Summer Reading Performers

Summer Reading Performers 2014

Thursday, July 10th @ 2:30 - Musician Paul Helou

An exciting, interactive musical program with guitarist/storyteller Paul Helou.  A blend of songs with improv, movement, drama, word play and more.  Ages 4+.  No registration is required.  Held in the lower level program room.

Tuesday, July 22nd @ 10:30am - Magician The Great Baldini

Explore the relationship between science and magic with magician The Great Baldini.  Featuring audience participation, comedy and magic.  Ages 4+.  No registration is required.  Held in the lower level program room.

This event is in lieu of the Mat Franco magic show originally scheduled for July 22nd at 10:30am.

Thursday, July 31st @ 10:30am - Animal Experiences with Dave Marchetti

The Science of Animals - A hands-on introduction to turtles, snakes, lizards and Wally the Alligator with Dave Marchetti.  Ages 4+.  No registration is required.  Held in the lower level program room.


Wednesday, August 13th @ 11:00am - Polynesian Dance with Laura Matta

All things Hawaii with Laura Matta!  Learn Hawaiian music, dance and drumming as well as two complete hula dances.  Held in Aquidneck Park outside the library.  Part of the end of summer reading outdoor fair.  Ages 4+.  No registration is required.

Summer Reading Opening Fair

Summer Reading will kick-off with an Opening Fair on Monday, June 30th from 1:30pm - 4:00pm.  Register for the reading program and any summer activities that require registration (if you haven't already done so), enjoy science activities and see demonstrations of winning science fair projects by local students.

In addition, Mad Science will astound you with a performance that will Fizz, Pop and Boom at 2:30pm.  Mad Science is on a mission to spark your imagination and curiosity and show you that science is all around. Mad Science provides exciting hands-on / minds-on "edutainment", and will demonstrate a number of exciting science experiments.

No registration is required for the Opening Fair - just drop in!  Held in the lower level program room.  For all ages. 

Sign up for Summer Activities - TODAY!

Sign ups for any of the summer programs that require registration begins today!  Stop by the Children's Desk or call 847-8720 ext. 204.

The summer activities that you must register to attend are:

• Puppet Workshops - Wednesday mornings at 10:30am - July 9, 16, 23 and 30
• Science Club - July 15, July 25 and August 6
• Tween Programs - July 8, 17, 24, 29 and August 7
• Get Cooking with Chemistry! - Tuesday, July 22 at 2:30pm
• Science Crafts - Saturday, July 26 at 2:30pm

Any questions?  See a Children's Librarian or call the desk today.  Hope to see you this summer!

Summer Reading - Chapter Book Recommendations

Looking for a great book to read this summer?  Try one of these fantastic chapter books on our summer reading science theme:

Hello, Nebulon! by Ray O'Ryan (Galaxy Zack #1)

Moving from Earth to the futuristic planet Nebulon in 2120, eight-year-old Zack is nervous about starting school and meeting people.

Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle by Bob Pflugfelder

11 year-old siblings Nick and Tesla discover there's a spy in their midst, searching for secrets in the home of their beloved (and slightly crazy) Uncle Newt. Is it the new laboratory assistant? The exterminator? The housekeepers? Or someone completely unexpected? To expose the mystery agent, Nick and Tesla must engineer all kinds of outrageous contraptions, from code wheels and fingerprint powder to spy cameras and burglar detectors.

The Science Unfair by Nate Ball

Young Zack works to protect his tiny alien friend, Amp, while struggling through a science-fair project and preventing an alien invasion

The Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School by Fowler DeWitt

When a mysterious illness sweeps through school, causing students to change color, sixth-grade scientist Wilmer Dooley tries to find the cause and cure.

Get Cooking with Chemistry!

Like to experiment in the kitchen?  Learn about food science and the chemistry of cooking with Get Cooking with Chemistry! on Tuesday, July 22nd at 2:30pm.  Dr. Susan Meschwitz, of Salve Regina University, will help you experiment with mystery powder and yeast and will demonstrate how to make home-made ice cream using liquid nitrogen!

Registration is required and begins on June 23rd.  Sign up at the Children's Desk or by calling 847-8720 ext. 204.  Held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.

Tween Programs: Kaleidoscope and Design a Robot

Two more summer programs for Tweens, ages 8 - 12!

Thursday, July 24th at 2:30pm learn the science behind kaleidoscopes, how they work and how they are made.  Make one of your own to bring home!

Thursday, August 7th @ 2:30pm design a tin can robot using magnets and a variety of recyclable materials.

Registration is required for both programs which will be held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  Sign up beginning June 23rd.

Farm Fresh RI

Tweens, ages 8 - 12, are invited to explore the science of nutrition - Fizz-licious! - with Farm Fresh RI on Thursday, July 17th at 2:30pm.  Come for a hands-on lesson in creating your own nutritious soft drinks with delicious Rhode Island grown fruit.  Participants are invited to bring an empty container of their favorite soft drink and explore the nutrition facts label as they learn about the content of their soft drink choices.

Registration is required and begins on June 23rd.  Sign up at the children's desk or over the phone (401-847-8720 ext. 204).  Held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.

Tween Activities: Electric Dough and Creative Engineering

This summer, the Children's Department is offering a variety of activities for Tweens, ages 8 - 12.  Two of the excellent programs which will be offered are presented by the Rhode Island Museum of Science Art!

Electric Dough - Tuesday, July 8 at 10:30am - Explore the properties of electricity - learn how circuits work and the difference between conductive and resistive materials.  Use LED lights, play-dough and your imagination to create electric artwork!

Creative Engineering: Marble Roller Coaster - Tuesday, July 29th at 10:30am - Explore the connection between potential and kinetic energy.  Create marble roller coasters and send your marbles on loop-the-loops, spirals and more through over 6 feet of tubing.

These programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Newport Public Library.

Registration is required - sign up beginning on June 23rd.  Held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.

Maker Camp 2014: Imagine, Design, Create

Do you like to create your own designs?  Are you interested in computer programming?  Want to learn how to use a 3D printer?  Come to Maker Camp 2014!

Kids ages 8 - 12 are invited to a five day summer camp designed to introduce 2D and 3D computer design, interactive programming, 3D printing and more.  Kids will use a 3D printer, vinyl cutter and heat press and will have the opportunity to explore OpenScad, TinkerCAD, MakerWare, Scratch, Makey Makey and more.

The camp at the Newport Public Library will take place Monday - Friday, July 14th - 18th, 9:00am - 12:00pm.  Registration is required and is limited.  Sign up now by visiting the Children's Desk or calling 847-8720 ext. 204.  Register for the entire week.

Maker Camp is a collaboration between the Newport Public Library, Middletown Public Library, Portsmouth Free Public Library, and FabNewport.  Funding is provided by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

Sign up for Summer Reading!

Registration for the 2014 Summer Reading Program, Fizz, Boom, Read! begins today!  Sign up at the children's desk, over the phone (401-847-8720 ext. 204) or online.

By signing up for the reading program, you are agreeing to read 6 books between June 30th and August 13th.  Keep track of your books in a reading log that we keep for you at the library, or online!

Readers who complete the reading requirements will receive:

• a personalized certificate
• a free book
• 1 free ticket to a PawSox game
• a Fizz, Boom, Read! pencil
• a Fizz, Boom, Read! doorknob hanger

Kids signed up for the reading program are also eligible to win grand prizes!  Find out all the details of the summer reading program on our website.

Happy reading!