There's a Snake in the Library!

Here's a great free event for children that you should put on your calendar!  It's called "Erik's Reptile Edventures", (not sure if the misspelling of that last word is supposed to mean something or is simply a typo?)  At 1:30pm on August 20th, which falls on a Tuesday, the Carroll Gardens Library will be full of reptiles and amphibians.  Children will learn about these creatures and be able to handle them also.  Some of the animals on the list are Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs and Salamanders.  Pretty cool!

Library Reopening Soon!

The Carroll Garden's Branch Library has been missed, especially by those with kids who need a fun thing to do on a hot day.  After being closed for about a month it will be opening back up this weekend, July 6th.  Phew!  They'll have some improvements.  One of our favorites of the bunch is a long overdue book return slot (we meant the slot was overdue not the books, although hey, let's face it, those are probably overdue too). 

Carroll Gardens Branch Library Closure Dates.

The Carroll Gardens Library posted a notice on their facebook page that they'll be closing for a month this summer for some upgrading.  The renovations they are making sound like it's going to make the place more efficient.  They are adding a book slot so folks can return books during their "closed" hours (finally!). Below is the post with all the other changes they are making and the dates they'll be making them.

Notice to the community: The Carroll Gardens library will be closed from Saturday June 8-Sunday July 7, re-opening on Monday July 8 at 10 AM. The closure is for the installation of self-check out machines, a slot for quick return of books, and reconfiguring of the circulation desk and some other areas of the main floor.

Carroll Gardens Library Upcoming Events.

Here are a couple of cool events we spotted that are coming up at the Carroll Gardens Library.  This first one below is actually Brooklyn Public Library but we spotted this sign at CGL. 

It's on May 11th and it's a bike ride, where you get to choose your route and ride from branch to branch, and raise funds for Brooklyn Public Library.  Great idea! Click here for more info.
  
This event below is coming up very soon, next Tuesday April 23rd 6:30-7:30pm.  It's a family night geared towards younger children (it says they have Kindergarten kits for kids to learn math and science).  This event is on the main floor of CGL.

Participatory Budgeting Winners!

And the winners are...(see below).  A few of these surprised us.  We were actually very surprised to see that the Hamilton/Van Brunt Plaza wasn't on there.  Not that any of these are less worthy, they are all wonderful improvements, but we saw and spoke with so many people rallying for the plaza.  Well, maybe next year.

The 2013 winning Participatory Budgeting projects are:

1. PS 230: Help Kids Connect & Learn With Technology - $180,000
   Install 34 Smartboards w/supporting MacBooks in high-needs, diverse (25+ home languages) school serving 1,300 students.
2. Renovate 8 Bathrooms, PS 58, The Carroll School - $110,000
   Provide healthier environment for generations to come by replacing fixtures & flushing mechanisms. Last renovation was in 1954.
3. Carroll Gardens/Windsor Terrace Library Computers - $75,000
   29 new adult & preschool computers at these branches to support community needs for internet access & computer literacy.
4. Church Avenue Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Improvements - $300,000
   Extend sidewalks and reduce crossing distances on Church Avenue at Coney Island Avenue and McDonald Avenue intersections.
5. PS 179: Technology upgrade for underserved school - $115,000
   27 SmartBoards for high-needs school to aid learning for English language learners, special education and gifted students.
6. 3rd Street Green Corridor: New Trees, Less Runoff - $170,000
   10 trees with enhanced pits will improve storm drainage, and add shade and beauty in Gowanus from Bond Street. to 3rd Avenue.

Vote totals for all projects can be viewed here.

Million Dollar Decision.

We wanted to tell you about a couple of other possible projects that you can vote for this weekend at the participatory budget vote.  There are so many to choose from and you should really go to this site to see them all but here are a couple in our neighborhood that we've noticed people trying to raise awareness about. One is the fences on Hicks Street (seen above in the Fix Hicks sign).  Some think they need to be fixed to create more visibility for pedestrians crossing.  Another is more and newer computers for Carroll Gardens Library.  Again it's your choice so do your research.  Only a handful of proposed ideas will be funded and you have a say!

Saturday, April 6th 10am-7pm at Carroll Gardens Library
Sunday, April 7th 10am-5pm at Carroll Park House

Brave!

Oh how we miss the days of sitting in the park or at the Valentino Pier and watching movies!  Picnics, free movies and a warm summer breeze.  Those days will be back.  In the meantime we'll have to settle for free indoor films.  The Carroll Gardens library will be screening Disney's "Brave" tomorrow at 3:45pm.  It's in the auditorium, which has plenty of seating but you'll probably want to show up early.  It's not quite as spacious as Valentino Pier.

Carroll Gardens Library Events.

There are some great weekly kids events at Carroll Gardens Branch library.  They have their story time for babies on Monday mornings 10:30, Toddler Time Wednesday mornings at 10:30, and for the older kids they have Book Adventures (below).  They also have art programs.  The last Monday of the month is an all ages drop-in session between 2 and 5pm and every Friday at 1pm they have a 2 year old and up art class.  These are all very popular, especially in the winter. The most popular, Toddler Time, has parents and caregivers going to the library as early at 10 AM to get tickets, any later and you're out of luck.  We were told by the relatively new children's librarian, Juana Flores, that she has been trying to expand the children's programs and we can expect an extra Toddler Time added to the schedule Wednesdays at 1pm. 

Library Reopening Soon?

After passing by the Carroll Gardens Library daily since June 15th, when they shut their doors for renovations, we've gotten used to seeing them working on the roof.  Today, no workers and the roof looks to be cleared off.  Are they reopening soon?  We were told they'd be closed for 2 months and, since it's been a little over that, we assumed it was give or take (mostly give) a week or two.  There is nothing on their website that announces a reopening date.  Has anyone heard anything?  If so, please share!

Carroll Gardens Library Closed.

For those of you who don't know, the Carroll Gardens Library is closed for the rest of the summer.  It's a good time to shut down since kids are out of school and their are so many outdoor activities going on.  Here's the statement on the BPL website:

Carroll Gardens Library will be temporarily closed for roof replacement at the end of business on 6/15/12. We anticipate the library being closed for approximately two months.
 
When we first heard they were shutting down for the summer we thought it had to do with the vote back in March that we blogged about then and yesterday but thought we remembered the proposal for Carroll Gardens Library being about the basement not the roof. Plus they aren't on the list so the renovations must be separate from that. Anyways, they will reopen in August, hopefully, just as school begins. 

Ahoy Young Pirates!

This is the coolest sounding event held at the library yet.  It's all about pirates.  In case you can't read the flyer, here's the info.  It's this Friday, May 11th between 4 and 5pm in the basement of the Carroll Gardens Library at Union and Clinton.  Kids 6 and up can participate in a treasure hunt and work on crafts like making pirate hats and decorating treasure chests.  Sounds like fun.  Head on down with your kids, nieces, nephews, or neighbors kids on Friday.

New Children's Programs at Library.

We blogged earlier this week about a Hula Hoop class at the Carroll Gardens Public Library, whihc was for adults only. Well, they've got a few things coming up for kids as well. Starting April 17th is a month and a half long series of workshops for children in both English and Spanish. It's every Tuesday from 4-5pm until May 29th with stories, art, and other learning activities. Meant for ages 3-8. Also at the library on Friday April 19th at 4pm is "Well, what about whales?". For children ages 6 and up this program teaches about the science of whales and at the end they'll give away books. Put these great events on your calendar!

Learn to Hula!

Need a good workout? If you're tired of the boring old treadmill or your usual gym routine the Carroll Gardens library is offering a fun class tomorrow night in Hula Hooping! It's April 3rd at 6pm at 396 Clinton Street and will be taught by certified hula hoop instructor, Celia Kutcher. They will provide hoops so all you have to do is show up and get ready to work those hips. All levels are welcome and don't worry about a 7 year old showing you up because this class is for adults only. 18 years and older. As usual, this program is free to the public.

Dr. Seuss Event!

Here's another great event going on at the Carroll Gardens branch library. This time it's for kids. To celebrate Dr. Seuss's 108th birthday, this Friday March 2nd, the library at 396 Clinton Street will hold a read-aloud of all our favorites. Bring your kids to the auditorium in the library basement from 4-5pm for this special story time. They're promising a surprise during the event but hearing Dr. Seuss read aloud should be reason enough to come out and join in on the fun!

Best Selling Author at Library Tonight

Patrick Taylor, author of the "Irish Country" Novels and New York Times best seller, will be appearing at the Carroll Gardens Library (Union and Clinton) tonight at 7pm. There will be a reading, discussion, and book signing at this exclusive New York appearance. You can reserve your tickets at www.patricktaylorinbrooklyn.eventbrite.com. There is a $10 suggested donation per ticket. It's so wonderful to have these events available through our library so come out and take advantage of them!