Nature Photography Day

June 15 was Nature Photography Day so I took the good camera down to the Provo River and got some pictures of the June suckers. 

It's been a few years since any of us specifically went to see them even though we know the Provo River Delta was specifically made to help those fish.

While I was there, I made sure to get some juggling pics and videos. 

 I also took pictures of birds.

The cliff swallows and house sparrows were nesting under the same bridge. The sparrows were probably using the swallow nests.

 

Later I stopped by the Orem Library and helped take down the balloon triceratops skeleton and pick up the framing materials for it. It was definitely time. 

I had a good chat with the librarian who was taking it down as we worked together. She is also a birder. A few of the librarians at Orem Library are birders. I love it. It makes me smile, which is appropriate since June 15 was Smile Power Day.

You know what also makes people smile? Balloons. 

 

Orem Reads: Fahrenheit 451

I enjoyed Orem Reads so much last year when we read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I enjoyed the kickoff, the Chat & Snacks, the finale. 

This year I looked forward to participating again. This year's book? Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I had never read it before this program. It's not one I would have just picked up on my own. I'm glad I was able to read it for Orem Reads. It was interesting and definitely made me think.

The kickoff had a presentation by Shannon Hale. Before it started, they were playing music that had to do with fire or books. "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. "Paperback Writer" by The Beatles. I got a kick out of that. I also enjoyed what Shannon Hale had to say about book banning.

This year they had something new during Orem Reads. A murder mystery date night. Stephanie Blanchard wrote a murder mystery for the library to use for this event. It was a potluck so Jeremy and I brought rolls and got to enjoy some yummy food while trying to figure out whodunnit. It was my first murder mystery dinner and I enjoyed it.

Before we left, we made sure to feed the boys. What they ate? Dino nuggets because October 16 was National Fossil Day. Teehee. It was also World Food Day so that fit with both chicken nuggets and potluck.

The next day I went to the only Chat & Snack I was able to go to for Fahrenheit 451 because of other commitments. It was another good discussion with mostly librarians and a few others. Since it was a lunchtime Chat & Snack, I brought cucumber sandwiches... and Peppermint Patties because I know Amy Sorenson (in charge of programming) likes them.

Speaking of Amy, she once again did a great job with this program, along with the other librarians who helped. Have I mentioned I love the librarians at Orem Library?

The day I went to the Chat & Snack, October 17, was also National Pasta Day. Nichole made cheeseburger pasta and sent me a picture, then she and I met at the Bean Museum for a UCB meeting about Boreal Owls. Jeremy watched most of it online when he got home from work. 

Nichole drew these while we were there. "If you give Nichole a medium." This medium was... "Inktober"... sort of.

The Orem Reads Finale was a Titles & Treats Gala. It was like trick or treating but with books. Tables were set up with librarians to give recommendations of books. We were also given a little treat bag to get candy at each table. So not just trick or treating with books but with candy, too.

I loved chatting with the librarians (some of it wasn't even book related). Costumes were welcomed so I dressed up as a birder with camera, binoculars, hat, and field guide. 

I also made sure to get a picture with Amy and her fun "book fairy" costume.

Besides the book recommendation tables, there was also a book craft and Fall treats. 

Mmmm, hot chocolate.

I am again grateful I got to participate in Orem Reads this year. I let the kids know this is my October thing and I appreciate them helping with their little brother so I can go to these events.

Once again it was a great program from kickoff to finale and I'm grateful for my participation in it.

Shout Out to the Librarians

I want to give a shout out to all the librarians (and other library staff and volunteers) out there, both past and present. There are a lot of different types from church librarians, school librarians, public library librarians, and many more. I have friends and family members who either currently work at libraries or have in the past.

I wanted to take a little time right now to say Thank You specifically to the librarians (and other library staff and volunteers) at the Provo Library and Orem Library. I've mentioned before some of the adjustments that have been made at the libraries because of the pandemic. I appreciate the work those at the library have put into things so my family can continue to have good experiences through the public libraries.

 

We've done online events, 

I've had good communication through email when something wasn't working on a library website, librarians at the Orem Library have asked about us since I never got to bring my baby in to see them, so many things. I did text this picture to Jeremy when he was talking to one of the librarians one day so she could finally see my baby. 

Thank You, librarians!

 

In February, librarians at the Provo Library shared book recommendations twice a week on Facebook Live events. You know my kids are huge readers so they're always on the lookout for new books to try.

 

Also in February, Jr. Jr. and I participated in a virtual book club together through the Provo Library (I mentioned on my February 13 post about it). We got to read a book together, Jr. Jr. created a bridge out of craft sticks, got a treat, and we were able to chat with librarians about the book. Jr. Jr. had plenty to contribute at the meeting and we enjoyed it.

He and I are doing another one this month.

 

The Orem Library in February put together Literary Loot Boxes. The three oldest filled out an online questionnaire about what kinds of books/authors/genres they like and the librarians put together basically goodie bags (in box form) based on their answers. There were stickers, buttons, pens, treats, and the librarians included books the kids might be interested in that they could check out. On one of his trips to the library, Jeremy was told that while the librarians were putting together the loot boxes, they commented how one of the kids had read so many good authors, then they realized it was a Telford. It's nice to be recognized. Even the junior high and high school libraries recognize Jr. and Nichole as big readers since they go in there so often.

Since Lucky was too young for the Literary Loot Box activity, I had him fill out an online mad lib activity that the Orem Library also provided. Funny stuff. Jeremy put together a box for him with pens and treats and things and checked out a book that he would enjoy.

When the kids opened their loot boxes, this was the number one comment we heard from them. "They know me." The librarians (and Dad) had done a good job putting together these boxes and the kids wasted no time diving into the books (including some they actually hadn't read before) that were included.

 

Jeremy is involved with a writing group through the Provo Library. It's hosted by one of the librarians and meets monthly.

 

Jet and I have been participating in virtual Storytime through the Orem Library. Not only are there songs and books during the weekly broadcast but they've put together a Storytime page with other activities on the library website. We've had fun with tissue snowflakes falling on our heads and we did some drumming with chopsticks on a food storage can (and later on everything else the toddler could find).

 

I've already posted about the Summer Reading Program and the Winter Reading Program with the Provo Library. Now we're participating in the Spring Library Challenge. We don't have to log reading minutes but we do mark activities that we do (including some reading). 

 

The librarians (and other library staff and volunteers) put so much work into making things go smoothly, we often don't even think about how there is a real person behind that library blog, that Instagram or Facebook post, that library website that doesn't just come into being. So to all the current and past librarians (and other library staff and volunteers), I say a BIG THANK YOU!