Local libraries join with THCSD for Community Read of Kenneth Oppel’s Silverwing
In partnership with the Taconic Hills Central School District, three local libraries are excited to announce the 2019 Community Read, a community-wide reading program and series of events for children in grades 4-8. This year’s featured book is Kenneth Oppel’s Silverwing, a novel about a young bat’s struggle to survive after being separated from his colony.
Participating libraries include Claverack, Philmont, and Roeliff Jansen. The program will begin on March 7 at the Roe Jan Library in Copake and conclude on April 12 with a finale sponsored by all three libraries at the AB Shaw Firehouse in Claverack.
Young community members are welcome to check out a copy of Silverwing from their local library, and to attend any or all of the following events (with an adult):
Thursday, March 7, 6:30pm: Mud Creek Talk on Creatures of the Night at the Roe Jan Library, 9091 Route 22, Copake. Roejanlibrary.org; 518-325-4101.
Learn about northeastern nocturnal animals from Pamela Price, Certified Wildlife Biologist and Education Program Coordinator at Mud Creek Environmental Learning Center. Includes a hike (weather permitting) through Roe Jan Park to search for nocturnal animals and test our own night vision.
Wednesday, March 13, 6:30pm: DEC Bat Education with Robyn Niver at the Claverack Library, 629 NY-23B, Claverack. claveracklibrary.org 518-851-7120.
Robyn Niver, an endangered species biologist from the DEC, will share her expertise and experiences with bats. Learn about echolocation and the eating and sleeping habits of these at risk-flying mammals.
Wednesday, March 20, 6:30pm: Caves at the Philmont Library, 101 Main Street, Philmont. [email protected]; 518-672-4367.
Heidi Bock from Columbia County Land Conservancy will introduce readers to the adventures of spelunking. Learn what it feels like to be a cave explorer!
Wednesday, March 27, 6:30pm: Owls, with Mud Creek Environmental Learning Center at the Claverack Library, 629 NY-23B, Claverack.
Learn about all the features that are unique to owls: their habitats, behavior, and much more. Owl pellets will be available for dissecting.
Wednesday, April 3, 6:30pm: History and Physics of Aviation at the Roe Jan Library, 9091 Route 22, Copake.
Kevin Millington, board member and 2nd Vice President of the Empire State Aerosciences Museum (ESAM), will speak about the history and physics of human flight—from the Wright brothers to jet airplanes—using model airplanes as examples. The library will provide foam gliders for children to assemble and fly.
Wednesday, April 10, 6:30pm: Bat Houses at the Philmont Library, 101 Main Street, Philmont.
Heidi Bock from Columbia County Land Conservancy will return to help make comfy homes for local bats. Children will work in groups to make a bat house for each library and one for THCSD so that children will have places to observe bats over the summer.
The finale will be held on Friday, April 12, 6:30pm at the AB Shaw Firehouse, 67 NY-23, Claverack. Readers will be treated to popcorn and a viewing of the Silverwing TV show. (Prizes will be awarded.)