Starting From Zed

Reflecting Back on the Summer Reading Fun of 2014

Science – Fizz, Boom, Read!

Summer time, I head up to Central New York to visit some of my favorite libraries bringing programs of dinosaurs and dragons, the mythology of outer space, star tales and moon magic, guitar music and just plain fun.

This tradition began about 10 years ago, when Amanda Briggs – the wonderfully inventive children’s librarian in Waterville, NY – emailed me a request to come to five libraries in the Midyork Library System. I replied "yes, of course - that sounds fun," and ever since I have journeyed up to the beautiful towns and friendly people along the Erie Canal and the Fingerlakes.

What a different experience than my usual NYC patch! Instead of subways and crowded streets with taxis, busses and cars, there are long stretches of country roads, miles of farmlands and small towns dotting the landscape. Even the cities of Utica, Syracuse and Ithaca seem almost bucolic.

Great community is found in smaller town libraries. Children of all ages - babies to teens - are mixed with attentive adults listen together, and everyone is ready to participate. People stay afterwards to talk and to tell you what they liked best, or tell you a story of their own.

Plus… Have you ever tasted chicken riggies? Or Hofmann hot dogs? How about Stewart’s ice cream? Michael’s is my favorite restaurant, along with Dinosaur BBQ, Moosewood Café and some great homemade ice cream stands and pizza good enough to impress this Brooklyn girl. For the uninitiated into the glories of upstate NY food, there are some links below.

Thanks for a great summer! I will be seeing you in Utica and Homer this fall!

P.S.

Here are some of the wonderful libraries and fabulous librarians (plus associates) I have visited with this summer:

Peck Memorial Library, Marathon, NY – Mary Frank