Library kicks off new after-school story time with arts and crafts

The Maricopa Public Library is adding a new feature to its weekly story times—arts and crafts.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Feb.3, for the beginning of this new feature. The story time, which is for 15-20 kindergarten and up school-age children, will begin at 2 p.m., followed by an arts and crafts session hour, lasting until 3:30 p.m.

Preschoolers, whose story time is on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. until noon, will also have the opportunity to enjoy an arts and crafts session. Some of the projects created by the children at both the pre-school and school-age sessions will be used to decorate the children’s section of the library, and others will go home with the children.

Gayle Maloney, an avid reader who retired after 15 years teaching elementary students in the Kyrene district, will start off the inaugural program session by reading Arizona Grand Canyon Award selections so children can vote for their favorites.

Nominated by students, teachers and librarian, there are 10 selections in each category for the Grand Canyon Awards. Categories include the following:  picture book, intermediate, non-fiction, tween and teen (voting optional).

The award focuses on encouraging young readers to become better acquainted with recently published quality books and honors their favorite books and authors, according to Maricopa Public Libary Assistant Vicki Mabery. “The winning book in each category is determined by the vote of Arizona young readers, and the award is presented at the annual Arizona Library Association conference.”

For additional information, contact the Maricopa Public Library at 520-316-6960.

The Maricopa Public Library is looking for interested volunteers, who enjoy arts and crafts, to help out with the children’s sessions. If you are interested, contact Mabery via email.

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