Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia is presenting “Traditional Irish Music with Rich Conroy” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15.
This free concert for adults will include many favorite Irish tunes. More information is available at the library, by calling 343-9550, ext. 2, and at www.batavialibrary.org.
This month's Reel Discussion Group at Richmond Memorial Library will focus on "Autism: The Musical."
It will be shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, with discussion to follow.
It's hard to imagine an unlikelier feel-good documentary than this film, directed for HBO by Tricia Regan.
But it is truly the brainchild of the vision -- and sheer will -- of Elaine Hall. The "musical" is both unflinching in its portrayal of autism, and triumphant in the ways it shows connections among the film's subjects.
Instructor Jen Reardon shows of an example of a type of Christmas tree ornament members of a crafts class at Richmond Memorial Library were making Tuesday evening. It's part of an ongoing series at the library and was open to about a dozen people who signed up (first come, first served). The cost was $6 for materials.
Below, Bonnie Raduns and Erin Martin work on their ornaments.
The Library Lego Club for children age 6 and up begins on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St. in Batavia.
It is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Children's Room on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
The program is free but registration is required.
The Friends of the Library provide the Legos.
For more information call the library at 343-9550 ext.4 or consult our website. Register online at <http://www.batavialibrary.org/>.
The fall series of Story Time programs at the Richmond Memorial Library, Batavia, begins on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
Toddler Time -- 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays (walkers – 3 years)
Moms & Moppets -- 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays (walkers -- 3 years)
Preschool Party -- 10 a.m. on Thursdays (ages 3-5 years)
Baby Bounce -- 11 a.m. on Thursdays (pre-walkers)
Pajama Primetime -- 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays (all ages)
To register for one of these sessions, or for more information, parents may call the library at 343-9550, or stop in at the Children's Room desk during library hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Register early, as group size is limited. Call 343-9550, ext. 4 or go to the website <http://www.batavialibrary.org>.
In September, the Richmond Memorial Library is offering a new preschool program called “Eat, Read, Grow." It is in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.
Parents and children will participate in a variety of reading, nutrition/food prep, and gardening activities.
For more information, contact Judy at the Richmond Memorial Library, 343-9550, ext. 1510. A New York State Family Literacy Grant makes this program possible.
Local artist Vic Corey Jr. will have 15 watercolor illustrations on display in the Gallery Room of the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, starting Monday, Aug. 2 and continuing throughout the month.
The majority of Corey's art will be for sale. A brochure will be available, describing and listing the price of each work of art.
For more information, call Corey at 343-9262, or e-mail omarose39@yahoo.com.
All adults in Genesee County are invited to attend "E-readers: A First Look" at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, from 2 until 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19.
Like reptiles? Come get a look at a variety of them on Friday at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia!
This opportunity to see these creatures is being offered as part of the "Nickel City Reptiles" -- part of the library's 2010 Summer Reading Program.
Admission is free and does not require pre-registration. The fun starts at 2:30 p.m.
For more info, call the library at 343-9550, ext. 4.
This is an e-mail from Sandy Gillard, the longtime children's librarian at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia, who recently retired.
I would like to thank Dan Crofts for the beautiful pictures and article about my retirement from the Richmond Memorial Library. I would also like to thank all of the people who sent cards, stopped in to see me, or expressed good wishes for my future.
It is so gratifying to know what a generous and thoughtful community we live in. I would like to share any recognition I have received with my family (especially my husband, Craig) and with the staff and board of the library both past and present.
As a group these people have worked hard to create one of the most outstanding libraries in the country. Lastly, it is important to remember the taxpayers who have supported our library and have made all of this possible.
As I look forward to the future, I plan to continue to live and volunteer in Batavia because it is a wonderful place to call home.
Sandy Gillard
Retired Children's Librarian of the Richmond Memorial Library
"Sand Between Your Fingers" was the third program for teens in the Richmond Memorial Library's Summer Reading Program.
They got to try their hand at sand art, mixing a variety of colored sands to make "sand pens," which they could then take home and use for writing and drawing.
The library's Teen Program is open to students entering grades six through 12. The program extends through Aug. 4, so sign up soon if you haven't done so already!
Visit the library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, or call 343-9550 for more details.
“Make a Splash, Read” -- the 2010 Children’s Summer Reading Program at the Richmond Memorial Library -- will hold family programs at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. Here's the upcoming lineup:
Other children’s activities will include Beach Blanket Bingo for all ages at 2:30 p.m. on Mondays; Tiki Storytime Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for young children; and Luau Lunch Book Club from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays for grades three to five.
Prizes and fun will abound throughout the summer. For more details or to register check out our website: <http://www.batavialibrary.org>.
Magician Ted Burzynski had some tricks up his sleeve -- and in a balloon -- when he came to perform for summer readers at Batavia's Richmond Memorial Library on Friday.
"It's Magic of Course" was the first in a series of weekly Summer Reading Program presentations for young children, which will continue through Aug. 20. The RML staff has fun events like this scheduled for every Friday afternoon at 2:30 this summer.
There is still time to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, and the library staff invites all adults, teens and children who enjoy reading, participating in cool activities and winning prizes to come on board.
Visit the library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, or call 343-9550 for more information or to register.
Want to learn how to get "Facehooked?" Then come on over to the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, for an hour-long session on how to use the popular website, Facebook!
On Tuesday, July 13, Lisa Gricius will show you how to set up an account, how to use and manage it, and games to play (or not). The program will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to all adults in the Batavia area. Registration is not required.
Please call the library at 343-9550 for more information.
Teen library-goers will have a chance to compete for prizes in a "Battleship Tournament" at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia.
This will last from 2:30 until 4 p.m., Thursday, July 29. Snacks will be provided.
For more information, call the library at 343-9550.
The Richmond Memorial Library is about ready to kick off its 2010 Summer Reading Program. The theme this year is "Make a Splash at Your Library."
Things are hectic at the library, because they just got a memo that the Richmond Reader is missing! The library will need the help of all young readers to find him this summer:
Visit the library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, to register for the Summer Reading Program.
Sandy Gillard, center, hasn't not worked in 38 years.
She has worked at Batavia's Richmond Memorial Library since 1972, went back to school for her bachelor's and MLS (Master of Library Science) degrees while raising three sons about 20 years ago, and has worked very hard to make the library a fun and welcoming place for kids and their families.
Gillard is retiring this year, and Tuesday of next week will be her last day as children's librarian at Richmond.
On Wednesday, families and friends gathered at a reception -- held in the library's Children's Room -- to express their appreciation for her years of service.
Gina Bergman was one of the parents in attendence. She had a lot to say about what Gillard has meant to her family -- especially to her 7-year-old daughter, Amanda.
"Amanda adores her," Bergman said. "She always treats her like a rock star whenever we see her in public -- like at a restaurant she'll say, 'Oh my gosh, it's Mrs. Gillard! Let's go say hi!' She's really instilled in Amanda a love for the library."
Pictured Gillard with Robert Bombard, 11, who presents her with a flower as a token of his esteem.
"I say she's very important [to the library]," Bombard said. "She brings people to the library with her niceness. It's always great to see someone with such laughter and joy."
Gillard has had a similar effect on other library staff members as well. Kathleen Facer, reference and technology librarian at Richmond, has worked with her for many years and come to know her very well, both as a librarian and as a person.
"Whether in working with the public or with fellow staff members," Facer said, "Sandy's knowledge, enthusiasm and kindness have always been an inspiration."
"She has really come to define the Children's Room here at the library," said Library Director Diana Wyrwa. "She's developed it so much over the years, and she's always proven to be very good at literature selection. I've had many librarians tell me that the Richmond Library has one of the best children's literature collections available."
Having begun her job as library director in 2004, Wyrwa says that she came to the library "at the apex" of Gillard's career, "where we have 700 kids coming to the library and many different programs for children."
One of Gillard's major contributions to the library has been the development of the Summer Reading Program, which she admits is one of the aspects of her job that she will miss.
"I love the creativity of planning and collaborating with my husband (who builds set pieces based on each summer program's theme) to transform the Children's Room into a magical place," Gillard said. "I will miss describing an idea and watching Craig make it a reality. We make a good team!"
She will also miss her colleagues and the families she works with, with whom she has formed deep connections.
"She always remembers the kids," Bergman said. "It's amazing. Sometimes someone will come in who she had in Story Hour 30 years ago, and she'll still talk about the things they used to do when they were little."
Amy Joslyn, a former clerk at Richmond and now a children's librarian in Fairport, said that Gillard influenced her decision to go back to school and become a librarian. Part of Gillard's influence was the fact that she "brought the library to the community."
"She's always been the link," Joslyn said. "To the kids, she was the library. She really loves her job, loves the kids and relates well to parents. She was a big influence on me."
Pictured Gillard, far right, back at the beginning of her career (photographer unknown).
In a way, Gillard's retirement marks the end of an era. At 38 years, she is the library's senior staff member. She has seen many changes throughout her career, but some things have stayed the same.
"What I've seen change is the amount of media attention and commercialization books get," Gillard said. "There are dolls, board games, TV characters, movies, etc., based on children’s books. Still, really good books are being published now just like years ago."
She also notes the way technology and the availability of release dates, etc., online has influenced changes in young audiences.
"In the 1970s children came to the library to see what new books were available. Now they come to the library wanting to know if you have the latest title in a series. They know the release date and expect that you will have the book on the shelves ready for them to take home."
But as the decades have progressed and changes have come and gone, one thing has remained constant: Gillard's love for her profession.
"I have been the luckiest person in the world," she said, "because I have been paid to do what I love. Richmond Library is Batavia’s greatest asset. The board (of directors) and staff and Friends of the Library have been a joy to work with, and I am proud to have had a small part in building a Children’s Room that is the envy of people from other communities."
In retirement, Gillard plans to volunteer in the community, spend time with her elderly mother, travel with her husband and read (of course).
For more details about Gillard and her career, have a look at this Q&A, which was conducted about a year ago.
Children's Librarian Sandra Gillard is retiring after 38 years of service to the children and families of Batavia, and a reception will be held in her honor at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, from 4 until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23. All are welcome to attend.
Call the library at 343-9550 for more information.
Mrs. Caprio's sixth-grade class from St. Joseph's Elementary School poses for a picture at the Richmond Memorial Library -- with Teen Services Librarian Paula Haven hiding out in the back (far left).
Richmond and St. Joe's partnership started several years ago with Library Director Diana Wyrwa's visit to the school, where she spoke to the faculty about library services and extended an invitation to all grades.
"The library is such a treasure," Caprio said. "And it's right by our school, so why not take advantage of it? It's especially helpful as a supplement to (St. Joe's) library, which is kind of small."
St. Joe's 6th-graders started to visit the library last year under the supervision of Nicole Tamfer. That group was, in Haven's words, "very independent." They only came every other week or so, then mainly just to look for books.
Wanting to see the sixth-grade library experience continue, Caprio contacted Haven about bringing her class over on a weekly basis for an ongoing library orientation program.
Last September, this program was pretty much the same as its predecessor: the kids came to familiarize themselves with where different types of books were and…well, to look for books. Caprio and Haven quickly learned that if this was going to succeed on a weekly basis, certain changes were going to have to be made.
"We found that even at this age, young people need more structure," Caprio said.
This is where Haven had to put on her thinking cap. Capitalizing on her field of expertise, she started them off with library skills -- but with a little twist.
"I would go through the Teen Corner shelves and take books out of place," Haven said, "and then ask the students to spot them and put them back where they belong."
Moving away from the shelves to the Teen Corner tables, the group then started doing Reader's Theatre, which helped establish familiarity between "Miss Paula" (as the kids call her) and her new once-a-week class.
Reader's Theatre was followed up with genre studies, where the kids learned about the different types of fiction and then tried their hands at writing their own stories within each genre. From there, they have since graduated to creating their own graphic novels, which they spent Friday's session illustrating.
That, in a nutshell, is the history of the Haven/Caprio brainchild thus far. With roots in Wyrwa’s efforts to bring students to the library, it has taken on a life of its own and evolved accordingly. Haven and Caprio plan on continuing the program next year and building on what they’ve already done.
So what did everybody get out of this thing?
The planning and instruction involved in the program have taught Haven a lot about what teachers do on a daily basis.
"I've really gotten to experience firsthand the challenge of keeping the students focused," she said. "We’re talking about a situation where you only have a half hour, and you really have to keep things interesting for them."
Having never taught before, Haven found this to be as much of a learning experience for her as for the students. She attributes her overall success to the support she received from Caprio – who gave her complete freedom when it came to program planning but remained on hand to help her when necessary – and to the cooperativeness and enthusiasm of the kids.
“They’ve done very well this year,” Haven said. “They’ve participated with enthusiasm, they’ve been pleasant, and you can see them put effort into their work. They surprised me every week by their openness and enthusiasm.”
One thing that Haven and Caprio both agree on is that it’s nice to see these young people experience the library as an enjoyable place to be.
“I love seeing video-age teens connect to the library. I like that you can start with their interests (many students incorporated popular culture references like Michael Jackson and McDonald’s into their fictional works) and then help them segue into being lifelong readers.”
Caprio’s class members were asked to share their thoughts/feelings about the program via written responses. They submitted the following comments to The Batavian:
Alex R.
"I like when we got to write our own paragraph/story. I didn't know a book goes backwards (referring to anime graphic novels, which are formatted according to the Japanese style of writing back-to-front)."
Anonymous #1
"I like how we got to read short stories about different genres and learn about them. Also I like how we got to write our own paragraphs on the genre we were learning about. I would recommend it for other classes because it is a great chance to learn about how different books are made. I think Miss Paula is a very good teacher and is very open about a lot of things. Also Miss Paula is very nice."
James F.
"I had a really good time doing all the great activities. I look forward to it every week and it really brightens up my day. I would definitely recommend this program to other classes. It was very enjoyable. It has also really helped me on essays. I have learned how to improve my sentence fluency and raised my grades, too! Miss Paula was very nice. She was always in a good mood! She was patient and helped us when we were stuck."
Anonymous #2
"I would definitely recommend the program to other classes because going to the library is fun. It gives you a break from school as well as having some educational values. We've recently been learning about different genres of books. Some include: horror, fairy tale, and science fiction. Everyone is nice to you at the library including Miss Paula. Everyone really enjoys the library!"
C.J. S.
"I like making our own cartoons."
Anthony H.
"The experience was fun because we were able to write our own stories and learned a new story genre each week. I found out also that graphic novels can start from the back of the book so there was a bit of education."
Emily F.
"I liked the library program. I didn't know that much about genres, but now I know a lot about them. I thought we would just look at books, but we actually learn a lot. I have learned that graphic novels start from the back. But now we are drawing our own graphic novels, it is cool! Miss Paula is very nice and patient. She lets us do fun stuff. I do recommend this program to other classes. I know they will have a load of fun!"
Peter D.
"We talk a lot about different elements of reading like horror and comedy."
Nichol S.
"One thing I liked about this is making up our own stories. For example, when we learned about science fiction, we had to write our own science fiction story. I would recommend this to other schools because it helps students tell what type of genre a story is. Miss Paula is open and explains things pretty well."
Anonymous #3
"What I like is that we read a story and talk about the elements. (When asked if the class had any educational value): I can express myself from time to time."
Anthony G.
"I like going to the library. Miss Paula is cool. She knows where the books are when I ask. I like (the program) and I want to keep going."
Tyler H.
"At first I thought that we would just be looking at books. Then I found out that we would be learning a lot about literature. I liked that a lot. I would recommend it to other classes because kids can learn more about literature than they do in English class. I learned more about books every week. Also, I got to learn more kinds (a.k.a. genres) of books. Miss Paula let us talk freely. She was a good teacher."
Peter K.
"I liked making our own stories."
Jacob H.
"I liked learning about how the story originated and writing our own stories. I would recommend it to future kids because it will help them learn about stories. Miss Paula is a nice librarian."
Jessica
"I think Ms. Paula is very nice and knows what we need to learn/should know. She has a lot of interesting topics. I would recommend it for other classes because it is fun and you learn at the same time."
Anonymous #4
"I enjoyed going to the library every week and learning about the different genres. Miss Paula was very nice and always had something ready for us to learn about."
Grant B. (a.k.a. "That Kid")
"It's fun when we write our own stories. We get to express ourselves. All kids would probably like it. It had a little educational value because we learned all the different parts of a book/story."
Joseph S.
"I liked the fact that we were able to look for books at the beginning."
Shea N.
"I think that the best part of this is drawing cartoons! Miss Paula was verry nice!!! Would I recommend (the program)? Well, yes! P.S. – I love The Batavian!”
(I promise I did not make that last part up).
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