Library activities: Ponte Vedra Beach Library

Each month, Administrative Assistant Angelina Gervasi reports to Historic City News the upcoming activities at the branch locations of the St Johns County Public Library System; one of the shining stars that complements our public education system, and enhances the quality of life for all our residents.

Historic City News supports our local libraries because they can, should, and do play an important role in the political life of our community. They can help citizens learn how to become advocates for themselves as well as their communities. They provide a safe, neutral environment where community members are encouraged to talk about issues of freedom, justice, and democracy. Our libraries are pivotal in encouraging informed political involvement with programs like “Banned Books Week”, which exposes the perils of school and community censorship efforts.

Great Books Discussion Group
Monday, December 2 @ 3pm
The Great Books Discussion Group is currently reading books from Great Conversations 6. We welcome all interested readers. This program is made possible by the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library.

Bird Island Park Presents Just for Babies and Family Storytimes
Every Tuesday in December: Just for Babies @ 10:15am and Family Storytime @ 11am
December’s Just for Babies and Family Storytime will be hosted by Ms. Suzanne and Ms. Gail of Bird Island Park. Please note, although Just for Babies is a one-on-one lapsit program for ages birth – 15 months, all children (including babies) and their families are welcome at Family Storytime.

Teen Gaming Night
Wednesday, December 4 @ 5pm
Teens (Ages 13-18) are invited to have fun with friends at the library. Play “E” and “T”-rated games on our PlayStation 3 (with the new Move), our new Nintendo Wii U, or X-Box 360 (with the new Kinect) set up on three TVs for simultaneous playing. Snacks are provided. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library and our friends at Sony. Call 827-6950 for more details.

Teen Advisory Board
Tuesday, December 10 @ 4:30pm
Teens (Ages 13 – 18) are invited to join our Teen Advisory Board and have a say in the materials we order for teens, the teen programs we offer, and much more at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. Participation in the Teen Advisory Board counts as volunteer service hours and snacks are provided by the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. Join us for our meeting and get involved.

Family Holiday Craft Party
Wednesday, December 11 @ 4pm
The whole family is invited to a holiday-themed crafting event with Ms. Anne, the teens of the Arts in Motion Club, and our library volunteers. We’ll have winter and holiday crafts for all ages, festive music, and milk and cookies for all to enjoy. All materials and refreshments are generously provided by the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. Please Note: All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.

Teens Read with Kids
Saturday, December 14 @ 10am
All children are invited to be read to by a teen, or practice reading to a teen, in the Children’s Department – this program is presented by the teens of Ponte Vedra High School’s Book Club. Select what you’d like to hear, read from any of our books, or bring your favorites from home. Please note: All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult for the entire duration of the program and to be a teen participating in the program, you must be a member of the Ponte Vedra High School Book Club.

Free Nemours BrightStart Screenings for Ages 3 – 5
Tuesday, December 17 from 10am – 12:30pm
Children ages 3-5 are invited to receive a free, 10-minute Early Literacy Screening at the library, courtesy of Nemours BrightStart. Registration is taken on a first-come, first serve basis by a Nemours representative. Utilize this free screening to find out where your child’s literacy strengths lay and what you can do to help them improve in any other areas before they start school.

Bird Island Park Presents: Bedtime Holiday Storytime
Tuesday, December 17 @ 6pm
The whole family is invited to join our favorite Bird Island Park volunteers, Ms. Suzanne and Ms. Gail, for a special bedtime storytime at which you can wear your pajamas if you wish. A reader’s theatre version of The Polar Express will be performed and thanks to the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library, milk and cookies will be served.

Family Game Time
Wednesday, December 18 from 3pm – 6pm
The whole family is invited to the library to play board games, including Monopoly, Connect Four, Candy Land, Scrabble, Chutes & Ladders, Uno, and many more. Simply use your library card, or driver’s license, to check out the games. All board games are provided by the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library.

LEGO Club for Tweens
Wednesday, December 18 @ 4pm
Tweens in 4th-7th grades are invited to the library for an afternoon of building with Legos and hanging out. No registration is necessary and it’s free. Thanks to our Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library for providing the Legos for this very special program just for Tweens, including our pink Legos. Tween girl Lego lovers, we want you to join our club, too.

Teen Holiday Party
Friday, December 20 from 2pm – 5pm
Teens (Ages 13-18) are invited to join us for our Teen Holiday Party which includes gaming with our PlayStation3, Nintendo WiiU, and X-Box 360; a White Elephant Exchange; making holiday cards for senior citizens; enjoying pizza and sodas; and relaxing with your friends right before the holidays. To participate in the White Elephant Exchange, simply bring a wrapped gift that is $5 or less. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. Thank you to our Teen Advisory Board and VolunTeens for helping to host this party.