08/22/2023
The 2023-24 Schoolyear is here!
The Children’s staff at Bellevue Library have put together some fantastic September programs. Our School-year (K-6) Beanstack challenge is live. Kids can start logging their reading and activity participation from Aug 10.
Our Books and Beyond Beanstack challenge, for children not yet in kindergarten, has been updated to include all of the upcoming September events. Log your child’s reading and activity participation to earn points and prizes throughout the school year.
The September calendar is out and it is packed with all sorts of fun and engaging activities. Registration opened on Saturday, August 19 at 8 am, for those activities that have limited slots and/or kits and there are still spots available. Visit the library’s website calendar and hover on the date to register or for more information.
Without further ado, here are the activities and events coming to your library this September:
* Storytelling Club | Tuesdays, Aug 29-Oct 24 (finale), 4-5pm | grades 1 through 12
This program introduces students in grades 1-12 to public speaking and encourages creativity through storytelling and impromptu conversations. Join Dorothy Bockerman and Jeff Koneck, two local storytellers, for this free, 9-week program. This series will conclude with a performance for family and friends! All materials needed for class will be provided.
* Avery Elementary PTA’s Cook’s Night Out | Tuesday, Aug 29, 4-9pm & Tuesday, Sep 27, 4-8pm | all ages
Visit Roma’s Italian Restaurant, 605 Fort Crook Rd N in Bellevue, on Tuesday, Aug 29, 4-9pm and El Arepón Venezuelan Food, 1021 W 23rd Ave in Bellevue, on Tuesday, Sep 27, 4-8pm, to support Avery Elementary PTA’s Cook’s Night Out. Each month, Aug 2023-Apr 2024, stop by the Cook’s Night Out restaurant-of-the-month, mention Avery PTA, and the restaurant will donate a percentage of your visit. These events are not only about raising funds for one of our schools; they’re also about showcasing different cultures in and around the Bellevue community through food. Watch our calendar for upcoming Cook’s Night Out locations.
* Wind Tunnel Experiments | Sep 1-9, open hours | families with children through grade 6
Wind tunnels help inventors and manufacturers of cars and airplanes understand how their designs will be affected by the flow of air over and around their designs. By reducing friction, cars and airplanes can go farther and faster while using less fuel. But we don’t care about fuel! We are testing paper, and we want to see how long we can keep your models in the air. Design your own paper airplane before testing it in one of our four-foot tall wind tunnels to see how long it will stay airborne. Be prepared to tweak your design for maximum flight time!
* The Great Book Character Scavenger Hunt | Sep 1-30, open hours | families with children through grade 6
Pick up a Great Book Character Scavenger Hunt in the Children’s area any time during the month of September. Once your Scavenger Hunt is done, fill in the bottom with your name, age, and phone number and put your completed sheet in the box for a chance to win a free book. One lucky entry will receive a prize in October. Good luck!
* Baby & Toddler Storytime | first Tuesday, 11am-12pm; first Wednesday, 10-11am; remaining weeks: Tuesdays, 10-11am; Wednesdays, 11am-12pm | ages birth through 2
Join Brandi each Tuesday or Wednesday in September for fun and engaging storytimes geared toward children, ages birth through 2 years, with a parent or caregiver. Each themed storytime will feature stories, songs, rhymes, and/or other age-appropriate activities.
* Preschool Storytime | Thursdays, 10-11 am | ages 3 through 5
Each Thursday, Brandi will present interactive and entertaining storytimes that are sure to engage your preschoolers. Each storytime will feature stories, music, rhymes, and/or other age-appropriate activities.
* Kids in the Kitchen| first Wednesdays, Sep-Dec, 4-5pm (choose two) | grades K through 6
Pumpkin Bread, Sep 6| Fried Rice, Oct 4| Out-of-Control Cereal Bars, Nov 1| Pigs in Pretzel Blankets, Dec 6 | This activity is held on Zoom
Nothing says Fall like pumpkin! To celebrate Sep, we will be whipping up a full-size loaf of delicious pumpkin bread. In Oct, Umami will share their amazing fried rice recipe with us. In Nov we will be making a yummy cereal bar dessert. We’ll wrap up 2023 with Pigs in Pretzel Blankets in Dec. There are 25 kits available per month. Waitlist and supply list with directions are available. One registration per family. Each family may choose two of the four months to participate.
* Choose Your Own Adventure Read-Aloud Book Club| Brooklyn Mermaid by C.E. Simpson
Thursday, Sep 7, 2-3pm; repeated Wednesday, Sep 13, 4-5pm| grades K through 6
The year is 2083 and you, a mermaid from the rebel Merzood clan, have been captured and your family imprisoned. Will your captor be able to steal your Merzood magic and use it for evil? Or will you find the “the Eye,” a lost Atlantean relic, in time to stop him? 25 spots available. Snack and activity kit provided. Registration is required. | This book club is sponsored by Chooseco, LLC. |
* Pawsitive Reading | Saturday, Sep 9, 9:30-10:30am [15-minute slots] | grades Pre-K through 6
Sign your child up to read to Archie, Farrah & Sphissy, Leo & Noodle, or Roger! Young readers and pre-readers can share stories with the Paws team of their choice. Only one session per child please. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please note: Farrah, Leo, Noodle, and Sphissy are not certified therapy animals.
* Pre-K STEAM: Clay Planet Topographies | Mon, Sep 11, 10-11 am | ages 3 through 5
After sharing a story, children will create a 3-D topography of their favorite planet using clay. Supplies will be provided during this in-person program. Kits will be provided only for those children who are not able to attend. Registration is required.
* Golden Sower Book Club| Papillion: Tue, Sep 12, 4-4:30pm| Bellevue: Thu, Sep 14, 4-4:30pm; grades K through 6
We will start our meeting by reading the Golden Sower Little Bluestem nominee, Chester Van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme by Avery Monsen; illustrated by Abby Hanlon, followed by a discussion of the Honeybee nominee for the month of September, Imaginary by Lee Bacon; illustrated by Katy Wu. Snacks provided. Imaginary should be read ahead of time.
* LEGO Club | Saturday, Sep 16, 3-4pm | families with children through grade 6
LEGOs are provided for this club. Kids can come and create to their hearts’ content (or until 4 pm, whichever comes first!) There may be a monthly challenge presented at the start of the club.
* Maker Lab: Doodle Art Autumn Leaves| Wednesday, Sep 20, 4-5pm| grades K through 6
We are going to venture into the art of doodling. Using a paper leaf and imagination, we’re going to create one-of-a-kind doodle art autumn leaves! There are 25 spots available. Registration is required.
* Senior Citizen Reading | Thursday, Sep 21, 11am-12pm | families with children through grade 6
Sign your child up to read with a senior citizen from our community. 15-minute slots are available, and each reader will receive a small prize for participating.
* Kids’ Advisory Board (KAB)| Thursday, Sep 21, 4-4:30pm| grades 3 through 6
Kids in grades 3-6 are invited to join Bellevue Public Library's Kids Advisory Board (KAB). Participants will have the opportunity to earn volunteer service hours while collaborating with other kids on a variety of projects like book recommendations, new programs, and more. Kids must be in or between grades 3-6 to participate. Kids wishing to earn volunteer hours must complete a Junior Friend registration form. No registration form is required for kids not looking to earn volunteer hours.
* Pizza, Popcorn, & a Movie—TURBO | Monday, Sep 25, 6-7:40 pm | families with children through grade 6
“A misfit snail gains the power of superspeed after a freak accident infuses him with nitrous oxide. Against the wishes of his safety-obsessed brother, he tries to compete in the Indy 500.” Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Samuel L. Jackson, Luis Guzman. Bring a pillow and blanket if you wish to relax on the floor. Pizza options available during registration!
* Coloring with Cops | Wednesday, Sep 27, 4-5pm | families with children through grade 6
Join Roger Cox, Community Relations Coordinator for Bellevue Police Department, and several Bellevue Police Officers in person for a calming hour of coloring. We might even have a visit from Pawficer Mo and Officer Meyers! Coloring sheets & implements provided.
* Kitty Cafe | Sat, Sep 30, 2-4pm | all ages
Come and meet some precious kitties. Have fun playing with the furballs and, should you find one that steals your heart, you can apply to become its forever home. Five families per 15-minute slot. Eight slots available.
See you at the library!
