The imaginative play area located in the Children’s library at the Crown Point location has transformed into a post office! The post office is infused with literacy, math, and writing opportunities for children of all ages. This new play area was unveiled in January 2020 and is designed to switch themes periodically. Last month featured a grocery store and those materials have traveled to the Winfield Branch. The play area is designed to encourage the American Library Association and Public Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) program which has five components, including reading, writing, singing, talking and playing, which aim to help children learn to read and improve their reading. the play area was made possible by the generous donation of the Birdzell family in memory of Sharon Greening, more information can be found here.
The grocery store is now open at the Winfield Branch Library! Stefan, age 3, was the first one to enjoy playing at the new interactive play area.
Mark your calendars for the community’s most exciting miniature golf event!
The Crown Point Community Library is excited to announce the next Library Mini Golf Event, “A Hole Lot of Fun,” is on Saturday, April 18, 2020, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Library will transform into an 18-hole miniature golf course for the day. Players, of all ages, will enjoy putting through the stacks, on the first and second floor, down the staircase and all the way to the “Family Fun Zone” located in the library’s public meeting rooms. Here, players will be treated to free refreshments, a balloonist, face painting, games and more!
Library Mini Golf is one of the most exciting opportunities to raise money to support library programming and brings awareness of how the Library plays an integral part in our community’s success and quality of life for its residents. The event is strategically scheduled in April to coincide with two American Library Association’s sponsored celebrations- National Library Week (April 19-25) and School Library Month. During the event, Crown Point schools compete in a hole-decorating contest. Golfers vote for the best hole and three winnings schools receive a cash prize to purchase books for their school library (sponsored by the Friends of the Crown Point Library).
The cost is $5 per person or $20 for a group of five. Tickets will go on sale, at the Crown Point Library, on April 1st. The ticket includes one round of golf and admittance to the Family Fun Zone.
Come out and join us for “A Hole Lot Of Fun” and support the Library while have fun playing mini-golf inside the Library!
Sponsorships
This event is a great way to put your business in front of hundreds of community members. All sponsorships come with unique benefits and tickets to the event. Contact us to learn how you can sponsor a hole or donate a raffle item at the Library Mini Golf Event! Call Laura at (219) 306-4599 or email lclemons@crownpointlibrary.org. or download the sponsorship information here.
In 2018, the Crown Point Community Library received a generous donation from the Birdzell Family in memory of local educator, Sharon Greening. The memorial gift was designated to assist with the development and enhancement of the Library’s early reading programming and services. The Library had been carefully planning how to utilize the donation to foster early literacy development in both the Crown Point and Winfield communities.
In 2019, in addition to renaming the Crown Point location’s Children’s Program room in Greening’s honor, a portion of the donation was used to purchase a large number of educational materials to support sensory programming for all children, but especially for children with special needs. On January 24, 2020, the Library introduced a new imaginative play area in the Children’s Library located at the Crown Point location. The area, designed to have themes that will switch out periodically, will provide an ever-changing learning experience for community children. Some of the planned themes include a grocery store, veterinarian office, diner, farmer’s market, post office, science lab, ice cream parlor, bakery, hot dog stand, and pizza shop. The imaginative play materials will also travel to the Winfield Branch Library for use in their imagination play area. The Library’s new imaginative play area will become another reason why the Library has become a destination for both learning and fun.
This new area will support the American Library Association and Public Library Association’s “Every Child Ready to Read” program (ECRR) practices, which include talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. The research-based series of practices help young children develop essential literacy skills that will help them get ready to read and start on the right path to school readiness and future success.
The library’s storytime events and early literacy programs are derived from ECRR practices. The library has always been a destination where children and families can come to learn and play together and its mission seeks to offer programs and opportunities for parents and children to interact while providing parents and caregivers resources in supporting the literacy development of their children.
The Library is thankful for the generous donations from community members and organizations. For more information on how to make a donation to the Library please contact Laura Clemons at (219) 306-4599 or email lclemons@crownpointlibrary.org.
From left: Oliver S., Gavin G. and Ophelia S. were the first shoppers at the new imaginative play area “grocery store.”
Cozy up with a “sweet read” this winter and participate in the Crown Point Community Library’s Winter Reading Event. This year’s program theme is Sweet Reads! The program is for all ages and begins January 13 and runs through February 23. Here is how it works:
At the Crown Point location, adults will sign up on the first floor in the New Release book section, and children and teens will sign up in the Children’s Library on the second floor. At the Winfield Branch, all ages can sign up at the Circulation Desk.
Adult Winter Reading:
Register at the Crown Point or Winfield Branch Library
Pick up one, or more, reading logs to record the books of your choice you read this winter during the months of January and February
Turn in completed log sheet at the library for weekly drawings
At the Crown Point Library, enter your completed logs in the New Release Book Display area, and at the Winfield Branch enter your completed logs at the Circulation Desk.
Drawings will occur on each Monday from January 20 – February 24.
Children & Teens:
Sign up in the Children’s Library or Winfield Branch Circulation Desk.
Receive a BINGO card. Try to finish a row down, across or diagonally for a BINGO. Check-in once a week for a prize.
Complete the card to enter the grand prize drawing!
Grand Prize: Amazon Fire Tablet
(For kids Amazon Fire HD 8 kids edition | For teens & adults: Amazon Fire 7)
Download the library newsletter to find out about all the activities planned in January! Free movies and events for all ages!
The Crown Point High School Alumni Association is sponsoring a juried art show showcasing artwork by current Crown Point High School senior class students and alumni from all Crown Point High School graduating classes. The purpose of the show is to showcase and reward the work of talented Crown Point High School students and provide a link between current students and Crown Point High School alumni who are active in the visual arts.
Cash prizes will be awarded to current students.
A presentation of awards reception will be held at the Crown Point Library on Saturday, February 1 at 2 p.m., the public is invited to attend.
For complete rules and to submit an entry please visit www.cpaashow20.org/ or email cpaashow@gmail.com.
The United States Census Bureau is hiring for the 2020 Census. The Crown Point Library will be providing time for interested individuals to meet with Census staff to apply to be a census taker on Monday, November 18 from 1-3 p.m. and Wednesday, November 20 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Interested individuals would need the following qualifications:
• At least 18 years old
• Have a valid Social Security number
• Have a valid email address
• Pass a criminal background check
• Be able to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, and weekends.
• Have access to a vehicle and have a valid driver’s license
• Have access to a computer with Internet to complete training
• Meet with Census staff to inquire about employment and to complete the application process at the library.
For more information or to apply online, visit www.2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-JOB-2020.
The 1934 Primary Election Rolls are on display in the Crown Point Library lobby through November; starting in December, they will be on display in the Indiana Room.
These rolls were in possession of The Lake County Board of Elections and Registration. They were found by the Honorable Lorenzo Arredondo while looking through other records at the American Legion post. There was discussion as to the best use/display of the records so they would not be lost to time and space again. The board decided to make an offer to the Crown Point Community Library Indiana Room as a donation of the rolls. It was agreed between the Director, Indiana Room Specialist, and Board Representative that the record books would be transferred to the Library. The official transfer of records to the Director and Indiana Room Specialist occurred during the July 16, 2019, Lake County Board of Elections and Registration meeting. Following the display in the lobby, the Library agrees to make them available to the public for viewing. Please make arrangements with the Reference Desk if you wish to view the roll books after they are returned to the Indiana Room.
LIST OF REGISTERED VOTERS: PRIMARY 1934 Roll Books
Crown Point and Hobart (open to South Main Street, Crown Point)
East Chicago
Gary
Hammond
Townships: Calumet, Cedar Creek, Center, Eagle Creek, Hanover, Hobart, North, Ross, St. John, West Creek, and Winfield
Whiting
***PRIMARY ELECTION was held on Tuesday, May 8, 1934***
Celebrating its 14th year, Sunday, Oct. 20 to Saturday, Oct. 26 is National Friends of Libraries Week.
National Friends of Libraries Week is a national week of celebration recognizing the advocacy and contribution efforts of Friends groups that are made up of volunteers. Have you thought about becoming a “Friend” but haven’t done it yet? Friends couldn’t do what they do without the help of people like you! Join today, download the membership form or pick one up at either library location.
The Friends support the Library through advocacy, fundraising, and promotion of library programs and initiatives. For over 35 years, they have made it their mission to enhance and promote the use and enjoyment of the library.
The role of the Library in our community is evolving in exciting and necessary ways. Beyond, books, the library is now also a place to learn essential skills, connect with your community, and discover new opportunities. When you support the Friends by becoming a member, making a donation, attending a fundraising event, you help make resources available to everyone.
Join us in thanking our Friends and support them at their upcoming book sale beginning Wednesday, October 23 through Friday, October 25. Friends members are invited to the special preview on Wednesday from 4 – 5 p.m. Please bring your member i.d. The public sale hours are Wednesday, October 23: 5 – 7 p.m., October 24: 9 – 7 p.m., October 25: 9 – 3 p.m. Browse through thousands of items ranging from children’s books, non-fiction, fiction, paperback, music CDs and more! Mix and match items from the sale for $5 a bag.
You can also support the Friends by purchasing a ticket to their Bunco For Books event on November 1. Proceeds from this fundraising event benefit literacy outreach efforts in our community! Tickets can be purchased at the Circulation Desk at the Crown Point location. For more information click on the image.
It was three years ago today the doors opened at the new location for our Winfield Branch! The new location, 10771 Randolph Street, opened on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, and increased by over 3,000 square feet. It includes these new features for the first time: a dedicated space for library programming that also serves as a public meeting room, increased seating for study and reading leisure, more public computers, a community display area, a coffee cafe and is a fully handicap-accessible building.
A little history about the Winfield Branch:
August 11, 1982— The Library was officially renamed to Crown Point Community Library, with the addition of full library service for Winfield Township residents.
In 1989 the first Winfield Township Branch Library opened with a collection of 2000 adult and children’s books.
In 1998 the Winfield Branch Library doubled its space when it moved to 10645 Randolph Street
Cozy up with a “sweet read” this winter and participate in the Crown Point Community Library’s Winter Reading Event. This year’s program theme is Sweet Reads! The program is for all ages and begins January 13 and runs through February 23. Here is how it works:
Celebrating its 14th year, Sunday, Oct. 20 to Saturday, Oct. 26 is National Friends of Libraries Week.
