We're looking for volunteers!

Love being surrounded by books? Looking for some service hours for school or your resume? Why not volunteer at the library?

We're looking for hard-working, reliable Restocking Aces 

in the Children's Department 

Tuesdays 6--8 PM, Wednesdays 1--3 PM, and Thursdays 4--6 PM

and in Circulation Saturdays 4--6 PM.

Sub positions are also available in Children's.

We also need volunteers for the following positions on these days:

Clean Team (keep those shelves and materials in tip-top shape) Tuesday--Thursday 

Relocation Technicians (rearrange materials to improve spatial needs) Monday--Friday

Sequence Specialists (the last defense against misshelved library materials) -- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

And...we're look for volunteers to help us do some face painting at the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Thursday, March 24.

We've got plenty of opportunities for you to lend a helping hand. To apply for a volunteer position, fill out an online application. 

6 Best Children's Libraries in the United States

We are honored to be listed once again! Mommy Nearest (mommynearest.com) listed our Children's Library as one of the 6 best in the United States. Click here to see the full article.

Thanks, Mommy Nearest!

Children's Library Makes List of 8 Most Incredible Children’s Libraries in the World

We are thrilled to be listed on Retaleblog's, The 8 Most Incredible Children’s Libraries in the World article published this week. It may come as no surprise to those of us who know and love our very own Enchanted Forest and Talking Owl, but it's nice to receive worldwide recognition for our treasured gem.

Click here to read the full article.

Reading with Lily

Children read with a furry friend.

Andi Kelley reading with Lily.

Danielle & Derrick Hardy read a story to Lily.

Lily is a white boxer with a brown patch over her left eye. She’s loving, gentle, and sometimes silly. She’s also a literacy mentor. Every first and third Monday of the month from 4:15-5:15 p.m., children can sign up for free, ten-minute sessions to read aloud to her for enjoyment or to improve literacy skills.

Lily and her owner, Anne Williams, have volunteered at the Library since September 2012. They are a registered team with READing Paws, a non-profit affiliate of R.E.A.D.® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs®), which ensures dogs are trained and tested for health and safety and have the appropriate skills and temperament. R.E.A.D.®, a program of Intermountain Therapy Animals® (ITA), utilizes therapy animals to help improve children’s reading and communication skills and teaches them to love books and reading by employing a powerful method:  reading to an animal.

“We are grateful that Anne and Lily spend time with our children reading together,” says Susan Earl, library director. “So many children have bonded with Lily and improved their reading skills along the way.  Lily never complains and welcomes all the children reading to her.  She loves learning and lots of hugs!”

Lily, now 10 years old, and Anne have been working with children for eight years. After completion of training and registration with READing Paws, they worked individually with children at Scales Elementary in cooperation with the school’s reading specialist.

During Lily’s training to become a CD(Companion Dog) at the Nashville Dog Training club, Anne and the trainers noted that Lily might have the temperament to work as a therapy dog. That’s when Anne found READing Paws and completed registration and training.

When Lily is not listening to children read, she enjoys chasing squirrels and eating vanilla ice cream with Anne’s husband, Bob. She also tolerates her boxer brother, Ben. Anne and her husband Bob are Brentwood residents. They have been married 23 years. They have five children and five grandchildren.

Tickets for Morning with Santa

 

Morning with santa & magic show

Saturday, December 6

Doors open at 9am

Enjoy a visit with our featured guest—Santa!

Bring your camera and plan on staying for refreshments. 

 

Magician Scott Humston will be on hand again this year to amaze and delight us  with his fascinating magic and hilarious showmanship. The magic show will be offered at three times:  9:30am, 10:30am and 11:30am. 

 

You must have a ticket to participate in either the Morning with Santa or the Magic Show. Tickets are available beginning Monday, November 17th at the Children's Desk. These are free events, but tickets are required.

 

For more information, please contact Pat Ladnier or Missy Dillingham at 371-0090, ext. 8380.

 

 

Tickets for both readings are gone.

 

Don’t miss out on one of Brentwood’s most cherished traditions! Join us Monday, December 1st for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, with special dedication by Mayor Betsy Crossley.  The evening is filled with special music, holiday treats, warm cider, and a visitor who seems to appear right from the pages of a very special book! The tree lighting’s special music will be provided by the Ravenwood High School Chorus. 

Tickets are all gone for both readings.

 

Monday, December 1

5pm First Reading of The Polar Express

5:30pm Dedication and Lighting of Tree

6pm Second Reading of The Polar Express

 

This is a free event, but tickets are required. Tickets are available in the Children's Department beginning Monday, Nov 17th. Every person who wants to enter the reading must have a ticket.
Tickets are all gone for both readings.

 

Where in the World is Professor Hoot?

The Professor's travels continue...

His first stop was Seaport Village in San Diego.



Next he was off to Balboa Park in San Diego, California.   

Then he journeyed all the way to Rocky's in Rockford, Michigan for an ice cream come. Professor hoot had two scoops of s'mores ice cream on a cone.

Then he was off to the Virginia for the Lake Anna 4th of July parade with Caleb Lear.

Where, oh where, do you think he will go next?

How's your Summer Reading coming along?

Remember back when we were signing up for Summer Reading? It's seems like just a short time ago, but the weeks are flying by. Today is the first day young readers/listeners can come by the Children's Department to pick up their prizes.

Haven't met your goal yet? No worries! You have until August 17th to complete your log.

We look forward to seeing you with a completed log in hand to pick up your prize!

Anthony the Balloon Kid at the Brentwood Library

Be amazed by this international award-winning balloon artist and entertainer. His incredible creations are most commonly referred to as "BALLOONS OF PURE AWESOMENESS!" Have a FUN-derful time and laugh until your sides hurt while you watch his silly antics and discover that at any age, it is FUN-tastic to be a kid at heart!

Date: Thursday,  June 6
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Meeting Rooms A & B
Cost: This event is a FREE part of our summer reading program.

After School Fun at the Library for Grades K - 2

Did you know that the Brentwood Library has a fun weekly after school program for kids in grades K - 2? The After School Explorers meet every Tuesday during the school year from 4:30 - 5:30.

The children explore the world through books, games, activities, and crafts. A snack is offered, too! Space is limited to 30 children per session, but plenty of spots are still available. Sign your children up today on our website! Please be sure to register for each session individually.

Help Wanted! Do You Like Working with Kids?

If you enjoy helping children, and you're looking for a fun volunteer opportunity at the library, then we have the perfect job for you! We're looking for one reliable volunteer to help with our After School Explorers program for kids in grades K - 2. The After School Explorers volunteer will help us set up the room, assist the kids with a craft project, and help clean up after the program is over. This is a good volunteer opportunity for a high school student with babysitting experience!

The ideal candidate is age 14+, and is available on Tuesdays from 3:45 - 6:00 for the rest of the school year. If you'd like to help, please send an e-mail to Jen Wooters. Jen is looking forward to hearing from you and helping you get started!

Children's Programs - Read with Lily

Do your children love dogs and books? Then they'll love Lily! Lily is a READing Paws dog, and she loves to listen as children read stories to her. Whether your child needs practice reading aloud or they just love doing it, don’t miss this opportunity to meet Lily. This program is offered every first and third Monday of the month, and Lily's next visit to the library will be on November 19 from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Click here to learn more about the READing Paws program. To register for a reading time with Lily, call the Children’s Library at 371-0090 ext. 8380.

The Brentwood Library is home to one of the nation's Top 10 Children's Libraries!

Photo by Peter Nash

Congratulations to the Children's Library staff at the Brentwood Library! Livability.com has chosen our children's library as one of the top 10 children's libraries in the country. Libraries were selected based on their appealing spaces for children, full range of programs, large collections, new technologies, and proven success in getting kids to engage. We're so thrilled to be chosen for this honor! Click here to see the other libraries that made the list.