SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Public Library (SPL) has programs for all ages, including vacation week activities for young children and teens.
For students in grades 7-12, the SPL is offering “Coding with Minecraft” Feb. 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Rhode Island Computer Museum will bring 20 computers and teach coding for Minecraft.
Learn how to summon lightning bolts with a bow and arrow or build giant rainbows in the Minecraft world with code! Spawn farm animals or monsters instantly and have fun “modding” your world! This workshop introduces coding concepts by showing you how to build or change (e.g. mod) the game using Javascript or Python programming language. The set-up is easy for beginners, challenging for experienced gamers and fun for all. Registration is required. Call the library’s Reference Desk at 569-1221 or sign-up when visiting the library.
Other offerings during vacation week include Drop-in Post It Note Gallery in the Children’s Library, Tuesday Storytime Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m. for children age 2-5, and Kids Board Games Feb. 17-18.
The SPL will train a new set of teen volunteers on Tuesday, Feb. 23 or Thursday, Feb. 25. Both days training will begin at 3 p.m. Participants need to attend only one sessions. Training will last approximately 1 ½ hours. Once trained, teens will be scheduled for one hour per week at a mutually agreed upon time. Volunteers will be scheduled to work from March until early June. All volunteers will receive a certificate validating their volunteer time.
For adults, the SPL has Sally Killips presenting her “The Art of the Handmade Rug” program Feb. 23 at 7p.m.
From the time of the Vikings to the current era, handmade rugs have gone from the craft of the poor to an art of the twenty first century. Killips will discuss the history of rug making while demonstrating current rug making techniques. Although the process of hooking remains the same, the finished product may be used as wall hangings, pillows, hot pads, etc.
There will be a mixed variety of items to examine. Killips will answer any and all questions during the demonstration.
This program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.
Looking ahead, SPL has its Adult Book Discussion Group March 2 at 1:30 p.m. The group will discuss The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel Brown.
This book “traces the story of an American rowing team from the University of Washington that defeated elite rivals at Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics, sharing the experiences of such contributors as their enigmatic coach, a visionary boat builder and a homeless teen rower,” according to the publisher.
Those that wish to take part in the March book discussion may purchase a copy at the circulation desk or check-out the SPL copy or request one through interlibrary loan.
For more information on what the SPL has to offer, visit the library online via www.southwickma.org, or in person at 95 Feeding Hills Road.
