Annual Library Events
Library Card Sign Up Month (September)
Banned Books Week (September)
Teen Read Week (October)
Read Aloud Week (October)
Winter Read Aloud Program (February)
Dr. Seuss's Birthday (March)
Teen Tech Week (March)
National Poetry Month (April)
National Library Week (April)
Free Comic Book Day (May)
Children's Book Week (May)
Library Card Sign-Up Month
September 2012
Can you name the one item that gives you access to nearly everything on the Web and in print and provides personal assistance to help you find what you're looking for? It's your library card.
Celebrated throughout the month of September, National Library Card Sign-up Month encourages people to check out what's new at the library by signing up for a library card. Libraries today offer more than just books - we have DVDs, CDs, computers, free Internet access, and more. Libraries are also dynamic community centers; The Pamunkey Regional Library has quiet rooms for study or homework, book discussion groups, musical performances and presentations, story hours and other programs for children and adults. And Reference Librarians are available to help recommend materials suitable for various ages and interests and teach critical information literacy skills - the skills to find, use and evaluate information in all formats.
Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.
See 52 Ways to Use Your Library Card (also in PDF)
Banned Books Week
September 30 - October 6, 2012
"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech." — Benjamin Franklin
Celebrate one of the most cherished freedoms we have, as outlined in the Bill of Rights:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
For more information on Banned Books Week, please visit
ALA's web site.
Check out the American Library Association's
Most Frequently Challenged Books
page.
See our previous Banned Books Week displays.
Read Aloud Virginia Week
October 14-20, 2012
Literacy is the fundamental building block of all learning and is essential
to the growth and success of every child. Reading to children increases
their vocabulary, enhances their listening skills, and fosters a positive
attitude toward reading. Reading to children is a simple and priceless act
that positively impacts the adult/child relationship, opening up the lines of
communication and strengthening emotional bonds.
The Pamunkey Regional
Library is proud to work together with Read Aloud Virginia to reach its goal of
creating a family routine that impacts all children and their families,
encouraging reading and providing incentives for reading to every child,
everyday for 20 minutes. Through the shared reading experience, we believe
that families will strengthen the relationship between child and caring adult.
For more information, reading lists, and other read aloud resources,
please visit
Read Aloud Virginia's web site.
October 14-20, 2012
"Picture It @ Your Library"
Today’s teens seem to have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities to for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have. That is why it’s important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read. Literacy is a topic of both local and national concern, and falling test scores and lower graduation rates among teens today are a serious issue. Here in Virginia, standardized reading test scores for teens are on the rise.
Studies show a regular reading habit increases reading proficiency. One of the most important ways teens acquire the habit is by watching adults they respect. Being around adults who are avid readers can counteract the latest statistics from The Nation’s Report Card (nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard), which indicate that in homes across America the number of different types of reading materials has decreased, and a smaller percentage of seventeen-year-olds saw adults reading in their homes.
We hope to increase teen literacy locally by offering a series of programs for teens during Teen Read Week. Check out the library's calendar for programs near you.
Looking for books to read during Teen Read Week? Try Top Ten Books for Teens or www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.
Children's Book Week
May 7-13, 2012
Celebrate children's books and the love of reading with Children's Book Week at your local branch library! Check out our calendar page to see what's happening.
Find out more about Children's Book Week at the Children's Book Council. The Children's Book Council has fun activities for you and your child to enjoy.
Dr. Seuss's Birthday
March 2, 2012
Brilliant, playful, and always respectful of children, Dr. Seuss charmed his way into the consciousness of four generations of youngsters and parents. In the process, he helped millions of kids learn to read. Every year the Pamunkey Regional Library celebrates Dr. Seuss's (Ted Geisel's) creativity, imagination, and his invaluable contributions to American society that live on today through his beloved books and iconic characters. Join us for birthday parties, Storytimes, and more! A complete listing of events can be found on our calendar .
To find out more about Dr. Seuss, please visit Read Across America and Seussentennial, a web site celebrating Dr. Seuss's 100th birthday.
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"Geek Out @ Your Library"
March 4-10, 2012
Teen Tech Week is a national initiative aimed at teens, their parents, educators, and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to encourage teens to use libraries non-print resources for education and recreation, and to help teens recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology. Check our calendar for fun programs for teens!
National Poetry Month
April 2012
Past Poetry Contest
Winners
Favorite Poetry Web Sites
Since the Academy of American Poets launched National Poetry Month in April 1996, it has grown exponentially and become the largest, most democratic celebration of any of the arts in America, with an estimated audience that now reaches into the tens of millions. It is designed to illustrate the pervasive presence of poetry in America by providing information and free resources, displaying poetry's profound influence on our national culture.
Looking for some interesting ways to help celebrate Poetry
Month? Here are some poetry web sites that may give you ideas? If
you know of a site that should be included in this list, email it to
ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.
- National Public Radio's "The Writers Almanac."
- The Wondering Minstrels
- The Borzoi Reader
- Poetry Daily
- Verse Daily
- Moby Lives
- Poem of the Week
- Atlantic.com
- Poets.org
- Representative Poetry Online
- Poets' Corner
- Bartleby
National Library Week
"You Belong @ Your LibraryŽ"
April 8-14, 2012
National Library Week
is a time to celebrate "@ your
library" and rediscover all that our nation's libraries and librarians have to
offer. Where do you turn when you're looking for the best information? How about
your library? You can find books, magazines, CDs, DVDs & videos, Web access, reference
databases, and all sorts of other resources. In a world that's information rich,
libraries are information smart. Find the right answer and a whole lot more @
your library.
Libraries are part of the American dream. Whether you're checking
out the latest bestseller, researching your college term paper, getting homework
help or using the Internet, the library has the resources and staff to help you
find what you are looking for.
National Library Week is a great time to see what's new at your local
library and how your librarian can direct you to the information you need when
you need it. Come check us out!
For more information about the Pamunkey Regional Library, including
library hours, visit or call your local branch library, or you can further
explore our web site. For information about programs during National Library
Week, please see our calendar.
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Free Comic Book Day
1st Saturday in May
May 5, 2012
Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops and libraries across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE!
Each branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library will have a selection of comics for you to choose from. You can also fill out our Free Comic Book Day survey to let us know what kind of graphic novels, manga, and anime you want to see in the library. Can't wait until Free Comic Book Day? Let us know what you want by completing our online request form.
Winter Read Aloud Program
"Snuggle with a Book"
February 2012
Each year, in partnership with the Library of Virginia, our branch libraries have a month-long read aloud program in February. You can pick up your read aloud program materials at any branch library during February. Don't forget to check out our Book Boosters ideas on our kids' page for ways to improve your child's literacy skills.
