It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! (For parents, that is)

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Super readers!

On Thursday, Saturday the 14th, the library was happy to host a fantastic Summer Reading Club Finale to for all the kids who successfully completed the Summer Reading Program. In Celebration Hall, funny man Abbit the Average and juggler, David Cousin entertained children and parents with fantastic juggling and humor. Rafael and Katia were adventurous Pirate Magicians in the Lewis Family Playhouse. Staff from the library and Cultural Center worked together, along with some fantastic volunteers to make this finale a great event.

We appreciated the efforts from the kids and their families to make this year’s Catch the Reading Bug program one with record breaking sign-ups and attendance! We hope that everyone will join us again for next year’s Summer Reading Program - Get Creative @ Your Library!

Summer Reading Program Event: Bug Musical program

Join us for an afternoon of musical fun and adventure with Craig Newton on Thursday, August 7th . Craig Newton demonstates a wide variety of musical instruments in his Bug Musical program. Shows are at 1pm and 3pm at Celebration Hall. Tickets for this event are available at the information desk but are going fast! If you don't get a ticket, you may still be able to be a part of the audience if there is space available. Please call 477-2720 ext. 5075 for more information.

Are you curious about playing an instrument? Want to create your own music? We have many children's books exploring different topics about music. The Paul A. Biane library has a special area called the Performing Arts collection in the children's area which focuses on the arts. click on the book cover to see it's available:

Brass Instruments by Sharon Sharth

Making Music by Anne Sayers Wiseman
and John Langstaff

Playing the Flute Recorder and other Woowind by

Simon Walton

Equipping a Band by A.R. Schaefer



Musical Instruments from A to Z by

Bobbie Kalman

Summer Reading Club Is Winding Down

The 2008 Summer Reading Club has been a great success so far this year, with 2,440 children and teens participating. The last day to sign up for the program was July 25. Now we are headed into the last two weeks, and the last day to turn in completed logs will be August 9.

Today we held a raffle, which was a bonus prize for those kids who finished their week 4 reports by July 25th. Winners were notified by phone this morning. Prizes included tickets to a Dodgers baseball game, a bug sticker book, and some really cool butterfly sunglasses. Congratulations to all the raffle winners!

This summer has been a busy one at the Biane Library, especially on Thursday afternoons, when our performers have been here to entertain us in Celebration Hall. Many of these programs have had over 400 people in attendance, and we still have two Thursday performances to look forward to: Wildlife Company on July 31st and Music and Fun with Craig Newton on Aug. 7th.

This summer, we also offer our regular weekly storytimes. Remember that Pajama Storytime is Tuesday evenings at 6:30 and again at 7:15, and Family Saturdays story hours are every Saturday at 2:00 and again at 3:00. Both are offered on a walk-in basis, so please join us for these great programs whenever you can. Next Saturday, Aug. 2nd, the theme for the Family Saturdays story hour will be "The History of Flight."

The Archibald Library construction is proceeding as planned. If you would like to see pictures of the progress, you can visit the Archibald Remodel blog. Meanwhile, remember to visit us at the temporary Summer Library at Central Elementary School, Monday-Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Central Elementary School is just north of Foothill Blvd. on Archibald Ave.

Keep on reading!

Want to eat a bug?

Join us for a creepy crawly festival of bugs brought to you by the Wildlife Company! Free tickets are still available for the Wildlife Company who will be at Celebration Hall on Thursday,July 31st for our library’s Summer Reading Program. You will get an up close and personal introduction to a wide variety of bugs from all around the world. Shows are at 1pm and 3pm.

Free tickets are available at the Paul A. Biane Information Desk. If you miss getting a ticket, you may still be able to attend the performance if space is available. Please call 909-477-2720 ext. 5075 for further information.

Swazzle Is Coming!
Make way for the puppets, because the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library will be hosting Swazzle at Celebration Hall this Thursday, July 10, at 1:00 and 3:00. This is a great event for kids and their parents. Many people have already picked up their free tickets, but those without tickets will be admitted if there is space available.

Making puppets is a great summer activity for kids. You can even put on your own puppet shows when you have finished. If you would like to learn more about puppets and puppetry, here are some books the library has available that can get you started:




Puppet Mania!, by John E. Kennedy


Finger Folk, by Marilyn Lohnes








Puppets, by Meryl Doney




Don't forget that the Biane Library at Victoria Gardens is right next to the Lewis Family Playhouse. This month the playhouse is presenting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, July 18-July 27. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, you won't want to miss this show!

Happy Fourth of July!

The library will be closed tomorrow in celebration of Independence Day. Remember that fireworks are illegal in the city of Rancho Cucamonga so if you'd like to enjoy a fireworks show you can see them at the Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter. Here are some books to share with your family about the holiday:

Corduroys 4th of July by Don Freeman

Let's Go Dear Dragon by Margaret Hillert

Independence Day by Ann Heinrichs

Happy Birthday America by Mary Pope Osborne

Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong

Rancho Cucamonga Catches the Reading Bug!
With almost 500 attending the Summer Reading Program Kickoff, Rancho Cucamonga has definitely caught the reading bug! After enjoying a great show featuring Buster Balloon parents and children streamed into the Children's Room at the Paul A. Biane Library at Victoria Gardens eager to sign up for the Summer Reading Club. If you haven't done that yet, don't panic, there's still time. Not at the Biane Library? Not to worry, you can also sign up for the Club at our Summer Family Library at Central Elementary.

And don't think the Summer Reading Club is just about earning prizes for the library books you read, we've also got great performers all summer long. This Thursday, we'll be featuring Wild Wonders and their exciting animal friends. Tickets are available at the Biane and Family Summer Libraries. Whatever your interest, there's something for everyone this summer at the Library!

Summer is Here!

The 2008 Summer Reading Program will begin this Saturday, June 21st with a kick-off event at the Paul A. Biane Library. Buster Balloon will be performing at 1:00 and again at 2:30. Free tickets to these performances are available at the Biane Library Information Desk, but hurry because they are going fast!

If you need some summer reading suggestions, how about reading some of the great books that have won the Newbery Medal? This prestigious award is given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and was first awarded in 1922, so there are many books to choose from!

Here are just a few of the many Newbery winners that the library has available:

• The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron (2007)
• Criss Cross, by Lynne Rae Perkins (2006)
• The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo (2004)
• Crispin: The Cross of Lead, by Avi (2003)
• A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park (2002)
• A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck (2001)
• Bud, Not Buddy, by Christoher Paul Curtis (2000)
• Holes, by Louis Sachar (1999)
• The Midwife's Apprentice, by Karen Cushman (1996)
• Roll of Thunder, Heary My Cry, by Mildred Taylor (1977)
• Ginger Pye, by Eleanor Estes (1952)
• Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink (1936).

Father's Day Fun!

Father’s Day is next Sunday, June 15. While Father’s Day has been celebrated in the United States for 100 years, it didn’t officially become a holiday until 1972! Stop by the Paul A. Biane Library for Father’s Day fun this Saturday, June 14, at 2 and 3 p.m., and check out some of these fun books you can read to learn more about Father’s Day.


The Best Father’s Day Present Ever by Christine Loomis: Langley the snail arrives at the store too late to buy the perfect Father’s Day present for his dad, but on the return trip, he finds that the very best gifts are from the heart.



Father’s Day by Ann Heinrichs: Happy Father’s Day! -- The first Father’s Day card -- How did Father’s Day begin? -- How do we celebrate? -- Fathers of all kinds – Father’s Day around the world -- The poets' corner -- Our grandfathers and uncles -- Showing our love on Father’s Day.



Father’s Day Crafts by Fay Robinson: Fun holiday crafts kids can do! Make Dad the perfect gift that he'll be sure to love for years to come!



Biscuit Loves Father’s Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli: Father’s Day is a great time to show Dad how much we love him. Unfold the big flaps and join Bisuit for fun times with Dad--exploring, playing, and sharing.



It’s Father’s Day, Charlie Brown! by Judy Katchske: Charlie Brown is trying to find the perfect present for his father on Father’s Day.



A Perfect Father’s Day by Eve Bunting: When four-year-old Susie treats her father to a series of special activities for Father’s Day, they just happen to be all of her own favorite things.



Froggy’s Day with Dad by Jonathan London: Froggy and his dad celebrate Father's Day with a game of miniature golf, among other things.



Father Bear’s Special Day by Else Holmelund Minarik: It’s Father’s Day and Little Bear wants to have a special day with Father Bear, but when all of Little Bear’s friends tag along on their fishing trip, he doesn't know what to do!



Arthur and the 1,001 Dads by Marc Brown: Arthur and his friends try to find a substitute to attend the Father's Day picnic with Buster, whose father is not around much since his parents' divorce.

Summer Storytime Registrations

Archibald Library’s remodel is right around the corner! Archibald Library will be closed for the remodel starting on Saturday, June 14th. Since the Archibald location will be closed for the summer, we will have Archibald's summer storytimes at the Paul A. Biane Library.

Registrations for Archibald Library’s storytimes will be taken at the Archibald location until June 14th– but storytimes will be located at the Paul A. Biane Library. Here is a list of the storytimes requiring registration:

Bouncing Babies

Monday 10am and 11am session – registration starts at 10am at the Paul A. Biane Library on June 2nd. Session will start at the Paul A. Biane Library on Monday, June 23rd.

Thursday 10am session – registration starts at 10am at the Archibald Library on June 5th. Session will start at the Paul A. Biane Library on Thursday, June 26th.

Toddlertime

Thursday 11am session – registration starts at 10am at the Archibald Library on June 12th. Session will start at the Paul A. Biane Library on Thursday June 26th.

Friday 11 am session – registration starts at 10am at the Paul A. Biane Library on June 13th. Session will start at the Paul A. Biane Library on Friday, June 27th.

Preschool Storytime

Tuesday 10am and 11am session – registration starts at 10am at the Paul A. Biane Library on Tuesday, June 10th. Session will start at the Paul A. Biane Library on Tuesday, June 24th.

Wednesday 10am and 11am session – registration starts at 10am at the Archibald Library on Wednesday, June 11th. Session will start at the Paul A. Biane Library on Wednesday, June 25th.

Family Storytime

Friday 11am session – registration starts at 10am at the Paul A. Biane Library at 10am. Session will start at the Paul A. Biane Library on Friday, June 27th at the Paul A. Biane Library.

Questions? Call 477-2720, ext. 5025 or ext 5075 for further information.

Rancho Cucamonga Libraries Are Getting a Few Temporary Homes...

With the impending remodel and temporary closure of the Archibald Library this summer, no one need fear being too far from the Rancho Cucamonga Libraries you've come to know and love. Temporary library sites have been set up close to Archibald and the Biane Library will temporarly expand it's hours so no matter where you are, there will be a library near you.

The Paul A. Biane Library at Victoria Gardens will open Sundays from 1-5pm during the summer beginning June 15.

The Family Library at Central Elementary School offers

• browsing collection of popular materials for adults



• great selection of materials for children and teens



• You can participate in the Summer Reading Club



• Library staff will also be on hand to assist you

The Family Library will open June 23, with service from 10-5 Monday through Friday.

The Rancho Cucamonga Senior Center at Central Park offers a self-service, browesable collection of materials primarily for adults.

And, of course, you'll find our Bookmobile at various locations throughout Rancho Cucamonga all summer long.

Free tickets will be available starting Saturday, May 17 for the upcoming Star Wars Day on Saturday, May 24 at the Biane Library. Kids ages 2-12 and their parents will be able to:

• Enjoy Star Wars themed storytimes,


• Create light saber balloons or R2D2 masks,


• Visit with Star Wars characters such as Darth Vader, the Emperor, and Storm Troopers, and


• Watch a light saber demonstration in the Imagination Courtyard.

Also, teens will have the opportunity to participate in a Star Wars Trivia Tournament, and there will be a costume contest for the younger kids.
Sci-Fi fans, don’t miss this fun, interactive event!

Community Helper's Day

Did you know that firefighters use dogs to help them find out how fires start? It’s true! Dogs have a great sense of smell, and can be trained to sniff out things that help firefighters investigate how fires are started. This Saturday, May 17 at the Paul A. Biane Library at Victoria Gardens we will have a special guest—Susan De Antonio and her special helper, fire dog Denali. Susan and Denali will be here at from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. to tell us all about their interesting job and how they help our firefighters. They will also be reading stories about other people who help out in the community. It’s sure be a “doggone” good time!

Celebrate Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11th this year but it’s never too early to honor our moms! We hope you’ll join us for our Family Saturday program, May 10th at the Paul A. Biane Library which will feature a Mother’s Day craft. The program will be held at 2pm and also 3pm. Call us at 477-2720 ext. 5075 for further information.

Need advice on parenting?

Our library features many books that help new moms and dads with their little ones in the Parenting collection. Learn to communicate with your baby even before they can talk! Play games that will increase your baby’s brain power! Take a look at these new additions to our Parenting collection. For more information just click on the book's picture :

Oh Baby! : 7 ways a baby will change your life the first year by Bettie B. Youngs

Baby Minds: Brain building games your baby will love by Linda P. Acredolo

Brilliant Brain Games for Kids to Enjoy

Parenting with Pets by Christine Hamer

Baby Sign Language Basics by Monta Briant

Kitchen Table Play & Learn by Tara Copley

Baby 411: Clear answers and smart advice for your baby's first year

Raising Young Children Well edited by Sandra Radzanower, et. al

Children's cds with the highest checkouts

The Children's Department has a great selection of cds for checkout. With all of the new cd’s arriving, staff were curious to see what children's cds checked out the most. Here are the top 10 most checked out cds –

One light one sun

The magical music of Disney

Rhythm of the pride lands

A child’s celebration of song

The lion king

Children’s favorite songs

Jim Henson

Splash hits

Disney’s Princess Collections

Classic Disney

It's Finally Here! The BFG Takes Over the Cultural Center!

After months of planning and preparation, we have made a special place at the Paul A. Biane Library for the BFG! We're inviting all of Rancho Cucamonga to celebrate this most wonderous of giants with our Big Friendly Festival. The BFG has brought some of his giant sized toys to play with and some of his best friends will be at the library including juggler, David Cousin and balloon artist, Buster Balloon. Don't miss all the fun from 1-4pm @ your Rancho Cuamonga Library.

April Is the Month to Visit the Rancho Cucamonga Library
There are so many great things coming up at our libraries this month, we'd need two blogs to list them all! Here's some highlights:

April 12: Big Friendly Festival
The Cultural Center will be overrun with giants to celebrate the opening of Roald Dahl's, BFG, at the Lewis Family Playhouse and kickoff National Library Week. Balloon twister extraordinaire, Buster Balloon and juggler, David Cousin will perform. There will also be crafts, games and activities for the whole family.

April 12-19: National Library Week
We have an amazing line-up of activities and events including film showings, storytimes and performers.

April 19: National Library Week Finale
The Archibald and Biane Libraries will have two great performers, Annie BanAnnie and Swazzle to help us wrap up the week.

For this and all of our upcoming programs and events, check out our calendar.

Happy Spring Break!!


The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and baseball season is just around the corner -- does it get any better than that? It does at the Rancho Cucamonga Library when you come in and peruse our collections.

• We have added hundreds of new items for children and adults at both the Archibald and Biane Libraries including a great selection of games for your PS2 and Nintendo systems.
• We are also featuring many new titles focused on how to get and stay healthy.
• For those of you traveling in the next few weeks, consider checking out one of our many new CD book titles or our downloadable books available through the Library's website.

Read a book, get a burger?

Beginning Saturday, March 08, children between the ages of 4-12 will receive a coupon for a free free In-N-Out hamburger or cheeseburger for checking out and reading 5 library books. Just come into the Archibald or Biane Libraries to sign up!

Consider it a warm up for the spectacular Summer Reading Program which kicks-off June 21st.