KCPL

Last year, I started thinking about going back to school. I had been out of college for several years and I had a couple subjects I was interested in. After taking a few graduate level classes at NKU, I still didn’t have a clear idea of what my end goal would be. Plus, taking classes can be very expensive. That’s when I discovered Gale Courses, a database offered by the library. As long as you have a library card, you are able to take any of the classes offered on the site. For free! These are instructor-led classes on a myriad of subjects, mostly focusing on personal and professional development. Each class lasts for around six weeks. Two lessons are released every week (one on Wednesdays, one on Fridays). You can sign on when you want and go through the lessons at your leisure. It is user-friendly and easy. The best part is the classes are not graded, except for the final test (if you pass, you get a certificate of completion). You can really work at your own pace. There is nothing to lose if you decide a class isn’t for you or if life gets too busy.   So far, I have completed two classes: one on editing and one on writing. I am currently taking a sign language class, which has been great. I’ve learned a lot through these classes and I’ve only had positive experiences. I like that each lesson is a mixture of readings, activities, quizzes, and discussion topics. It has given me the opportunity to strengthen skills I already have and to explore others that I am interested in. Some of the subjects you can take are: accounting, drawing, [...]

Thursday, July 12, 2018 was designated as National Summer Learning Day.  It’s a day to focus attention on the importance of providing all children with enriching and educational experiences throughout the summer vacation months.  Research shows that children in poverty are most likely to suffer from lack of enriching experiences during the summer.  These same children are then more likely to fall behind their peers when school begins in the fall, due to the lack of engagement and learning during the summer. Summer learning is a priority at the Kenton County Public Library, and we make it a priority all summer long, not just for a day!  Both inside our Library buildings and out in the community, KCPL staff members are working hard to make sure all children have the kind of educational and recreational experiences they need to continue learning throughout the summer. Of course, one of the most important things that children need to do during the summer is to READ!  To encourage reading, KCPL’s Summer Reading Club provides incentive prizes.  Our Summer Reading Club goes from June 1-August 31, so there is still time to participate! For children ages 2-12:  Read 5 books, or 2.5 hours, and win a free book!  Read 5 more books, or another 2.5 hours, and win a special tee shirt or a drawstring bag.   To participate, stop in any library location and pick up a booklog, or register online.           Library storytimes at all locations keep our youngest children engaged and entertained! Preschoolers enjoy Rise ‘N Shine Storytime on Monday mornings at Erlanger.                 Music, Motion and Stories with Mr. Joel the Singing [...]

Hosting a party can be expensive but the STREAM Center and Maker Spaces at the Kenton County Public Library can make it more affordable. Start by making the invitations for free in the STREAM Center at the Erlanger Branch. You can reserve the letterpress by clicking here. I ordered a personalized poster from etsy (electronic version only) for my husband's 50th birthday. The design cost less than $10. I was able to print in on the poster printer for about $15. It even has a sticky back so I was able to hang it with no tape. To make it better, we can use it over and over thanks to the sticky back. You could use any design you create as well. All you pay for is the material you use. You must schedule an appointment by clicking here. I ordered a vinyl banner online when my daughter graduated last year. With coupons, it cost about $30. It would have definitely cost less at the STREAM Center since I would have only paid for materials. This 3x4 banner cost $16.50 in the STREAM Center. You can also make party favors for on the 3D printer or button maker for a minimal cost. Key chains made on the 3D printer. These key chains cost about $1 each. You could make the design of your choice. The batman cookie cutter was also made on the 3D printer.   I made buttons from special pictures of my husband and family members to give to our party guests who attended his birthday party. Buttons cost 15 cents each.   Does your party have a theme? Or your child have a favorite animal? [...]

With summer in full swing it’s time to work on the garden! (when it’s not 100 degrees out). Have you ever heard of a fairy garden? A fairy garden is a small “garden” with whimsical figurines like dwarfs, fairies, cottages and other small items. They are lots of fun to create! Did you know you can make a fairy garden using 3D printed figurines? Small figurines can be pretty pricey at the store but using the 3D printer at the STREAM center allows you to print out small items to put in your fairy garden! Below is how I created my fairy garden: I started with a pot, some soil and 2 small moss plants from the garden store. I then went to the STREAM center for some help! The STREAM center staff showed me a website called Thingiverse were you are able to download 3D modeled objects to print. I found small mushrooms, fairies, stepping stones, a bridge and more. I filled out a 3D print request form and gave it to the STREAM center staff and they gave me a call when my prints were completed. I specifically asked for them to print some of the objects in white so that I could paint over them. I decided to add a rock and also a plastic cap (from an old drink) to create a pond. Some of the items I 3D printed: 3D printed fairy & bridge: The completed project:   Whether it’s a fairy garden, pencil holder, chess set, key chain, etc. There are SO many things that you could 3D print. I suggest checking out Thingiverse OR 3D modeling your items and then contacting the staff at the STREAM center. They [...]

This was my fourth trip to Atlanta. I went with my kids Andi and Joey when they were young, my husband about four years ago, Andi and her best friend Sophie two years ago and just Joey, who is 16, earlier this month. This was mine and Joey's first mother/son only trip and it was great. We are lucky enough to have friends in Atlanta to stay with. With only living eight hours away, I have driven twice and flown twice. Joey and I flew on Frontier Airlines for only $35 each, round trip. I lucked out by finding a flash sale. We packed in a backpack that fit under the seat so no baggage fees were required. We didn't pay for assigned seats but still ended up sitting next to each other on both flights. I have seen and done a lot in Atlanta and surrounding areas since I have been there so many times. So here are my seven favorite things to do in Atlanta. Take movie tour with Atlanta Movie Tours. I have been on two; The Hero Tour and the Victory Tour. The Victory Tour was a three hour guided tour of several spots where the Hunger Games movies were filmed. We even got to hang out in President Snow's "mansion." The Hero Tour was a three hour guided tour of where several superhero movies were toured. We saw where they played basketball in Black Panther, where Peter Parker stopped the bank robbers and ate with Aunt May, where the Avengers headquarters is located, shooting locations from Ant Man and the Avengers Infinity War and so much more. We also drove by several sets where filming was actively taking place. We [...]

Your summer TBR (to be read) list just got a little longer. Request the books below and get ready to read. The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll Florida by Lauren Groff A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza Southernmost by Silas House There There by Tommy Orange The Last Cruise by Kate Christensen The Third Hotel by Laura Van Den Berg The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

Maker Mondays is brought to you by the STREAM Center at our Erlanger location. Take your making to a whole new level with our embroidery machine and serger sewing machine.  You can find a complete list of items on our STREAM page.

Summer Reading Club kicks off June 2 at the Kenton County Public Library! Children, teens and adults can read for prizes all summer long. Here is what you need to know: The Kickoff events will take place on Saturday, June 2 at each branch. Covington's event is from noon-4 pm and includes a magician, the Tim Watson Trio, a history-inspired craft, face painting, balloon artists, carnival games, a showing of "Toy Story" and free Snappy Tomato Pizza. Durr's event will take place from 12:30 to 2:30 and includes the Bones of Cincinnatus, face painting, games and free Snappy Tomato Pizza. Erlanger's event takes place from 1-3 pm and includes the Discovery Dome Planetarium from the Lexington Living Arts and Science Center, a bounce house, creating fabric wall hangings, face painting, tattoos, scratch art, coloring pages, a photo board, tech toy time in the STREAM Center, a prize walk, bubbles and free Snappy Tomato Pizza. The teens will have their own special kickoff on Friday, June 1. Children, teens and adults can read for prizes but the rules vary a little. Children (ages 2-12) - Pick up a book log at the Library or register online and start reading or listening to books. After 5 books or 2.5 hours of reading, receive a book prize. After 10 books or 5 hours of reading receive a T-shirt designed by local award-winning illustrator Becca Stadtlander or a drawstring backpack while supplies last. You will also be able to enter the raffle to win a grand prize. Teens - Read or listen to any book or magazine or attend any program to enter. Enter at the website or by visiting a branch. One winner per branch will be drawn [...]