come this year, and what makes it worse, another annual visitor shows up with a new boyfriend and his very young daughter in tow, a girl who is troubled by her parents’ recent separation, mercurial in temperament, and seems to demand the spotlight in this small community of vacationers.  Alice must come to terms with her conflicted feelings and disappointments.  She comes to understand that life is more complex than she would have it be, and that always looking for things to be perfect is an expectation she must leave behind.  Sometimes the apparent imperfections, however, serve to deepen the value of the good things. The junonia shell becomes an expansive symbol for these themes.
As will be apparent from this synopsis, Henkes is not writing the kind of fast action fantasy adventure that dominates children’s literature these days.  On the surface, it would be difficult to say that in his novels very much happens, or that the events related are unusual or dramatic.  Henkes’ literary project is to record the psychological nuances of childhood, to give us a portrait of a child engaged in the act of growing up.  His fiction recognizes, understands, and honors the interior dramatic life of a child.  Certainly this is not the ambition of most contemporary children’s writers, and it might be difficult to say if Henkes is writing for children as much as he is writing about childhood, although I suspect a child reading him at this age might very well find his writing magical for its accuracy in articulating his or her own experience.  Whichever the case, his writing has a certain exquisite quality, the nuances of a child’s interaction with other children and adults are drawn with great insight and subtlety.  His writing style has a craftsman-like quality.  The reader feels that each word was weighed, each metaphor carefully chosen, and the whole reworked many times over in much the same fashion as a poem. He seems to have created literary novels for children, something unusual, quietly powerful, and altogether remarkable.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Storytime is back!!

Fall is here and that can only mean one thing...Storytime!

Storytime starts the week of September 26th at all Burbank Libraries.  Our Fall Session will go from 9/26-11/18/2011. 

Pre-registration is REQUIRED for Preschool Storytime and Toddler Tales at the Buena Vista Branch Library only.  Sign-ups begin Friday, Sept. 16 at Buena Vista in the Children's Room. 

**NO PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE STORYTIMES OR TODDLER TALES AT CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST**

Storytime Schedule

Preschool Storytime @Buena Vista - Tuesdays at 11:00 am (Pre-registration is REQUIRED)
Preschool Storytime @Northwest - Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Preschool Storytime @Central - Thursdays at 10:00 am

Toddler Tales @Buena Vista - Wednesdays & Fridays at 10:00 and 11:00 am (Pre-registration is REQUIRED)
Toddler Tales @Central - Fridays at 10:30 am (please note NEW TIME)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Staff Pick: The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine

The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine

A few years ago Kathryn Erskine’s Mockingbird won the National Book Award for children’s literature.  The Absolute Value of Mike, her latest book, is a story that will have special appeal to young teens who have “gifted” parents, those who are growing up in households where the achievements of one or more parent are exceptional and a child often suffers under the parental and social expectation that they too will grow up to be high achievers and extraordinarily successful adults. Such is the problem faced by our story’s hero, fourteen-year- old Mike Einstein Foster (no pressure when they give you a name like that!).  Mike’s mother died when he was very young, and he has been his father’s caretaker, handling the mundane and practical matters of running thier household for many years.  Mike’s father is an abstracted and eccentric engineering genius, brilliant at the math skills so necessary for his career; Mike suffers from a condition known as “dyscalculia,” a brain disorder which causes a person to have great difficulty in manipulating numbers.  But that hasn’t stopped his father from assuming that his son will follow in his footsteps and have a brilliant career in engineering…..whether he wants to or not.
One fateful summer, Mike’s father takes a temporary teaching job in Eastern Europe and sends Mike to spend the summer with his great aunt and uncle in rural Donover, Pennsylvannia.  His father believes that his uncle is working on an engineering project in which Mike, as his assistant, will get some practical experience in the applications of science.  When Mike arrives, it turns out that there has been a big misunderstanding.  The project in which the whole town of Donover is engaged is raising $40,000 so that one of its local citizens can adopt an orphan from Romania.  Mike ends up managing the entire campaign to raise the money. In the process he comes to understand what are his own special abilities and talents, that he can inspire and bring people together to solve a “human” engineering problem.  It’s the very sort of skill set that his father lacks and values so little. 
That’s the serious gist of the story, but the tale is enlivened with humor and a cast of very eccentric folks we meet in the town of Donover.  As his Aunt Moo tells him, “some of us are more extreme cases than others,” but Donover seems to have more than its fair share.  They all seem to be stuck in some sorrow that makes it difficult for them to move on and face the matter at hand and bring about the good that might be done.  It is hard for Mike to relinquish his initial impatience with these characters in what seems to him their wallowing in sorrow and their diminished ability to face the world.  But his great accomplishment is to finally understand and sympathize with these odd and kind people he comes to know. What he learns that summer is a way to lead them forward from the losses that bind them. The strength of this self-discovery allows him to confront his father and assert his right to make his own choices for his life.
As the son of an engineer who flunked high school Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry, I got this story.  Or it found me, and will find some others yet I suppose.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Lego Club is Back!

Studies show that kids who play with Legos build a solid foundation of logical mathematical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving - things they’ll carry with them throughout their school years...Plus, Legos are just really, really fun!

Our first Lego Club will be Saturday, 9/3 at Central Library from 11-12:30.  It's open to kids ages 2-14 only.  For safety reasons we require children under 9 years to be accompanied by an adult.  We have toddler-safe Duplo blocks for kids under 4 years of age and thousands and thousands of library Legos for the rest of the kids!

It's a great way to enjoy a Saturday as a family at the library.  Plus, we have lots of great Lego books you can check out after the club!

Here's the schedule for Lego Club for the Fall:

Saturdays, 11-12:30 at Central Library - Sept. 3, Oct. 15, Nov. 12, and Dec. 3.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Travel Around the World with Movies!

Travel to Paris, London, New York, and Peru this Summer at Buena Vista Library!

Visit an exciting new city every Saturday in August at the Library!  We'll show a short episode from the travel series "Travel With Kids" about a particular city then watch a family film set in that location.

Sat. August 6, travel to London with Mary Poppins (unrated: 139 min.s)
Sat. August 13, travel to Paris with Aristocats (rated G: 78 min.s)
Sat. August 20, travel to Peru with The Emperor's New Groove (rated G: 78 min.s)
Sat. August 27, travel to New York with Oliver and Company (rated G: 74 min.s)


Saturday, July 16, 2011

If you like...Read Alikes Booklist

Your kids have read all the Harry Potter books and just saw the last movie, now what? 

Or do you have a little Wimpy Kid or Junie B. in your life who's ready for something new? 

Then look no farther because the friendly neighborhood librarians at Burbank Library have a booklist for you!  You can find the suggested books at the Burbank Library (please call for availability).  If you would like more "read alike" suggestions then just ask!  We're always happy to help!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Staff Pick: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

For Your Reluctant Middle School Reader!
Now being released in paperback, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger has become a an underground favorite of middle school guys since its release last year.  It has just the right mix of middle school fear about asking girls to dance, fitting in, and leaving your childhood fantasy world behind.  Our hero Tom is trying to figure out if the seemingly wise prognostications of the dweeb Dwight’s origami Yoda finger puppet are in fact coming from Dwight or are emanating from some magical Force, one that is kindly trying to help Tom navigate successfully the dangers and pitfalls of his middle school life.  We hear the various testimonies he has collected about Origami Yoda from his friends, told in their own spot-on voices.  The text is accompanied by cartoons drawn by another friend, Kellen, that illustrate and make sly comment on each of the stories. What Tom discovers in the end is that that there may be more to the weird loser Dwight than anyone thought, that as so often seems to happen in this time of rapid changes and sudden reversals in the life of kids, the dipwad turns out to have been more mature and wise than anyone thought, and a better friend too than any Force beyond the stars. 
The book even contains instructions for folding your own Origami Yoda!  Plus, the sequel, Darth Paper Strikes Back is coming August 23rd!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

It's the Party of the Century!! Downtown Burbank this Friday, 5-10pm

Burbank may be 100 years old but she still knows how to party! 

On the anniversary of its incorporation in 1911, the City of Burbank will celebrate its 100th year with the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank, Friday, July 8 from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M.  A supersized festivity with flybys, parades, multiple stages, memorabilia, mascots, children's entertainers, stilt walkers, awesome food from Downtown Burbank restaurants, community booths and more, the Party of the Century will be the ultimate night on the town for kids and families alike.

Encompassing six city blocks including San Fernando Boulevard, Palm Avenue, AMC Walkway, Orange Grove and Olive Avenue, it will express the civic pride and community spirit that have defined Burbank’s first 100 years. Things will really heat up when the sun goes down. That's when the grand finale with a stunningly choreographed firework show will cap festivities in a profusion of light and sound.

** Free shuttles courtesy of SuperShuttle will be running continuously from 4:00 to 11:00 P.M. with stops at McCambridge Park Recreation Center (Glenoaks Boulevard and Amherst Drive) and the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station (201 N Front Street)**

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Summer Reading Club 2011: June 21-July 28

You have waited all year and it's finally here...Summer Reading Club!

Don't miss out on lots of FREE fun this summer as Burbank Library starts our annual summer program for kids from toddlers to 8th grade!  We have two clubs, Summer Reading Club is open to kids entering grades 1-8 in the Fall while the Read To Me Club is for toddlers through kindergarten-age children. 

Both clubs start the week of June 20th, we will have weekly performances to celebrate the joy of reading, including: magic shows, puppet shows, music, LIVE animals, and much more!  Sign-ups start Monday, June 6th at all of the Burbank libraries.  To encourage reading for fun, those Summer Reading Club members that write 5 book reports in 5 weeks will receive certificates of completion and a prize ticket good for a FREE paperback!  (Click here for a printable PDF of the book report form)  Plus, there are lots of other contests and raffles to win even more prizes!  For more information, please call or visit your local Burbank library.  A complete schedule of performers and dates is posted on our Google calendar of events (above).  Click here for the Summer Reading Club 2011 Parent Information Guide.  Click here for a Schedule of Performers & Meeting Times for Summer Reading Club.  For more information on the Read-To-Me Club for toddlers and Kindergartners, click here.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Teen Summer Reading Club Events Schedule

This year the theme for the Teen Summer Reading Club is "You are here!"  Sign-ups start Monday, June 6th and it's open to teens in 6-12th grades.  The program runs from June 20-July 29 and will have lots of FREE entertainment, contests, and prizes!  Plus, teens in grades 6-8 can also sign-up for the children's Summer Reading Club which means twice the prizes and twice the fun!  Not only will there be FREE teen movies but also LIVE music, the Rope Warrior, and a Stunt Team show with swords!
Don't miss out on 6 weeks of FREE fun for your teen at the library! 

Schedule of Events for the Teen SRC:
Teen Film: Gnomeo & Juliet (84 min./rated G), w/ a surprise guest! @Buena Vista Library, Fri. 6/24 at 3:30pm
The Rope Warrior @Buena Vista Library, Wed. 6/29 at 6:30pm
Teen Film: It's Kind of a Funny Story (101 min./rated PG-13) @Central Library, Fri. 7/8 at 3:30pm
Game On Stunt Team Demonstration @Northwest Library, Thurs. 7/14 at 7:00pm
LIVE Music w/ Brother Yusef @Central Library, Tues. 7/19 at 6:30pm
Teen Film: Summer Wars (120 minutes/rated PG) @Buena Vista Library, Fri. 7/29 at 6:30pm (this is the Teen SRC Finale with PRIZES!)


And don't forget to follow the library gnome on the Library Teens facebook page!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

So much to see, so much to do this weekend!

This is not only the last week of school for kids in Burbank but it's also Memorial Day weekend, which means lots of FREE fun for those kids and their families as they celebrate the start of Summer! 

You can start the celebrating early right here at the library with Family Night at Buena Vista Library on Thursday at 7:00.  This weekend La Crescenta-Flintridge will be holding their annual Fiesta Days celebration with a FREE family flick, fireworks show, and a parade! Or if you want to indulge your child's creative side then head on out to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Monday when admission is FREE for all as part of Target's Free Holiday Mondays program.  If you're looking to take a drive, then try the Valley Greek Festival in Northridge. 

However you decide to spend the weekend, the Burbank Library Children's Department wishes you all a happy and safe Memorial Day!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Lego Club this Saturday at Central Library!


Lego Club is back!!!

Thanks to a large donation of legos, we now have twice the number of legos as we had before which means bigger and better creations from all of you!  This will be the last Lego Club until August so don't miss out.  As always, Lego Club is FREE and open to all kids ages 2-14.  Come play with the library's legos and make something truly unique this Saturday, 11-12:30 at the Central Library.  Call the library for more info 818-238-5610.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Fairy Book Party this Saturday at Buena Vista Library!

Dress in your "fairy best" and join us as we enjoy an afternoon of all things Fairy!  We'll start by making magical wings, wands, flower crowns, and fairy houses then we'll settle in for a fun fairy storytime. Plus, we'll be watching Thumbelina! Open to little fairies in Grades 1-3 ONLY. This event is FREE but reservations are required, call 818-238-5610 to reserve a place for your little fairy today. Hurry, space is limited (and we're already half full).

Friday, April 29, 2011

Celebrate Children's Book Week May 2-8th at Burbank Library!


Wow, what a week.  Here at the library we are always celebrating the value of children reading but this week is even more special with lots of programs to recognize this national week-long event.  On Wednesday, May 4th we will be screening the latest Narnia movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, at 4 pm at Central Library.  Then stick around for Pajama Storytime at 7 pm, where we will be reading stories from around the world and watching "The Story of Finn McCoul."  If your middle schooler is more of a artist than Narnia fan they can go to the Calligraphy Workshop at Buena Vista Library on Wednesday at 4 pm.  On Thursday, we'll be learning Cool Crafts while making fiesta tissue paper flowers at Northwest Library from 4-5:30.  And as a way to celebrate all of our 4th & 5th grade book club members, we will be having a special, "Meet the Author" Book Club Meeting for all members on Friday at Buena Vista Library at 4 pm.  To finish the week with a bang, Saturday is the Burbank Book Festival at Buena Vista Library!  We'll have local authors, a book signing and talk by David Shannon (No David), crafts for kids, and a chance to take a picture with Peter Rabbit!

Family Film: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Wed. May 4 at 4:00 pm, Central Library
Pajama Storytime - Wed. May 4 at 7:00 pm, Central Library
Calligraphy Workshop - Wed. May 4 at 4:00 pm, Buena Vista Library (reservations required, call 818-238-5589)
Cool Crafts: Tissue Paper Flowers - Thurs. May 5 at 4:00 pm, Northwest Library
Meet the Author Book Club Meeting (open to book club members ONLY) - Fri. May 6 at 4:00 pm, Buena Vista Library
Burbank Book Festival - Sat. May 7 from 1:00-4:00 pm, Buena Vista Library

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Library Friends' Used Book Sale this week!

Find a treasure and help support the library at the week-long Friends of the Burbank Public Library USED BOOK SALE, held in the auditorium at the Central Library. This is a great opportunity to load up on kids' books (most costing less than a $1).

All proceeds from book sales fund children's and adult programming throughout the year. Book sale hours are: Tuesday-Thursday 10-8, Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-3.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Rescheduled Civil War Talk at Buena Vista, Tuesday 4/26 at 7:00 pm

The focus of this illustrated talk is on the bombing of Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861 (an event 150 years ago on this date that began the Civil War) and the prelude to this event and Southern secession, the election of 1860 in which Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States.   The talk is suitable for older school age children and their families, students studying this period of American history (who may be eligible for extra credit, ask your teacher for more information), and anyone interested in what are perhaps some little known and interesting anecdotes connected with  these events on this the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Note: This event was re-scheduled due to Central Library's closure last week.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Get Hopping to Pajama Storytime at Buena Vista Library Tuesday Night, April 19!

What do you call a rabbit that tells jokes?
A funny bunny! 

What do you call a fun evening hearing funny bunny stories?
Pajama Storytime!

Pajama Storytime is next Tuesday so grab your PJs, favorite Teddy, & a blankie and hop on over to Buena Vista Library to hear lots of funny, bunny stories and watch the animated classic, "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown."  The fun starts at 7:00 pm.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Central Library closed 4/11-4/16

Due to plumbing issues, the CENTRAL LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED TODAY THOURGH SATURDAY. All programs at Central will be cancelled including: storytimes, the Civil War Talk, and Family Night. We apologize for the inconvenience. Buena Vista and Northwest will be open their regular hours this week.

Preschool Storytime and Toddler Tales at Central will return next week.  Northwest holds their storytime for all ages at 10 on Wednesdays.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Burbank on Parade this Saturday at 11:00 am

Celebrate Burbank's 100th Birthday with a parade!  Don't miss Burbank on Parade this Saturday, 4/9 at 11 am. The parade, started in 1945 as a celebration of the end of World War II, will be on Olive Ave. between Keystone and Lomita. The parade consists of specially decorated floats, high school and independent marching bands, antique and vintage cars, special Burbank VIPs, Burbank organizations, and a parade Grand Marshal.  Make sure you keep an eye out for Burbank Library's float!  Fun for the whole family!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Classic Disney Films at Buena Vista All Month Long!

If you wish upon a star...

...Then your dream of watching classic Disney films may just come true!  All month long, Buena Vista Branch Library will be showing Disney films like Snow White, Dumbo, and Pinocchio for FREE!  This family program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Burbank Library.  Screenings will take place at Buena Vista at 2:00 pm every Saturday in April.  So swing by and settle in for some Disney fun!

Snow White (1937)  Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 pm  (84 min.s)
Fantasia (1940)  Saturday, April 9 at 2:00 pm  (125 min.s)
Pinocchio (1940)  Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 pm  (88 min.s)
Dumbo (1941)  Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 pm  (64 min.s)
Bambi (1942)  Saturday, April 30 at 2:00 pm  (69 min.s)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Storytime is back!

You've waited 2 long weeks but finally...Storytime is back!  Spring Session starts this week and runs through May 20th.  So checkout the storytime schedule below and get hopping to the library for fun stories, silly songs, and cute crafts!

Wednesdays at 10:00 - Preschool Storytime @ Northwest
Thursdays at 10:00 - Preschool Storytime @ Central
Fridays at 10 & 11 - Toddler Tales @ Central

**Note: Storytime at Buena Vista requires pre-registration and all sessions at the branch are full**

Friday, March 18, 2011

Lots of FREE family fun next week at the library!

Wow, next week we have lots of great family programs planned, check it out...

On Monday we'll be watching short films based on picture books for our Monday Morning Movies program.  On Thursday night we have Family Night with Magician David Skale and Saturday is Lego Club.  So many fun things to do as a family and the best part is...its all FREE!
Monday Morning Movies - Monday 3/21, Central Library at 10:30
Family Night w/ David Skale - Thursday 3/24, Buena Vista Branch Library at 7:00
Lego Club - Saturday 3/26, Central Library 11-12:30

For more information on these or any of our other fantastic library resources call us at 818-238-5610.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pajama Storytime this Thursday night at Central Library!

Did I ever tell you that Mrs. McCave
Had twenty-three sons and she named them all Dave?

Join us as we read about the chaotic silliness that ensues from twenty-three sons named Dave, a sister that swallows one hare, and a monster with ants in his pants!  That's right, its time for Pajama Storytime so kids, grab your PJs and favorite Teddy Bear and join us for a fun-filled evening of silly stories and the Dr. Seuss classic, "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat" (25 min.s)!

Pajama Storytime starts at 6:30 in the Auditorium at Central Library.  For more info call 818-238-5610.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

FREE Family Fun: "Construction Day" at the Japanese American Museum in L.A. this Saturday!

Part of the museum's Target Free Family Saturday program, everyone is invited to this Saturday's "Construction Zone" where kids will be able to make origami skyscrapers, create a map collage of their neighborhood, construct a wacky building out of a variety of materials, and much more.  The Construction Zone will be open 11-4 this Saturday, 3/12.  For more information call the museum at 213-625-0414.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Mad Libs Writing Workshop this month!

This workshop sounds _______ (noun)!  I can't wait to ______ (verb) my own mad libs!
 
For 3rd & 4th grade students ONLY. Come to this fun workshop where we'll be doing some cool mad libs then you'll get to write your own! Refreshments will be served & everyone gets a FREE mad lib book! Call 818-238-5610 to sign up. (Hurry, space is limited)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Family Night @ the Library: David Skale, Magician Extraordinaire

Get ready for wacky, magical fun as David Skale brings his hilarious magic show and sidekick bunny to Burbank Library for our Family Nights in March! 

See David's fabulously fun magic show at Central Library on Thursday, March 10th at 7:00 pm and at our Buena Vista Branch on Thursday, March 24th at 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

FREE Family Fun! Oscar Costumes on display at FIDM now through April 30th

Have fashion-savvy kids?  Why not swing by FIDM’s 19th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design on display through April 30th.  If you're looking for a fun afternoon in downtown L.A. you can't go wrong with historic sites like the Central Library and their beautiful children's room, lunch at The Pantry, then a stop by FIDM to see costumes from 20 movies from 2010, including Oscar-nominees like True Grit, The King's Speech, and Alice in Wonderland.  The gallery at FIDM is open 10-4, Tuesday through Saturday.  Admission is FREE.  For more information call  (213) 623-5821.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

FREE Family Fun: Winter Wonderland at Brand Park this Saturday!

Even though we live in Southern California, we can still have a snow day now and then. Over 60 tons of man-made snow will be brought into Brand Park in Glendale on Saturday, February 12 at 10 AM for the City of Glendale's 32nd annual Winter Wonderland event. Children are invited and encouraged to make snowmen, toss snowballs, make snow angels, and play in the snow. Plastic discs are provided for the four downhill snow slides. There are two snow play areas: one for children under 5 and one for youngsters older than 5. Community display booths, hands-on-activities, entertainment, and refreshments will be available. Admission is FREE!

Brand Park is located at 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale, CA.  For more information call: (818) 548-2792.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Pajama Storytime at Buena Vista this Tuesday night!

Roses are red, violets are blue...if you miss Pajama Storytime you'll go boo-hoo!  This Tuesday night at our Buena Vista Branch, we'll be having a very special Valentine's Day Pajama Storytime with lovey-dovey tales and a screening of "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown."  And don't forget to wear your PJs and bring along your favorite Teddy Bear!  Storytime starts at 6:30 in the Community Room at Buena Vista Branch Library.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

FREE Family Fun: The 112th Annual Golden Dragon Parade & Festival this Saturday!

Giant dragons, floats, marching bands, local celebs, and much more will all converge on Broadway in Chinatown this Saturday, 2/5.  The Golden Dragon Parade has been a Chinatown staple for over 100 years so don't miss out on this FREE family fun!  Acrobats, cultural performance groups, facepainters, and others will be stationed at the Central and West Plazas in Chinatown from 10 am to 8 pm so there is lots of fun to be had in addition to the parade.  Plus, the Metro Gold Line stops in Chinatown so this is a perfect opportunity to show the kids how much fun riding the subway can be, especially with its many stops in Pasadena, South Pasadena, and the grand finale, Union Station. 

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Family Film @ Central Library: "Shrek Forever After" Wed. at 4:00

What might have happened if Shrek never met Fiona, Donkey, or Puss?  What if he never made it to Far Far Away?  Well get ready to find out this Wednesday (2/2) at 4:00 at Central Library as Rumpelstiltskin turns Shrek's world upside down in this final chapter in the Oscar-winning film series.  Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and a hilarious Antonio Banderas as Puss. (rated PG: 93 min.s)

If you miss the screening tomorrow, we'll also be showing the film at our Buena Vista Branch on Wed. 2/23 at 4:00 pm in the auditorium.

FREE Family Fun this weekend: BofA "Museums on Us" Program

Bank of America has expanded their Museums on Us program to include FREE admission to several L.A. area museums the first complete weekend of every month.  So that means, this weekend (Feb. 5 & 6) BofA debit and credit card holders can get FREE admission to LACMA, The Autry National Center of the American West (right here in the Burbank area), the Hammer Museum, and the Skirball Cultural Center.  Many of these museums offer free admission for children under 17 (check their website for more info) so the whole family can enjoy some art this weekend.  Or if the call of the Super Bowl is too strong there's always next month.  Here's the dates of the upcoming BofA free admission weekends: Mar. 5-6, Apr. 2-3, May 7-8, June 4-5, July 2-3, Aug. 6-7, Sept. 3-4, Oct. 1-2, Nov. 5-6, and Dec. 3-4.

Staff Pick: This Book Made Me Do It

EXCITING NEW NON-FICTION! This Book Made Me Do It: Cool Things to Make, Do, and Explore by John Woodward.  Well it would probably be wrong to say that this is a craft book.  It’s more of an activity book, and you’ll end up moving around a lot and spending time outdoors often making these projects: build and launch a bottle rocket, learn how to pan for gold, dig a pond, make a boomerang, saw someone in half, learn how to land an airplane.  For those of you who just have to stay indoors, there are all kinds of cooking, origami, and magic projects.  What’s great about this eclectic collection is that you are sure to find something to fit your mood on any given day!