MPL: Summertime splash down

Hello again! Where oh where did June go? It’s hard to believe that we’re in the last week of it and that July is coming up fast!

First up, Toddler Water Play starts tomorrow (assuming the weather stays good for it)! Come down on Wednesday mornings, starting on June 26th at 10am for our fun in the sun water play group this summer!  Perfect for toddlers ages 1-3 (siblings of any age welcome!)— we'll set out water tables, a sprinkler, balls, boats and bubbles in our courtyard.  Come dressed to get wet!  Our courtyard has very little shade so please wear sunscreen and hats or whatever you need to be comfortable.

*If we cancel due to weather, we will change the posting in the event calendar andat millislibrary.org to read "cancelled."

Next, the virtual presentation of Deep Fakes and AI Media is almost here and we hope you’ve prepped some questions! Hosted by Bard College film professor Joshua Glick, he’ll be leading a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on contemporary media this Thursday, June 27th at 7pm. We’ll talk about how these technologies are shaping the film and TV industry as well as the proliferation of “deepfakes” – AI-enabled videos that depict people doing or saying things they never did or said. Come with your hopes, questions, and concerns about this emerging media landscape. Register here if you want to attend!

Also, just a reminder, Stacey Peasley is also coming back! Join us this Friday, June 28th at 10:30am for this local favorite as she puts on a children's concert with “energetic beats, catchy melodies, and soaring vocals”! Recommended for children ages 2-7, all ages welcome! No registration required~

We told you Color and Chill was late this month, and so its space in the newsletter is a little confusing. Should it go here, because it’ll be on Friday, June 28th at 6:30pm? Or should it go at the end, because it will also be on Friday, July 12th at 6:30pm? Either way, it will still be the same relaxing program meant to give you a end-of-week break in the lovely air-conditioning of our library! We set up the room early, so please feel free to come and take advantage of the space if you want more time with your coloring sheet of choice. As always, we’ll have everything you need, but you’re more than welcome to bring your own supplies if they bring you joy!

No registration required, come to one or both as your heart and schedules permit!

After the holiday, we’re starting a favorite summer program! While LEGO club is out for the summer, LEGO kits are in! beginning on Monday, July 8th at 10am, come join us to build a LEGO Kit from our collection! No registration required, this program will be held every Monday through August 19th. Meant for kids ages 5 to 12, adults should plan to help younger children follow along with the instructions.

Next up is the return of Writer’s space: our monthly program who’s goal is to have you come and put words on paper! Join us on Tuesday, July 9th at 7pm for a loosely focused gathering of writers. Share ideas, frustrations, lyrics and triumphs. Laugh, cry, and look cross while you think it out.

This month’s prompt to discuss will be ”The last time I…”. Use it as an exercise or ignore it, free write or finish your masterpiece. We don't even care if you doodle nonsense— we just want to see you put pen/pencil/stylus/keyboard to page/paper/screen/program and maybe have some light refreshments. No registration required!

Calling all Swifties! Students entering 4th-8th grade are invited to come play along with our Taylor Swift Musical BINGO!  What is musical BINGO? When a song on your card is played, you cross it out, 5 songs in a row wins a small prize.  Snacks will be served and coloring materials will be put out for music fans that like to keep their hands busy while listening.  Socializing is welcome, chatting while the music plays makes it all more fun! Bingo will be taking place on Thursday, July 11th at 6:30pm. No registration required~

Join Susie Maguire, award-winning storyteller and teacher on Saturday, July 13th, for a fun, and educational program about… poop!  The Poop Museum will start at 10:30am for kids ages 5-10, teaching them all about the fascinating facts around human, animal, and insect poop— many of which will truly amaze you. Also, we'll laugh a lot because— well— our subject is POOP!

The Poop Museum covers the serious science of poop and pooping and is delivered with the silliness that you might imagine accompanying a program about poop for young kids. It is the perfect combination of fun, and fabulous, fascinating facts so that kids (and parents) never forget what they learned. No registration required. 

Last but never least: we know you’ve been waiting for this, and we’re finally ready to announce a date! Mike Piazza and his Flying High Dogs will be returning to the Millis Public Library on Tuesday, July 16th! Check out all the flips, tricks, and catches from these amazing 4-legged athletes! The all-ages show will start at 5:30pm in the library courtyard, rain or shine, and we advise you to come early to grab a good spot. No registration required, but to avoid distracting the performers, we ask that you please leave your own dogs at home for this event. 

And that’ll do us for the next few weeks (with a bit of a sneak peek ahead). As always, there’s more coming than will fit in the newsletter, so for a full list of upcoming events at the Millis Public Library, please visit our event calendar!