On Saturday morning, 12 June, stop by the Hampden Library to sign up for our Summer Reading Club. Enjoy snacks and bevs from 11am-1pm while registering for the Club. This year’s theme is “Make A Splash—Read” for kids, “Make Waves @ Your Library” for teens, and “Beach Blanket Bingo” for grownups. There is a club reading level for everyone, from young children, who can be in the “Read-to-Me” club, all the way up to grownups, who—new this summer—can participate too.

The Summer Reading Club is a self-paced reading program that runs 8 weeks (from 12 June – 7 August), with the goal of reading 8 books in 8 weeks. (And any books count, not just library books.) All kids are eligible to participate, from newborns through age 18, and those who complete the club will receive the 2010 Summer Reading Club T-shirt. (Grownups who participate will receive a small token instead.) There will also be a lot of fun shows at the library going on this summer, including 2 performances of the ever popular National Aquarium skits. Dive on in at the Library for a wonderful summer of reading!

The HonFest starts this Friday @ 6pm, 11 June, with a concert in Roosevelt Park. More details and the concert schedule can be found @ www.honfest.net.

          HonFest will continue all weekend through 6pm on Sunday, 13 June. HonFest is famous for its delicious grilling aromas, other yummy treats, vendors, carnival fun, and music on 2 stages! It’s all happening on 36^th Street and Roosevelt Park. Proceeds will benefit worthy causes.

Magna Carta Day is 15 June—only 5 more years until the octocentennial!

In 1215 King John of England met with a group of barons in a meadow on the banks of the Thames River, and affixed his royal seal to a document that was created to bring about peace between the king and a group of rebellious nobles. The ideas laid out in the document—which would later be called the Magna Carta—would become the foundation for many of the freedoms which people enjoy today.

The Hampden Library is currently displaying books on the Magna Carta. Learn how the Magna Carta has come to be recognized as influential in securing basic rights so commonly accepted in modern times.

2010 National Geographic Bee
Episode #2010

The annual National Geographic Bee returns for the 22nd consecutive year with host and moderator Alex Trebek. The 2010 National Geographic Bee will feature 54 fourth- to eighth-graders vying for the Bee crown and the top prize of a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Second and third prizes are college scholarships of $15,000 and $10,000. The finalists, all winners of their state-level geographic bees, have triumphed over a field of nearly 5 million students to earn a place in the national championships. They represent the 50 states, District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.

Thursday , May, 27, 2010
MPT
11:00 AM

The Hampden Branch co-hosted a Fairy Tale Ball on Saturday, April 24^th in conjunction with and held at the Roland Park Branch. Royal music, costumes, crafts, merriment, and snacks were enjoyed by all who attended.

During the whole month of May 2010, call A Story Anytime, (410) 396-8396 and press “3” to hear Ms. Cheryl read Deep in the Swamp by Donna M. Bateman.