The Bedford Public Library System’s annual Summer Reading Program (SRP) will be here before you know it, so make sure you save the date. The SRP registration officially begins on May 21^st, and story time programs resume during the week of Memorial Day. This summer we are “Reading by Design” by reaching reading goals, attending fabulous programs, and earning spectacular prizes! The upcoming summer months bring all kinds of special events, including: exclusive design-themed activities, performances by the Rock Star Magicians Chris & Neal, Roanoke Children’s Theatre, and a visit from our friends the Larsen family. There will also be a special guest, Russell the therapy dog and his human, Sue Ellen Haver. That’s not all, so stop by any BPLS location, or check out our website www.bplsonline.org for more information.

Bedford Business
Come to the library on Wednesday, April 26^th. Between 4:00 and 5:30 PM, teens and tweens between the ages of 11-19 are invited to participate in Fashion Club. Learn about the world of fashion, how to create your own designs, and do cool Do It Yourself projects to make or repurpose your own clothing. Materials are provided, but you may also bring your own. Fashion Club meets twice a month on the first and fourth Wednesday of the month. Another meeting is coming up on Wednesday, May 3^rd!

Start the month of May with a program to assist you in writing your best research papers for school. Though the internet is great, it can also make writing a paper for school hard. What if the website you’re using isn’t accurate? How can you tell? Come to the library on Tuesday, May 2^nd at 4PM to learn about trusted sources and opinion sites and how to tell the two apart. Your grades will thank you! Refreshments are provided. Ages 12+

Join us at the Bedford Library for STEAM Wednesday at 4:15 PM on May 10^th! We’re doing a number of experiments and activities to learn about earthquakes and tropical storms! Registration is appreciated but not required, so call (540) 586-8911 ext. 2108 to let us know you’re coming. Ages 6-14

Don’t miss LEGO® Club on Thursday, May 11^th between 3:30 and 5:30 PM. Put your imagination to work using our LEGOS® or DUPLOS®. From 3:30-4:30 PM, kids will also have the opportunity to spend time reading to Ty, our Reading Assistance Dog. This is a great time for your child to practice reading skills and boost confidence while having fun with our favorite furry friend. Ages 5+

All kinds of fun awaits at the Bedford Library’s annual Comic-Con, which is coming up fast on Saturday, May 20^th between 1-4PM! Don’t wait until the last minute; start preparing now! Fans of all fandoms are invited to enjoy this year’s crop of crafts, activities, contests, and refreshments. Cosplayers, put on your best costumes and enter the cosplay contest; gamers, enjoy Minecraft on the Xbox; duelists, grab your Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and join your friends for battling or trading while you snack on deep-fried Oreos. Do you love to draw? Use a variety of provided materials to sketch with your friends, and even turn your own original design (or your favorite logo) into a custom Shrinky-Dink button! Fans of manga, rejoice—the library is introducing a new collection of non-circulating Shonen Jump magazines! Find your new fandom between their covers. That’s not all! Make Tetris magnets, enjoy scavenger hunts, and take advantage of Pokemon Go lures at 1, 2, and 3PM. It’s a big day at the Bedford Library, so mark your calendars and set your alarms. We look forward to seeing you!

Forest Fun
Join us at the Forest Library for LEGO® Club! From 5:30 PM to 7PM on April 27^th, we’re exploring our imaginations with everyone’s favorite building blocks. This club meets on the last Thursday of every month. Ages 5+

Are you a big fan of dinosaurs? Join the club! The Forest Library hosts a Dinosaur Club on the first Thursday of every month. Drop by between 4:30-6 PM on May 4^th for this exclusive program. Kids ages 6+ can learn fascinating facts about these prehistoric creatures from a real dinosaur expert in this monthly club. Visit the library or call (540) 425-7002 to register.

Are you a teen who would like to earn some volunteer hours this summer? If the answer is yes, the library has a job for you! Come to a special training session on Saturday, May 6^th at 10:30 AM to learn how to help the library with our Summer Reading Program. Please bring along your calendar so that you can sign up for dates and times that work with your schedule. We look forward to working with you! Another session is coming up at 5:30 PM on Thursday, May 11^th.

Moneta Merriment
Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 27^th; the Moneta/SML Library is showing Pete’s Dragon (PG), a fresh reinvention of the 1977 film of the same name. Arrive at 5:30 PM for crafts, and enjoy snacks and the movie at 6PM. The running time is 1 hour 43 minutes.

Build with LEGOs® and meet new friends on Saturday, April 29^th at the library between 10:30 and 12! Use our LEGOs® or bring your own. Take a break at 11AM to increase your reading fluency and confidence with READ: Reading Education Assistance Dogs. It’s fun to read aloud to specially trained dogs in the library.

Big Island Antics
On Tuesday, April 25^th, hang out at the Big Island Library from 4:30 to 6:30 and play Xbox 360 Kinect and some card and board games, all while consuming junk food. For students in grades 5-10.

Friday, April 28^th is bringing another STEM Club to the Big Island Library! This month we are learning all about bees! How do they make honey? What’s happening to bees worldwide and how can we protect them? Participation is limited, so call (540) 425-7000 ext. 1 to register.

On May 5^th, at 3PM come to the Big Island Library to enjoy the Friday Film, Storks (PG)! We hope to see you there! Snacks provided by the Friends of the Big Island Library.

The LEGO® Club meets again at the library on Friday, May 19^th between 3-4PM. Build something great from your imagination, or accept the challenge of the month! If you can’t make it, come back on Saturday the 20^th between 10:30-11:30 AM for another chance. Bring your friends! Ages 5+

Montvale Marvels
Teen Night is coming up at the Montvale Library! Between 5PM and 7PM on Friday, May 5^th, we’ll be playing Xbox games, hanging out with friends, and enjoying tasty snacks. Mark your calendars!

Stewartsville Spectaculars
 Stop by the Stewartsville Library April 28^th at 10:30 for a Fun Filled Friday morning for children ages 0 – 36 months and one of their favorite grown-ups. Come out for a program of playing instruments, learning rhymes, reading stories, dancing and playing with new friends.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lauren Harper
Email:  lharper@bpls.org
Youth Service Librarian
Bedford Public Library System