In this issue:

Fourth of July holiday closing

Plant A Row volunteer(s) needed for Aug. 4 & 11

There's still time to take the EPL survey

SRC 2025 is almost 500 strong--join us!

Tonight: Photo Album Design with Melissa Draving

June 25: Meet meLVin the LV Phantoms mascot

June 27 Sew Colorful: Make a pillow (or two)

July 12 ART@EPL Workshop: Color Theory with Elena Shackleton

July 21-24: Climate Change STEM Camp at the Macungie Institute

May private-funding update

Events: Dungeons & Dragons, eat the rainbow & more

Just added: 125 items

New on Libby: 22 ebooks and 8 magazine titles

Summer Road Trip on hoopla & Indie Films on Kanopy

Plant A Row volunteer(s) needed for August 4 & 11

The eighth season of Plant A Row produce collections is under way! As in previous years, donations may be left in the cooler outside the library entrance (near the bike rack) anytime from Sunday evening after 7 p.m. to Monday morning by 10 a.m.

Our Plant A Row volunteer will not be available for the August 4 and 11 pickups, and we need one or two people to set up the cooler Sunday evening, then pick up and weigh the produce and deliver it to a local food pantry Monday morning.

Please email Sue Kowalchuk if you're available to pitch in. Thank you!

Please take a brief survey to help us serve you better

Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey to provide us with feedback on the resources, programs and services you'd like to see at EPL!

There's still time to add your input and help shape the future of the library.

Take the survey here. It only takes about 5 minutes and your responses are confidential.

Thank you for your time!

Come join Summer Reading Club!

Sign up at the library -- ALL ages -- no library card required.

Get a free book just for signing up.

WOW -- nearly 500 of you have already signed up for Summer Reading Club, Color Our World, in just the first two weeks!

There is still plenty of time -- eight weeks, in fact -- to enjoy the rewards of reading whatever you like this summer. Just sign up at the library to get started. 

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

CHILDREN (up to 5th grade) and Family Readers (not yet reading independently): Earn journey beads or stickers for reading (or being read to) and a prize for every two hours, up to 10 hours.

Teens (entering 6th grade up to age 18): Earn scratch-off tickets to redeem for small (and larger) instant prizes throughout the summer. Get two tickets for every two hours spent reading.

ADULTS (18 & up): Complete book reviews for a chance to win a prize at the end of the summer (each review earns a raffle ticket). Complete a bingo and get a chance to win a prize at the end of the summer -- plus another free book! Prizes include: A $50 Barnes & Noble gift card; $25 Staples gift card; jigsaw puzzle basket; arts and crafts basket, and a journaling supplies basket.

Tonight: Photo album design with Melissa Draving

Preserve your memories in a beautiful, meaningful photo album. Learn how to organize photos, choose the right format, and design an album that tells a story. Perfect for creating gifts or preserving family history, this session will give you expert tips to get started. Drop in - no registration required!

Meet meLVin the LV Phantoms mascot June 25!

We have a special guest joining us for storytime this Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. -- meLVin, the awesome Lehigh Valley Phantoms mascot!

Stop in for stories, photos and a craft.

June 27 Sew Colorful: Make a pillow

Want something fun to do Friday? Come in out of the heat and grab one of the last spots to make a colorful pillow (or two) with Lisa Marten and the Quilters. 

• 10:15 a.m. to noon: Reading pillow with pocket to store your book or reading buddy.
• 1-4 p.m.: Bento-block design pillow to brighten up your home.

Sign up online for one or both sessions, open to 4th grade and up through adult. Sessions are limited to 8 participants. All materials provided and some sewing machines are available. Please bring your own if you have one.

ART@EPL Workshop: Color Theory with Elena Shackleton

Join award-winning artist and president of the Lehigh Art Alliance, El Shackleton, to explore the history of color in art, the development of color theory, and the science behind how we see color.

Through examples in art and drama, El will help attendees understand the uses of color and the psychological effects of color on the viewer.

Participants will explore a simplified way to mix the color they want using watercolor.

Saturday, July 12, 11 AM-1 PM
Registration required -- sign up online.

Climate Change STEM Camp at the Macungie Institute

July 21-24, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM

Teachers from the Citizen's Climate Lobby Education group present a Climate Change Camp for budding scientists!

This school-age series runs Monday through Thursday at the Macungie Institute (510 E. Main St., Macungie).

For third through sixth graders and their younger siblings!

Registration required. sign up online.

May private-funding update

The private-funding thermometer rose by $5,825 in May, bringing the total for the year to $49,582, or 32.2 percent of the goal.

General gifts (including the donation box) totaled approximately $4.8K, with a $4K private donation making up the bulk. 

Sales in the Friends' Book Nook added $720 in May, and cash receipts of roughly $275 for lost/damaged books, printing/copying, and room rentals rounded out the rest.

With seven months left, the gap to the goal stands at $104,598. The private-funding goal represents the projected gap between the amount that's covered by state and local funding vs. the library's operating budget. Approximately a third of the library's budget must be covered through fund-raising and private donations throughout the year.

Check back next month for June results and please consider making a one-time or recurring monthly donation. You can also support the library by volunteering, frequenting the Friends' Book Nook for great bargains on books and puzzles, or honoring a loved one by dedicating a gift book in their name.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

EVENTS: Dungeons & Dragons, eat the rainbow and more

Click below for details and visit our new online calendar (powered by Local Hop) for lots more great events coming this summer!

Just added: 125 items

See/download our latest additions and click on a cover for details or to reserve items from your account online for quick pickup at the desk.

New on Libby

Over on Libby, 22 ebooks and 8 new magazine titles have been added, as well as the latest issues of your favorites--all available with your card number and 4-digit PIN.

Need help with Libby? Check out their help page or book time with library staff for one-on-one help.

Thank you for reading and supporting the library. Watch for the next issue of BELONG on (or about) July 5.

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