Lewiston Public Library July programs, events and activities

The Lewiston Public Library, 305 S. Eighth St., in the Village of Lewiston, announces the following programs, events and activities for the month of July.

Special Events

•On Monday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m., library visitors are invited to meet author Nora Perez, who will be presenting her new work "River Burning," a novel of the War of 1812.

Perez, a resident of Lewiston, has written many novels for young adults, including: "The Passage," "One Special Year," "Strange Summer in Stratford," "Breaker," and "The Slopes of War." She is a recipient of the Little Brown Canadian Children's Book Award, the Kinder-und Jugendbuchpreis Award in Austria, and the German National Award. In addition Perez has had a book named an Honor Book Winner in the Virginia Library Association's Jefferson Cup Competition and has had a book included among the Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies. Copies of "River Burning" will be available for purchase at this event. Matt Hake will offer music during the program.

•Adult Reading Program - Those interested in joining the adult summer reading program are asked to sign up at the circulation desk. Participants will be given a reading log to record all the titles they have read or listened to. For each title listed, a ticket will be issued to submit for the library's raffle basket prizes.

The library also will be displaying photos of "Mystery Places" from around the world where visitors can guess what and where each place is and be entered to win a prize basket. Summer reading prizes are generously provided by the Friends of the Library, DiMino's Lewiston Tops Market, Sunny's Roost Bed & Breakfast, Favorite's Pizzeria and Water Street Landing.

•An opening reception for the Robert F. Barthel and Loraine L. Baxter Niagara Poetry Collection will take place on Sunday, July 31, at 2 p.m. All are welcome to celebrate the opening of a unique poetry collection consisting of exclusively Niagara area poets. A number of area poets and special guests are expected to participate in the celebration by reading their works or pieces special to the collection. Music will be offered during the program by Matt Hake.

•A Microsoft Excel computer class will be held Thursday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sign up at the front desk or call the library at 754-4720.

Family Programs

•The library announces a six-week summer children's reading program, One World Many Stories! Each week participants will celebrate a different worldwide theme. Prizes will be awarded to those children who complete the requirements. Registration begins July 11 with a special kick-off event/concert. For further information contact Ann Siejka at [email protected] or at 754-4720, ext. 226.

•Summer Reading Kick-off! - Folktales From Around the World - starts Monday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m. Presenter Karima Amin will tell stories from African and African-American oral traditions with musical connections. Participating children will assist in telling the stories by providing musical accompaniment with tambourines made during the craft time.

•Los Pollitos Dicen/The Baby Chicks Are Singing, a lap reader program for children ages infant to 4 years will be held Monday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m. Featured will be stories, crafts and finger play.

•World Safari, presented by the Buffalo Zoo, visits the library on Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m. Included in this family program will be biofacts, artifacts and live animals. All children must be accompanied by an adult and registration is required by July 15. Sign-up sheets are in the children's room.

 •"Where Do I Come From" a children's story hour program presented by the Grigg-Lewis Foundation will be Friday, July 22, at 12:30 p.m. Young visitors will discover where different animals come from.

•Hurray for the Day You Were Born!, a lap reader program for children ages infant to 4 years, will be held Monday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. Featured will be music, finger plays, stories and crafts with a history around the world theme.

•A program on Egypt, presented by the Buffalo Museum of Science, takes place Tuesday, July 26, at 6 p.m. Young visitors will discover the history of this important and interesting part of Africa. All children must be accompanied by an adult and registration is required by July 22. Sign-up sheets are in the children's room.

•Story time with Mrs. Leardini, for children of all ages will take be offered on Thursdays, July 14, 21 and 28, at 10:30 a.m.

Clubs and More

•The Lewiston Book Club will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, July 5, at 1:30 p.m. For further information, contact Anita Mallimo at 754-7714.

•The Lewiston Writers' Group meets on Monday, July 11, at Asker's Café, 400 Main St., in Youngstown from 5 to 8 p.m. The group also will meet on Monday, July 25, 5 to 8 p.m. at Lewiston Public Library.

The group consists of area residents who meet regularly to discuss and critique their writing efforts, and exchange ideas and information about the craft. Guest speakers are scheduled as available. For more information visit www.lewistonwritersgroup.com.

•The Dead Beats Society will meet on Monday, July 11, at 6 p.m. in the Local History Room. Call Michelle at the library for details, or email at [email protected].

•Mom's Book Chat, a book discussion group for moms, will meet Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m. Discussed will be "Her Fearful Symmetry," by Audrey Niffenegger. Childcare is provided for registered participants. The library will be closed to the public during this event.

•The Knitting Club meets every Friday, from 1 to p.m. No registration is required and knitters of all skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact Ellen Comerford at 754-4144.

•The Coffin Club is currently looking for photographers for new club. Those in high school or college, with a camera, access to a computer and some time to spend photographing Niagara area cemeteries, are asked to call Michelle at the library, 754-4720, for details, or email [email protected]. 

•July meetings for the month include the Lewiston Library Board of Trustees, Monday, July 11, at 5 p.m.; and Friends of the Library, Tuesday, July 12, at 6 p.m.

•The Friends of the Lewiston Public Library maintain a Used Book Room open during library hours, year-around. Items for sale include fiction, non-fiction, and children's materials.

Library hours: Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, noon to 5 p.m. The Lewiston Public Library will be closed on Saturdays for the summer.

The Lewiston Public Library will be closed on Monday, July 4.

For further information, call the library, 754-4720, or visit its website at www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org.